by Kevin J. Fry

The Paperless Nation : Uniting People and Government

It was monumental that the United States government set up the USA.GOV web site. This one resource has made available so much information and so many resources. We may feel overwhelmed with the fact that there are so many government agencies that we don't know who does what, what area they cover, and how to go about getting the information we need for whatever it is we want to do. One way the government has already started a less paper system is by allowing individuals to file taxes on-line, through software, the Internet, and secure connections. Of course they hire people every year to key in the data anyway that appear on tax forms so that checks can be made from the returns. Even through many people feel that they're out to get and take your money, they have a good, systematic way of processing this information to suite their needs. Because if you have a legitimate job, you must pay taxes. Eventually, this is one form of government that could possibly make a transfer to a paperless environment possible, all depending on the conforming on the United States population and the ability to have you not request a check, but a direct deposit into your bank account. If you owe takes, there's only so long you can get away from them finding out about your bank account and taking your owed taxes directly from that account.

The Paperless Nation : Law Enforcement

Computers help law enforcement officers every day. Every police department office can not be like the ones seen on television like CSI and ...

The Paperless Nation : Security Issues

As less paper documents there are, there are more concerns of malicious hackers gaining information. Companies set up their own networks all the time. Like Radio Shack and Pep Boys, just to name a couple. I think of digital documentation becoming a standard for each industry, each agency of the government, just like in current companies. These secure networks would be controlled by these agencies, with their own encryption techniques and not connected to the Internet, but an INTRANET, where the wires only lead to those sister organizations, or agencies. The question comes to where there may be information that should be publicly posted, and there would be a format for that information. XML, a database like file, could be used as an accessible way to view this information publicly, but the format and viewing of such information would change from agency to agency.

The Paperless Nation : National ID / Smart Cards

Everyone born into the United States has a social security number and a birth certificate. Such information can be limited when showing a picture, like on a driver's license or state ID. If a national ID card system where to be put in place, information would not be limited from state to state, but a passport-like identification system. Each card would have implemented or be able to be linked to a national database and another, easier form of identification. Some countries have already implemented such cards. Other countries, like the United States, have certain biometrics data already on file. The United States plans to implement it's own national id card system, but will require the states to come to an agreement on what standards would need to bet set for the smart cards. The idea is that if a national ID card system was implemented, the more information the government can know about you. Some may be weary about having such a policy in place, but it would be for the benefit of general population. There may be privacy right concerns arise when placing your finger prints, and possibly DNA, and retinal scans onto cards that must be carried around with you, and all linked up to a supercomputer keeping track of every person. Most likely, it would not change too much information that what is already on file about you. Only time will tell what the states decide to incorporate on the card. Your ID is something you carry around with you. If you where to carry your license and credit card around with you, that would be enough to get around, prove your identity, and make purchases. examples of proof of identity Wired issue

The Paperless Nation : Basic Computer Tech with Network Connectivity

Older computers should still have some sort of purpose if they're still working. Computers have been the way of the future for many years now. The use of a computer to even retrieve basic text-only e-mail, chat, or text-only web sites. This would be beneficial to students interested in learning, or for third-world countries (if power, phone, and space provided), to provide them with knowledge and awareness, and a gateway to the outside world. computers in 3rd world countries

The Paperless Nation : Government to Government Communications

The United Nations speaks to each other in a large auditorium with microphones routed to International translators. Although there is not much need for paper in these communication forms, there are still some international communications through the forms of telephone and international fax. The best way to transfer data securely to a telephone number by fax would be using an eFax like service. Leaders of countries often visit the countries that they would like to deal with, but it'd be interesting to see a president signing a decoration of war on a tablet PC.

The Paperless Nation : Multi-lingual chat rooms instead of phones

Companies have already started creating on-line chat rooms for sales, support, and even marketing. If this technology were combined with translation software, or even a translator, people from around the world could chat with someone that speaks another language in almost real-time. list forms of chat rooms and examples, what they offer