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SCORE (System, Component and Operationally Relevant Evaluations) is a unified set of criteria and software tools for defining a performance evaluation approach for complex intelligent systems. It provides a comprehensive evaluation blueprint that assesses the technical performance of a system and its components through isolating and changing variables as well as capturing end-user utility of the system in realistic use-case environments. The SCORE framework has proven to be widely-applicable in nature and equally relevant to technologies ranging from manufacturing to military systems. It has been applied to the evaluation of technologies in DARPA programs that range from soldier-worn sensor on patrol to speech-to-speech translation systems. It is also currently being applied to the assessing the control of autonomous vehicles on a shop floor.

From NIST Tech Beat: June 21, 2011 Most industry executives, military planners, research managers or venture capitalists charged with assessing the potential of an R&D project probably are familiar with the wry twist on Arthur C. Clarke's third law*: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from a rigged demo."

Recently uncovered government documents reveal that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) unmanned Predator B drone fleet has been custom designed to identify civilians carrying guns and track cell phone signals. "I am very concerned that this technology will be used against law-abiding American firearms owners," said founder and executive vice president of the Second Amendment Foundation, Alan Gottlieb.

The power these drones represent is incredible. I can easily see how the can (and will be) abused. As Jammes pointed out, the Primary purpose of DHS is securing our nations borders, yet I have read of DHS rading peoples homes because of an "improperly" imported car! Not to sound like I am about to put a tinfoil hat on, but I do see the distinct possibility of the banning of firearms in this country as happened in England in 1997. These tools will be in place well before that day.

The use of Drones in the field as a tool to fight the fight on the borders is one thing, using them as a tool to fight terrorism is still another, but using them as tool to spy on the people of the United States is another. I think this is one that the United States Supreme Court will be deciding soon.

Samsung this week displayed prototypes of its Youm line of flexible, virtually unbreakable organic light-emitting diode displays at the 2013 CES being held in Las Vegas. At CES, Samsung showed off a small tablet-like device with a wraparound flexible screen.

Popular Science has always been a resource I depend upon to see whats on the horizon in the technology field.  

Austin, Texas (CNN) -- Four years ago an unknown startup called MakerBot showed up at the South by Southwest Interactive conference here with a prototype of its first desktop 3-D printer, which spit out plastic replicas of small objects.

Here is something from Fox News about 3D printing and the benefits to the army.

A (very) recent example of a DDoS attack.

Interesting article about an app that has been specifically designed to take control of an airplane.

This publication outlines the various companies that are offering "mobile wallets" as a payment option. The authors describe Google and Visa as leading the industry as companies who are leading the way with NFC technology implementation. Also discussed is state of acquisitions between the major credit companies and competing mobile wallet platforms.

Here's a cool new wearable tech gadget called the FitBit Flex. Designed for personal fitness tracking. It's a wristband that's tracks your steps and monitors sleep. You can sync your daily stats with an Android or iOS app. There are a lot of rumors about Apple's development of an iWatch, so more wrist gadgets could be released soon.

My wife loves her fitbit zip. This type of tracking technology is very cool, but can leave some consumers wondering what else is being tracked, recorded and uploaded when synching it with its application.

Fitbit Flex Personal Tracker is interesting, but needs to be easier to put on and change the sensor. I also would like to have a battery that lasted longer than five to six days. It would be nice to know how the other trackers' batteries held up. I did like the silent alarm feature.

This is one of my sources for my emerging tech. I had to used doc express for the full article download, but this gives a good overview. You will have to log in to your UMUC account to view.

This link is has a variety of different stories written about up and coming technology like using viruses to power an electric generator. When I saw it I was thinking what application could this possibly have to technology? Apparently one day viruses will power small devices like your phone. This one is pretty far out and I found the article very interesting. I didn't find anything specific about the writer so I don't know his background other than he is a freelance writer.

This is indeed very interesting. It is good to know that someone out there is developing a virus that will benefit mankind. This technology is supposed to be able to replace conventional batteries; it will enable people to charge their smart phones anywhere, even when walking.

Research from CalTech on self healing chips. They were able to destroy chips with laser and watch as the chip recovered to near it's original state. Could have future implication for indestructible equipment in the field (i.e. DoD).

Funsho, Adverse as in the machines rising up?

My sentiments exactly!

Description of Facebook's graph search and the privacy concerns around it.

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