Technology in Existence!

Thursday, April 10, 2014

INSY 440: FINAL POST: Reflection and Summary!

The long 4 months journey into e-business and the ever-changing technological world began late this January, as I began writing weekly blog posts for INSY 440, and will come to a halt tonight by the time I complete this post! In fact, what I learned during the last couple of months has empowered me and changed the way I think about technology, and by extension, people and the world.

Let me rewind a little bit and examine what I have learned since my first post, and what did I actually write about?

Post 1: Open-Source this, Open-Source That, Open Source Everything? What's the matter with everyone.
-This post opened my mind, literally, and allowed me to think that there are no limits to open-source, in theory.

Post 2: Data and Information: Mont-Saint Saveur introduces RFID GoPasse Cards!
-It was interesting to note how creative humans are?

Post 3: Hacking “The Internet of Things!”
-Without doubt, this post made me look at the internet from another level. Make no mistake, no one is safe!

Post 4: February 2014: “Smart” Fraud Hits Close to Home!
-This post made me make like a several dozen Google and Amazon searches to buy credit card sleeves, which ironically I have not bought any so far!

Post 5: War between Microsoft and Apple ends. War between Microsoft and Chrome-book begins. The marking of a new era for Microsoft!
-It is always interesting to see the clash of the titans!

Post 6: The Ups and Downs of Social Media!
-Allowed me to consider the fact how much evil is out there, i.e. referring to the racist McDonald video

Post 7: The end or a new beginning for Facebook? Facebook Video Ads?
-Good to note how FB pisses of people.

Post 8:Yes! Privacy Matters!
-In fact, this post enabled me to compare and contrast how concerns on privacy have evolved since the pre-historic age.

Post 9: Cheating and Technology
-This is sure an advancement in human intelligence!

Post 10: The Gift That Keeps on Giving - Microsoft!
-This post allowed me to assess how companies struggle to survive in this modern era. Friends become enemies, and enemies become friends.

All in all, as it may be pretty obvious, I did learn a great deal or tried to learn a great deal :)! Nonetheless, blog writing is a pretty good exercise as it allows one to open up his or her mind, and contribute increase the making pool of knowledge.

The End.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

INSY 440: Post 10: The Gift That Keeps on Giving - Microsoft!

As the world hears about the appointment of Satya Nadella, the new Microsoft CEO, it also is introduced to the new features of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PPT being available on the iPad.

Microsoft has a long tradition of catching up to Apple. For instance, for a while in the past Mac users wanted to open word documents, but they couldn't. So, Microsoft introduced Microsoft Word, Excel, PPT, and so on, for a Mac. However, now, as more and more people are beginning to use other mobile devices, such as tablets and iPads, it appears that Microsoft has made a good choice by introducing this new Word capability.

And they have definitely made the indian/south asian market happy by appointing a CEO from an Indian decent :) !

References:

http://www.wired.com/2014/02/microsoft-ceo-satya-nadella/
http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/personal-tech/Microsoft+Satya+Nadella+unveils+Office+iPad/9668870/story.html

Thursday, March 27, 2014

INSY 440: Post 9: Cheating and Technology

Since it was our midterm today, I wanted to talk about cheating, and how it has evolved thanks to technology?

Alarming statistics show that "85 percent of high school students have cheated at least once during their academic careers." I am not for cheating per se, but let us look at the technologies that are available to help facilitate such a poor habit.

During Exams

Number 1 on the list are smartphones! With the new next generation technology, and increasing data storage capacity, cheaters are well aware of this tool, as "studies suggest cheating on tests and essays is rampant at Canadian and American colleges and universities."

Other technologies include wireless ear phones may also be used, although they are hard to find, in addition ruler LCD screens, and weird erasers.

Cheating on an Essay

Go to perfect essay.com, and you can buy a custom made one that just will be the right fit for you.

"Essays, term papers, dissertations. Whatever you're going to put in the instructions, we're going to do it for you. Our job is to help students with essay writing. Do we help students cheating? I do not think so. There may be students who use this product as their own, but this is not up to us how the paper is used. We just generate a custom product for them. They pay money for it. They're entitled to do whatever they want with it. In my opinion, essay writing is 100 times more ethical than selling cigarettes, or maybe even liquor".

Simon White, PerfectEssay.ca

All in all, the bottom line is that as technology evolves, new methods will be made available to cheat as there is demand for it out there. But my point of view on this is that hard work pays off (or at least it should) :)! So one should study hard and avoid using such hideous tools.

References:
http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/technology-cheating-among-high-school-students-6630.html
http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/episode/2013/09/16/student-cheating-and-technology/
http://perfectessay.ca/
http://techshout.blogspot.ca/2007/04/7-hi-tech-gadgets-that-can-help-you.html
http://www.techinasia.com/china-high-school-cheating/

Thursday, March 20, 2014

INSY 440: Post 8: Yes! Privacy Matters!

