From: Seema Dhawan Subject: Telcomine Summary Nov'99 Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 10:42:51 +0530 Hi Pat, Please find enclosed the summary and the full issue for the month of November '99 Best Regards Seema Dhawan Infozech -- Software for Telecom Service Providers Tel: +91-11-6416624/25, US Voicemail: +1-408-490-2842 Fax: +91-11-6411455, +1-408-490-2840 (US auto forward) Microsoft Certified Solution Provider Visit us at http://www.infozech.com **************************** Telcomine: A Telecom & Technology Newsletter http://www.infozech.com/telcomine.html ------ =_NextPart_000_01BF2B68.56FEDE40 Content-Type: text/plain; name="november99.txt" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit ************************************************* Telcomine a monthly newsletter from Infozech. Telcomine brings you the latest trends and developments in frontline IT Technologies. To subscribe mail to: nl@infozech.com To unsubscribe mail to : telcomine@infozech.com To advertise mail to : telcomine@infozech.com ************************************************** *****TELCOMINE********************************** Trends in Technology and Telecom Volume 2, No 11, November 1999 =================================================== HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS ISSUE Japanese government in search of 100 software geniuses at $900,000 each And now online book- $100,000 Microsoft award for Frankfurt's best eBook Telecom giants plan use-based uniform billing pattern for next century Display of Multi-use Mobile-Internet phones at 'Telecom 99' in Geneva ========================================================= In This Issue ========================================================= 1. JAPANESE GOVERNMENT IN SEARCH OF 100 SOFTWARE GENIUSES AT $900,000 EACH Japan's Trade Ministry has planned a 'genius programmer plan' that would sponsor 100 software geniuses over the next five years and would spend upto 100 million yen ($900,000- equal to Noble Prize) on each person. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov199.shtml 2. AND NOW ONLINE BOOK-$100,000 MICROSOFT AWARD FOR FRANKFURT'S BEST EBOOK Microsoft has just announced an award of $100,000 for the Best book originally published in electronic form as part of the Frankfurt eBook awards. The company's offer includes seven awards totaling $160,000. It includes a $100,000 grand prize for a work originally published in eBook form. Other prizes include six $10,000 prizes; two awards for fiction; two for non-fiction; one for the best audio book title and one for the most significant advancement in electronic publishing. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov299.shtml 3. TELECOM GIANTS PLAN USE-BASED UNIFORM BILLING PATTERN FOR NEXT CENTURY In the next century the telephone line is going to be put to a fantastic variety of audio, video and other uses requiring varying bandwidths and add on facilities and subject to different billing rates. Twenty-seven major firms including AT&T, Amdocs, Hewlett Packard and Oracle have formed an "IP Billing Standard Group" to develop a rational and universally acceptable framework of standardized metering patterns for each of these uses. The exercise will include integration of shared services and charges between different companies as is done, for instance, by airlines sharing revenues from inter-sectoral passengers. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov399.shtml 4. DISPLAY OF LATEST MULTI-USE MOBILE-INTERNET PHONES AT TELECOM 99 IN GENEVA The glittering array of Hi-tech multipurpose mobile phones displayed by the big companies at "Telecom 99" in Geneva recently highlights their phenomenal popularity. Spurred by the Internet linkage, their number is slated to increase to one billion by 2005. The amazing speed at which these phones are penetrating could be assessed by the fact that 'I-mode' by Japan's NTT DoCoMo has acquired one million customers within six months of its launch. Its subscriber base is increasing at the rate of 80,000 per week. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov499.shtml 5. PALM PILOT RIVAL, 'VISOR', HAS MUSIC, PHONE, PICTURES AND GAMES Bringing a transformation in the Personal Digital Assistants, Handspring has unveiled its 'Visor'. Built by the same duo- Donna Dubinsky and Jeff Hawkins- who had developed the Palm Pilot in 1996. Visor is targeted on consumer market and has special add-ons such as adapters for playing music, making phone calls, taking pictures and playing computer games. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov599.shtml 6. MICROSOFT TO UNVEIL "COMPUTER TABLET" FOR SPEECH, HANDWRITING RECOGNITION In a breakthrough development, Microsoft, the software giant, is all set to give a tough competition to Palm Pilot by developing a 'computer tablet' that would recognize handwriting and speech apart from running the usual software applications. