Secure Email Project

After watching a lot of Dora the Explorer as of late I all have to say is...I DID IT!! Ok that was lame. Seriously though I did. See proof!




I am working on trying to get all of my mail servers set up that way as we speak. I do however think it is important to point out a situation where emails were stolen or viewed by people they were not intended for and how that affected them.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/mar/01/phil-jones-climate-science-emails-select-committee-hearing

According to the Guardian, many of the emails that were released that appeared to show climatologists covering up facts about global warming could have been kept secret. It would make sense that most governmental agencies would use secure email however it appears in this case that somebody was able to receive and access the emails because they were not encrypted. The media storm and fallout has been enormous. I would assume going forward this group of scientists headed by Phil Jones will find a way to keep the information they exchange just a little bit safer.

Week 14: Clearly need to do something

After watching all of the lectures for week 14 I took the quiz, watched some TV and then went to bed. As I was laying in bed trying to fall asleep the thought of a hard drive failure or fire kept entering my mind. How would my wife deal with the news that all of her pictures of our almost 2 year old son were lost and gone forever because I was relying on a Best Buy quality hard drive to keep our budget, taxes, pictures, music and just about everything you could imagine safe and secure. Needless to say it was a relatively sleepless night.

Over the past couple years there have been many commercials and advertising dollars spent by companies that backup your computer system over the internet at regular intervals. While I had always thought it was a novel idea I had never really jumped into action to make it happen. This morning I began searching. Carbonite and Mozy are 2 products that came up. Both offer relatively the same features for about $60 per month. These services have some software that you simply download and they handle the rest. Mozy actually even allows for 2GB of free storage with no cost! Well you can imagine that 2 GB won't go far. My file containing pictures on the computer contains about 3.5GB alone.

At the writing of this blog I have not actually pulled the trigger on one of these systems as I am still searching for the best option for my situation. I do however know that once I find one I will scream at the top of every hill that anybody who stores anything important on their computer needs to back it up in some manner. It may not make sense to set up a RAID 1 system in your house but I can bet it makes sense to do something.

Week 13: Clear to compute safely

Computing on a PC that is always connected to the Internet these days is relatively safe given the software that is meant to protect us. This software including virus projections and spy ware allows us to surf and download with as much protection as say Lebron James signing autographs. For most of us however our personal information especially financial information is important to us like keeping the president alive is to the Secret Service. That is why we must be detectives sometimes. Especially when it comes to making online purchases.

A wise man once said that if it seems to good to be true it probably is and another said that nothing is every free. There are many websites out today like Amazon and Ebay as well as airline and travel sites that can handle your information with the utmost security. Everyday however it seems like a new travel site or auction site is popping up with fabulous deals. It is very important for users to consider the source when dealing with these types of sites. Often the products or services offered are merely a hook for you to open the door. There is one particular scam running with what are referred to as "ghost sites". These sites are designed to look identical to the bank sites and purchasing pages that you frequent. They however are merely used to collect your password and credit card information to cause you harm down the road. According to securemyhomepc.com, it is very important to watch for certificates and do research on sites that claim to be offering something for nothing or deals that are extremely better than what you are able to get elsewhere. Taking the extra time to research these sites may be the difference between a stolen identity or a copy of Harry Potter.

The secret service does not take a step with POTUS unless it has been researched, planned, and rehearsed. Our personal information is that important to us. Don't rely too much on your software and remember, operator error can rarely be prevented with virus software.

Week 12: Clear

In week 12 we began to discuss the uses of systems and systems analysts which is actually great addition to the information covered on database management. After all it appears that systems are merely a very specific extension of basic databases that are put into terms that are easier for the user to interface. Only a couple of weeks ago I saw a headline on Yahoo that referred to systems analysts as one of the only growing career fields in this down economy. As computer systems become more prevalent it will be necessary to retain more specialists that can keep them running. It is obviously very difficult to tell a customer on the phone or in person that you are unable to do business with them because your computers are down. Especially considering our level of dependency on computers.

