From: Amruth Laxman [alaxman@ns-alpha.emi.net]
Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 1999 1:26 AM
To: r3-excom1999@ieee.org; sec-r03@ieee.org; pbsec-officers@ieee.org
Subject: Section Report, Palm Beach Section

Section Report: IEEE Palm Beach (FL) Section 

Over the past year, the Palm Beach Section has had several regular meetings
of the Section and the three Chapters (Power, Computer & Communication).
Some of the more interesting topics were:

1. 2-Way Paging Technologies, Presented by Kai Siwiak (Motorola)
This presentation discussed the many challenges involved in implementing
2-way paging systems using ground based and sattelite technologies. The
speaker also brought along several of the latest 2-way pagers, including a
pager that can browse the web, to illustrate how far this technology has
come.

2. Intranets & Wireless Data Integration, Presented by Sal Yazbeck
(NetMobility)
This presentation provided an excellent overview of the many options now
available for the development of wireless data networks. The presentation
also covered the advantages of the various approaches and the applications
that they would be most suited for.

3. Bright Sparks of the Universe - 1998 Faraday Lecture
This video presentation was very informative & entertaining. It focussed on
the history & use of the electron from early experiments to modern uses.

4. The Y2K Problem - The Inside Story from an Engineers Perspective,
Various Speakers
This recently held meeting provided a much needed discussion of the real
issues associated with the Y2K problem. Our vice-chairman was able to
organize several speakers from health-care, local government & the power
industry to present the issues they are facing. Audience members learned
several facts that they were unaware of previously, such as the lack of
preparation for Y2K in the health care industry, the surprisingly early
incidence of Y2K related problems (began last December) and the influence
of Y2K in such areas as sewage treatment & emergency wireless radio
transmission.

On the professional activities side, we organized a well-received video
series on Entrepreneurial Skills. These videos have been developed by the
IEEE as part of the IEEE Entrepreneurial Skills workshop. We picked up this
program based on a recommendation from Ted Hissey, of the IEEE Foundation.
Our members found the speakers in the videos to be very enthusiastic and
open about sharing their stories, and in revealing the challenges and
skills involved in starting a technology business.

Our plans for this year include increased involvement with the Student
Branch section at Florida Atlantic University, with the specific goal of
organizing a student robot team for next year's SouthEast Con. We also plan
to have further joint meetings with our neighboring Miami & Broward
sections, in an effort to boost attendance for all our sections.

Amruth Laxman
Chairman, 
Palm Beach Section