September Meeting Review
An Exploration of Pure Science
at the Supercomputer Center
By Gary Stigall
Chapter 36 Chairman
When Steve Napear of the San Diego Supercomputer Center took us down the hall, few of us expected the journey into pure science we received. We stood for better than a quarter hour as he stood in front of a display of the mathematical expressions used to explain the physics of the known universe. It is from these functions that SDSC sets out to do its work, whether creating virtual crash tests, molecular models, pollution flow studies, or determining whether asphalt roads could withstand the tire pressure of big rigs, the tires of which might be changed from dualies to singles. I was immediately impressed that this is a sanctuary for smart people. Steve unabashedly used the language of advanced math and science.
It turns out the computational part of their work is the easiest. Getting sufficient data samples and outputting the results in a form easily digested by humans are the real challenges. We were treated to some spectacular interpretive visual displays. A desktop SGI computer demonstrated the projected tidal movement of ocean pollution. We put on 3-D glasses to view wall charts demonstrate output variations with depth cues in color spectra, some looking like brilliantly colored icebergs turned on their sides.
Michael Gannis led through the machine room. Besides the scientific computations, the very "trunk of the tree of the Internet" lies here. UCSD was one of the seven founding locations of what is now the 'net. The number "petabyte" was mentioned, but whether that level of storage exists at the center or remains to be achieved depended on who you asked. They mentioned the elusive goal of storing a "snapshot" of all of the world's digital wisdom. Presumably, they don't count the contents of e-Bay, The Daily Bikini, and Yahoo.
You quickly realize that the third big challenge of the center is manage the heat produced by all the Crays and IBM's and their storage devices. Large pipes of coolant run beneath the floor. The air in the room is never allowed to rest.
I asked about security and was reminded of David Mitnick. He attacked the personal computer of an SDSC student worker. Subsequently, the FBI worked with the student to hunt down Minick, finally catching up to him, taking him to court, and, just recently, having him sent to federal prison. Anyone else want to try a hack?
Walter Johnson of W4 Corporation, who arranged for us the tour and the VIP status in the first place, gave an abbreviated explanation of his company's current business of satellite-delivered ISP to the Pacific Rim and Latin America. His job roots are from broadcasting, by the way, having been the provider of 70% of all network radio satellite receive terminals around the country.
Chapter Changing of the Guard
I chose not to use either the word "vote" or "election" at the meeting. We asked for a "confirmation" of the members who volunteered to take the offices which needed to be filled. For the next year, Randy Phillips of Cox Communication will handle the Program Chairman duties, Ron Foo of Clear Channel will continue as Newsletter Editor, Fred Gotwald of Sun Microsystems remains Secretary/Treasurer, Sherman George of UCSD Media Center/UCSD-TV becomes Vice-Chairman, and I will continue as Chairman.
We welcomed Trompeter and Bittree as new Sustaining Members. Numerous Sustaining Members renewed during the past month.
Next month we'll conduct our meeting at the conclusion of the Harris Product Expo at Shearaton's Four Winds Inn at Montgomery Field.
Our many thanks for the tour by the San Diego Supercomputer Center, and food provided by W4 Corporation.
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