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov699.shtml 7. GERMAN STUDENT DISCOVERS SECURITY FLAW IN MICROSOFT'S JAVA Karsten Sohr, a graduate student at the University of Marburg in Germany has, discovered a serious security flaw in Microsoft's version of Java Technology. The flaw could allow malignant programs to create havoc by doing anything on the victim's computer from reading personal data to deleting files. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov799.shtml 8. INTEL -AMA'S DIGITAL PATIENT IDENTITY CARD FOR ONLINE LINK TO DOCTORS In a step that could revolutionize the $1.2 trillion health industry, Intel and the American Medical Association have joined hands to give physicians "electronic credentials," that would allow them to exchange medical information with their patients over the net in a "secure" fashion. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov899.shtml 9. TORONTO STUDY REPORTS FOUR TIMES CASUALTY RATE IN PHONING WHILE DRIVING MOBILES A SOCIAL HAZARD A study conducted by the University of Toronto has revealed that the use of mobile phones while driving increases the risk of accidents four times. To combat this situation several countries like Singapore, Israel, Brazil and Chile have banned its use while driving. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov999.shtml 10. "EXPORT OF US ENCRYPTION SOFTWARE CAN HELP TERRORISTS": CRITICS In a surprise move, the Clinton Administration has given the green signal to the export of the sensitive computer encryption technology. On one hand the move is seen as vital to the development of e-commerce, on the other it has raised fears of it being used by enemies, criminals and terrorists. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov1099.shtml 11. BEWARE OF SPURIOUS "FREE" Y2K SOLUTIONS Computer security experts fear attacks by Y2K viruses and hoaxes as the ballyhooed Jan 1, approaches. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov1199.shtml 12. NORTH WESTERN VARSITY PUTS 80 MILLION WORDS ON ONE SQUARE INCH CHIP In a remarkable invention, scientists at the Northwestern University have developed a new technique through which 80 millions words can be put in a square inch. This could be a first step to building electronic circuits of organic materials that some experts believe would be the heart of computers in the future. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov1299.shtml 13. EBILL IN IRELAND eBill, Infozech's complete billing and customer care solution has made an entry into Europe by linking with Orbitel Telecommunications to bill its customer at Ireland. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov1399.shtml 14. MAILBOX One Dollar Mini Computer- "Fantastic Idea" http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov1499.shtml ============================================================= JAPANESE GOVERNMENT IN SEARCH OF 100 SOFTWARE GENIUSES AT $900,000 EACH Japan's Trade Ministry has planned a 'genius programmer plan' that would sponsor 100 software geniuses over the next five years and would spend upto 100 million yen ($900,000- equal to Noble Prize) on each person. As reported in a leading Japanese Newspaper, "Asahi Shimbun," the ministry was asking for ten billion yen from the national budget for the fiscal year from next April to be disbursed to twenty creative individuals in software related fields and wanted to fund 100 people over the next five years". Though the details of the program have yet to be worked out, the scheme has received mixed reactions. Where on one hand the move has been acclaimed as a step to build up entrepreneurial skills in individuals, on other hand critics suggest that government should provide opportunities and incentives to bright people instead of money. The funds will go to individuals with right skills without regard for academic background or age. ============================================================= AND NOW ONLINE BOOK-$100,000 MICROSOFT AWARD FOR FRANKFURT'S BEST EBOOK Microsoft has just announced an award of $100,000 for the best book originally published in electronic form as part of the Frankfurt eBook awards. The company's offer includes seven awards totaling $160,000. It includes a $100,000 grand prize for a work originally published in eBook form. Other prizes include six $10,000 prizes; two awards for fiction; two for non-fiction; one for the best audio book title and one for the most significant advancement in electronic publishing. Perhaps the greatest knowledge revolution since Gutenberg, the 'online' ebook is now on its own. This could mean a dramatic reduction in printing and productions costs and bring knowledge closer to the masses. To