Web Headlines

Headlines from around the Web for Friday, Dec. 7.

Compiled by Melanie Bender

IT Growth Expected to Slow in 2008

InformationWeek

Worldwide IT spending will experience slower growth rates next year because of economic uncertainties and risk, according to a report out Thursday by IDC. The analyst firm is predicting global IT market growth for 2008 at 5.5 percent to 6 percent, down from 6.9 percent this year.

Texas AG Sues Two Sites for Children's Privacy Violations

ComputerWorld

Texas Attorney General Gregg Abbott has sued two Web sites that cater to children for failing to take adequate measures to protect their identities and personal information. The lawsuits are the first in the U.S. to be brought under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) of 1998 and highlight the many privacy pitfalls facing minors that the law is designed to address.

Montana Dept. of Corrections Employees Disciplined for E-mail Use

Government Computer News

Montana’s Department of Corrections yesterday announced it was disciplining 74 Montana State Prison employees for misusing e-mail. Most of the employees received a verbal warning, department officials said. A few received written warnings, counseling or unpaid leave. One employee resigned.

Feds OK Arizona's Plan for High-Tech Driver's Licenses

The Arizona Republic

Arizona could start issuing new driver's licenses with radio-identification chips next year that would be used in lieu of a passport at the U.S.-Mexican border. The licenses also could prove work eligibility under a new state law that requires employers to verify that workers are in the country legally.

New Contract Provision to Standardize Green IT

WashingtonTechnology

The Office of Management and Budget is expected to publish next week a provision to the Federal Acquisition Regulations to purchase environmental and energy-saving electronic products when they are available.

Two State-of-the-Art Buildings to House Montana's Computers

The Billings Gazette

State computer managers are beginning to plan two state-of-the-art computer buildings that should ensure voting, tax and other vital electronic functions are impervious to floods, power outages - even an earthquake.

New Mexico Driver's Licenses Aim to Cut Identity Theft

The Santa Fe New Mexican

The Motor Vehicle Division will issue licenses from a central source, a state-contracted vendor in Washington state. The MVD also will use the latest technology to make sure you are who you say you are and to help ensure that someone hasn't swiped your identity.

New York Governor Plans Statewide Broadband Internet Access

The Associated Press

Gov. Eliot Spitzer plans to provide broadband Internet service to even the most remote areas of the state. An affordable high-speed Internet service plan was part of what Spitzer said would be a transformation and expansion of New York's economy and aims to provide a tool to boost the long-stagnant economy in upstate counties.