I thought it would be interesting to ask some of my employees some questions when they came to work on Friday. As soon as I got to work that morning I played a later April Fools Day joke on them and sent out an email telling them to be prepared that in the near future we would be closed while we remodeled a building that was less that 10 months old. As my employees arrived almost 80% had received and read the email by 8am. When they came to me to inquire about the email, I asked them how much money they had in there purses or wallets. I was amazed to learn that amongst 7 employees I was able to recover a total of $18.69. I asked them what they would do if they needed to purchase something and with the exception of one employee who had $10, they all responded they would use there bank cards.

The point of this it to show how important systems analysts can be just in the process of maintaining a platform for sales to be processed. If it came down to cash or nothing most people would have no means to make a purchase unless they could visit an ATM. Surprise to most, who do you think maintains the software for ATM's and banks?

Week 11: Muddy

I must admit that I found the information contained in this weeks reading and lectures to be very informative but yet confusing at times. The process for database building and maintenance was very in depth and contained many steps that most small businesses probably fail to work through. Even after listening to the lectures twice and reading the chapter I found myself wanting some more information. Thank you Google.

http://www.databasemanagementtips.info/

This website provided a little bit of an explanation however it didn't go into the depth that the section covered. What it did bring to light is that we take them for granted. We are so accustomed to logging on to Expedia or Bing and just typing in what we want and getting it. We take for granted the the computer systems that a teller at a bank uses to tell us our balance or transfer funds. I have been able to experience this in the past when I was a teller at a bank. I was working for a small regional bank with 500 locations and we had our own system of programs and places where information was stored. After learning this system in and out to the point that I was able to troubleshoot problems for some of my bosses, I learned that the bank had been purchased by a large international banking firm that had there very own database and operating systems to do the same functions that we did. During the course of the merger it took almost a full year to get our database to the point where they could at the least compile all of the information into a form that there database would read and eventually take over.

What many people forget is that even old information for closed accounts must be retained for every branch and every transaction. I was not privy to the process that this database transfer was a part of but I do know that the 12 months were not just because. During this time I was questioned many times about the functions of certain parts and the procedures that we used to attain this information. I am no computer programmer but I had developed a knowledge of the uses of the outdated database that gave programmers some of the information they needed to transfer the data. The whole process continues to be very muddy to me and hopefully if I am ever in a situation to need it I will be able to just hire a consultant that is a professional in this line of work

Database Project Blog Post

I have taken classes before that have briefly touched on the capabilities of what Microsoft Access can do and in the past I have been able to take that tiny bit of information and use it for something useful until you leave it alone and forget. Those classes from the past were also taken with an older version of Access. I think that I learned during the course of this project that the program is much more user friendly now and it also makes more sense the second time around. I will use the database options of this to create tracking systems for invoices as work as well as starting a customer database that each individual store can use to log addresses and contact information each time they mail out a thank you card to a customer.

The database information that I will be able to create and use rather simply will allow me to track the frequency of customers coming back, giving feedback, redeeming bounce back opportunities, and it will also give me a broad customer base to do targeted advertising periodically throughout the year. Each opportunity that I may have to show loyalty to customer is a big benefit and the report options and mail merge options of the the program allow me to print envelopes as well as address labels. With a little bit more effort I would even be able to create name specific personalized letters to go with the other contact information. Using a marketing company for this level of database and concentrated marketing could cost as much as $.60-$1.50 per household.

Creating an Avatar Extra Credit

Alright first I have a gripe! The Simpson's avatar site was not operable! I have always been Bart! That aside I found DoppelMe to very simple and straightforward. Very similar to the process that is used on the WI system to create your, you guessed it AVATAR! I wish I had signed in prior to building my avatar because I could have made him more detailed to begin with but he is actually a pretty good representation of my current self as I type in front of this computer. I did find it comical that the poor guy was covered with a tiny little leaf until you gave him cloths. Thinking maybe that should be the first feature added and then move on to the face and hair color. I was tempted to leave him naked as my wife always jokes that she didn't know she married a nudest! Oh, oops. Probably didn't need to give you that little bit of TMI. Anyway. The grand unveiling of the Jason avatar is below!

