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!

Final Project Mobile Devices by woodl on GoAnimate

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

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).

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS: CIO (Chief Information Officer), business integration, business process, systems thinking, clean room technique (clean room design), work breakdown structure (WBS), B2E (Business2Employee or Business-to-Employee), Total Quality Management (TQM), Compliance: Glossary, C-level

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:

Business Opportunites in E-Commerce

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.  

Saratoga Chamber

City of 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.  

Corporate portals: I can see clearly now

**ComputerWeekly.com, Vernon, Mark

B2B

B2B sites include information for businesses from businesses.  

How a B2B Website Made an Emotional Connection With Customers -- And Saw Conversions Soar

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

News Sports Weather

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

The Wall Street Journal

The National Football League

Saratoga Springs Weather

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!  

Encyclopedia Britannica

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Library of Congress

Online Trip Planners

FreeTrip.com

Google Maps

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"  

Click here to learn more about "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.  

WebMD

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

Taste of Home

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.  

Yahoo email GoAnimate

Yahoo Mail by woodl on GoAnimate

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Getting Started with Microsoft Outlook

10 Jing Screen Shots:
Getting Started with Microsoft Outlook
(for versions prior to version 2007 or ribbons)

Format for Clarity

Format e-mail messages for clarity Applies to: Microsoft Office Outlook 2003, Word 2003 Contributed by McGhee Productivity Solutions We all want people to read and act on the e-mail messages we send them. But the fact is we don't always send messages that support effective responses. The common goal of anyone writing an e-mail message is for the recipients to read the message, understand its intent, and take the actions that are being requested. Two important aspects of e-mail messages that are often overlooked are how they read and how they look. Composition and formatting can make all the difference to how recipients respond to an e-mail message. §  Easy-to-read, well-written messages help the reader stay focused on the content of the mail instead of being distracted by poor structure, grammar, or spelling. §  Appropriate formatting draws attention to who needs to do what, highlights critical information, and reduces eyestrain that can result from reading tightly condensed text. You can make your e-mail messages more useful and easier to read by keeping the following key points in mind. Keep paragraphs short Paragraphs should be no more than five or six lines long. Short blocks of text are easier for the recipient to read, and also discipline you to focus your ideas. Keep in mind that you are writing to someone who may have hundreds of messages in their inbox, an ever-ringing phone, and constant interruptions. If you get right to the point, you're more likely to keep their attention and get the results you want. Watch font size Avoid fonts that are smaller than 10 points or larger than 12 points (except in headlines or to embed details). For many readers, small type makes reading difficult. On the other hand, over-large type increases the reader's need to scroll in order to read long e-mail messages, and can make your e-mail message look less professional. Also, remember that writing in all capitals is considered shouting and is often perceived as aggressive and rude. Use "white space" Asking a reader to wade through line after line of text is a quick way to get your message closed back into the inbox — or worse, deleted. Use white space — empty space on the screen — to separate paragraphs and areas of detail. The white space helps ease the transition from one subject to another. Another point is that reading text on a monitor can produce eye strain. Separating blocks of text helps the eye focus and can reduce this strain. Use boldface type or underlining for emphasis You can configure Microsoft Office Outlook® 2003 to automatically use Microsoft Office Word 2003 to edit e-mail messages. When you do, the rich set of formatting tools that are available in Word are also available when composing e-mail messages. You can use many of the same formatting features that are available in Word to create readable, actionable e-mail messages. Use bullets and tables Another way to get the appropriate attention from your readers is to use bullets and tables to call attention to particular elements of the e-mail message, such as key points and action items. This increases the likelihood that your reader will understand the content and know what actions to take. Lists and tables help the reader identify the key points in a condensed format that is separate from the text. Be concise No doubt you've received e-mail messages that drag on and on and leave you wondering what the point is — and when the writer will get to it. When writing your messages, make your point in as few words as possible, and pay attention to sentence structure to avoiding run-on sentences. When you are clear and direct, people tend to give their full attention and consideration to the point that you are making. Avoid jargon Sometimes there can be so much jargon or so many acronyms in an e-mail message that you wonder if a new language was developed while you weren't looking. We are often not aware of how frequently we use jargon and acronyms that are common to us but foreign to others. Unless you know that your audience fully understands the verbiage, avoid jargon and acronyms — particularly when your message is being sent to a large audience. Use the spelling checker Using the spelling checker in Outlook is an effective first step in editing your e-mail message. While this tool is not a substitute for careful editing, running a spelling checker on all of your correspondence is useful. Correct spelling and grammar help the reader focus on the content rather than on your mistakes! In addition to using the spelling checker, be sure to proofread your correspondence before sending it. Include a signature line When a recipient needs to contact you after receiving your e-mail message, the first place they look for your contact information is in the signature line at the end of your message. E-mail message signatures should display complete contact data, including name, title, phone numbers, organization, and Web site address. This makes following up with you simple and quick. If you want, you can include an expected response time for e-mail messages. Read one last time Before sending your message, read it one last time. Take a moment to verify that your message is easy to read and understand. Make sure that your goal has been conveyed concisely and effectively and is likely to prompt the appropriate actions. We've all sent e-mail messages we regretted sending and wished, "why didn't I read it one more time?" Make that "one more time" part of your e-mail discipline! E-mail will continue to be a primary form of communication in our lives. The more attention we give to the simple details of writing e-mail messages, the better our communication with others will be. More information §  About using Word as your e-mail editor §  Turn Word on or off as your e-mail editor or viewer §  About signatures in messages About the author   McGhee Productivity Solutions (MPS) provides consulting and education services designed to increase productivity and quality of life. Original page: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/HA011450731033.aspx

