News

WASP Seminar Series

21 May 2008, 4pm

SecondLife as a collaborative Scientific Visualization Tool / Cray XT in SecondLife

Paul Bourke & Jason Tan

Western Australian Supercomputer Program, UWA

Abstract - SecondLife as a Collaborative Scientific Visualization Tool

This seminar will explore the potential of using the online digital world Second Life as a collaborative scientific visualisation tool. Second Life at its core provides a means whereby multiple remote participants can engage with 3D geometry within a virtual environment. It has been chosen for this evaluation for a number of reasons, these include the easy to learn user interface, its relatively widespread uptake, the availability of the player on the main computer platforms, its non-aggressive social networking foundation, and the scripting capability. The desirable characteristics expected of any online collaborative tool in science research will be discussed and, through examples, the extent to which Second Life meets those expectations.

Abstract - Cray XT in SecondLife

Virtual social networking allows multiple users to virtually interact with each other in the virtual world. Second Life provides that platform for CRAY XT series MPP educational opportunities to be injected into potential and current users at The University of Western Australia. Users can virtually lift-off and over the CRAY, learn how to launch jobs, monitor jobs thus provides an intuitive environment for user training and visualization.

Bio - Paul Bourke

Paul Bourke is employed at the University of Western Australia as a Senior Visualisation Research Fellow. During his career Paul has acquired extensive experience bringing visualisation expertise to a wide range of discipline areas including Architecture, Brain Science, and Astrophysics. Paul has a particular interest in novel display technologies that fully engage the human visual system and how they can be applied to visualisation in scientific research, entertainment, and for public education.

Bio - Jason Tan

Jason Tan is the Senior Computer Support Officer at the WASP, where he maintains the WASP network and provides system administration and support. Jason brings with him six years of experience in Linux and Windows system administration. Jason is also the Access Grid pilot at the WASP and was recently appointed the Western Australian Access Grid Quality Assurance Tester responsible for certifying Access Grid nodes in Western Australia to ensure high level of quality. Jason has a broad interest in computing and networking technologies, and aims to continue his efforts and develop his expertise in these areas

The WASP is located in the south wing, on the Ground floor of Physics. For more information, please visit our website at http://wasp.uwa.edu.au.

9 April 2008, 4pm

Tactile Visualisation: Feel your data!

Paul Bourke
Western Australian Supercomputer Program, UWA

Abstract

Visualisation, as the name might suggest, tends to concentrate on our visual system. Typically datasets are turned into 3D geometric entites, rendered to form 2D projections, and then presented to our eyes using digital monitors or projectors. The goal of the exercise is to improve or speed up our understanding of the underlying processes being studied. We do however have other senses that may be able to be exploited in the visualisation process, in particular, our sense of touch is regularly used to explore our physical world. This presentation will discuss the automatic creation real solid models from data which can then be explored simultaneously with our sense of vision and touch. Practical examples and applications will be demonstrated based upon the model creation hardware available at UWA.

Paul Bourke is the Senior Visualization Research Fellow at the WASP, where he provides scientific visualization services to researchers. Paul brings with him international recognition and expertise in Scientific Visualization and Computer Graphics. He came to WASP in 2006 from the Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia.

19 October 2007

Preparing for Digital Natives
Garner Annett <gannett@asia.apple.com>
Jen Walbank <jwalbank@asia.apple.com>

Fri 19 October 07, 10am
WASP Access Grid Room

Abstract

Today's students are digital natives. They've grown up with digital music, photography, video and the web. And they are the greatest
consumers of digital devices. They use the internet for information, to build communities and to publish themselves. They are creators of content and are driving a revolution online that is changing how information is shared. Blogs, wikis, podcasts, all are forums for self expression. And for educators, they provide a wonderful opportunity to engage their students and community like never before.

It is becoming increasingly clearer that as a result of this ubiquitous environment and the sheer volume of their interaction with it, today's students think and process information fundamentally differently from their predecessors. Consequently these students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach.

To be successful and engaged in learning, digital students need a different set of learning tools. Apple is dedicated to providing the best tools to help students express themselves in the ways that are as natural to them as breathing. Apple's Education vision is to help students reach beyond their perceived potential to discover their own special genius.
Apple makes products that engage students and help them learn in the multisensory mode they require to process information and to build 21st century skills.

Since multiple media input is essential to this digital generation's learning, the iLife applications are the perfect solutions for students.
iLife applications are a breeze to learn and highly integrated, so it is easy for students to create dynamic and multimedia-rich projects.

This presentation offers an opportunity to understand UWA's vision in relation to the Independent Learning Centre and to explore potential collaboration between Apple and UWA.

Speakers

Jen Walbank is a senior consulting engineer with Apple's education team in Australia. Garner Annett manages the higher education business for Apple in WA.

Jen and Garner will offer a perspective on how Apple is helping students and educators alike, make the process of teaching and learning a richer one.

December 2007

iVEC Internship Program 2007-8

iVEC, the hub of advanced computing in WA, is searching for students who are ready to challenge themselves through our student internship program.
We will give access to high performance computing, visualisation and rendering facilities, large-scale data storage and high speed communications.

Applications are welcome from all fields and disciplines.

Internships will run for approximately 12 weeks during the period December through February, although dates and exact length of the internship are negotiable. The award is for up to $8,000 per student, dependent on the length of the project.

See http://www.ivec.org/interns for more information.

13 October 2007

ICT WA 2007 Conference Workshop Series

Title: The Grid - Harnessing Your Computing Resources ==

This workshop is facilitated by iVEC as part of the ICT WA 2007 Conference Program. If you want to find out about the Grid - this is perfect opportunity!

Grid computing is an evolution of the Internet that pools computer resources to process, store and access large amounts of data. In this workshop you'll be shown how Grids are implemented and the benefits they can bring to your organisation.

iVEC is a leading contributor to the development of Grid infrastructure through the Grid Australia program which connects the bulk of the most powerful academic machines in Australia. In this workshop, the Grid Australia program is used as an example to explore the key features necessary for any successful grid program. The content will range from the building blocks of the grid infrastructure to how the end user would get some work done.

As well as presentations there will be demonstrations of two grid applications and we will wrap up with a round table discussion.

When : 9.00am - 12.00pm Saturday 13 October Where : Technology Park Function Centre, Bentley.
Cost : $66 (or free as a complimentary workshop with Conference registration) Registration : online through http://ictwa.org.au/conference.htm

For more Information refer to the workshop website.