Today we have more options to choose in all walks of our life than possible ever before. This is apparent in our professional activities as well. One of the important tasks in organizing a seminar or conference is the finalization of its topic. Whether it may be an international or national one, it follows a sequence of procedures before the finalization.  We always think if some choice is good or if better ones are out there. Also we gather choices from the members while participating in a meeting or by sending request through mails. This helps us to collect more number of topics from different corners, novel, sophisticated and current, to satisfy one and all. In the end, while trying to sort things out, the vast collection of choices that we accumulate sometimes makes the decision making process more difficult. Such instances are commonplace for an organization and individual when we deal with choices.

What is mentioned above is only an example of increased choices that prevail in our society. When we consider personal choice of articles/things, the trend is much more interesting. As the society grows with added facilities, people become freer to choose their options for their satisfaction and happiness. This may come as a surprise to a lot of people, but they tend to appreciate greater consumer choice. But recent researches suggest that this assumption is wrong and "although some choice is undoubtedly better than none, more is not always better than less". It can be found that many people end up unhappy rather than pleased when their options expand. Studies show that "some people aim to make the best possible choice - the best selectors” but some others aim for "good enough, whether or not better selections might be out there - the satisfiers". The tendency of the best selectors is to aim for a conclusive selection which is best for them.

Naturally, the best selectors will go for a product comparison before they make their choice. They try to imagine about all the possibilities and wait for opportunities until they are fully satisfied.  Their propensity is to strive towards the best one. Also, they will never settle for the second best. They spent time for reading labels, checking out magazines, catalogues, etc and keep on trying to find out new products. Comparing their purchasing decisions with those of others is another phobia of this category of people. The most interesting point is their decision always becomes increasingly disheartening as the number of choice rises.  Besides, after making a selection, they keep on at other alternatives which are not investigated and finally arrive at a compromise to end a search, deciding something from their preliminary selections they had. Even at this stage they may get only less satisfaction with the item purchased. They are overlooking the fact that human minds cannot evaluate an infinite number of choices.

We know habituation is indeed a fact of human psychology and may be one reason we like novelty. As the number of choices keeps on growing, negative aspects of having a multitude of options begin to appear. These negatives escalate until we become overloaded. At this point, choice no longer liberates, but only debilitates. Besides, too many options can be overwhelming and at some point most shoppers experience feelings like ’consumer vertigo’. People are in fact less likely to make a decision when they face too many alternatives and tend to return to the products they usually buy is one of the possible trends that predominate. However, in the case of satisfiers, if they meet an item that meets their standards, they stop looking. They satisfy with this and do not exert enormous efforts to find some other new product. They spent only a little effort and will not prone to experiencing regret after a purchase. Here the qualities of satisfiers include much less searching, less inspection of alternatives and early decision making. 
Why more choice is not always better than less? Why does it affect the best selectors adversely? While thinking to answer these questions, we have to remember another factor that freedom and choice are wonderful things that allow us to realize our human potential. And now we have a new definition of quality which is ’finding the perfect fit’. At this juncture, we can consider an interesting example of our behavior, when we listening to the radio or watching TV.  When we listen to the radio, often check other stations to see if something better is playing elsewhere. Actually we are relatively satisfied with what we are listening. Why this happens? Also when we watch TV, we surf through other available options in other channels. We are doing all these while attempting to watch one program. This may be because choices proliferate beyond our pleasure in choosing and our capacity to handle the choices.

Let us consider another fascinating instance. Many of us have experience in clothing especially when we witness a textile shop with our family members. In a shop we try a lot on before finding the perfect one. There also number of suggestions will come up. If we are with high regret sensitivity tend to be the best selectors, we leave all those and will quit the shop and go to another one, as now choices are not only for articles, but for shops also. For that moment, we are forgetting the limit to how many choices each of us has time to make?  A few months ago, I went shopping for construction materials such as interior fittings of kitchen, bathroom, etc in two or three leading merchants in our town.  There were many impressive brands. These days’ whole kitchen modules with exact requirements are available, well beyond our expectations!  Ten or fifteen years ago, I would have been impressed with choices for even one or two brands and satisfied with those. Now the more we look, we get better options everywhere. The choice and satisfaction is of ours, only thing needed is to learn to accept well enough, settle for a choice that meets our core requirements rather than searching for the elusive best. Then stop thinking it. Don’t worry about what we are missing; consciously limit how much we ponder the seemingly attractive features of options we reject. Better to teach ourselves to focus on the positive parts of the selection we make. Control our expectations and don’t expect too much and we won’t be disappointed. While this is a cliché, this is sensible if we want to be more satisfied with life.

