Quicker version of Photoshop

Adobe has a quicker version of Photoshop that is to be used when the user needs to download and edit pictures quickly. This new product is called Photoshop Express. It does not have all the features that Photoshop has, but it still has a lot of features. The features it has are cropping, removing red eye, rotating, adjusting the expsure, and straightening the image, etc., which are the main features needed to help get pictures ready for viewing. This makes it quicker for users and allows them to spend time on other valuable things. The only problem is that you cannot send these pictures to be developed once you edit them. However, this might be a new feature in the near future. This valuable tool will really be useful for downloading pictures and fixing them by cropping, etc. before they are put on facebook. It can take forever to download and edit pictures; therefore, I know that many users will really value this product. In addition, once the pictures can be sent to a photolab to be developed many users will be ready to sign up for this product. So, everyone should be on the look out because this product will surely be popular.

I know that I would love to have this product for downloading pictures onto facebook. It takes me forever to download pictures now; therefore, it will surely save me time.

security issues

I thought that Dr. Schultz brought up some very good points in class tonight about security issues in regards to Microsoft Access. It seems that this is a big issue that will affect many businesses. It is very important to make sure that all these issues are addressed as we saw tonight. I was very surprised that even though a Microsoft Access file can be password protected that the file can still be tampered. Even though you need to have some knowledge to be able to tamper with a file it still did not seem that complicated which is pretty scary. Also, I thought it was interesting that when Microsoft Access is imported into excel there are security issues.

These issues will need to be addressed in many workplaces to make sure that information is not compromised. As Dr. Schultz brought up though, these new security measures that must be taken will probably slow down billable hours. It will be interesting to see how companies deal with this.

SugarSync

Many times people have several different computers that they perform work on. However, it seems that at the time they need the work they do not have the most current file on the computer they are working on. Therefore, a new product has come out called SugarSync to resolve this problem. It makes sure that whenever a person works on a file that it replicates it to any other computers that particular person might use so that all computers have the most up to date data on that file. This is great for those who are always on the move. For instance if a person has a PC and a smartphone, Sugarsync will make sure all data is synchronized on both devices to ensure that whether the person accesses files on the PC or the smartphone the files will be identical. Therefore, one no longer has to worry about doing work on their PC then going on vacation and trying to access the file on the smartphone and it not being the most up to date file.

This will prove very convenient for our "on the go" society. It will certainly help make doing business easier.

Cell Phone Madness

It seems like we are going back in time when we here that cell phones are starting to replace labtops, but this is a growing trend. The CIO of Webcor Building in California has already offered his employees the option to trade in their labtops for a cell phone and a desktop, which provides great savings to the company in both price and support fees. Twenty employees have already opted for this option. The cell phone he is giving employees allows them to use Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word, provides a thumbnail keyboard, a 1.8 inch color screen, has a 144 megahertz processor, employees can check and send emails, make changes to documents, view PDFs, and pull up drawings (since it is in the Construction business). This is so amazing and allows the employer to stay in better contact with employees because he can call them too.

It seems amazing that labtops might have the chance to be replaced by cell phones. Even though labtops will not be completely replaced they will see competition from cell phones that could lead to new changes in technology. It will be very interesting to see what the future holds.

Office Live

There are now web-based programs that can be used instead of Microsft Excel and Word, which has given Microsoft Office some competition. In order to step up to the competition, Microsoft has now offered a new service called Office Live. However, this new service has little integration with Microsoft Office. The programs it offers pale in comparison to other competition's programs. Office Live's design makes it difficult to maneuver around and while Office Live is free, Microsoft will of course charge for increasing efficiencies. It really needs to step things up in order to compete. For instance, Office Live offers contacts and calendar entries like Microsoft Outlook. While it is easy to transfer this data to Microsoft Outlook from Office Live, it is nearly impossible to transfer such data from Microst Outlook to Office Live. Such inefficiencies make it difficult to really operate under Office Live.

Even though Microsoft is making an effort with Office Live it really needs to make sure it steps things up because right now there are definitely dissappointments with the way it has been designed.

Public Wi-Fi: Be Very Paranoid

In the article, "Public Wi-Fi: Be Very Paranoid," a very important point was made. Many people today use wireless networks all the time not worrying about whether there information is made readily available to others. When in fact many wireless networks at airports, etc. are not even unencrypted. Even if they are usually it can easily be broken. Therefore, it is very important to make sure that you are not transmitting private information, such as social security numbers over such networks. Even passwords can be determined over these networks so one must safeguard against using any networks that could provide others with passwords to such logins as their bank statements. In addition, individuals should make sure that they are allowed to access networks before doing so. If they are not allowed to they could be charged with theft of service. In addition, those who have wireless networks at their homes should make sure that they do not have them open for others to access.

This is a very serious issue and needs to be addressed by everyone to make sure that information is secure when using wireless networks. While everyone should not be paranoid, they should be aware and protect themselves against such events from happening.

