FutureBoston IdeaJAM Online Competition
Do you have a unique solution to a real-world, technology challenge that will make the Boston area a better place to live and work? Post your ideas for the whole world to see, receive feedback, collaborate with others, and connect with venture capitalists in an IdeaJAM online competition now through 15 October 2007 that will help shape a more affordable, liveable, sustainable, and competitive future for Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Visitors to the IdeaJAM decide on the best ideas. The top picks will be shared and discussed in a three-day Interactive Symposia 16-18 October in Boston. For full details and rules, visit the FutureBoston website.
Biotechnology Council Healthcare Conference
The Biotechnology Council (IEEE is a founding member of the Council) and the U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology are hosting a healthcare conference on the NIST Gaithersburg Campus in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA, 24-25 September 2007. The conference, titled Economic Strategy for Health Care through Bio and Information Standards and Technologies, will bring together key government, industry, academic and research leaders, along with patient advocates, to discuss the economic benefits and opportunities of biomedical and information technologies, standards in the life sciences and healthcare delivery, and their role in bridging healthcare system gaps. Attendees should gain an appreciation and understanding of key factors that drive the development and implementation of technologies in the life sciences and healthcare markets. The main charges of the conference are to identify the economic realities and gaps in current investment priorities for biomeasurement (biochemical and imaging), bioinformatics, and biologically-based and health information technologies, and to develop a long-term strategic investment plan to address the identified gaps. Learn more
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Double-Sided Touch Screen Technology Introduced
Microsoft is developing a mobile platform with a double-sided touch screen system that appears transparent and allows users to manipulate content with their thumbs and fingers wrapped around the device. Photos of the device, dubbed “LucidTouch,” appear on a Microsoft researcher's website and show the device being used as a GPS unit and a gaming platform. Microsoft is not officially saying what the device is for, but its form suggests it could be used as a mobile PC or PDA. Users can interact with LucidTouch by touching either the front or the back of the device, according to the experts, who say a feature called pseudo-transparency creates an on-screen silhouette of fingers wrapped around the back to ease navigation. Read more
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Study Shows Businesses Overconfident in IT Security
Small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) fail to take adequate steps to reduce the risk of data loss from web-based security threats. While 46 percent of SMB IT managers have software to protect confidential data, a significant number do not use software to block the use of peer-to-peer applications (81 percent), block USB devices (80 percent), control the use of instant messaging (76 percent), or stop spyware from sending out information to external sources (47 percent). Despite the risk of data loss, 20 percent of SMBs do not use Internet security software other than firewall and anti-virus products. Read more
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Regions, Sections and Chapter Members Can Earn Free Continuing Education Units
IEEE Expert Now courses are available for use by IEEE Regions, Sections, and Chapters interested in participating in the IEEE Expert Now Section-Chapter Program. The program, which began as a pilot in 2006, helps local IEEE volunteers organize an event where attendees can view one or more IEEE Expert Now course(s) and discuss the materials with a local expert on that topic. There is no charge for participating in this program in 2007, and IEEE Regions, Sections and Chapters who do participate this year will have the ability to award Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to event participants free of charge.
IEEE Regions, Sections and Chapters interested in participating will work directly with IEEE Educational Activities (EA) Staff to organize the event. IEEE EA Staff provides access to the selected course(s), can make recommendations or provide "best practices" for organizing the event, can provide surveys for attendees’ feedback and CEUs to attendees who return completed surveys. For more information visit the IEEE Expert Now Section-Chapter Program site
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New IEEE Xplore® Toolbar Introduced
IEEE is pleased to announce the release of the IEEE Xplore Toolbar. The new toolbar, easily downloaded, provides users with instant access to the IEEE Xplore digital library of premier technical literature in electrical engineering, computer science, and electronics. With the IEEE Xplore Toolbar, members can enjoy constant access to IEEE Xplore content; browse and search IEEE journals, magazines, conference proceedings, standards, and books directly from the toolbar; and quickly link to the latest content updates, usage statistics, and IEEE support. Download toolbar
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Pervasive Computing Technologies & Healthcare Conference
The 2nd International Conference on Pervasive Computing Technologies for Healthcare will take place in Tampere, Finland, from 30 January to 1 February 2008. The conference will look at emerging research concerning the development and application of pervasive and ubiquitous computing technology for healthcare and wellness programs. The keynote speaker for the conference will be Loukianos Gatzoulis, Scientific Officer at the ICT for Health Unit of the European Commission, talking about the applications of ICT in Healthcare. Learn more
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Ad-Hoc Network Probes Make for Smoother Calls
"Ad-hoc" wireless networks that probe the strength of connections before configuring themselves could make it easier for mobile users to transition smoothly between different open networks during calls. Ad-hoc wireless networks require each device to both transmit and receive signals, and by passing signals between each other, more devices can connect to the network and the coverage can be extended. The difficulty for voice service in an ad-hoc network is that as it reconfigures itself the relay of data can be disrupted. While delays of a few hundred milliseconds are not enough to interfere with email or web browsing, beyond 230 milliseconds the human ear will detect choppiness in a voice call. Researchers believe they may have solved the problem by using a lower-power probe from the caller's node to test the viability of each potential connection – if the caller's probe reaches the destination node without being too degraded, a connection is established. Read more
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Spectrum Career Accelerator Forum
This online event, scheduled for 11 October 2007 (Noon ET), is a rare opportunity to hear presentations on the inside career track from leading experts and to network with top technology and business institutions and career advisors. A live Q&A session with the speakers will follow the presentations.
