The Food and Drug Administration approved an implantable computer chip that can be electronically scanned, revealing a unique barcode for the individual in which it is planted. Applied Digital teamed up with Digital Angel Corporation to produce the VeriChip, first for tracking pets and reuniting them with owners, and now for approved for human use.
The device is meant primarily to allow medical facilities fast access to patient records including vital information about allergies and blood type. However, the conceivable uses of an easily readable barcode implant are unlimited. The product’s creators have suggested that it could easily be used for tracking employees movements inside nuclear facilities. So it could of course be used to track anyone’s movement through any building.
CNN points out some concerns with the VeriChip. Expect to hear more about this.
Actually, when compared to medical ID bracelets, the VeriChip is a lot less effective for providing vital information to doctors and a lot more effective for tracking inmates within a prison.
October 14, 2004
Today’s sign of the technological apocalypse
October 11, 2004
October 7, 2004
I really want to post something
Um, I went to Shoppers Food Warehouse last night. Turns out they’re open pretty much all the time. I think they keep the same hours as DH Hill Library. And I spent $16.95, mostly on Mt Dew, Carrots and cereal that tastes like bark — but lightly sweetened bark.
Still I have lots of exciting work on the project that has no funding and nothing to do on the project that I’m supposed to be working on. The more chance I have to work on these things the more I seem to enjoy the web development. I’ve never had a really big traditional software project, so maybe that will change once the TASS program gets rolling and I have to turn out a lot of software for it. Sounds like when we get to that point the software guys (that would be pretty much me) are going to be swamped. That’s cool though. I’ve got nothing but time. Well not this weekend — “Raise Your Voice” is coming out.
I finally filled out my request for business cards. Every one of them will probably end up in a fish bowl in the front window of a sandwich shop. And I got a name plate for my office door!! It’s like I have a real home now. I’m going to go look at it.
Very nice.
Our web proxy blocks a lot of offensive type material so we don’t waste our time at work on pr0n and such. It also blocks mp3 files. That’s kindof a bummer, because I like to listen to music while I work. Helps keep me moving and knocks off the monotony. I’ve been wanting to use my computer at home as a sort of music server so I can listen to my own playlists at work, but the proxy has been blocking all the mp3s. So Tuesday morning I spent some time at home writing a script so that I can request a .bdparker file from my computer and it feeds me an mp3 file with the phony extension. I’ve been so excited about jamming over here….when everybody else isn’t hanging around clogging up the network, that is. I just need to find a way to compress those files before I send them.
I think I’m really becoming a computer nerd. Have you read my last few posts? I guess that depends on whether you can read java, doesn’t it?
Still seeking geek status,
Brad
October 6, 2004
Raise Your Voice
Hillary Duff has a new movie!
And I really like work. It gives me a place to hang out all day long. And I get to play with computers. That’s pretty neat.
I actually came in late today because I was working on a program at home.