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UIUC Unveils the Worlds Most Advanced Building

Eagle5596 writes "The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, one of the top Computer Science programs in the world has just officially opened their new $80 million Siebel Center. The department head describes the building as a single computing entity, meant to be programmed and to interact with those in the building via RFID tags in their ID cards. This is probably one of the biggest and most expensive projects in ubiquitous computing ever launched, touching on all the important issues in this field, from privacy to the ultimate question about the usefulness of such a system. Several papers are covering this including the Chicago Sun Times, and the Chicago Business"

11 of 319 comments (clear)

  1. Damnit HAL, LET ME IN!!! by FrYGuY101 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm sorry Dave, I can't let you in. Your GPA is too low this semester.

    --
    "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living."

    - Seneca
  2. Building is a single computing entity... by dickiedoodles · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...Imagine a beowulf cluster of those

    Sorry

    --
    In Soviet Russia Slashdot cliches use you
  3. Microsoft "Buildy" by AtariAmarok · · Score: 5, Funny
    I guess they had to go and install "Microsoft Office... that is, REAL Office".

    Now, when you go down the hall, the "Buildy" mascot asks things like. "You appear to be walking to the bathroom. Would you like some help?"

    --
    Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
  4. Some of us already have advanced buildings by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Clap on. Clap off. What else is there?

  5. Regression by The_Mystic_For_Real · · Score: 5, Funny

    This proves the point that all things human go in cycles. First computers were the size of buildings, then they shrunk down to fit in the palm, now they are becoming the size of buildings again.

    --

    _____

    Thank you.

  6. The Real Privacy Question by Eagle5596 · · Score: 4, Funny

    The real issue with privacy of course is turning off the location function when you don't want something embarressing happening. I present the following situation as evidence:

    Johnny wanted to find Professor X to ask a question about his research paper, approaching the wall he intoned, "Computer, please locate Professor X."

    In a booming voice the wall responded, "Professor X is currently in Stall 5 of the Bathroom on the second floor, logging in."

  7. Re:Siebel Center? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Well, yes. With all of that technology inside, they couldn't spend much on contruction or architecture, and frankly, it's a bit small. I mean, it looks great on the inside, but here's an outside view of the front entrance: click here.

  8. Finally, a chance to get back... by sklib · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now all you need to get back at a professor you don't like is hack into the building's computer, and turn off the air conditioning in whatever room he goes into.

    Sweet revenge!

    --
    -S
  9. Re:"Modern" buildings tend to not age well by kfg · · Score: 4, Funny

    Come to Kenya, we've got lions.

    And also Masai. The lions don't impress me as being terribly crazy about that arrangement. There's just no pleasing some people.

    Coincidentally I happen to be dressed as a Masai right now, right down to the traditional trapazoidal sandals (but when I track down a good bad tire I'll do up a pair of Ho Chi Maas). Very simple, but elegant mode of dress. One might well describe it as "Classic, but slightly dated." In fact, it's basically Classical Greek. I don't know why most northern writers refer to it as "Roman." Classical Greek dress doesn't look anything like Roman and is the very antithesis of the toga, which now just looks old. Old and stupid.

    I'm not at all sure how a Masai would react to a white American dressed like a Masai, but it seems that here in upstate NY people either look at you funny or pretend they're not looking at all. In NYC, of course, nobody looks at anything anymore.

    I'll match my walking ability with any man, anywhere, including Masai, but admit I can't jump for shit.

    KFG

  10. Re:This will be fun to watch... by timeOday · · Score: 4, Funny

    Even big safes full of bonds and stuff do that, as I learned watching "Die Hard."

  11. Re:As long as it isn't running Windows by Mad+Bad+Rabbit · · Score: 4, Funny

    Of course, if it's running UNIX then it would
    crash with "Segmentation fault: floor dumped".

    --
    >;k