Louie Powell

Displays and lighting: Toward a bright future [From the Editor's Desk]

This article introduces the special issue on displays and lighting and highlights the key technologies for markets in the 21st century.

Movable type [From the Editor's Desk]

This is the 21st century, and things are different. Today, the primary delivery model and copy of record for IEEE publications are electronic. The end product of the publication process is a digital version of the original manuscript that is fully text searchable, with embedded hyperlinks allowing readers to jump to the references cited in the text, all linked together by means of unique digital objective identifiers (DOIs). Now, it is also possible to embed applications with published manuscripts; for example, it is possible to include videos or even analytical simulations as part of the record manuscript.

Dealing with change [From the Editor's Desk]

Many of our colleagues in the IEEE today live and work in countries where the common language is not the language of their birth. One of the biggest hurdles they faced in their new homes was to learn the language. Until they acquired the basic language skills, their ability to function in society was limited.

Feathering and creep [From the Editor's Desk]

It is truly amazing how even the apparently most mundane things can become elevated to the level of science. For this to happen, it must be possible to assess the thing against various attributes or dimensions, but it is not always necessary that those attributes be objectively quantifiable. Instead, all that is required is that there must be parameters that can be used to compare and contrast one version of the thing with another version of the same thing.

Honoring our colleagues [From the Editor's Desk]

One of the things we do very well at the IEEE is peer recognition. Deadlines for awards nominations start approaching shortly after the beginning of the year; hence, this would be a very good time to start identifying individuals whose accomplishments should be recognized by nominating them for an IEEE award.

Ends and odds [From the Editor's Desk]

As this is the last issue of IEEE Industry Applications Magazine for 2008, it is appropriate that we clear out some of the accumulated informational ends and odds before the new year.