Not too long ago there was an AP story about Wal-Mart and RFID technology. With RFID technology Wal-Mart has found ways to keep stores stocked up in an efficient and productive manner. While that’s great for Wal-Mart it means nothing for smaller business’ because none of them can buy RFID chips and software in bulk packages the way Wal-Mart can. RFID can do a lot for a business (Wal-Mart has proven that), but right now only a mega-business can afford it.
Enter: Open Source RFID
A group RadioActive is the first and only open source platform for RFID applications. Currently in the design stages these applications will allow for RFID technology to reach its fullest
potential. “We have a philosophy that RFID technology..is going to be as big as the Internet where RFID tags are like URLs.
The consequences of an effective open source application for RFID
would be pretty interesting. Here are some things I would do for fun.
On a serious note, it would greatly increase the ability of regular people to have RFID technology (is this a security issue of any kind?). But more practically, open source RFID would help small business’. Now your local hardware store could use the same tech as Wal-Mart, and don’t they deserve the same technological advantages.