Sunday, December 16, 2012

Final

Final Project for Web 2.0

Click Here for the Final Project ScreenCast Jing Video

Sadly, this class is coming to an end.  I have to say, I frequently looked forward to the Web 2.0 projects.  It has been a fun class and an informative class.

I posted a Wordle below depicting some of the learning outcomes I have obtained from this course.  Although I thought this class would be somewhat informative, I learned much more than I predicted.  I feel much more informed about the newest ways to accomplish tasks online.  I have never been consistent in blogging.  Now that I have created a blogging habit, I am hoping to continue.  I have seen World creations but never knew the site existed until this class.  I never realized how easy they are to create.  Although I found grabbing a screen shot from Jing creates a better quality image than copying and pasting the code from Wordle.


I found the topic on Net Neutrality quite informative.  I believe this is something more people should get behind.  Although I am a business person, I feel there are certain things that should be kept in the public domain.  The internet is something that should be kept open and available, not commercialized.  Commercialization will allow the Internet to be dissected  into "premium" and "standard" content to be blocked or allowed.  Maybe parental controls should be more readily available to allow parents to control what comes into their house and in front of their children's eyes.

*Retrieved from http://www.techsmith.com/jing.html
I found Jing to be a great tool!  The video and screen capturing capabilities and ease of use are amazing!  If I ever go back into the computer training field, I will be utilizing this tool a great deal.  This could facilitate a whole host of training functions.  I have also found uses for this in my current job, as a training coordinator.

The Google Reader is a great tool to keep up to date on blogs.  I have created a long list of blogs that I read to keep me informed about what is happening in the business world.  I have left my business for now, but I am always looking for a new opportunity.  I am also curious if other classmates are going to continue blogging after class has finished.  It would be nice to read there after class posts also.

Symbaloo is a wonderful visual tool.  Although favorites and bookmarks are great this is better because you can visualize and get a better handle on what websites you have saved.  What a simple yet wonderful tool!

Twitter is something that I wanted to learn more about.  I understood the basics, but now feel more comfortable tweeting and searching.

Final Project Web 2.0 by woodl on GoAnimate

Animated Presentations - Powered by GoAnimate.

GoAnimate, What a fun tool!  Finding animated characters to send your message to your audience sends a casual and unintimidating message.  It is a great way to soften a tough topic!


Animation Software - Powered by GoAnimate. 

The business world is constantly changing, so to be successful one needs to pay attention.  Mobile Devices are a large part of how small business people can compete with the larger companies.   Having information at your fingertips is the key!

Business networking is always a must.  In the digital age, LinkedIn is the networking tool to use.  It never hurts to reach out to connect with other business people in what ever manner possible.

I learned so much about Google Docs!  I thought I knew about Google Docs because I used the tools when they first came out.  Wow, have they changed!  The form tool is something that I have already made use of at work.  I created an electronic evaluation form and in seconds, created a summary sheet.  Now that saved hours of frustration and detail work!

SoundCloud  took me awhile to get my head around it, but now that I did I am happy I took the time to investigate this tool.  What a great tool for keeping notes, organizing music, discovering new music, and even personalizing a Facebook post.  Have you ever had a hard time typing the emotion you feel when posting?  Record a SoundCloud and post it to Facebook.  People will hear your excitement!
I thought it would be a great tool for people who can't be together for the holidays also.  The sound of someone's voice always sends a message much faster than the typed word!

Click Here to hear the SoundCloud entry






Saturday, December 15, 2012

Chapter 7

E-Business

Inc. Magazine article on opening an E-Buisness:

The Easiest Way to Launch an E-business (Oricchio, September 13, 2011)


e-business (electronic business)

E-business (electronic business), derived from such terms as "e-mail" and "e-commerce," is the conduct of business on the Internet, not only buying and selling but also servicing customers and collaborating with business partners. One of the first to use the term was IBM, when, in October, 1997, it launched a thematic campaign built around the term. Today, major corporations are rethinking their businesses in terms of the Internet and its new culture and capabilities. Companies are using the Web to buy parts and supplies from other companies, to collaborate on sales promotions, and to do joint research. Exploiting the convenience, availability, and world-wide reach of the Internet, many companies, such as Amazon.com, the book sellers, have already discovered how to use the Internet successfully.
Increasingly, much direct selling (or e-tailing) is taking place on the Internet of computer-related equipment and software. One of the first to report sales in the millions of dollars directly from the Web was Dell Computer. Travel bookings directly or indirectly as a result of Web research are becoming significant. Custom-orderable golf clubs and similar specialties are considered good prospects for the immediate future.
With the security built into today's browsers and with digital certificates now available for individuals and companies from Verisign, a certificate issuer, much of the early concern about the security of business transaction on the Web has abated and e-business by whatever name is accelerating.
IBM considers the development of intranets and extranets to be part of e-business. e-business can be said to include e-service, the provision of services and tasks over the Internet by application service providers (ASP).
Contributor(s): Tim D. Nelson
This was last updated in April 2005
Posted by: Margaret Rouse (Rouse, 2005)

Business Opportunities in E-commerce

Inc. Magazine article on opportunities:




Works Cited

Ohikuare, J. (May 30, 2012). Business Opportunities in E-commerce. Inc. Magazine.
Oricchio, R. (September 13, 2011). The Easiest Way to Launch an E-business. Inc. Magazine.
Rouse, M. (2005, April ). DEFINITION: e-business (electronic business). Retrieved from Tech Target: http://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/e-business

Sound Cloud Post

It took me a while to figure out how to record my own post on Sound Cloud.  My daughter helped me when she told me to use my phone.  Once I used my phone it was simple to record a posting.
I can think of many cool uses for Sound Cloud.  I recorded a few of my ideas in the sound recording below.

