UPS is in the middle of doing some revolutionary things when it comes to tracking technology. They have installed a system called information acquisition device. This system give each driver a hand held device which has a gps system in it, that allows UPS to follow your packages and give you up to the minute information as to where you package is. This technology fuels most of its information system technology today. For example they have a policy called delivery intercept which allows you to change the destination of the package online up to delivery time. They also have something called quantum view notify which send you and email to confirm that your package has been sent and when it has be finally delivered. Lastly the have installed an electronic customs form which make shipping between New York and China just as easy as shipping from New York to maine. With systems in place such as this UPS will continue to be on top of the delivery service game for the foreseeable future.
www.UPS.com/tracking
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Virtual world, real emotions: Relationships in Second Life
There is a new trend in the Second Life virtual world, real relationships. Many new couples are forming and even getting married once meeting originally on Second Life. Second Life is a virtual world were people have their own property, gather at social functions, have relationships, get married - you name it, you can do it on Second Life. More recently, more and more couples are meeting on Second Life, getting into virtual relationships, and sometime after are actually meeting in real life. Nina Allam and Sean Barbary are perfect examples of a relationship sparked from Second Life. They first met on Second Life and got married in June in the virtual world. Just recently they met for the first time in person; they both hit it off in real life. There are many more couples named in this article and numerous more unmentioned, who have found "true" love in and outside of the virtual world.
This idea of meeting in a virtual world and then trying to develop a relationship is not all that new to our time. Think of a website such as e-harmony; people meet virtually with the intention to meet in real life if they think that they will be compatible with each other. The idea is not that bad. The only thing which I find odd is the idea of virtual world and how people can get in relationships or even get married. Are the feelings between two people actually real if they were created through a virtual world? There is a lot to consider before partaking in this Second Life movement. I know one thing, I will not partake in a Second Life relationship or marriage; most likely not in Second Life at all.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/12/12/second.life.relationship.irpt/index.html
This idea of meeting in a virtual world and then trying to develop a relationship is not all that new to our time. Think of a website such as e-harmony; people meet virtually with the intention to meet in real life if they think that they will be compatible with each other. The idea is not that bad. The only thing which I find odd is the idea of virtual world and how people can get in relationships or even get married. Are the feelings between two people actually real if they were created through a virtual world? There is a lot to consider before partaking in this Second Life movement. I know one thing, I will not partake in a Second Life relationship or marriage; most likely not in Second Life at all.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/12/12/second.life.relationship.irpt/index.html
Friday, December 12, 2008
Spotfire Holiday Gift Finder
Spotfire, a division of the software maker Tibco, is using statistics to come up with a tool for sorting potential presents. With the Spotfire Holiday Gift Finder, you can churn through thousands of products, including apparel, electronics, jewelry and tools. The software lets people narrow down their choices based on price and reviews and then points to the appropriate spot on Amazon.com where the product can be purchased. With the holidays right around the corner this would be the perfect thing to use in making all your decisions easier and faster. You would be able to buy all the presents you want in half the time you used to be able to.
The statistical analysis used is similar to ones used for fantasy football and other ranking systems. With this system you wont have to get gift cards anymore because you will have a much better idea of what the person will want.
The statistical analysis used is similar to ones used for fantasy football and other ranking systems. With this system you wont have to get gift cards anymore because you will have a much better idea of what the person will want.
Postal Services Crash Online
My article discusses problems that came about this past week for the Postal Service online applications. The Postal Service offers various services online that were affected including it's rate estimator, zip-code locator, and it's package pick-up service. The most important service online that was affected was the Click-N-Ship program on their webpage. This application allows users to print shipping labels and pay for them online, saving everyone a lot of time and effort. Last year Click-N-Ship printed off over 34 million shipping labels, so one can tell how popular it is. This crash for the shipping caused many problems around the nation and the USPS was very apologetic for it. They sent out over 900,000 e-mails apologizing for the issues and even placed several personal phone calls to their biggest customers.
This article expresses the importance of maintenance on any IT software. Those 7 processes of setting up an IT software, the one that costs the most money and takes the most time is maintenance because it is continious. As long as an IT software is in service than it needs to be maintenanced from just simple wear and tear. If the USPS had properly maintenanced their software and found the glitch before it happened, then they would have saved a lot of money in revenue and a lot of embarassment. Maintenance is an important aspect of IT software and time and money must be put into it to ensure the operation of important equipment and software.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10121982-38.html?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0
This article expresses the importance of maintenance on any IT software. Those 7 processes of setting up an IT software, the one that costs the most money and takes the most time is maintenance because it is continious. As long as an IT software is in service than it needs to be maintenanced from just simple wear and tear. If the USPS had properly maintenanced their software and found the glitch before it happened, then they would have saved a lot of money in revenue and a lot of embarassment. Maintenance is an important aspect of IT software and time and money must be put into it to ensure the operation of important equipment and software.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10121982-38.html?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Microsoft Joins Free Security Push
Two years ago, Microsoft debuted its first security software called the One-Care security program. It included a $50 per year charge to keep you PC free from viruses. They will debut in the coming days a program code-named Morro. It is a free security system that aims to prevent the invasion of viruses and Trojans on a PC. They aim to provide security for 60% of computer users who do not already have security software.
In recent months, there has been an uprising of free security systems for PCs. They are scaled down from full anti-virus software such as Symantec, but it does not slow down computer performance. This is an effort put forth to combat viruses spread through social networks such as Facebook and Myspace. Security software providers' main goal by producing these free programs is to provide users with adequate security without slowing down computer performance. Likewise, Microsoft's Morro is a scaled down version of One-Care.
In recent months, there has been an uprising of free security systems for PCs. They are scaled down from full anti-virus software such as Symantec, but it does not slow down computer performance. This is an effort put forth to combat viruses spread through social networks such as Facebook and Myspace. Security software providers' main goal by producing these free programs is to provide users with adequate security without slowing down computer performance. Likewise, Microsoft's Morro is a scaled down version of One-Care.
Monday, December 8, 2008
AC blog 2
Blog #2: Panel Offers Ways to Bolster Cyberspace Security
A recent article from the New York Times, titled “Panel Offers to Bolster Cyberspace Security,” comments on the important issue of legal regulation with regards to cyber-space security. A government and technology industry panel has called for a serious change in the way that the federal government enforces this security. The panel believes that a simple use of passwords when trying to protect confidential information is a serious security breach. They suggest that the government switch to “strong authentication,” which could prevent hackers from tapping into their systems. Such a transition would most likely require all government computer users to use a physical device instead of simply typing in a password. Although this may be more expensive and maybe a hassle for the users, it may be necessary in order to keep our government’s information secure. Nobody ever said internet security would come easy.
One of the members of the panel, stated that, “we need to move away from passwords,” because in reality “the laissez-faire approach to cyber-security has failed.” This new policy for cyber-space security could eventually be adapted by the Obama administration in an attempt to make the internet safer for the future. The significance of the security breaches in our cyber-systems cannot be overlooked. There is an infinite amount of confidential information throughout the internet that can be used maliciously if it were to fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, not only the government should be worried, but especially private industries whose financial information of the company and clients can be accessed with sufficient hacking skills.
In the past year, the Department of Defense, State, Homeland Security, and Commerce, NASA, and the National Defense University, were among the important agencies in our country that “suffered major intrusions by unknown foreign entities.” For example, the Secretary of State’s email was hacked into, and “terabytes” of data magically went missing from the State Department. The fact that people are able to gain access to such important information is definitely unsettling. The panel suggests that information technology officers and CIO’s are no longer enough to ensure the best cyber-security and that cyber-security is one of the most significant national security threats. If people are able to hack into the systems that carry information which our country operates and defends itself on, then it is only a matter of time before it comes back to haunt us. We need to take the necessary measures in order to secure our cyberspace. New laws and regulations have been proposed in order to govern cyberspace and I believe that if used correctly, these will help to prevent future intrusions on our government systems. Cyberspace is a dangerous place and without some sort of regulation, confidentiality may no longer exist there.
A recent article from the New York Times, titled “Panel Offers to Bolster Cyberspace Security,” comments on the important issue of legal regulation with regards to cyber-space security. A government and technology industry panel has called for a serious change in the way that the federal government enforces this security. The panel believes that a simple use of passwords when trying to protect confidential information is a serious security breach. They suggest that the government switch to “strong authentication,” which could prevent hackers from tapping into their systems. Such a transition would most likely require all government computer users to use a physical device instead of simply typing in a password. Although this may be more expensive and maybe a hassle for the users, it may be necessary in order to keep our government’s information secure. Nobody ever said internet security would come easy.
One of the members of the panel, stated that, “we need to move away from passwords,” because in reality “the laissez-faire approach to cyber-security has failed.” This new policy for cyber-space security could eventually be adapted by the Obama administration in an attempt to make the internet safer for the future. The significance of the security breaches in our cyber-systems cannot be overlooked. There is an infinite amount of confidential information throughout the internet that can be used maliciously if it were to fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, not only the government should be worried, but especially private industries whose financial information of the company and clients can be accessed with sufficient hacking skills.
In the past year, the Department of Defense, State, Homeland Security, and Commerce, NASA, and the National Defense University, were among the important agencies in our country that “suffered major intrusions by unknown foreign entities.” For example, the Secretary of State’s email was hacked into, and “terabytes” of data magically went missing from the State Department. The fact that people are able to gain access to such important information is definitely unsettling. The panel suggests that information technology officers and CIO’s are no longer enough to ensure the best cyber-security and that cyber-security is one of the most significant national security threats. If people are able to hack into the systems that carry information which our country operates and defends itself on, then it is only a matter of time before it comes back to haunt us. We need to take the necessary measures in order to secure our cyberspace. New laws and regulations have been proposed in order to govern cyberspace and I believe that if used correctly, these will help to prevent future intrusions on our government systems. Cyberspace is a dangerous place and without some sort of regulation, confidentiality may no longer exist there.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Segregation of Duties in Information Technology
Ever since the Sarbanes-Oxley act, generally accepted account rules (GAAP) has required businesses to segregate duties within a company. Segregation of duties entails having more than one person accomplishing a task. In the political sense, it is known as separation of powers. The reason behind this is to minimize risks associated with giving one person too much power enabling the temptation for fraud, money laundering, stealing, etc.
The Information Technology age has made getting information much easier and faster. However, with this technology brings more risk to businesses. Therefore, separation of duties is a must have when it comes to developing software and other entities within the business environment. For example, users who create data should not have access to process their data, and developers should not have permission to work with client's personal accounts. The process of developing to testing to upkeep is a methodical process and no person or department should have complete access to all the information, including the project manager.
From an article entitled: " Defining Segregation of Duties" (November 3, 2006, Processor.com), Ashley Owen, director of product marketing for enterprise application life cycle management solutions at Serena Software quotes:“The essence of separation of duties is one that seeks to reduce risk, increase quality, and lower the costs associated with corrective action within an organization’s internal controls. Midsized organizations should evaluate their present processes, whether documented or automated, and assess the level of risk or exposure to the business of noncompliance.” In essence, she states that along with the risks associated with enabling someone to a dangerous extent, it is also profitable for a company to spread out the workload of a project.
How you ask? The answer is proper management along with tools to help the management. A tool known as "change management software" helps coordinate the overall process of a project. It also is important if production has unexpected changes including participation from multiple business units.
In conclusion, segregation of powers is and has always been important in virtually every aspect of a business from small to global corporations. Today, with technology at its greatest, separation of duties is imperative to minimize costs, increase efficiency, and minimize risks.
The Information Technology age has made getting information much easier and faster. However, with this technology brings more risk to businesses. Therefore, separation of duties is a must have when it comes to developing software and other entities within the business environment. For example, users who create data should not have access to process their data, and developers should not have permission to work with client's personal accounts. The process of developing to testing to upkeep is a methodical process and no person or department should have complete access to all the information, including the project manager.