name a few benefits: * Books need not be printed and stocked in advance. Each copy can be released on order on Internet or in hard printed copy. * Also eventually one may not buy whole books but any parts or chapters one is most interested in. * This could also dispense with vast networks of wholesale distributors and retailers. * It would make it possible new great authors to emerge without the backing of big publishers or 'agents'. Conversely, this development could flood the online market with useless material and make It even more difficult for theaverage browser to sift grain from chaff. Already indiscriminate growth of website bulletins and magazines is spreading confusion. Bill Gates, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, said, "We are delighted to be able to recognize and celebrate achievement in writing. The widespread availability of great electronic titles will not only help the young eBook industry, it will also help encourage literacy and the love of reading, learning and knowledge". The Microsoft initiative is intended to provide a special niche to the eBook industry by giving due recognition to the brains behind its literary and technological advancements. Alberto Vitale, Chairman Emeritus of Random House will serve as the chairman of the Award Committee. =========================================================== TELECOM GIANTS PLAN USE-BASED UNIFORM BILLING PATTERN FOR NEXT CENTURY In the next century the telephone line is going to be put to a fantastic variety of audio, video and other uses requiring varying bandwidths and add on facilities and subject to different billing rates. Twenty-seven major firms including AT&T, Amdocs, Hewlett Packard and Oracle have formed an "IP Billing Standard Group" to develop a rational and universally acceptable framework of standardized metering patterns for each of these uses. The exercise will include integration of shared services and charges between different companies as is done, for instance, by airlines sharing revenues from inter-sectoral passengers. This is evidently a gigantic and challenging exercise due to the staggering variety and volume of the expected Telecom traffic. The sponsors are moving cautiously and, in the first stage, developing a compulsion free, voluntary system in the hope that eventually it will be too good to be ignored by any major carrier or Internet service provider. Set up in mid 99 IPDR- the Internet Protocol Detail Record- will define the essential elements of data exchange between network elements, operation support systems and business support systems. Co-ordinated by Tele Satrategesis the organization comprises billing companies, network service providers, telecommunications carriers and equipment providers. Presently as even the most basic IP service, e-mail has numerous cost components for each transaction (size, distance, time of day, delivery options, disk storage for queued mail and POP3 queries). Therefore characterizing the usage metrics for IP service is a daunting factor. IPDR would provide the foundation for open, carrier-grade IP support systems that enable next generation IP networks to operate efficiently and cost effectively. "As we move toward a pervasive IP network providing an increasingly rich set of services, it is critical that the industry have a standard definition for every article on the network and how each activity should be billed, just as the switched network has its own standard definition," said Dr.Matthew Lucas, President, IPDR Organization. The main goal of the initiative is to reach consensus for the IPDR prototype definition, and submit the prototype to the appropriate accredited standards body (or bodies) for acceptance by the end of 1999. According to a Gartner Group analyst, "The development and adoption of this kind of standard will allow all parties involved in providing network services to more easily and economically work together. Ultimately, this translates into more cost-effective services for the end user." In near future, IPDR will co-ordinate is activities with the Internet Engineering Task force, American National Standards Institute and relevant Telecommunications industry standards bodies. ============================================================= DISPLAY OF LATEST MULTI-USE MOBILE-INTERNET PHONES AT TELECOM 99 IN GENEVA The glittering array of Hi-tech multipurpose mobile phones displayed by the big companies at "Telecom 99" in Geneva recently highlights their phenomenal popularity. Spurred by the Internet linkage, their number is slated to increase to one billion by 2005. The amazing speed at which these phones are penetrating could be assessed by the fact that 'I-mode' by Japan's NTT DoCoMo has acquired one million customers within six months of its launch. Its subscriber