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During the last couple of decades, the global economy has undergone a variety revolution. This promoted businesses of all sorts to increasingly compete to give consumers more personalized products, more varied experiences and more choice instead of simply offering mass-market goods. The advent of astonishing developments in the areas of science and technology also accelerated the choices in the life scenario of professionals in their varying fields of activities. Anyhow, the end results of the global economy as well as the technical advents are dazzling in our society.  Many are satisfied with their choices made by them in all walks of life. But some feel sorrow about the opportunities they have forgone; they may also suffer regret about the option they settle on. The only way to be sure is not to go for complex decisions. One problem, however, exists with this is, even if we made a classification as above, among common people choice depends on many other factors and it is not depending on the growth of number of choices only. As long as we want something average, satisfying doesn’t require much variety. “The Best Surprise Is No Surprise”, but most people, most of the time, are less interested in choice than they are in the benefits of variety. They want to find is only what truly suits them.
Ultimately, we have to think on one more related point, the interaction of the choice with our characters. Young, well-educated adults - professionals in particular, have unprecedented freedom to make whatever they want of their lives, to decide where to live, what to do, whom to be friend, and many many and more. The proliferation of choices goes well beyond to your most significant personal decisions. Here liberty and responsibility really do go together. Do you feel it is just a platitude? No. Always the more freedom you have to control your lives tends to more responsibility to turn out from it. You have occasions for choices and you could better remember the statement, "In a world of constraints, learning to be happy with what you are given is a virtue. In a world of choices, virtue comes from learning to make commitments without regrets. And commitment, in turn, requires self-confidence and self-knowledge". Choices are wide, option is of yours!

K.Gopalan Nair, Editor

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News in brief

Recognition for Serving Society

Year 2005 IEEE Annual Report has included the relief work carried out by IEEE Kerala Section, Volunteers Amarnath Raja, Satheesh Babu and Sasi P.M at Nagapattinam during the 2004 Tsunami. Relevant portion is quoted below under "Lending Many Helping Hands!"

Congratulations for their recognition!

Lending Many Helping Hands!

IEEE members, their local sections, many employees, and thousands more in the global IEEE community responded to help rebuild lives, communities and infrastructures devasted by the natural disasters that marked much of 2005.

In India, several members of the IEEE Kerala Section rushed to the south east coast after a giant tsunami struck nations surrounding the Indian Ocean on 26 December 2004. IEEE Members Amarnath Raja and Sathees Babu led efforts to coordinate the international donor agencies. Just three days after the massive tidal wave stuck, volunteers - many of them IEEE members - established a Web site that became a central point for information on tsunami relief. At Nagapattinam, IEEE members including Sasi P. Meethal created a communications network using mobile phones and data lines to coordinate the distribution of relief materials. As of mid 2006, this strong data communications link was still providing information and resources to government and other organizations involved with rebuilding.

(Extract from: http://www.ieee.org/portal/cms_docs_iportals/iportals/aboutus/annualrep ort/2005/IEEE_2005_Annual_Report.pdf)

N.T Nair
India Council Nomination Committee (IC NC) has nominated N.T Nair for the position of Chairman India Council for the year 2007. He is currently holding the position of India Council Newsletter Editor. He is also a Member-at-large of IEEE Kerala Section.

K.G. Satheesh Kumar
The nominated IC Chair has finalized K.G. Satheesh Kumar of IEEE Kerala Section for the post of Secretary/Treasurer, India Council.

V.K Damodaran
The EC of Kerala Section unanimously decided to nominate V.K Damodaran for the post of India Council Newsletter Editor, as the current Editor is being nominated for the post of Chairman of IC.
Nomination Committee formed
The Nomination Committee of the IEEE Kerala Section to select a slate of Office Bearers for the year 2007 was formally constituted by the EC. Following the tradition, the nomination committee members are three immediate past Chairs - E. E. Rajakumar, R. Narayanan and Satheesh Kumar K. G.

