IBM Power Systems joins with Suse and MariaDB for Linux expansion

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IBM HAS ANNOUNCED a new partnership with Linux specialists Suse and MariaDB to bolster the Linux app eco-system on the Power Systems platform.

It was revealed at IBM Enterprise 2014, currently taking place in Las Vegas, that the first product of the union will be MariaDB Enterprise MySQL database optimised for the Suse Linux Enterprise Server 12 platform on Power8 servers.

We know Suse Linux Enterprise Server 12 is due for release during the last quarter of the year, so if MariaDB is due first we can expect that pretty soon, though no firm information is available.

Patrik Sallner, CEO of MariaDB Corporation, said: "This partnership is a win for Suse, a win for IBM and a win for MariaDB's customers and community.

"The optimisation of MariaDB for Suse Linux Enterprise Server 12 on IBM Power Systems servers with Power8 processors gives enterprise companies an ideal way to easily deploy database environments with unparalleled scale-out performance and near continuous availability."

IBM hopes the move will encourage more customers to take up the opportunities of the cloud in an open-source environment.

IBM has also announced a new Power Systems server, the S824L, based on technology from Nvidia. It is claimed that the new server will improve performance by up to 20 percent over Intel Xeon v3 processors.

The partnerships form part of the IBM OpenPower Foundation, set up last year to create common standards in cloud computing, and currently boasting members including Nvidia, Google and Ubuntu.

IBM announced last year that it would make a $1bn financial investment in the continuing development of Linux.

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IBM Power Systems joins with Suse and MariaDB for Linux expansion

South Coast beaches among the best in Australia

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Locals soak up the sun at Broulee beach: South coast beaches are rated as some of the best in Australia Photo: Colleen Petch

South coast beaches have been rated as some of the best in Australia as swimming spots across NSW become cleaner.

An annual report by the Department of Environment's Beachwatch water quality monitoring servicerated 35 beaches on the south coast as either "very good" or "good" based on reporting data compiled during the past two to four years.

Two-thirds of south coast beaches reviewed were found to be very good, which meant water quality was considered to be excellent with very few potential sources of faecal pollution.

The remaining beaches were considered suitable for swimming at most times of the year with few exceptions.

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The south coast's report card was a stark contrast to Sydney's where eight beaches were found to be poor and one Foreshore beach next to Sydney Airport was awarded a "very poor" rating for the second year running.

Foreshore beach, which was closed earlier this year after reports of a mysterious orange tint, was considered unsuitable for swimming and susceptible to contamination from sewage overflows.

In the Shoalhaven City Council, all beaches were considered "very good" with the exception of Racecourse beach south of Bawley Point, where storm water pollution occasionally resulted in discoloured water or floating debris.

Further south in the Eurobodalla Shire Council, all beaches were classed as very good with the exception of Surf beach, Bengello beach south of Broulee, and Shelly beach at Moruya Heads which were considered occasionally unsuitable for swimming.

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South Coast beaches among the best in Australia

Piping plover stalling plans to replenish Fire Island beaches

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FIRE ISLAND, N.Y., Oct. 8 (UPI) -- A federally backed $207-million plan to replenish the sands along the beaches of New York's Fire Island has been stalled, thanks to an ongoing lawsuit filed by the state chapter of the Audubon Society which argues the project would threaten the federally protected piping plover.

Proponents of the project, which is backed by the Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, argue that reinforcing the beaches with additional sand is essential to protecting the people and property of Fire Island -- and preventing future storm damage from the likes of Hurricane Sandy.

In the lawsuit, the Audubon Society argues the beach rehabilitation project will "inhibit natural renewal of ephemeral pools, bay tidal flats and open vegetation," and prevent "natural storm processes that create habitat to act unimpeded."

"The burying of existing beaches under dredged material temporarily destroys available prey resources along the coast while the construction of dunes running parallel to the ocean fragments nesting habitat from optimal foraging habitat and prevents plovers from accessing bayside areas for foraging," the plaintiffs add.

The Audubon Society and their allies say the project is also a massive waste of money -- throwing away millions on a short-term and unreliable fix. But local supporters of the plan say environmentalists are valuing birds over people.

"They are asserting that habitat protection trumps the safety and security of the residents living in Mastic Beach and other low-lying South Shore communities," state representative Tim Bishop, D-Southampton, said in a statement. "This is a position I simply cannot support. I believe the action of Audubon New York in this instance, particularly as the dredging contract was about to be awarded, is indefensible."

At a hearing in federal court on Wednesday, a judge declined to lift the current injunction on the sand replenishment plans. The plaintiffs say they don't want to thwart the project in its entirety, but only wish to spare two vital nesting grounds on Fire Island. As of now, it appears federal officials may have to rethink their plans before they're able to move ahead with construction.

2014 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

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Piping plover stalling plans to replenish Fire Island beaches

Astronomy – Ch. 5: Light & E&M Radiation (30 of 30) What Can Observing E&M Radiation Tell Us? – Video

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Astronomy - Ch. 5: Light E M Radiation (30 of 30) What Can Observing E M Radiation Tell Us?
Visit http://ilectureonline.com for more math and science lectures! In this video I will summarize all the data we can gather by looking at the E M radiations of celestial objects.

By: Michel van Biezen

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Astronomy - Ch. 5: Light & E&M Radiation (30 of 30) What Can Observing E&M Radiation Tell Us? - Video