Week 10:Clear

Here is a chart on some different types of database software in the business environment. Photo courtesy of beatak.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/beatak/463648364/

    This weeks concept was focuses on teaching different aspects of database software. For my skill track I was using File Maker Pro, instead of Microsoft Access. After watching the videos and playing with some of the tools I find File Maker to be relatively easy to use. One of the best things is the validation tool, which allows you to put specific rules on a table, such as mandating that only two states like Florida and Georgia are eligible. File Maker also makes it import outside data into the program and it also is easy to manipulate the data.
      Having skills with database software is extremely important in the business environment. Database software allows you to organize information exactly the way you want it. One of the cool things you can do is when creating a form you can create a drop-down list of options, making the database look more professional. This can be incredibly helpful if you are tasked with determining FCAT scores across the state by grade year. Using reports allows you to show data in a form that is visually appealing and straight forward. You can even separate each separate part of the report on separate pages so you can make sure that the report cannot be misinterpreted.
     I found an article that helps some of the different database software programs out there. Both File Maker and Access contain the Virtual Storage Access Method, which helps accelerate access, organize, and configure data. It also contains four different types of data sets: key sequence, entry sequence, relative record, and linear. File Maker and Access are both examples of a relational database, meaning that data is broken down into different charts and columns for organizational purposes. Here is the link to the article: http://computersight.com/software/databases-and-business/

Week 9: Clear

This chart shows that Moore's Law can be applied to more than just computers. In this chart, Moore's Law is used to see cost per Genome. This photo is provided by dullhunk. Here is link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dullhunk/5473470392/

      This week the concept that was made clear to me was Moore's Law. Moore's Law stipulates that chip performance per dollar doubles every eighteen months. Meaning under Moore's Law next generation chips should be twice as fast, but cost the same as eighteen month ago. This is based on price elasticity which claims that the rate at which a product or service fluctuates when the price changes. A drop in price will result in a higher demand for a product.
      Understanding Moore's Law is important in the business environment, because it forces manager to be prepared for that next step of technology and to grab the new technology when it comes out. Also, by understanding the five waves of computing and knowing that each wave of computing goes through a ten year cycle, you can better anticipate when the next wave of technology innovation will take place. Allowing you as a manager, the opportunity to avoid staying behind the time and to move forward with your company before your competition get a handle on the ever changing wave of computing. 
      I found an article that breaks down Moore's Law in great detail. The article is pretty long, but it is divided into sections so it is easier to read about what you are interested in regarding Moore's Law. The three sections are the origins of Moore's Law, the effects of Moore's Law, and the future of Moore's Law. The most interesting section for me was the future of Moore's Law section which basically maintains that major constraints to technology would have to happen for Moore's Law to hold out. Here is the link to the article: http://arstechnica.com/hardware/news/2008/09/moore.ars/1

Excel Project

The excel project forced us to analyze and manipulate data in a way that can be useful in the business environment. The set of data that we were given was extremely useful, because it is the kind of data that could be as a sports journalist, which is my chosen profession. By using the simple max heart rate formula, I can see if the athlete's death was due to him over exerting himself on the field.
   The most fascinating function of excel is the logical test function, which helped me recognize whether the subject's highest heart rate was able to meet or exceed the target heart rate. Before this project, I had never heard of that particular function and it was very complex in comparison to the rest of the tasks that we were assigned. However, once I set the parameters for the logical test, it was immensely satisfying to simply look for "yes" or "no" as opposed to looking at numbers on the spreadsheet and possibly getting it wrong. I also like once you input a formula in a cell that you can drag the formula down through the rest of the rows as opposed to having to input the formula manually into every cell.
     The pivot tables were interesting to play with, in particular the Average Increase pivot table. Due to the fact that we had to group the ages, it was hard to find at first, but once found it made the data much easier to understand for the owner of the fitness center. This project was much more detailed oriented compared to the presentation project, in that you really had to follow the direction or your data would end up being skewed significantly. It was amazing seeing the when the Percent Increase column changed from a decimal to a percentage what a difference in made in the data.

Google +

I know exactly two people who are using Google plus. It is definitely a functional site especially with the introduction of the hangouts option, which  is basically Skype, but for multiple computers. I still prefer Facebook to Google plus, because the thought of having to create new circles/friends is a little hard especially if you have over a thousand friends. I also disagree with the poll, I find Facebook to be more user friendly. Also Facebook could easily create there own virtual hangout, there is not enough of a difference between the two social media sites for me to switch permanently to Google plus.

