Notebook PC shipments are expected to mushroom over the next three years thanks to falling prices and booming sales to consumers. Portables are expected to make up nearly half of all PC shipments in the United States and almost 40% shipments worldwide by 2007, according to the latest forecast by market researcher IDC, who believes that notebook sales are gathering steam mainly because of adoption by consumers. Many consumers are choosing notebooks over desktops while others have purchased notebooks as a second or even third PC. Growth in the worldwide markets will not be as robust, only reaching about 38% in 2007. Desktop replacement notebooks, sporting15-inch or larger screens and relatively fast processors, have taken up a good portion of the consumer sales market because they are somewhat portable and can be stowed out of the way, but still offer performance and screen sizes that are similar to a desktop. They also are priced in the same market as a desktop flat-panel unit.

Sprint has announced that it will sell downloadable videos and 3D games later this year, including clips from CNN and others. The carrier is working with handset maker Samsung and media player provider RealNetworks. In the next few months, Sprint will also become one of the first U.S. carriers to introduce 3D cell phone games. Analysts state that the popularity of phones combining the features of a camera and cell phone is the latest example of the growing yearning for wireless data. There have been 60 million camera phones sold in the United States since last year, compared with the 30 million DVD players sold in the last three years, he said. Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest cell phone service provider, says 2% of its revenue comes from monthly data usage, as subscribers send 400 million text messages, 4 million software downloads and 2 million picture messages.

Microsoft recognizes DON e-Business Operations Office
The Department of the Navy eBusiness Operations Office, a member of the PA e-Commerce Association, received the Microsoft Government Innovation Award at the annual Microsoft Navy-Marine Corps Symposium on December 9, 2003 , at Microsoft's corporate headquarters in Redmond , Wash.

The DON eBusiness Operations Office received this award in recognition of?

“its investment in innovative solutions that have an immediate and positive impact on fleet decisions agility,” according to a Microsoft spokesperson. The DON eBusiness Operations Office earned this recognition for sponsoring the Integrated Interactive Data Briefing Tool (IIDBT) project. The IIDBT project also earned its technology integrator, Herres and Lee Corporation of Springfield , Va. , recognition as one of seven grand prize winners in Microsoft's 2003 Office System Partner Solution Builder contest.

The DON eBusiness Operations Office helps Navy and Marine Corps e-business concepts to become realities. Pilot submissions from Navy and Marine Corps commands are evaluated in the first quarter of the fiscal year. Ideas for pilot projects may be submitted to www.don-ebusiness.navsup.navy.mil . From its headquarters at the Naval Support Activity in Mechanicsburg , Pa. , the DON eBusiness Operations Office is also the executive agent for DoD e-business pilot projects, and provides consulting support to commands implementing e-business solutions. For questions concerning pilot projects contact Mark Foster at mark.s.foster@navy.mil , or phone 717-605-9358, DSN 430-9358.

Learn more about identity theft
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States , costing victims over $5 billion annually. Rick Hicks, Esq. provides info on how to prevent identity theft, steps you can take to protect your data and how to report identity theft crimes at http://www.paecomm.org/what_is_identity_theft.htm

E-COMMERCE RELATED EVENTS AND INFORMATION

The following are links to upcoming seminars and other events that our readers might have an interest in and/or other information related to e-commerce.

The Bucknell University Small Business Development Center invites you to attend the seminar, Business Compliance, Monday, February 9, 2004, from 9 am to noon in Room 256, Langone Center .   Professor Robert Needham of Bucknell's Management Department will lead the discussion covering tax compliance, employee compliance issues, work-place safety (OSHA), and environmental compliance.  This is a basic seminar for new or existing small business owners. The fee for this seminar is $20 and includes lunch.  Seating is limited.  Registration is required by calling 577-1249, or online at: http://www.bucknell.edu/sbdc/seminarregistration.html

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The Bucknell University Small Business Development Center invites you to attend a series of computer troubleshooting seminars to be presented by Will George, Technology Support Specialist, Bucknell University Office of Information Services & Resources. All classes will be held from 9 am - 3pm in Gardner Lecture Hall, Dana Engineering, Bucknell University on the following dates:

• Basic Computer Troubleshooting (Introducing the Computer) Saturday, February 7, 2004, 
• Intermediate Computer Troubleshooting (Becoming Tech Savvy with the Computer) Saturday, February 14, 2004
• Advanced Computer Troubleshooting (Excelling at the Computer) - Saturday, February 21, 2004

The basic class is a prerequisite for the intermediate class; basic and intermediate are prerequisites for the advanced class. Each class is $30 and includes lunch.    Seating is limited.  Registration is required by responding to this message, by calling 577-1249, or online at: http://www.bucknell.edu/sbdc/seminarregistration.html

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Tuesday, February 10, 2004

8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

“ACCOUNTING SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS and UPDATES'

Kutztown University Small Business Development Center @ 2917 North Front Street , Harrisburg is sponsoring the seminar which is an intermediate to advanced level seminar that will explore government accounting system requirements, recent regulatory changes/court cases, and how to get equitable price adjustments. It will be taught by Darrell J. Oyer, CPA, CMA and will cost $15. For more information, please contact Stacy Anderson @ 570-524-4491.

