Week 13: Social Media

Social media is everywhere. Virtually, everyone has some sort of social media site or connections. Whether it be Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, or a YouTube account, we are all a part of this interconnected network for social media. Social media has been transformed from not only a method to connect with your friends and keep in touch personally, but is now a way for businesses and companies to connect with their consumers and potential other business partners. Social Media must be kept up to date with new and exciting features for users to remain using that specific site. Also, the high level of switching costs deters many social media users from switching their accounts. For example, I am highly connected on Facebook with people from here, out of state, and around the world. I have multiple albums of pictures over the past few years that are established and display multiple occasions. Media sites are always competing to have the most members and most users. They fight for the competitive edge by implementing new and unique features.

Project: Database

By completing the database project, I learned a lot. Literally everything that was in the lecture videos and that Mr. Olson taught on Microsoft Access was new information. I had never heard of Microsoft Access and certainly never used it. The capabilities this program has are remarkable for organizing data and tracking information for a company or business purposes. I knew nothing about the program or how to use it. I learned how to organize data, compile lists and organize by certain criteria, and track trends in the data.

I believe that Microsoft Access is a very useful tool in the  business setting. However, I found it very difficult to use. Even after watching the lectures, taking notes, and rewatching the lectures, I still found myself confused on many of the tasks and how to complete them. Perhaps this is a program that takes a lot of practice to master.

Week 10- Clear (Microsoft Access)

Week 10: I was introduced to an entire new software and its' inner-workings that I have never used before. Microsoft Access is a software that is used in databases. It can be used to keep track of inventory, phone numbers, customer lists, or track other information for your company. Here are some more useful times to implement Microsoft Access, taken from the Microsoft Office website.

Microsoft Access

I have never used Microsoft Access before or any other types of database tools, so this should be an interesting experience completing this project with no previous knowledge or experience. The videos were pretty clear on all of the various techniques we need to know to adequately complete the assignment. Also, the scavenger hunt was very helpful to be able to whittle away some of the extra, unnecessary information to focus on what is most import.

Extra Credit: Avatar

Extra Credit: Avatar

I completed the extra credit assignment to make an avatar of myself using the free program “Doppel Me.” I had never made an avatar before, even though I have seen other people’s likenesses. The program was very easy to use and gave multiple choices of different styles. For example, you could choose hair color, hair style, and various clothes. Although the system was very simple to use and I could not find anything I was displeased with (as far as actually making it), I was not very impressed by the final product. Perhaps my expectations that it would look very realistic were too high? 

Week 7- Muddy: Software

Week 7 was very muddy for me. A lot of the concepts feel over my head and I have had a hard time wrapping my head around them. Open Source Software (OSS) was one of the main points discussed. OSS is a type of software that is free and available to anyone. The code can also be changed or modified by any person who is looking at it. With potentially thousands of users, this can improve the quality of the program and fix a lot of the bugs found in the software. As found in the text, there are numerous benefits to companies using OSS.

1.       COST- eliminates a cost spent developing their own operating system or licensing; zero marginal costs

2.       RELIABILITY- there are multiple people constantly checking for problems/bugs and improving product quality

3.       SECURITY- problems can be addressed with greater speed and reliability

4.       SCALABILITY- has the ability to handle increasing workloads or to be easily expanded to manage workload increases

5.       AGILITY AND TIME TO MARKET- may be able to skip segments of the development process; allows new products to reach the market faster

A few of the most well-known OSS are Firefox, Open Office, Apache, Linux, & MySQL.

Cloud computing is another type of software that is growing in popularity. Cloud computing replaces computing resources (hardware or software) with services provided over the Internet. Software as a Service (SaaS) is a type of this. SaaS is when a firm subscribed to a 3^rd party software replacing service that is delivered online. This could be payroll or distribution costs for vendors and reduced risk of software piracy (because it is free to start with!).  However, there are some risks associated with it.

