Smart nametags to transform conferences

Tired of bumping into people at conferences and social functions that you know you have met before but can`t remember their name? This embarrassing situation could soon be a thing of the past thanks to new "smart" nametags that identify wearers from a distance and provide background information on other delegates.

Rick Taylor, CEO of the Cape Town Convention Bureau, says that although the new technology of smart nametags is not yet in use locally, it is sure to find its way to local conferences in the near future. There are three different smart nametags that have been developed. The SmartBadge includes a watermark visible from a distance on every badge. When registering, delegates are given a badge and a mini PDA the size of a credit card which delegates can use to get information on other delegates by typing in their number.

The other tag is called SpotMe, which can be used to locate other attendees inside the venue. The PDA picks up each delegate`s position wirelessly and lists the groupings within five meters as well as those within 15 meters. By clicking on a delegate`s name, a picture and profile will be displayed on the PDA. The third smart nametag uses radio frequency to track all users at the function. It can also be used to alert exhibitors at conferences of the approach of VIPs or other selected attendees.

Always been a bit envious of the Apple interface? Now you can get a slice of Apple for yourself. TheRegister reports that Stardock has released a small utility that brings several of the best of effects of the Apple Aqua interface to the PC. Called Windows FX 2.0, the utility transforms each of the windows on the Windows desktop and while it emulates most of the Aqua theme, it does not include the full Genie effect.

Initial demos of Windows FX are apparently impressive, even on a reasonably low-powered PIII. A standard version of Windows FX includes around 20 transition effects which are user-scriptable, giving users a chance to make their own transition effects. Windows FX also has some of its own unique tricks, including the ability to give each window its own light source. [More at TheRegister]

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