Week 10: Clearly better

During the time I was listening to the lectures explaining networks and the benefits that they provide I was trying to make sure that I understood the information. Anything at all that didn't make sense was going on this blog this week and muddy and not understanding. However the overwhelming theme of this lecture was so clear I actually noticed that he was having a hard time discussing the negatives without turning them into positives. Now granted the information was coming from a dedicated IT specialist who does this for a living so I think maybe he should have removed himself from this material to avoid a perception of bias. I will say though that his points were clear and meaningful. Bottom line, networks improve productivity using synergy. Everything from the bottom line of a profit and loss statement to the overall attitude and happiness of the staff can be linked back to a solid well maintained network. The security of your company may even be at stake. We all know that moral, profit, and customer perception can all be trashed at the thought of a security breach of any kind. I needed some more info to back up the info given considering the source was compromised. I got some information from a network management company called GudAnof. (Chose them because of the name).

http://www.gudanuf.com/(S(nsqfu345inf20045sxqfvdfq))/Network.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

They provided 4 distinct points related to this topic. Number 1 was reduced costs. As a person in business you have my attention. #2 is data integrity and a great example of life with floppy disks. 10 people running around with the same basic information on a disk but none of them the same. #3 is security. In today's Internet world, enough said. #4 is backup. Computers still crash, fires still happen, laptops get lost or stolen and valuable data or information can be lost if the proper backup procedures are not in place. According the lecture one of the primary benefits of a network is that if run properly the information is all backed up somewhere safe where only multiple disasters across state and international lines can wipe out all of your information.

Look around tomorrow when you go out. Think to yourself all of the things that computer networks have allowed us to accomplish. Then say thank you to the next nerdy looking dude who walks by you with a pocket protector and black glasses. Yes I know you are saying that he may not have had anything to do with the network revolution (picture people outside burning 5.5 inch floppy disks instead of bras), but you might make his day anyway.

Excel Project

As I discussed in last weeks post concerning Excel learning I am always amazed that I am able to still learn something new and useful every time I am part of a curriculum that includes this program. This particular assignment was no different. I think that Professor Olson did a particularly good job in analyzing all the functions of this program that he could teach us and instead of beating us over the head with tons of addition and subtractions functions he gave us a small amount of information that we can turn into a huge amount of success.

Creating relative formulas vs. absolute formulas is one particular time saver that I always new was there but just wasn't quite sure how to make it work. For several years now it has just been simpler to create multiple formulas for different cell addresses. This can be time consuming and sometimes inaccurate. In the case of the use of the $ to designate and absolute formula, it really speeds up the process of large chart creation.

The other most important new tool introduced was the use of the pivot table. At first glance and even first attempt the pivot tool is quite daunting, however once one begins to play with the pivot table it begins to make so much better sense. The values have a tendency to fit in the logical places and the consolidation of information is something that I will be demonstrating for my boss. In the past the sorting of information could give good results however it didn't consolidate well. It is interesting to note that all of the functions that pivot table does could actually be equations that we might one day have had to learn. That brain space will be filled with something much more valuable now I am sure. Check out the example of the pivot table I was able to create.



While Excel is not really going to elevate my blogging ability. I find that it will free up some more time to practice my blogging skills.

Week 9: Clear as a new pair of glasses

It is sometimes difficult to take the time to sit down and study and listen to something somebody is trying to teach you that you have already learned. I go through this on a regular basis. I know my employees know what is expected of them and the correct ways to accomplish it but often I feel the need to explain again or even try to simplify the instructions for their own benefit. Often I get that look that tells me their brain left our conversation the minute I opened my mouth. When it comes to Microsoft Excel that is not how it should be.

I am very computer literate and find that I am able to really blow people away with the simplest computer functions. I have taken 2 maybe even 3 previous computer classes that used Excel as one of the areas of learning. I have read books about it and I have seen some great spreadsheets. Each time I can tell you that I have learned something new about this program and it didn't change this week. I make and maintain and modify lots of spreadsheets every day that are not only for my use and my business use but that are used by all of my peers as well as my supervisor and yet I still manage to learn something new every time i see somebody else handle the controls of the program. Moral of the story, yes I understood everything, yes I "know" Excel, but I truly believe that not even the designers of this program understand the full use.