From an article entitled: " Defining Segregation of Duties" (November 3, 2006, Processor.com), Ashley Owen, director of product marketing for enterprise application life cycle management solutions at Serena Software quotes:“The essence of separation of duties is one that seeks to reduce risk, increase quality, and lower the costs associated with corrective action within an organization’s internal controls. Midsized organizations should evaluate their present processes, whether documented or automated, and assess the level of risk or exposure to the business of noncompliance.” In essence, she states that along with the risks associated with enabling someone to a dangerous extent, it is also profitable for a company to spread out the workload of a project.
How you ask? The answer is proper management along with tools to help the management. A tool known as "change management software" helps coordinate the overall process of a project. It also is important if production has unexpected changes including participation from multiple business units.
In conclusion, segregation of powers is and has always been important in virtually every aspect of a business from small to global corporations. Today, with technology at its greatest, separation of duties is imperative to minimize costs, increase efficiency, and minimize risks.
Be Careful Choosing Your Web Browser
In recent years there have been many new browsers introduced to the public and it seems as though every person has a different preference to use on their personal computer. I myself just recently strayed from Internet Explorer, the most commonly used browser, and began using Google Chrome. The article I read is regarding Mozilla Firefox, which debuted about 4 years ago and has been rapidly spreading for its convenience, user-friendly setup, and its security.
Recently, a new type of malicious software (malware) was discovered by researchers at BitDefender that collects passwords for banking and financial sites from users and sends them to a server in Russia. The catch is that this software solely targets users for the Firefox search engine. The malware downloads and remains in the "add-ons" folder in Firefox and begins to run whenever Firefox begins running. The malware then uses JavaScript in order to identify financial sites, ranging anywhere from PayPal to Bank of America, and then starts collecting usernames and passwords. It took long to detect because when its downloaded into Firefox, it saves under the name "Greasemonkey," which is a well-known collection of scripts that normally adds functionality to web sites visited through Firefox and wouldn't be detected by normal anti-virus software.
I recently had my debit card number and security code stolen by a taxi driver in Florida while attending a Student Leadership Conference and there were a couple of fraudulent charges made with my numbers and turned out to be a huge hassle. After that I decided to be much more careful with my personal info. Reading articles like this reminds me that nothing is ever safe, especially when on the internet. Its scary to think how easy it is for some people to retrieve your username and password for sites that manage your money through malicious codes like this.
Despite Firefox being known for its good security and advanced protection against spyware, there are still ways hackers manage to do their job. I hope this article helps some people realize they should always be careful with their passwords and whatnot. Also, I have never used Firefox and after reading and posting about this article I dont think I ever will. For those of you using Firefox I recommend going back to Internet Explorer or give Google Chrome a shot if you havent tried it its awesome.
"FACEBOOK EFFECT"
So speaking of IT and Technology that companies are using them to help them in the 21st century, well the time has come when a company is faced with the question of raising profit, they now turn to facebook. Thats right, they turn to an online social network.
"The challenge was taking a mainframe culture into the 21st century" says 40 year-old, Jeremy Burton, a CEO of a private-equity software. Usually when CEO's are faced with the question of how to raise profits, and update there company, they turn to a highly qualified staff for answers. Well in this case, he turned to Tom. Tom was the founder of Facebook, and well i don't think he would have ever imagined that one day his social network would ever help update million dollar companies.
The CEO announced, "I told all the employees its Ok on friday for everybody to goof off and spend an hour or two on facebook. You wouldn't think this would help, but apparently the CEO does. Burton explains, " In Facebook, they can see what the people who are in the next generation of workers are using already. Every single software company has to go through this software as a service transition. But it's not only how you build your software. It's how your people think. The people issue is much harder. Facebook gets people thinking along a new axis."
This is a great idea on his part, because using a #1 software program, "Facebook", as a model to gain information and insight into what works with the entire world is not a bad idea. This is because of how successful Facebook is, and taking a closer look Burton has found how this is possible, and his analysis is right on point. By developing a software that gets the people thinking a different way then they usually would really is the software that will dominate the market and the people.
Now 800 of the companies 900 employes have Facebook accounts, and use it actively. By allowing his employees use Facebook, they are immersed in a software that dominates the world, and something that had started as a mere social network, now is helping them update their company with thing that get the people thinking differently, and as quoted in the article as "The Facebook Effect".
Reprogramming Amazon
Amazon is quickly becoming the go to resource for many companies around the world. They know exactly their customer’s wants, needs, and even suggest things that they think their customers would want. Amazon is clearly on the rise and uses their information technology wisely. However, Amazon is being reprogrammed to better fit the needs of the company and their customers. It seems that it will only add to the success that Amazon already has.
Indeed, some analysts say it's possible that in a few years so many other retailers will be using Amazon's tech expertise to sell on its site that they could account for more than half the products sold on Amazon.com. Amazon Services could be the most important business.
Jeffrey A. Wilke, a senior vice-president who runs Amazon's worldwide operations and customer service, and an engineering team were trying out a test version of new software they wrote. When the buying automation program is ready for prime time, Amazon's merchandise buyers will be able to chuck reams of spreadsheets for graphics-rich applications that crunch data for them, so they can more quickly and accurately forecast product demand, find the best suppliers, and more. The effort is one of scores of technology projects under way at Amazon that ultimately may change the entire experience of shopping online -- and Amazon itself. Amazon is becoming a technology company just like Microsoft!
Already, Amazon's technological efforts have helped it reduce costs and boost sales so much that revenues are expected to surge 32% this year, to $5.2 billion. As a result, by the time the year ends, Amazon may well reach a milestone some never thought it could with its full-year profit. No wonder its stock has rocketed 152% this year, to $49.34 a share.
But all that is just the start. Building on a raft of tech initiatives, from an ever-richer Web site to new search technology, the Amazon team aims to reprogram the company into something even more potent. The notion is to create a technology-driven software for e-commerce that's as pervasive and powerful as Microsoft's Windows operating software is in computing. Amazon wants to be the next Microsoft.
Some may say this a little crazy for them, but necessarily. After all, the Amazon.com Web site is already essentially a giant application that people simply use over the Web rather than in their personal computers. And bit-by-bit, Amazon is building software on which thousands or millions of others can build businesses that in turn will bolster the platform in a self-reinforcing cycle.
Many people feel this is a risk for Amazon to take on, but in actuality other companies have the same dream they do. EBay, the Web's largest marketplace, is building its own e-commerce platform. Already, it boasts several million sellers, at least 37 million active buyers, and more than $20 billion in gross sales -- quadruple Amazon's and is far more profitable because eBay doesn't handle goods. Increasingly, merchants of all stripes view the two companies as key channels to online customers. And eBay isn't the only contender. Search engine Google Inc. and even Microsoft, each with its own Web services initiatives, also aim to be hubs for connecting both shoppers and merchants.
Technologies like that, in which Amazon is reaching out beyond its own site, offer the most intriguing new opportunities -- and challenges. With the current market and competition, I believe Amazon can succeed. Why cant there be another Microsoft? I believe Amazon would be great. They already have a huge customer base, and offer a wide variety of things to their customers. They know each and everyone of their millions of customers and provide the best service they can. Why not add to their successful brand and continue to make money. Their use of information technology has proven to be successful thus far why stop there? With the way the market is right now, technology seems to be the only thing that is continuing to grow. I believe adding new benefits to an already successful company would be good for Amazon now and in the long run.
(www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/03_51/b3863115_mz063.htm)
Friday, December 5, 2008
Amazon Pirates
Two Dutch students from the Piet Zwart Institute in the Netherlands created a great deal of controversy earlier this week over a plug in that they released for the Mozilla Firefox web browser. This software allowed people all around the globe to download books, music and movies that were listed on amazon.com for free through an illegal bit torrent website called thepiratebay.org. Amazon, obviously outraged by the software, was quick to react by serving the student's internet service provider with a take down notice, at which point the students removed the plugin.
For whatever reason, the students are now claiming that their project was a "parody of any kind of media consumerism" and also an "experiment on interface design, information access, and currently debated issues in media culture." They claim that their project aimed to compare the seemingly opposite Amazon and Pirate Bay sites through practical application. Because the students called their plugin a parody, they receive some legal protection under United States copyright law, however many fail to see the humor in the parody and instead consider the project a scam to rip off one of America's largest firms.
Fortunately for the students, Florian Cramer, the media art course director at Piet Zwart, spoke out on the students' behalf, saying that the student's plugin was legal since the tool only provided rudimentary links between the two websites. He also stated that the internet community was reacting too harshly to the students and that the community as a whole was failing to understand the "artistic nature" of the project. Cramer believes that his students were preemptively censored and that this retribution from Amazon as well as the internet community will scare students from pursuing their art.
Although the design of computer programs can certainly be considered a form of art, I feel as though art has its limits. Designing complex or innovative programs that push the industry's envelope and help to further technology as a whole are obviously acceptable forms of this art and the student's program in question can be considered art as well, although it is far less acceptable. Amazon's issue with the program was never whether or not it was art, it was whether or not it was legal. The fact of the matter is that these two students with their art effectively robbed Amazon of millions of dollars by providing people with free access to Amazon's products. Not only does this hurt Amazon, it is also detrimental to all of the artists, writers, directors and actors whose intellectual property is being stolen through the free download of these movies books and music.
If a person downloads an artist's music for free through the use of bit torrent websites or through peer to peer networks, they can be prosecuted and punished for piracy of intellectual material. In this case, Amazon and the Pirate Bay are both just intermediaries that make this situation more indirect but still piracy no less. The fact of the matter is that because of the plugin that these students created, people all over the world are able to get something for nothing which, when dealing with art and intellectual property, is illegal.
Source: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/pirates-of-the-amazon-abandon-ship/
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Are the video Glitches that are occurring with Apple and Netflix related?
Netflix and Apple have similar video players that are set up on top of tvs and enable users to watch online videos on their home tvs. In the past few weeks, both companies have been receiving complaints about the slow nature of the downloading process and the inconvenience that it is causing current users. It was almost simultaneously that both of these companies began receiving complaints. Roku, the maker of the Netflix video streamer, began receiving complaints the day before Apple TV did, on November 14, 2008.
Because it is extremely ironic and unlikely that these two events occurred without any parallel involvement or similarities, investigations into the two companies have been made to see what could have happened to both. After speaking to Roku, sources stated that the problems with streaming began occurring when Netflix was changing their content distribution network. Netflix uses many services such as Akamai for their content distribution network, which in-coincidentally so does Apple TV. Netflix does not blame the company though, and a spokesperson said that they have things that they need to work out within the company. As the article states, it is easy for these companies to blame their content distribution networks, but most commonly these problems are the result of a company’s own problematic servers or the disturbances in the back-end infrastructure.
I think that there really is some connection between these two mishaps in these video streamings because it is too ironic for these two large companies to have such similar problems within just days of each other. I think more investigation should go into this case in order to identify more similarities in the companies and what exactly could have caused these problems at the same time. I think there must be something deep within the core of these companies and their streaming processes that will give a better clue to why this has happened.
It is important to go further in depth into this problem because there are some very unsatisfied customers who are looking for the type of progress that they originally had when trying to watch their videos that they no longer have. It is extremely important for the companies too, so that they can keep their approval ratings high. Without high ratings, their companies will take a big hit. Apple TV and Netflix need to fix this problem, and maybe it would be good for them to collaborate and try to get to the bottom of this problem.
I found this article and its information at: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10112759-93.html?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0
Because it is extremely ironic and unlikely that these two events occurred without any parallel involvement or similarities, investigations into the two companies have been made to see what could have happened to both. After speaking to Roku, sources stated that the problems with streaming began occurring when Netflix was changing their content distribution network. Netflix uses many services such as Akamai for their content distribution network, which in-coincidentally so does Apple TV. Netflix does not blame the company though, and a spokesperson said that they have things that they need to work out within the company. As the article states, it is easy for these companies to blame their content distribution networks, but most commonly these problems are the result of a company’s own problematic servers or the disturbances in the back-end infrastructure.
I think that there really is some connection between these two mishaps in these video streamings because it is too ironic for these two large companies to have such similar problems within just days of each other. I think more investigation should go into this case in order to identify more similarities in the companies and what exactly could have caused these problems at the same time. I think there must be something deep within the core of these companies and their streaming processes that will give a better clue to why this has happened.
