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A British computer programmer has created sophisticated new software that aims to detect pedophiles attempting to contact children in Internet chat rooms. The program works by giving a convincing impression of a young person taking part in a chat room conversation, while at the same time analyzing the behavior of the person it is chatting with. It creates thousands of subprograms, called Nanniebots, which log on to different chat rooms and strike up conversations with users and user groups. If the program detects any suspicious activity, it e-mails a transcript of the conversation to the developer who then decides if the police should be contacted. There are currently 100,000 Nanniebots circulating around chat rooms. IBM will advise the Defense Department on how it should use radio frequency identification tags to track shipments. The tags work in a similar fashion to the UPC code that companies use to keep tabs on goods, but they can hold more data. Under the three-year consulting contract, IBM will help the Defense Department develop a strategy by June 30 for using the technology to improve its supply system and inventory management. Although, RFID technology is in its early stages, analysts predict that it will make supply and distribution cheaper. Unlike UPC codes, the tags are based on a tiny microchip that can gather information and send it to a computer for monitoring or analysis, increasing the ability to track and replace inventories. However, there is concern about the cost of such technology. In addition to the Defense Department, Wal-Mart has said that it will require its suppliers to start using the tags by Jan. 1, 2005. The U.S. Asian population is a target for e-commerce businesses because 42 % of Asian Internet households earn $75,000 or more annually, compared to 35 % of Caucasians and 26 % of African-Americans. Nearly 31 % of online Asians have made five or more Internet purchases in a year, and roughly 56 % have made at least one purchase — much higher than the general online purchase statistics. Data storage is at the heart of most computer networks -- what good is an application if you cannot retrieve its data when you need it? The need for more data storage is not only caused by the tremendous appetite of organizations for information, but also by government mandates. In a post 9-11 world, organizations are expected to store data in greater quantities -- and retrieve it faster -- than ever before. The new Sarbanes-Oxley law also has an impact on how companies store data. And the need for more and faster data storage is driving the vendors that supply storage technologies to innovate and offer new products, such as SAN (storage area network) and NAS (network attached storage) systems. All this bodes well for I.T. professionals well versed in data storage. Data-storage professionals even have their own job search portal: www.jobstor.com. Typical of the positions listed are storage management consultant, systems storage engineer, storage engineer specialist, and storage solutions architect. These positions require a bachelor's degree as minimum education, and many companies prefer candidates with master's degrees. When it comes to earnings, data-storage professionals sit near the top of the I.T. food chain and, for data-storage professionals seeking a change, there is an increase in the number of sales positions for storage hardware, software and services. Gateway has announced that one of its notebooks can be equipped with a fingerprint sensor to prevent access to e-mail and files by unauthorized users.The sensor is an optional feature that can be built into the palm rest of the Gateway 450+ and is aimed at security-conscious government agencies and corporations, as well as schools that want to authenticate identities for test taking and distance learning. MicronPC sells a portable computer with a fingerprint recognition sensor and Sony introduced a flash drive featuring a fingerprint identification system. The new Gateway offering carries a starting price of $1,799.99. Brightmail recently filed forms with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a prospective public offering of its shares, a sign of a potential comeback for Internet IPOs. Shopping.com, a comparison shopping engine, filed for an IPO with the SEC recently as well.
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 Pittsburgh Technology Council's fifth annual State of the Industry Report is now posted in its entirety on the Council's Web site. You may access the Report by visiting the www.pghtech.org. The State of the Industry Report contains detailed statistical data and analysis of the region's five main technology industry clusters, including: IT, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, advanced materials and environmental technology. In addition to other key indicators of economic growth in southwestern Pennsylvania, this year's report also examines eight emerging clusters, including: cybersecurity, data storage, electro-optics, fuel cells, nanotechnology and micro-electro-mechanical systems, robotics, system-on-a-chip, tissue engineering. 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 : The following are grants/procurement opportunities as posted on www.eps.gov and www.ssti.org USDA's Rural Utilities Service invites applications for funding under the Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program. Thisprogram supports the construction, improvement and acquisition of facilities and equipment for broadband service in eligible rural communities. Of the total FY 2004 loan funds available, $2.051 billion will be available for direct cost-of-money loans, $80 million for 4 percent direct loans, and $80 million for loan guarantees. Awards of at least $100,000 will be made for loans and loan guarantees. Maximum awards of $7.5 million may be made for direct 4 percent loans. Eligible rural communities include any area of the U.S. that is not contained in an incorporated city or town with a population in excess of 20,000 inhabitants. More information is available at: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-6951.htm Source: www.ssti.org USA - ACA, ITEC4 - West DOJ - Drug Enforcement Administration NTSB - Contract Management Services USA - U. S. Army Materiel Command DOE - Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (DOE Contractor) USA - U. S. Army Materiel Command NEWS & NOTES is a service of the
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