Microsoft Supports IMPRS-CS

Press Release: Microsoft Research Contributes up to €1 Million for Exceptional PhD Research at the International Max Planck Research School for Computer Science.

Old Friends

 

Altstadtfest Saarbrücken

Lots of people, lots of bier, lots of smoke from the grills, lots of music and dance. The best I liked the Mark Gillespie Band:

Stuttgart

Ich bin dagegen!

Invitation to IBM Stuttgart

As some of you already know, this autumn I got invited to the IBM Top Student Event in Stuttgart. And since I just received the additional information (in German) here is what this is all about (free translation):

“Spend two exciting days with us, so that together we bridge the gap between studies and career.

New Absurd German Fee

What seemed a very bad joke is now reality in Germany. German state premiers have agreed on a monthly license fee for computers and cell phones that CAN access television and radio programs via the Internet. The new 5.52 euros fee is NOT for USING your computer or cell phone to watch TV, but just for possessing a device that could in principle be used for watching TV.

Updated Semester Report

This semester I wrote my report for the masters honors program earlier, before I started forgetting things. However, since then some things changed so I need to update it. Here it goes again.

American Dream? Gone!

Some weeks ago I decided I really want to do a PhD in computer science. There are no alternatives. Getting employed in some company was always the last possible thing I wanted to do, and at this time I don’t have any great idea to start something up (although I once had such dreams). On the other hand, I know I like research. The reason might seem odd to you, but I like research because it’s hard. Hard as in intellectually challenging, not as in laborious. Doing harder things makes me learn more. Think more. Doing easier things will just rot my brain and turn me into a code monkey (do you know the song?).

Now, after a lot of thought I decided not to apply in the US and stay here in Saarbrucken for my PhD I like it here, and there is almost no good reason I can find for going anywhere else. There are several places in the US where it’s surely better than here (harder by default at least). However, I won’t apply there without standing any chance of being accepted. I can make my life as hard as it gets even if I stay here, by choosing really hard problems and working on them. What I would still need is a field that combines deep theory with some practical use, so that it’s not only hard, but also (at least in theory) useful. Language based security maybe. Verification maybe. I will give both a try next semester.

Saarbrucker Zoo