It is important to go further in depth into this problem because there are some very unsatisfied customers who are looking for the type of progress that they originally had when trying to watch their videos that they no longer have. It is extremely important for the companies too, so that they can keep their approval ratings high. Without high ratings, their companies will take a big hit. Apple TV and Netflix need to fix this problem, and maybe it would be good for them to collaborate and try to get to the bottom of this problem.
I found this article and its information at: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10112759-93.html?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0
Watching Football in 3D
On any given Sunday, you can watch your favorite team; mine the New York Giants, in the most spectacular camera angles. Now a day, the common fan is brought so close to the action of a game through the use of high definition TVs or the use of cameras with precision clarity. How can anyone expect the experience of watching a football game, or any other sporting event for that matter, to increase over the next decade or two? The answer to that question can now be answered with the use of two symbols, 3-D.
The idea of watching TV three dimensionally is something that most cannot recognize as something that technologically, is right around the corner. This form of technology has already been implemented on a very small scale already in the realm of sports. The National Football League and the National Basketball Association both have experimented with this form of broadcasting. The NFL is showing a game for the first time, when it broadcasts the game between the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders. They will use special cameras and this game will be shown in 3-d in three cities; Boston, New York, and Los Angeles. The NBA has also already tested this form of technology when it broadcasted the 2008 All-Star game in Las Vegas in 3-d. As well as, Mark Cuban, owner of the basketball franchise the Dallas Mavericks, has personally broadcasted in a closed setting a game of his team in 3-d in a closed theatre.
The use of 3-d technology in TV, especially for sporting events, is possibly one of the most exciting things I have heard for the future of broadcasting. Sporting events will now be brought into the home, in a way not seen today. The use of High Definition technology, today, is already a huge advancement in the way we view sports, but the use of 3-d technology will revolutionize how sports are viewed for generations to come. The average sports fan will be so involved in the action that they will be able to how this pass was made or why this referee just blew the biggest game of the year. I do wonder how this technology would work within the home. Will you have a bunch of three dimensional figures that are just floating around the room, while you just gaze in wonderment of 320 line man around you? Will you have 7 foot behemoths driving around you looking to score? In many situations, new technologies seem to have drawbacks in their design that will be questioned by consumers, yet in the use of 3-d technology seems to be the quintessential modicum of broadcasting. Athletes and the fan will be brought together through the use of this technology. I would have to wonder if the actual size of the athletes will be broadcasted through the screen, or will it just be a scale model of the athlete within the framework of the game. The thing I want to see is to be watching up close a thunderous alley-oop to LeBron James or the pass from Eli Manning to David Tyree in the Super Bowl in three dimensions. I think it’s going to be the best experience of watching a game, well at least till the next big thing.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/65373.html
The idea of watching TV three dimensionally is something that most cannot recognize as something that technologically, is right around the corner. This form of technology has already been implemented on a very small scale already in the realm of sports. The National Football League and the National Basketball Association both have experimented with this form of broadcasting. The NFL is showing a game for the first time, when it broadcasts the game between the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders. They will use special cameras and this game will be shown in 3-d in three cities; Boston, New York, and Los Angeles. The NBA has also already tested this form of technology when it broadcasted the 2008 All-Star game in Las Vegas in 3-d. As well as, Mark Cuban, owner of the basketball franchise the Dallas Mavericks, has personally broadcasted in a closed setting a game of his team in 3-d in a closed theatre.
The use of 3-d technology in TV, especially for sporting events, is possibly one of the most exciting things I have heard for the future of broadcasting. Sporting events will now be brought into the home, in a way not seen today. The use of High Definition technology, today, is already a huge advancement in the way we view sports, but the use of 3-d technology will revolutionize how sports are viewed for generations to come. The average sports fan will be so involved in the action that they will be able to how this pass was made or why this referee just blew the biggest game of the year. I do wonder how this technology would work within the home. Will you have a bunch of three dimensional figures that are just floating around the room, while you just gaze in wonderment of 320 line man around you? Will you have 7 foot behemoths driving around you looking to score? In many situations, new technologies seem to have drawbacks in their design that will be questioned by consumers, yet in the use of 3-d technology seems to be the quintessential modicum of broadcasting. Athletes and the fan will be brought together through the use of this technology. I would have to wonder if the actual size of the athletes will be broadcasted through the screen, or will it just be a scale model of the athlete within the framework of the game. The thing I want to see is to be watching up close a thunderous alley-oop to LeBron James or the pass from Eli Manning to David Tyree in the Super Bowl in three dimensions. I think it’s going to be the best experience of watching a game, well at least till the next big thing.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/65373.html
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Making Computers Based on the Human Brain
This particular article deals with the advancement of computer design and suggest designing computers based on the human brain. Although some may think, how can computers become any more technologically savvy others push the envelope to question and develop new ways for computers to process information. As the article states, at this moment in time computers are just really advanced, fast computing devices. Computers do not process information with the same intellectual pattern that us humans do. This idea, very similar to artificial intelligence, will allow computers to process “complex strings of information” the way we do which is by the chemical communication that turns sensations into actions.
I feel this is an innovated idea because it will change the way human’s use and view computers. It is really the second generation of computer technology. If successful computers will be able to do just about anything humans do. We will be able to essentially use computers in every aspect of our lives. Because of these advancements not only will computers aide us, they will replace us. If a computer can think and process information the way we do, why would we do it at all? While this is a very stimulating idea it is also scary. Growing technology that replaces humans and tasks we do has a handful of effects on our culture. Unfortunately these effects can be negative or positive. In a positive way computers that think like humans can help save people’s lives. Computers will now be able to detect a patient in distress and perform a task that will save them by thinking as a human. The army can use these new computers to detect threats and warn troops. People will interact way less than they already do because they just won’t have to. People will become lazy and think less because computers will be able to substitute them. Men and women will loose jobs that we thought computers will never be able to fulfill. Again, while this idea is very innovative, if not used properly the effects can be negative.
I feel this is an innovated idea because it will change the way human’s use and view computers. It is really the second generation of computer technology. If successful computers will be able to do just about anything humans do. We will be able to essentially use computers in every aspect of our lives. Because of these advancements not only will computers aide us, they will replace us. If a computer can think and process information the way we do, why would we do it at all? While this is a very stimulating idea it is also scary. Growing technology that replaces humans and tasks we do has a handful of effects on our culture. Unfortunately these effects can be negative or positive. In a positive way computers that think like humans can help save people’s lives. Computers will now be able to detect a patient in distress and perform a task that will save them by thinking as a human. The army can use these new computers to detect threats and warn troops. People will interact way less than they already do because they just won’t have to. People will become lazy and think less because computers will be able to substitute them. Men and women will loose jobs that we thought computers will never be able to fulfill. Again, while this idea is very innovative, if not used properly the effects can be negative.
Facebook Aims to Extend Its Reach Across the Web
The largest social network on the Internet, Facebook, is trying to allow users to be able to travel the web with their friends. The company is adding a new feature to its website called Facebook Connect, which allows its members to log onto other websites using their Facebook identification, and see what their friends have been doing on those different websites. This means that in the near future, you will be able to log into a website such as the Discovery Channel, and you will be able to see what your friends have recently done on that website. Along with being able to see the actions of your friends on these websites, members will also have the opportunity to share what they have been doing on these websites, right on their Facebook page.
The chief operating officer of Facebook say that everyone is looking for ways to make their websites more social, she really means that everyone is looking for ways to make their websites more profitable. The only real way to generate revenue on a website like Facebook is through advertising, but social networks are a very hard place to do this. In the past year, only 57 percent of users of social networks clicked on an advertisement on their website, and only 11 percent of those curious clicks actually led to a purchase from some website. One of the main reasons why everyone is so interested in Facebook Connect, is because they believe it could help a lot in terms of advertising. One of the major perks about advertising on Facebook, is that Facebook has detailed information about all of its users. Advertisers would be able to create more personalized ads, with information they had pulled off of their own websites, or those websites could tell Facebook which sites its users are visiting, so they can make their ads more targeted.
“It’s becoming very clear that advertisers don’t know how to advertise on Facebook,” said Charlene Li, an independent consultant and social media analyst. “But if you take a group of Facebook friends and put them on a travel site where they are spending more time and generating more ad dollars in a focused area like travel, that is an opportunity ripe for getting revenues back and sharing it.” Although there is a great opportunity for Facebook to create revenue, it is sort of scary to think that websites are watching your every move, and keeping track of what you are doing. These websites not only keep your information, but they also relay it to other websites, so they will be able to advertise as best as they can.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/01/technology/internet/01facebook.html?ref=technology
The chief operating officer of Facebook say that everyone is looking for ways to make their websites more social, she really means that everyone is looking for ways to make their websites more profitable. The only real way to generate revenue on a website like Facebook is through advertising, but social networks are a very hard place to do this. In the past year, only 57 percent of users of social networks clicked on an advertisement on their website, and only 11 percent of those curious clicks actually led to a purchase from some website. One of the main reasons why everyone is so interested in Facebook Connect, is because they believe it could help a lot in terms of advertising. One of the major perks about advertising on Facebook, is that Facebook has detailed information about all of its users. Advertisers would be able to create more personalized ads, with information they had pulled off of their own websites, or those websites could tell Facebook which sites its users are visiting, so they can make their ads more targeted.
“It’s becoming very clear that advertisers don’t know how to advertise on Facebook,” said Charlene Li, an independent consultant and social media analyst. “But if you take a group of Facebook friends and put them on a travel site where they are spending more time and generating more ad dollars in a focused area like travel, that is an opportunity ripe for getting revenues back and sharing it.” Although there is a great opportunity for Facebook to create revenue, it is sort of scary to think that websites are watching your every move, and keeping track of what you are doing. These websites not only keep your information, but they also relay it to other websites, so they will be able to advertise as best as they can.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/01/technology/internet/01facebook.html?ref=technology
Danny Granatell Wal Mart IT to Improve Healthcare
Danny Granatell
Info Systems
11/23/2008
Wal-Mart Leading Team to Improve Health Care IT
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina several major companies in the United States began to see the need for a better health care information system. The devastating affects Katrina caused the loss of entire medical family histories in New Orleans and other areas of the country. As noted by Vice Chairman John Menzer, "Medical records, property records, court records were lost. Entire family histories -- medical, cultural, and otherwise -- were gone in an instant, and the entire region is still recovering from this massive loss of information." In response, Wal Mart pledged $1 million dollars over the next five years to develop an information system that could store medical records using information technology accessible through the Internet. The leading company, Wal Mart, is working closely with the University of Arkansas and Blue Cross Blue Shield to develop a fully functional database that will store medical records with real time access at any part of the country. This will allow for more efficient and better medical care, as doctors and pharmacists will be able to look up the medical history of a patient via the Internet instead of paper files. The designers also hope that the system will enable them to track the procurement and distribution process to significantly reduce costs and “streamline” operations. They also hope that the system reduces the likelihood of shipping errors that bring unexpected costs. As a result of the reduction in costs, the companies plan to lower the prices of generic prescriptions and drugs for the benefit of the consumer. The system will not only grant people easy access to their medical histories for personal use, but also reduce the costs of medicine enabling less wealthy people more access to these drugs.
In my view the development of such an information system would greatly reduce the inefficiencies that occur in medical practice. Imagine if your medical history was accessible through a database over the Internet. Doctors would have easy access to medical records that would allow them to make quicker and more efficient diagnoses. It would diminish the need for traditional file records, as medical histories could be stored through an online database. The system would also help out college students. I can remember the hassle it was as an incoming freshmen to track down documentation of medical records that were scattered over many hospitals and states. If the system were enabled then I easily could have downloaded my file online and sent it to the health center on campus. In other instances a health care information system would also be useful in the case of serious accidents in which little information is known about the patient. A patient knocked on conscious cannot provide doctors with information regarding what they are allergic to. The new healthcare information system would allow doctors to look up the patient’s medical file and provide the proper medical treatment. The system not only makes medical practice more efficient, but also limits mistakes and errors that could be costly.
