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TOP STORIES FOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 Secret Service Exposing Unsecured Wireless Networks Itanium Chip Faces Uphill Road Computer Speeds Are Up, But Not Met by Need AND University of Phoenix Online Adds Doctoral Programs New Group Will Address Reporting of Security Flaws Preventing Repetitive Strain Injury in Kids SECRET SERVICE EXPOSING UNSECURED WIRELESS NETWORKS In an effort to inform businesses about lax security on their wireless networks, agents from the Secret Service are wandering the streets of Washington, D.C., looking for unprotected wireless networks. Using a laptop, a wireless card, and one of several antennae--one made from a Pringles can--agents drive through city streets, checking for access to networks. Chris McFarland of the Secret Service's Electronic Crimes Task Force said that "people can wreak havoc with [unprotected wireless] systems." Special Agent Wayne Peterson said that on a recent trip down one street, they found more than 20 networks, many without any security at all. Peterson said he sees the work of securing such networks as an important step in preventing crime. Associated Press, 29 September 2002 (registration req'd) http://www.nandotimes.com/technology/story/555541p-4378549c.html ITANIUM CHIP FACES UPHILL ROAD Ten years after development began on the Itanium processor, a joint project of Intel and Hewlett-Packard, the first Itanium chips have come to market. Buyers, however, are in short supply. The Itanium is four years behind schedule, and some believe that the processor is the last of a dying breed. Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, thinks that the future of processors will be many small chips rather than a single, extremely fast chip. In Schmidt's vision, the Itanium processor becomes a handicap because of its significant power-dissipation requirements. Analysts predict that through 2007, the Itanium will represent less than 10 percent of the market for server processors, an estimate not disputed by officials at Intel. New York Times, 30 September 2002 (registration req'd) http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/29/technology/circuits/29CHIP.html COMPUTER SPEEDS ARE UP, BUT NOT MET BY NEED As the speed of computer processors continues to climb, nearing and even passing the 3 GHz level, users are having difficulty justifying purchasing the new equipment. According to IDC analyst Alan Promisel, a low-end Celeron processor with 128 megabytes of RAM and a modestly sized hard drive provide ample performance for most users. Carl Howe of Forrester Research agreed, saying that processors running at less than 1 GHz are generally sufficient for most users. He pointed out that the slow link in the chain is often the Internet connection, which is usually far more limiting than the speed of the processor. Despite the lack of motivation among many to buy new, faster computers, the market for used machines is not likely to benefit, according to Howe. Prices of new computers have come down so far that users will often get a better deal--given the warranty and support of a new machine--on a computer that has much more power than the buyer needs. NewsFactor Network, 27 September 2002 http://www.newsfactor.com/perl/story/19522.html AND ***************************************************** UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX ONLINE ADDS DOCTORAL PROGRAMS The University of Phoenix Online has received approval from its accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, to add three doctoral programs. The university already offers one Ph.D., in management in organizational leadership. The new programs are in business administration, education, and health-care administration. The university will also establish a School of Advanced Studies to support the new programs. The dean of the school said the new programs are in line with the university's mission to provide working adults with educational alternatives. Some observers said the university's move reflected its desire to "move up the educational hierarchy." The university said it hopes to enroll 300 to 500 Ph.D. students over the next three years. Much of the coursework will be done online, though students will be required to spend two weeks per year on the university's campus in Phoenix to meet with faculty advisors and mentors. Chronicle of Higher Education, 30 September 2002 (sub. req'd) http://chronicle.com/daily/2002/09/2002093008n.htm NEW GROUP WILL ADDRESS REPORTING OF SECURITY FLAWS Several software and security companies are jointly creating the Organization for Internet Safety (OIS), which will work to establish a standard procedure for reporting software security flaws. Many independent security firms report security vulnerabilities to the maker of the affected software when such flaws are discovered, allowing the company to fix the problem before it becomes publicly known. However, several recent incidents have shown that information about flaws is sometimes released before the developer knows about it, exposing the software to violations and generally annoying the software company. The new group will try to create standards to ensure a common and predictable way to handle the reporting of security holes. Drafts are expected from the group early next year. IDG, 27 September 2002 http://www.idg.net/ic_952763_1793_1-1681.html PREVENTING REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY IN KIDS The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) has issued a set of guidelines designed to limit ergonomic problems that result from using computers. The Strategies for Schools program targets school-age children because of the increasing use of computers in schools and, according to the AOTA, because this is the fist generation who will have used computers since they were quite young, increasing the chances of injury. The strategies focus on the need for adjustable equipment, including chairs, desks, and such items as smaller-than-normal keyboards for young users with short fingers. The report also mentions considerations such as the height of tables and counters, good posture, and taking breaks. Wired News, 30 September 2002 http://www.wired.com/news/school/0,1383,55349,00.html ***************************************************** EDUPAGE INFORMATION To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change your settings, visit http://www.educause.edu/pub/edupage/edupage.html Or, you can subscribe or unsubscribe by sending e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To SUBSCRIBE, in the body of the message type: SUBSCRIBE Edupage YourFirstName YourLastName To UNSUBSCRIBE, in the body of the message type: SIGNOFF Edupage If you have subscription problems, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For past issues of Edupage or information about translations of Edupage into other languages, visit http://www.educause.edu/pub/edupage/edupage.html ***************************************************** OTHER EDUCAUSE PUBLICATIONS EDUCAUSE publishes periodicals, including "EDUCAUSE Quarterly" and "EDUCAUSE Review," books, and other materials dealing with the impacts and implications of information technology in higher education. 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