Foggedaboutit

Week 14: Thin Client (Clear)

2010-04-18T13:31:00.000-07:00

What is a Thin Client? A thin client is a small terminal-like computer that mostly relies on a server for data storage and processing. So basically it is a moniter, mouse, keyboard with no hard drive but it has a small optical drive. It acts like a personal computer but much less expensive. The processing is actually done on the server over the same shared network. This can be done by way of virtualiztion where it gives all users has their own virtual machine that runs an unmodifies operating system and applications. This allows flexibility becauses resources are pooled. They are more cost effiecient and frees up plenty of resources. Thin clients use RAM when needed and only uses the necessary amount of storage. Another plus is that unlike a desktop if there is a power failure, lightning strike, etc. you will not lose the information because it is still on the server. As you can tell thin clients are a much better way for business to handle the computer needs.

Secure Email Project

2010-04-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

Here is my screen capture from Thunderbird.

Link to a site about companies using secure email
http://www.bme.eu.com/article/Secure-email-today-extremely-beneficial-and-incredibly-convenient/

This article talks about how most companies today do a good job against spam, phishing, and harmful email viruses. Although they do a poor job against deceitful tampering or unauthorized reading of confidential material.
This article lists three main reasons companies should digitally sign and/or encrypt their electronic emails. In no particular order number one Business requirement to maintain competitiveness. This would prevent leaks about new products and also allow a shorter time to marker and faster reaction time to customer service. this would allow faster responses to communications ans approval of proposals. Number two is legal requirements and maintaining compliance with European laws, National laws and to make sure that guidelines are still being followed i.e. HIPAA, SOX, GLBA, USA Patriot Act. Number Three is Consumer Trust and protection from anti-phishing. This is really important nowadays considering the amount of identity theft that occurs everyday in the world. If companies used digital signatures and encryption then customers could trust the information that they are receiving because they can verify that it was not tampered with and that they know who actually sent the email.
In conclusion Digitally signing emails and encrypting emails could save companies tons of money, increase their profits, protect themselves against hackers and it requires a very minimal amount of effort to do it.

Database Project

2010-04-06T17:43:00.000-07:00

The main thing I learned was not wait till the last minute, because life happens.
Now about creating the database, I have learned a lot. Having the ability to use and understand Access is a great tool to have. I learned how to create forms, queries, create tables, create charts for specific data, sort through data to find only certain criteria. Once I graduate being able to build, create, manipulate, extrapolate, and summarize databases is going to be a crucial part of any business organization I will work for. I think using access was not that difficult (although not that easy either), however we only used a small part of the what can be done with access. I think in the future I will buy a book to learn more about the many functions of access.
One of the things I had a hard time with was trying to have all the data formatted the same way, i.e. the dates would show up as 7/5/2009. This was causing a problem when I was trying to put data into descending date order. If you had 10/09/2009 it would put that after the 7/5/2009 instead of the before. So I had to add 0 before every month to get the order correct. It would have been easier if all the dates were automatically put in that mm/dd/yyyy format. Then again maybe there was a way to do it, and I just missed it.

Week 12: Information Systems Development (Muddy)

2010-04-04T20:14:00.000-07:00

What is an Information System? An Information System is a collection of hardware , software, data, people, and procedures that work together to produce quality information.
I guess it sounds simple enough, Right? Not Really! There is a lot more to it than that.
The system development life cycle consists of 5 stages. The first is the planning stage. This is where the product development team is formed. Provide decisions where to allocate resources, review project request as well as prioritize those requests. The second stage is the analysis stage. Which is where preliminary investigations are done to determine the users need and the developers requirements. A recommended solution is also given at this stage. The third stage is design stage. This is where software and hardware are acquired and development details of the system are given. Th fourth step is Implementation. This is where programs are developed, installed, and tested. Then the users are trained on the new system, followed by converting to the new system. The last step is Operation, Support, and Security. This is where maintenance activities are performed. The system is also monitored to ensure proper performance. Last but not least, this is where the system is checked to assess the security of the program.
This is just a small peek at the Information System Development, there is much more information out there about who participates in these processes as well as a detailed account for each step of the process.