Info Systems
11/23/2008
Wal-Mart Leading Team to Improve Health Care IT
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina several major companies in the United States began to see the need for a better health care information system. The devastating affects Katrina caused the loss of entire medical family histories in New Orleans and other areas of the country. As noted by Vice Chairman John Menzer, "Medical records, property records, court records were lost. Entire family histories -- medical, cultural, and otherwise -- were gone in an instant, and the entire region is still recovering from this massive loss of information." In response, Wal Mart pledged $1 million dollars over the next five years to develop an information system that could store medical records using information technology accessible through the Internet. The leading company, Wal Mart, is working closely with the University of Arkansas and Blue Cross Blue Shield to develop a fully functional database that will store medical records with real time access at any part of the country. This will allow for more efficient and better medical care, as doctors and pharmacists will be able to look up the medical history of a patient via the Internet instead of paper files. The designers also hope that the system will enable them to track the procurement and distribution process to significantly reduce costs and “streamline” operations. They also hope that the system reduces the likelihood of shipping errors that bring unexpected costs. As a result of the reduction in costs, the companies plan to lower the prices of generic prescriptions and drugs for the benefit of the consumer. The system will not only grant people easy access to their medical histories for personal use, but also reduce the costs of medicine enabling less wealthy people more access to these drugs.
In my view the development of such an information system would greatly reduce the inefficiencies that occur in medical practice. Imagine if your medical history was accessible through a database over the Internet. Doctors would have easy access to medical records that would allow them to make quicker and more efficient diagnoses. It would diminish the need for traditional file records, as medical histories could be stored through an online database. The system would also help out college students. I can remember the hassle it was as an incoming freshmen to track down documentation of medical records that were scattered over many hospitals and states. If the system were enabled then I easily could have downloaded my file online and sent it to the health center on campus. In other instances a health care information system would also be useful in the case of serious accidents in which little information is known about the patient. A patient knocked on conscious cannot provide doctors with information regarding what they are allergic to. The new healthcare information system would allow doctors to look up the patient’s medical file and provide the proper medical treatment. The system not only makes medical practice more efficient, but also limits mistakes and errors that could be costly.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Blog 2: Doctors Feel Vulnerable, Less Efficient Without Technology
The article explains that medical students from
Sources- http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/news/releases.php?release=361
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Obama's Blackberry
President elect Barack Obama is currently in the process of a presidential transition. This doesn’t only entail picking a new desk for the oval office and drapes for the windows. It requires getting used to an entirely new lifestyle. One change that everyone is talking about is how Barack Obama will have to relinquish his BlackBerry. Apparently, “aides are concerned that his unofficial conversations would become part of the presidential record, subject to subpoena and eventually made public as part of the country's historical record” (Schneier). What does this mean for the privacy of the president? And, more importantly, what does this mean for us?
Everything we do in this day and age is recorded and one day our irresponsible cyber-actions might come back to haunt us. Most of us who live in the information age acknowledge that everything we do is being documented, but we don’t care, yet. Mark Foley learned his lesson when he sent inappropriate e-mails to underage Washington pages in 2006. Even Paris Hilton and Sarah Palin have had their phones and e-mail accounts hacked, respectively.
I am not concerned about Barack Obama giving up his BlackBerry. This is not a sign of the times; it is a sign of becoming president. Everything Barack does will be closely monitored and secured under the Presidential Records Act. “The President-elect will have to get used to handing his glass to a Secret Service agent every time he has a drink outside the White House. The agent carries a small bag in which to pop the glass and later he destroys it. The idea is to ensure that no unauthorized person has access to the Presidential DNA, but it is not clear how an enemy would use it.” He can never even go to the bathroom by himself anymore. So when it comes to Barack’s privacy and public access, the BlackBerry is only one more thing that every president will have to agree to sacrifice.
We should be concerned about our own privacy and how to ensure private matters stay private. In his article, Brian Schneier makes a great point that “privacy isn't about having something to hide; it has enormous value to democracy, liberty, and our basic humanity.” We shouldn’t have to worry about deleted Facebook pictures posted in 2006 if we are looking for a job in 2012. Furthermore, conversations that happened at an earlier date can be misinterpreted by a third party to prove false accusations.
Perhaps Barack should work on laws to ensure our privacy in a technological age that’s advancing exponentially. If he is so technologically savvy, he should be able to identify the ensuing privacy issues and protect our rights accordingly.
Sources:http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122722381368945937.html
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2008/11/09/barack-obama-what-life-will-be-like-for-new-us-president-115875-20881650/
WiMAX Innovation (Blog 2)
WiMAX, also known as WirelessMAN, is literally the future of telecommunication and at the forefront of how internet, cell phone, and television users collect and share data and information. WiMAX stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. In short, it is the newest form of wireless data transmission; WiMAX has the ability to store and transport just as much information at similar speeds to cable and DSL, however its true beauty and innovation is in:
1. It is obviously wireless.
2. This wireless way of communication does not sacrifice broadband width ability or speed.
3. This wireless network can stretch much, much further than other known applications or systems.
Recently, international police forces and news stations have begun using WiMAX to communicate among stations and individuals in the field. Whether it’s the instantaneous ability for a news reporter to film something directly onto our televisions through their news network, or for a cop to film a hostage situation directly to SWAT so they can prepare while being transported to the site, WiMAX is all the innovation we need.
While the success WiMAX has already achieved is great, the majority of it is from international sources. The fact is, the US is completely behind on wireless innovation, and some of that may be due to having invested heavily in other technology that is already obsolete compared to WiMAX. Currently, Pakistan is the world leader in technology innovation regarding WiMAX thanks to Motorola.
While WiMAX has been highly successful in foreign countries, part of that is due to individual private companies such as Motorola enacting it. In my opinion, low profile foreign countries are the perfect way to try out expensive equipment such as WiMAX. Motorola currently has WiMAX systems in Brazil, Mexico, its center in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and has started work on other multiple places throughout the world.
As previously stated about England using WiMAX for its police and news stations, Motorola has obviously started to sell packages of the system to individuals as well as private contractors/companies. While private individuals (cell phones) would create the most money for Motorola on its WiMAX system, I believe its initial future is in private companies. If WiMAX can put its time, effort, money, and ability into perfecting large money producing systems for companies and private sectors such as police, fire fighter, or news stations, then individual consumers are sure to follow.
With success in private companies, WiMAX will definitely be able to bring its product over to America on a broader range with help from cell phone carriers such as Motorola or AT&T. As soon as consumers see the importance and usefulness of WiMAX’s broad communication abilities, business people alone will not be able to survive without it. As a few sources have stated online, WiMAX is the last great telecommunication innovation.
links:
http://4g-wirelessevolution.tmcnet.com/topics/4g-wirelessevolution/articles/46004-wimax-will-america-catch-up.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wimax
1. It is obviously wireless.
2. This wireless way of communication does not sacrifice broadband width ability or speed.
3. This wireless network can stretch much, much further than other known applications or systems.
Recently, international police forces and news stations have begun using WiMAX to communicate among stations and individuals in the field. Whether it’s the instantaneous ability for a news reporter to film something directly onto our televisions through their news network, or for a cop to film a hostage situation directly to SWAT so they can prepare while being transported to the site, WiMAX is all the innovation we need.
While the success WiMAX has already achieved is great, the majority of it is from international sources. The fact is, the US is completely behind on wireless innovation, and some of that may be due to having invested heavily in other technology that is already obsolete compared to WiMAX. Currently, Pakistan is the world leader in technology innovation regarding WiMAX thanks to Motorola.
While WiMAX has been highly successful in foreign countries, part of that is due to individual private companies such as Motorola enacting it. In my opinion, low profile foreign countries are the perfect way to try out expensive equipment such as WiMAX. Motorola currently has WiMAX systems in Brazil, Mexico, its center in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and has started work on other multiple places throughout the world.
As previously stated about England using WiMAX for its police and news stations, Motorola has obviously started to sell packages of the system to individuals as well as private contractors/companies. While private individuals (cell phones) would create the most money for Motorola on its WiMAX system, I believe its initial future is in private companies. If WiMAX can put its time, effort, money, and ability into perfecting large money producing systems for companies and private sectors such as police, fire fighter, or news stations, then individual consumers are sure to follow.
With success in private companies, WiMAX will definitely be able to bring its product over to America on a broader range with help from cell phone carriers such as Motorola or AT&T. As soon as consumers see the importance and usefulness of WiMAX’s broad communication abilities, business people alone will not be able to survive without it. As a few sources have stated online, WiMAX is the last great telecommunication innovation.
links:
http://4g-wirelessevolution.tmcnet.com/topics/4g-wirelessevolution/articles/46004-wimax-will-america-catch-up.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wimax
Energy Efficiency's Secret Weapon (Blog 2)
Every manufacturing company has a significant expenditure on energy, without it there would be business. With the skyrocketing prices of oil and gas these days it's getting worse. According to industry professionals the laws of supply and demand are beginning to work, even still energy is not cheap. If only there was a way for the energy industry to make its self cheaper without losing efficiency. Well now there is. Industry leaders have focused much of their time and money into information technology to make their businesses more efficient and easier to communicate with. The article states that "67% of U.S. oil and gas companies plan to spend from $1 million to over $20 million on manufacturing operations software." (Blanchard, P. 33) Which would increase efficiencies for not only the energy industry but for all manufacturing companies in the U.S. because they wouldn't have to spend as much on energy for production.
An energy company, Energen, has incurred outside sources (SAP) to increase automation in the transaction process and at the same time eliminate any inefficiencies in that process. Energen is now able to leverage its buying power, track customer costs and understand the productivity costs of maintenance; at a lower price and more efficiently than ever before. The software allows for intracompany communication to find out what particular sector would be more efficient to increase or decrease. However, not all companies are using the same strategies. The IT software and how its used various from organization to organization. ConocoPhillips uses an estimating system that generates information from different types of software and estimates productivity and costs. It's mainly relies on the feedback from similar strategies and its outputs. While some oil companies are using Wiki tools to retain and encapsulate the knowledge from experienced workers and pass it on to those who are less experienced. It's done through interaction between experienced workers over the internet, the company then saves the information and passes it on to its less experienced employees to benefit from.
There is expected to be even more types of IT strategies to increase efficiency and reduce costs. It will not, however, but one specific type of hardware or software. It seems the trend is moving more in the direction of multiple imputes from may different types of technology and the amount of data that can be handled is getting greater and greater. The use of IT in the energy industry is already helping many different types of companies become more profitable, when they really harness the use of these specific IT strategies and uses, it will allow our economy as a whole to boost enormously. Simply because energy will not be as expensive and firms can use that extra capital to improve other areas of business.
"Energy Efficiency's Secret Weapon: Software"
By: David Blanchard
Blog 2: Women's Career Choice
The article “What Has Driving Women out of Computer Science” by Randal Stross explores why statistics from recent years show that women are not joining the computer science field of study. Women have come a long way and could choose any career path they wish at this point. What is so specific about computers that are turning away women? To add to the mystery, approximately around 1980 the amount of women in the computer studies sky rocketed, but then, up until now, it has fallen. For reference, the article is dated November 15, 2008.
Unknown to myself, and possible more people, during the 1990s the gaming industry pushed to have games aimed for girls. The stereotype that boys are always in front of the computer or TV however was proven true. The project for girl games failed. Most girls aren’t up for participating in this type of entertainment.
I believe that the statistics are surprising. I don’t feel that it harms anyone if women are just not interesting in this career. The key to the decline in women majoring in computer science careers is that there is no external force preventing them. This issue would be larger if, for example, the males are stopping women. One of the hypothesis for the decline is the image of a nerd or geek Most girls seem to relate sitting and dealing with computer aspects a job for a smart person who doesn’t get out much or isn’t social. Unfortunately, this is a stereotype. Just because someone has a passion for computers and works really well with technology doesn’t mean that they don’t have a social life or get out of the office daily. Whether the decline is solely caused by the nerd stereotype or not, it is a shame that young girls do not realize the potential in this field. We are all hurting ourselves if all the girls go into nursing, as the article indicating that it was popular. We are not all going to get jobs. Also, if a girl has a passion for computers, they shouldn’t ignore it based on social images. In the article, it was mentioned that most girls who do follow this career path have family members that are engineers or related to technology somehow.