Week 7: Clear as $$$$$!!

In one of the introductory lectures it was discussed how necessary it was for people with the skills to master computer operating system programming. So it got me thinking. Is this actually a profitable career sustaining expertise or merely a job fad that many will get educated in and few will actually find work. My research was very revealing.

According to overview.com (http://www.overview.com/career_summaries/Computer_Programmers.htm)

"Median annual pay of computer programmers were $69,620 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent were paid between $52,640 and $89,720 a year. The lowest 10 percent were paid less than $40,080, and the highest 10 percent were paid more than $111,450. "

This my friends is good news. If you have not already chosen a career path that excites you or shows the ability for some longterm success. Explore this path a little. Most hold at least a 4 year college degree but about 20% have a graduate degree. Many companies will hire you with your 4 year degree and then pay for you to finish your graduate degree. All the while paying you a wage that is well above poverty. Last time I checked OS were not going anywhere and they aren't becoming easier. Please reference my earlier blog on the TableTop computer from Microsoft.

Bottom line is that most are so focused on Web Design and graphis they are forgetting the importance of the operating software and the utility software that makes it all work. I can promise that I would be blogging much different that a rookie with that kind of training!

Week 6: Clear as Microsoft Touch

I am a little bit of a gadget guy by nature but something truly remarkable caught my eye while I was watching the lectures for this week and I had to do some more reasearch because it was almost to cool to believe. There was a video demonstration of the Microsoft Surface that should interaction between not just one computer user, but 2 or 3 users and the everyday phones, cameras and objects that we have become acustom to. Obviously I went directly to the source itself and found more interesting video demonstrations and even an explanation as to how it works. This is the site that Microsoft is providing:

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/Pages/Product/WhatIs.aspx

I was unable to immbed any of the videos they were showing but sniped this little explanation as to how the crazy thing works.

"Microsoft Surface uses cameras and image recognition in the infrared spectrum to recognize different types of objects such as fingers, tagged items and shapes. This input is then processed by the computer and the resulting interaction is displayed using rear projection. The user can manipulate content and interact with the computer using natural touch and hand gestures, instead of a typical mouse and keyboard."

Off to trusty YouTube and you can see for yourself why this is exciting.



According to Technologizer.com this unique table computer was first announced in 2007 by Microsoft but as you can imagine there are some price restraints on the market. Currently they will set you back about $10,000 but there is some chatter that a more consumer friendly version will be on the market for $5000-$10,000 depending on size and capability. This is still quite outside my price range but I can see where it will be affordable later. Until then I will just have to find one of the places that own and use them listed in the same article by Technologizer.com.

http://technologizer.com/2009/05/22/after-two-years-microsofts-surface-tabletop-computer-hasnt-revolutionized-anything-yet/

I suppose if I wanted to stop blogging like a rookie and step up to the big boys I could just empty my savings and place an order. I imagine however that the first search I did when I got it running would be for divorce attornys!

Web 2.0 Project

So here it is. Not only has this blogging rookie started to conquer the art of blogging but now I can make Web 2.0 media with some great support applications. One True Media proved to be a fantastic help for this project. CHECK IT OUT! (Don't forget to leave you comments behind, part of the grade.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

While I am eagerly awaiting your feedback, I want to talk about the value of this little training tool in business. While my project was geared more personal I can see many areas in which this could help a business. For example, IHOP is having our National Pancake Day for Childrens Miracle Network later this month and I am participating in the Radioathon at Arnold Palmer Memorial Hospital this week. All of the pictures or video that I take for these community outreach programs can be combined to put together a great PSA and even training and motivational presentations for the staff in future years. This method would give allow for me to promote my business as well as our philanthropy in a very positive and professional manner.

You can also view this project at the following URL
http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=a570b5202a4323b6a721e4&skin_id=1702

Week 5: Muddier than chocolate pudding!