Week 11: Database (Clear)

2010-03-28T16:52:00.000-07:00

What is a database? A database is a collection of data organized in a manner that allows access, retrieval, and use of that data. Sounds confusing but when you think about it think of taking pictures, recording a video, texting a friend all of this is data. When you take that data and store it into a phone or on a computer you are creating a database of that information.
Business use databases for every part of their day from scheduling appointments to producing products to forecasting demands.
So what do we do with our databases. Well generally data is one of the most valuable resources that businesses as well as people have, because data can be used to make critical business decisions. Databases allow for trends to be determined, needs to be realized, information to be organized as well as accessible,and also make sure that the information is useful to the right people.

week 10: Networks and Communications (Clear)

2010-03-21T11:47:00.000-07:00

What is a wireless home network? A wireless home network or actually called a LAN (local area network) is a collection of computers and devices connected together via communications devices and transmission media. Think about all of your electronic related products at your house i.e computer, laptop, smart phone, game systems, portable game systems, DVD players, ipod these are all possible items that could be part of your network. Having a network allows you to connect all or part of these items together so they can either share information, photos, music, data, or whatever else you want to share between products. Also you can have your printer on the network so you can print from anywhere on your network not just the computer next to the printer. If you are going to set up a network at your house please use one of the security feaures and lock your network. It is very easy for someone to log on to your network and download any information they want from your computers. One of the features that you can setup on your network is a time feature, this allows you to control over usage by the kids or even restrict the hours that the network can be accessed

Excel Project

2010-03-20T11:54:00.000-07:00

Using Excel for this project was not diifficult at all, escpecially since I had the Excel Bible ;-). Excel is a highly useful and resourceful program for any business out there. Excel can also be used to form tables, graphs, charts, lists, math calculations, number crunching as well as many other useful applications. Excel can take tons of data and allow it to be sorted to make it much easier to understand what the data actually means. By doing this you are extrapulating the data that can allow you to make a very informed decision, which in return will allow you to make the right decision.
I believe any person in the business world needs to have a good understanding of excel, if the want to be successful. As a matter of fact, I recently went to a frontline assessment day at my work (this is a process you have to go through if you want to be promoted) and part of the program was to create an excel spreadsheet with the given data. This goes to show you that Corporate America is making Excel part of their everyday business
This is my pivot table for the average increase in heart rates broken down by group and gender. I learned a lot of new uses of Excel instead of just entering data into a spreadsheet. I believe as I progress in my career I will be using a lot more of Excel in my everyday work life.

AvgIncrease Gender
Subject Age2 F M
Group1 (20-29) 89.3% 89.3%
Group2 (30-39) 90.0% 90.8%
Group3 (40-49) 90.3% 90.6%

Week 9: Excel (clear)

2010-03-07T20:30:00.000-08:00

What makes Excel useful?
Excel has many helpful business applications both numerical and empirical, it has the ability to do number crunching, create charts, make lists, access data, creating diagrams, automate complex tasks as well many other functions. Many people think of excel as just a spreadsheet program, but to the contrary it can and will do a whole lot more than most people ever will realize. Excel is great at sorting data to make the results more applicable to whatever the user is trying to get from the data, i.e. trying to compare stats between 3 different quarterbacks, comparing sales results across a firm, or maybe comparing Universities by their ETS scores. I myself did not realize the breadth of functions that excel can be used for instead of just calculations or making some lists. I think that learning more about the functionality of Excel will help make life a little bit easier for myself as well as many others that are willing to learn how to truly use Excel.

Week 7: Clear

2010-02-21T17:49:00.000-08:00

What are operating systems?