base is increasing at the rate of 80,000 per week. As Internet-ready-phones are beginning to gain momentum in the market, all big giants are either competing or collaborating among themselves to grab the largest share of it (estimated to be worth $26 billion by 2005). The companies are busy releasing products, versions and technologies that will integrate all features of the electronic 'Personal Assistants' into the mobile phone. These phones can perform numerous tasks, from booking airline tickets to ordering Chinese, check their e-mails, consult the net, plan their schedules and obviously make calls. British Telecom and Microsoft have teamed up to develop the wireless handheld devices for the future. In addition, it will also build a new generation of mobile phones to deliver multimedia content and games. IBM with Nokia announced that they are teaming up to develop enterprise Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), to empower mobile users with wireless devices to instant access and interact with information and services message notification. Hewlett Packard introduced an integrated hardware/software platform solution for delivering wireless Internet services. Mobile E-Services Bazaar designed to fuel the creation of wireless capabilities delivered to HP's service provide customers on a pay-per-use basis infrastructure equipment. Samsung has introduced an Internet phone that is combination of cell phone, Internet access tool and PDA. The phone has a sound and character recognition capability, 50,000 word dictionary and an engineering calculator, apart from the usual internet-phone facilities. ============================================================= PALM PILOT RIVAL, 'VISOR', HAS MUSIC, PHONE, PICTURES AND GAMES Bringing a transformation in the Personal Digital Assistants, Handspring has unveiled its 'Visor'. Built by the same duo- Donna Dubinsky and Jeff Hawkins- who had developed the Palm Pilot in 1996. Visor is targeted on consumer market and has special add-ons such as adapters for playing music, making phone calls, taking pictures and playing computer games. A special additional feature is a cartridge that looks like the top of a cellular phone, which combines the two devices by automatically dialing numbers in a user's phone book. It has a built in microphone and the add-on would have an ear-piece. A variety of software applications is also loaded into the system from credit card size memory cards. Visor is considered very compelling because it holds the promise of morphing into all kinds of digital devices. It can accept different hardware modules in an expansion slot called the springboard. Visor uses the same operating system as of Palm Pilot, but it is comparatively cheap, ranging from $149 for the basic model, to - $240 for the deluxe model. Initially it will be available from the handspring site and later it will be sold through traditional retailers. ============================================================= MICROSOFT TO UNVEIL "COMPUTER TABLET" FOR SPEECH, HANDWRITING RECOGNITION In a breakthrough development, Microsoft, the software giant, is all set to give a tough competition to Palm Pilot by developing a 'computer tablet' that would recognize handwriting and speech apart from running the usual software applications. For decades companies and engineers were experimenting to build a portable computer that could recognize handwritings and speech, but all their efforts were in vain. However, now as the technology and market has improved there is greater demand for it now. The one pound electronic gadget would measure 81/2 by 11 inches and would be able to read handwriting, recognize speech, run software applications and connect to the Internet without keyboard and wires. The price would be similar to a laptop computer in the beginning and would drop over time. "A tablet offers a way of capturing the benefits of paper in a computer environment," said Dick Brass, Microsoft's Vice President in charge of tablet development." This is a real PC, not just a large Palm Pilot." Aimed at consumers, professionals and students the software is planned to hit the market next year. ============================================================= GERMAN STUDENT DISCOVERS SECURITY FLAW IN MICROSOFT'S JAVA Karsten Sohr, a graduate student at the University of Marburg in Germany has, discovered a serious security flaw in Microsoft's version of Java Technology. The flaw could allow malignant programs to create havoc by doing anything on the victim's computer from reading personal data to deleting files. Princeton University had reported this Java security problem earlier also, in several versions of Netscape and explorer. However this time Drik Balfanz and Edward Felten of the Princeton Secure Internet Programming Lab created