Security expert Bruce Schneier wrote an article for CNN entitled “Spy cameras won’t make us safer” that’s worth reading.

His basic premise is:

Pervasive security cameras don’t substantially reduce crime. This fact has been demonstrated repeatedly: in San Francisco, California, public housing; in a New York apartment complex; in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; in Washington; in study after study in both the U.S. and the U.K. Nor are they instrumental in solving many crimes after the fact.

The Amabile Choirs are presenting their 25th Anniversary Choral Music Gala Festival this Sunday evening. (My son is in the Young Men’s Ensemble). 

The concert will include the first public performance of “Beth’s Song” – which was written as a companion to the book “Sing Me to Sleep”.   It will be available soon on iTunes.

“Sing Me to Sleep” is a new novel published by PENGUIN BOOKS , featuring the Amabile Boys and Men’s Choirs. The author, Angela Morrison, will be on hand at the concert autographing copies. The trailer announcement for the book, including a portion of the song is on YouTube.   Details about the book are here.

That’s the title of my Slaw post for today.  It reads as follows:

The annual Ted conference always has thought provoking presentations.   One of the presentations this year was entitled “Four ways to fix a broken legal system“.   Its worth taking the 19 minutes to watch.

The basic proposition of the presenter, Philip K. Howard, is that the legal system has become so complex that it instills fear to act.  People become so self-conscious of  their judgments that it skews behaviour towards failure. 

We should not just dismiss this as being unique to the American legal system.  The Canadian system may not be as extreme in this regard – but many of his issues are still relevant.

My 2 cents worth on this topic appeared in the London Chamber of Commerce “the View” section in Yesterday’s Free Press.  In the interest of transparency, I should point out that I am on the Chamber board of directors – which explains why I was asked to contribute – but did not influence my answers.

For the London Free Press – February 22, 2010

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Industry Canada recently released four reports which explore the environmental impact of product design and supply chains. They enable businesses to understand current trends and recognize the benefits of adopting new and more environmentally friendly practices.

The reports are relevant to any business that designs or manufactures products, or is involved in shipping them to retailers or consumers. They are available on the Industry Canada website at www.ic.gc.ca

The first report – Design for the Environment: Innovating to Complete – was prepared by Industry Canada in partnership with Design Exchange and Manufacturers and Exporters to review the concept of Design for Environment. According to this report, the analysis “is intended to help Canadian product design makers understand current trends and recognize the advantages of adopting Design for Environment practices to improve business competitiveness”.

A key finding is that “firms are using several Design for Environment strategies including: design for resource and emission efficiency; design for recyclability, disassembly, and environmentally friendly disposal; and design for reduced packaging”. At the same time, however, small and medium scale businesses may lack the knowledge and resources to implement the Design for Environment strategies and are less aware of the business benefits. This report may help those businesses.

The second report — Green Supply Chain Management: Retail Chains & Consumer Product Goods — was prepared by Industry Canada in partnership with Supply Chain and Logistics Association Canada and Retail Council of Canada. It explores the concept of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM), which “is becoming increasingly important for Canadian retail chains and consumer product goods (CPG) business partners”.

One of the key findings is that “many retail chains and CPG manufacturers are seeing improvements in energy usage, waste reduction, packaging reduction, and greenhouse gas emissions in distribution activities”. This report is beneficial to those in the Canadian retail and consumer products supply chain.

The third report – Green Supply Chain Management: Manufacturing – was prepared by Industry Canada in partnership with Supply Chain and Logistics Association Canada and Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters. It explores the trends and the benefits associated with adopting GSCM practices in distribution activities and is geared towards Canadian manufacturing supply chain executives.

One of the key findings is that “the reduction of energy consumption and lowered greenhouse gas emissions in distribution activities are the two main environmental improvements arising from the adoption of GSCM practices”. It is noted that “since many GSCM practices require limited investment, are low-risk, and offer short-term return-on-investment periods, businesses of all sizes are able to engage in these activities”.

The fourth report – Green Supply Chain Management: Logistics & Transportation Services – was prepared by Industry Canada and Supply Chain & Logistics Association Canada. This report “provides unique insights to help Canadian logistics and transportation services executives understand the current trends and to recognize the benefits of adopting GSCM practices”.

One of the key findings is “most logistics and transportation service providers implementing GSCM practices see improvements in energy reduction, waste reduction, and reduced packaging in distribution activities”.

That’s the title of my Slaw post for today.  It reads as follows:

Microsoft unveiled its much anticipated Windows Phone 7 operating system this week at the Mobile World congress in Barcelona.  It is not based on the existing 6.X OS – but is entirely new – based on the Zune.