What is an operating system? Technically speaking an operating system is a set of programs containing instructions that work together to coordinate all the activities among computer hardware resources. In Lamens term it is the start up system that the computer is preinstalled with or upgraded to i.e. Windows XP, Windows 7, Vista, Mac OS X. So what does an operating system actually do? I am glad you asked, an operating system performs functions such as: Starting and shutting down a computer, provide user interface, manage programs and memory, coordinated tasks configuring devices, establish an Internet connection, monitoring performance, provides file management and other utilities. As you can see the operating system performs many tasks that help make the computer work and be more efficient. Windows is the most popular of brand of Operating Sstems with over a 90% market share. The three type of categories for operating system for PC's today are stand alone, server, and embedded.

Stand alone is for deskstops, laptops, or mobile devices. Servers are for specifically for a server jsut as the name implies and they usually reside on a server. Embeded Operating systems are on the ROM chip.

Week 6: Clear

2010-02-14T20:31:00.000-08:00

Outputs

What is an output? An output is data that is processed into a useful form. So now your asking yourself, what is a useful form? Well I am glad you asked. A useful form can be text for example blogs, books, newspaper, magazine articles, lectures as well as an other form of written information. Next are graphics, which can be used to enhance visual appeal and give out information. This could include logos, charts, photos, as well as animations. After that we have audio which is anything that has sound to relay information. Lastly we have video, this is used to enhance the visual representation of a given scenario. For instance a sporting event, movie, news cast, podcast and much more.
All of these outputs have to be relayed to other people by certain types of things referred to as output devices. These include but are not limited to: Speakers, printers, projectors,whiteboards, game controllers, and tactile outputs.

Web 2.0 Schenkman Family Cruise

2010-02-14T18:37:00.000-08:00

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=a5e55b3f442d2e0770ab35&skin_id=601

This project was not really that hard but it was a pretty long process. It was actually very fun to do I almost felt like a movie producer. It is always fun looking at photos and bringing back the memories. I used one true media as my media source, it walked you through step by step, very easy to use. This program would be excellent to make a family photo album as well. This would also have very interesting applications in the business world as far as making videos for websites, you could relay a lot of information about a product, service, or information about the business. This program can also help set up a possible commercial for advertising purposes. I did not receive any feedback for my project at the time of my post. Due in part by waiting till the last minute to finish (sorry).

Week 5:Muddy

2010-02-07T16:48:00.000-08:00

Processor chips the brain of the computer.

As we all know the faster the processor the faster and usually better the computer,. Right? Well actually, this is not necessarily true. This is only true if comparing the same family of computers. First lets try to understand what the speed of the processor refers to. For example lets say a computer is 3 ghz this means that the it has 3 billion clock cycles in one second. Now your probably asking yourself what is a clock cycle? In lamens terms it is the equivalent of a how a human heartbeat regulates the body except it is a billion times faster. So now that that's all cleared up lets move on to talking about the different types of processors currently out there. The two main manufacturers of processor chips are Intel and AMD.
Most newer desktop computers are currently running either a dual core or a quad core processor with 80 core on the horizon. So if you want a faster computer it is a whole lot easier to buy the one with the faster processor vs. trying to upgrade later, because it could be very difficult as well as expensive if the motherboard cannot handle the upgrade.

Week 4: Clear

2010-01-30T17:51:00.000-08:00

What is Application Software?
The definition of application software is software designed to make users more productive and or assist them with personal tasks.
To clarify this it's just an App. and for anyone that has a cell phone, computer, video game system, a light just clicked "Oh, you mean like Facebook or Halo." Exactly Basically an App. is just a program that people use to get something done. Millions of people use Apps everyday to either get work done, communicate with others, play games, basically anything they do that involves some sort of computer or electronic device is usually associated with application software. Iphones now have over 35,000 Apps available for download. All of those icons on the Ipod touch represent Applications that will be accessed once you click on the icon.