  PROCUREMENT AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

The following is a listing of recently published technology procurement or Federally funded opportunities with various governmental entities. We hope our readers take the opportunity to investigate these postings and increase their business :

Department of Defense
The Air Force Electronic Systems Center's Enterprise Services and Applications Directorate invites proposals for research in net-centric enterprise architectures and enterprise or community of interest-integrated infrastructure. Project periods may range from several months to a year. Collaboration among educational institutions, nonprofit organizations and industry is encouraged. Proposals may be submitted at any time until Dec. 31, 2004. More information is available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/ESC/FA8727%2D04%2DR%2D0001/listing.html

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals for research, development, design and testing that could lead to advances in warfighting capability . Projects may be focused on any of seven broad areas: (1) robust networking and communications; (2) intelligence preparation of the battlesphere; (3) information operations; (4) computer network operations; (5) maritime; (6) special operations; and (7) technologies that provide unconventional advantages over adversaries or potential adversaries. Multiple awards for projects of up to five years in duration may be made. Full and open competition is encouraged. This solicitation will remain open until Dec. 31, 2004, with deadlines shown in parentheses for the following: executive summaries (Oct. 15), proposal abstracts (Oct. 29) and full proposals (Nov. 26). More information is available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/BAA04%2D09/listing.html

The Environmental Security Technology Certification Program Office is soliciting proposals for environmental technologies in three priority areas: (1) unexploded ordnance detection, discrimination and remediation; (2) characterization, control and treatment of range contamination; or (3) remediation of contaminated groundwater. Multiple awards may be made to address a particular topic area. A total of approximately $1 million is expected to be available for the first year of work. Preproposal white papers are due March 11, 2004. More information is available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/USA/COE/DACA72/BAA%2D04%2D0003/listing.html

Department of Education (ED)
ED invites applications from small business concerns for FY 2004 funding under the Small Business Innovation Research Program. Firms with strong research capabilities in educational technologies, science or engineering in any of the priority areas listed in the application package are encouraged to participate. Approximately $3 million is expected to be available for 30-35 awards. Budgets may not exceed $100,000 for a project period of up to six months. Applications are due Feb. 19, 2004. More information is available at: http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2003-4/122203a.html

National Science Foundation (NSF)
NSF invites proposals for funding under the Emerging Models and Technologies for Computation program . This program seeks to advance the fundamental capabilities of computer and information sciences and engineering by incorporating insights from areas such as biological systems, quantum phenomena, nanoscale science and engineering, and other novel computing concepts. Approximately $12 million is expected to be available for 30-40 awards, each averaging $125,000 per year for three years. The categories of proposers identified in the Grant Proposal Guide are eligible to submit proposals, which are due March 15, 2004. More information is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf04530

NSF invites applications for funding under the Science and Technology Studies program . This program supports interdisciplinary research and related activities to better understand the character and development of science and technology, including their cultural, intellectual, material and social dimensions. Approximately $3.8 million is expected to be available in FY 2004 to fund 65 awards. Eight modes of support are covered: (1) scholars awards, (2) grants for collaborative research, (3) postdoctoral fellowships, (4) professional development fellowships, (5) doctoral dissertation research improvement grants, (6) small grants for training and research fellowships, (7) conference and workshop awards, and (8) other funding opportunities. Except for doctoral dissertation grants, individuals selected for award must be U.S. citizens or nationals, or have permanent resident status. Additional eligibility information varies for each mode of support. Application deadlines range from March 15, 2004 to Aug. 1, 2004. More information is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf04531

NSF invites proposals for research aimed at improving semiconductor factory and supply chain operations . Approximately $2.7 million is expected to be available for 6-8 awards. For research projects, awards may average $150,000 per year for a period of three years. Exploratory research awards may average $100,000 (or $150,000 for teams) for 12-18 months. Only U.S. academic institutions in support of individual investigators or small groups may submit proposals, which are due March 19, 2004. More information is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf04532

Source: SSTI Weekly Digest
A Publication of the State Science and Technology Institute

DOT - Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA)
Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
R --Transportation Security Solutions (TSS)Synopsis http://www.eps.gov/spg/DOT/RSPA/VNTSC/DTRS57%2D04%2DR%2D20012/listing.html

DOC - National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Acquisition and Logistics Division R -- Evaluation of Search Systems and Summarization Systems Synopsis http://www.eps.gov/spg/DOC/NIST/AcAsD/Reference%2DNumber%2D894%2D01/listing.html

NASA - Goddard Space Flight Center
Office of Procurement
A--REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR COMMAND AND DATA HANDLING SINGLE BOARD COMPUTER (SBC) Draft Solicitation 01, Synopsis http://www.eps.gov/spg/NASA/GSFC/OPDC20220/RFI%2DSDO%2DGFH%2D001/listing.html

USAF - Air Mobility Command
6th Contracting Squadron
D -- SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT, INTEGRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION SERVICES FOR IN.VISION DIGITAL PRODUCTION SOFTWARE Combine Synopsis/Solicitation http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AMC/6CS/Reference%2DNumber%2DF5388040080100/
listing.html

HHS - Program Support Center
Division of Acquisition Management
D -- Database Information Development Management and Analysis Synopsis http://www.eps.gov/spg/HHS/PSC/DAM/Reference%2DNumber%2D04DEH060014/listing.html

DON - Naval Air Systems Command
Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division
R -- GOVERNMENT VISUAL INFORMATION SUPPORT SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT OPERATIONS (VISS) Synopsis http://www.eps.gov/spg/DON/NAVAIR/N61339/N61339%2D04%2DR%2D0017/listing.html

Source: www.eps.gov