CAMS10 Blog Comments and Replies

Crystal Sauls

My Comments from Blog Assignments

 

 

My Comment: Loly’s 910 Blog June 17, 2009

 

Well your day is full of technology at its best! It sounds like you have no complaints!! You’ve gotten a lot more done in one day than most people get done in one week! I really enjoed your comment on “gotomeeting.” That service must really work!! Our generation is spoiled because we do have the use of technology and we have been taught how to use it as well. The babyboomers and earlier generations have found it to be useful as well but there are still a great handful of people that have not learned how to use technology even in its’ basic most common forms! We will eventually have to bridge the gaps between generations because everyday will be filled with new technology in the years to come.

 

My Comment: Aryn Hall June 13, 2009 9:06 p.m

 

Well, I have to allow myself to comment on the reservations concerning VOIP. I really don’t like the fact that the service is not as reliable as the traditional phone services. I guess companies see the benefit of using VOIP because there is no need for a lot of equipment. Well, I would like for my phone service to work on a regular basis. If the power goes out, you have no way to contact anyone. If the companies’ servers are down for the day, you can’t use the internet either! How inconvenient is that! I wouldn’t like if someone was calling me from a fake number either! It seems like the more advance the phones become, the more issues are attached to them. I don’t see how anyone can muster the fact of not being able to use 911 as needed! That is so unreliable! Well, I’ll most likely use the service for a short period of time just to see how it affects me but overall, VOIP is just a new way to communicate!

 

My Comment: CATSD June 11, 2009 8:41 p.m.

 

This was a great piecce of information! I’ve never heard of computers being in the grass but you never know where you will find computers these days. I think that the police may be calculating data in the neighborhood. They may be monitoring average speeds or other information for VDOT or the police department. I’ve heard that there are computers/cameras at the stoplights and traffic poles. I’ll make sure that I look for some of those devices in the new subdivisions. You never know how we may be monitored no matter where we go.

 

My Comment: Lindseys’ Blog June 6, 2009 9:07  pm

 

The environment has been a hot topic for several years. Who would have thought that technology would become one of the top 10 topics in regards to the environment? I guess Information Technology people saw it coming. I am a big fan of making products “greener.” I’ve always wanted a home with solar panels to reduce the cost of air and heat as well as water. There are even solar devices used for flooring! The government actually gives homeowners credit or incentives for making their home “greener.” You can visit your local HUD website for that information. I wonder will the government offer incentives for green computers in the near future? The middle class is the leading market for most all products but yet and still they incur the most cost when it comes to repairs, expenses and upgrades. Hopefully things will change where a lot of our products are green friendly and will have less negative impacts on our environment.

 

My Comment on Rick Vines Blog June 12, 2009 5:59 p.m.

 

It seems like free wifi is the way to go these days! The businesses that offer free-wifi know what they are doing! They are trying to get people to buy more products, stay longer and bring a friend. Meeting in restaurants to have interviews and discuss business proposals allows you to be less stressed. I know people that do this all the time and they like the ease of not going into an office or a traditional meeting room like they normally would. Now, they can invite their client to a local restaurant with free wifi and offer them some great food all at the same time! Everyone seems to be more relaxed this way! At times, I would only go into restaurants that offered free wifi just to use the internet. After a while, I started looking at the menu and saying to myself: “Hmm. I can eat well here and use the internet and I won’t miss a thing!” Overall, free wifi is convenient for the firms and the customers

 

By: cams10 on June 9, 2009 at 12:38 am & July 17, 2009 6:21 pm

 

My response to Rick Vines Comment about my page: I’m glad that you found the information useful.  Choosing less expensive products is a good choice these days!!  I listed only 1/3 of their models as I thought that was enough for our classmates to get the idea.  It’s not too late to list the models!  Recently, there was a sale at Kohl’s and the Nextar 3.5 inch GPS system was on sale for $99 plus a $20 mail-in rebate! Customers were bringing their reciepts to the store as they had purchased the same GPS unit for nearly $300!  It pays to be a wise shopper even when you are looking for a comparable GPS unit!  This may help some of us with our purchases.

 

 

cams10 on June 9, 2009  at 6:15 pm

 

My response to Lynn Alexander Comment about my page:  I really want a GPS system in my next car. I’ve been looking at the features on some of them and they seem really great! I think we should all get together as a class and ask Garmin to give us a student discount on our first 1-3 years of service! We can probably make suggestions of how there features can be more user friendly eventhough I haven’t heard complaints about them at all. This would be a great project for us to do!!

