Headlines from around the Web for Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008
Compiled by Melanie Bender
Microsoft's Drive for Interoperability Means More Bugs, for Now
ComputerWorld
Security researchers said Microsoft's decision last week to let everyone examine its software secrets means vulnerabilities and exploits will almost certainly climb in the short term. Those same researchers said this move should translate into better security for everyone in the long run.
Gartner: Global RFID Market to Top $1.2B This Year
ComputerWorld
Gartner Inc. has released a report predicting worldwide revenue for radio frequency identification technology will eclipse $1.2 billion this year, marking an almost 31 percent increase over last year.
New York City to Help Doctors Track Patients’ Records Electronically
The New York Times
In what New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said is just the beginning of an effort to provide better care to people before they get sick, New York City is ready to equip doctors with computer software that can track patients’ medical records. Among other features, the new system will share data with other doctors and provide information about the current best practices for treating illnesses.
Demand for Hybrid Driver's Licenses High in Washington State
Federal Computer Week
The Enhanced Drivers License program, started by Washington state in conjunction with the Homeland Security Department, has issued more than 2,000 new hybrid drivers license-passport cards since it began issuing them Jan. 22. The identification cards enable Washington State residents to travel freely across the U.S. land border with Canada. They are being marketed as a low-cost alternative to passports.
E-Vote: Judge Strikes Down Union County, Ohio, Voting Machine Directive Challenge
Government Technology
Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Eric Brown, in a 25-page decision, struck down a county's challenge to Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner's Jan. 2, 2008 directive requiring backup paper ballots by boards of elections using touch-screen voting machines in the March 4 presidential primary election.
At NIH Center, Software Manages Pneumatic Delivery
Government Computer News
Unable to mail or allot the manpower to move thousands of blood products, biological samples, medications and medical devices every day between patient care units and the pharmacy, laboratories and other departments at its Clinical Research Center, NIH employs a system of pneumatic tubes with proprietary software that schedules and routes the carriers.
Service-Oriented Architecture Spending Up Despite Unclear Benefits
InfoWorld
A new research report from analyst firm AMR Research cites The number of companies investing in service-oriented architecture has doubled over the past year in every part of the world, with a typical annual spend of nearly $1.4 million. However, the AMR survey found that most companies don’t really know why they are investing in SOA, which Findley said makes long-term commitment iffy.
Intelligence Sharing Still Lacking
The Wall Street Journal
The Department of Homeland Security is stumbling in its efforts to coordinate the gathering and sharing of domestic intelligence with state and local officials, one of its core responsibilities, according to an internal report.