Click here to access the SoundCloud Entry
 

Chapter 6

LAN vs. WAN

Explore "How Stuff Works" Site for a Quick Overview

Local Area Networks (LAN)

This is designed for a small geographic area.  Each device on the LAN is called a node.  LANs are connected in a peer-to-peer connection, which means they can share and transfer information.  Each computer needs a Network Interface Card (NIC) to connect to the network.  A Hub is used to connect several computers together on a network.  If there is a larger network, the network administrator may want to consider a Client/Server network.  These are primarily used in a business environment.

Wide Are Network (WAN) 

This is a network covering a very wide geographic area.  Most WANs are corporately owned.

Physical Topologies

Bus - Connects all nodes on Peer-to-Peer LAN.  
Ring - Connects each node to the next
Star - Connects each node to a central device

Access Methods

Logical Topology - the method the information is transmitted between nodes
Ethernet - Network access method where a node that is transmitting data checks to see if other nodes are sending information   
Token Ring - Moves information in packets around in a clockwise fashion

Transmission Media

Infrared (IR) Transmissions - uses infrared light waves as a transmission method

Radio Frequency Transmissions - Uses Broadcast Radio Waves to transmit data

Bluetooth - Short range RF Technology that sends and receives wireless transmission between devices.  


Wirless LAN (WLAN)

Uses wireless transmission to connect devices.


Twisted Pair Cable - insulated copper wires twisted and paired and enclosed in plastic covering

Fiber-optic Cable - contains glass fibers surrounded by a layer of glass cladding and a protective outer jacket.  Is used for voice, video, and data transmission over long distances.

HUBS - Used to connec t multiple nodes

Bridges - an intelligent connectivity device that with one input port and one output port that connects two segments on the same LAN or two separate LANs.

Data Switches - an intelligent device that also interprets MAC addresses and filters and forwards packets to other network segments.

Routers - an intelligent device with multiple ports.  A router can determine the best route for a packet to take.

Network Service Providers (NSPs) - provide the public and private network infrastructure for the Internet.

Internet Exchange Points - A physical infrastructure that allows ISPs to communicate among their networks.

Metropolitan Area Exchange(MAE) - High speed Ethernet connection within a metropolitan area.

Peering-  the exchange of Internet traffic and router information between NSPs and ISPs at an exchange point.

TCP/IP - Tranmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol is the set of standard Internet protocols on which the communications across the Internet and many privately held networks rely.

IP Address - Individual and unique identifier on the internet.  Similar in concept to a phone number.

Domain Name System (DNS) - A method to give IP Addresses more meaning to users

DNS Registration - Alows private companies to handle the registration of the domain names.

Selecting a Domain Name - This name must be unique and at the same time meaningful to you and your customers.

Location Based Services - A wireless service offered to customers based on their physical location.

GPS - Global Positioning System is a navigation system

Internet Telephony - Uses IP packet-switching technologies to make telephone calls.

VoIP - Voice over IP is a popular option for hom,e telephone service because of reduced costs.

Virtual Meetings - Allows collaboration between participants via the internet.

Web Conferencing - Uses real time video and audio.


External network security threats - Those that originate from outside the network, such as natural disasters, hackers, viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. The 

Network Security Audits - Conducted by third-party auditing firms, to expose network vulnerabilities. Employees' inappropriate use of Internet access can increase a company's potential liabilities and network security risks. 


Chapter 5 posts

Consumer Portals 

Consumer Portals offer a broad range of content according to the focus of the site.  
I included a couple about cameras below.  
Does someone you know have a camera on their list?  
Check out the following Consumer portals to compare and shop:

Consumer Reports


Consumer Search Digital-camera-reviews




Hyperlocal Portals

Hyperlocal Portals provide geographic information about a specific region.  See below for some information about Saratoga Springs.  




Vertical Portals

Vertical Portals provide information to people with similar interests.  

Click Here to Learn More About Vertical Portals


Corporate Portals

Corporate portals are used by employees, customers and vendors to access information about the company.  Information varies depending on your login and assigned rights.  

**ComputerWeekly.com, Vernon, Mark





B2B


B2B sites include information for businesses from businesses.  


**Entreprenuer Magazine, May 18, 2012, Wang, Jennifer


News Sports Weather

Up to the minute news, sports and weather information is available online.  




Research and Reference Tools

Much research can be done online if you use the credibility evaluation techniques.  
Remember it is not true just because it is on the web!  It is easier than ever to do research!  




Online Trip Planners

FreeTrip.com


Special Interest Web Sites

Anyone remember "Festivus" from Seinfeld?  There are many websites that have sprouted up talking about this "holiday".  "Festivus for the Rest of Us"  

WebMD is a great site to find information fast and in plain easy to read explanations.  With three children I sought help frequently.  

I love this site for dinner planning.  You cna plan meals ahead or find recipes based on what you have in your cupboard.  

Financial Web Sites

Want to find the lowest credit card rates, or the lowest refinance rates?  Visit 

Bank Rate Research

This site will also provide advice about important financial decisions.