Apple TV

When Apple came out with Apple TV last spring, many consumers showed no interest. Now, Apple has come out with a new and improved Apple TV that should be more to the liking of consumers. The original Apple TV was only a black screen that you could use to watch movies you had downloaded from the Internet. However, the new Apple TV is much better. It allows you to search on the Apple TV screen for shows, music, etc. that you would like to watch. In addition, it allows you to watch rented movies on it instead of having to buy movies. People generally do not want to buy movies that they are only going to watch once because it can get expensive.

Even though the new Apple TV is not revolutionary it is still better than the originial one released last Spring. However, I believe consumers are still looking for more. Today, consumers expect things that are revoluntionary. Our whole perception of new technology has changed and we expect things that are mind boggling today. Therefore, Apple TV still needs some more extras added to make it the type of product that consumers really want.

ThinkPadX300

The article "Almost as Thin as Aire - and Rugged," talks about the new Lenovo ThinkPadX300 and how it is better in the longhaul than Apple's MacBook Air. The Lenovo is at most a little over 3 pounds and prices range between 2500 to 3000 dollars. This is an amazingingly light labtop with a lot of features. The Lenovo had to make some compromises in order to keep its thin form. However, it still outruns the Apple MacBook air. It has more connectivity options which is better in the long run. It is also better for mobility. It is better equiped to be used while on an airplane or just to check emails. It uses solid-stage storage which helps with battery life and provides better performance.

Overall, this definitely seems like it is better than the MacBook Air. Even though it has some setbacks they are minor compared to the other features gained. It is great for business travel with its light weight form. Therefore, with all the features it contains in addition to it light weight, this is definitely the best choice.

Publishing your book

Can you imagine publishing your own novel for twenty dollars? Thanks to technology this is now possible. Many people have dreamed of publishing their own novels but never had the resources to do so. Now with the startup company Blurb your dreams can become a reality. You can now create a book with pictures and even sell it. All you have to do is pick out the formatting you would like and decide which pictures and how much text you want on each page. This is quite a laborious activity but once you are done it is quite exhiliarating. Once you have finished decided what you would like on each page you click the submit button and in a few weeks you will receive your book in the mail. You also have the option to sell your book online and you pick the price you would like to charge. This amazing service will completely change the whole publishing industry.

Now those authors who could only dream of having their books published can actually do so. This will completely change the competitive forces for the publishing industry. It will be very interesting to see what lies ahead.

Database Becomes User Friendly

It has been difficult in the past to use databases because in order for them to be user friendly programming skills are required, which most people do not have. Therefore, databases have not been used to their full potential until now. FileMaker, a part of Apple, Inc., developed the Bento to help overcome this problem. It enables users to manage small projects. Rather than having to use excel to tackle projects, Bento is now available. It is more suited for tackling projects than Microsoft Excel or Word, which is what most people use. This database will prove extremely helpful when planning events or when tackling work projects. It allows users to organize information to make it much more efficient. For instance, if you are planning a party and you want each person to bring a particular food item to the party you can use the Address Book library to select the people who will be coming. From there you can develop a collection that identifies which person is responsible for each item. This is done through iCal Tasks. Once you have done this you can choose different formats to display your collection. The different formats are a table, form view, or spreadsheet style. In addition, you can also add additional information from external sources and combine it with the collection you have created. This very useful database is only fifty dollars.

I believe this will be extremely beneficial to many people. This will help organize work for projects and tasks that managers must assign to employee. It is also useful for personal things like party planning. This database will be accepted by not just those in the workforce but those who want to use it for their personal life. I think this will completely change things and make organizing work more efficient.

Yahoo's integrated phone service

Yahoo has stated that it will be coming out with a new integrated phone service called oneConnect. This amazing service will enable integration among instant messaging, social networks (like facebook), and email. This technology will change many aspects of how we live our lives. We will instantly be able to check friends status' on facebook. Instead of having to be at your personal computer to instant message or check status' you will be able to do this walking down the street.

In some ways I wonder how good this will be for our society. Will our society become too dependent on always having to check status' on facebook whenever we want? What will be next? Will it turn into a viscous cycle in which we are constantly checking on updates? I have to wonder how good it is for us to always be available. I remember a time when we did not have cell phones. It was not necessary to be able to get in touch with someone in an instant. Now, people expect to reach someone whenever they need them. It used to be people would go out to dinner with friends and talk to each other. Now, you see friends eating dinner and everyone is on their cell phone. So, how good is this? Today, virtually everyone can be reached whether they are vacationing, shopping, or eating dinner.

Technology will continue to shape our society. We must learn to use it to its full potential but we also must make sure it is changing our lives for the better.

