On the Edge

, Washington, is holding a public trial of an Internet Engineering Task Force-defined mapping protocol that links telephone numbers with online resources. Called Enum, this protocol will connect the public-switched telephone network with the Internet's domain name system. Enum-enabled telephones with data screens can retrieve Web page addresses, e-mail addresses, instant messages and even services made available by holders of phone numbers. The trial allows interested companies to test Enum services and equipment. More information is at .XXXSPLITXXX-The , a nonprofit, Chicago-based organization that publishes software developed by academic and research institutions, has released a new set of applications developed by Mitre Corp., McLean, Va. They include two development tool kits for interfacing with Java and for capturing interactions with graphical user interfaces; an IP-based protocol used by mobile routers for on-the-move communications; utilities to analyze network performance and to aggregate system administration logs; and Web-based collaborative learning software. XXXSPLITXXX-, Falls Church, Va., has been awarded a $9.6 million Naval Air Systems Command contract to retrofit survival AN/PRC-112 radios with global positioning system tools and encrypted, two-way messaging.According to Frances Connor, a business development manager for General Dynamics Decisions Systems, the modules will offer 22 pre-selected, encrypted text messages that can be sent from a downed crew member, while the GPS allows for more precise location coordinates than the distance measuring equipment used previously. The equipment will be available for all 32,000 radios in the field.