Monday 29 April 2013

investigation into emerging Web development technologies


Recent work by a BSc Computing student, University of Northampton - Simon Patis.

An investigation into emerging Web development technologies
Simon Patis

Abstract
With an increasing number of internet enabled devices becoming available on the market the websites we create are being viewed in a different way, this is not necessarily the desired result as the dimensions and overall layout of the created site can be juxtaposed when viewed on an alternative resolution.
Although there are media queries that have been built into current CSS styling to display different views based upon the screen used it still operates within a constraint of fixed widths. Using techniques like responsive web design will address one of the ways that indicates how the public can benefit from the jump to HTML5 from HTML4 generated sites. Within this document an investigation has been developed to explore the differences between current web standards and the emerging potential of a HTML5 web standard.
During the investigation a relative association will be made to emerging hardware that delivers more opportunities for users of any skill set to get involved with software development. The tool used in this example will be the credit card sized Raspberry Pi, which in this instance has been constructed to act as a personal web server.
Using a comparative analysis of various software examples built in current web standards from the knowledge gained over the previous 3 years and emerging HTML5 techniques the results will illuminate possible reasons why HTML5 will inevitably be considered as the next evolution of web standard.



Sunday 28 April 2013

Framework for Testing AI

Recent work by a BSc Computing student, University of Northampton - Phillip Pond.

Toward the development of a Framework for Testing AI

 Phillip Pond

Abstract

This paper explains and discusses the development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) framework. The framework will contain different AI techniques such as Evolutionary Algorithms and Neural Networks. The aim of this work is develop the base structure of this framework providing a proof of concept for the end system. The different techniques and methods are discussed and their theory explained. The design and implementation of the framework is presented along with four chapters showing how the framework would be used at its current stage. Finally giving a discussion of the future work to be carried out. 







 





Computing Courses

BSc and HND Computing Provision (click on the links below for more details of the courses)



    The University of Northampton's, Department of Computing and Immersive Technologies offers five courses within the MSc Computing postgraduate provision (shown below) all available either part-time or full-time. 

    The contents are the opinion of the author(s) and not necessarily the view of the University of Northampton.

    opinion: Academia.edu


    For the second posting on the  academic social media tools, I want to look at Academic.edu.

    This was one of the first I started using and still one of my favourite.

    Summary
    - can post papers, teaching materials, links

    - really good for getting Google hits
    - the range  disciplines of people who follow your work is actually very diverse. Is often from when you start using it.
    - quite well established
    -it has analytics features in particular about where someone has googled one of your papers and the keywords used.



    Saturday 20 April 2013

    opinion: Researchgate

    This is to be the first of a series of postings about my experience with social networking tools for researchers. I would be interested in your comments on this area.

    Researchgate: www.researchgate.net 

    This is a social networking site for researchers to share papers, and probably it most interesting feature though is to ask and answer questions. It is free; you get a profile page; place for posting your papers, datasets, etc. 

    My favourite feature is you can add questions to your papers. What I mean by that is you can post discussion questions about your paper, people often respond to them - for one question so far there have been over 65 replies/answers (admittedly some other questions have had no replies).





     There is a scoring system that is a little difficult to work out, but it is early days for this site, based on factors including: impact factor, your interactions and other users interactions with your papers.
    You can track how many papers have been downloaded and your top three downloads in the last week.

    How many people have viewed you profile in the last week?


    Conclusion
    In some respects, whilst it is free, why wouldn't you put some of your papers on it (I know time). The question posing is a great feature, the discussion when they happen can be really interesting (especially when you get an answer). There is also the potential for finding a collaborator. 

    I certainly thinking any science doctoral student or early career researcher should give this serious consideration, even if all they do is post their papers (if copyright issues allow).



    Wednesday 17 April 2013

    HEA STEM Conference: Junkbots Poster

    ABSTRACT: The School of Science and Technology at the University of Northampton have been working with local schools to create robots made from junk and also to use robots programmed by the students to perform simple rubbish clearing exercises. This is an initiative by the University to introduce environmental sustainability, engineering and computing to students in schools.









    Tuesday 9 April 2013

    PhD Researcher: Yousef Forti joins Northampton : E-government in Libya

    Strategic consideration of E-government implementation in terms and the potential use of agent technology to design prototype can help citizens to e-government services


    Context
    It could be argued that some Libyan cities and villages had been marginalized for decades socially, culturally, economically, and intellectually. This has led to travel and migration of citizens to the capital Tripoli, searching for better services. 

    The new regime, led by the interim government of Libya held a conference on 14-15- July 2012 to look into ways of providing citizens with better and more effective services throughout the country. It is at this conference that the need for an efficacious e-government programme was identified and it is in this context that this research study is set.


    Tuesday 2 April 2013

    junkbots goes south again


    During National Science and Engineering Week 2013, as part of the activities provided by the University of Northampton, the Junkbots project, run by a member of the computing team, returned as part of programme of activities to South End Primary School, Rushden, Northamptonshire, UK. 


    National Science and Engineering Week is annual event celebrating science and engineering activities (http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/national-science-engineering-week)

    Last year during the same week Junkbots also formed part of the activities (see http://junkbots.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/junkbots-goes-south.html). The junkbots project is run by the computing team as part of the team's work on problem-solving skills (for example: http://computingnorthampton.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/teaching-and-learning-journal-papers.html)




    This time we worked with two classes - a year 2 and a year 5 class; building the drawing junkbot. Examples of previous drawing junkbots are shown above. Approximately 50 children took part across the two 45 minute activities.

    Essentially a drawing junkbot is based around a drinks can that:
    - draw patterns without anyone touching it;
    -carried the battery pack or not depends on the age of the group;
    -moves by shaking a can using an unbalanced motor with 'legs' make from pens.


    Related links



    If you would like to know more about the Junkbots project contact scott.turner@northampton.ac.uk