Cloud computing...I thought I was done thinking about it, but now my favorite company has moved "to the cloud". I discovered this right after I read this article about how moving to the cloud might not save you as much as you thought it would (as I pointed out in my midterm!)http://www.zdnet.com/blog/service-oriented/why-cloud-computing-may-cost-more-than-on-premise-systems/4459?tag=mantle_skin;content
CCE, or Coca-Cola Enterprises (my fave), has a workforce of over 72,000 employees worldwide. Apparently, they had difficulty getting everyone "on the same page", so they decided to move to the cloud. In a case like this, with such a large company spread out over the globe, moving to the cloud makes alot of sense. It presents a great advantage over the competitors by reducing the information latency that we talked about in class last week. According to a Microsoft Case Study presented on ZDNET,
"CCE now has a robust intranet portal to support worldwide collaboration and communication of corporate strategy. The intranet serves as a central location for things like CCE’s HR process improvement and self-service HR portal, and provides a communication platform for CCE’s desk-based workers. The CEO has launched active blogs where employees openly comment and interact with company leadership. CCE has also increased employee engagement and education around corporate responsibility and sustainability through the portal content. Within four weeks of enabling users to create SharePoint team sites, there were over 800 requests for sites focused on business priorities and customer-facing business teams."
Check out the entire article here:
http://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/Case_Study_Detail.aspx?CaseStudyID=4000004569
How's that for streamlining things? I think this is a fabulous example of how the "cloud" can work for a company. I'm delighted to see such an example, it really clarified cloud computing for me. I still believe, however, that "IT Doesn't Matter", and like Carr, any company that does not have a global (or even national) presence like CCE should be very careful about jumping on the cloud computing bandwagon. The article that I mentioned in the beginning brought out alot of the risks we talked about in class, mainly, upgrades, upgrades, upgrades are required for the cloud! The article also highlighted the fact that the market is changing due to cloud computing, and
"the lines between service providers and consumers are blurring, and this has implications for pure software vendorsIn many cases, vendors are assuming the role as service providers....cloud providers [and this means most vendors now], because they are in the business of providing a service, are starting to become much more transparent regarding the usage in order to help their customers make decisions and plan for the future.”
I'm still of the opinion, (and keep in mind, I'm a conservative accountant) that while cloud computing can benefit gigantic companies like CCE or McDonald's, it is NOT a good move for smaller companies!
thank you and have a nice evening...
Monday, May 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Google on Trial?
Well, I'm also taking an Accounting course this semester, as well as an IS class. In my Accounting course, we discussed a case in which a mid-level accountant was imprisoned for making journal entries as directed by her supervisor. Long story short, it all boiled down to SOX, and the company needed someone to blame. But I don't think the blame should lie in the middle. Aren't higher level executives, higher level for a reason? I'm an accountant, but I don't yet know all the ins and outs of SOX or GAAP. Meanwhile, I trust my boss to catch my mistakes. In my wildest dreams, I can't imagine being brought up on charges for an entry he directed me to make. This is what happened to this poor woman...and her boss? No charges.
I see today that in Italy, two Google employees, as well as a former employee, were convicted for non-compliance of the Italian privacy code. The problem began when "students filmed and uploaded a clip of them bullying an Autistic classmate". Google removed the video within hours of being notified by the Italian authorities. "No one at Google had anything to do with that video, aside from taking it down." I simply cannot understand why the students that filmed and uploaded this video were not hunted down and prosecuted instead of Google. The article goes on to say that, basically, if every hoster was required to completely vett every piece of information posted, the Internet would "cease to exist".
Frankly, this is frightening. Why on earth would Google be held responsible? They didn't create or upload the video. They didn't bully the student. They took the video down as soon as they could. What more could they do?
This is akin to putting parents in jail when their kids refuse to go to school. What in the heck is that supposed to accomplish? If I was in jail while my child refused to go to school, I can guarantee you it would be worse for society that he is out cavorting around without supervision than it would be if I was home, encouraging him (dragging him) off to school while remaining, myself, a productive member of society. Reminds me of another clip I saw earlier tonight, that a woman sued her husband's mistress and WON $9 million!!! Great! I hope my husband cheats so instead of holding him accountable, i can sue the woman who "won him over" and rake in the big bucks! It sure beats sitting at a desk all day making journal entries and pounding out a good, honest living.
What is this world coming to? Please God, don't take away the Internet!!!
http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=31202&tag=col2;topRated
I see today that in Italy, two Google employees, as well as a former employee, were convicted for non-compliance of the Italian privacy code. The problem began when "students filmed and uploaded a clip of them bullying an Autistic classmate". Google removed the video within hours of being notified by the Italian authorities. "No one at Google had anything to do with that video, aside from taking it down." I simply cannot understand why the students that filmed and uploaded this video were not hunted down and prosecuted instead of Google. The article goes on to say that, basically, if every hoster was required to completely vett every piece of information posted, the Internet would "cease to exist".
Frankly, this is frightening. Why on earth would Google be held responsible? They didn't create or upload the video. They didn't bully the student. They took the video down as soon as they could. What more could they do?
