"Technology consulting"

Check your MAC address; set up wireless WEP encryption; enable a VPN for half a dozen remote workers--you're not the only one wallowing in technology alphabet soup. That's why we're pegging technology consulting as a steamy growth area for 2006.

Businesses without in-house IT departments need experts to hook them up with everything from printers to internet security to wireless networks. But you can't just rush in with a computer toolkit and a few pieces of software. "One of the key requirements nowadays is to be able to deliver complete solutions to the customer," says Anil Miglani, senior vice president of research group AMI-Partners in New York City. If necessary, startups "should be open to partnering with others who can complement their own skill sets."

With the release of Windows Vista next year, look for more opportunities to open up. "The new Windows OS will create a new market as businesses upgrade and transition their existing applications," says he. She also points to RFID consulting as an area set for growth. And in 2007, extended daylight-saving time goes into effect, which means all sorts of digital devices will need adjustments to handle the change. So polish up your technology expertise--lots of businesses are going to need your help.--A.C.K.

Science and technology in medieval European life

Aimed at college students and interested general readers, this reference presents a wealth of examples illustrating the impact of science and technology on daily life in medieval Europe. Wigelsworth (Calgary Institute for the Humanities) begins with an overview of the era, followed by a chronology. The main part of the volume is organized into nine chapters dealing with general themes (agriculture, transportation, medicine, etc.). Each of these is further divided into concise entries on individual topics (the crop system, road construction, and childbirth, for example). The volume concludes with a glossary and some suggestions for further reading.