a demonstration "attack applet" that exploits this defect and deletes files. The loophole in the program allows the creation of a malicious applet that is attached to a HTML page, which could be delivered over the Web via Internet Explorer or any mail programs that use Microsoft's Java Virtual Machine. When the applet is executed, it can read, modify or destroy any data on the computer, insert virus, insert software to spy on the user's online activities. Microsoft has acknowledged the problem but said that it would require a very sophisticated programmer to take advantage of this defect. Also no user has been affected by the problem yet. Java technology is created by Sun Systems and is touted as highly secure. The security is not in Java's design but in Microsoft's implementation of the design. It is basically a programming error. ============================================================= INTEL -AMA'S DIGITAL PATIENT IDENTITY CARD FOR ONLINE LINK TO DOCTORS In a step that could revolutionize the $1.2 trillion health industry, Intel and the American Medical Association have joined hands to give physicians "electronic credentials," that would allow them to exchange medical information with their patients over the net in a "secure" fashion. According to Intel's press release " Findings presented at Internet Health Day show that consumers increasingly seek medical information on Internet and are using the web to take a more active role in managing their health. However, physicians are not adopting the Internet as quickly as their patients are." The free software will be available to physicians' early next year, and all doctors will be able to use it by the third quarter of 2000. Intel expects 200,000 doctors to be using the service within two years. As health is becoming the most popular topic on net, this system would strengthen the online doctor- patient relationship by acting as a digital identity card. It will allow doctors quicker access to patients' records and patients will be shielded from insurers and other companies tapping into their records without their consent. Robert Musacchio, The AMA Senior Vice President of Publishing Business Services, said "physicians will soon be able to use the secure connections to get lab results, write prescriptions, have their notes transcribed and eventually have their claims processed by insurers". The system could be used both at home and in the office. AMA member doctors would subscribe to the credential system, which is voluntary. Intel is seeking to push the emerging industry forward into the area of online transactions and medical care. According to Steven McGeady, Director Internet Health Initiative, at Intel " e-health has the potential to transform the $1.2 trillion health care industry, delivering greater satisfaction to doctors and patients alike." ============================================================= TORONTO STUDY REPORTS FOUR TIMES CASUALTY RATE IN PHONING WHILE DRIVING MOBILES A SOCIAL HAZARD A study conducted by the University of Toronto has revealed that the use of mobile phones while driving increases the risk of accidents four times. To combat this situation several countries like Singapore, Israel, Brazil and Chile have banned its use while driving. Since the advent of mobile phones numerous researches have warned users about its hazardous effect on health. However, the scares about its ill effects do not end by generating brain tumors and Cancers but have expanded to cause various social hazards too. As mobiles are becoming an extension to a person's lifestyle, its menacing social aspect has also started showing its ugly face. Firstly, the possession of mobile means being available rounds the clock. This generally leads to constant pestering from boss, advertisers and friends. The smarter these phones get, the more people will be bombarded with information and they will have less time for themselves and for their dear ones. Secondly, mobile phones are regarded as enemies of personal privacy. Many public figures are embarrassed by cellphone conversation that have been taped and leaked to media. ============================================================= "EXPORT OF US ENCRYPTION SOFTWARE CAN HELP TERRORISTS": CRITICS In a surprise move, the Clinton Administration has given the green signal to the export of the sensitive computer encryption technology. On one hand the move is seen as vital to the development of e-commerce, on the other it has raised fears of it being used by enemies, criminals and terrorists. The new export policy will allow encryption sophisticated Hi-tech software to be sold to any individual or business, after a one time technical review of their products, except for seven countries, including Libya and Iraq, whom the US government considers