Introducing SRA Resource

I would like to introduce a new blog: SRA Resource.  This effort is the combined work of several SRA students including Russ Beck and myself.  The idea came after Russ wanted to post his 70 + pages of annotated bibliographies on topics dealing with SRA and IST.  After we discussed the best way to portray this resource-rich material, we decided to use a wordpress blog instead of a wiki page.  There was significant interest in this resource’s development during our SRA Club meeting.  Several people were willing to contribute and others were just excited to have a comprehensive list of related resources.  Keep checking SRA Resource for updates and for all your researching needs.

New York and Los Angeles Airports Get New Scanners

New York’s JFK International Airport and Los Angeles’ International Airport have gotten new scanners to further protect airline passengers.  The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has begun a test run of Millimeter Wave Scannersto see through clothes to find contraband like weapons and explosives.  TSA reports that 90% of passengers would rather go through this kind of scanning than a traditional pat down.  An expert also added that they will use a special algorithm to blur out the faces of those inside the device.

The possible downsides of this new scanner include the safety of the system.  TSA says that the scanner emits 10,000 times less energy than a cell phone.  Additionally, people question the overall effectiveness of this system.  It is being deployed in Los Angeles in a random manner to screen passengers.  In New York, it will be offered as an alternative to a body scan.  If the new scanners are successful, the program will expand to include 30 more Millimeter Wave Machines in the next year.

Hit this link for a TSA Officer’s take on the new machines.  The comments on his post are particularly interesting.

AFCYBER- Air Force Cyber Command

The Air Force Cyber Command or AFCYBER is the newest addition to the United States Air Force.  It is set to “stand up”  on or around October 1, 2008 to protect U.S. interests and citizens in cyberspace.  In command of this new command is Major General William T. Lord.  Secretary of the Air Force says this about the mission of the new group:

The aim is to develop a major command that stands alongside Air Force Space Command and Air Combat Command as the provider of forces that the President, combatant commanders and the American people can rely on for preserving the freedom of access and commerce, in air, space and now cyberspace.

Currently, AFCYBER is looking for a home.  There are a multitude of candidates for the new home of the Air Force Cyber Command including retired and current Air Force Bases and National Guard Bases in over 15 States.

I inquired about civilian opportunities at the new Cyber Command and they referred me to this website. 

In similar news, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has set up its own cyber defence command post.  They are charged to protect national cyber systems and infrastructure.  Based in Brussels and trained in Estonia, they have a huge amount of territory and property to protect.  For more information hit up this link.

The HP Ipaq 111

This post is a review of the new HP Ipaq 111 PDA.  I managed to get my hands on a unit for use and review (aka I bought it).  I planned on using this PDA for checking email and organizing my life when I’m away from my dorm.  When I worked at CompUSA (before it went bankrupt) I sold a great deal of HP PDA’s to people that reported later that they were happy with thier purchase.  There weren’t too many reviews floating around the internet when I decided to purchase the Ipaq, but I decided to take a chance on the new, recently released unit.  I got a sweet deal direct from HP for drastically less than their normal list price of $299.99.  Now that the introduction is over with, lets get to the nitty gritty review.

In The Box

• Ipaq 111
• Battery Pack
• Wall Charger
• USB Connector
• Manuals
• Driver/Software CD
• Case

Everything comes packaged nicely and securely  inside the box.  Instructions make it quite clear how to install the battery and get it charged up and ready to go.  I found the Manuals to be quite limited in providing useful information about the unit.  Most of the documentation had to do with the EULA and the warranty information.  Not even online could I find decent articles to troubleshoot problems or find out info about the product.