Science Director Takes Budget to Congress

Orbach

Office of Science Director Ray Orbach took the Department of Energy's proposed 2005 budget message to Congress yesterday, detailing the $3.4 billion package for science to members of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The FY05 budget request, representing a $68.5 million decrease from the FY 2004 appropriation levels, "will set us on the path toward addressing the challenges that face our nation in the 21st Century," Orbach said. Initiatives in various fields, including nanotechnology, astrophysics, computing, and genomics were outlined. Go here to read the testimony.

A New Ploy in Computer   Infections Has Emerged

Windows worms are becoming increasingly deceptive.  One of the latest generates messages that tells users their mail server will not be available for the next two days, and that they need to open a password-protected attachment with a password contained in the message if they want continuous mail service. Messages received by Lab users appear to come from the LBL (or ESnet or NERSC) mail administration team.  Delete all such messages. Opening them will result in a worm infection.

Incident Response Course on March 11

What should you do if your computer is hit with a security-related incident such as a hacker attack or worm infection? Come to a free course offered by the Computer Protection Program from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 11 and find out. Go here to read a course description, and here to sign up.

Dynes Makes Statement On Passed Propositions

University of California President Robert Dynes has issued a statement regarding Propositions 55, 57, and 58 on the California primary ballot. Propositions 57 and 58, sponsored by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, authorize a $15 billion bond to help reduce the state of California's budget deficit. Proposition 55 is a $12.3 billion bond measure to fund improvements in California's public schools and higher education facilities, including the University of California. Go here to read his statement.

Updates on TEID
Services in Newsletter

The Technical and Electronic Information Department (TEID) has issued its latest newsletter. It provides updates on the media and information services they provide, such as fast and affordable CD-burning and production of medium-quality, economy posters. Readers can also learn more about the reasons behind the Report Coordination and Document Submission  process, and the responses Lab researchers provided in a recent library-services survey. Go here to read the newsletter.

Former Intern Receives National Academic Honor
By Melissa Ballagh

USA Today has named a Virginia Tech honors student to its 2004 All-USA College Academic Team. Ashley White will graduate in May 2005 with degrees in both material sciences and engineering and music performance. She is one of 60 undergraduates nationally honored by the USA Today program. White was an intern at the Lab in the summer of 2002, working with Arlon Hunt of EETD on advanced nanoporous composite materials for industrial heat applications. Full story.