Signs of the Times - June 2012 - (Page 12)

TECHNOLOGY UPDATE By Darek Johnson Darek Johnson is ST’s Senior Technology Editor/Analyst. Email him at darek.johnson@stmediagroup.com The Snake Incident(s) Over time, we all pay. Usually, I walk my dog, Buster, at midnight. Recently, on such a walk, he and I discovered a long, black snake lying crosswise on our street. Buster, a mature and very urbane Irish terrier, has no interest in snakes. He sniffed in its direction and then turned to mark a nearby post, a much more important task. It was a rat snake. They eat mice and are good to have around. This one was alive, well and happily absorbing the street’s warmth, a leftover bonus from a sunny afternoon. Perhaps he thought the street was a large rock. Snakes like warm rocks. Still, the street isn’t a healthy place for a snake and, frankly, most of my Kentucky neighbors would relish smashing one, even an environmentally useful type. Unless the snake moved, it would soon have Goodyear tracks across its back. For the record, I don’t pick up snakes, but admire those that do. However, I am inclined to rescue animals. Buster was a rescue dog, although he now denies such common beginnings. Alert for late night traffic, I moved to the snake’s backside and noisily scuffed the pavement with my boot. I hoped to alarm the snake and, by that, herd it curbside. No sticks were at hand. The snake moved a few inches and stopped. I tapped the pavement. Nada. A car could come along any minute. I clapped my hands loudly and told it to get moving. Nada. I nudged its tail with my toe. It coiled – whip like – and struck at me. Damn! Teach me to try to help. hacking into U.S. systems is an increasing problem, and strong evidence exists to prove the country very deliberately focuses cyberespionage “… to capture very valuable research and development information, or innovative ideas, or source code or business plans for their own advantage.” NPR, like the New York Times, has interesting news coverage – if you can ignore its writers’ arrant political leanings. In November 2011, NPR listeners heard James Lewis, technology program director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, say China is not the only country hacking U.S. systems, but it has become our nation’s closest economic and military competitor. In the interview, Lewis said, “Like it or not, the two of us are kind of spiraling into a competitive relationship that could involve military tensions that reach the point of conflict.” Lewis said Chinese hackers focus on American defense and technology industries, but they also hack into American businesses. Reporting that On February interviewed Public 18, National Radio (NPR) Mike McConnell, a former director of National Intelligence and past director of the National Security Agency. In the interview, McConnell said China is the world’s worst cyber villain. He said its habit of In 2008, the $323 billion, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter’s plans were hacked from BAE Systems computers. BAE, Britain’s largest defense company, designs, develops and manufactures defense systems and equipment. It also works with clients to provide cyber security solutions. Jeff Russ, ST’s senior designer, says he pulled these F-35 images off the web in less than three minutes. 12 SIGNS OF THE TIMES / JUNE 2012 / www.signweb.com http://www.signweb.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signs of the Times - June 2012

Signs of the Times - June 2012
Contents
ST Update
Technology Update
Vinyl Apps
Strictly Electric
LED Update
Software Update
Technology Review
Technology Review
Sign Museum News
New Products
Announcing the Mutoh-sponsored 6th annual Vehicle Graphics Contest
They dwell well
A splash from the past
Digital Print Updates
The Value of Signs
Strength by Association
Advertising Index
Editorially Speaking

Signs of the Times - June 2012