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 Gobal News - News Around IEEE

1. IEEE Mentoring Program: The IEEE Mentoring Connection Program is looking for "online" mentors to help guide younger professionals in career planning and professional development. Currently, 489 mentees and 264 mentors have registered. Mentor participation is open to all higher grade IEEE members. The program enables mentees to select their mentoring partner online from a list of individuals who have volunteered to serve as mentors. After mentors are identified as a potential match, they are contacted and asked to begin establishing a relationship. Interested members can visit <http://www.ieee.org/mentoring> for information on the roles and responsibilities of each mentoring partner, including additional program information and an FAQ page. Potential mentors are asked to review the time and effort commitment to the program necessary to ensure a successful mentoring partnership. For more information, contact Cathy Downer, Regional Activities, at "MailTo: c.downer@ieee.org".

2. IEEE Program Evaluators: The IEEE, the largest member of ABET, Inc. (formerly known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology), is responsible for the peer-review evaluation of more than 700 university programs in the IEEE fields of interest. IEEE's involvement in the peer-review evaluation is vital to ensuring the continuing quality brought forth after graduation into the engineering and engineering technology professions. To aid IEEE and ABET in this accreditation role, the IEEE Educational Activities Board is seeking engineering professionals from industry, government and academe to serve as program evaluators. Applications for the 2007 - 2008 academic year will be accepted through 15 November 2006. Aside from the professional and public good that evaluators perform, another benefit of being a program evaluator includes the opportunity to keep in touch with changing engineering and technology teaching methods. Program evaluators are also able to meet those who will be soon enter the profession, as well as learn how to conduct an objective evaluation of the educational process using established criteria which can be helpful for those interested in training related to continuous improvement procedures. Selected applicants will attend a training seminar on the IEEE/ABET accreditation process. After training, program evaluators are dispatched in teams to visit engineering and engineering technology departments at universities across the country on behalf of the IEEE and ABET. Evaluation sessions are held during the fall and usually run two to three days. Information packages, including the application and nomination forms, are available at: http://www.ieee.org/web/education/apc/ceaa/eacinfo.html for engineering programs and http://www.ieee.org/web/education/apc/ctaa/tacinfo.html for engineering technology programs For more information, contact "MailTo:eab-accred@ieee.org".

3. IEEE Beefs Up Role in Global Accreditation:  As the number of technical jobs in India and China grows, the need to improve the quality of engineering and computer science programs becomes critical. The IEEE is establishing international standards for engineering education and fostering accrediting bodies throughout the world. Read more at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3881/01224104.

4. New Engineering Web Site: Want to know what engineering is all about, and where your son or daughter can study it? These questions and more are answered at the new Try Engineering Web site (http://www.tryengineering.org). The site is meant to inform students, teachers, school counselors, and parents about engineering and what engineers do. Read more at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3882/01224104. Next Career Accelerator Forum Focuses on Entrepreneurs At some point during your career, you may want to change lanes and start your own business or take an executive job at a start-up. On 12 October, the IEEE Spectrum Online Career Accelerator Forum: Changing Lanes will offer presentations by leading experts and business trailblazers on what to consider when making career moves in computer science and entrepreneurial ventures. To register or learn more, visit http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3885/01224104

5. Network Science Helps Fight the War on Terrorism In NetWar:  an IEEE Spectrum Online article, Ted G. Lewis from the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., analyzes the hidden weaknesses and strengths of critical network infrastructures that are now at risk from terrorist attacks, and makes recommendations on how network science can help in planning antiterrorism measures. Read more at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org: 80/u/3890/01224104

6. IEEE Magazine Features Articles by Management Guru:  The new issue of the IEEE Engineering Management Review features five articles by Peter F. Drucker, regarded by many in the business world as the founding father of the study of management. Subscribers to the magazine may read the articles in the IEEE Xplore digital library at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3893/01224104

7. News from IEEE Computer Society:  In two of the most visible events to celebrate the 60th anniversary of ENIAC, the first all-electronic computer, and the 60th anniversary of the IEEE Computer Society, the Computer Society is scheduling two key functions at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina, Washington DC, on 30-31 October. The events are planned in connection with a joint meeting of the IEEE Computer Society's Board of Governors and the 36th Annual Frontiers in Education Conference.

