Andy Sjostrom
04-16-2002, 08:39 PM
<a href="http://www.komotv.com/stories/17879.htm">http://www.komotv.com/stories/17879.htm</a><br /><br />Molly Shen of the local news station in Seattle, komo 4, has written an interesting article called <a href="http://www.komotv.com/stories/17879.htm">"City Of Bellevue Going Wireless"</a>. The article describes why a city would bother engaging in a wireless initiative.<br /><br />"Right after the Nisqually earthquake rolled through, what did you do? Did you grab the phone to check on loved ones but couldn't get through? Emergency management teams had the same problem. Phones and cell phones -- even police radios -- were overwhelmed. But e-mail worked."<br /><br />The article continues to say that city of Bellevue will be "outfitting some fire and police officers with pocket PC's. In an emergency, they should be able to communicate quickly."<br /><br />Now, it is not "just" using e-mail in case of emergency. Pocket PCs can be seen used in other public services as well, according to the article: "Building inspectors also have the new devices. They can tap into the city's files and look over permits and construction history. ... Eventually, some parks workers will have the pocket PC's so they can finish a job, fill out the paperwork remotely, and pick up a new assignment. They'll even be able to control some equipment remotely. Next time lights are illuminating an empty ball field, or the sprinklers automatically come on during a rainstorm, a parks employee might be able to spot it and fix it from his pocket PC."<br /><br />Companies involved include Compaq, Sierra Wireless, Infowave Software and AT&T Wireless. I recommend reading the entire article for more details! Thanks to Phillip Toronne for the link!