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TOP STORIES FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 06, 2003 Linux Clears Security Hurdle New Advocacy Group for Open Source Proposal Would Allow Online Release of Personal Information Congress Working to End Online Cigarette Sales Government Web Portal Being Tested LINUX CLEARS SECURITY HURDLE IBM and SuSE Linux have earned security certification from the U.S. government for their version of Linux. The Common Criteria certification program was launched by federal officials as part of efforts to improve computer security, with the ultimate goal of strengthening national security. Because it is an open-source application, based on code that is shared freely among developers, Linux is at something of a disadvantage to proprietary products in marshaling resources to earn certification. IBM and SuSE, however, invested the time and money necessary to certify the SuSE version of the Linux operating system running on IBM servers. Red Hat is expected to have its version of Linux certified soon, with support expected from hardware vendors such as Hewlett-Packard. Many analysts believe that the certification, which allows the application to be used in government data centers, will encourage others in the commercial sector to adopt the technology for their purposes. New York Times, 5 August 2003 (registration req'd) http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/05/technology/05BLUE.html NEW ADVOCACY GROUP FOR OPEN SOURCE Supporters of open-source technology are planning a new trade group to act as a lobbying organization for open-source tools and encourage broader adoption of them. Although some organizers of the Open Source And Industry Alliance (OSAIA) have been vocal critics of Microsoft, officials insist the new group is "a pro-open source and pro-Linux effort" and "not designed to be anti-Microsoft." Organizers have not disclosed who has committed support to the group, citing the early stages of the group's development, though rumors suggest companies including Novell and Oracle are contemplating supporting the OSAIA. No specific legislative agenda has been released, but the group reportedly will not support legislation that requires open-source technology over proprietary technology. CNET, 6 August 2003 http://news.com.com/2100-7252_3-5060512.html PROPOSAL WOULD ALLOW ONLINE RELEASE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION The U.S. Department of Education has proposed updating its rules to allow online authorization of the release of personal information, such as transcripts. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requires such authorization, and current rules mandate that students or alumni provide a handwritten signature for the release. Some colleges and universities, however, already allow online authorization. Rules based on FERPA were drafted prior to a law that grants electronic signatures equal status as handwritten ones. The subsequent law, they said, means that electronic signatures are already acceptable for authorization. Others disagree, saying that until the rule is officially changed, a handwritten signature is still required to authorize release of personal information. Comments on the proposal can be submitted to the Department of Education until September 26. Chronicle of Higher Education, 6 August 2003 (sub. req'd) http://chronicle.com/daily/2003/08/2003080601t.htm CONGRESS WORKING TO END ONLINE CIGARETTE SALES Separate bills moving through both houses of the U.S. Congress aim to crack down on online sellers of cigarettes who evade tobacco taxes. According to data from the General Accounting Office, none of the 147 Web sites selling cigarettes provided legally required information to consumers to allow collection of state taxes. The Senate bill, the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act, would substantially increase penalties for failing to pay cigarette taxes. The bill would also lower the number of cigarettes without proper tax stamps necessary to qualify as smuggled contraband. Currently that number is set at 60,000; the PACT Act would lower that to 10,000. The House of Representatives bill, the Internet Tobacco Sales Enforcement Act, is similar to the Senate's and is expected to pass the House Judiciary Committee after the August recess. Internet News, 5 August 2003 http://dc.internet.com/news/article.php/2244481 GOVERNMENT WEB PORTAL BEING TESTED A prototype Web portal is being developed to address the question of whether it makes sense for state and local governments to work together on a variety of transactions. The Center for Technology in Government, which is affiliated with the State University of New York at Albany, is building the portal in conjunction with state and local governmental agencies and some commercial companies. The portal will share information among the agencies involved in the test to determine if such a system can function well and broaden the range of transactions that individuals can perform online. Thirteen municipalities in New York are involved in the program so far, and organizers hope to recruit another seven before the test begins in October. Federal Computer Week, 29 July 2003 http://www.fcw.com/geb/articles/2003/0728/web-ctg-07-29-03.asp ***************************************************** 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 "EQ" and "EDUCAUSE Review," books, and other materials dealing with the impacts and implications of information technology in higher education. 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