8. 2007 Membership:  The new membership enrollment year has kicked off with some useful new member benefits, services, products, and upgrades to existing programs. Read more at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/4256/01224104

9. Students Build Autonomous Aircraft:  While the technology in science-fiction movies might be a dream to some, the university students participating in the 16th Annual International Aerial Robotics Competition are making it a reality. Read more about their aircraft at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/4257/01224104

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10. IEEE Fellow Takes on Innovation: After nearly 40 years with the University of Toronto, IEEE Fellow Anastasios ("Tas") Venetsanopoulos found himself last July at a crossroads in his career. He was considering whether to return to research when a new job came knocking that not only allowed him to expand his research interests to include new areas of innovation but also to apply his administrative skills. Learn more about Venetsanopoulos at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/4258/01224104

11. Wanted - Fellow Nominations From Industry:  If you know an IEEE Senior Member working in industry who has made extraordinary contributions in applying technology in the IEEE's fields of interest, consider nominating that person as a Fellow, the institute's highest membership grade. The deadline to nominate someone for the class of 2008 is 1 March 2007. Read more at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/4260/01224104

12. Device Researchers See Big Future in the Ultrasmall:  For more than half a century, a slowly growing group of researchers has been gathering each year at the International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM) to focus on creating devices on an ever-smaller scale. Read about the 52nd IEDM, to be held from 11 to 13 December in San Francisco, and its nanotechnology program at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/4262/01224104

13. IEEE Foundation Awards:  Eight Grants Keeping the doors of the IEEE Virtual Museum open, helping bridge the technology gap between developed and developing countries, and improving life for the elderly are among the initiatives that received funds this year from the IEEE Foundation. Read more at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/4265/01224104

14. Environmentally Friendly Outdoor Lighting:  Interested in installing outdoor lights that don't create light pollution in the night sky? Listen to an IEEE Spectrum Radio report featuring Jim Benya, an electrical engineer who believes in designing environmentally friendly outdoor lighting, at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/4267/01224104

15. The Brightest Minds Discussing the Biggest Topics:  Subjects in the IEEE Spectrum Tech Insider Webinar Series now include Entrepreneurship and Computer Science; Design and Process Engineering: Bridging the EDA Gap; Medical Technology Gets a Shot in the Arm; and Mobile Devices and Their Impact on Network Security. Read more and sign up at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/4268/01224104

16. R10 Student contest 2006: Result of R10 Student Paper contest for postgraduate and undergraduate sections is announced. Winners are: Postgraduate level: First- Raymond Hiu-Wai Lam of Hong Kong, Second: Zeng Jia of Hong Kong, Third: Norbert Dommel of Australia. Undergraduate level: First- Asif Islam Khan and Muhammad K Ashraf of Bangladesh, Second - Toufiqul Islam, Imtaz Ahamed and Shankhanaad Mallick of Bangladesh, Third - Lam Hiu Man of Hong Kong.  

17. GOLD Celebrates Tenth Anniversary Engineers aren't typically known to be the partying type: But the Graduates of the Last Decade, better known as GOLD, are kicking off a month long celebration to commemorate their 10th anniversary. Learn more at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3604/01224104

18. Robotics, Developing a Human Touch:  The robots we deal with don't look like the humanoids of myth and science fiction. Sometimes they're not even visible, just voices on the telephone. And the links between our intelligence and theirs are becoming shorter, stronger, and more numerous. Taking place in Beijing, the International Robotics and Systems Conference is scheduled for 9 to 15 October. Find out more at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3605/01224104

19. Automated IC Chip Manufacturing Test System:  Testing of performance parameters such as SNR, BER, and timing accuracy is fundamental to IC chip design and manufacture. GaGe's PC-based AWG cards and digitizers provide analog stimulus and response signals to quickly and easily measure performance parameters of IC chips. Read about GaGe's solution for testing of IC chips used in home networking systems at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3606/01224104

20. Ethics Discussed in Latest Issue of "IEEE Potentials" How are engineers to deal with the tricky issue of ethics? An article in the latest "IEEE Potentials" (July-August, p. 14) sets out to provide some answers. "Ethics for Engineers Falls in an Unstructured Gray Zone," by Jim Watson, suggests that ethics are seldom a purely black-and-white issue; as a result, engineers must, at times, not only factor in whether it is possible to create something, but also whether it would be correct to do so. IEEE members may read "IEEE Potentials" online at no charge as a benefit of their membership. To learn more, visit http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3607/01224104