 

cams10 on June 4, 2009 at 7:18 pm

 

My response to CATSD Comment about my page:  Well, I am “initially” excited about the good things about technology! You are right!! The systems are down quite often in many places! It just happened to me today at work! I spent hours keying in information then the computer crashed! I am old fashioned as well and I just started banking online. I usually keep a paper trail and I only do minimal transactions. There is so much going on with the satellites and technology and I’ve been hearing about some things that could happen to us any day now in regards to technology. Yeah, I saw the $5 fee for renewing in person as well! You know this is the way the state-governments make money from the citizens!!! That’s why I renewed online! I’ve been paying bills online just to save gas!! I am definitely not opposed or offended by your comments. You are stating your opinion and you are right! I’ll stay excited about technology as I continue to fulfill the goals regarding technology in my life.

     Kohl’s Department stores has a physical store and an online store. I visit Kohl’s Department stores often.  They sell clothing for Women, Men and Children, seasonal items, electronics, cards and house wares along with many other items.  You can pretty much decorate your entire home with their products!  They also have an online store which is Kohls.com.  The difference between shopping online and in-person is that you don’t have to physically travel to a store on-line as opposed to shopping in-person.  You can’t try on the clothes, shoes or touch the towel selections to feel for softness online like you would if you were in the store.  The online store as a wider selection of products and sizes which is a plus!  This is really good for men and women who can’t find there size in the store.  For example, the men’s suit jackets are available up to a size 42 or 44 on the store.  Online, you can find the suit jackets all the way to a size 50 in some cases.  I’ve noticed that a lot of stores are starting to have a “Big and Tall” section and that makes it easier for a frequent shopper to shop in one place without having to travel to many stores!! 

 

     Another great feature of shopping at the 2 stores is the savings!! If you have a Kohls’ Charge Card, you receive savings 12 times per year plus additional savings that they may send to frequent customers.  You receive 10% off your entire purchase when you open a Kohl’s Charge Account in store.  If you use your card online for the first time, you receive 10% off your entire purchase as well!  You can shop in the store and online all in the same day or at different times and receive a total of 20%!  They usually have a 50-60% sale on all merchandise so it’s better to have a Kohl’s charge and shop when they have the big sales online and in the store!  Even there regular sales like buy one get one free, 30-50% and their 33% off sales are great!  You can use the coupons they mail you along with the sale in store or online!  If you sign up to receive free email alerts, you get an additional $5 off your next purchase! They send you Kohl’s cash by email and in the store for large sums and you can use it online!! 

      Shopping online is much like shopping in the store except you can’t physically touch the products.  They have the same sale online when they have a sale in the store.  This way, you can pick your shop day and not have to worry about missing out on great deals whether you like to shop online or in the store.  The online store may carry a promotional product that you will not find in the store as well.  It’s a great idea to shop online and in the store because you never know what you will find and you are keeping your loyalty by shopping at both of their locations, in-store and online!

Voice over Internet Protocol or (VoIP) is a general term for a family of data transmission technologies for delivery of voice communications over IP networks such as the Internet or other packet-switched networks. There are other terms frequently used that produces the same end product as VoIP such as IP telephony, Internet telephony, voice over broadband (VoBB), broadband telephony and broadband phone. Cavalier Telephone and Barre Y Lane Communications offer VOIP services. I used to be a customer of Cavalier Telephone and I wanted to learn more about VOIP services along with having multiple lines for a small business. Essentially, the word internet telephony refers to communications services such as voice, facsimile and/or voice-messaging application. They are all transported by the internet. Traditional phone servicest were not transmitted by the Internet but it was transmitted by the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

 To achieve a VOIP call, you would start by originating an Internet telephone call then convert the analog voice signal to digital format and compression/translation of the signal into Internet protocol (IP). These packets of data transmitt over the Internet (the process is reversed at the receiving end).VoIP systems employ session control protocols to control the set-up and tear-down of calls as well as audio codecs, which encode speech allowing transmission over an IP network as digital audio via an audio stream (most of us are familiar with digitial audio streams because of the use of downloading music, sounds, video etc). Codec use is varied between different implementations of VoIP (and often a range of codecs are used); some implementations rely on narrowband and compressed speech, while others support high fidelity stereo codecs. Take a look at the main components of the system and the cost of the equipment in a scenario where a firm needs the phone system, headsets and the monthly phone services:

Productivity Application ExecutiveAssistant, a premier telephony application platform, was developed by BrightArrow to deliver over a hundred features in the following categories:

