Web Headlines

Headlines from around the Web for Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008
Compiled by Melanie Bender

Eavesdropping Law is Likely to Lapse

The New York Times

Broad spying powers temporarily approved by Congress in August appear likely to lapse this week after a daylong game of chicken on Wednesday between the White House and House Democrats produced no clear resolution.

Could IP Address Plan Mean Another IPv6 Delay?

NetworkWorld

Internet policymakers are considering sweeping changes to the way they distribute IP addresses that could allow network operators to make money by transferring unused blocks of IPv4 address space to others in need. One result could be lessened incentive to move to IPv6 any time soon.

Not enough IT workers on staff, survey finds

NetworkWorld

A shortage of IT workers on staff is the top IT-related concern of C-level executives, according to new research. Close to 60 percent of 749 CEOs, CIOs and other C-level executives reported in a survey released Wednesday that an insufficient number of IT staff continues to pose a problem in their organization.

Heathrow Launches RFID Trial to Track Luggage

ComputerWorld

The U.K.'s busiest airport is starting to affix radio chips to the luggage of passengers as part of an experiment aimed at reducing lost bags. The six-month trial will involve tagging around 50,000 bags a month with RFID tags for passengers traveling or transferring on Emirates Airline between Dubai and Heathrow, said BAA, the company that runs the airport.

Net Neutrality Returns To Top Of Washington's Agenda

InformationWeek

After nearly one relatively dormant year, network neutrality is back on top of the technology agenda in Washington, as the Federal Communications Commission examined the issue and lawmakers introduced a new net neutrality bill.

Computerized Prescription Program Hoped to Curb Drug Errors

The Boston Globe

One in every 10 patients admitted to six Massachusetts community hospitals suffered serious and avoidable medication mistakes, according to a report being released today by two nonprofit groups that are urging all hospitals in the state to install a computerized prescription ordering system.

City Council Approves a Bill Requiring Residents to Recycle Electronics

The New York Times

New York City is a step closer to adopting one of the toughest electronics recycling laws in the nation, despite strong objections from manufacturers and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. The City Council on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a bill that would impose a $100 fine on anyone who throws an old computer, printer or other electronic gadget into the trash.

Governor Urges Nebraskans to Consider E-filing Taxes

Government Technology

Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman today encouraged Nebraska taxpayers to consider using the free e-file option when reporting income taxes for tax year 2007, and announced that e-filings in 2007 increased by more than 4 percent. Of the 41 states reporting e-filing statistics, Nebraska was ranked sixth in the nation based on the percentage of e-filers for tax year 2006.

White House E-Mail Case Clears Another Hurdle

eWeek

A public advocacy group won another legal round Feb. 11 in its efforts to force the White House to reveal the whereabouts of millions of missing Bush administration e-mails. Rejecting the White House Office of Administration's contention that it is not subject to Freedom of Information Act requests, a District Court Judge ordered the Office of Administration to participate in limited discovery.

DHS' IG: Legacy IT Systems Pose a Major Challenge

Federal Computer Week

The Homeland Security Department’s ability to adequately recover its information systems in the wake of a disaster is a “major concern,” the department’s inspector general said Wednesday.

Network Operators Encouraged to 'Think Green'

InfoWorld

The environment was top of the agenda in the opening keynote session of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, where Rob Conway, CEO of the GSM Association, characterized mobile communications as an energy-saving alternative to flying or driving. But he acknowledged the downsides, saying, "We must, as an industry, do something about reducing energy consumption, and support renewable energy and recycling."

San Francisco Gets First Look at New Voting Machines

The San Diego Union-Tribune

A demonstration of the new Sequoia Voting Systems machines on Tuesday showed how they would count both paper and electronic ballots used in the city's unusual ranked-choice elections. The Board of Supervisors also approved a settlement in which the city's former voting machine vendor agreed to pay $3.5 million over claims that the company failed to tell officials the machines were uncertified.