“Digg.com: The Rise and Fall of a Social Media Giant”

The positives to a new site that organizes its stories using user input that people stay well connected to each other. They can discuss an article that they posted on Digg and if they haven’t read it yet, they know where it can be found. The negatives are that people could promote stories for money and web site directors would try too hard to have their stories posted on the website.

I can imagine a similar fate happening to other social media sites. It already happened to sites like Friendster or MySpace, which were once popular. I don’t believe that it will happen to Facebook anytime soon because Facebook just bought out Instagram for a billion dollars and Facebook seems to follow all the trends and constantly update their company to stay with the crowd. I think Digg can be popular once again if they worked on their marketing and did some advertising. I did not know what Digg was until I read the article. I went onto their website and found it was interesting. Upon visiting their website, I immediately found some articles I was interested in reading. I think it would be nice if my friends were to use the website because I would be attracted to see what articles that they would post.

I think the next social media giant is Instagram that is why Facebook bought them out. Other uprising social media companies are Vine and Snapchat. Instagram obviously took notice and added new features onto their app such as video posting, similar to Vine, and direct photo messaging, similar to Snapchat. Like Facebook, Instagram continuously has updates for their app and offers or adds all the same functions as their top competitors. However, Instagram used to be ad-free, and now has started posting ads through everyone’s news feed. It could be possible that people may not like all these new changes for the better.

“Wikipedia: Who is Editing?”

I use Wikipedia as a source for my research. At first, I thought Wikipedia was not a good website to use as anyone can alter the information and post incorrect data. Then, for one of my classes, we were taken to the library to attend a class where the librarian spoke about better ways to research. She said Wikipedia is a reliable source since many of those who edit the information are teachers or educated professionals at universities and institutions. Whenever I use Wikipedia, I still make sure to double check the information and go to the websites listed under the “References” and “Sources.”

I have never made a change to a Wikipedia entry. If I saw an obvious mistake, I would not make a change unless I knew I was a hundred percent positive of my information. Even If I was sure, I don’t think I would make a change because you would have to learn the process of editing and the proper way to submit and cite your sources. I would just write an entry to Wikipedia about an incorrect post and list the link and let the professionals resolve it.

Since anyone can edit Wikipedia, I see it as both a curse and a blessing. One would think with more people editing, the more knowledge to come. However, not everyone takes Wikipedia seriously and tampers with crossing fiction and non-fiction without thinking about the consequences it can have on someone writing a research paper. I think Wikipedia can be a great website for students to use if only it were handled accurately. Wikipedia can lead students to other websites and help them with their research since their website is reasonably organized and detailed. Wikipedia is a good place to start if you are beginning to write your research paper or ending it since it will potentially led you to other websites.

“Next Generation Identification”

Tangible cost for the FBI database system includes the $1 billion dollars “Next Generation Identification.” Additionally, the resources needed to maintain such a system in a long run includes financial support, technical support, and training. Fear from the public is an intangible cost created by the system, so the program will cause the general public to lose trust in government. In some degree, the system may cross the boundary and invade our privacy rights and civil rights.

A faithful argument for the expansion would be that this system ensures the safety of our general public because its benefits weight far more than harm, and we are going to do our best to eliminate the harmful side effects. A fearful argument would be that without this database, terrorists can easily penetrate in every level of our society and do what they do the best. That is to destroy our beloved home, tear our family apart, and kill innocent people. No one would want that happening to the people standing right next to them. A fact-base argument would be that every since the development of the database, we find 350,000 matches out of 7 million submissions and successfully deported 80,000 illegal immigrants. I think the fact-base argument would be more persuasive because it shows that FBI database is actually doing good work.

I don’t believe the database would become less accurate as one ages, gains weight, loses weight, and/or is injured. If anything it should become more accurate as technology advances. All the factors listed above would be incorporated into the software when identifying facial characteristic. Furthermore, I believe when the authority collects evidence, they should not rely on just one ID, therefore, they must cross exam multiple identifications such as finger prints, DNA analysis, and foot prints etc. That way the problem associated with innocent people can be reduced or eliminated.

 

 

“The Battle for Dashboard”

Interorganizational system (IOS) provides streamline information to companies like General Motor in this constantly changing market. IOS helped General Motors to quickly adapt to the demands of the consumers and effectively organize such information between different departments within the company, so they can come up with a solution that meets the customer needs. For instance, the market shifts towards the technology gadgets so General Motor needs to figure out what apps are relevant to incorporate in their cars. IOS can retrieve this information from its data collection and instantaneously pass it along to its engineer and designing team. This way General Motor can gain a competitive advantage in the auto industrial and make cars that are more attractive to its customers.