I disagree with the way things have been going; our world is growing technologically. To keep up with businesses and the competitive world, women need to keep up with computers and technology as well.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/business/16digi.html?_r=1&ref=technology
Unknown to myself, and possible more people, during the 1990s the gaming industry pushed to have games aimed for girls. The stereotype that boys are always in front of the computer or TV however was proven true. The project for girl games failed. Most girls aren’t up for participating in this type of entertainment.
I believe that the statistics are surprising. I don’t feel that it harms anyone if women are just not interesting in this career. The key to the decline in women majoring in computer science careers is that there is no external force preventing them. This issue would be larger if, for example, the males are stopping women. One of the hypothesis for the decline is the image of a nerd or geek Most girls seem to relate sitting and dealing with computer aspects a job for a smart person who doesn’t get out much or isn’t social. Unfortunately, this is a stereotype. Just because someone has a passion for computers and works really well with technology doesn’t mean that they don’t have a social life or get out of the office daily. Whether the decline is solely caused by the nerd stereotype or not, it is a shame that young girls do not realize the potential in this field. We are all hurting ourselves if all the girls go into nursing, as the article indicating that it was popular. We are not all going to get jobs. Also, if a girl has a passion for computers, they shouldn’t ignore it based on social images. In the article, it was mentioned that most girls who do follow this career path have family members that are engineers or related to technology somehow.
I disagree with the way things have been going; our world is growing technologically. To keep up with businesses and the competitive world, women need to keep up with computers and technology as well.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/business/16digi.html?_r=1&ref=technology
Monday, November 24, 2008
Blog 2: Intelligent Computers
We are currently living in a world where the human brain is still the most complex piece of hardware out there available for use, but slowly but surely, the computer is overtaking it. Lloyd Watts is currently one of the leading individuals in the creation of these incredibly smart computers. His company, Audience, which is located in Silicon Valley, has already created microchips for headsets that are able to enhance the sound of conversations in crowded places by basically removing the background noise. They have based this microchip on the working of the human inner ear. With this advancement already being made, it is not difficult to imagine a computer that rivals or beats the mental capacity of the human brain. Many people actually believe that Watt's ideas and innovations will completely change the way computers are designed. Computers clearly can do certain things, such as mathematical computations and other operations much faster and more efficiently than the mind of a human, but they are still lacking in conceptually understanding and sorting out that information the way a human brain can only do.
In my opinion, it is almost scary to think about just how quickly computers are becoming more and more intelligent. Do we really want our computers to be able to work in the same way that our minds do? I do not want to make it sound like some kind of science fiction horror story, but computers that are able to work like a human mind are a slightly disturbing thought. However, most scientists believe that this innovation will not come quickly. Most realize that the workings of the human brain are far too complicated to make this technology arise without difficulty. However, I do not doubt that this technology will be upon us before we know it. I do believe that in the long run these computers will benefit us just as computers today do, but it is important that all the kinks are worked out before this occurs. If a computer is able to access situations and make decisions based on this processing, then we have to make sure that they are working properly in all aspects.
It was even expected that the Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects agency was going to offer IBM a 4.9 million grant for this purpose. Clearly this funding from the government shows that they are looking to use this potential advancement to the advantage of the country. These include monitoring battlefields and observing weather patterns. It is reasonable to assume that soon more and more money will be invested in these intelligent computers, which will be able to do so much more than computers now can do. Although, I assume at first these computers will only be used by the government before they make their way to individual sale to consumers. While these scientists may be right about these intelligent computers being years or even decades away, the assumed eventual creation of these computers will certainly change the way we think about them.
Source: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_48/b4110092474021.htm?chan=technology+index+page_top+stories
Piracy on the Web
Disney has been having some problems with bootlegged copies of Pixar’s animated feature, “Wall-E,” on a Chinese YouTube like website, 56.com. “Wall-E” was only recently released on DVD, but has been appearing on 56.com since the beginning of November. Ironically, 56.com has investors from Steamboat Ventures, a subset of Disney. This isn’t the only newly released full length feature to end up on the Chinese site; movies like “Horton Hears a Who,” “Iron Man,” and “Kung Fu Panda” have also been uploaded. It’s evident that the Chinese piracy laws are in no way enforced since sites like Youku.com and Baidu.com are also putting up copy written material, with no real consequences.
Chinese piracy accounts for $512 billion worldwide and it’s been a constant effort to protect copyrights in all industries. The pirated goods rob industries of billions of dollars each year through worldwide sales. The new use of 56.com to put up full length features of its investors is just the newest way the film industry is losing out. The protection of intellectual property is supposedly the concern of everyone involved with the sites, but the continual promises of better strives against piracy has so far resulted in nothing more than the mere words.
Representatives from the websites claim to be introducing new antipiracy software to check and remove any copy written material. But besides being new and not fully functioning, the amount of material put up daily on sites like 56.com will absolutely compromise the effective use of the site. 56.com has invested in a new program from Vobile Inc. The program is meant to scan all material and stop any material with a copyright from being uploaded. While efficient in newly added videos, the program encounters serious complications in all the videos that are already on the site. It is a massive undertaking to go through the billions of videos posted that almost needs to be manually managed. Vobile also happens to be another company invested in by Steamboat. It’s apparent that Steamboat is more interested in promoting its investments than actually attacking and rectifying the piracy issue at hand.
Steamboat executives have expressed the chance of shutting down 56.com until any copy written videos could be removed. But because the about 180 million people in China watch online videos, the idea was quickly rejected. Steamboat as well as other investors felt it was more important to have a presence in the market while simultaneously helping to alleviate the piracy boom rather than completely shutting down the sites. Steamboat should mainly be concerned with the lax piracy policy of 56.com, a user is asked to take down any pirated material within 24 hours of being notified. The policy seems more of an empty threat and puts more control in the users’ hands than Steamboat and Disney probably like.
Article Location:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122722555475645951.html
Addition Sources:
http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=827825
Chinese piracy accounts for $512 billion worldwide and it’s been a constant effort to protect copyrights in all industries. The pirated goods rob industries of billions of dollars each year through worldwide sales. The new use of 56.com to put up full length features of its investors is just the newest way the film industry is losing out. The protection of intellectual property is supposedly the concern of everyone involved with the sites, but the continual promises of better strives against piracy has so far resulted in nothing more than the mere words.
Representatives from the websites claim to be introducing new antipiracy software to check and remove any copy written material. But besides being new and not fully functioning, the amount of material put up daily on sites like 56.com will absolutely compromise the effective use of the site. 56.com has invested in a new program from Vobile Inc. The program is meant to scan all material and stop any material with a copyright from being uploaded. While efficient in newly added videos, the program encounters serious complications in all the videos that are already on the site. It is a massive undertaking to go through the billions of videos posted that almost needs to be manually managed. Vobile also happens to be another company invested in by Steamboat. It’s apparent that Steamboat is more interested in promoting its investments than actually attacking and rectifying the piracy issue at hand.
Steamboat executives have expressed the chance of shutting down 56.com until any copy written videos could be removed. But because the about 180 million people in China watch online videos, the idea was quickly rejected. Steamboat as well as other investors felt it was more important to have a presence in the market while simultaneously helping to alleviate the piracy boom rather than completely shutting down the sites. Steamboat should mainly be concerned with the lax piracy policy of 56.com, a user is asked to take down any pirated material within 24 hours of being notified. The policy seems more of an empty threat and puts more control in the users’ hands than Steamboat and Disney probably like.
Article Location:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122722555475645951.html
Addition Sources:
http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=827825
Blog 2: Once Wimpy, Cellphones Got Game
The article, “Once Wimpy, Cellphones Got Game,” from the Wall St. Journal discusses how technological “soothsayers” predicted that the market for video games on cellphones would greatly expand. Writer Chris Lawton goes on to explain how initial efforts by companies like Nokia to develop this software resulted in the first line of “primitive” cellphone games. Then Lawton moves on to explain how companies are now using IT to improve the quality of games that can be played on cellular phones. Lawton explains that the cellphone industry’s use of new technologies such as GPS, touch-screens, and faster processors in their products has encouraged the mobile-gaming industry to develop new compatible software. This new gaming-software technology will supposedly allow users to play longer and more detailed games that have better graphics. So now, smaller gaming software developers like the company Polarbit are being sought after with large corporations, such as Sony and Nintendo, to develop more sophisticated technologies for use in cellphones.
In this was, Lawton shows that communications giants like Sony Ericsson, Nokia, and Samsung are using the advanced software in the games played on their phones to tap into this $500 million dollar mobile-gaming industry. The article moves on to discuss how specific companies like Electronic Arts and Gameloft are providing full length and graphically accurate cellular-games to cell phone providers. The importance of this new more capable software is also evident in the way cell phone manufacturers are catering to the gaming-software needs, such as widening LCD screens, and adding sufficient memory.
I first found that the features and complexity of these new game-software programs seemed to be very innovative. They allow users to download more applications, play games without pressing a single key, and even participate in games with friends via e-mail or text. I’m sure that the entertainment these features could provide would attract a wide variety of consumers.
I can see how implementing this new software technology in cellphones could be entertaining to consumers; however, I don’t see a lot of reason as to how they could be beneficial. Having played the old “primitive” Nokia games such as Snake, I think it is very interesting that companies would bother spending so much money in researching how to improve these games. The original games did there job of keeping users occupied and providing a simple challenge for the time being even with its dull graphics and straightforward game-play. I don’t think that games need to be much more sophisticated on cell-phones because consumers can easily play on a gaming console such as Xbox or Playstation instead of settling for a game on their phone. In this sense, if even the earliest games were effective, then why should companies spend excess money on developing new games?
I personally think that this increasing interest in the computer games for cellphones will only make companies raise the cost of the phone itself to supplement for the increase in cost for IT research. For example, SonyEricsson, whose products are usually retailed at around $100, is coming out with a $350 phone. This price increase reflects the fact that the new phone is meant to be compatible with newer gaming-software. Furthermore, I think that in charging customers around $10 to install each game on their phone, companies are only trying to find another way to get money from customers in the same manner as purchasing ring-tones. Since the ring-tone market has clearly slowed, I feel like adding improved games is only a way to entice customers to download further applications and features for their phone that may not be necessary. So although the concept may seem entertaining, the addition of this new IT may not actually be completely valuable for consumers.
In this was, Lawton shows that communications giants like Sony Ericsson, Nokia, and Samsung are using the advanced software in the games played on their phones to tap into this $500 million dollar mobile-gaming industry. The article moves on to discuss how specific companies like Electronic Arts and Gameloft are providing full length and graphically accurate cellular-games to cell phone providers. The importance of this new more capable software is also evident in the way cell phone manufacturers are catering to the gaming-software needs, such as widening LCD screens, and adding sufficient memory.
I first found that the features and complexity of these new game-software programs seemed to be very innovative. They allow users to download more applications, play games without pressing a single key, and even participate in games with friends via e-mail or text. I’m sure that the entertainment these features could provide would attract a wide variety of consumers.
I can see how implementing this new software technology in cellphones could be entertaining to consumers; however, I don’t see a lot of reason as to how they could be beneficial. Having played the old “primitive” Nokia games such as Snake, I think it is very interesting that companies would bother spending so much money in researching how to improve these games. The original games did there job of keeping users occupied and providing a simple challenge for the time being even with its dull graphics and straightforward game-play. I don’t think that games need to be much more sophisticated on cell-phones because consumers can easily play on a gaming console such as Xbox or Playstation instead of settling for a game on their phone. In this sense, if even the earliest games were effective, then why should companies spend excess money on developing new games?
