Satellite-based Internet access, the preferred solution for remote locations on the ocean, either offers a low-bandwidth connection or is very expensive to deploy. A backbone structure that provides ocean-wide Internet coverage could provide an alternative to satellite uplinks. With a wide-area network forming a mesh of nodes using floating and moving objects as well as coastal facilities, the network would use next-generation long-range surface radio technology to provide medium- to high-bandwidth Internet access. To achieve high-bandwidth Internet access under these circumstances, the backbone must leverage state-of-the-art sensor network technology, autonomous routing mechanisms, and self-organizing abilities.

Graduates of computer science (CS) and software engineering (SE) programs are typically employed to develop industry-strength software. Computer engineering (CE) programs focus primarily on computing-system design, often with significant software components. These three programs have different emphases: development of new algorithms versus development of large, complex software systems versus development of small embedded software and device drivers. All three areas require good SE practices.

This article describes the role and place of software engineering in modern computing curricula, focusing on dependable systems that can be implemented using microprocessors and programmable logic. In this time of the increasing role of software and proliferation of computing in all areas of technology and human endeavor, there is critical need for education of engineers who can understand the system as a whole, appreciating both software and hardware and their mutual connection. The similarity and difference of approaches between traditional computing software and modern programmable-logic hardware is discussed. Modern systems require good engineering considering not only the system's functionality but also dependability and safety.

SmartWS is a system that relies on smart proxies to encapsulate a variety of Web service-selection policies, including a new policy that combines the advantages of some of the most representative policies already described in the literature. Smart proxies generated by SmartWS can also encapsulate adapters to bridge potential incompatibilities between Web services interfaces and the interfaces expected by clients. Early performance results obtained from experiments carried out on a prototype SmartWS implementation support preliminary guidelines for choosing different server-selection policies.

SmartWS is a system that relies on smart proxies to encapsulate a variety of Web service-selection policies, including a new policy that combines the advantages of some of the most representative policies already described in the literature. Smart proxies generated by SmartWS can also encapsulate adapters to bridge potential incompatibilities between Web services interfaces and the interfaces expected by clients. Early performance results obtained from experiments carried out on a prototype SmartWS implementation support preliminary guidelines for choosing different server-selection policies.

This month's essay examines how to use elements of hacking experience in the regular computer science curriculum. The authors describe an architecture for a simulated computer network on which students can safely perform assignments.

After many years of budget cuts and limelight lost to other disciplines, long-term computer science research is receiving a new, if tentative, boost. Recent government-sponsored reports have emphasized basic CS research needs and, perhaps more important, a general direction the overall effort might take. Concurrently, the US Congress has begun to demonstrate a willingness to fund some of these projects to an extent sorely lacking for several years.

This issue's article is based on Ramesh Jain's keynote lecture from the 2007 IEEE International Conference on Pervasive Computing and Communications - one of the premier conferences in the field. We also include the PowerPoint presentation of his lecture (cms://dsonline/2007/09/lecture.pdf). Jain summarizes his vision of EventWeb, which builds on World Wide Web technology to realize a web of temporally related events. Informational attributes such as experiential data in the form of audio, images, and video can be associated with the events in an event web. EventWeb provides high-level mechanisms for event aggregation, search, and presentation.

The paper discusses implemention of high-performance computing at Contra Costa College, a community college near Berkeley. We established a two-year vocational-training program for future Linux cluster administrators. Unfortunately, CCC has temporarily suspended its HPC degree program owing to a lack of students. The dot-com bust caused a downturn in all high-tech fields, particularly in Northern California. Further complicating matters is the lack of a consistent job title for cluster administrators, which makes it hard to point people to available jobs. Consequently, students don't know how bright a future the HPC job field has, and only a few students seek HPC training.

A study compares two methods of reading text-based content on mobile phones: traditional scroll-based reading and Rapid Serial Visual Presentation, which displays words rapidly in a sequence. University students used a prototype called Feedo to test both methods, and their reading comprehension, efficiency, and preference ratings were measured. The results show that efficiency increases with fast RSVP, comprehension is equal, and preference rating is lower than with self-paced scroll.