21. Project Management Seminar:  If you want to use project management techniques to succeed at work, accomplish more at home, or make a greater contribution to your community, then the "10 Success Factors in Project Management" seminar could be for you. The online seminar, taking place on 27 September at 9 a.m. EDT, will describe the 10 critical factors of a project, its lifecycle, and how to apply project management to a variety of tasks. You'll also learn how to run effective meetings and produce useful reports. Host Margaretha Eriksson will draw on her diverse, 25-year experience with engineering projects and consulting to bring you first- hand knowledge, as well as personal anecdotes. Registration ends 20 September. To register, visit http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3608/01224104

22. Choose A Tech Webinar: The IEEE Spectrum Online Webinar series features seminars on a broad array of subjects, including automotive MEMs, career advice for entrepreneurs and computer scientists, medical technology, electronic product design, and the impact of mobile devices on network security. To learn more or to register, visit http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3609/01224104

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23. Benefits of Wi-Fi Mesh Networks:  One silver cloud in last year's disastrous hurricane season was the way Wi-Fi technology helped at least some of the newly homeless to communicate when regular telephone service was down. In Houston, equipment from an experimental inner city wireless network was used to let thousands of people stranded in the Houston Astrodome find their loved ones. Now the same mesh technology has been added to the Wi-Fi standard, making wireless broadband networks, such as those planned for Philadelphia and San Francisco, cheaper and more effective. Tune into this story on IEEE Spectrum Radio at: http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3611/01224104

24. IEEE Proceedings:  Gets a Makeover Readers of "The Proceedings of the IEEE" may have noticed changes in the last few issues, as the IEEE's 94-year-old flagship monthly journal unveiled a new layout, a different type design, and several new editorial features in its May issue. The Proceedings publishes research articles, tutorials, and reviews across the gamut of electrical and computer engineering and technology. Learn more at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3534/01224104

25. Safety Code Released: The IEEE Standards Association plays an important role in promoting safety at electrical installations by publishing the National Electric Safety Code (NESC), used throughout the United States and in more than 100 countries. The latest version of the code, NESC 2007, was released on 1 August. Find out more at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3535/01224104

26. The Million-Dollar History Challenge:  With its gift of US $25 000, the IEEE Industry Applications Society is the latest society to step up to the US $1 Million Society History Challenge. The IEEE Foundation issued the challenge to IEEE societies as a way to help fund the IEEE History Center's activities. For every dollar a society donates to the History Center's endowment, the foundation will match it, dollar for dollar, up to a maximum of $1 million. Read more at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3537/01224104

27. GE Matches Gifts: to IEEE Foundation Generous employees of the General Electric Co. can now double their donations to the IEEE Foundation, thanks to the recently enhanced GE Foundation's Matching Gifts Program. The GE Foundation, the company's philanthropic arm, will match its employees' and retirees' contributions of US $25 or more to any of the more than 100 funds within the IEEE Foundation. Learn more at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3538/01224104

28. IEEE Spectrum Online Unveils Tech Insider Webcasts:  If you are an engineer or technology professional, check out IEEE Spectrum Online's new series of Webcasts for people who want to know what's happening in today's hottest technology fields. Leading industry experts will explore important technology developments and trends. Watch for these upcoming Webcasts: --Tech Insider: Car Talk about MEMs: 21 September --IEEE Spectrum Online Career Accelerator Forum: 12 October --Medical Technology Gets a Shot in the Arm: 24 October --The EDA Challenge-Design Automation and Convergence: 9 November --Mobile Devices and Their Impact on Network Security: 7 December A live Q&A following each Webcast will give you the opportunity to ask questions. Learn more and register at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3540/01224104

29. Vehicular Technology Society:  Launches New Magazine The "IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine" just released its premiere issue, spotlighting such topics as the history of vehicular technology, the use of high-definition radio as a spur for innovation in the automotive industry, and state-of-the-art smart antennas. The quarterly magazine is sponsored by the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society. Abstracts for all articles in the issue can be found in the IEEE Xplore digital library, where subscribers also have full-text access. Visit http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3541/01224104

30. Embedded Systems Conference:  IEEE members who register by 29 August 2006 for the Embedded Systems Conference Boston -- which will be held from 25 to 28 September - can receive US $770 off the registration fee. Visit http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3542/01224104 and use code UX28 to save an additional 10 percent on top of the early bird specials.

