In Paul Boutin's article on Wired.com "Twitter, Flickr, Facebook Make Blogs Look So 2004," he discusses the evolution of the blog and how newer programs have made blogging a thing of the past. The author describes blogging as an old art that has been lost by the hordes of "cut-rate journalists and underground marketing campaigns." Boutin complains that an individual's blog will easily be drowned out my the hundreds of blogs a throng of journalists can publish in a day. No more are the days where a google search will lead you to a random blog. Corporations and publications have taken over the blogosphere and people are now looking for a new way to express themseleves.
Enter Twitter. Applications such as Twitter have given bloggers a fresher look at the art of blogging. No longer does an individual spend hours writing one blog, now a twitterer can write a miniblog in under a minute. The author believes Twitter is to 2008 what blogging was to 2004. A new and different way to get your thoughts, feelings, emotions, etc. on the web.
This article relates directly to chapter 7 from "Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm". In chapter 7 the authors describe Web 2.0. This is the name given to the second generation of webpages that actually involve the individual. Blogs, Facebook profiles, Wikipedia, and now Twitter are all forms of Web 2.0 applications. These programs make the individual feel more connected and give the user an easy way to contribute to their social environment via the internet. The evolution of Web 2.0 over the last half decade has been remarkable. With, what Boutin would likely consider the rise and fall of the blog, it will be interesting to see where the next five years take us and how long it will be until we reach Web 3.0....
Article: http://www.wired.com/entertainment/theweb/magazine/16-11/st_essay
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Case Study: VA Laptop Theft
1. List and describe the security weaknesses at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
-Slow response to theft: The cases states that the department did not report the theft to law enforcement until two weeks after the burglary. This is way too long! An effective recovery effort would have been much easier had authorities been notified earlier.
-Employee taking sensitive information home: Why is it okay for an employee to take a laptop full of personal data that is very sensitive to their home? Burglary is only one reason this should not be allowed. What if a friend is over and is using the computer and accidentally changes something or deletes something. This type of information should be kept in a controlled environment where the only people coming near it are accountable for its security.
-Failure to encrypt data: With effectively encrypted data it seems the VA would not have had to worry about the theft of the laptop. If the data was inaccessible other then by the person to which the laptop was owned, it would not have been a real issue. The only reason it was of such importance was because there was a threat that the thief could access all of the sensitive data.
-Decentralized data: If the data had all been in one on site location (not on an individual's laptop) this problem could have been avoided. Even if the employee had been accessing the data through a secure network connection, the VA would not have had to worry about the contents of the laptop, the data would have been all on the central server.
3. How effectively did the VA deal with these problems?
In short; not very. The VA had known their information system had issues for some time. In 2004 an audit was done which brought about many findings one of which was the recommendation to centralize information security. This recommendation was not implemented successfully. In addition, former CIO Robert McFarland resigned because he was frustrated with the implementation of new IT management software. This makes it quite obvious that there are IS issues within the company. As if these were not enough, just after authorities arrested the thieves of the laptop, another computer with sensitive personal information was stolen from a Unisys Corp building in Virgina. This time the information of 38,000 veterans was leaked and further proved that the VA had not done an effective job of centralizing their information.
4. What solutions would you suggest to prevent these security problems?
I would suggest a centralized server containing all veteran's information with a strong security protocol. I would give access via log in and password, only to individuals who need such privledges. In addition I would implement a nationwide effort to travel to all locations that currently have information (such as Unisys) and support them in the installation of software to access the server if needed and also ensure the destruction of all old files on hard drives in the building. It wouldn't do much good to centralize the information, but allow hard drives that still have sensitive information on them to still be used. I would also conduct biannual IS audits and place high priority on all findings. This would hopefully allow issues to be caught and dealt with before another disaster like this could happen again.
-Slow response to theft: The cases states that the department did not report the theft to law enforcement until two weeks after the burglary. This is way too long! An effective recovery effort would have been much easier had authorities been notified earlier.