The most critical capability of the interorganizational system will be the feedback mechanism. When the IOS collects its data from the consumers and relate back the manufacturer, it is basically taking a survey of the market. It tells the manufacturer what features are phased out and what should be improved upon. Once the quality of the car improves the customer satisfaction increases, and by spread of the words it is going to draw more customers. Also with the feedback information, it is like taking a subconscious complaint from the customers which alleviates some of the burden from the customer relationship by making a better car next year.

I believe everything that portrays cars in the future in the science fiction movies can become real. Automobile can be self-navigated and self-drive, which Google has already tested many cars equipped with such a system. Electric cars are also developed by few automakers but the limitations include speed, battery life, and charging station. Once we don’t have to worry about driving and navigation that leaves us with a lot of free time in the car. Therefore, internet connection in the car would be a big hit for market. The display could be the touch screens polarize windows that surround the car. The next step, I hope to see our personal flying cars that combine all the advance technology.

ERP

I trust the external provider to a certain extend because the hacking issue still exist in online security. However, I would not be sharing with the vendors the information regarding to personal finance and company secrets. Business secrets and personal information is best kept in a close circuit network. The only way to increase the customer’s trust is if the vendor is fully responsible if the data is hacked, stolen, and sold. I believe the data storage is similar to having money in the bank. If the bank happens to get robbed, the bank would still owe you whatever you deposited.

Simple in-house database network is costly and difficult to maintain or to even to start-up.  More limitations of in-house database include data storage, data sharing, cloud base email, and communication services which require a lot of maintenance and update. In-house network just can’t keep up.  The benefits of the SaaS database solution is paramount compared to local networks. Vendors compete for customers; therefore, the best product is going to win most customers. Large Tech companies such as Google, Mircosoft, and Amazon are specialized in this field to provide companies what they need. Google’s cloud-base service across different platforms let the customers access their work from anywhere, anyplace, and anytime. Other vendors customize and adapt to your needs as a company. SaaS is growing and improving in this 21st century.

Essential application should be purchased rather than obtained through a SaaS relationship. If the company uses applications daily and it is already integrated into the normal company routine, then it should definitely be purchased for a onetime fee rather than being subscribed or pay-as -you- go. This way the company saves money. Also applications that need to process a lot of personal data and trade secrets should be purchased and run on a close circuit network to prevent information leaks.

The Internet Prize

Cinematch, Netflix’s movie recommendation program, came to light after Netflix allows users to rate the videos they watch and choose what type of genre they like. This resulted in Netflix creating a personal recommended list for the user, based on the information that they have provided. Netflix can enhance the “movie intelligence” by letting users add more in-depth ratings and descriptions on what types of movies and shows they like to watch. For example, they can have an option of what actors and actresses they like to see present in the movie through their “taste preference” list. They could also add more languages in their “taste preference” list as there are Korean movies in Netflix but Korean is not one of the languages on their list. This would benefit both Netflix and the viewer.

The pros of the Netflix prize winner sharing the improved Cinematch method allows Netflix to more precisely recommend movies to watch since the program was improved by 10 percent. The cons of it include releasing private information that people could trace back to specific users by their age, gender, geographic location, unique identifier number, etc. This posed as an invasion of privacy, allowing their information to become public.

I think a good contest for people, similar to Netflix, should be provided by Yelp, the online review site. Often companies post fake pictures of foods that do not clearly represent their product while other users post poor quality photos that also misrepresent the restaurant’s product. Also, there are many fake or exaggerated reviews posted by restaurant workers that lead to false advertisement of the restaurant. Yelp does try to monitor and filter out these kinds of actions but I think that they could come up with a program that will prevent biased reviewing even further. For example, some of the reviewers could possibly have never stepped into the restaurant that they are reviewing, but are only making fraudulent reviews because they want to portray their competition in a negative light. Perhaps restaurants could offer a code on their receipt for Yelpers to enter and access their restaurant’s yelp site to create a review. Yelp and restaurants could promote this review program by adding incentives, discounts, and prizes.

Flickr: for photographers of all levels

Flickr, one of the most popular photo-sharing websites, is used by people worldwide for many reasons. Unlike other photo-sharing sites, Flickr allows professional-graded photos to be uploaded and shared amongst its members without it contorting the image. The size of the photos are not compressed, thus the quality of the photo remains original. Furthermore, the ability to cluster allows viewers or photographers who interested in a similar subject to come together. Most importantly, Flickr’s ability to add notes to any object or person in the picture allows users to “tell little stories” or be more specific in their submissions, which really gives viewers a more personal connection.