Presentation Project

Here is the link to my presentation: http://www.screencast.com/t/vlpXXo1S8W2F

          I definitely think there was a logical flow to my presentation. I started my presentation by using stats on obesity then proceeded started with what The YMCA is as a whole, followed by what a single YMCA programs does, then finishing the presentation by address potential concerns people may have by the YMCA.  If I would have had more time I would like to have dealt with the membership costs of joining the YMCA.  I think I did a good job of answering any questions that an audience member might have, but one thing that I would have address was the amount of time is required to volunteer at the YMCA.  The start of my presentation did a good job of grabbing the audience’s attention by introducing the problems with childhood obesity.

            I set up my presentation to answer questions that I would have asked if I was in the audience.  I believe that my presentation was concise and that it’s clear that I want the audience to support the YMCA either financially or by volunteering. Every claim that I made is backed up by research on the YMCA and is documented is my source page. From what I could make of my presentation I did not make any unbelievable claims, I might have misspoken once but that was about it. There is no clutter as far as my slides are concerned; I tried to make the slides look good, but not complicated. I decided to incorporate the photos into the background of the slides and use a white font to make sure the words are clear. I tried to say it then show it and I absolutely did not read from the slides.

            For my peer reviews I did Justin Contreras' presentation on how we depend too much on technology. He did a good job of using video to back up his point on our reliance on technology. If I could have used a video without violating copyright I would have, but I could not get a video without doing so. He did a really great job of telling me his point rather than me reading his point on the slides.

           

Week 7: Clear

Photo provided by: Ivan Walsh. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ivanwalsh/3649492427/

            This week the concept that was made clear to me was “The Cloud” lecture specifically the section on cloud based computing. The Cloud can be thought of as the Internet. There are two types of cloud based computing personal and Enterprise based each with different goals. Personal cloud-based computing includes programs like Gmail, YouTube, and SpiderOak with the common characteristic being that we don’t know where the programs come from. The Enterprise cloud-based computing includes more commercial applications such as salesforce.com, which allows you to track the sales your business has made.

            Understand cloud-based computing is very important in the business environment. Especially if you are in the sales industry or are in an industry that has hot periods and cold periods. By using a cloud based computing application you can focus you resources and pay for what you actually use. When you are in a slow sales season you can reduce the amount cloud based software you need and then up your need when the busy sales season starts. This is due to the fact that cloud-based software is based on a monthly subscription, rather than an annual subscription.

            I found an article that explains the importance of cloud-based computing. In the article, it explains that if you have ever subscribed to an online newspaper that you have been participating in cloud-based computing. Cloud-based computing also allows you to get the exact technology you need. Instead of you having to manage the software the cloud-based programs does all the managing of the software for you. Here is the link: http://blogs.technet.com/b/volume-licensing/archive/2011/05/13/cloud-based-computing-next-wave-of-innovation.aspx

Week 6: Clear

Image of a EULA. Photo provided by Taran Ramparsad.http://www.flickr.com/photos/knowprose/56007551/lightbox/

            This week the concept that was made clear to me was the aspect of software licensing. There are two types of software licenses available: commercial software licenses and open source software licenses. Commercial licenses are those you have to buy, while open source licenses are free. Breaking shrink-wrap is when you buy a package of software that has a license statement on it and once you open the package you agree implicitly to the contract. Another agreement is called an End User License Agreement, which creates a contract between the program developer, and the consumer, which contains regulations on the agreements terms of use. The End User Agreement is a perpetual license, which means you can use the software as long as you want.

            Knowing about different software licenses is very important in the business environment. Based on the needs of your business it is important to differentiate between the different licenses so you no what you are getting into when you purchase software. It is also important in your business to be aware of volume licensing which is a contract between the publisher and the customer (the customer being a business). You will have to decide whether to have a per user license, a per seat license, servers based on number of CPUs, or term licensing which is subscription based which you renew on an annual basis.

            I found an article that displays the different software license types. The article differentiates between single-user license agreements and multi-user license agreements. It also lists some special channel licenses like Not for Resale software license, which means the software cannot be resold. Here is the linka: http://tulane.edu/tsweb/software/software-license-types.cfm