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Pervasive Computing Systems
nickynicky9doors writes "Washington Technology has an article on Smart Conference Rooms.
'Pervasive-computing systems
...will come about through large numbers of small devices and sensors, some so unobtrusive that people won't know they're interacting with a computer at all.' The Smart Flow System was designed with open-source middle ware and the data acquistion system is based on a Linux cluster of 14 computers."
I like the secured room in Nueromancer (Count Zero? I forget) that you have to pay by the minute for complete privacy. No possibility of listening devices or transmitters. A complete 180 from this idea. Everyday privacy is being drawn and quartered. Granted a conference room might not seem to be the most secure place to discuss a sensitive topic, but a voice recognizing cluster of Linux boxes? Give me a break. What is to stop employers from deploying this technology throughout the office space in the name of security? See why 2002 will be like 1984.
So this is why we have active research projects in Europe that are investigating the managed intrustiveness of this "pervasive" technology.
Yes, I too want to just sit and chill, but there are _some_ notifications that I really want to hear irrespective of whatever "normal" policy I deploy (e.g. let me chill, but if my mom is sick then I wanna know about it)
Their motto is "Things are starting to talk to other things". But how long until the "thing" your PDA/sweater/whatever is talking to is in the hands of a crooked cop? Their "explanation" even shows the police getting evidence from a digital device without a warrant! Read the Fourth and Fifth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution to see where I'm coming from.
Sounds like the kitchen of the future to me...
You know those things you saw on clips of 40-50's news reels.
Neat idea, but I have to seiously question the deendece to such a degree on technology, technology is fragile, and a great tool, One sinlgle 100 megaton nuclear device exploded in the atmosphere would end all that for decades.
EMP weaponry is going to be one of the tools of the future for armies at large, you think a Jumo Jet creates havoc. What would you do tommorow, if all the electronic devices you use were suddenly non functional , Could you survive ?, I could, I have a breaker ignition vehicle in storge, backup mechanical water pumping(on a well) and oil heat with no electronic controls. This isnt the norm, prevasive compution is a cool concept but sounds far too omniporesent and fragile for me.
Sig went tro...aahemmm.....fishing........
In his novel A Deepness in the Sky Vinge talks about sensors so small they are like dust motes floating through the air, but so pervasive (and networked) that the person tapping into them can get detailed surveillance and biometric data anywhere the sensors are floating. Sounds very much like where we're headed.
Was that out loud?