Week 3:Muddy

2010-01-23T12:36:00.000-08:00

The Internet and the Web
What is the difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web?
The internet is a worldwide collection of networks that connects millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals. It originated in 1969 as ARPANET and was created by an agency ARPA which was part of the US Department of Defense. Its original intentions were to allow scientists and researchers to share data.
The Web also referred to as World Wide Web is a worldwide collection of electronic documents. A Web page is just one electronic document on the web. A Web Site is a collection of related data.
I as well as many other people thought the internet and the Web was the same thing; however, the Web is a service of the Internet.
So what was originally created to share data has exploded into an endless tool of sharing information, education, business, shopping, as well as many other uses. The internet has changed the way the world communicates, it makes information instantaneous.
I guess we should all be grateful for the government creating the internet in the late sixties as opposed to Al Gore in the 90’s .

Week 2: Clear

2010-01-17T14:06:00.000-08:00

We live in a Technologically advanced world.

Every where you turn you see computers. It could be someone next to you in line using a cell phone, someone at Starbucks with their laptop, even the person jogging down the street with an ipod on their arm. Computers are basically the way of life now. My sons kindergarten class even has computers, although he was already exposed to them from the age of three. Back in the eighties when I was born, I could count on one hand how many people I knew that owned a computer. Who would of thought 20 years later, computers are no longer a convenience but rather a necessity. Today, I could not even tell you one person that I know that does not own a computer. Computers make the world a much smaller place by allowing us instant contact with people, businesses, entertainment, education, government, as well as many other things. With all the advancements we have made in the computer industry I can not even imagine where we will be in 20 more years from now. Computers have given us the ability to better ourselves as well as our families.

Computers are very beneficial to everyone, for me the best thing is the fact that I can attend a top rated college and only have to leave my house to take my exams. This is very important to me because it affords me the opportunity to work my full time job, raise my four kids and still be able to further my education, which in turn will enable me to advance my career. This helps maximize one of the most precious resources, which is time. I was originally going to school 1 class at a time, but at 3 credits a class it has taking me an extremely long time. It took nearly five years for me to receive my A.A. With the use of computers for college education I will complete my B.A. in 2 years.

2010-01-17T13:57:00.001-08:00

Clear: Netiquette

2010-01-17T12:34:00.000-08:00

My name is Jason Schenkman and this is my very first attempt at a blog. To all of my readers I will be posting a blog every week for my ISM class. So please feel free to respond, comment, question, or elaborate on anything that I am writing about. My first blog is about Netiquette.

What Is Netiquette?

Netiquette (combination of the words network and etiquette) is a set of social norms that are used for a guide to interact over the Internet. Whether that be email, chat, texting, blogs, message boards or any other form of communication over the Internet.

Here are some "Rules of the Road" for communicating:

1. Please no CAPS, typing in all CAPS can be construed as shouting .

2. Treat all others with respect.

3. Keep messages short and to the point.

4. Always read your message before sending and make sure you check for grammatical errrors (yes this was done on purpose). Most computers have spell check do not be afraid to use it.

4a. Make sure you are sending your message to the right recipient as well. You do not want to be sending an email talking about your boss accidentally to your boss.

5. Do not use flames which is abusive or insulting language. It is real easy to be a tough guy or girl over the Internet especially when it is can be anonymous, but please you are really not impressing anyone.

6. It is OK to express emotion after all we can not hear or see you :-)

7. Do not always believe what you read double check your facts from accurate sources. After all many people type about topics they are not usually qualified to be talking about.

8. If you are going to discuss something that is going to be a spoiler, you might want to label it a spoiler first; for instance, in the last season of Lost when sawyer dies in the final episode. jk

9. It is OK to use abbreviations or acronyms for phrases.

10. Please do not send spam and that includes those waste of time send this to ten people for good luck emails.

11. Everybody has a different sense of humor. Be careful if you are being sarcastic or trying to be funny, it may not come across in that manner.

12. Opening someone's email is the Internet equivalent of opening someones' postal mail. Please do not do it.

These are some very helpful tips for using proper netiquette. I hope I have helped clear up any confusion, if not email me and I will see if I can help.