Software
IT Management
New from CrossTec is version 8.0 of NetOp Remote Control remote management software. This update adds a new consol, support for three new operating systems, and enhanced speed. Call CrossTec customer service for information on school pricing.
CrossTec Corp., 500 NE Spanish River Boulevard, Suite 201, Boca Raton, FL 33431; (800) 675-0729;
www.crossteccorp.com
Packet Hawk from Tangent automatically finds and removes security threats such as spyware, adware, pop-ups, malware, games, and P2P tools. It operates from a central management console for hands-free administration. Prices start at $1,495.
Tangent Computer Inc., 191 Airport Boulevard, Burlingame, CA 94010; (888) 826-4368;
www.tangent.com
A new version of the Internet filtering and reporting software R3000 has been released by 8e6 Technologies. New features include a Real-Time Probe that allows administrators to monitor Internet usage in real time and Google Safe Search, which can block access to inappropriate content within the search engine.
8e6 Technologies, 828 West Taft Avenue, Orange, CA 92865; (888) 786-7999;
www.8e6.com
Multi-Disciplinary
Cross-Trainer: Logical Reasoning is the second product in Lexia Learning Systems' cognitive development suite. The software is aimed at helping students (ages seven-adult) master organization and problem-solving skills that can be applied to reading, science, math, and social studies. School and discount pricing is available. Contact a Lexia sales representative for details.
Lexia Learning Systems Inc., 2 Lewis Street, P.O. Box 466, Lincoln, MA 01773; (800) 435-3942;
www.lexialearning.com
Geography
Developed at the NASA Ames Research Center, World Wind is an open source geography program that allows you to zoom from satellite level to any place on Earth and view the terrain in 3-D. The software is linked via the Web and uses Landsat satellite imagery and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission data. The free software is available for download from the NASA Web site.
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035; (650) 604-5000;
worldwind.arc.nasa.gov
Multimedia
Ulead has announced two new releases: DVD MovieFactory 4 Disc Creator, a new DVD burning and creation application, and VideoStudio 9, video editing software for both novices and hobbyists. Both programs are available from the Ulead Web site for $99.99. Education pricing is available.
Ulead Systems, 20000 Mariner Avenue, Suite 200, Torrance, CA 90503; (800) 858-5323;
www.ulead.com
Astronomy
Starry Night Pro Plus 5.0, from Imaginova, in partnership with Main-Sequence Software, is the latest offering in the Starry Night astronomy software line. The new version adds the AllSky CCD mosaic, a color photograph of the entire night sky, and greater telescope control options. The DVD-ROM product has a suggested retail price of $249.95 and is available from the Starry Night Web site.
Imaginova Canada Ltd., 284 Richmond Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5A 1P4; (800) 252-5417;
www.starrynight.com
Hardware
Computers
New from Dell is the Latitude 110L, a notebook computer that starts at $899 and is targeted for the small business/education market. Features include the choice of Celeron or Pentium processors, 30GB to 60GB hard drive, and optional wireless capability.
Dell, (800) 926-9587;
www.dell.com
AOpen has announced a new partnership with Synnex, an IT distribution and support company, to provide schools with custom-built desktops and servers. The three systems being offered, all priced under $500, include a motherboard, keyboard, mouse, speakers, 17-inch monitor, and a choice of a midtower, black midtower, or a slim chassis.
AOpen, 1911 Lundy Avenue, San Jose, CA 95131; (888) 972-6736;
www.aopen.com
Web Resources
Benetech has announced two milestones for its Bookshare.org service, which provides accessible digital books to individuals with visual impairment and learning disabilities and offers textbook and classroom reading material for K-12 students with learning disabilities: the Bookshare library has surpassed 20,000 titles, and the organization is celebrating the success of its educational initiatives, thanks in part to a grant from the NEC Foundation of America.
The Benetech Initiative, 480 California Avenue, Suite 201, Palo Alto, CA 94306;
www.bookshare.org
SparePartsWarehouse.com, a Web site from United Computing Resources that helps people find replacement computer, printer, and accessory parts, has recently been re-launched. The site is focused on providing a complete inventory of hard-to-find parts from well-known hardware manufacturers. In addition, SparePartsWarehouse.com is an authorized laptop repair center, providing mail-in laptop and notebook repair services.
United Computing Resources, 1332 Woodman Drive, Dayton, OH 45432; (877) 253-8898;
www.sparepartswarehouse.com
Books
O'Reilly has announced the release of the PC Hardware Buyer's Guide. The new book is a resource for people who wish build their personal computer system from scratch, choosing the components themselves to tailor their system to their own needs.
O'Reilly Media, Inc., 1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472; (800) 998-9938;
www.oreilly.com
Assessment and Testing
The ETS has also announced the development of the ETS Formative Assessment Item Bank, an online repository of K-12 standards-based math and language arts test questions for teachers to use throughout the year to help gauge student proficiency. Questions can be accessed through ETS Pulliam's Instructional Data Management System, which allows teachers to identify state standards and pace their instruction over the school year.
ETS Pulliam, 1980 Orange Tree Lane, Suite 260, Redlands, CA 92374; (866) 221-7329;
www.etspulliam.org
The Worldwide Instructional Design System, a nonprofit organization that offers curriculum-design software, training, and consulting, has partnered with Questionmark, the developer of the Perception testing and assessment software application. The partnership allows educators and trainers to use the learning objectives developed in the WIDS software to populate Perception's topic structure, aligning quiz and test questions with the desired learning outcomes.
WIDS, 1 Foundation Circle, Waunakee, WI 53597; (800) 677-9437;
www.wids.org
Questionmark, (800) 863-3950;
www.questionmark.com
The ETS has selected Infinity Softworks to provide graphing calculator technology to be incorporated into their computer-based and Internet-based testing platforms. When a graphing calculator is required during testing, a version of Infinity's powerOne Graph calculator will appear onscreen, eliminating the need for test takers to provide their own calculators. The technology is expected to be available during the first quarter of 2006.
Infinity Softworks, Inc., 1315 NW 185th Avenue, PMB180, Beaverton, OR 97006; (800) 811-8071;
www.infinitysw.com/ed