1. Powerful Find Me / Follow Me

2. Secure, Integrated Call Recording

3. Flexible Call Monitor, Whisper, Barge-in

4. Speech Recognition Auto-Attendant

5. Call Announce, Screening, Prioritization

6. CRM Screen Pops and Dialing

7. Department Call Queue View

8. Speech Dialing

9. Outlook/Exchange Integration

10. In-office Presence

11. User-specific Audio-on-hold

12. Software platform can be customized to fit special requirements Proposed hardware

1. Call Processor (qty = 1) Powerful IP telephone system includes call management, Voice Mail (4 ports/400 hours), 4 analog FXO ports, 1 analog FXS port, a site license for IP on the Fly, and 15 Group 2 Phone Licenses all in one easy-to-manage platform. The call processor manages all incoming and outgoing call traffic, embedded application hosting, external application gateway connectivity, and telephony adjunct connectors for Music-on-hold(1/8″ RCA), External Alerts (RJ11) and Paging (RJ11). Includes support for 250 devices (expandable to 1500 devices with additional device licenses and memory upgrade). Interfaces: one 10/100 uplink port, one (1) system hard disk, one (1) autosensing 110/220 V, 50/60 Hz AC power supply and one (1) 8-foot power cord.

2. Business Telephone (qty = 1) • Full duplex speakerphone • Supports up to 18 line appearances • 18 programmable and 10 pre-programmed feature buttons • 4-way display control • A two-line 160 x 30 pixel based LCD display that provides caller ID information, internal name directory access • 3 soft keys for display selection • Two 10/100 switched Ethernet ports • Faceplate including five commonly used features (Speaker, Redial, Conference, Transfer and Hold) • Adjustable stand -5 to 45 degree with wall mount • Headset jack • Wideband audio handset and speaker phone • Power over Ethernet (802.3af) Support

3. Media Driver Application Site License (qty = 1) Media Driver Application site license will allow up to the platform maximum of TAPI/WAV or CT Media ports to the for the call processor platform.

4. Expansion Chassis (qty = 1) Expansion Chassis—accommodates further communications options via T1/ E1, PRI, analog and BRI trunking.

5. PRI Interface Card Terminates a voice T1, T1/PRI, or Q.Sig slave circuit into the call processing system; for optimized network loading includes a 10/100 MB MDI uplink port to connect to a LAN switch port, plus a built-in CSU.

6. Installation, Configuration & User/Admin Training Our proposal includes full implementation of the telephony system with automated attendant set-up. Our engineers will configure the system and assist end-user with final installation and administrative and end user training.

7. Core Component Express Warranty (qty = 1 year) (Express 24x7xNBD) – This response level provides telephone technical support 24 hours per day, Sunday through Saturday, excluding business holidays. Advance hardware replacement is delivered on the next-business-day following part dispatch. Requests can only be made 24×7, excluding business holidays. Telephone sets (Express 8x5xNBD) – This response level provides telephone technical support during business hours, Monday through Friday, excluding business holidays. Advance hardware replacement is delivered on the nextbusiness- day following part dispatch. Requests can only be made during business hours on Monday through Friday, excluding business holidays.

 8. Executive Assistant Server Application (qty = 1) Requires a server platform (3.6 GHz, 2 GB RAM, Windows 2003 Server, with 1 Microsoft CAL for each simultaneous EA advanced and EA supervisor client). Server platform is not proposed.

9. Executive Assistant Advanced Client License (qty = 50)

10. Executive Assistant Supervisor Client License (qty = 1) Pricing Purchase Option (Items 1-7) * $10,500 Purchase Option (Items 8-10 and installation) * $12,215

I would like to have the VOIP services in my future office because data can be stored and retrieved in a matter of seconds. Cavalier and Barry E Lane offer great services at different prices. My only concern with Cavalier is that their equipment has not been that reliable as far as their internet services. If your internet is down, then you can not receive or make calls. The good thing is that messages can be left on the VOIP system and you can retrieve by using a cell phone or other landline phone to check messages. The equipment is very expensive along with the monthly bill. I received a quote for multiple lines along with the use of the internet (which is free with the service with Cavalier) and it costs about $600/mo to have the services for a minimum of ten phone lines, 5 coming in and 5 used to make outbound calls. You would have to purchase equipment called a T1 (used to handle all incoming and outgoing calls). The more lines you add, the more the service costs. I liked the idea of using VOIP services with Cavalier but the internet services were not too reliable (or their phone services at times). I would use Barry E Lane Communications because their market is small, medium to large businesses and this is their primary area of service they offer. They have a great team of people to deal with and their prices are not as high as some others in their field. I would love to have the service one day but I pray that it is reliable and cost efficient since more firms are starting to offer the service.

http://www.barreylane.com

 http://www.cavaliersalesagent.com/business.html

Garmin uses WebUpdater which is a free application that lets customers update their unit software from home.   I guess they figure you have aloready spent the money on the unit so the software updates are free!! Customers can go to Garmins’ website and download it once.  Once you “run” the application, the software does all the work for you (much like other software programs we use on our PC’s).  Using WebUpdater makes it easy to upgrade your operating software for free.  After you connect your GPS unit to the PC, it will automatically check for updates!  Previous versions were a lot different and more time consuming but that’s not the case anymore! 

