OPINION

RFID Technology: Where We Are and Where We Might Be

Terry Calhoun, Commentator
Society for College and University Planning (SCUP)
University of Michigan

Recently, on a short hop between Augusta and Atlanta, Georgia, I sat in the aisle seat of a two-seat row on a very small prop plane and decided not to use up the energy it usually takes to overcome privacy considerations. So I did not, as I usually do, introduce myself and engage my fellow passenger in discussion. Boy, was that a mistake.

After we landed in Augusta and could turn on our cell phones, I overheard him on his phone talking to a friend about a meeting at the University of Massachusetts. My ears perked up and I asked him why he was going to UMass. He replied that he was part of a corporate research team that was going there to work collaboratively on identification tagging of those ubiquitous cargo containers that bring all our consumer goods in and through the United States. Let me give you advice counter to what your mother may have said. Never hesitate to speak with a stranger. I really would have liked to talk with him more and feel like I lost a great opportunity.

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IT NEWS

Takeover Time? “Trial Turns into Bid Dance”

PeopleSoft says “maybe” in negotiation; Oracle lowers its offer. What has seemed like a personal drama to those of us in higher education is just a small part of the overall consolidation in Silicon Valley, which is likely to continue with increasingly hostile takeover bids. (SFGate.com)
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Nations Plan for Net’s Future

Who will make the rules for the Internet in the future? Will it be those folks in blue helmets with black helicopters? What will the World Summit on the Information Society add to the mix? (Wired News)
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Johns Hopkins IT Launches File Sharing Service

Johns Hopkins is now using JShare to allow university members to share up to 100Mb of files through a multi-platform functionality. (The Johns Hopkins News-Letter)

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Princeton OIT Makes Campus Computer-Friendly

Princeton's Office of Information Technology employs 100 undergraduates and 150 fulltime employees--most of whom bring varied and interesting background to their roles in support of IT. (dailyprincetonian.com)
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State-of-the-Art Facility for Med School

A.T. Still University has broken ground on a $7.5 million info tech facility. The founding school of osteopathic medicine is recognizing the need for technology training for doctors who are just now entering the medical world. (ktvotv3.com)
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Angelo State University ‘Quick Lab’

A ‘Quick Lab’ allows Angelo State University students fast access for research and writing. In a joint project between Information Technology and the Library, ASU has provided a “mini” computer lab on the first floor of the library, designed for convenience. (ASU Ram Page Online)
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Preparing Students for High Tech Jobs of the Future

Four N.C. universities have joined IBM’s Academic Initiative. These new additions strengthen IBM’s network of schools, which already include Michigan State University, Arizona State, the University of Houston, Texas State, the University of Wisconsin, City College of New York and Rutgers University. As a part of the program, participating institutions receive free access to IBM software, discounted hardware, course materials, training and curriculum development.
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Enter the Guerilla Web Designer

A new variety of hacker sneaks in and revises corporate Web sites so that they do their job better--apparently, they can't stand seeing bad code! (Wired News)
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High Court Won't Hear Music Sharing Case

Can ISPs, including universities and colleges, be forced to identify users who are illegally swapping music and movies online? Maybe yes, maybe no. For now, the RIAA loses. The Supreme Court recently turned down a chance to clear the air on this issue. (USA Today)
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A First Victory Under the Can-Spam Act

DC Enterprises and its principal owner, William Carson of Florida, agreed to pay $25,000 to the State of Massachusetts and halt further violations of the Can-Spam Act. The violations had involved solicitations for low-interest mortgages. (CNET News.com)
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RESOURCES

Campus Computing, 2004 Survey Released

The 15th national survey of computing and information technology in US higher education was released yesterday at EDUCAUSE. Founded in 1990 by Kenneth C. Green, the Campus Computing Survey is the longest-running comprehensive study of technology in higher education. Citing some relief for tech budgets and cautious support for open source, the survey captures these and other trends and directions of IT in higher education.
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Easier in the Old Days…

It was a lot easier to manage higher education IT systems a generation ago. That pretty much says it all, but this excellent--must-read--article actually says a lot more! (internetnews.com)
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DEALS, CONTRACTS, AWARDS

UVa Health System Chooses Critical Care SW

The University of Virginia Health System will install Picis CareSuite Critical Care Manager to automate the workflow, data flow, and documentation of 106 critical care beds. High-acuity areas--the emergency department, the operating room, and the intensive care unit--are typical environments for Picis.
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