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Robert Merkel

Robert's primary research interest is in software engineering, and specificially software testing and reliability.

His work on adaptive random testing has been cited in the latest version of the IEEE Software Engineering Body of Knowledge (SWEBOK), guide to "generally accepted knowledge". The IEEE is the global professional organization of software engineering practitioners and researchers.

He has also conducted research into testing web applications, as well as the social and psychological aspects of testing and broader software engineering practice.

I’ve always wondered: why do our computing devices seem to slow down?

Oct 23, 2017 01:42 am UTC| Technology

Why do phones, tablets and computers always slow down as they get older, to the point that they become unusable, but when I back it up and restore it onto a brand new device, its fast again (despite not changing any of the...

Census website cracks after 'malicious' attack by hackers

Aug 10, 2016 05:22 am UTC| Technology

Many Australians were unable to complete the Census on August 9 due to the Census website failing. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) chief statistician has blamed a deliberate denial of service attack for the...

Electronic voting may be risky, but what about vote counting?

Jul 10, 2016 20:21 pm UTC| Insights & Views Technology Politics

Several advantages of online voting were identified in a recent post by Conversation columnist and software researcher David Glance who backed the introduction of such a scheme in Australia. He is correct that an online...

Individuals not the priority in the Cyber Security Strategy

Apr 21, 2016 06:56 am UTC| Insights & Views Technology

The Cyber Security Strategy announced today by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull clearly places a high priority on protecting Australian government systems from foreign powers. But when it comes to protecting citizens...

Economy

Indian Cotton Yarn Exports Surge as China Demand Rises Amid Global Supply Disruptions

Global supply chain challenges and fuel disruptions caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict have negatively impacted many Indian manufacturing sectors. However, Indias cotton yarn industry is experiencing a significant...

European Car Sales Surge in March as EV and Hybrid Demand Accelerates

European car sales recorded a strong rebound in March, driven largely by rising demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid cars. According to data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA),...

Foreign Investors Drive Surge in Japanese Stocks Amid AI Rally and Improved Risk Sentiment

Japanese stocks experienced a strong wave of foreign investor inflows in the week ending April 18, supported by a rally in artificial intelligence-related companies and improving global risk sentiment. Optimism surrounding...

Nikkei Retreats After Brief 60,000 Break as Profit-Taking and Geopolitical Risks Weigh

Japans Nikkei 225 share average reversed gains on Thursday after briefly surpassing the key 60,000 level, as investors moved to lock in profits following an early surge fueled by technology stocks and optimism surrounding...

Bank of Japan Signals Potential Rate Hike as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Shock

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is widely expected to keep its interest rates unchanged at its upcoming April 2728 policy meeting, while signaling a possible rate hike as early as June or July. With global markets already pricing...

Politics

Taiwan Coast Guard Conducts Rare Drill on Disputed South China Sea Island

Taiwan has carried out a rare high-level visit and military-style exercise on Itu Aba, a Taiwan-controlled island in the contested South China Sea, highlighting growing regional tensions. The visit was led by Ocean Affairs...

Zelensky Warns Ukraine Could Face Patriot Missile Supply Risks Amid Prolonged Iran Conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has raised concerns that Ukraines access to critical U.S. anti-missile defense systems, particularly Patriot missiles, could be at risk if tensions in the Middle Eastespecially...

Navy Secretary John Phelan Fired Amid Pentagon Leadership Shakeup and Shipbuilding Concerns

Navy Secretary John Phelan has been dismissed from his role, according to U.S. officials, marking another major leadership change within the Pentagon during a period of heightened military tension. The Pentagon confirmed...

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Law Restricting DEI Programs and Climate Initiatives

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a new law that restricts local governments from funding or promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, marking a significant shift in state policy. The legislation...

Senate Republicans Push $70B Immigration Funding Plan Amid DHS Shutdown Standoff

U.S. Senate Republicans moved forward Wednesday with a $70 billion funding proposal aimed at supporting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol operations over the next three years, intensifying a...

Science

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

NASA Artemis II: First Crewed Moon Mission Since Apollo Takes Four Astronauts on 10-Day Lunar Journey

NASAs Artemis II mission launched Wednesday, marking humanitys return to crewed lunar exploration for the first time since the Apollo era. Carrying four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft, this historic 10-day mission...

NASA's Artemis II Mission: First Crewed Lunar Journey Since Apollo

NASA's Artemis II Crew Arrives in Florida for Historic Moon Mission

The four astronauts chosen for NASAs Artemis II mission have touched down at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking the beginning of final launch preparations for the first crewed lunar journey in over 50 years. NASA...

SpaceX Pivots Toward Moon City as Musk Reframes Long-Term Space Vision

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has revealed a significant shift in the companys near-term space exploration strategy, announcing that SpaceX is now prioritizing the development of a self-growing city on the Moon rather than focusing...

Technology

Microsoft Commits $18 Billion to Expand AI and Cloud Infrastructure in Australia

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) has unveiled a major investment plan worth A$25 billion (approximately $18 billion) in Australia, signaling a significant push to strengthen its artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing...

Elon Musk Signals Intel 14A Chips for Tesla’s Terafab AI Semiconductor Venture

Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) CEO Elon Musk revealed new details about the companys ambitious semiconductor plans, confirming that the Terafab joint venture intends to leverage Intels advanced 14A chip manufacturing process....

Tesla Earnings Beat Expectations as EV Growth Holds Amid Robotics and AI Shift

Tesla reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter 2026 earnings, driven largely by resilience in its core electric vehicle business, even as the company continues shifting focus toward artificial intelligence, robotics,...

SK Hynix Reports Record Q1 Profit Surge Driven by AI Memory Chip Demand

SK Hynix Inc. (KS:000660) delivered a standout performance in the first quarter, reporting a dramatic surge in operating profit that exceeded market expectations. The South Korean semiconductor giant benefited...

Florida Launches Criminal Probe Into OpenAI Over FSU Shooting Incident

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Tuesday that the state has opened a criminal investigation into OpenAI and its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, following a deadly shooting at Florida State University last year. The...