CHATTANOOGA ENGINEERS CLUB

www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org

NEXT Meeting (The Read House)_____________________________________________

Monday, November 1, 2004 - , noon, The Read House, Continental Room

Topic:  “Leadership for Geeks” - Stephen Smith, Chattanooga Engineers Club

Engineers and technical specialists (“geeks”) tend to be confused about the conflicts that arise in corporate environments.  One or two things about communication can make a difference in the work environment.  For example, one can understand, survive and thrive in contemporary organizations by changing the organization so that it becomes more appreciative of the mental assets of the knowledge worker.  As the manager of SAS software said, “The assets of this company leave at 5 o’clock each day.  It’s my job to get them back tomorrow.”  Mr. Stephen Smith will discuss how to survive organizations, enhance career upward mobility, and gain knowledge about how to change the organization’s view and appreciation of geeks.

Invocation/Pledge Chair:  ?

Menu:  Italian Lasagna, Vegetables, Salad

OUR PREVIOUS MEETING________________________________________________

Topic:  “Digital Data Authentication Using the ‘auto-notary™’ Product” - Tom Wood, Accurate Automation Corporation

Tom Wood of Accurate Automation Corporation described how their digital data authentication system called the ‘auto-notary™’ was designed and can be used.  Digital images, sound recordings, and movies are commonplace now.  But they can easily be altered with software like Paint or Photoshop (for images), Cakewalk (for sound recordings), and Premier (for movies).  Courts have preferred not to use digital evidence unless it can be authenticated in a number of ways including having an eyewitness testify that they recorded the image or sound or movie.  With the now common automated surveillance, there are no eye witnesses.  Here are some places where the courts have begun to accept digital evidence:  Georgia Supreme Court, Virginia Commonwealth Court, Washington Court of Appeals (when the technician explained how the image was enhanced).

Mr. Wood told us that the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Inc. recommends challenging digital evidence used in courts.  The Custody Preparation for MOMS (Support Group) recommends using film rather than digital images for court cases.  So, digital evidence is not widely accepted yet.  However, Accurate Automation Corporation’s auto-notary™ has been in use for eight months by an insurance company.  They are using digital cameras to record images of damaged equipment.  The images are entered into the authentication process when they are downloaded into their company server.  The image is not changed as it can be in a water mark process.  Instead, a digital signature of the image is generated and encrypted and also the context information is entered that includes the date, time, location, camera number, latitude, longitude, etc.  There is a one in 10⁷⁷ chance of a random incorrect match of the 256 bit digital signature that is generated for each image.  This authentication process will not stop someone from altering a digital image, but it can tell you if the image has been altered in any way.

It is hoped that this type of electronic authentication process will eliminate the need for an eye witness or other documents showing how the digital evidence has been protected.  This same type of process can be used to authenticate digital audio recordings and digital movies.

Thanks to Judy Driggans for the meeting summary.

FUTURE MONDAY MEETINGS_____________________________________________

November 8:  “Are we there yet? Current status of Fuel Cell Technology” - Dale Bradshaw

November 15:  “Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Security:  Keeping Us Safe at Home and Abroad” - Michael Whitaker, ORNL's Nuclear Science and Technology Division

November 22:  “Nanotechnology” - Doug Lowndes, ORNL

TBD:  Fusion Technology - ORNL

TBD:  Nanotechnology - Jayesh Doshi, E-Spin

WHERE WE MEET _______________________________________________________

We meet at The Read House, and lunch is $11.  Parking is free at the Days Inn across MLK Blvd. but you’ll need a note in your windshield that you’re with the Engineers’ Club.  Valet parking (by AAA, the manager of the Read House Hotel parking garage) is $3 for lunch events.  The Read House Hotel garage entrance is now on Broad Street.

QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS? ______________________________________________

If you have any questions or suggestions about program items please call Tiffany Gibby at 423-751-3168 or by email at tjgibby@tva.gov. You can find references to other Chattanooga Engineers Club members at our web site: www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org.