Reviews
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This is a compilation of papers from numerous organisations with diverse opinions on how this technology will develop. RFID presents opportunities for great improvement in business efficiencies for corporations and better service for customers and consumers. The flip side is that RFID has the potential to negatively impact individual privacy more than most technologies.
What sets this book apart is that it covers both sides of the argument. The chapters authors represent most perspectives on this emerging technology:
- RFID Hardware and Software Vendors
- Organisations that have deployed RFID
- Privacy Advocates
The cases for and against RFID are both well made. RFID can make shopping easier, stock processing more efficient, speed up payment and aid loss prevention. An excellent example of where privacy concerns are outweighed by convenience is highway tolls.
At the same time, security flaws will likely become evident and individuals, organizations and governments could misuse the very same technology. RFID has the potential to be more invasive than video surveillance.
Papers within the book cover include current real world illustrations and how the technology may develop. Most importantly, this is the most comprehensive survey to date. If anyone can suggest a better one, please do write a review and refernce.
This is not a "how to" book. It does not delve into the technology or provide a detailed methodology. Given the diversity of perspectives and content it couldn't be.
This book is a must read if you want to be informed on a key emerging technology. The issues and rewards of RFID will increase as the processing power of RFID chips increase. Increase in processing power is nearly a given.
In isolation the individual papers (chapters) are good. But this is a clear instance of the the sum being greater than the parts. For my two cents, this book will have a long and useful shelf life.
What sets this book apart is that it covers both sides of the argument. The chapters authors represent most perspectives on this emerging technology:
- RFID Hardware and Software Vendors
- Organisations that have deployed RFID
- Privacy Advocates
The cases for and against RFID are both well made. RFID can make shopping easier, stock processing more efficient, speed up payment and aid loss prevention. An excellent example of where privacy concerns are outweighed by convenience is highway tolls.
At the same time, security flaws will likely become evident and individuals, organizations and governments could misuse the very same technology. RFID has the potential to be more invasive than video surveillance.
Papers within the book cover include current real world illustrations and how the technology may develop. Most importantly, this is the most comprehensive survey to date. If anyone can suggest a better one, please do write a review and refernce.
This is not a "how to" book. It does not delve into the technology or provide a detailed methodology. Given the diversity of perspectives and content it couldn't be.
This book is a must read if you want to be informed on a key emerging technology. The issues and rewards of RFID will increase as the processing power of RFID chips increase. Increase in processing power is nearly a given.
In isolation the individual papers (chapters) are good. But this is a clear instance of the the sum being greater than the parts. For my two cents, this book will have a long and useful shelf life.
reviewed by maxwell on November 27, 2006 8:57 AM
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The chapters are written by different authors, concerning various aspects about RFID. The topics give an idea of the scope of RFID deployment. None of the chapters would be considered technical. You are not required to be an electrical engineer to follow any chapter.
One chapter talks about inserting RFID tags into livestock. In part to combat the age old problem of rustling, which still exists. The chapter has an engagingly termed section "World Livestock Roundup", which showcases RFID in livestock in several countries. The deployment is quite advanced. Already, the EU and New Zealand mandate it for all livestock, and have done so for over 5 years. Given the cost of a cow or sheep, the tags are quite affordable. This chapter is significant. Unlike virtually the rest of the book, it demonstrates RFID as already existing in a mature deployment, and not as blue sky musings.
Other chapters are more speculative. In part because when the tags might be associated with or carried by people, serious issues of privacy arise. Some deployments are described under the rubric of enhancing child safety. But the extension to adults is highly contentious. Even more so when one considers not the carrying of a tag, but the insertion of a tag into a person's skin. In the US, we can readily envisage deep discontent over this, from libertarians to the religious right.
It turns out that many of the suggested difficulties are not primarily technical. Rather, they exist in the business or social realm, and may be harder to solve.
One chapter talks about inserting RFID tags into livestock. In part to combat the age old problem of rustling, which still exists. The chapter has an engagingly termed section "World Livestock Roundup", which showcases RFID in livestock in several countries. The deployment is quite advanced. Already, the EU and New Zealand mandate it for all livestock, and have done so for over 5 years. Given the cost of a cow or sheep, the tags are quite affordable. This chapter is significant. Unlike virtually the rest of the book, it demonstrates RFID as already existing in a mature deployment, and not as blue sky musings.
Other chapters are more speculative. In part because when the tags might be associated with or carried by people, serious issues of privacy arise. Some deployments are described under the rubric of enhancing child safety. But the extension to adults is highly contentious. Even more so when one considers not the carrying of a tag, but the insertion of a tag into a person's skin. In the US, we can readily envisage deep discontent over this, from libertarians to the religious right.
It turns out that many of the suggested difficulties are not primarily technical. Rather, they exist in the business or social realm, and may be harder to solve.
reviewed by pauls on November 29, 2006 4:40 PM
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For those who want faster diving in RFID technology I would recommend to take a look at DataBrokers TagTracker. Their new version works with LF and HF transponders and uses Hibernate to store scanned data in a database. It comes with PIRF-Lite (Java written API) which allows the user to make new transponder layouts and interact with the RFID reader differently than it is shown in TagTracker. TagTracker itself is enough to collect RFID data from different locations (RFID readers) and store it in a common database. Like a data pump. All you need is to create your own interface to query the database using your preferred languages/tools , etc.
reviewed by speed5599 on November 29, 2006 5:01 PM
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RFID, radio frequency identification, is one the first major
technology of the new century. After building machines
capable of doing things (nineteenth century) and machines
that can mimic thinking (twentieth century), time has come
to have machines to perceive.
The book edited by S. Garfinkel, B. Rosenberg is a balanced,
comprehensive, and digestible presentation of RFID. RFID is
not a Devil plot on spying on everyone, and it is not a
technological form of totalitarism (although there is a
potential to become each of them). RFID is a form of
enabling machines to sense. Warehouses will sense whether
they become low on stock or, perhaps, overstocked, luggage
will be routed automatically from airport to airport;
healthcare, libraries, energy, will be all influenced if
not changed by RFID. Benefits are potentially immense, but
so are the risks.
One (almost) certainty: like or not, this technology is
going to stay, so we cannot afford to ignore it. The book is
an important step towards an informed debated about its
future.
technology of the new century. After building machines
capable of doing things (nineteenth century) and machines
that can mimic thinking (twentieth century), time has come
to have machines to perceive.
The book edited by S. Garfinkel, B. Rosenberg is a balanced,
comprehensive, and digestible presentation of RFID. RFID is
not a Devil plot on spying on everyone, and it is not a
technological form of totalitarism (although there is a
potential to become each of them). RFID is a form of
enabling machines to sense. Warehouses will sense whether
they become low on stock or, perhaps, overstocked, luggage
will be routed automatically from airport to airport;
healthcare, libraries, energy, will be all influenced if
not changed by RFID. Benefits are potentially immense, but
so are the risks.
One (almost) certainty: like or not, this technology is
going to stay, so we cannot afford to ignore it. The book is
an important step towards an informed debated about its
future.
reviewed by nexus on November 29, 2006 6:24 PM