Session 1: Medical Electronics: Looking for a Sure Thing?
Advances in medical technologies and the Internet are reshaping the healthcare industry, opening up new opportunities in medical systems design and development for talented and innovative engineers. Find out from industry insiders what and where the best opportunities are for engineers in medical systems design.
Session 2: Fast Tracks to Management
What’s it going to be, an MSEE or an MBA? Engineers seeking advancement and considering seeking a graduate degree see many of their colleagues with MBAs moving quickly into management. But there are alternative programs that offer business training along with advanced courses in systems and technical management. Find out which continuing education program is the right one for you.
Presenters:
- Dr. Brad Fox – Executive Director, Master of Engineering Management Program at Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University; Member, IEEE Engineering Management Society’s Board of Governors
- Gerard H. (Gus) Gaynor – G. H. Gaynor and Associates; President-Designate, IEEE Technology Management Council; Author, Innovation by Design and What Every New Manager Needs to Know
- Dr. Wade Shaw – Professor, Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, Florida Institute of Technology; Co-director, Florida Tech Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence
Session 3: Career Paths in Computer Security
Industry and businesses can not survive without computer networks, yet data confidentiality and integrity as well as network reliability issues can make or break a company. Learn from industry experts about job opportunities and what organizations are looking for in this fast-growing career sector.
Presenter:
- Dr. Scott A. Vanstone – Founder and EVP, Strategic Technology, Certicom; Professor, Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Waterloo
To register for this event or for more information, please visit the Spectrum Career Accelerator Forum website.
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Scientists’ Uncover New Promise for Nano-Computing
Researchers at IBM have learned how to steer single atoms to create the building blocks for “ultra-tiny” storage devices, and they predict it could be possible to store 30,000 full-length movies into a gadget the size of an iPod. By researching the basic magnetic properties of an atom, scientists in San Jose, California, USA, are discovering ways to stabilize magnetic orientations over time, which would allow vast amounts of information to be stored without the need for large storage devices. IBM researchers in Switzerland have found a way to “switch” atom molecules on and off – a basic function for computer logic – without altering the framework of the molecule. With more research and development, these molecular switches could lead to “super-fast, super-tiny” computer chips. Read more
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The Future of Computing Has Four Wheels
According to industry experts, the next big market opportunity for computers may be inside vehicles, not buildings. Many say this should not be surprising since automobiles vastly outnumber buildings, and it was only a matter of time before the technology industry began eyeing cars for the next generation of computers. Microsoft recently demonstrated Windows Automotive 5.0, built on the Windows CE operating system, and the company says it expects its 32-bit, memory protected software platform for OEMs to build a broad range of in-vehicle technological solutions running on any type of microprocessor. Industry experts say in-vehicle applications for mapping, GPS, destination management, consumption maintenance, and systems for housing contacts will be the first available. Some large military vehicles are already equipped with high-end Cisco routers, and many car manufacturers pre-installing Windows Automotive are also building cars with Cisco routers. Read more
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Report: Wired Ethernet on the Way Out
Wired Ethernet is being dropped in favor of wireless technology for the latter’s growing power and speed, according to the IT research company Burton Group. The Burton Group compares 802.11n to Gigabit Ethernet and predicts that 802.11n wireless technology will start eroding the wired Ethernet market within the next two to three years. The report claims 802.11n will put pervasive mobility on the fast track, though switch trunks and data center networks will need wired Ethernet for many years to come. According to the report, the popularity of wireless technology has been fueled by refinements in system silicon, radio design, network control, wireless security and power management. Read more
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IEEE Spectrum Online Offers More Features
The Spectrum Online website has been revamped to offer more features, including dialogues between its editors and readers, new weblogs, and updated podcasts. The "Tech Talk" blog continues to cover technology news, while new blogs deal with gaming and gadgets, robotics, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and the ins and outs of soliciting money from venture capitalists. Spectrum Online is also offering new web-based seminars, or Webinars, on topics such as switching careers and the benefits of getting an advanced degree. Learn more
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Second High-Performance, Cell-Based Blade Unveiled
IBM has debuted a Cell processor-based blade server that can run in the same BladeCenter chassis as blades currently powered by x86 or Power PC chips. The revised Cell blade servers can be used for medical imaging, oil and gas exploration, financial analytics, and other high-performance computing applications. The BladeCenter QS21 is the second blade server released by IBM in less than a year using the Cell Broadband Engine, the same eight-core microprocessor used in Sony's PlayStation 3 video-game console. IBM says the QS21 is different than the previous QS20 in that the new blade can operate alongside other blades running in a standard BladeCenter, and delivers twice the memory, density, and input/output throughput as the previous version. Read more
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