IT systems explode budget estimates, bust production deadlines by years, and then fail to work properly. Why this IT-system crisis? Poor programmers? Inadequate project management? No. The Seductive Computer argues that the fundamental nature of programming technology itself is the real culprit; it promises perfection but can only deliver emergent chaos. It is also an insidiously compelling technology, peculiarly male oriented. IT systems, an unavoidable and increasing reality in all our lives, are something new to man - large-scale discrete complexity. The Seductive Computer explains this novelty that defies human understanding. This book illustrates in a simple yet thorough manner the underlying concepts necessary for understanding the IT-system crisis - not ‘How To Program’ but what the demands of programming are. It then proceeds to lay out the full gamut of issues - all stemming from the nature of the technology. From development to maintenance IT-system personnel are grappling with incipient chaos. The technicians are seduced by the detailed challenge of the technology. The scientists are seduced by the promises of their technology. The managers and users are seduced by the mysteries of the technology. No IT system is ever fully understood by anyone, so surprising behaviours will always emerge. What can be done? We must rein in our expectations of IT systems: what they can do, and how reliably they can do it. On the positive side, The Seductive Computer discusses novel paradigms that look beyond the current discrete technology: neural computing and precise approximation computing.
Thought-Provoking Thoughts About Living... comprises some 500 epigrams-covering virtually every aspect of life and living-by a former news anchor who has traveled to 75 countries and lived and worked in 8 of them. It was first published as "Frankly Partridge," the name of the author's top-rated Rhodesian TV talk show. He also wrote the leaflet "Rhodesia... as it really is," 10 million copies of which were distributed in 42 countries. London's Daily Telegraph called it: "A drop of truth in an ocean of lies..." Derek Partridge also trained SWAT Teams during the Rhodesian terror war. To give you an idea what it's about, here are some review excerpts from Rhodesia. It was accorded the rare honor of full window displays by the nation's premier book stores, Kingstons and Book Centre: "Frank, profound and controversial... he is unafraid of controversy in his dealings with such delicate matters as love and religion... he offers much food for thought... although basically dealing in philosophy, it is well packaged in a veil of humour, making it highly readable. Margaret Wasserfall, Publications Manager Look & Listen (Rhodesia's TV Guide) .,." will have an irresistible appeal to all generations... can be said to contain something for everyone, either to apply to one's own circumstances or with which to disagree. It makes enjoyable reading." D. L. Jordain, The Rhodesian Financial Gazette .,." covers a multitude of subjects from love, marriage, religion, sport and life itself. A refreshing view on life in general... recommended reading." Rhodesia Railways Magazine" ... rare gems of wisdom and deep sincerity" R.K., The New Star "I enjoyed your book enormously and found much in it to comfort me. Ithink your philosophy is fine." Christina Foyle, owner of The World's Greatest Bookshop, W.G. Foyle of London.
Ch. 1. A singular enigma -- ch. 2. Scanning for gold -- ch. 3. Brain wave solutions -- ch. 4. Whole parts of minds -- ch. 5. Meaningful principles - The search continues -- ch. 6. Holism - an unholy problem -- ch. 7. Hoping for a knee up soon -- ch. 8. Self-organising systems - The engineer's nightmare -- ch. 9. The knowledge web -- ch. 10. Learning machines - Climbing lost and blind -- ch. 11. Hot technologies - the doomed and the dubious -- ch. 12. Mind recursion -- ch. 13. Ultra-intelligence -- ch. 14. Semantic mirages -- ch. 15. Hopeware science -- ch. 16. The glass half full
The songbooks of the 1830-40s were printed in tiny numbers, and small format so they could be hidden in a pocket, passed round or thrown away. Collectors have sought ‘these priceless chapbooks’, but only recently a collection of 49 songbooks has come to light. This collection represents almost all of the known songbooks from the period.
The songbooks of the 1830-40s were printed in tiny numbers, and small format so they could be hidden in a pocket, passed round or thrown away. Collectors have sought ‘these priceless chapbooks’, but only recently a collection of 49 songbooks has come to light. This collection represents almost all of the known songbooks from the period.
The songbooks of the 1830-40s were printed in tiny numbers, and small format so they could be hidden in a pocket, passed round or thrown away. Collectors have sought ‘these priceless chapbooks’, but only recently a collection of 49 songbooks has come to light. This collection represents almost all of the known songbooks from the period.
One of the greatest unmet challenges in conservation biology is the genetic management of fragmented populations of threatened animal and plant species. More than a million small, isolated, population fragments of threatened species are likely suffering inbreeding depression and loss of evolutionary potential, resulting in elevated extinction risks. Although these effects can often be reversed by re-establishing gene flow between population fragments, managers very rarely do this. On the contrary, genetic methods are used mainly to document genetic differentiation among populations, with most studies concluding that genetically differentiated populations should be managed separately, thereby isolating them yet further and dooming many to eventual extinction Many small population fragments are going extinct principally for genetic reasons. Although the rapidly advancing field of molecular genetics is continually providing new tools to measure the extent of population fragmentation and its genetic consequences, adequate guidance on how to use these data for effective conservation is still lacking. This accessible, authoritative text is aimed at senior undergraduate and graduate students interested in conservation biology, conservation genetics, and wildlife management. It will also be of particular relevance to conservation practitioners and natural resource managers, as well as a broader academic audience of conservation biologists and evolutionary ecologists.
An integration of ornithological and archaeological evidence on the history, composition and balance of the bird fauna of the British Isles. It provides essential background information for the debate on extinction, conservation and reintroduction.
Thank you for visiting our website. Would you like to provide feedback on how we could improve your experience?
This site does not use any third party cookies with one exception — it uses cookies from Google to deliver its services and to analyze traffic.Learn More.