Week 13: Clear

Week 13 was all about computer security, ethics and privacy. I learned about how every year millions of people become victims of cyber crimes such as phishing, spamming, theft, fraud, cyber stalking and in severe cases identity theft. Throughout this chapter I learned about the simple ways to protect myself and my family from cyber crimes. Some of the ways to enhance my computers security include, turning on my spam blocker, enabling my firewall, updating my anti-virus software, protecting my personal information and monitoring what other people do on my computer. When it comes to your safety there is no such thing as going to far. 


Another extremely useful thing I learned during this chapter was how to prevent your password from being discovered. I was amazed to find out that for a password that contains ten characters there are 3,700,000,000,000,000 possible combinations. This would take a computer 59 years to crack and a person over 580 million years! I usually have passwords that run between 7-8 characters including numbers now that I know how just a few characters can make such a drastic improvement to the security of my personal information. 


All and all, chapter 13 was an eye opening experience to me. I always knew about hackers and scripts, but I never knew how susceptible I am to getting my identity stolen by just logging onto an un-secure link and downloading a virus. 

Week 12: Clear

Week 12 touched base with the basics about communication & networks. This weeks topic was an extremely informational and I thought it was a great benefit to learn. Until now I had no idea that there were so many types of networks. The four types of networks are LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) and PAN (Personal Area Network). Each one of these networks are utilized in their own unique way according to what a business or person needs. Networking can facilitate communitcations, increase productivity, share software, be more effecient, you can share data and information and even transfer funds. The main fallback to networking is the security threat and lack of privacy. Also, on some occassions there may not be enough site licenses on software for every member to use.

Bandwidth was a term I was very familiar with when watching the lectures. In bandwidths relation to latency, you want a high bandwidth and a low latency. You want to have a great connection to be able to transfer a lot of data in a short amount of time without any lag.

One of the hardest things for me to catch on to was the TCI/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol). This is broken down into two layers, TCI which is responsible for verifying the correct delivery of data from client to server and IP  which is responsible for moving packet of data from node to node.

The following link allowed me to better understand the complete development of the TCI/IP system.

http://www.answers.com/topic/tcpip

I learned the reliable and unreliable modes and the specific uses of the IP.

Week 11: Clear

This week are assigned topic was on Information Systems Development. Prior to this topic I was not familiar with the extremely elaborate developing process. I also had no clue exactly what a system analyst's job really was. 

A system analyst also called a systems "architect" has a very important part in completing a successful project. The main job of the analyst is to be the guardian of the company. To watch over the entire systems process from beginning to end, to troubleshoot technology problems and to make sure people stay on schedule. Without the analyst overseeing the project, there are many things that could go wrong and the project would be more likely to fail. 

Another topic I learned about while watching the lectures was the SDLC, system development life cycle. The SDLC is the collection of phases that system development activities are often grouped in. These groupings are labeled as followed; planning, analysis, design, implementation and operation.

• Planning- In this phase, you should review project requests and prioritize them, allocate resources and form a team for the project.
• Analysis- In this phase, you should conduct primary investigation, study the current system, determine user requirement and recommend a solution to them.
• Design- In this phase, you should acquire hardware and software and develop the details of the system.
• Implementation- In this phase, you should develop the programs, install and test the new system, and finally train the users. Don't forget to convert to the new system.
• Operation, Support & Security- In this phase, you should perform maintenance, assess the system performance, and asses the system security.

Without a great systems analyst and the use of the SDLC system a project would become chaotic and be a complete failure. The video below talks about the job of a systems analyst, how long they work and what their job requires on a day to day basis. It helped me realize how easy it is for one thing to go wrong in a project and how much pressure is on a analyst.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A0d4NVtWx4&feature=related

Week 10: Clear

This weeks assignment was on Databases. When I first saw this topic I thought it was going to be a breeze. I am pretty computer savvy and I am a quick learner. Unfortunately, I have never in my life used Microsoft Access before. I watched all the lectures and did all the required reading for this section and was amazed to see how this new program worked. I am very familiar with excel and while learning about access I couldn't help but relate things back and forth.

The first thing that stood out to me in this section was the explanation of the differences in Data, Database and Information. I know a lot of people including myself have thrown those three words around interchangeably not even realizing they are completely different things. Data is a collection of unprocessed items. A database is where data is organized in a manner that allows access, retrieval and use of the data, and information is processed data. All three terms are connected but are not the same thing. 

I also learned a lot about the query language of databases. It's amazing that each query language has its own grammar and vocabulary. Also, I love how simple it is to learn the different processes of access like queries through the specialized wizards. Another interesting thing about this weeks topic was learning how Microsoft Access can be broken down into different types of information such as reports, queries, tables and forms. The way that access makes external data importation and exportation simple is another plus the program has to offer. 