-Employee taking sensitive information home: Why is it okay for an employee to take a laptop full of personal data that is very sensitive to their home? Burglary is only one reason this should not be allowed. What if a friend is over and is using the computer and accidentally changes something or deletes something. This type of information should be kept in a controlled environment where the only people coming near it are accountable for its security.
-Failure to encrypt data: With effectively encrypted data it seems the VA would not have had to worry about the theft of the laptop. If the data was inaccessible other then by the person to which the laptop was owned, it would not have been a real issue. The only reason it was of such importance was because there was a threat that the thief could access all of the sensitive data.
-Decentralized data: If the data had all been in one on site location (not on an individual's laptop) this problem could have been avoided. Even if the employee had been accessing the data through a secure network connection, the VA would not have had to worry about the contents of the laptop, the data would have been all on the central server.
3. How effectively did the VA deal with these problems?
In short; not very. The VA had known their information system had issues for some time. In 2004 an audit was done which brought about many findings one of which was the recommendation to centralize information security. This recommendation was not implemented successfully. In addition, former CIO Robert McFarland resigned because he was frustrated with the implementation of new IT management software. This makes it quite obvious that there are IS issues within the company. As if these were not enough, just after authorities arrested the thieves of the laptop, another computer with sensitive personal information was stolen from a Unisys Corp building in Virgina. This time the information of 38,000 veterans was leaked and further proved that the VA had not done an effective job of centralizing their information.
4. What solutions would you suggest to prevent these security problems?
I would suggest a centralized server containing all veteran's information with a strong security protocol. I would give access via log in and password, only to individuals who need such privledges. In addition I would implement a nationwide effort to travel to all locations that currently have information (such as Unisys) and support them in the installation of software to access the server if needed and also ensure the destruction of all old files on hard drives in the building. It wouldn't do much good to centralize the information, but allow hard drives that still have sensitive information on them to still be used. I would also conduct biannual IS audits and place high priority on all findings. This would hopefully allow issues to be caught and dealt with before another disaster like this could happen again.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
The Netbook Effect - Week 2
In Clive Thompson's article "The Netbook Effect," (WIRED, March 2009) the author descibes the creation of the low cost "Eee PC" intended for use in third world countries. The netbook would offer limited processing speeds but would be equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity and word processing which for most accounts for a majority of computer usage. The original intention for these computers was to be sold to children in third world countries, so they could have the oppurtunity to become familiar with computers and begin to enter the world of technology that so many of us have been living in for the past 20 years.
After the bare bones computers were put on the market what happend was quite shocking. The Eee PC sold out their entire inventory in just a few months. But the computers were not bought by originally intended third world countries, but rather by Americans and Europeans, anxious for a cheaper alternative to the supermachines being pumped out by companies such as Apple and Dell. American companies had always been under the impression that bigger and faster is always better. Old models of computers would become obsolete by the time they were shipped because new technology to make the processor even faster would be created. But the only real reason that ANYBODY would necessitate these immense capabilities would be if were either a hardcore gamer or a program designer. People like me who simply use their computer for web surfing, music playing, and video watch does not need these thousand dollar machines.
With the sales of the Eee PC, many other companies have realized that not everyone wants the newest fastest machine. Many people just want something that will do what they need and this machine could easily be made for under a couple hundred dollars.
This article relates to Chapter 5 in the text "Managing Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm" because it relates to the time table set forth on the evolution of the personal computer. The article almost points us in the direction of taking a step back after we realize these computers are really supplying us with much more than many of us would every need.
After the bare bones computers were put on the market what happend was quite shocking. The Eee PC sold out their entire inventory in just a few months. But the computers were not bought by originally intended third world countries, but rather by Americans and Europeans, anxious for a cheaper alternative to the supermachines being pumped out by companies such as Apple and Dell. American companies had always been under the impression that bigger and faster is always better. Old models of computers would become obsolete by the time they were shipped because new technology to make the processor even faster would be created. But the only real reason that ANYBODY would necessitate these immense capabilities would be if were either a hardcore gamer or a program designer. People like me who simply use their computer for web surfing, music playing, and video watch does not need these thousand dollar machines.