Since our topic tonight is privacy, let us observe some widely accepted privacy definitions:

"Privacy (from Latin: privatus "separated from the rest, deprived of something, esp. office, participation in the government", from privo "to deprive") is the ability of an individual or group to seclude themselves or information about themselves and thereby express themselves selectively.`` (Wikipedia)

"A state in which one is not observed or disturbed by other people" (Oxford Dictionaries)

"the state of being private; retirement or seclusion.

the state of being free from intrusion or disturbance in one's private life or affairs: the right toprivacy" (Dictionary.com)

In the stone age, privacy was generally not a main issue. As we are told, people barely had clothes to cover themselves.

As society progressed and became more humane, privacy became more about private property, guarding ones own material possessions, and yadda yadda yadda.

However, today privacy has totally changed thanks to the internet.

Certain governments are taking this issue heads on and shaking the private sector with the issue of online privacy, while the NSA (this acronym may stand for the "National Security Board," but I may or may not be referring to thereof :) ) is heavy a party with by "accessing" sensitive and confidential information (I don't think I need to reference this point)!

Regardless, (especially on-line) privacy has become an important issue. Now, today, no one is safe on the internet.

Food for thought: Yes your IP addressing may be bouncing off various locations in the world, but is the company that is helping you do that not in bed with some covert intelligence agency?

References and Interesting Links:

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/privacy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privacy
http://www.priv.gc.ca/resource/fs-fi/02_05_d_15_e.asp

Friday, March 14, 2014

INSY 440: Post 7: The end or a new beginning for Facebook? Facebook Video Ads?

Facebook, yesterday, unleashed a secret weapon! That is to say, it introduced a new advertising method, known as the 15 seconds Facebook Video Ad.

Some key characteristics:

It will run for only 15 seconds!

It will bother your news feed for only a maximum of three times a day!

It will have a daily (happy or not happy) audience equivalent to the super bowl, according to some ‘FB Analysts!’

In fact, one would challenge the viability and longevity of such ad methods, especially on a platform where people are already double annoyed and despise ads more than ever.

Has FB committed a major error by introducing a product that competes with the “super bowl?”

Regardless, one thing seems sure, FB will have to overcome very challenging obstacles in order to continuously update and renew its digital advertising revenue streams.

References:

http://business.financialpost.com/2014/03/13/facebook-inc-unveils-15-second-video-ads-in-bid-to-compete-with-tv-commercial-market/?__lsa=fa6f-aea0

http://www.wired.com/business/2014/03/facebook-ad-network-at-f8/

Thursday, February 27, 2014

INSY 440: Post 6: The Ups and Downs of Social Media!

Social media is simply a tool. And just like any other tool, it can be used for good or evil! In others words, social media can be a miracle for one company and simply a nightmare for another.

Here are some examples of companies that have seen the worst of social media!

McDonald’s Racist Video Commercial (not made by McDonalds) on YouTube:

JP MORGAN Twitter Account:

“Quick! You’re in a room with no key, a chair, two paper clips, and a lightbulb. How do you defraud investors?”, and “What’s your favourite type of whale? #AskJPM”

British Airways Twitter Account:

"Don't fly @British_Airways. Their customer service is horrendous."

Burger King’s Twitter Account’s name was changed to McDonald’s by a hacker:

"Just got sold to McDonalds because the whopper flopped =[ FREEDOM IS FAILURE."

"Look for McDonald's in a hood near you!"

However, social media is not all that bad. Take a look at some great examples below.

OREO Cookie and Twitter Post:

Delta Airlines and Twitter Post:

All in all, the main point is that there are up and downs that businesses have to face when dealing with, controlling, and monitoring their social media traffic and buzz. If you succeed, this could mean an increase in revenues for your company.

References:

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-top-10-corporate-social-media-disasters-2013-11

https://creativemarket.com/blog/2013/11/22/5-examples-of-great-social-media-marketing

Thursday, February 20, 2014

INSY 440: Post 5: War between Microsoft and Apple ends. War between Microsoft and Chrome-book begins. The marking of a new era for Microsoft!

History repeats itself once again! Microsoft is taking Google very seriously and attacking the Chrome-book, just like Apple (Mac) use to attack Microsoft for a while, a decade ago.

In various (successful or not – you be the judge) anti-Chrome-book campaigns, Microsoft has attempted to create commercials that point out some of the downsides of the Chrome-book, including constant internet requirement, Google tracking your every move, and the fact that you will eventually need to upgrade for more space.

However, despite Microsoft’s constant and persistent efforts to paint a dark picture of the Chrome-book, the Chrome-book does have some merit.

First of all, normal people do not end up using that much hard drive space any way; secondly, today, most of the time every makes sure that they are connected to the internet (and they are connected most of the time); finally, anything can be tracked today (so if Google does it, one should not cry about it)!

Regardless of people think, say, or express, one thing remains crystal clear, Microsoft glory days may be soon over. The numbers speak for themselves. PC sales have been declining for a while now, and it is just a matter of time that we see Microsoft’s funeral, at least in the PC division.

Whether it will be the mobile device market or the Chrome-book that will crush Microsoft, no one really knows yet. Nonetheless, something will definitely hit Microsoft real hard, and real soon!