I first want to set this blog post up by saying IT IS LATE! I assumed there would be one blog post for both weeks however when I logged on I noticed in current assignments was a spot for a blog post for week ending 2/7. This is not good news for me however I will survive it. Thinking about changing the name of the blog to "Blogging Late, A Rookie in Action". Ok now to the subject material.

This computer hardware stuff gets pretty confusing. I have spent many many years playing on these things and even building them with my father when it was cheaper to assemble computers with components than to buy "Emachines" and package deals. I have enjoyed that part of computing however some of this indepth knowledge of how a computer works is taking the fun out of it. I did however want to understand a little bit more about how the machine cycle of the processor works so I did some Googling.

http://www.jegsworks.com/Lessons/lesson4/lesson4-4.htm

This website shows a couple of diagrams but the computer speak is still heavy. I am searching hi and low for something in more laymans terms.

As the week progresses and I get deeper into this I will continue to hunt for a better description that is much easier to understand. Happy studying!

Week 4:Clear as FlipVideo!

The information found in the lectures and text of chapter 3 for week 4 was actually rather entertaining and informational. I did find it rather ironic that I was having major issues with the streaming of video for a lecture that discusses how to properly record, compress, and then stream video! I can't find myself making fun of the professor group for this considering the laptop that any of there children have are probably more expensive and better technology than the PC that I could buy tomorrow! Instead I will assume my ram and connectivity were the issue. I did however just download the last 2 lectures so that I could play them smoothly, and possibly at a bit faster speed. This of course is not was I wanted to discuss for my rookie bloggin page. Instead I was interested in some more camera purchasing information.

My wife loves to take pictures and video and this of course is made more intense by having a "almost" 2 year old at home. (Notice I didn't say 21 months because I find that many people prefer if you just round to the nearest age. The whole 12 month math thing really starts to screw with people.) I purchases a flip video camera for my wife for Christmas and she didn't return it so I figure that is good news. I have however overheard her discussing in four letter words how parts will or will not work as desired. So I took my knowledge from this class and did some hunting for a tutorial video for her. I found a couple of useful videos that I have added to this blog and I also emailed them to her and sent them via Facebook. Adding video to something like this would never have occured to me before I simply would have sent a link instead of imbedding it in the actual message.

Reel Tech TV Episode 1

That video gives a good basic overview of the functions of her camera but I found that this additional video showed much more that was relevant to our Week 4 learning. Some very indepth discussion as to what kinds of formats should be used and which ones work the best.

Reel Tech TV Episode 3

I think that overall I have learned enough about video and images that I will be able to easily attach them to my blogs, emails, webpages, and presentations going forward. This has the makings of some incredible Blogging like a Sophomore work in the future.

Week 3: OH What a CLEAR review

I took the advice of the IT genius's that are teaching this class and took week 3 very serious. I read the chapter, clicked on all the links, and watched all the lectures. Of course I was excited to see a new face behind the web cam this week as well. I have searched hi and low for something that I really didn't understand but considering my background, this was a great review of material for me. Knowing that all of my faithful readers on Blogging like a Rookie would be eagerly awaiting my take, I knew I had to find something to bring back to them. I found something very unique at the end of the chapter on page 108 discussing the issue of anonymous postings on the web. Seeing that all of my loyal followers hear appear to be anonymous, (you see where I am going with this? I don't have any blog friends) I decided that I would weigh in.

The Internet offers us so many freedoms of perceived privacy that we would not have access to otherwise. The ability to journal and send personal messages to each other, to pour our hearts into web pages and designing "art online" that frees the soul of the worldly troubles (see Avatar). Unfortunately that anonymity can become troublesome when it is anger directly toward others and this is called Cyberbullying. According to http://www.cyberbullying.org/,

"Cyberbullying involves the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behaviour by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others." -Bill Belsey

The idea that somebody anonymous can harm any of us virtually is a rather scary situation and it is becoming very common especially on many social websites. This is an issue that clearly I could write a book on (or maybe just read one that somebody else wrote) but I think there are just a couple of steps that we can all take to protect ourselves these situations.

