Networked Sensors

Sometime this month a couple of engineering professors, at Worchester Polytechnic Institute, will be testing networked sensors. These sensors are used to track firefighters while inside a burning building. One of the things mentioned in the article is something I personally never thought about. The fire-retardant jackets, worn by the firefighters, actually deflects flames so well that the firefighters do not realize how hot the flames really are. Not only will the sensors alert the firefighters just before flashover, which is when a room reaches 1,100 F, but the sensors also send their location and vital sighs to a laptop located outside of the building. This really hits close to home for me, because both my brother and husband are volunteer firefighters and several of my sons friends are junior firefighters. I really think this is a great technology that all fire stations should take advantage of if at all possible.

Dashboard Internet

There are laws in some states where you are not allowed to use your cell phone while driving. Well, guess what Ford Motor Company is working on? At the Comsumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas, Ford introduced Dashboard Internet. This technology allows you to use Twitter and Facebook from behind the wheel. I personally think this is insane. Feel free to read the article and tell me what you think.

Security Chip Hacked

Found an interesting article about the TPM chip, made by Infineon Technologies. Christopher Tarnovsky , a former U.S. Army computer-security specialist, was able to hack this particular chip , which is suppose to be the industry's most secure. According to the article it took 6 months for Tarnovsky to figure it out. He first had to soak the chip in acid and then he applied rust remover. There were other things but I'll let you read the article. I guess I never thought that hacking would require acid or rust remover. When I think of hacking I picture someone using some type of computer equipment.

Virtual Computing

Through virtual computing, users can download and use more than one operating system and perform multiple functions at the same time You get the benefits of additional programs and hardware without having to purchase or install them on your computer. I am really excited about trying virtual computing first hand.