Transfer learning and kernel based multitask learning

I have a number of papers on transfer learning that I have started looking through for one of my research projects. Transfer learning is a machine learning technique where the basic idea is to learn multiple related tasks simultaneously, rather than learn each task independently. Previous work have shown that this works better, especially for predictive performance, compared to independent, single task learning. For my problem, I am interested in using multitask learning techniques based on natural extensions of kernel based methods for single task learning, such as the Support Vector Machines (SVMs).

Go programming language

One of my friends from the compiler group sent me an email regarding Google's new programming language, Go. From the Google talk presentation it seems this language has some unique and amazing features, and most interestingly, it feels like a language where one can code like python and get power of C++. Check out this talk if you want to know more about the language.

Procrastination weeks

Procrastination has been an old friend of mine, going back a long way. We lost touch at some point in college, except occasionally crossing each others path. The last two weeks of this quarter, procrastination has become my constant new friend. It's probably time to cut loose of this friend, except the occasional visits.