sponsors of terrorism. It has abandoned case-by-case licensing. Prior permission would be required to sell to foreign government and military. Computer experts have viewed encryption software as the only viable means of providing security, privacy and reliable e-commerce. Cisco Systems and other Internet industry leaders praised the White House for the move, saying that it would offer international market the US standards of encryption and open up "closed technology markets worldwide". However, this policy is facing strong opposition from the national security and law enforcement officials, who regard it as "dangerous". According to US Attorney General Janet Reno, the change would allow American industry to "compete fairly in the international marketplace, while maintaining controls essential for national security". Reno also admitted the decision " will mean that more terrorists and criminals will use encryption". The policy includes a bill dubbed as the Cyberspace Electronic Security act of 1999 which calls for the creation of a technical support center to assist in the investigation of illegal uses of encryption technology. ============================================================= BEWARE OF SPURIOUS "FREE" Y2K SOLUTIONS Computer security experts fear attacks by Y2K viruses and hoaxes as the ballyhooed Jan 1 approaches. The Y2K virus classification encompasses programs designed to trigger their malicious payloads on or about Jan 1 2000, programs that can gain entry posing as Year 2000 solutions or products and other Y2K related hoaxes. Already a Trojan horse virus has appeared in an Email purporting to be an official offer from Microsoft. Another virus called W32/ Fix2001 arrived in an email written both in English and Spanish, implying to be a fix to the Internet Y2K problem. This was disguised as a missive from a system administrator. Joe wells CEO of the WildList Organization International wondered that "It' starting a little earlier, I expected it little later in the year". Probably more hoaxes would come before too long, he added. Example: Bogus Y2K Countdown Program" in Microsoft's Name The virus outbreak apprehension of experts is no exaggeration as the initiation of malicious code has begun with a bogus e-mail warning that was attached with a Trojan Horse virus and distributed to Microsoft's customers under the pretext of a Y2K count down program from the company. The email invited users to download an attached Microsoft 2000 counter and indicated that it was sent from support@ microsoft.com. However, it contained a data eating Trojan horse that steals a person's password, login and username when downloaded. While the culprits remain unknown, the file is said to have originated at Bulgaria. The Microsoft website had clarified that "Microsoft does not distribute software via email. It only distributes upgrade via Internet." It has advised that those who receive this mail should not execute the attachment. ============================================================= NORTH WESTERN VARSITY PUTS 80 MILLION WORDS ON ONE SQUARE INCH CHIP In a remarkable invention, scientists at the Northwestern University have developed a new technique through which 80 millions words can be put in a square inch. This technique could be a first step to building electronic circuits of organic materials that some experts believe would be the heart of computers in the future. According to Chad A Mirkin of Northwestern University, the new process is a blend of the ancient quill pen technique and the latest computer driven atomic force, that allows drawing fine lines on a surface(different material). This technique could draw line patterns 15-30 nanometers wide and separated by only five nanomaters. Scientists are hopeful that it may eventually be used to build very tiny electronic circuits, or to store vast volumes of information in a very small space. It has the potential of storing a whole library in a wafer and then retrieving the information for use. Note: A nanometer is one billionth of a meter. ============================================================= eBILL IN IRELAND eBill, Infozech's complete billing and customer care solution has made an entry into Europe by linking with Orbitel Telecommunications to bill its customer at Ireland. Orbitel Telecommunications, a long distance reseller, is a new telecom service company operating in the Republic of Ireland. According to Anant Ahuja, Business Development Leader at Infozech, "Our relationship with Orbitel is helping us to learn more of the dynamics of the European market". eBill- the complete billing and customer care solution from Infozech has modules that will map to every department of the company be it management, billing, customer care or sales agent. Of Orbitel's immediate interest is the 