Archived News for IT Professionals - April, 2014
Australian engineers are stealing some natural techniques to improve robotic flight.
New map puts big water data online
The divining rod has been replaced by a digital equivalent, with the launch of an internet database for groundwater monitoring.
Disney dreams of 3D-printed sheep
Disney’s research arm has helped build a 3D-printer specifically for soft and cuddly creations.
App success from battle of hackettes
Australia's first female hackathon has been run across two major cities.
One drop lens could bring microscopy to masses
Australian engineers have come up with a new way of making lenses, which could turn any smart phone into a microscope.
Solar solutions bringing perpetual flight closer
A company in Europe is moving closer to its goal of creating a solar-powered plane that can fly indefinitely.
Thousands line up for local online learning
One Australian University will launch its first ever Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) today, and already has over 20,000 people waiting for the first lesson.
Digital ground broken with cheap, simple 3D scanning plan
Australian scientists have come up with a cheap and easy way to create colourful 3D scans using simple equipment.
Fifty-eight fighter jets could be $12 bil "dud"
Australia will buy dozens of fighter jets at a cost of more than $12 billion, despite a raft of concerns about their design and abilities.
Latest ranking shows local internet advance slowing
Analysts have ranked Australia poorly in terms of internet access, affordability and investment.
Carbon hybrid for ultra-electronics
Two cutting-edge atomic structures have been combined to create incredibly high-powered energy storage.
Many millions to upgrade NSW water IT
The New South Wales State Water department has embarked on an overhaul of its IT systems, bringing cohesion to improve services for its 6300 licensed water users.
Hawking warns preparation is low, as we prepare to outdo ourselves
It is all but inevitable that humans will create an Artificial Intelligence capable of outdoing to the human brain, and Stephen Hawking says we should be better prepared.
Locals get new tools for interstellar dating
Australian astronomers will have access to one of the most advanced devices in the world for investigating the origin of stars, with the launch of a $13 million tool.
Media companies must adjust piracy to profit
One of the main organisers of a recent major film festival says movie companies need to embrace internet distribution and stop lashing out at digital ‘pirates’.
Social float falls flat for Weibo
A hotly-anticipated tech company’s float on the stock market has missed expectations.
Australia Network signs deal to stream into Chinese homes
Australian public broadcaster the ABC has been given permission to broadcast its Australia Network content to the entire Chinese population.
Staff asked to think while Department looks for silence
One of Australia’s chief public servants says departments should be able to make and enforce their own social media policies, insisting that the service is not being gagged.
Old divide carried out online
Giant tech companies are normally known for their progressive and innovative approaches to work, but new figures show the 21st century companies uphold some fairly 19th century gender divisions.
Super laser burns path to new knowledge
A lab in the US has fired its new 12 gigaelecton-volt laser.
Tech park tempts kids to go online outside
Planners in Sydney have taken a high-tech approach to getting kids off the internet and back outside.