With the sales of the Eee PC, many other companies have realized that not everyone wants the newest fastest machine. Many people just want something that will do what they need and this machine could easily be made for under a couple hundred dollars.
This article relates to Chapter 5 in the text "Managing Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm" because it relates to the time table set forth on the evolution of the personal computer. The article almost points us in the direction of taking a step back after we realize these computers are really supplying us with much more than many of us would every need.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Case Study: Chapter 5 Merrill Lynch
1.) Merrill Lynch necessitated an updated IT infrastructure in order to maintain their competitiveness. Merrill Lynch's assets are recorded in the trillions of dollars and the most crucial aspect of their business is their IT infrastructure. In order for their assets to be safe and their clients to feel comfortable with the company managing their funds, an IT revamp was needed.
2.) According to Merrill Lynch, their IBM mainframe installation was one of their strongest strategic assets. Because Merrill Lynch's business strategy involves allowing their customers the ability to make financial transactions via the internet, there was a strong demand for a simple and coherent method for doing this. Their IT infrastructure hadbeen critical in their success but with an ever changing technical landscape, evolution of their systems was needed to remain ahead of the competition.
4.) I believe that Merrill Lynch's idea to sell of the technology that they had developed was an excellent idea. Not only did the sale likely more than pay off the R&D work that went into the creation of the new platform, but it makes the large $20+ million dollar savings that Merrill Lynch created even more impressive as it likely came at no net cost to them. The only downfall would be that their competitors could get their hands on the same software that created such a great savings for them. But depending on the sale price this could easily have been overcame by their net gain.
2.) According to Merrill Lynch, their IBM mainframe installation was one of their strongest strategic assets. Because Merrill Lynch's business strategy involves allowing their customers the ability to make financial transactions via the internet, there was a strong demand for a simple and coherent method for doing this. Their IT infrastructure hadbeen critical in their success but with an ever changing technical landscape, evolution of their systems was needed to remain ahead of the competition.
4.) I believe that Merrill Lynch's idea to sell of the technology that they had developed was an excellent idea. Not only did the sale likely more than pay off the R&D work that went into the creation of the new platform, but it makes the large $20+ million dollar savings that Merrill Lynch created even more impressive as it likely came at no net cost to them. The only downfall would be that their competitors could get their hands on the same software that created such a great savings for them. But depending on the sale price this could easily have been overcame by their net gain.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
'Doc in a Box' Article Summary
In the article "Doc in a Box" in the March 2009 issue of Wired Magazine, Alex Salkever discusses the recent successes in programing robots to perform simple surgery procedures. In the article, Salkever explains that Peter Berkelman, a scientist at the University of Hawaii, has developed a robot that would be able to perform such simple surgical procedures such as removing shrapnel from a soldiers body. According to Berkelman the robot is ready to be tested on human cadavors and within a year will hopefully be tested on live humans.
This article relates to chapter 4 of our textbook "Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm" in that the surgical robots brings up several ethical questions. Surely technology has come a very long way in the past decades but has it really come this far? Is it right for humans to potentially be putting their lives in the hands of a robot? Surely the robots will undergo vigorous testing before they are allowed to use human subjects but it really seems we may be opening Pandora's box with this. Most of us have seen the Terminator movies... and of course I am not saying that that is where we are headed, it just seems like there are certain tasks, surgery being one of them, that are better left to humans.
This article relates to chapter 4 of our textbook "Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm" in that the surgical robots brings up several ethical questions. Surely technology has come a very long way in the past decades but has it really come this far? Is it right for humans to potentially be putting their lives in the hands of a robot? Surely the robots will undergo vigorous testing before they are allowed to use human subjects but it really seems we may be opening Pandora's box with this. Most of us have seen the Terminator movies... and of course I am not saying that that is where we are headed, it just seems like there are certain tasks, surgery being one of them, that are better left to humans.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
About Me
My name is Blake Zuleger. I am in the MBA program and currently work at Invitrogen(Life Technologies) in Camarillo. I also live in Camarillo, and have lived here since I was born. I went to UCSB for my undergraduate and earned a degree in Biological Sciences.
