Author archives

The Impact of Newspaper Websites

Two related stories worth noting: The New York Times reports increased circulation stats over the past six months, but other newspapers including the Washington Post report a downturn, some of which may be attributed to the migration of readers to the paper’s website. A recent Nielsen/NetRatings survey reports “that Web surfers are more politically active …

Subjects: Freedom of Information, Internet

USTR Annual Report on IP Protection

U.S. Releases 2004 Report on Intellectual Property Protection Office of the United States Trade Representative press release: Annual “Special 301” Report Finds Continued Progress on Strengthening Intellectual Property Protection, but Significant Improvements Needed 2004 Special 301 Report (documents are in pdf): Executive Summary, Statutory Authority, Developments in IPR, Full Report.

Subjects: Government Documents, Intellectual Property

Dept. of Interior Guidelines to Secure Geospatial Data

“The Homeland Security Working Group ensures that the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) [Executive Order establishing NSDI] supports the preparation for, prevention of, protection against, response to, and recovery from (1) threats to the nation’s population centers and critical infrastructures that are of terrorist, criminal, accidental, or natural origin and (2) related adverse events.” The …

Subjects: E-Government, Government Documents

Election Commission Hears Testimony on E-Voting Technology Flaws

At a hearing on the “Use, Security, and Reliability of Electronic Voting Systems” held today by the United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC), Johns Hopkins University computer science professor and computer security expert Avi Rubin testified that the e-voting systems currently in place for the November election are fundamentally flawed. A recent New York Times …

Subjects: E-Government

The Tech Guru

From Walt Mossberg, Making the Internet A Little Easier On Aging Eyes, and about Walt Mossberg, The Kingmaker, “Walt Mossberg makes or breaks products from his pundit perch at a little rag called The Wall Street Journal.”

Subjects: Internet

TSA Begins Screening Rail Passengers in Maryland

TSA Launches New Passenger Rail Security Pilot Program: The TSA…launched a test program [for 30 days] to measure the feasibility of explosives screening for people and bags traveling on U.S. trains. Amtrak and Maryland Rail Commuter (MARC) passengers boarding at the New Carrollton train station will be screened for explosives starting May 4 as part …

Subjects: E-Government