31. Online Village Opens Doors: Want to start a business of your own? IEEE members now have a new place to turn to for sage advice and information: the IEEE Entrepreneurs Village. The online site provides high-tech entrepreneurs with tools and resources to help them launch new businesses, and expand existing ones. Village members can seek advice and information on topics such as funding, marketing, hiring, best business practices, and legal issues. Learn more at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3489/01224104

32. Win Ethics Contests:   George Washington and Virginia Commonwealth Win Ethics Contests Teams from George Washington University, in Region 2, and Virginia Commonwealth University, in Region 3, recently won first prizes in IEEE student ethics competitions. The contest was held to give IEEE student members experience in applying the IEEE Code of Ethics and other ethical concepts to real-life situations. The competitions also add fun and excitement to a subject that students often deem boring. Find out more at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3490/01224104

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33. Institution of Engineering and Technology: The two largest engineering organizations in the United Kingdom - the Institution of Electrical Engineers and the Institution of Incorporated Engineers - merged in May to become the Institution of Engineering and Technology. The leaders of the two groups recognized a need for a single professional organization encompassing as broad a range as possible of the technical fields. The IEE had more than 120,000 members in electrical engineering, information technology, and telecommunications. The IIE had approximately 40,000 members working as application engineers and technicians in IC manufacturing, electronics, electrical and mechanical engineering, and associated disciplines. Learn more at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3491/01224104

34. Vehicular Technology Conference on Car Communication Systems:  The 64th IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference, to be held 25 to 28 September, in Montreal, will concentrate primarily on external communications. After all, electronically speaking, cars and other vehicles aren't just networks on wheels -- they're networks of networks. The networks' signal buses on the more advanced cars carry drive-by-wire control signals from the pedals and steering wheels to the engine, transmission, and other systems. Other networks keep these systems in touch with one another and with the vehicle's computer control. Additional networks carry information and entertainment to the driver and the passengers. Learn more at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3494/01224104

35. Keys to Financial Success:  "Financial planning is not just about money. It's about fulfilling life goals and planning for the future," says Larry Grogan, president of financial services firm Grogan Advisory Services, in Malta, N.Y. In the archived seminar, "Plan for Financial Success: Keys to Live By," Grogan offers his advice on how to become financially successful. He also points out that this planning is not "a one-time event" and that individuals should continually adjust their plans for becoming financially successful as their lives change. Read more at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3495/01224104

36. Digital Copyright Legislation:  Tinkerers and electronic consumers beware. Legislation involving new electronic recording devices and digital, audio, or video playback technology severely compromise electronics industry innovation. According to IEEE Spectrum's Tekla Perry, "The Digital Millennium Copyright Act was the first federal law passed that directly attacks the fair use rights of consumers and product developers. But more such laws are in the pipeline." Tune into IEEE Spectrum Online's exclusive radio report at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3497/01224104

37. IEEE Book Supports:  Standards for Metro Wireless Networks A new IEEE book, "WirelessMAN: Inside the IEEE 802.16 Standard for Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks," describes the workings and application of broadband wireless access networks in metropolitan areas that allow the sharing of data, voice, video, and games among millions of Internet users. The book introduces metropolitan broadband wireless access networks, explains the rationale behind the choices made in creating IEEE 802.16 standards, and reviews the technology behind them. Read more at http://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/3498/01224104

IEEE WIE - News

The National Technology Day

IEEE WIE (Women in Engineering) Kerala Section celebrated ‘The National Technology Day’ on the 11th May 2006 in the Institution of Engineers Hall at Thiruvananthapuram. The programme was organized under the special project School Outreach Programme supported by IEEE Foundation. The other organizers include IEI Kerala State Centre, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment and KINFRA. The programme for the day was a quiz competition on Science and Technology at 3 levels – students from 5th to 7th, 8th to 12th and undergraduates. A good number of participations of students from various schools of Thiruvananthapuram have attended the program.  The quiz was conducted by NT Nair, P. Vijayachandran and Jyothi Ramaswamy.

Along with WIE had organized a talk by P.S. Chandramohanan Nair, Professor Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering Thiruvananthapuram.  He gave a very interesting talk on the evolvement of technology and encouraged the young students to cultivate the habit of being inquisitive.

The students were taken to the Science and Technology Museum after lunch. The students thoroughly enjoyed the visit to the museum. Many of them sought explanation on the functioning of scientific equipments displayed in the museum. The day’s program ended with a meeting in the evening where Fathima, WIE Chairperson talked about WIE activities. Prakash J Francis a Physics Faculty and a member of Computer Society of India volunteered the students in visiting the Museum. N. Jayachandran Chairman of IEI and N. Rajkumar, Honorary Secretary IEI coordinated the entire programme.

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