Web Headlines

Following is a sampling of information technology articles that news outlets recently posted.

Pandemic Test Paints Dire Scenario

ComputerWorld

If a pandemic strikes the United States, it would kill about 1.7 million people, hospitalize 9 million, exhaust antiviral medications and reduce basic food supplies, according to a planning scenario developed by financial service firms preparing for such a catastrophe.

Cities Themselves May be Muni Wi-Fi's Savior

CNET News

Blanketing cities with Wi-Fi signals is not inherently a bad idea. Even though some projects have stalled or failed outright, there have also been several success stories.

Intel Funds Scholarly Exploration of Tech Frontier

On university campuses in three states, teams funded by Intel Corp. are exploring the future of computing, seeking ways to further integrate computers into daily life.

SoCal Fire Victims Relying on Web 2.0

Newsfactor

The conflagration that is Southern California is overwhelming wireless phone networks, and residents are turning to text messaging, blogs, and Web 2.0 sites such as YouTube, Flickr, and Twitter to keep each other abreast of the latest developments.

High-Tech Chiefs Establish Fund to Buoy Public Education

The Boston Globe

A group of Massachusetts high-tech chief executives, concerned the United States is falling behind global competitors in producing scientists and engineers, has begun an effort to boost the state's K-12 public education system by raising corporate money to support pilot schools and advanced placement programs.

Arkansas State Medicaid Chief: Streamline Data System

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

The health-care system in Arkansas and the nation is “not making good use of our resources,” said John Selig, director of the Department of Human Services, which runs the state’s Medicaid program.

Vermont’s New Driver’s Licenses Carry Security Flaw

St. Alban’s Messenger

Radio frequency tags slated for use in Vermont’s $1.5 million Enhanced Driver’s License/Identification program pose a security risk, according to industry experts. Critics of the card program say the cards can be read from a distance of 30 feet, are easily cloned and the radio receivers used to read them are vulnerable to attack.

Hourly Tech Pay Hit Near All-Time High Last Quarter

InformationWeek

Pay increased an average of more than 5.5 percent for the quarter ended Sept. 30, compared to the same period last year.

Missouri CIO Testifies Before Congress on the States and Cybersecurity

Government Technology

The CIO’s testimony emphasized information technology security as a vital component in securing our nation's Internet infrastructure and described the important role that the CIOs and their IT security personnel play in responding to Internet and critical IT system disruptions, when they occur.

-- Compiled by Melanie Bender