Trusted Computing or Big Brother Computing

 

Anurag Jaiman

Bronx High School of science

 

 

Introduction:  Fro last few years Microsoft has been working on a project named Palladium, recently renamed NGSCB, “Next Generation Secure Computing Base”.  The so called trusted computing being Microsoft will have serious public policy implications.  Introduction of this so called “trusted computing” will make it make it very easy for software and hardware vendors to control the products even after a user has “purchased” the product.

 

This has been already happening over last decade.  Printer manufacturers are making it difficult for users to use no name brand ink cartridges.  Car manufacturers are making it difficult for car owner to get the car repaired at independent mechanics.  If you own a GSM cell phone which is out of contract, you might not be able to use it on any cellular network other than the company you originally purchased it from.  You will have a hard time using a replacement battery for your cell phone unless you use the high priced battery from the original equipment manufacturer.

 

So far it has been difficult for manufacturers to such barrier technologies.  Microsoft’s new standard will make it very easy for hardware, software and content providers to control your computer which you thought you owned.  They will be able to get information out of your computer which you, the owner, will not have access to.  They will control you computer in ways you will not have access.

 

The Task:  You are working on the staff of your congressman or the senator from your state.  You will research the issue and then write a report for your senator.  You will also make a Power Point presentation.  You will advise your senator as to what position to take on the issue when it comes as legislation, pointing out pitfalls and advantages of taking either side on the issue in today’s political climate.

 

Task
 

 

 

 

 


The Process:  Start with the primary source article written by Ross Anderson of the University of Cambridge,  Cryptography and Competition Policy - Issues with `Trusted Computing'.   Go to Trusted Computing Frequently Asked Questions and familirise yourself with the issue.  Research public policy implications of NGSCB.  Study policies adopted at local, state or the federal level and the effectiveness of those legislations.

 

Follow TIPS outline where relevant.

 

    1. Define the problem
    2. Gather evidence
    3. Identify causes
    4. Evaluate a policy
    5. Develop solutions
    6. Select best solution
    7. Benefits & Costs
    8. The Prince System
    9. Political Strategies

 

 

The Resources:  Use various search engines like Google to expand your search while researching the issue.  It will be hard to find any books on the subject.  Most of the relevant material should be available in electronic form on the web.

 

 

The Evaluation:  You report and the effectiveness of your presentation will be evaluated.  The report should be as well written as Mr. Ross Anderson’s paper, following the same format and with references. 

 

For PowerPoint rubrics go to:

 

http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/rubrics/

http://www.ncsu.edu/midlink/rub.pres.html

 

Your presentation will be rated by not only your teacher but also by your peers.  Teacher evaluation will carry 60% weight.  Peer evaluations will be averaged and given 40% weight.

 

The Conclusion:  Legislations adopted on these issues in next few years are going to be very significant important. You can compare them to patent and copyright laws, which when adopted had profound economic and social impact.  Your senators and congressmen make their decisions on well articulated advice of their staff.  How the future unfolds is in your hands.

 

 

New York State Standards: 

 

 

Mathematics, Science and Technology

 

Standard 2:  Information Systems

 

                        Students will access, generate, process and transfer information using appropriate technologies.

 

Standard 6:  Interconnectedness:  Common Themes

 

                        Students will understand the relationships and common themes that connect mathematics, science and technology and apply the themes to these and other areas of learning.

 

 

Standard 7:  Interdisciplinary Problem solving

 

                        Students will apply the knowledge and thinking skills of Mathematics, science and technology to address real-life problems and make informed decisions

 

 

Social Studies

 

 

Standard 5: Civics, Citizenship and Government

 

                        Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding … the basic civic values of American constitutional democracy and the roles, rights and responsibilities of citizenship, including avenues of participation.

 

 

 

English

 

 

Standard 1: Language for Information and Understanding

 

                        Students will listen, speak, read and write for information understanding.  As listeners and readers, students will collect data, facts, and ideas; discover relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and use knowledge generated from oral, written, and electronically produced texts.  As speakers and writers, they will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language to acquire, interpret, apply, and transmit information.

 

 

Standard 4: Language for Social Interaction

 

                        Students will listen, speak, read and write for social interaction.  Students will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language for effective social communication with a wide variety of people.  As readers and listners, they will use the social communications of other to enrich their understanding of  people and their views.