1.       DEPENDENCE ON A SINGLE VENDOR

2.       CONCERN ABOUT THE LONG TERM VIABILITY OF PARTNER FIRMS

3.       USERS MAY BE FORCED TO MIGRATE TO NEW VERSIONS- possibly incurring unforeseen training costs and shifts in operating procedures

4.       RELIANCE ON A NETWORK CONNECTION- which could be slower, less stable, and less secure

5.       DATA ASSET STORED OFF SITE- could lead to security and legal questions

6.       LIMITED CONFIGURATION, CUSTOMIZATION, AND SYSTEM INTEGRATION OPTIONS

7.       THE USER INTERFACE OF WEB BASED SOFTWARE IS OFTEN LESS SOPHISTICATED AND LACKS THE RICHNESS OF MOST DESKTOP ALTERNATIVES

8.       UNAUTHORIZED IT SUPPORT

Virtualization is described in the textbook as an operating system for an operating system. Basically, it is a type of software that allows a single computer to function as if it were several different computers, each running its own OS and software. It can computing more efficient, cost-effective, and scalable. You take pieces of hardware (ie: CPU, memory, storage) and break them up. Then, you give the piecing to virtual machines who use them as if they were the original whole. You can use this for running several “virtual computers” on a single physical host computer system. This would be a perfect tool for a company who wanted to run OS X and Windows on a Mac computer. 

Virtualization was one of the harder concept for me to wrap my head around. I found this video on Youtube which helps alot!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HItJ1ET4-oM&feature=related

Presentation Project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWVTSg2qW6c

For my presentation, I chose Wounded Warrior Project as my philanthropic organization. I have completed multiple Powerpoint presentations in the years past for various classes and for presentations in my workplace. However, this was my first time being “trained” on the correct way to give memorable presentations. It was also my first time recording my own voice along with a presentation.

If I were to give myself a letter grade on how well I completed this project, I would give myself an A- or B+. I think I did well, but there were a few points that could have been improved. For example, there were a few spots in the voice recording where I stumbled on my words. Looking back, I should have re-recorded this and made it smoother. I believe I performed strongly in all of the other areas based off the Presentation Evaluation Rubric. There was a logical flow and sequence of content: I started out introducing the organization I was discussing, gave some information on what they do, who they serve, examples of programs, and how my audience can help. On my peer critique, the grader stated that I could have done a better job grabbing the audience’s attention. I agree with this. Maybe my next presentation could start out with a question or a story to draw them in. All of the information I presented could be validated and confirmed through the Wounded Warrior Project website, which is where I gathered my information. One thing I learned during the Presentations week is how to reduce clutter. I tried to minimize information on the screen and eliminate bullet points as much as possible. I know personally that I have a hard time reading what is on a screen and listening to the presenter simultaneously. I did not want my audience to have to try to do this and potentially miss an important point I was saying.

Overall, I think I did well on the presentation project. I applied tips I learned from the presentations week and Dr. Means’ lectures, which made my presentation more effective and hopefully memorable. Also, critiquing myself and having a peer critique my work allowed me to see what was done well and what needs improvement for my next presentation. 

Week 6 Clear (Kinda)- Software

Week 6- Somewhat Clear

In Week 6 of ISM3004, we talked about the various types of  software. We use software almost every single time we sit down at our computers, smart phones, or iPad. I am using a type of software right now, through Microsoft Word. For example, Microsoft word is a type of application software (it helps me accomplish a specific task with a specific purpose) The other type of software is known as system software, which enables you to use the hardware. An example of this would be Windows 7 or McAfee Antivirus.

  In this case, the application software is assisting me in completing my weekly blog through a word processor.  The textbook and video lectures described the process of communication as a layer cake. Another way to picture this is a relay race. The baton is passed from runner to runner….

USER--->APPLICATION SOFTWARE-->OPERATING SYSTEM (OS)-->HARDWARE

Each individual components communicates with the other one, allowing a more simplistic approach since each layer is independent. The method in which each layer communicates with the other is called API’s (Application Programming Interface). The operating system provides a common set of controls for managing computer hardware. This makes it easier for users to interact with the computers and for programmers to unite application software.  The consistency of the OS allows everyone to be on the same page and serves as our gateway to the hardware. The analogy Mr. Olson used in the lecture related an OS to a traffic cop.

Furthermore, there are two categories of software: desktop and enterprise. Desktop software is like what I am using now to write this entry (Microsoft Word). It is an application installed on a personal computer that typically supports tasks performed by a single user. Another example is games or a photo editor. Enterprise software is an application that addresses the needs of multiple users throughout an organization or work group. Take for instance, the company of Heinz. “Over 650 million bottles of Heinz ketchup are sold around the world in more than 150 countries.” This of course does not take into account the single serve packets of ketchup that are traditionally found at fast food restaurants. This massive amount of productions, supplies, and the large numbers of workers and vendors that are involved in a year’s worth of work is not something that can be kept in an old fashioned ledger book. They would have to utilize a type of enterprise software to keep track of sales, shipments, and payrolls.

 http://www.heinz.com/our-company/press-room/trivia.aspx

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