I enjoy watching sports (mostly baseball and football) and being active. I enjoy going to the gym and playing baseball with my friends. I also love movies and tv shows. I am a huge 24 fan and really hope that Jack doesn't die... I also like Lost, Entourage, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Eastbound and Down, South Park, Curb your Enthusiasm, The Office, 30 Rock, etc. etc. It is really hard for me to pick a favorite movie but when asked that question my typical answer is Dumb and Dumber. I also really enjoy watching UFC. I am a big beer fan too. I like all kinds of beers. I really like ales. Stone Brewery makes a lot of great beers.
In 5 years...I don't know. I plan on seeing what doors my MBA opens for me. I will likely attempt to become some sort of manager at my current company. But for now I am just getting through the program and then I will reassess my life and see what seems like the right career move.
I enjoy watching sports (mostly baseball and football) and being active. I enjoy going to the gym and playing baseball with my friends. I also love movies and tv shows. I am a huge 24 fan and really hope that Jack doesn't die... I also like Lost, Entourage, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Eastbound and Down, South Park, Curb your Enthusiasm, The Office, 30 Rock, etc. etc. It is really hard for me to pick a favorite movie but when asked that question my typical answer is Dumb and Dumber. I also really enjoy watching UFC. I am a big beer fan too. I like all kinds of beers. I really like ales. Stone Brewery makes a lot of great beers.
In 5 years...I don't know. I plan on seeing what doors my MBA opens for me. I will likely attempt to become some sort of manager at my current company. But for now I am just getting through the program and then I will reassess my life and see what seems like the right career move.
Case Study: Chapter 3
3. I think that Blockbuster has developed successful solutions to their problems. I have been a customer of both Netflix and Blockbuster Online and I actually preferred Blockbuster. The ability to trade in movies in the store really seals the deal for me. Everyone has that weekend night when they really want to watch a movie but they don't have it. It is so easy to take a watched movie to the nearest Blockbuster and pick up the one that you really want to watch. No more waiting for a couple days until it is delivered.
The only difficulty that may arise from the Blockbuster system is if there are no Blockbuster video stores nearby. This could make it more difficult to entice people with the trade in feature and ultimately make it the same program that Netflix offers.
4. Netflix has been incredibly successful over the past couple years. Fiscal '06, '07, and '08 have all seen increasing net income. Being the pioneer of the industry helps their business because when people think of online video rental, Netflix automatically comes to mind. Their business model is very effective and has really put Blockbuster in a reactive state, trying to find and way to maintain pace. The addition of streaming video for internet and XBOX360 users has also helped contend with Blockbuster's store trade in program. Netflix has their bases covered and seems to have a clear direction with how they want their business to grow.
5. I really see the success of both companies hinging on one factor: can the Blockbuster video stores become profitable. If the Blockbuster video store can become profitable they will have one thing that Netflix cannot offer. As long as they hold on to that one aspect of business that Netflix can't touch and make smart business decisions, they will win the war. Sure Netflix has become synonomous with internet video rental, but Blockbuster has been associated with video rental for decades before Netflix was even created.
The only difficulty that may arise from the Blockbuster system is if there are no Blockbuster video stores nearby. This could make it more difficult to entice people with the trade in feature and ultimately make it the same program that Netflix offers.
4. Netflix has been incredibly successful over the past couple years. Fiscal '06, '07, and '08 have all seen increasing net income. Being the pioneer of the industry helps their business because when people think of online video rental, Netflix automatically comes to mind. Their business model is very effective and has really put Blockbuster in a reactive state, trying to find and way to maintain pace. The addition of streaming video for internet and XBOX360 users has also helped contend with Blockbuster's store trade in program. Netflix has their bases covered and seems to have a clear direction with how they want their business to grow.
5. I really see the success of both companies hinging on one factor: can the Blockbuster video stores become profitable. If the Blockbuster video store can become profitable they will have one thing that Netflix cannot offer. As long as they hold on to that one aspect of business that Netflix can't touch and make smart business decisions, they will win the war. Sure Netflix has become synonomous with internet video rental, but Blockbuster has been associated with video rental for decades before Netflix was even created.
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