The reaction by the tech press has been very positive. For example, Gizmodo says that “Microsoft has out-appled Apple” , and “I’m sorry, Cupertino, but Microsoft has nailed it. Windows Phone 7 feels like an iPhone from the future. The UI has the simplicity and elegance of Apple’s industrial design, while the iPhone’s UI still feels like a colorized Palm Pilot.”

For other comment, see PCWorld,  engadget, Wired.

New phones using Windows Phone 7 will be available from several manufacturers and several carriers “by the holiday 2010 season”.

I have not seen any comment on when it will be available in Canada.

The frustrating part for me is that I bought a new phone last summer – I hate 3 year terms!

The Canadian Privacy Commissioner just invited interested parties to file written submissions on privacy issues surrounding cloud computing.  Also for expressions of interest from anyone wanting to take part in a formal panel discussion in June.

Cloud computing - however one defines it - can be a compelling model, as it can provide advantages in cost, simplicity, and scalability.

It can though, pose issues around things like privacy, confidentiality, security of data, business continuity, and disaster recovery.  The importance of those issues varies depending on how the particular cloud product works, what you use it for, and how mission critical it is.

Google just announced that it is looking for some cities to install experimental ultra high speed internet access in.   Unfortunately for those of us in Canada, it seems to be limited to the US.

From their blog post:

We’re planning to build and test ultra high-speed broadband networks in a small number of trial locations across the United States. We’ll deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today with 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections. We plan to offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people.

Our goal is to experiment with new ways to help make Internet access better and faster for everyone. Here are some specific things that we have in mind:

• Next generation apps: We want to see what developers and users can do with ultra high-speeds, whether it’s creating new bandwidth-intensive “killer apps” and services, or other uses we can’t yet imagine.
• New deployment techniques: We’ll test new ways to build fiber networks, and to help inform and support deployments elsewhere, we’ll share key lessons learned with the world.
• Openness and choice: We’ll operate an “open access” network, giving users the choice of multiple service providers. And consistent with our past advocacy, we’ll manage our network in an open, non-discriminatory and transparent way.

Yesterday I wrote about privacy consultations regarding the online tracking of consumers.  Privacy advocates want to ensure that consumer choice and privacy are respected.   Similarly, pressure is put on ISP’s and search engines to limit the amount of information they retain about their customers, and the length of time they retain it.  All laudable objectives.

On the other hand, law enforcement wants to require ISP’s to retain certain information about sites their customers visit for long periods of time to facilitate criminal investigations. See this CNet article for example.

Seems inconsistent to me.

For the London Free Press – February 8, 2010

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Canadians are invited to submit comments

Canada’s Privacy Commissioner, Jennifer Stoddart, recently announced a new consultation with the Canadian public on privacy issues related to the online tracking, profiling and targeting of consumers by marketers and other businesses.

Canadians are invited to submit comments and participate in panel discussions. Details are on the Privacy Commissioner’s website at http://www.priv.gc.ca/.

The commissioner says this consultation will “provide a forum for the exploration of the privacy implications related to this modern industry practice, and the protections that Canadians expect. Our goal, therefore, is to shine a spotlight on this evolving technological trend.”

Online consumer tracking takes several different forms. The most basic level of tracking places cookies on one’s computer to collect data about browsing habits. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in mobile devices can supply consumer data. Deep packet inspection of Internet traffic is another way to gather data.

Of course, we advertise a vast amount of personal information about ourselves when we join social networking sites. Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn are prime examples.

What many may not realize is that personal data available about anyone can be gathered from various sources and pieced together to create comprehensive personal profiles which are available for a price. The buyer may use the information to help them market their products to specific consumer groups. It can be a valuable commodity.

It is unlikely that anyone will put a complete stop to online consumer tracking. Some of it offers real benefits to consumers. The key is to attain a balance where privacy is respected without getting in the way of the advantages the technology provides.

Transparency and choice are important components. We should be made aware of what is being collected and why, and be able to choose whether or not the benefits are worth the disclosure.

This consultation is an opportunity for the public to become engaged in a topic that affects us all. Written submissions are being accepted until March 15.

They are also looking for people to take part in formal discussion panels in Toronto in April, and in Montreal in May.

This consultation aims to give the commissioner’s office a “comprehensive view of the privacy risks associated with the online tracking, profiling and targeting of consumers, and contribute to the development of new public education and outreach materials,” it says.

“It will also help shape the office’s input into the next parliamentary review of the private-sector Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.”

A second consultation will be held later focused on cloud computing, or using software from a remote location rather than having it on your own computer. It, too, is a technology that has compelling advant-ages, but can carry privacy risks and uncertainties.