I personally think that this increasing interest in the computer games for cellphones will only make companies raise the cost of the phone itself to supplement for the increase in cost for IT research. For example, SonyEricsson, whose products are usually retailed at around $100, is coming out with a $350 phone. This price increase reflects the fact that the new phone is meant to be compatible with newer gaming-software. Furthermore, I think that in charging customers around $10 to install each game on their phone, companies are only trying to find another way to get money from customers in the same manner as purchasing ring-tones. Since the ring-tone market has clearly slowed, I feel like adding improved games is only a way to entice customers to download further applications and features for their phone that may not be necessary. So although the concept may seem entertaining, the addition of this new IT may not actually be completely valuable for consumers.
Coca-Cola: Building a Better Design Machine?
Coca Cola currently utilizes a web-based design tool that allows users to create customized marketing ads globally. This system cuts the time it takes to reach the consumer and also saves the company a lot of money. The process for creating the marketing designs is quite simple. A user must simply log into the system, choose a template, select the desired images, and then choose from one of seven languages to use. The file created is then sent to the coca cola printing facility where the information is uploaded into the printing machines. An experienced user can reportedly produce an ad in ten minutes.
This design machine is part of a larger trend termed digital asset management systems. These commonly web based applications are banks of marketing information that are easily tapped into. They store information like logos, texts, images, and the alike for people to choose from in creating their designs. The first of these systems was created in 2001 for IBM.
In the past, it took a team of marketing professionals several weeks to produce one such ad. Due to this fact, coca cola also routinely employed ad agencies which charged hefty fees for their services. With the advent of this system, coca cola no longer needs to hire these agencies and can produce hundreds of ads in the time it used to take to make one. The design system also cost less to launch globally than one ad costs to create. The company did not disclose the amount it paid to these agencies or how much it saved in switching to the system but the number is most likely in the millions. With the globalization of the system, about 3,000 employees of coca cola and its affiliates can access the system from anywhere and create ads.
Benefits other than saving time and money are improved communication across the organization and improved brand control maintenance. By allowing so many people from all over to access the system, the flow of ideas has been amplified. A worker at a coca cola affiliate could create an ad in a few minutes and then send it to someone across the globe. That person can then tweak the ad as he or she sees fit to produce the desired result. The speed with which these ads can be created also improves the communication with the customer. Marketers can strike while the iron is hot and bank on emerging trends, rather than wait till they are a few months old to try and capitalize.
Improved brand control maintenance is crucial for any consumer product company. With the advent of this new technology, the overall image the coca cola wishes to convey is more easily achieved. With 450 brands globally, this is a major challenge for coca cola. It must make sure that the marketing techniques for each of those brands reflect its overall strategy. The beauty in the web based system is in the fact that it allows that strategy to be applied to local markets and target more specific demographics with ease.
http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/oct2008/id20081013_466588.htm
This design machine is part of a larger trend termed digital asset management systems. These commonly web based applications are banks of marketing information that are easily tapped into. They store information like logos, texts, images, and the alike for people to choose from in creating their designs. The first of these systems was created in 2001 for IBM.
In the past, it took a team of marketing professionals several weeks to produce one such ad. Due to this fact, coca cola also routinely employed ad agencies which charged hefty fees for their services. With the advent of this system, coca cola no longer needs to hire these agencies and can produce hundreds of ads in the time it used to take to make one. The design system also cost less to launch globally than one ad costs to create. The company did not disclose the amount it paid to these agencies or how much it saved in switching to the system but the number is most likely in the millions. With the globalization of the system, about 3,000 employees of coca cola and its affiliates can access the system from anywhere and create ads.
Benefits other than saving time and money are improved communication across the organization and improved brand control maintenance. By allowing so many people from all over to access the system, the flow of ideas has been amplified. A worker at a coca cola affiliate could create an ad in a few minutes and then send it to someone across the globe. That person can then tweak the ad as he or she sees fit to produce the desired result. The speed with which these ads can be created also improves the communication with the customer. Marketers can strike while the iron is hot and bank on emerging trends, rather than wait till they are a few months old to try and capitalize.
Improved brand control maintenance is crucial for any consumer product company. With the advent of this new technology, the overall image the coca cola wishes to convey is more easily achieved. With 450 brands globally, this is a major challenge for coca cola. It must make sure that the marketing techniques for each of those brands reflect its overall strategy. The beauty in the web based system is in the fact that it allows that strategy to be applied to local markets and target more specific demographics with ease.
http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/oct2008/id20081013_466588.htm
Blog Two: The End of Instant Messaging (As We Know It)
A recent article from Businessweek Magazine announced that the technology of instant messaging “as we know it,” the pop- up boxes that the millennials have grown up with, will soon be obsolete. The decline in desktop chatting, as reported by AIM, has prompted companies to take a more active role in the growing social network environment. In recent months, the technology of instant messaging has met its match: the once loved IM’s may soon be replaced with other real-time conversation methods, specifically programs that are attached to browsers, and do not necessarily have to be loaded to a desktop like the familiar AOL instant messenger (AIM).
While there is some convenience in frequenting your favorite social network and chatting or catching up with friends in real time, there is still something more secure about signing onto AIM and seeing that well-known buddy list pop up, especially for those who have not invested time in social networking sites or browsers with chat features. Let’s be serious, some older individuals are just getting used to AIM chatting as it is, but it seems more obvious every day, technology waits for no one.
For those of you who have engaged in such social networking sites, specifically facebook, I am sure it is safe to say that you either have initiated conversation, or have received the little box that popped up in the right hand corner of your page with the new facebook chat feature. This feature gives you direct access to anyone on facebook at the time. We can all admit it is entertaining to see what old friends are up to, even those who you have not seen since first grade, but what happens when you are all of a sudden in a real time conversation with them because they see you are currently active on your facebook pages? The web may not be prepared for all of those awkward conversations. As this is coming from a frequent AIM user, times will eventually change, as users may not want to be bothered with separate programs just to talk to someone you can easily talk to on the web. Bridging that gap between secure AIM conversation to web-based conversation will be something that companies will have to attend to in order to attract the optimal amount of customers.
This concept of web chatting also brings forward the desire for companies to keep users on their sites for longer periods. Web advertising will be an enormous new outlet for companies to sell their products or brands, if all real-time conversation becomes web-based. This is a major opportunity for advertisers to cater their messages to specific target markets that are present on certain sites and to track the habits of individual users to make user specific banner ads.
Overall, real-time chatting on the web is definitely coming to the forefront and will most likely find much success with a strong customer and advertising base; however, there will always be a group of die-hard AIM users that will utilize the program until it truly becomes obsolete. Where will you chat?
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/nov2008/tc20081116_918455.htm?chan=technology_technology+index+page_top+stories
While there is some convenience in frequenting your favorite social network and chatting or catching up with friends in real time, there is still something more secure about signing onto AIM and seeing that well-known buddy list pop up, especially for those who have not invested time in social networking sites or browsers with chat features. Let’s be serious, some older individuals are just getting used to AIM chatting as it is, but it seems more obvious every day, technology waits for no one.
For those of you who have engaged in such social networking sites, specifically facebook, I am sure it is safe to say that you either have initiated conversation, or have received the little box that popped up in the right hand corner of your page with the new facebook chat feature. This feature gives you direct access to anyone on facebook at the time. We can all admit it is entertaining to see what old friends are up to, even those who you have not seen since first grade, but what happens when you are all of a sudden in a real time conversation with them because they see you are currently active on your facebook pages? The web may not be prepared for all of those awkward conversations. As this is coming from a frequent AIM user, times will eventually change, as users may not want to be bothered with separate programs just to talk to someone you can easily talk to on the web. Bridging that gap between secure AIM conversation to web-based conversation will be something that companies will have to attend to in order to attract the optimal amount of customers.
This concept of web chatting also brings forward the desire for companies to keep users on their sites for longer periods. Web advertising will be an enormous new outlet for companies to sell their products or brands, if all real-time conversation becomes web-based. This is a major opportunity for advertisers to cater their messages to specific target markets that are present on certain sites and to track the habits of individual users to make user specific banner ads.
Overall, real-time chatting on the web is definitely coming to the forefront and will most likely find much success with a strong customer and advertising base; however, there will always be a group of die-hard AIM users that will utilize the program until it truly becomes obsolete. Where will you chat?
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/nov2008/tc20081116_918455.htm?chan=technology_technology+index+page_top+stories
Friday, November 21, 2008
New iPhone Apps Help Drivers Beat Speed Traps
Many would agree that the Apple iPhone is one of today’s most popular electronic devices. Thousands of people waited in line outside the Apple store on June 29, 2007 to ensure that they got hold of this new device. When I first heard about this phone, I thought it was just another touch-screen cell phone equipped with internet access and the ability to upload and play music. Obviously, I was very wrong. Currently, the iPhone is stocked with over 8,000 applications available for users to download, each at a reasonably low cost. Some of the applications are meant to entertain but others are extremely useful and practical. The newest of these applications—released only last week—are NMobile and Trapster.
Do you consider yourself to have a lead-foot while in the driver’s seat? If so, you will really appreciate the NMobile and Trapster applications. These two functions can reduce your chances of getting an unnecessary speeding ticket, along with all of the consequences that accompany them. Both the NMobile and the Trapster provide an up-to-date, detailed map of speed enforced areas. With this application, a map of your current area (made available through the iPhones GPS system) will show points indicating local speed traps; upon approaching these traps, a sound will alarm to remind you to slow down.
How do Trapster and NMobile know where each speed zone is located? Both applications track speed-enforced zones differently. The Trapster application allows members to report rigged stop lights and heavily monitored police zones. In order to ensure that each specific point is in fact a speed zone, the user must rank the accuracy of that zone. Therefore, if many users rank the same spot multiple times, Trapster can assume that there is indeed an active speed enforcement zone in the area described. On the iPhone screen, the point will show up as a red or green dot. Red dots indicate credible speed zones while green dots indicate the less credible. The NMobile application also encourages users to report supervised zones. However, they verify the accuracy of each point with credible news reports and public records. There are currently over 200,000 members who participate in the reporting of the 100,000-noted speed enforcement zones.
The newest application became available last week. Since then, an estimated 1,000+ iPhone owners have downloaded this application. It is an extremely practical feature hold, and the price to download it was recently reduced from $9.99 to $4.99, making it extremely affordable. NMobile and Trapster were both created with an optimistic view that users would drive at a reduced speed. Although this application seems to solely benefit users, My one concern is that people will “abuse” this application while driving. This means that because drivers are now aware of speed-enforcement zones, they may be more likely to drive faster in areas that are not monitored—assuming that they will not be caught.
As much as our society tries to force people to slow down while driving, it is a very difficult task to accomplish. Overall, I agree with NMobile founder, Shannon Atkinson, who considers both programs “a good thing”, while encouraging drivers to slow down.
This article can be found at http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/new-iphone-apps-help-drivers-beat-speed-traps/.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
An innovative way to cut energy costs!
Reliant Energy, a reseller of electricity, has set up a high-tech device, called Insight, in the home of their 1.8 million customers. Insight lets individuals track information about the cost of the electricity they are consuming. This device wirelessly communicates to a home’s utility meter to measure things such as how much per hour electricity is costing, or the total cost of electricity bill so far, and how much it will be at the end of the month if consumers keep using the electricity at a consistent rate. Insight will also warn consumers how much the bill will increase if they crank up the heat or air conditioning! By setting up Insight in Reliant Energy’s customers’ home, the company is able to offer fixed monthly electricity prices if the homeowner keeps the temperature the same all month. (For example, if a consumer set their thermostat at 72 degrees and keeps it there the whole month, Reliant Energy will only charge them $200.) Reliant Energy also suggests the best time to use household appliances or other utilities to cut consumer costs. For instance, they found out a way for people to save money by doing their laundry at 8pm instead of 3pm! The company hopes to not only gain more business, but also encourage customers to cut back on their use of electricity.
I believe this innovation is great. It helps homeowners limit their cost, and people be more conscious about the resources they use. This in the long-run can be very beneficial many people. Homeowners often do not look at way to cut their utility costs, or think far into how they can conserve their energy uses. Being more aware of how much energy you are consuming, and realizing that that amount of consumption comes at a cost will help alter people’s consumer behaviors. If a person is aware of the monetary cost for keeping the lights on while they are not in the room, they are more inclined to be more conscious of flicking the switch when the lights are no longer needed.