1. Make your social pages private and only allow those who can have a positive influence on you as a person have access.

2. If somebody makes you uncomfortable, block them, un-friend them, do whatever you have to do to stop the communication.

3. DON'T GIVE OUT YOUR PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS!

4. If you are the victim of a bullying situation, report it to the website or host moderator or creator. Most of these individuals are required by law to handle these situations and they are also human beings.

5. Do not get involved in blogs or chat rooms or situations where anger or hatred are a normal part of the posts. Anything you post or respond to another person could set you up to deal with some crazed computer whack job who lives in his/her mothers basement and plays a lot of role playing video games.

As somebody with absolutely no training, or authority to have even made those suggestions, and based on the name of my blog probably lacking in credibility, file those not under fact but under CYBERSENSE. In case you want to know if you can use that word, sure, I mixed Cyber, and COMMON SENSE together to give you a word I am now going to trademark and sue whoever wrote this rambling blog. He will soon be Blogging BROKE.

Week 2: Muddy Muddy Mind

Coding schemes and number systems has given me a headache. Let’s just call it like it is. This stuff is confusing for me and probably for a great portion of computer users who don’t right programs or code. I have read the Appendix a minimum of 6 times. I see dancing 00011010100 and (1x2)^10132103 as I try to type this vary blog in Microsoft Word. I feel guilty knowing that some poor man is currently in a pink straight jacket in the Sun Valley Mental Health Ward trying to sort out his brain from the computer code that he had to master in order to make this possible. So to you “Mr. Computer Coder Man”, I salute you and promise to kiss my index and second finger and raise it to monitor each every time I successfully submit and spelling and grammar error free paper. Now let me see if I can take just a little part of this and try to make sense of it before I join computer coder man.
Seeing that the book explained this almost as clear as mud, I have enlisted my friends at Yahoo to help me sort this out. (Having done the research what the book has to say makes sense now so I don’t want to hurt the author’s feelings just in case you are reading this). Kirupa.com has a nice experiment where some genius decides it will be sport to see if he can teach it to us. I must admit he was successful. Here is what I gathered (http://www.kirupa.com/developer/actionscript/binary_conversion.htm). The orders of places are multiples of each other.
1 2 4 8 16 32 64 128 256 512 1024
So if I gave you the code 010101010 you could figure this out with a calculator and scratch paper. Just match the 1’s and 0’s to the appropriate numbers above (remember to go in reverse order. If there is a 0 in its place, simply ignore it. However if there is a 1 in its place, we are going to take that associated number and start a running total. So if you were following along it would look like this:
2+8+32+128+512=682
Now I waited till the end to tell you about the best part of this particular web page. Zelwyn tells me that the Windows Calculator when in scientific mode will do the transformation for you. Simply put the calculator into Bin type in the 010101010 and then change it to Dec mode and just like magic, headache avoided. (Please see screen shot below to see calculator lay out.
Now obviously this little research is not going to have me creating the next DOOM on the computer. It will however help other parts of the coding and schemes make sense. Maybe if I am lucky someday I can write code for my next blog; “No longer blogging like a rookie!”

Week 1: CLEARLY should have known this!

How many times have you entered something into a search engine and had 9.25 million returns and 9,249,999 are not appropriate to open at work? How often was the term you searched for baby? Well in Week 1 of the Computing in the Business Environment I learned a little something from a Google Help Cheat Sheet (http://www.google.com/help/cheatsheet.html) that will really help to narrow down my searches in the future.

For example, using the sign” ~” before a search word will also return synonyms. Another great find was the ability to type “site:” and then a search term. This could be very helpful when searching for sites for governments like cities and counties as well as colleges. Instead of returning 7.23 million responses for the search of Chicago, if you type “site: tourism info for Chicago” it will return you useful information. When I did the search just Chicago, 2nd item was a YouTube video of Chicago police shooting somebody. Not really the tourism research you were looking for. I have also researched and found that Yahoo also provides a similar assist to narrow your searches (http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/search/basics/basics-04.html). Using this information will have me save time in the future when researching everything imaginable. Now I can enter the term "blogging for beginners" into Google and hopefully it will teach me how to really Blog Like a Rookie!