Week 14:Muddy Enterprise Computing

I didn't score very well on the test and I at least thought I understood the different types of RAID, SAN and HSM. Much of what I have been learning up until now has been applicable to my computer experience and was generally easier to understand. I haven't used computers on a system or worked in a business that has.
In times past, when I didn't relate or understand ideas presented, I could often work out or visualize the main concepts. The information I was presented in the PDF and lectures was more technical than I have been exposed to and I was not able to create a relationship between all of the information so that I could remember exact details and interactions.
The only thing I have a little bit of experience with is the virtual machine. I have a virtual machine on my mac that runs windows xp and I have all my windows programs assessable to my mac for use, which saved me from having to buy the mac versions.
That is convenient for me, but very different than what the virtualization discussed in lecture.

Secure Email Project

link to article about Russian Hackers

A rather shocking article, entitled ‘Russian Cyberthief Case Illustrates Security Risks For U.S. Corporations,’ made some broad generalizations about vulnerable corporations and how their complete trust in spyware enabled criminals to access their data. Apparently, organized Russian crime syndicates are swindling numerous small amounts that are adding up to large amounts and there hasn’t been much done about it yet.
The idea that interested me most was how the article presented hacking and how it could relate to preemptive war. The article claims that the Russian hackers were able to disrupt Georgia three weeks before Russia invaded. The article also relates how there are
‘currently 44,000 Turkish teenagers organized in a rigorous military-style community of hackers who are learning their tradecraft from each other. There are similar communities in Saudi Arabia with 100,000 members. Iraq has 40,000 members. China has more than 400,000 members ‘where you mentor each other in ways to attack the enemies of the state,’
These numbers are alarming and, if accurate, need to be properly addressed by our government. The article concludes with the suggestion that we fight fire with fire. I concur.

Week 13: Clear Security Concerns

I was never aware of how fortunate we are for the creators of antivirus software. I take it for granted that my computer is updated against the newest threats. My wife has gone so far as to complain about the new voice for Avast! which lets you know that the 'virus database has been updated'
For absolutely no reason I can remember with certainty, I have always disdained Symantec. I think I might have had a few viruses get through on their software five to ten years ago, but I cannot remember. I have repeatedly uninstallated both Symantec and McAfee from any computer purchased in the past ten years. I'm not quite sure why I am so certain of Avast! and Spybots superiority over the those other two popular brands. I am now left to question whether Symantec and McAfee haven't improved to the same level or better than Avast! You would think with their cost and popularity(coming preinstalled with many systems,) Symantec and McAfee should have more resources to do a better job keeping up with viruses. Perhaps Ive been wrong to champion an essentially free software combination. In considering my alternatives, I'm reminded of the old saying, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it.'

Voice Over IP (VOIP) and Video Capture

Ive used Skype for the last few years, to keep in touch with friends and family around the country. We use it most often to let my wife's parents see our daughter, Reagan. Its a great free resource and I have been a strong advocate for it, encouraging local friends to try it to keep in touch with far-away family. Everyone Ive recommended it to has followed through and enjoyed the application.
It was my first time using Jing. Its great that it is a free application. I always consider how trusting we are as a culture. We feel safe to use these free forms of communication that allow for the collection and storage of private data. I'm sure it isn't quite to the point of marketing use yet, but I can imagine that they will develop a software that will scan conversations for keywords like 'buy', 'buying' or distinctive brand names, and then classify the consumers focus and market towards it.
Link To View VOIP

Database Project

I had never discovered Microsoft Access before this assignment and the many uses were overwhelming at first. The combined lectures and discussion board made the completion of this assignment possible. The assignment taught me how to use tables and interrelate data. It was interesting to see how any data source could be utilized. Using queries to qualify and categorize data seemed familiar, as so many Microsoft programs have similar functions. I can definitely see how, with a little practice, Access could improve my business capabilities.
The only things I would add to the form to make it better would be cost verifiers. Something to calculate the rate at which they signed up for and their monthly rate, etc. Consider how most gyms give you a high month to month rate and a better annual rate, discounting it further for two or three year commitments. It would be good to have a column to distinguish between rates paid. I guess you could also have a column for dues owed or a list of clients who are in collections for dues owed. That is fairly common for gyms, as clients lose their motivation and stop paying before their contracts expire. The gyms end up sending the clients to collections for the balance of their unfulfilled contract and generally are successful in collecting a portion of the balances.

Week 12: Clear Understanding of System Development

It was interesting to learn how systems are designed and configured. It makes sense that a lot of software starts on a drawing board with teams working to flesh out the many aspects. I never considered how many rules and requirements come into play when developing systems. I especially liked learning about how software manages forms and how guidelines are set.
There are so many plug and play templates out there, with many free to use, that I tend to take them for granted. I usually fail to imagine how a programmer or team of programmers conceived and developed the forms. In reconsidering the effort undertaken to create the many programs and system I use, I realize I tend to take technology for granted.