Programs used to manage databases are called Database Management Systems (DBMS). Data is normally organized in a hierarchy with the smallest layer (fields) leading up to the biggest layer (files). In the business world I think that databases are extremely important. Time is money, and if your entire staff is spending hours on end looking through file processing systems at tons of redundant information then your company is losing money. Databases and a database knowledgable staff are essential for a smooth running of a company. Most companies have some form of database for organizing important documentation. Normalization, integrity, maintenance and security are absolutely crucial for the upkeep of a professional business.

The following is a tutorial I found on how to create a simple database. This tutorial helped me to better understand Microsoft Access because it was targeted at beginners and I have no experience at all. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPtXq-3qf6U

I am looking forward to doing this project I think it is going to be something new to try and extremely fun!

Week 9: Clear

Week nine was all about the Internet and the World Wide Web, which before now I thought was the same thing. However, to clarify the internet has been around a lot longer than the world wide web. Having used computers all my life I thought that this topic would be a breeze after the Web 2.0 project, however, there were many new terms and statistics that I found to be extremely interesting.

For instance, I had no idea that the What is my IP Address? website even existed, and how simple it makes locating your IP address. Also, while reading the Don't Make Me Think! chapter from Steve Krug, I was amazed at how often I do the things they explained while browsing the web. I'm so use to scanning pages, closing any pop-up before it is completely loaded and being upset when I find webpages with tons of writing and no empty space I don't even realize I am doing it.


One thing I was very familiar with this week was the difference between dial-up access internet and broadband. I am originally from a small town out in the woods where connecting to the internet took at least 30 minutes. Now that I live in Gainesville and have high-speed broadband internet it makes researching for projects and communicating with friends back home a pleasant experience. 

Another topic discussed this week was Wi-Fi "piggybacking" or "war-driving" that are actually recognized as Wi-Fi Crimes. This occurs when people drive around with their wireless devices and try to connect to other people's unsecured wireless signal. I know that this happens all the time, but I was astonished by the number of people who have admitted to doing it and how it is considered a felony.

The following link clarifies the Wi-Fi crimes a little more.

http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/237

Week 7: Clear

Week seven explained the process of creating presentations. The terms this week were simple to follow and I learned about some great new devices that can be used to build presentations. I am fairly new to the Mac world but after watching the video tutorial on Keynote I will never use regular powerpoint again. The simple template selection and the build option to create slide effects were simply astonishing. The tutorial created a simple learning environment that even beginners to the program could relate to. 
I also found the lecture on design and layout and the video from Duarte.com to be extremely useful in starting my project. 


As a photojournalism major one of the parts of the lecture that stood out most to me was talking about graphics and photographs. The list of image mistakes to avoid were a little shocking to me because I have seen a lot of presentations with clip art graphics and random placement. During High School using clip art was one of my favorite things to do, but that doesn't cut it in the business environment. 


I feel that learning the different ways to create presentations and to present them are extremely important for the future of any student. Being able to capture an audiences attention and really convey the meaning of a product or idea is what most modern day businesses are looking for. The keys to a great presentation is to be creative, have fun with it and put yourself in the audiences shoes.


A recap of the list of image mistakes are below.

• Images that are too small
• Placement that is random
• Image use that looks accidental
• Pixelated images
• Watermarked images
• Distorted
• Clip art
• Cliche images
• Too much going on in the image

While searching the web for more information I found the following links that give tips and help with building great presentations. One of the most important things I learned from these websites are to relate and connect to the audience in the presentation. The last thing people want to watch is a boring slideshow that is read word for word by a robot. 

In the end its all about finding that happy medium when creating a presentation, something not to cluttered but not to boring. 

http://www.rediff.com/getahead/2005/jan/31present.htm

http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-make-a-great-presentation-a280199

Week 5: Clear

Week five covered the topic of mastering Excel. The clearest topic to me in week five was the formulas. They were extremely easy to catch onto as long as you didn't forget to put the equal sign ( = ) at the beginning of your formula. Formulas can be built by clicking on a cell and typing in the correct combination of letters, numbers, and symbols to produce a answer. This may seem a little intimidating at first, but the formulas are all basic math followed by the order of operations that you learn in elementary school (PEMDAS). The lectures were extremely helpful in demonstrating how to enter and copy your formulas into other cells. However, it was also helpful to me to explore the formula help bar to identify the correct formulas I needed to use and what they are used for. 


Mastering the use of formulas in excel can be very beneficial later on in life when you are looking for a job or just managing your money and time. Many work places have strict rules about using Excel for certain projects and having well rounded knowledge of the program ahead of time can give you a leg up on the competition in the job market. Also, I have talked to many college professors and they said that submitting your resume in Excel really shows how important the job is to you and sets you apart from the other thousands of applications that are submitted in Word format. 


For the more experienced Excel user there are formulas that can help you form advanced mathematical calculations quickly and accurately. Also, when working with Excel formulas you need to keep in mind the difference between absolute cell addressing and relative cell addressing. An absolute cell address consist of the column letter and row number surrounded by dollar signs ( $ ) and is used when you want a cell address to stay in a specific cell. While a relative cell address point to a different cell in relation to how far the cells are apart. Relative cells addresses change and absolute cell addresses do not. 


