AUTOMATED ESSAY MACHINE SMARTENS UP - The makers of an automated essay
scoring system said recent improvements in the software put it in the class of expert scorers
in achieving scoring accuracy. The system, IntelliMetric, Version 8, from Vantage Learning,
blends artificial intelligence technology and the digitization of human expertise to assess
students in a range of subjects. The company said the system can be trained using as few as
200 sample papers, allowing easier use of the engine within instructional settings. Vantage
Chief Operating Officer Scott Elliot said the software "just got a lot smarter," with more than
100 content and structural features, up from 72 features in the earlier version. The new version
has detailed line-by-line student writing feedback and improves "legitimacy detection,"
providing greater assurance to educators that scores are based on legitimate submissions
from students. (Syllabus News, Resources, Trends, 19 July 02)

eMACHINES ANNOUNCE - eMachines has announced five new computer systems priced
for students. The systems range from $399 to $749 and include a manufacturer's rebate of
$75. The machines come with either Celeron or Athlon processors and include Microsoft
Windows XP Home Edition, Encarta Online, a trial version of McAfee VirusScan and
several other applications. All machines include a CD-ROM drive and eMachines' support
application, BigFix. BigFix monitors system performance, suggests remedies and guides
users through the repair process. (PCWorld, 3 July 02) For complete information go to:
http://www.idg.net/ic_883603_1794_9-10000.html

A NEW HYBRID - It's a Tablet...It's a Notebook. From Microsoft - a New Hybrid. When
Microsoft announces that machines using its Tablet PC software will be introduced on
November 7, the emphasis will be on using pen-based features to enhance conventional
notebook computers. (New York Times, 25 June 02) The full article can be found at: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/25/technology/25SOFT.html?todaysheadlines

GRID COMPUTING IS SUCCESSFUL - Researchers at five universities and research
centers recently completed a successful test of a computing grid that is expected to support
experiments at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland. Unlike distributed computing
projects such as SETI@Home, all of the individual nodes in the grid are connected and can
communicate as data moves among the nodes. The Globus Project and the Condor Project
developed the software on which the new grid operates; both are open-source tools, available
free online. Participants in the project include the Particle Physics Data Grid, the International
Virtual Data Grid Laboratory, the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science
Foundation. (Wired News, 3 June 02) See:
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,52909,00.html