Garmin uses over 60 other software programs for their GPS units. They are featured in different vehicles such as BMW X5, BMW X3 etc.  Here are a list of the software products:

Product          Name	Date:
BMW Motorrad Navigator III	November 29, 2007
BMW Motorrad Navigator III plus	November 21, 2007
cf Que 1620	May 10, 2006
Colorado 300	December 5, 2008
Colorado 400c	December 5, 2008
Colorado 400i	December 5, 2008
Colorado 400t	December 5, 2008
Communicator Plugin	May 12, 2009
Communicator Plugin for Mac	May 12, 2009
DNX 5 Series	January 26, 2009
AVN,KNWD,Am,GPS System	January 26, 2009
AVN,KNWD,Atl,GPS System	January 26, 2009
DNX 7/8 Series	January 26, 2009
Edge 205	May 4, 2007
Edge 305	May 4, 2007
eMap	August 7, 2003
eTrex	June 14, 2002
eTrex Camo	July 30, 2003
eTrex Euro	July 30, 2003
eTrex Legend	March 18, 2008
eTrex LegendC	May 3, 2007
eTrex Legend Cx	May 12, 2009
eTrex Legend HCx	May 12, 2009
eTrex Summit	July 30, 2003
eTrex Summit HC	January 5, 2009
eTrex Venture Cx	May 12, 2009
eTrex Venture HC	January 5, 2009
eTrex Venture	March 18, 2008
eTrex Vista	March 18, 2008
eTrex VistaC	May 3, 2007
eTrex Vista Cx	May 12, 2009
eTrex Vista HCx	May 12, 2009
eTrex H	October 17, 2008
FishFinder 100	July 31, 2003
FishFinder 100 Blue	July 31, 2003
FishFinder 160	July 31, 2003
FishFinder 160 Blue	July 31, 2003

Garmin also has mapping software and software for macs.   All of the software is free and it is really user friendly.  The hardware and software work together to make the GPS system work in several ways.  The hardware displays all of the functions of the software so that customers can effeciently use the the product.  The Garmin GPS produces beautiful maps, sounds and other personal settings that makes it worth using!  There has been some debate over the mounting functions of certain GPS systems but most customers are happy with sleekness in look and size along with the easy to use software created by Garmin.

 

http://www8.garmin.com/products/webupdater/howtoinstall.jsp

http://www.drillspot.com/products/347716/Garmin_010-00521-00_Vehicle_Navigator

There are many pros and cons of using All-in-One printers.    While All-in-One Printers save you money and saves space, it may not save you as much money and time in the future when one or more of the features start to malfunction.  Initially, you think about getting and All-in0 One Printer because you think it will save you time and money for your home office or small business.  Well, that’s what most people think and that is true.  It’s more convenient to have an All-in-One that can fax, scan, print and copy!! Wow, you can do many tasks all from one machine!!  This is said to be good for people that are doing small print jobs and minimal work.  You will only use one ink cartridge for everything! 

On the flip side, the cost of repairs for one of the components of the All-in One Printer will be costly.  Once the printer function of the All-in-One stops working, you have limited use of all the other functions! Also, you will go throught that ink toner really fast because all of the functions of the All-in-one use the same ink!  That’s the selling point on the marketing side for the manufacturers!  The cost of repairs will end up being the cost of a new machine anyway.  Also, the machine may not cost that much but you will pay triple the amount you spent in just 3 or 4 uses of ink toners. 

An All-in-One printer will not satisfy my needs for a small business or home office!  I have my own personal experience to back me up here!! I have an All-in-one Printer of a popular name brand and in less than one year, it starts to malfunction!  I wonder why that happens!  It sits in the same spot everyday and it is a candidate for an accident getting ready to happpen.  Can you believe that the printer will not accept its own manufacturers’ ink cartridge?  The toner won’t even fit into the tray area!  The manufacturer sent me 3 of the same printers and I still have the same problem, not to mention that  some of the other functions stop cooperating throughout the ordeal! 

