Solutions for Industrial Computing

Finding out that U.S. federal agents can take away any computer — or electronic device that can store data — from an international traveler entering the U.S. for no reason and keep it for as long as they want probably surprised a lot of people. Apparently this could happen even if an individual is not suspicious. And, information may be shared with other agencies, including financial and medical info. Do you think this policy is really necessary, or not?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Solutions for Industrial Computing, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Solutions for Industrial Computing today.

Lots of studies have been done investigating the deleterious effects of cell phone use and its possible link to cancer. As far as I know, there is not one study that appears to be conclusive, probably because one has not been conducted for a long enough time period of exposure. So to be safer, should we switch our Bluetooth headset from ear to ear and keep our phones at arm's length? What do you think?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Solutions for Industrial Computing, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Solutions for Industrial Computing today.

One of the challenges with fuel cells for portable electronic devices is containing the hydrogen. So, alternately a hydrogen containing substance may be better. One of the latest proposed sources is formic acid. Although direct formic acid fuel cells are simpler, they are less efficient than direct methanol versions. And both these concepts are less efficient than hydrogen fuel cells. Since portable electronics require way less power than vehicles, fuel cells for widespread mobile use may see broad commercialization before volume production for autos. Do you think it's worthwhile?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Solutions for Industrial Computing, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Solutions for Industrial Computing today.

Great advances have been made in desktop and laptop computers as of late. Anyone who can afford it owns at least a dual-core if not a quad-core machine. But in everyday programs — word processing, spreadsheets, etc. — that many use day in and day out, still seem slower. For instance, I and colleagues were surprised that word processing was actually slower on my first multi-GHz desktop compared to an older 750 MHz PC, both with the same amount of RAM. Have all the software developments and improvements been saved for enterprise and Web applications? What do you think?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Solutions for Industrial Computing, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Solutions for Industrial Computing today.

Undoubtedly, computer users really need a better way to interact with computers than the typical mouse (cartoon language plural, "meeces"). If you're worried about carpal tunnel syndrome, a mouse that vibrates is available to remind you not to hold it when you're not using it. Unfortunately, today's lack of functionality goes way beyond that.

But fortunately, the latest technology innovations appear to be addressing the dilemma. These include haptic (touch-sensitive) interfaces, voice-activated cursor control, a magnetic levitation device, and gesture-driven input (like Wii and the recently demonstrated iPoint Presenter). Research test subjects have even controlled robots by brain waves. In fact, 1970's technology allowed pilots to acquire targets on their displays via eye movement. The best answer to date may be an input port that connects directly to the brain, bypassing the eyes altogether, perhaps possible via a modified cochlear implant technology. Of course, it would have to be wireless. What do you think?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Solutions for Industrial Computing, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Solutions for Industrial Computing today.