Web Headlines

Headlines from around the Web for Tuesday, Nov. 20.

Compiled by Melanie Bender

User Demand for the Internet Could Outpace Network Capacity by 2010

Government Technology

Consumer and corporate Internet usage could outstrip network capacity both in North America and worldwide in a little more than two years, according to a study conducted by Nemertes Research. This study is the first to assess internet infrastructure and model current/projected traffic patterns independent of one another.

DHS Erred in $475 Million Contract Given to Native Firm

The Washington Post

The Department of Homeland Security improperly awarded a half-billion-dollar, no-bid contract in 2003 to a little-known company to maintain thousands of X-ray, radiation and other screening machines at U.S. border checkpoints, incorrectly designating the firm a disadvantaged small business, according to a report by the department's inspector general.

The VA's Computer Systems Meltdown: What Happened and Why

ComputerWorld

Characterized by the director of clinical informatics for the San Francisco VA Medical Center, as "the most significant technological threat to patient safety the VA has ever had," the most recent systems outage has moved some observers to call into question the VA's direction in consolidating its IT operations.

Carriers try to Avoid the Warrantless Eavesdropping Spotlight

InformationWeek

As Congress pushes forward in its effort to bring some visibility to the Bush Administration's warrantless-wiretapping program, the nation's major telecom companies find themselves in increasing danger of having their own role in the program exposed in court.

California Suing Voting Machine Maker for $15 Million

San Francisco Chronicle

California Secretary of State Debra Bowen sued a Nebraska voting machine company on Monday, seeking fines and reimbursements of nearly $15 million from the firm for allegedly selling nearly 1,000 uncertified machines to San Francisco and four other counties.

Dallas Officials Cite Positive Stats with Red Light Cameras

The Dallas Morning News

Preliminary statistics show that accidents and citations are drastically down at intersections with red-light cameras during the first six months of the program, according to a report presented to the City Council's public safety committee Monday.

State Department Proposal Would Make Smart IDs a Must for Contractors

Washington Technology

The State Department has proposed a change to its acquisition rules to add new language to require contractors to use interoperable, smart identification cards to gain access to federal buildings as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12.

Maryland to Tax Computer Services

eWeek

The measure levies a 6 percent sales tax, beginning in 2009, on IT facilities management and operation; custom computer programming; systems integrators; systems consultants; computer disaster recovery services; and hardware or software installation, maintenance and repair.

Radiation Detectors for Border are Delayed Again

The Washington Post

A $1.2 billion plan by the Department of Homeland Security to buy a new kind of radiation-detection machine for the nation's borders has been put on hold again, a blow to one of the Bush administration's top security goals.