Matlab liked my idea

Matlab is one of the most frequently used programming languages for science and engineering.

Though I can't verify it, it seems that Matlab has incorporated one of my ideas into its standard distribution.

Back in 2006, I was working on reconstruction algorithms for computed tomography (CT). Here is a video I made that demonstrates CT reconstruction. It takes the radon transform (at the bottom) and constructs the image slice (top).

I found Matlab's code slow, so I replaced the time-consuming part of their code with a faster version that I wrote. It was faster because I precompiled it using mex... nerd detail. I submitted my code to their File Exchange service so other people could benefit from it.

Anyhooo, in preparing my lecture on CT reconstruction today, I was suprised to see that Matlab's code was now faster than mine. WTF?!

I looked at their code, and saw that they had replaced the exact same part with mex code, just like I did.

Here is what a snippet of their original (slow) code looked like.

I replace it with the following code that calls the program I wrote (LinearBackproject).

And now this is what their new code looks like.

They even used my 0/1 flag (the last argument) to indicate to the iradonmex subroutine whether to use nearest-neighbour or linear interpolation.

Even if Matlab did use my code directly, I have no financial recourse. But it feels nice to be appreciated.

Today's irony lesson is brought to you by spam

I got this e-mail today.

Dear Webmail User, ANTI SPAM UPDATE
This message is from WEBMAIL MANAGEMENT MESSAGING CENTER to all Webmail account users. We are currently upgrading our data base and webmail account center.
This is to enable your webmail account take a new look with new functions and help protect against spam e-mails. 
We are therefore deleting all unused email account to create more space for new accounts and updates.
To help us fight spam and to prevent your account from closing you will have to update it below so that we will know that it's an active account.
CONFIRM YOUR EMAIL IDENTITY BELOW

Email Username:
EMAIL Password:
Date of Birth:
Alternative Email:

WARNING!!! All account owner that refuses to comply with this update will lose his or her within seven days of receiving this notice.
Thank you for your understanding. We are delighted to bringing communication closer to you.

WEBMAIL ADMIN.
tech.taem@9.cn

They claim that they're trying to help you get rid of your spam.  The irony, of course, is that the e-mail is spam.

I don't use webmail.  And even if I did, I wouldn't e-mail my account credentials to some address in China just because they asked for it.

And the capstone of irony... the grammatically-challenged closing sentence, "We are delighted to bringing communication".

New MacBook Pro

I just picked up my new MacBook Pro.  It's got 8GB of RAM, a 500GB disk, and a sweet SWEET new smell.  Once I got the box back to my office, I ripped it open like a giddy child on Christmas morn.  Here is a picture of it downloading 1.02GB of software updates.  How adorable is that?!

While I was at the CampusTech Shop, in walked David Johnston.  He was accompanied by a body guard.

Primitive laptop

Heather used some cardboard from a cereal box to fashion her own laptop.


Observations:

• not a QWERTY keyboard
  
• number keys
  
• cursor keys
  
• space bar (or track pad)
  
• icons/buttons on the screen
  

It's so cute... except for what it says about our parenting. Well, at least she's not simulating intravenous drug use.

Fastest way to the Ontario Science Centre -- According to Google maps

We were on the 401, heading toward Toronto to visit the Ontario Science Centre. I used my iPhone to ask Google maps for directions.

Apparently, the most direct route is to exit the 401 on Hurontario street, drive 419m south, do a u-turn, and then get back on the 401.


Super job, Google!