'direct debit' feature that will allow Orbitel to conduct direct transactions with the customer's bank. eBill provides software solutions for telecom services like Internet telephony, Internet fax services, toll free numbers, calling cards, Internet services and callback. For more details on eBill contact sales@infozech.com ============================================================= MAILBOX One Dollar Mini Computer- "Fantastic Idea" Fantastic Idea. I like it. Thanks for bringing to our notice. Expect similar articles. (Indian in Amherst builds One Dollar mini computer- Telcomine October) - S. Ramlaxman; Sadayoshi Miyakuni, Japan Please send me details on how to obtain this white paper (Optical switching by 2001- Telcomine October). Coverage is excellent! - Sarah Gannon, Australia; Kelly Daniels This article (Optical switching by 2001- Telcomine October ) is very short, is it possible to get more detail? - Estina J Gurning, Rudolf B.N. Sianipar I would like to subscribe to Telcomine to receive new updates of information on Telecommunication and Information Technology. - Yared Kiflom, Information Specialist, UNDP East Africa Sub-Regional Resource Facilities (EA-SURF) I am inviting you to add your magazine to my online database of magazines. Jeff Iverson, The Directory of Computer Consultants and Developers I would like subscription information on cost and date of release of your newsletter. - Richard Ames, Director of Communications, Pointe Communications Corporations ================================================================= If you have found Telcomine useful, please consider telling others about it. If you have ideas and suggestions to improve TELCOMINE, please contact Editor: Seema Dhawan at telcomine@infozech.com or simply reply to this email with your ideas. If you have a new product or service that you would like us to mention please send it to telcomine@infozech.com Executive Editor: Seema Dhawan Technical Editor: Pragya Singh To Subscribe: nl@infozech.com To Advertise: Telcomine@infozech.com Internet: http://www.infozech.com/telcomine.html Fax: 408-490-2840; Voice Mail : 408-490-2842 ------ =_NextPart_000_01BF2B68.56FEDE40 Content-Type: text/plain; name="november99 summary.txt" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit ************************************************* Telcomine a monthly newsletter from Infozech. Telcomine brings you the latest trends and developments in frontline IT Technologies. To subscribe mail to: nl@infozech.com To unsubscribe mail to : telcomine@infozech.com To advertise mail to : telcomine@infozech.com ************************************************** *****TELCOMINE********************************** Trends in Technology and Telecom Volume 2, No 11, November 1999 =================================================== HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS ISSUE Japanese government in search of 100 software geniuses at $900,000 each And now online book- $100,000 Microsoft award for Frankfurt's best eBook Telecom giants plan use-based uniform billing pattern for next century Display of Multi-use Mobile-Internet phones at 'Telecom 99' in Geneva ========================================================= In This Issue ========================================================= 1. JAPANESE GOVERNMENT IN SEARCH OF 100 SOFTWARE GENIUSES AT $900,000 EACH Japan's Trade Ministry has planned a 'genius programmer plan' that would sponsor 100 software geniuses over the next five years and would spend upto 100 million yen ($900,000- equal to Noble Prize) on each person. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov199.shtml 2. AND NOW ONLINE BOOK-$100,000 MICROSOFT AWARD FOR FRANKFURT'S BEST EBOOK Microsoft has just announced an award of $100,000 for the Best book originally published in electronic form as part of the Frankfurt eBook awards. The company's offer includes seven awards totaling $160,000. It includes a $100,000 grand prize for a work originally published in eBook form. Other prizes include six $10,000 prizes; two awards for fiction; two for non-fiction; one for the best audio book title and one for the most significant advancement in electronic publishing. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov299.shtml 3. TELECOM GIANTS PLAN USE-BASED UNIFORM BILLING PATTERN FOR NEXT CENTURY In the next century the telephone line is going to be put to a fantastic variety of audio, video and other uses requiring varying bandwidths and add on facilities and subject to different billing rates. Twenty-seven major firms including AT&T, Amdocs, Hewlett Packard and Oracle have formed an "IP Billing Standard Group" to develop a rational and universally acceptable framework of standardized metering patterns for each of these uses. The exercise will include integration of shared services and charges between different companies as is done, for instance, by airlines sharing revenues from inter-sectoral passengers. