Archived News for IT Professionals - March, 2014
Authorities are having another crack at the failed plan to introduce GPS tracking to Melbourne buses.
Net baron sets sights on office
An Internet entrepreneur and figure representing the new age of online activism has launched a political party.
Office goes off Windows to take up tablet space
Microsoft has made a move many were waiting for, freeing Office from the Windows environment and making it available on iPads.
Optus warned after $9 million rort repaid
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued a warning, but no monetary punishment after it found Optus had overcharged mobile customers around $9 million.
Telstra testing with view to NBN billions
Telstra is shooting for $6 billion worth of contracts on Australia’s National Broadband Network, launching a pilot program to test its intended hardware.
Wireless plan to move solar close to source
The United States military is working on a project to gather solar electricity from space and beam it wirelessly back to Earth.
Historic lessons in digital form
An ancient and beautiful language has been brought into the digital age, with the release of a Sanskrit e-book.
Mental mining pulls faces from memory
Researchers have extracted images of people’s faces from human memory, using brain scans.
Old school planning programs slammed
Some of the biggest names in transport planning say current computer models are inadequate and obsolete.
Technological leap taken with natural leg-up
Scientists have been pinching designs from nature for some time, but have now brought living and synthetic materials together in an exciting new way.
Big names boost computer-brain builders
Some wealthy backers have thrown their names and significant funds behind a secretive artificial-intelligence company, though none will say just why.
Cities push to make their names online
Berlin has led an international charge to expand the domains of the internet, announcing its own custom online suffix.
Microsoft caught inbox snooping, will continue
A court case in the US has revealed that Microsoft exercises the right to access any content on its email, chat areas, forums, and other communication facilities.
Tech firms try for transparency while Joyce dangles cows
Some of the world’s leading online companies and communities have spoken out about efforts to “fast track” the Trans-Pacific Partnership, saying governments should ease up in their push to create a corporate-friendly, freedom-restricting future.
Ancient letter shows little has changed
A postgrad student has deciphered a letter dating back 1,800 years, written by an Egyptian soldier serving in a Roman legion in Europe.
Internet integrity questioned as top names turn to Wikipedia
Despite many universities and school condemning the use of Wikipedia as a legitimate source, a new study says thousands of research papers happily cite the open source encyclopaedia.
One small job for NASA, one giant map for mankind
NASA has released a high resolution recreation of the Moon’s north polar region, allowing intrepid internet users to explore the lunar surface form the comfort of their computer chairs.
AliBaba chooses pad for multi-billion dollar launch
One of the largest stores on the internet is preparing for its stock market debut.
Council says more power can come in a thousand little sources
A new discussion paper says technology has solutions to the major cost of living for many.
Sparks fly from friction to power the future
New developments could see the end of giant coal, gas or nuclear turbines, and the rise of electricity gathered by simple movement and friction.
Future look at foreign slice of Telstra flagged
The Federal Communications minister says Telstra may be the next company allowed take a bigger share of foreign investment.