Strategy and the Internet

Today it is better for companies to wait and make sound decisions about how IT should impact its competitive structure. Many companies have rushed to implement IT to stay ahead of others and have found themselves in a trap: They must constantly continue to update their systems. Companies that do not use IT as a strategic advantage will find themselves only competing on price which will utimately prove devastating to them. As seen with the Internet, buyers possess high bargaining power when comparing companies over the Internet. In addition, switching costs are low which allows buyers to find the product that offers the best price assuming all products are similar in quality, performance, service, etc. However, a way in which companies can really help increase switching costs for buyers is by ensuring that they have a strategic initiative when it comes to IT. Rather than rushing to implement IT into their industry they should make sure that they get the right fit for the company. This will prove invaluable. If companies do not carefully consider how IT will affect their industry they will untimately end up with IT being used as a commodity rather than as a competitive advantage. This could have disastrous results for companies including going under.

Web Services

I thought that last weeks class lecture on web services was very interesting. The statement that we “don’t need coders instead we need application developers,” really made me think about how much the information technology industry is changing.

With the development of web services, information technology jobs will forever change. As the article,” Your Next IT Strategy,” stated CIO’s need to be negotiators and relationship managers. This means the command and control leadership style is fading. Just like the law department of a company, IT has always been viewed as a department that can possess control because others do not understand exactly what they do. This has led to IT having much control. However with this new strategy, I anticipate IT’s control to diminish. IT seems to be shifting away from its traditional role and in my opinion this will be beneficial. Other departments will have a better grasp as to what the IT department does. It will be easier to assess how well IT is performing and keep each aspect of the business in line. Therefore, I believe companies will benefit from this change.

IT Doesn't Matter

The discussion from class last week in regards to the article IT Doesn’t Matter brought up some very interesting points. One aspect of this article that stood out to me the most is that even if a company builds a proprietary system in regards to IT, it could easily be replaced. With the rapid advancements in technology, things are constantly changing. In effect, it creates a continuously evolving culture. Even if a company possesses a proprietary system one day, the very next day a new technology could come out that completely obliterates what the company has spent so much money creating. For example, AHS had a competitive advantage with its electronic ordering system, ASAP. However once personal computers and software arrived, AHS’s competitive advantage took a downturn. Therefore, I think it is crucial to be extremely cautious when spending large sums of money on new technological advancements. Companies should make sure they find the right technology for them. Rather than getting caught up in the whirlwind of technology, companies should make careful, cautious decisions and know that being the first to market is not always the best alternative. Sometimes it is better to wait and copy other applications, but with the intent on finding some missed opportunity in the market and making that application better than the competitor. Examples of companies that waited and were lucrative in making this decision are Dell and Wal Mart. Like Dr. Miller said in class last week, it is not the technology that always provides the competitive advantage it is the talent of the people who are innovative enough to come up with ways to improve technologies in order to keep up with current trends. Just because a company has created a fascinating new application that has helped it gain market share does not mean it can stop and just reap the benefits. This company needs talented people who are constantly thinking of ways to improve this application in order to maintain its competitive advantage.

Thus companies really need to think about their decisions when it comes to IT. They must make sure they make the right decisions for their company and they do not get caught up in keeping up with the Jones’. This will help reduce wasteful costs and make IT more valuable.

Developer Competency Questionnaire

1a)
I authored a Microsoft Word Document that was 30 pages. It was for a project and was not team-based.

1b)
I have used excel extensively for work projects. I have used such formulas as v-lookup, min/max, right/left, etc. I used excel both for team-based and individual work.

For personal use, I use excel for budgets, etc.

1c)
I have not developed a database system.

1d)
I did create a website when I took a computer science class in college. I took the computer science class more than 2 years ago though.

1e)
None in the past two years.

2a) 4

2b) 3

3a) 7

3b) 6

3c) 2

3d) 4

3e) JAVA - I took a computer science class in college and towards the end of the semester we started learning JAVA. I took the computer science class more than 2 years ago though.

AR Technology used for educational purposes

Augmented Reality Technology has been used in the past in general ways such as allowing doctors to perform surgeries on their patients from another city. However, Augmented Reality Technology is now being used to help educate students. Today students at The Georgia Institute of Technology are trying to use this technology to create reenactments of past events that occurred in history. The hopes are to recreate such events as Martin Luther King, Jr. delivering a sermon so that those who use this technology actually feel like they witnessed this event occurring. This is accomplished through the use of headsets that allow lasers to paint images on your retina. They also use GPS systems to track where those with headsets are going so that you could go throughout Atlanta, visit various historical sites, and see reenactments of different historical events. Everything is timed perfectly to completely recreate events of history. Eventually the goal would be to recreate events in Atlanta occuring during the Civil War up to the Civil Rights movement. In addition, this technology could be used for tourists who are interested in learning about the history of various places they visit. For instance, one day a tourist could travel to the beaches at Normandy and watch the reenactment of the Allies invading France.

This technology will have phenomenal effects on how students are educated. They will know what it was like to experience different events throughout history which will enhance learning. This technology could also be used to determine what historical sites attract tourists. In conlusion, this technology will completely change the way we see the world.

From the article:
Is It Live or Is it AR?
By Jay David Bolter and Blair MacIntyre