The following link helped me to remember the format when differentiating relative and absolute cells. It also helped me recognize formula formats for basic math. 


http://www.baycongroup.com/excel2007/02_excel.htm

Week 4: Clear

Week four covered Application Software, and helped me to realize all the major components I needed to look for before buying software for my personal use, and future business use. The clearest part of week four to me was the analysis of the different license agreements, the penalties, and the types of licenses that can be purchased. Learning about EULA (End User License Agreement) was one of the most interesting things to me. I had no idea that there were so many license agreements that I agree to everyday when I am downloading applications, music, and new software. I also was surprised at some of the ways companies will enforce the license if you break the EULA.

To begin with, commercial and open source licensing were completely new to me and were extremely easy to catch onto. Commercial licensing can be broken down into several groups depending on what your company needs and how big your company is. These licenses can be sold in bundles to be used on multiple computers as a per-seat license., or A site license can be purchased to legally allow all the computers in a LARGE business to run certain application programs. There are also Trial, Shareware, Freeware, Developer, and Per-CPU commercial licenses that can be purchased all according to the specific needs or a corporation. 

Open Source Licenses on the other hand give buyers access to the programs source code, which allows its users to be able to modify and even redistribute the software. These types of software are typically developed by teams or communities, not distributed by a sole creator. Also, they are usually free, although some may have a donation fee. However, concerns when choosing either a commercial licensed software or open source licensed software are mostly dealing with support activity, patches and fixes, response time, and its migration path.

I found that the consequences and repercussions for breaking the license agreement were also made very clear. Your system, computers, and network could be locked. You could be sued to your illegal actions, and your business or good name could be given a bad reputation all by breaking one license agreement. I learned so much from this section of the class, and it has been made extremely clear that I DO NOT want to break a license agreement!!

The following links helped me greatly understand software licensing, and the consequences of not following licensing rules.

http://www.aaxnet.com/topics/slicense.html

http://www.the-eggman.com/writings/piracy.html

Week 3: Clear

I felt like this week the most clear concept I learned about was Computer Ergonomics. I feel very passionate about this subject because I have been in a wreck that has rendered me incapable of sitting for long periods of time. I have to use absolutely perfect posture in order to maintain functionality. Computer Ergonomics is the correct posture and seating arrangement one must have in order to use a computer safely without inflicting bodily injury to oneself. It is the proper posture one must use while in a computing environment. The short video on how to seat yourself, set-up your work station and the health risks of poor ergonomic design helped me improve my ergonomics. I re-adjusted my posture and computer desk and it made my overall experience much more comfortable. I didn't feel tense, my back no longer hurt and my eyes did not lose focus once. Proper ergonomics can help to prevent health risks such as; carpel tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, fatigue, and even chronic colds and flu!!

I feel that the short course on computer ergonomics will stay with me for the rest of my life. I think that it should be taught in more computer classes to help prevent future back problems and slouching. It is extremely important to have exceptional ergonomic skills in the business world, because you are going to be putting in extremely long hours at your computer station and when a boss or superior arrives it is always beneficial to have great posture and look your best. Also, good ergonomics can lead to more productivity in the workplace. If people are more relaxed at their cubicles then they will be doing more work rather than taking breaks to stretch, eat or use the bathroom. 

The following links I have provided emphasize the correct computer desk set up to be ergonomically safe. Also, I have provided a link showing the health risks of bad ergonomics.

http://ergonomics.about.com/od/office/ss/computer_setup.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?Health-Risks-Of-A-Non-Ergonomic-Environment&id=667053

Week 2: Clear

Well this week in ISM the clearest topic I learned about was the CPU Storage section. As a avid gamer, I learned at a young age how to increase my computers performance through its storage. Upgrading and installing extra sticks of RAM (Random Access Memory) is extremely critical in improving your systems speed. It is also better to install more RAM rather than let the memory be stored on your hard drive (Virtual Memory) which can dramatically slow down your access time and increase your latency, which in game can cause you to lag (your game wont buffer as smoothly). 


Also, I learned about the importance of the Solid State Drive. Although it is more expensive than regular hard drives, the benefits accumulated from using this type of drive far surpass those of a normal hard drive. The durability of shock resistance, environmental efficiency, and the fact of it being cooler, quieter and faster all make the small increase in price worthwhile. Also, when entering the business environment the last thing you want to happen is to be doing a HUGE presentation to seal a deal, and your powerpoint freeze up or your computer crash because its running to many applications with not enough RAM. A lack of memory and a computer malfunction can be a deal breaker in the business world where time is money.


The lectures were very informational and once I printed out the slides the sections were a breeze. Although, I did take some additional notes, the basic topics were not confusing and the professor did an extraordinary job at explaining them. 


The following link helps to clarify why RAM is important in the business environment.


http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/build-pc/1278856