Is the portable scanner a crime fighting tool or an invasion of the innocent?

A handheld device that can tell in a second whether a person is on one of 140 wanted or watch lists is being hailed by police as a crime-fighting breakthrough and flayed by civil libertarians as an intrusion on the innocent.
The sheriff’s office in Clermont County, Ohio, is the first civilian law enforcement agency in the nation to test the portable fugitive finder.

Police say Mobilisa Inc.’s m2500 Defense ID system shows promise of saving them time and helping them fight crime. Critics say it intensifies questions about privacy.

The Port Townsend, Wash., wireless technology company says its handheld electronic scanner can identify within a second whether someone is a fugitive from justice, has a violent criminal past or is a convicted sex offender.

The scanner reads the magnetic strip or barcode on state-issued ID cards, passports and driver’s licenses. It uses the information to determine whether a person shows up on wanted or watch lists.

Can education be enhanced with technology?

Hi all,

I am a Computer Engineering student, in my 3rd year of university. Me and my teammates are competing in a technology contest whose theme is: Imagine a world where “technology enables a better education for all”.
We are currently doing research on this theme in order to come up with an innovative and feasible idea for the contest.
The actual solution can include ANY kind of hardware and/or software resources as needed. This means that no matter how wild the ideas might turn out to be, we can build them! Anything from motors, GPS locators, PDA’s, LCD screens and so on can be used, so it’s just a matter of imagination. Also, there is no specific limitation on what type of education should be approached, so don’t worry about that.

If you have any ideas on this theme we would greatly appreciate your suggestions.
Also, please let me know of any education problems that you think technology might be able to help overcome.

Thank you in advance!

George Ciobanu