http://www.mdpi.com/journal/computers Latest open access articles published in Computers at http://www.mdpi.com/journal/computers http://www.mdpi.com/2073-431X/2/1/34 Dynamic and heterogeneous smart spaces cause challenges for security because it is impossible to anticipate all the possible changes at design-time. Self-adaptive security is an applicable solution for this challenge. This paper presents an architectural approach for security adaptation in smart spaces. The approach combines an adaptation loop, Information Security Measuring Ontology (ISMO) and a smart space security-control model. The adaptation loop includes phases to monitor, analyze, plan and execute changes in the smart space. The ISMO offers input knowledge for the adaptation loop and the security-control model enforces dynamic access control policies. The approach is novel because it defines the whole adaptation loop and knowledge required in each phase of the adaptation. The contributions are validated as a part of the smart space pilot implementation. The approach offers reusable and extensible means to achieve adaptive security in smart spaces and up-to-date access control for devices that appear in the space. Hence, the approach supports the work of smart space application developers. Computers 2013-03-18 2 1 Article 10.3390/computers2010034 34 66 2073-431X 2013-03-18 doi: 10.3390/computers2010034 Antti Evesti Jani Suomalainen Eila Ovaska http://www.mdpi.com/2073-431X/2/1/1 Our everyday environments are gradually becoming intelligent, facilitated both by technological development and user activities. Although large-scale intelligent environments are still rare in actual everyday use, they have been studied for quite a long time, and several user studies have been carried out. In this paper, we present a user-centric view of intelligent environments based on published research results and our own experiences from user studies with concepts and prototypes. We analyze user acceptance and users’ expectations that affect users’ willingness to start using intelligent environments and to continue using them. We discuss user experience of interacting with intelligent environments where physical and virtual elements are intertwined. Finally, we touch on the role of users in shaping their own intelligent environments instead of just using ready-made environments. People are not merely “using” the intelligent environments but they live in them, and they experience the environments via embedded services and new interaction tools as well as the physical and social environment. Intelligent environments should provide emotional as well as instrumental value to the people who live in them, and the environments should be trustworthy and controllable both by regular users and occasional visitors. Understanding user expectations and user experience in intelligent environments, and providing users with tools to influence the environments can help to shape the vision of intelligent environments into meaningful, acceptable and appealing service entities for all those who live and act in them. Computers 2012-12-27 2 1 Review 10.3390/computers2010001 1 33 2073-431X 2012-12-27 doi: 10.3390/computers2010001 Eija Kaasinen Tiina Kymäläinen Marketta Niemelä Thomas Olsson Minni Kanerva Veikko Ikonen http://www.mdpi.com/2073-431X/1/1/24 The Smart Grid vision imposes a new approach towards energy supply that is more affordable, reliable and sustainable. The core of this new vision is the use of advanced technology to monitor power system dynamics in real time and identify system in stability. In order to implement strategic vision for energy management, it is possible to identify three main areas of investigation such as smart generation, smart grid and smart customer. Focusing on the latter topic, in this paper we present an application specifically designed to monitor an industrial site with particular attention to power consumption. This solution is a real time analysis tool, able to produce useful results to have a strategic approach in the energy market and to provide statistic analysis useful for the future choices of the industrial company. The application is based on a three layers architecture. The technological layer uses a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) to acquire data from the electrical substations. The middleware layer faces the integration problems by processing the raw data. The application layer manages the data acquired from the sensors. This WSN based architecture represents an interesting example of a low cost and non-invasive monitoring application to keep the energy consumption of an industrial site under control. Some of the added value features of the proposed solution are the routing network protocol, selected in order to have an high availability of the WSN, and the use of the WhereX middleware, able to easily implement integration among the different architectural parts. Computers 2012-09-13 1 1 Article 10.3390/computers1010024 24 40 2073-431X 2012-09-13 doi: 10.3390/computers1010024 Dario Bruneo Angelo Cucinotta Antonino Longo Minnolo Antonio Puliafito Marco Scarpa http://www.mdpi.com/2073-431X/1/1/3 In distributed computing systems, if an elected leader node fails, the other nodes of the system need to elect another leader. The bully algorithm is a classical approach for electing a leader in a synchronous distributed computing system. This paper presents an enhancement of the bully algorithm, requiring less time complexity and minimum message passing. This significant gain has been achieved by introducing node sets and tie breaker time. The latter provides a possible solution to simultaneous elections initiated by different nodes. In comparison with the classical algorithm and its existing modifications, this proposal generates minimum messages, stops redundant elections, and maintains fault-tolerant behaviour of the system. Computers 2012-06-25 1 1 Article 10.3390/computers1010003 3 23 2073-431X 2012-06-25 doi: 10.3390/computers1010003 Md. Golam Murshed Alastair R. Allen http://www.mdpi.com/2073-431X/1/1/1 For the past seven decades, computers have radically changed the world we live in. From machines for calculation, computers are now platforms for information processing and computation, supporting the entire spectrum of human endeavour. While computer science is a relatively young field, it is shaping how people live in our modern world. There is not an area of human society that has not been affected by computers and the power they afford us. Computer science touches on every facet of science, art, engineering and economics. Its impact ranges from electronic commerce to improved medical devices; and from enhanced communication to new forms of media and entertainment. The future, with ubiquitous computational power and natural user interfaces, will extend and enhance all human capabilities. To reach this future we need to quickly and freely disseminate our cutting edge research results globally, and this journal aims to help us achieve that. [...] Computers 2011-11-10 1 1 Editorial 10.3390/computers1010001 1 2 2073-431X 2011-11-10 doi: 10.3390/computers1010001 Aaron Quigley