Mark Jacob’s, the CEO of Reliant Energy believes that “nothing influences behavior better than knowing the true price of what you’re buying.” I agree with this statement because when people are conscious of how much they are spending, and they know ways to reduce costs, they are going to be prone to do so. Moreover, if they know that their actions comes with a consequence, (in this case it is monetary, and environmental,) they are more inclined to change their behaviors.
Most of all , I believe that this innovation has come at a great time. Many people have growing concerns regarding the economy, the environment, and families’ shrinking income. This product can directly and indirectly help issues regarding those three topics. For example, individuals, homeowners, and businesses may be inclined to cut costs in any way possible, due to the down turning markets. An individual benefits from reducing their use of energy because it will promote their economic security, a business stands to benefit from energy conservation because it will increase their efficiency and maximize profits. Moreover, Wikipedia suggests that energy conservation can result in an “increase of financial capital, environmental value, national security, personal security, and human comfort.” Additionally, one stands to alleviate economic problems by reducing energy consumption because they are inevitably reducing energy demand, which can lead to the reduction of energy imports as well as the need for new power plants. This will help the efficiency of choosing the best way to produce energy and eliminate energy shortage. Energy conservation has multiple benefits to the environment. By conserving energy, one is reducing emission, which can lead to reduced climate changes and our rapid approach to seeing the effects of global warming. Moreover, there are increasing amounts of studies that are linking the environmental issues to cancer and other medical problems. By taking smalls steps such as these to be more environmentally conscious, current and future generation stand to benefit.
Insight has both a information component as well as a technology component. The technology is being able to calculate the different variables of cost for users, and information component is that the product can inform users on their energy usage. This data can be used to make information knowledge. By knowing that your energy consumption is costing you so and so dollars per hour, per month, etc, you can use this information to tweak your usage how you see fit. This technology can stand to make many changes in people and business’ lifestyle. Lastly, I am confident that Insight has the innovative power and opportunity to be very successful.
I believe this innovation is great. It helps homeowners limit their cost, and people be more conscious about the resources they use. This in the long-run can be very beneficial many people. Homeowners often do not look at way to cut their utility costs, or think far into how they can conserve their energy uses. Being more aware of how much energy you are consuming, and realizing that that amount of consumption comes at a cost will help alter people’s consumer behaviors. If a person is aware of the monetary cost for keeping the lights on while they are not in the room, they are more inclined to be more conscious of flicking the switch when the lights are no longer needed.
Mark Jacob’s, the CEO of Reliant Energy believes that “nothing influences behavior better than knowing the true price of what you’re buying.” I agree with this statement because when people are conscious of how much they are spending, and they know ways to reduce costs, they are going to be prone to do so. Moreover, if they know that their actions comes with a consequence, (in this case it is monetary, and environmental,) they are more inclined to change their behaviors.
Most of all , I believe that this innovation has come at a great time. Many people have growing concerns regarding the economy, the environment, and families’ shrinking income. This product can directly and indirectly help issues regarding those three topics. For example, individuals, homeowners, and businesses may be inclined to cut costs in any way possible, due to the down turning markets. An individual benefits from reducing their use of energy because it will promote their economic security, a business stands to benefit from energy conservation because it will increase their efficiency and maximize profits. Moreover, Wikipedia suggests that energy conservation can result in an “increase of financial capital, environmental value, national security, personal security, and human comfort.” Additionally, one stands to alleviate economic problems by reducing energy consumption because they are inevitably reducing energy demand, which can lead to the reduction of energy imports as well as the need for new power plants. This will help the efficiency of choosing the best way to produce energy and eliminate energy shortage. Energy conservation has multiple benefits to the environment. By conserving energy, one is reducing emission, which can lead to reduced climate changes and our rapid approach to seeing the effects of global warming. Moreover, there are increasing amounts of studies that are linking the environmental issues to cancer and other medical problems. By taking smalls steps such as these to be more environmentally conscious, current and future generation stand to benefit.
Insight has both a information component as well as a technology component. The technology is being able to calculate the different variables of cost for users, and information component is that the product can inform users on their energy usage. This data can be used to make information knowledge. By knowing that your energy consumption is costing you so and so dollars per hour, per month, etc, you can use this information to tweak your usage how you see fit. This technology can stand to make many changes in people and business’ lifestyle. Lastly, I am confident that Insight has the innovative power and opportunity to be very successful.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Blog 2: Can Google tell you when your sick?
The power of Google and its search engine is quickly entering all aspects of our increasingly online world. Imagine if Google knew before anyone else that an outbreak of the flu could put you at risk of getting sick. Google could alert your doctors and public health officials before you potentially became ill. I certainly would have no objection to any tool Google had that might reduce my chances of becoming ill, would you?
Thankfully, we may not have to imagine anymore. At the start of this year’s flu season in the United States, Google’s philanthropic unit revealed a new web tool called Google Flu Trends. Google Flu Trends stems from the simple idea that people who are feeling sick will likely turn to the Internet for information, typing their symptoms into Google. “The service tracks such queries and charts their ebb and flow, broken down by regions and states,” allowing the service to detect outbreaks and notify the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in real time.
I am in favor of Google Flu Trends. The flu is more than a cough and a cold. Symptoms may include high fever, fatigue, sweating, shortness of breath and vomiting. The article states that between 5 percent and 20 percent of the United States contracts the flu each year. What many people do not know is that the flu can be deadly in some cases. During my senior year, I was hospitalized for an unknown illness. The doctors spent hours taking blood tests, antigen detection tests— the swabbing of the nose and throat-- and x-rays in order to determine what was wrong with me. Shortly after the doctor suggested a spinal tap, the results came back that I, indeed, had the flu.
When the flu is widespread in a community, the diagnosis can often be made by simply identifying symptoms without further testing. This is the goal of Google Flu Trends.. By the time the community grew aware of the outbreak, I was already ill. I was out of school for two weeks and low on energy for even longer. Any possible way to receive an earlier warning of an outbreak could put prevention and control measures into place more quickly, preventing the cases of influenza.
Some public health officials say that many health departments already use other techniques to keep daily tabs on disease trends in their own communities. Gathering data from visits to the emergency room may be effective, but not compared to the number of people that visit the Internet when they feel ill. Many prefer the Web to a visit to the doctor until the symptoms become worse. The Web saves time spent at the doctor’s office, money spent on the appointment and stress wondering what the results of tests will come up. My roommate this past weekend looked up what the spots on her tonsils may be in an attempt to avoid the health center. A new tool that will monitor disease trends will only benefit the health departments.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/12/technology/internet/12flu.html?ref=technologySaturday, November 15, 2008
Blog 2: Credit Cards with built in Security
A new credit card by Visa, no longer just contains the tamperproof signature strip and the embedded chip. New security features built into this credit card are intended to help improve security in online payments. The Visa Credit Card, will contain an eight-digit display and a 12 button keypad. The Visa cardholder will be able to generate a single-use security code to validate an online transaction. You are able to retrieve the security code by entering a four-digit personal identification number. Since the security code is a one time use only, even if it is intercepted by an outside source, it will not work. The card can also identify the validity an e-commerce web site through a challenge response mechanism and then will report if the web site is genuine or not. The cards battery should last for about 3 years if it is used 20 to 30 times per week. The cards will no longer contain embossed numbers on the front of the card because it already contains a battery, keypad and display.
I think the idea of the Visa credit card with extra security features is a great idea. It will cut down tremendously on the amount of fraud from online shopping and will allow online shoppers to feel more safe and secure. A downfall of the new credit card is if someone was to find out what your personal identification number is. If someone was able to get ahold of this number, it was be extremely easy for them to make many purchases online and find out your personal information. Also, since this card is not going to contain a magnetic strip, I assume you won't be able to use it for in-store purchases. People don't like having to carry multiple credit cards with them. People will have to carry their regular credit card when making an in-store purchase and then have another card that they will use when purchasing things online. All in all, I think the new Visa credit card will eventually become something that is very common to people. It is much safer for businesses and consumers to make purchases which will make online shopping experiences much more enjoyable for both.
https://www.computerworld.com/action/article.docommand=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=business_intelligence
&articleId=9119758&taxonomyId=9&intsrc=kc_top
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Blog 2:Betting on a Hole in One in the Virtual World
Terry Leiweke, the chief editor of the Golf World Series, has a new idea in mind. Leiweke sees men everyday that pay thousands of dollars to enter such golf tournaments, and thinks that with millions of users on the internet, even capturing one percent of the internet segment would create a lot of money. Although Leiweke is the candidate to make something associated with golf, it is strange that he would create a computer game. Leiweke does not even use a computer, let alone know how to create a game, but he is counting on finding a marketing partner that will help him develop his idea. Mr. Leiweke also turned golfing into gambling in the real world by seducing gamblers into the game. Each person puts up 10,000 dollars, and the 25 players compete for a 250,000 dollar prize. He projects a revenue for next year of 10 million dollars with the online game, up from the 3.5 million dollars he earned last year without it.
Mr Leiweke has tested this game already, and it appears to be a huge hit. In the beta version, 1 million people have played, averaging 18 minutes a play and 5 plays a week. He will charge 10-15 dollars for a subscription to the game, and sell virtual parts to the gamers.
(article from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/business/smallbusiness/13golf.html?ref=technology)
I think that this is a great idea, but could get a lot of golf lovers into big trouble. My dad loves golf and would be playing this game non-stop! He also enjoys gambling. The Virtual Game would be cool, but the downsides are strange: it deters people from going to play themselves and get some exercise, and it is dangerous for heavy gamblers.
I'm not sure how the game will do. Although many people are computer fans, the competition is obvious, with Ninetendo wii, playstation, and other virtual game systems that offer golf games. To me, it also seems a little crazy to spend money on virtual golf gear--then again, to spend 10,000 on a golf game also seems pretty steep. With Second Life and other Virtual Worlds, it is not too bold to say this game will skyrocket among the virtual, technology-loving community.
Therefore, I cannot predict how the game will do, but I say go for it. I think it is a great idea.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
The Importance of MIS as a Major and as a Career (extra credit)
On Friday afternoon, Brian Sullivan and Matt Lazenby from the company, Sogeti, came to Loyola to speak to students about management information systems as a major and a career.
Brian Sullivan is a Loyola alum, graduating with a Marketing degree. He has worked at Sogeti for twenty-six years and cannot stress enough that technology is all about business. Matt Lazenby was an English major with no technical background until he entered the real world. He later received a MIS degree, which aids in all business scenarios on a daily basis.
The presentation was not so much about learning new information about MIS, but reinforcing the idea that technology is prevalent in all areas of business. The four main themes of MIS are competition, communication, direction and opportunity. The film clip for competition was a cheetah chasing its prey, but losing the race to a human that ran faster. The purpose of the clip was to show how competition comes from places one is not prepared for, so be prepared at all times. The clip for communication was a Swedish man who thought a captain was “thinking” instead of “sinking.” Effective communication is vital because one needs to interpret information and explain it in a way that others can understand. The direction clip showed an animal running extremely fast, but ultimately ran right into a tree by lions. One can run as fast as possible, but without direction, one can become dinner. The idea is to have goals. The clip for opportunity was from Dumb and Dumber when Harry and Lloyd turn down the opportunity to travel with girls in bikinis. It is necessary to take advantage of all opportunities that come everyday.
In between reviewing the four major themes of MIS, Brian had quotes from previous Segeti employees that majored in MIS and what their current careers are. Brian McManus graduated from Loyola with an MIS degree, and is now the Senior Operations Manager at UnderArmour. He is in charge the e-commerce business and focuses on creativity and marketing. Brian is an example of a MIS graduate who now has an incredible occupation doing something more along the lines of marketing. Brendan Kelleher graduated from Loyola with an MIS degree as well and worked at Baltimore Gas and Electricity until this past month. Brendan contacted Brian McManus and now works at UnderArmour. This supports the thought that a MIS degree does not solely relate to technology, although information learned will help daily. In addition, the relationship between Brendan and Brian illustrates the strong network and communication between Loyola alumni.
