Top 5 Control Engineering articles, April 13-19

Were you out last week? Miss something? Here are Control Engineering’s five most-clicked articles from last week, April 13-19, including articles about Windows XP, small nuclear reactors, Google Glass intersecting with control systems, and strategies for the passing of Windows XP support.

By Jessica DuBois-Maahs, CFE Media April 21, 2014

1. One strategy for the passing of Windows XP

Cyber security expert offers advice for finding one silver lining in the passing of support for XP. It might get companies to face larger realities. 

2. Big plans for small nuclear reactors

Cover story: U.S. nuclear power plant outlook: new designs, safety, plant openings are part of the nuclear energy spotlight in 2014. Speakers at a recent American Nuclear Society meeting discussed more efficient nuclear reactor designs with simpler controls, nuclear plant safety, small modular reactors, and timeline for next new nuclear power plants. 

3. Google Glass meets control systems

Technology Update: New visualization technologies offer opportunities for hands-free computer displays, potentially useful in manufacturing, control system programming, warehousing, process operations training, and maintenance applications.

4. Are Microsoft technologies still best for process control systems?

Engineering and IT Insight: Process control architects and designers are questioning the 15-year wisdom that you cannot go wrong by picking the Microsoft environment for a process control system. See 6 critical requirements for process controls. 

5. For machines that cannot be upgraded, what needs to change now that Microsoft Windows XP support has ended?

Ask Control Engineering sought advice from industrial software developers related to the end of Microsoft Windows XP support. Here, Beckhoff Automation provides answers related to Microsoft Windows XP obsolescence. 

The list was developed using CFE Media’s web analytics for stories viewed on controleng.com, April 13-19, for articles published within the last two months.

– Jessica DuBois-Maahs, associate content manager, CFE Media, jdmaahs@cfemedia.com.