 The ink was expensive and I did order several packages all at one time!  I can only use the scan function of the All-in-one printer now.  My home office doesn’t require a lot of copying and faxing at this point simply because I do 90% of all transactions on-line.  When it gets to the point where I’ll need to use those functions, I will make sure that I have the top of the line equipment so that I don’t incur the cost of repairs later on.  Therefore, I will spend the money to buy a fax machine, copier and scanner during that tax free weekend coming up later in the summer!!

 

http://www.samsung.com/me/microsite/myguide/hcom/hcom008.asp?it=rn_hcom/hcom016.asp

I like Information technology for several reasons.  It’s a way to bring people together, cut costs for some entities and saves time.  All of us have used technology at some point or another.  Whether you use it to pay bills on-line, search the latest news or look up a restaurants’ menu,  information technology is an asset to us all.

I like information technology because it is a tool to link people together by information.  For example, the way we recieve news is so fascinating these days.  One can take pictures of storms, accidents and altercations and send via email or video message and see quality news reporting as if they were “live” on the scene.  How could that be possible without the use of technology? 

Information Technology allows some firms to cut costs.  It’s much easier for a manufacturer to receive orders on-line rather than employing phone operators to take orders.  When their client runs out of a product, they can go to the suppliers website and place an order.  They can even sign up to receive electronic invoices and pay their bill on-line!  At that point, all the manufacturer has to do is check for orders throughout the day, fill them and ship them.  This saves money and time whereas if it is was done in the traditional way, calling and taking orders, there would be other costs involved.

Finally, I like information technology because it saves time.  It fills good to pay for your vehicle registration on-line at dmvnow.com!! You even save $1/yr for renewing on-line!! One Dollar can add up in the midst of a recession!!  I can check my bank statements on-line, the weather for a trip I will take, search for summer specials all while waiting to receive an email response from professors, family and friends!  I can send an email and say: “I’ll respond after 4 pm today!” That way, the recipient will not have to wait for me to reply to their response right away! They can move on to the next set of important things in their life! Thank God for information technology!!

 

I am an SCS student because I think that it is important to continue taking courses in various fields.  Some many think that once you get an associates degree or a bachelor’s degree, you are done with your education and you can work happily ever after!  Well, that is not always the case. A lot of people don’t even work in the areas of study that they received their degree in. Therefore, I am and SCS student to further my education and to work in a field that is in demand and growing.

            Being an SCS student is convenient for me for several reasons.  There are a variety of classes that are offered at night.  I can work during the day, study and take classes in the evening.  I was told that the professors at the U of R taught on a much higher level than several other universities and that they treat their students like they are adults.  I registered for the SCS for that reason as well! 

            Another reason that I am an SCS student is because I am very interested in technology.  I’ve ordered books to learn about the internet, web-development and networking.  I even attended InfoComm a few years in a row!  It didn’t dawn on me until December of 2008 that I really had a major interest in technology.  Therefore, I decided to enroll in the school of continuing studies’ information technology program. 

I am interested in learning how technology is used online, in stores and in government.  These are all areas where technology is booming and in demand.  Technology is used online to promote businesses, interest groups, education as well as daily news.  Technology has made it easy for each of the above entities to increase its’ viewers.  Stores are increasing there buying power by offering more products and sizes on there online store.  For Example, Kohls.com offers more sizes and styles than they do in the store.  You also receive a 10% discount the first time you buy online!  The government has increased there use of technology in the US and overseas.  They are always finding ways to reach people in Arabic speaking countries and technology is one of the leading ways they can reach their market. 

            Being an SCS student is a symbol of growth for me.  I received my first degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2005.  Most of my classes were in the morning and early afternoon.  Now that I am employed, I can take classes in the evening.  Actually, the Information Systems’ Certificate program is only 21 credit hours so it won’t take me as long to get my next degree.  As an SCS student, I can experience education at the U of R during a time when the economy is not expected to do so well.  I can gain an education that will give me the skills I need to obtain a great job by the time the market turns around (as technology is in high demand).  I will actually gain knowledge that I can use in the future as an entrepreneur. A lot of small and large businesses have not used technology in a way that will help their businesses stay afloat in a recession.  Since technology is a tool that allows one to increase their business, it should not be used to handicap them in the event that sales are not what they used to be.  Firms can learn how to leverage their potential by the use of technology in addition to their storefront facility.  Now is the perfect time to revamp ones’ storefront and online business by the use of technology.   My knowledge of technology will grow throughout each semester and I will be able to obtain a great career in the growing field of technology.

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