© 2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Email Responses

*This Wordle was captured with Jing for a clearer, higher resolution picture than with copy and paste.  

Respond effectively to e-mail messages Applies to: Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 Contributed by McGhee Productivity Solutions When you send e-mail messages, how often do you get responses that are: §  Unclear? §  Unrelated to what's on the subject line? §  Missing the information that you asked for? Unfortunately, you can rarely change other people's habits. But you can change your own. How do you handle e-mail responses? In order to write and direct appropriate responses — and thereby minimize confusion and maximize effectiveness — it's critical that you carefully read and understand the content of every message you receive before you hit "Reply." Taking care with your e-mail responses will have the added benefit of reducing the amount of e-mail you receive. This article discusses the following key concepts: §  Responsible responses §  Reply vs. Reply All Responsible responses Taking responsibility for creating effective responses to e-mail is a worthwhile endeavor. We all receive unclear, confusing e-mail messages and know how frustrating that can be. Make sure that your responses are well thought through, contain all the necessary information, and convey an appropriate tone. When you demonstrate these habits consistently, you set a standard for those around you. Here are a few pointers to help you construct meaningful responses: §  Make sure you grasp the intent of a message before you respond.   For example, understand the scope of a project and the actions it requires before you hand it off through e-mail. Also, evaluate if e-mail is the right medium for handing the project over. Would a phone call or face-to-face meeting be more appropriate? §  Reread the original e-mail message before sending your response.   Have you addressed all of the action items that were requested of you? §  Watch out for "flame mail."   Read (and reread) e-mail responses to remove emotion before you hit "Send." Your impatience or irritation can affect the tone of the message. §  Work out disagreements one-on-one, either in person or by phone.   Handling situations that are emotionally charged via e-mail often escalates the conflict. §  Stop runaway e-mail threads.   Once an e-mail thread that you originated reaches four iterations, take responsibility for ending the thread and call a meeting. If necessary, you can provide a summary of the discussion or solution afterward for closure. §  Leave useful out-of-office messages.   It's important that out-of-office messages contain emergency contact or coverage information in case decisions need to be made during an absence. Reply vs. Reply All It's easy to hit "Reply" or "Reply All" without really thinking through what you're doing. E-mail has become a habit, and you might not be giving sufficient thought to what you want to say before responding. When you pause and think about the message, you often realize that a reply isn't warranted at all or that your reply should go to only a few of the people on the original distribution list. Remember, you want to respond only when necessary and then only to those who truly need the response. The following are some key things to consider when you're choosing whether to "Reply" or "Reply All" to a message. §  Determine if a response is truly warranted.   With the proliferation of e-mail, it's important that you send responses only to messages that require one. When replying to a message, be sure that you are adding value to the conversation, truly moving it forward, and not just adding more data — or worse, creating empty "noise." §  Reply only to those individuals who need to know.   The distribution list of an e-mail message should be kept to a minimum to ensure that the communication supports the meaningful objectives or supporting projects of all recipients. §  Include necessary attachments.   If you're replying to an e-mail message that included an attachment and you want the attachment to accompany your reply, you must forward the message instead of using the "Reply" or "Reply All" button. Otherwise, the attachment is not included with the message. §  Construct your response according to the MPS e-mail P.A.S.S. model.   The appropriate use of the Subject, To, Cc, and Bcc lines will go a long way toward ensuring that your response is clear and effective. §  Use "Reply All" sparingly.   Unconsidered wide distribution should not be used as a substitute for determining the appropriate recipients of the response. §  Use the Bcc line to keep dropped recipients informed.   When you remove recipients from an e-mail thread, put their names on the Bcc line and indicate in the body of the message who has been removed from the recipient list. This way, people know who has been removed and are aware of changes to the recipient list. §  As a rule, avoid confirmation messages (including "Thank you").   You should send confirmation messages only to those who request it. Think twice, send once E-mail is an important communication tool, and it's likely that the volume of messages you send and receive will only increase in the future. You can keep up with the volume and improve your effectiveness by pausing for thought before responding. E-mail responses that are thought through and well written will help ensure a professional, focused, and successful communication — and in addition, reduce the amount of e-mail you send and receive. That's worth taking a little extra time for, don't you think? About the author   McGhee Productivity Solutions (MPS) provides consulting and education services designed to increase productivity and quality of life. Original page: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/HA011450711033.aspx

© 2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.