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov399.shtml 4. DISPLAY OF LATEST MULTI-USE MOBILE-INTERNET PHONES AT TELECOM 99 IN GENEVA The glittering array of Hi-tech multipurpose mobile phones displayed by the big companies at "Telecom 99" in Geneva recently highlights their phenomenal popularity. Spurred by the Internet linkage, their number is slated to increase to one billion by 2005. The amazing speed at which these phones are penetrating could be assessed by the fact that 'I-mode' by Japan's NTT DoCoMo has acquired one million customers within six months of its launch. Its subscriber base is increasing at the rate of 80,000 per week. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov499.shtml 5. PALM PILOT RIVAL, 'VISOR', HAS MUSIC, PHONE, PICTURES AND GAMES Bringing a transformation in the Personal Digital Assistants, Handspring has unveiled its 'Visor'. Built by the same duo- Donna Dubinsky and Jeff Hawkins- who had developed the Palm Pilot in 1996. Visor is targeted on consumer market and has special add-ons such as adapters for playing music, making phone calls, taking pictures and playing computer games. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov599.shtml 6. MICROSOFT TO UNVEIL "COMPUTER TABLET" FOR SPEECH, HANDWRITING RECOGNITION In a breakthrough development, Microsoft, the software giant, is all set to give a tough competition to Palm Pilot by developing a 'computer tablet' that would recognize handwriting and speech apart from running the usual software applications. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov699.shtml 7. GERMAN STUDENT DISCOVERS SECURITY FLAW IN MICROSOFT'S JAVA Karsten Sohr, a graduate student at the University of Marburg in Germany has, discovered a serious security flaw in Microsoft's version of Java Technology. The flaw could allow malignant programs to create havoc by doing anything on the victim's computer from reading personal data to deleting files. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov799.shtml 8. INTEL -AMA'S DIGITAL PATIENT IDENTITY CARD FOR ONLINE LINK TO DOCTORS In a step that could revolutionize the $1.2 trillion health industry, Intel and the American Medical Association have joined hands to give physicians "electronic credentials," that would allow them to exchange medical information with their patients over the net in a "secure" fashion. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov899.shtml 9. TORONTO STUDY REPORTS FOUR TIMES CASUALTY RATE IN PHONING WHILE DRIVING MOBILES A SOCIAL HAZARD A study conducted by the University of Toronto has revealed that the use of mobile phones while driving increases the risk of accidents four times. To combat this situation several countries like Singapore, Israel, Brazil and Chile have banned its use while driving. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov999.shtml 10. "EXPORT OF US ENCRYPTION SOFTWARE CAN HELP TERRORISTS": CRITICS In a surprise move, the Clinton Administration has given the green signal to the export of the sensitive computer encryption technology. On one hand the move is seen as vital to the development of e-commerce, on the other it has raised fears of it being used by enemies, criminals and terrorists. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov1099.shtml 11. BEWARE OF SPURIOUS "FREE" Y2K SOLUTIONS Computer security experts fear attacks by Y2K viruses and hoaxes as the ballyhooed Jan 1, approaches. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov1199.shtml 12. NORTH WESTERN VARSITY PUTS 80 MILLION WORDS ON ONE SQUARE INCH CHIP In a remarkable invention, scientists at the Northwestern University have developed a new technique through which 80 millions words can be put in a square inch. This could be a first step to building electronic circuits of organic materials that some experts believe would be the heart of computers in the future. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov1299.shtml 13. EBILL IN IRELAND eBill, Infozech's complete billing and customer care solution has made an entry into Europe by linking with Orbitel Telecommunications to bill its customer at Ireland. http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov1399.shtml 14. MAILBOX One Dollar Mini Computer- "Fantastic Idea" http://www.infozech.com/articles/nov1499.shtml ================================================================= If you have found Telcomine useful, please consider telling others about it. If you have ideas and suggestions to improve TELCOMINE, please contact Editor: Seema Dhawan at telcomine@infozech.com or simply reply to this email with your ideas. 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