I enjoyed the presentation for various reasons. Brian Sullivan was a motivating speaker and did a great job of relating MIS to the real world and ideas that would interest the audience. His advice was to participate as much as possible because the real world revolves around participation. I also took pleasure in his view of restaurant servers since I have waitressed for many years. He feels that servers have strong people skills, which is particularly important in business, and that they hold the satisfaction of others in their hands. Servers are responsible for making their guests happy. Because servers are not usually held to that level of importance, my side job at Bertucci’s seems more valuable now. MIS has proved to be an informative class for me this semester and I am more aware of its significance in the business world. Knowledge of technology will defiantly benefit me in any career I enter after graduation.
Brian Sullivan is a Loyola alum, graduating with a Marketing degree. He has worked at Sogeti for twenty-six years and cannot stress enough that technology is all about business. Matt Lazenby was an English major with no technical background until he entered the real world. He later received a MIS degree, which aids in all business scenarios on a daily basis.
The presentation was not so much about learning new information about MIS, but reinforcing the idea that technology is prevalent in all areas of business. The four main themes of MIS are competition, communication, direction and opportunity. The film clip for competition was a cheetah chasing its prey, but losing the race to a human that ran faster. The purpose of the clip was to show how competition comes from places one is not prepared for, so be prepared at all times. The clip for communication was a Swedish man who thought a captain was “thinking” instead of “sinking.” Effective communication is vital because one needs to interpret information and explain it in a way that others can understand. The direction clip showed an animal running extremely fast, but ultimately ran right into a tree by lions. One can run as fast as possible, but without direction, one can become dinner. The idea is to have goals. The clip for opportunity was from Dumb and Dumber when Harry and Lloyd turn down the opportunity to travel with girls in bikinis. It is necessary to take advantage of all opportunities that come everyday.
In between reviewing the four major themes of MIS, Brian had quotes from previous Segeti employees that majored in MIS and what their current careers are. Brian McManus graduated from Loyola with an MIS degree, and is now the Senior Operations Manager at UnderArmour. He is in charge the e-commerce business and focuses on creativity and marketing. Brian is an example of a MIS graduate who now has an incredible occupation doing something more along the lines of marketing. Brendan Kelleher graduated from Loyola with an MIS degree as well and worked at Baltimore Gas and Electricity until this past month. Brendan contacted Brian McManus and now works at UnderArmour. This supports the thought that a MIS degree does not solely relate to technology, although information learned will help daily. In addition, the relationship between Brendan and Brian illustrates the strong network and communication between Loyola alumni.
I enjoyed the presentation for various reasons. Brian Sullivan was a motivating speaker and did a great job of relating MIS to the real world and ideas that would interest the audience. His advice was to participate as much as possible because the real world revolves around participation. I also took pleasure in his view of restaurant servers since I have waitressed for many years. He feels that servers have strong people skills, which is particularly important in business, and that they hold the satisfaction of others in their hands. Servers are responsible for making their guests happy. Because servers are not usually held to that level of importance, my side job at Bertucci’s seems more valuable now. MIS has proved to be an informative class for me this semester and I am more aware of its significance in the business world. Knowledge of technology will defiantly benefit me in any career I enter after graduation.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Computer Technology Opens a World of Work to Disabled People Danny Granatell
Computer Technology Opens a World of Work to Disabled People
David Joachim, New York Times
The development of information technology over the last twenty years has increased globalization making the world smaller and more connected. During this time, outsourcing has become a common method for companies to cut cost using the benefits of technology and the Internet. Many Americans believe that outsourcing and innovative technology has been the reasons for the loss of jobs in America as companies move over seas for cheaper capital and labor. However, the development of new technology has created work opportunity for many disabled people, which have difficulty finding work due to the constraints of their medical conditions.
The evolution of computers, telecommunications, and cheap access to these at home has allowed for disabled people to find a new means of income. The combination of these developments “lets a blind person use a keyboard instead of a mouse to navigate a program, and voice synthesizers that turn text into speech. There are also alternatives to the mouse for people with limited use of their arms.” In one example, Steven Stingley, a quadriplegic as a result of a car accidents twenty years ago is able to field phone calls for Office Depot from his home in Centerville, Utah. Stingley, who works about 20-24 hours a week, said the new technology has allowed him to find consistent employment and income. Another interesting fact is that at home answering agents generally make as much or more than their counterparts in large companies. They are paid anywhere from $10-$20 dollars an hour depending on benefits and commission. This is in large part due to the reduced cost of capital. Companies that outsource their answering service to home agents do need have sunk costs for rent space and utilities expenses. The home agent pays those expenses, which is the price they pay for working at home. Another interesting fact is that the I.R.S. is one of the largest employers of disabled home agents. They currently have over 350 employed disabled home agents in 42 different states that handle customer service calls.
The development of information technology for disabled people is remarkable. Not only has it allowed many disabled people to find a steady means of work and income, but also allows companies to cut costs giving them incentive to higher more disabled workers. These benefits not only help disabled people and companies, but also the public as it allows disabled people to fend for themselves and not depend on government aid. The use of this technology also raises another question about the future of business. The developments of information technology allows for disabled workers to compete for job opportunities by working at home. Could this technology allow disabled workers to become major role players in large companies? As information technology becomes cheaper, faster, and more reliable it is not impossible for one day to have disabled workers to be high-level employees in large companies. The use of advance technology levels the playing field as competition for certain positions becomes more mental than physical as employees can work from home.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/01/technology/01disable.html?scp=7&sq=computer%20technology&st=cse
David Joachim, New York Times
The development of information technology over the last twenty years has increased globalization making the world smaller and more connected. During this time, outsourcing has become a common method for companies to cut cost using the benefits of technology and the Internet. Many Americans believe that outsourcing and innovative technology has been the reasons for the loss of jobs in America as companies move over seas for cheaper capital and labor. However, the development of new technology has created work opportunity for many disabled people, which have difficulty finding work due to the constraints of their medical conditions.
The evolution of computers, telecommunications, and cheap access to these at home has allowed for disabled people to find a new means of income. The combination of these developments “lets a blind person use a keyboard instead of a mouse to navigate a program, and voice synthesizers that turn text into speech. There are also alternatives to the mouse for people with limited use of their arms.” In one example, Steven Stingley, a quadriplegic as a result of a car accidents twenty years ago is able to field phone calls for Office Depot from his home in Centerville, Utah. Stingley, who works about 20-24 hours a week, said the new technology has allowed him to find consistent employment and income. Another interesting fact is that at home answering agents generally make as much or more than their counterparts in large companies. They are paid anywhere from $10-$20 dollars an hour depending on benefits and commission. This is in large part due to the reduced cost of capital. Companies that outsource their answering service to home agents do need have sunk costs for rent space and utilities expenses. The home agent pays those expenses, which is the price they pay for working at home. Another interesting fact is that the I.R.S. is one of the largest employers of disabled home agents. They currently have over 350 employed disabled home agents in 42 different states that handle customer service calls.
The development of information technology for disabled people is remarkable. Not only has it allowed many disabled people to find a steady means of work and income, but also allows companies to cut costs giving them incentive to higher more disabled workers. These benefits not only help disabled people and companies, but also the public as it allows disabled people to fend for themselves and not depend on government aid. The use of this technology also raises another question about the future of business. The developments of information technology allows for disabled workers to compete for job opportunities by working at home. Could this technology allow disabled workers to become major role players in large companies? As information technology becomes cheaper, faster, and more reliable it is not impossible for one day to have disabled workers to be high-level employees in large companies. The use of advance technology levels the playing field as competition for certain positions becomes more mental than physical as employees can work from home.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/01/technology/01disable.html?scp=7&sq=computer%20technology&st=cse
Computer Technology Opens a World of Work to Disabled People Danny Granatell
Computer Technology Opens a World of Work to Disabled People
David Joachim, New York Times
The development of information technology over the last twenty years has increased globalization making the world smaller and more connected. During this time, outsourcing has become a common method for companies to cut cost using the benefits of technology and the Internet. Many Americans believe that outsourcing and innovative technology has been the reasons for the loss of jobs in America as companies move over seas for cheaper capital and labor. However, the development of new technology has created work opportunity for many disabled people, which have difficulty finding work due to the constraints of their medical conditions.
The evolution of computers, telecommunications, and cheap access to these at home has allowed for disabled people to find a new means of income. The combination of these developments “lets a blind person use a keyboard instead of a mouse to navigate a program, and voice synthesizers that turn text into speech. There are also alternatives to the mouse for people with limited use of their arms.” In one example, Steven Stingley, a quadriplegic as a result of a car accidents twenty years ago is able to field phone calls for Office Depot from his home in Centerville, Utah. Stingley, who works about 20-24 hours a week, said the new technology has allowed him to find consistent employment and income. Another interesting fact is that at home answering agents generally make as much or more than their counterparts in large companies. They are paid anywhere from $10-$20 dollars an hour depending on benefits and commission. This is in large part due to the reduced cost of capital. Companies that outsource their answering service to home agents do need have sunk costs for rent space and utilities expenses. The home agent pays those expenses, which is the price they pay for working at home. Another interesting fact is that the I.R.S. is one of the largest employers of disabled home agents. They currently have over 350 employed disabled home agents in 42 different states that handle customer service calls.
The development of information technology for disabled people is remarkable. Not only has it allowed many disabled people to find a steady means of work and income, but also allows companies to cut costs giving them incentive to higher more disabled workers. These benefits not only help disabled people and companies, but also the public as it allows disabled people to fend for themselves and not depend on government aid. The use of this technology also raises another question about the future of business. The developments of information technology allows for disabled workers to compete for job opportunities by working at home. Could this technology allow disabled workers to become major role players in large companies? As information technology becomes cheaper, faster, and more reliable it is not impossible for one day to have disabled workers to be high-level employees in large companies. The use of advance technology levels the playing field as competition for certain positions becomes more mental than physical as employees can work from home.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/01/technology/01disable.html?scp=7&sq=computer%20technology&st=cse
David Joachim, New York Times
The development of information technology over the last twenty years has increased globalization making the world smaller and more connected. During this time, outsourcing has become a common method for companies to cut cost using the benefits of technology and the Internet. Many Americans believe that outsourcing and innovative technology has been the reasons for the loss of jobs in America as companies move over seas for cheaper capital and labor. However, the development of new technology has created work opportunity for many disabled people, which have difficulty finding work due to the constraints of their medical conditions.
The evolution of computers, telecommunications, and cheap access to these at home has allowed for disabled people to find a new means of income. The combination of these developments “lets a blind person use a keyboard instead of a mouse to navigate a program, and voice synthesizers that turn text into speech. There are also alternatives to the mouse for people with limited use of their arms.” In one example, Steven Stingley, a quadriplegic as a result of a car accidents twenty years ago is able to field phone calls for Office Depot from his home in Centerville, Utah. Stingley, who works about 20-24 hours a week, said the new technology has allowed him to find consistent employment and income. Another interesting fact is that at home answering agents generally make as much or more than their counterparts in large companies. They are paid anywhere from $10-$20 dollars an hour depending on benefits and commission. This is in large part due to the reduced cost of capital. Companies that outsource their answering service to home agents do need have sunk costs for rent space and utilities expenses. The home agent pays those expenses, which is the price they pay for working at home. Another interesting fact is that the I.R.S. is one of the largest employers of disabled home agents. They currently have over 350 employed disabled home agents in 42 different states that handle customer service calls.
The development of information technology for disabled people is remarkable. Not only has it allowed many disabled people to find a steady means of work and income, but also allows companies to cut costs giving them incentive to higher more disabled workers. These benefits not only help disabled people and companies, but also the public as it allows disabled people to fend for themselves and not depend on government aid. The use of this technology also raises another question about the future of business. The developments of information technology allows for disabled workers to compete for job opportunities by working at home. Could this technology allow disabled workers to become major role players in large companies? As information technology becomes cheaper, faster, and more reliable it is not impossible for one day to have disabled workers to be high-level employees in large companies. The use of advance technology levels the playing field as competition for certain positions becomes more mental than physical as employees can work from home.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/01/technology/01disable.html?scp=7&sq=computer%20technology&st=cse
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