What 2 Watch

Every once in a while Federal Computer Week releases an article that makes me laugh. This is one of those times. They currently have an article about the 10 Technologies to Watch in 2010. Their list is:

• 100G networking on the horizon
• 10G Ethernet for the masses
• Web 2.0 aims for ‘awesome’
• 4G wireless technologies take root
• USB 3.0 is nearly at hand
• IPv6 moves closer to center stage
• Virtualization moves to the desktop
• DNSSEC gets automated
• Deep packet inspection adds a layer of defense
• Next step for virtualization: Security

Some of this is good, and is definitely on the list of emerging technologies for 2010. But IP6? Haven't we been talking about IP6 for about 5 years now? How is that still something to watch for? Web 2.0 too. Really?

I have to tell you, this feels more like an article written for systems engineers more than anyone else. No offense to systems engineers, we need you to help keep the world spinning, but this is slanted entirely your way.

Some of the things that I'm expecting out of 2010 include:

• A more meaningful proliferation of mobile applications - Right now, we have lots of, kind of useful applications. I expect the really important applications to be pushed to smartphones, and I expect people will use them a lot more.
• I expect an initiative to start this year like government anywhere in which federal workers will be able to work 1-2 days at any government location in which they have the requisite clearance to enter. Want to take a trip to Miami, but have a big meeting on Wednesday, go down there, take the family, reserve a spot in the Miami Field Office and work there on Wednesday as if you were in the office, and enjoy the rest of the vacation.
• I expect a recognition of Internet connectivity to be a defining factor in whether or not a family is in need of other assistance. As a result, I expect several federally sponsored WI-FI max projects to be started targeting low-income urban areas through cooperation between the Departments of Commerce and Housing and Urban Development.
• Lastly, and most specifically, I expect that there will be adoption of a standard, encrypted, portable, personal medical record device, like a USB drive, in which patients can go to the doctor and have their medical records stored so that they (the records) can go with them to the next appointment. This device will grow with the individual. It will include dental x-Rays, results of blood tests, and a record of immunizations and vaccines. It will obviate the volumes of forms to be filled out when you go to the emergency room. It will be paid for by the insurance companies and will save billions in the second year.

I don't know if any of this will come true. It is possible, but I think it is better than dragging IPv6 out for another go-around.