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."

Comments

Or not so secret rooms

[crumbz]

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.

Vernor Vinge predicted this too!

[D_Fresh]

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.