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TOP STORIES FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 09, 2004 Acacia Goes After Higher Ed on Streaming Video Number of Computer Science Majors Falls ISO Approves 3D Content Run-Time Standard Study Advises Better System Performance Data Stealth Wallpaper Protects Wi-Fi Networks ACACIA GOES AFTER HIGHER ED ON STREAMING VIDEO Acacia Media Technologies, which claims a patent on technology for streaming video, has begun a second round of efforts to persuade colleges and universities to pay licensing fees for the technology. Acacia has previously sought such fees--under the threat of future legal action--from adult Web sites and from mainstream companies including The Walt Disney Co. In letters sent to an undisclosed number of colleges and universities, the company claims that the schools' use of streaming technologies violates Acacia patents. The letters extend a limited-time offer to accept payment to license the patents; after the deadline, however, the schools could face litigation. Acacia's Bob Berman defended the company's actions, saying it is only fair that Acacia be compensated for its property. Others were critical of Acacia and characterized the patent claims as extortion. Officials from the American Council on Education and the Electronic Frontier Foundation have advised schools not to pay the fees requested. San Jose Mercury News, 9 August 2004 http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/editorial/9355403.htm NUMBER OF COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJORS FALLS Despite the improving outlook for the high-tech sector of the economy, enrollment in most computer science programs at U.S. institutions continues to decline, causing some to worry about the possibility of a high-tech workforce shortage in coming years. Schools such as San Jose State University, the University of Texas at Austin, and Ohio State University have seen lower computer science enrollments, and according to the Computing Research Association, enrollment is down by 23 percent in the United States and Canada. Peter Lee of Carnegie Mellon pointed out, however, that far fewer applications were received this year versus last for his institution's computer science program but that they were generally from more qualified applicants. No longer are students applying, said Lee, because they are simply lured by the prospect of high-paying jobs and stock options. Others noted that enrollments in graduate computer science programs, which remain strong, may soon begin to suffer due to increased restrictions on foreign students, who represent 43 percent of students in graduate computer science programs in the United States and Canada. USA Today, 8 August 2004 http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2004-08-08-computer-science_x.htm ISO APPROVES 3D CONTENT RUN-TIME STANDARD The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has given approval to X3D, a file format developed by the Web3D Consortium for sending 3D communication across networks and between applications. X3D is an open-source, XML-based standard that supports several file format encodings and programming languages. According to Tony Parisi, cochair of Web3D's X3D Working Group, "Now developers, solutions providers, and customers alike can rest assured that their investments in real-time 3D content and applications will be preserved." X3D is an extension of VRML 97, an earlier standard, and is backward-compatible with Classic VRML Encoding. Internet News, 9 August 2004 http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/article.php/3392311 STUDY ADVISES BETTER SYSTEM PERFORMANCE DATA A study conducted for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) urges the implementation of performance measures to assess how the agencies manage electronic records. Federal agencies depend on electronic records management systems for such activities as meeting regulatory compliance, responding to Freedom of Information Act requests, and managing grants, but agencies have varying methods for managing electronic resources. The report recommends nearly a dozen ways for officials at federal agencies to assess their management of electronic records, including urging OMB and NARA to pursue standardized methods of collecting and managing records. Some of the performance metrics suggested by the report can be handled automatically, whereas others require manual data collection and auditing. Federal Computer Week, 9 August 2004 http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0809/web-erm-08-09-04.asp STEALTH WALLPAPER PROTECTS WI-FI NETWORKS British firm BAE Systems has developed a type of wallpaper that prevents stealth users from connecting to a company's unprotected Wi-Fi network while still allowing cell phones and other desirable signals to pass through. Wi-Fi networks are a boon to companies that want to set up inexpensive wireless access within their buildings, but many such networks are installed without adequate security to prevent roaming hackers from easily connecting to networks and gaining access behind a company's firewall. BAE's wallpaper is made from a sheet of kapton plastic with copper on both sides in patterns of crosses. The particular placement of the copper crosses determines which frequencies are able to pass through and which are blocked. The company is working on a transparent version of the technology to be used on windows. New Scientist, 8 August 2004 http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99996240 ***************************************************** EDUPAGE INFORMATION To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change your settings, visit http://www.educause.edu/pub/edupage/ 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/ ***************************************************** 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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