Hard hat, lunch bucket, keyboard; blue-collar workers are way ahead of the geek elite in actually using wearable computers and peripherals

Article Abstract:

Companies are experimenting with equipping their field personnel with an array of mobile informatics. A typical phone service employee might have a cellular phone, touch panel display, wrist-mounted keyboard, video camera, and heads-up display. Used together, these devices improve central office to field communications. The employee receives his work order and can easily reference the attendant data (location, history, work done nearby, maps, etc.). Workers find this especially convenient when they are up a ladder and need wiring data, for example. Conversely, employers have greater employee monitoring capabilities via GPS, so future labor agreements will probably limit use to protect employee privacy. Climate is also a consideration. In Canada, as workers don thicker garments in the winter, their gloved fingers are not as nimble, and equipment must withstand colder conditions.

Electronic computers, Product development, Radiotelephone communications, Cellular and Other Wireless Telecommunications, Mobile Radio Services, World, Statistical Data Included, Usage, Hand-held computers, Handheld computers, Handheld data devices, Computer industry, Cellular technology, Equipment and supplies, Technology development, Wireless communications services, Design and construction, MIS, Management information systems, Hand-held data device, Work clothes, Technicians

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Keeping the lifelines open; with phones overloaded and emergency service threatened, the communications system had to adapt on the fly

Article Abstract:

September 11, 2001, was a test for the country's telecommunications systems. During and after the attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, the 911 system there remained intact. Most other systems suffered some damage and adaptations were implemented. These systems included cellular sites, telecom hotels, long-distance service, wireless service, Internet service, ATM machines and credit card verifications.

Evaluation, Telecommunications equipment, Technology overview, Maintenance and repair, Terrorism, Telecommunication systems

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Remote rendezvous; worried travelers warm up to videoconferencing

Article Abstract:

Due to the terrorist attacks, companies are wary about business travel. The result is that more corporations are now turning to videoconferencing. Since the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, teleconferencing companies like Webex and Tandberg have seen a rise in service requests, sales and their own stock performance.

Telephone and telegraph apparatus, Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing, Market information - general, Norway, Computer Storage Device Manufacturing, Memories & Storage Devices, Computer Services NEC, Computer Systems Design and Related Services, Telephone & Telegraph Eqp NEC, Computer related services, not elsewhere classified, Computer storage devices, Computer services industry, Information technology services industry, Information technology services, Statistics, Computer peripherals industry, Corporations, Securities, PictureTel Corp., PCTL, Business travel, Videoconferencing, Teleconferencing, Polycom Inc., PLCM, Tandberg Data ASA, WebEx Communications Inc.

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