A lesson a local business can learn from Flickr is the creativeness and the innovativeness that they possess. Flickr has a way in making the photos you share more personal, at the same time more private, depending on their user-friendly settings. You also have an option of sharing your photos on other popular social networks such as Facebook, which will advertise their website to a much larger crowd. With Flickr, members can geotag their photos with the help of Yahoo maps to pinpoint their location, which could help a local business if people locate their business on websites such as Flickr and Facebook. People may stumble upon your business with searching for photos taken nearby, possibly making a new discovery for a favorite restaurant or place to shop.

I see Flickr as a lead competitor in the future compared to other photo-sharing websites. They have adapted well in technology advancements such as having an available app with photo editing and filter options for mobile phones and tablets. They also had the option where you can upload a video clip, which is now trending in apps such as Vine and Instagram. Unlike Vine and Instagram though, Flickr has superior photo/video quality which cannot be denied. As long as they keep up with their sleek designs and in-depth user options, Flickr will be in the long foreseeable future for photographers of all levels.

Netflix

In the modern world, I believe that local video rental stores cannot survive while movies are made so easily accessible through the web. It is not as convenient to be physically present in the store to rent a movie that is due usually within 24 hours, such as Red Box. If it is not returned in a timely manner, then a late fee is applied. Basically, one is always making an extra trip to the store for a movie that they do not have much time to watch. A reason why Netflix is so popular is that the customers have an option to get their desired movie mailed to their home without having to make a trip to a video store. They could also stream the movie online with a cheap monthly subscription fee unlike a traditional book store, where some people prefer to read an actual book in hard copy form instead of on a screen. Then, when they are finished watching the movie, all they have to do is repackage it and wait for the mailman to pick it back up or just simply exit out of their browser. Netflix is successful because it is the first movie rental company that can effectively adapt to changing technologies and their customers.

Netflix definitely has taken advantage of new media sources and expanded their business on platforms such as tablets, smart phones, and even game consoles. Each platform brought a new source of revenue for the company. Netflix developed its own app for smart phones and tablets which makes their company more appealing since many people would like to travel light with a tablet rather than a bulky laptop. Many of those travelers would like to pass some time while in transit on an airplane or waiting in an airport lobby.

I believe that Netflix can stay popular as long as they keep their digital library updated with bringing in videos and clips that are high in demand and updating their video quality. Also, a way to keep a competitive advantage over anything is to have computer fluency and be updated on all the new trends and popular devices. These are must for Netflix especially with competitors out there such as Hulu, who provides a good selection of the newest episodes to their customers. However, Netflix has still advantages over Hulu in that they offer a mail program for their DVDs and they do not display as many interrupting commercials during throughout their videos like Hulu does. They also currently hold more titles than Hulu and offers better pricing.

“Bridging the Digital Divide”

 

In this current age of innovative technology, it is important to keep up with the latest inventions or as a result, risk falling behind the technological switch. From students learning on Apple products and “googling” their information for their research papers to placing their meal order through a computer at Wawa, we deal with some type of computer every day. It makes you wonder how we ever lived without a computer, laptop, tablet or smart phone. However, some countries such as Uruguay, Uganda and Peru do not have access to any of those technological gadgets, thus creating a “digital divide.”  Many homework assignments now involve internet research and people in these countries cannot do searches on the internet, which offers a broader selection of information at the tip of your fingers. Also, to even get a job in the United States, many times you would have to fill an application out online or print out your resume from a computer. These are just some of the reasons why it is vital to have access to a laptop and internet in the United States and keep up with the world.

That is where the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) can be extremely helpful to those who are electronically disadvantaged.  The OLPC, founded by Nicholas Negroponte, is a non-profit organization invented to help provide a child user-friendly laptop and internet access for those who have low-income all over the world. Mobile devices and smart phones are increasing throughout the world, which means even more people will conveniently have access to the internet in just the palm of their hands. This may cause children who do not already own laptops and internet access to either fall even more behind or help them gain access as it is cheaper to produce.

Nonetheless, you cannot solve the educational or digital bridge by just handing a person a laptop and internet access. Someone must teach them how to properly use it. The United States may be known for being technologically advanced, but we are also known for being too caught up in the internet. You may see kids who are 3, having their own Ipads to watch cartoons or student neglecting their studies, too distracted by Facebook or YouTube videos. This can be overcome by teaching them time management. There is a time to connect to people or find entertainment through the internet and then there is a time to learn through the internet.