r in real time, knowing that confidential data can be secured at a moment's notice. Specialized interactive devices will direct all work done through BARN installations. Smailagic predicts that the speed of actions, information, and deliberations will increase as more companies adopt the technology. The new technology includes software that allows users to access their digital files at once with a single interactive device. BARN also uses specially designed computer boards, remote interactive devices, and sophisticated 3-D audio systems for improved presentation of meeting information and knowl- edge transfer. "This project supports the nomadic character of today's busi- ness environment where mobile extension supports remote collaboration," says Smailagic. "Through the use of increased digitization, BARN allows com- panies and organizations, when a project demands, to replace minds and hands with computer networks to complete a task." Group communication technologies are gaining greater visibility, particu- larly in places like Hong Kong and Singapore, where business trade had been off substantially because of the deadly severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus. Public health officials believe that SARS is spread by close contact between people; as a result, executives are now seeking new ways to conduct business, including the increased use of teleconferencing. Technolo- COGNITIVE SOFTWARE: ANTICIPATING USER INTENT gies like BARN may play an important role in a business world where threats posed by disease, war, and terrorists, could limit worker mobility. 2.9 PHONE AWARENESS Future cellular telephones and other wireless communication devices are expected to be much more versatile as consumers gain the ability to program them in a variety of ways. Scientists and engineers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have teamed up with a variety of comput- ing and telecommunications companies to develop both the test methods and the standard protocols needed to make this possible. Programm