Open source software sounds really interesting to me since I had no idea something like that existed. An example given in the lectures of an open source software is Linux, which I have heard of before but had never used or really understood.
But the basics of open source software is that the source code for the operating system is out in the public domain. This is different from closed operating systems in that only the developers of that system ever get to mess with the code. In open source software, anyone can scrutinize, correct and enhance the software as they see fit.
This kind of software is good for consumers because it can save money since the software is changed and exchanged among multiple users. But there also can be security issues since everyone can view and change the software.
What I don't understand is why developers would make this kind of software since they won't make a profit off of it? And also, how secure can the software be if everyone can mess with it? Won't there be some people out there who will use the open source system for devious means?
Some places that are worth checking out to learn more about open source software (which I will be studying to find the answers to my questions) are:
The Open Source Initiative, which has a very long and interesting definition for open source software
Free Open Source Software, which is kind of like a wiki community on all things open source and even has a list of open source applications.
Below is a video on free open source software that includes Firefox (free browser), Audacity (free audio editing), Open Office (free office suite), Gimp Shop (free photo manipulation) and more!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Week 3: Clear
Navigating the Internet to find the exact information you are looking for can be difficult if you don't know where to find it. With billions of Web sites to browse through, one may never find the piece of information one looks for. That is why we have search engines. They are great to find what you are looking for. Just type what you want to find in the search box and you get your information. Easy, right?Sadly, sometimes things aren't that simple.
Say you are writing a research paper and are looking for sources. Wikipedia is not a source, yet whenever you search for information that is all you get. There are easier ways to narrow your search to find the exact information you are looking for.
The most popular search engine out there, Google, has neat tips to help you narrow your search to find better results.
Google Search Basics helps you define what words to use in your search. Know that every word matters when you type them into the search box. Try to envision the Web site you are looking for and then guess what words would be sued for that site.
In Google's More Help section you can find out what symbols you can put in to the search box to help narrow the search results. These symbols include quotes, brackets and minus.
And to find a specific area of search, you can head to Google's Explore section which includes movie times, weather reports and unit conversions.
But if you are looking for safe and reliable sources to go with any papers you are writing, UF's Library Database is the best there is with excellent databases such as Lexis Nexis, Access World Bank and JStor.
Best of luck on your information search on the Web and remember, whatever you're looking for is out there somewhere. It just takes some time to find it.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Week 2: Muddy
I've had to do some research to understand what cloud computing is. The term is completely new to me and describing the storage on a computer with a cloud created a visual in my mind that didn't work.
What I was able to understand was that cloud computing dealt with storage. Instead of storing information or data on your own computer and taking up space on your memory, you can store that information online. Thus, you could just check the Internet for that information instead of your computer. So if you lost that computer (or it broke) that data would still be out there on the Internet and not be lost.
But how does that work? Are there storage Web sites that just host your data on their serves or what? In conducting my further research on how one can cloud compute, I found a easy-to-understand video that you can watch below.
The video is worth watching just for the host!
Watching that guy twitch as he speaks in that accent made the further research worth it! :]
Another place where you can find lots of information on cloud computing is InfoWorld's analysis on the basic use of cloud computing.
That's all for this week. Next week there will be a new concept that will either be clear...or muddy.
Until then!
What I was able to understand was that cloud computing dealt with storage. Instead of storing information or data on your own computer and taking up space on your memory, you can store that information online. Thus, you could just check the Internet for that information instead of your computer. So if you lost that computer (or it broke) that data would still be out there on the Internet and not be lost.
But how does that work? Are there storage Web sites that just host your data on their serves or what? In conducting my further research on how one can cloud compute, I found a easy-to-understand video that you can watch below.
The video is worth watching just for the host!
Watching that guy twitch as he speaks in that accent made the further research worth it! :]
Another place where you can find lots of information on cloud computing is InfoWorld's analysis on the basic use of cloud computing.
That's all for this week. Next week there will be a new concept that will either be clear...or muddy.
Until then!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Week 1: Clear
Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States
to the creators of original works, including: books, pictures, dance, movies and music. This protection gives the owner of copyright the exclusive right to allow others to reproduce the work.
Copyright law is important for the business environment because it protects original works from being used by anyone (called the public domain). If you were to invent something that would benefit society, you can copyright it so only you can make money off of it.
The copyright lasts for several decades and when it wears off, the material enters the public domain. At that point, anyone can use that material for an unlimited time.
For tons of information on the copyright laws of the U.S., visit the government's copyright Web site or you can go over the entire copyright code collection presented from Cornell University.
Also presented below is an amazing (and amusing) video detailing tons of information on copyright law put together with iconic Disney characters.
to the creators of original works, including: books, pictures, dance, movies and music. This protection gives the owner of copyright the exclusive right to allow others to reproduce the work.
Copyright law is important for the business environment because it protects original works from being used by anyone (called the public domain). If you were to invent something that would benefit society, you can copyright it so only you can make money off of it.
The copyright lasts for several decades and when it wears off, the material enters the public domain. At that point, anyone can use that material for an unlimited time.
For tons of information on the copyright laws of the U.S., visit the government's copyright Web site or you can go over the entire copyright code collection presented from Cornell University.
Also presented below is an amazing (and amusing) video detailing tons of information on copyright law put together with iconic Disney characters.
ISM 3004 Blog
This blog is for my class ISM 3004, Computing in the Business Environment.Each week I will detail a concept taught in the class and explain why it was either easy to comprehend or difficult to understand.
I am not a newcomer to the world of the blogosphere and have several other blogs that you may wish to check out.
Movies: Past, Present and Future is my personal blog on everything movies. I am a huge movie buff and keep up to date on the latest movie news. If you want to read about exciting movie updates, check out the site.
Swamp Cinema is another one of my movie blogs, but it is more credible as it is for my school newspaper, The Independent Florida Alligator. Catch up on more movie news from that site as well.
Otherwise, keep up with this blog to read about some of the interesting concepts presented in my computer course (and for the instructors, hope you enjoy the blog).
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