This is akin to putting parents in jail when their kids refuse to go to school. What in the heck is that supposed to accomplish? If I was in jail while my child refused to go to school, I can guarantee you it would be worse for society that he is out cavorting around without supervision than it would be if I was home, encouraging him (dragging him) off to school while remaining, myself, a productive member of society. Reminds me of another clip I saw earlier tonight, that a woman sued her husband's mistress and WON $9 million!!! Great! I hope my husband cheats so instead of holding him accountable, i can sue the woman who "won him over" and rake in the big bucks! It sure beats sitting at a desk all day making journal entries and pounding out a good, honest living.
What is this world coming to? Please God, don't take away the Internet!!!
http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=31202&tag=col2;topRated
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
March 3, 2010 - Is Blogging just for Old Folks?
Just finished reading an article posted on the STLToday.com website: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/stories.nsf/story/C3BB2969FC0EEC48862576D70012374B?OpenDocument
It talks about blogging, and how teens are getting away from blogging and choosing to Twitter now more than ever. According to the article, blogging among teens has dropped 14% since 2006. Bloggers between the ages of 18-29 have decreased by 9% over the same time frame...however, blog use has actually INCREASED for those over age 29 by 4%.
Some researchers attribute the move from blogging by teens to the fact that as adults migrate to something, teens' natural reaction is to turn to something else. The point to the mass migration of kids from My Space to Facebook as an example. Other researchers point out that adults have flocked to Facebook in droves, but kids don't appear to be leaving in equal amounts.
I think one of the theories posted, that kids prefer Twitter because it forces them to "keep their blogs short", might be the best reason kids have left blogging to their elders. With kids these days, (and I have some of them!) I can see how they would think that blogging is "more work" than Twitter, and work must be avoided at all costs when you are a tot, a teen, or in between!
I alos read this article, which was very disturbing.
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/277025_webgangs10.html
It's about gang members (usually kids in our target-teen group) are using social networking such as MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter to talk about their gang-banging activities, recruit members, and even honor fellow members that are either deceased or jailed. Again, my naivete rears it's ugly head. I knew "gang members" used cell phones for their illicit activities...it didn't occur to me that they would also use social networks. It's like recruiting or selling drugs on the school playground--it's just not right!!
It talks about blogging, and how teens are getting away from blogging and choosing to Twitter now more than ever. According to the article, blogging among teens has dropped 14% since 2006. Bloggers between the ages of 18-29 have decreased by 9% over the same time frame...however, blog use has actually INCREASED for those over age 29 by 4%.
Some researchers attribute the move from blogging by teens to the fact that as adults migrate to something, teens' natural reaction is to turn to something else. The point to the mass migration of kids from My Space to Facebook as an example. Other researchers point out that adults have flocked to Facebook in droves, but kids don't appear to be leaving in equal amounts.
I think one of the theories posted, that kids prefer Twitter because it forces them to "keep their blogs short", might be the best reason kids have left blogging to their elders. With kids these days, (and I have some of them!) I can see how they would think that blogging is "more work" than Twitter, and work must be avoided at all costs when you are a tot, a teen, or in between!
I alos read this article, which was very disturbing.
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/277025_webgangs10.html
It's about gang members (usually kids in our target-teen group) are using social networking such as MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter to talk about their gang-banging activities, recruit members, and even honor fellow members that are either deceased or jailed. Again, my naivete rears it's ugly head. I knew "gang members" used cell phones for their illicit activities...it didn't occur to me that they would also use social networks. It's like recruiting or selling drugs on the school playground--it's just not right!!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
I have always been a naive person. I'm pretty certain that my life will come to an end while I'm trying to "help" a hapless hitchhiker or former felon turned magazine salesman. Either that or I will open my front door when I hear a crying baby outside my window, and the boogeymen will come out of the bushes to get me. Yet, I continue to believe in the inherent goodness in all people, and have a hard time seeing the bear trap lurking in the silver lining in every cloud until someone points it out. Same way with the postman. He comes every day at the same time, but it has taken me 8 years to figure out what time that is. According to my neighbor, it's 1:00. I've never taken note of the time. Now that someone has pointed it out, it jives with all the internal notes I've been accumulating regarding the arrival of the day's posts.
Today, as I was researching blogs for my IS class, I came across an article on Zirma that stated that
Today, as I was researching blogs for my IS class, I came across an article on Zirma that stated that
"some tourism agencies in the United States have started to pay bloggers to make
references to certain locations." http://www.zirma.com/blog/2005/08/04/sponsored-blogs-and-a-the-conflict-of-interests/Again, my naivete creeps in. It had not occurred to me, until today, that all bloggers are not just out to shout their opinions through the rooftops of their laptops. I thought people were seizing the day and upholding their First Amendment Right to Free Speech, because by God, this is AMERICA and if I want to complain or rejoice about something, anything, I CAN. My bubble has burst...all bloggers aren't just exercising their rights, a bunch of them are just out to make a buck!
Mostly, I'm angry I'm so naive and I didn't think of it first. I did not realize that I could sit at home in my pajamas, blog about a crappy return experience at Target, and then make money on my complaint by inserting a few words like "returned the bikini I had purchased for my trip to Aruba (which is gorgeous by the way! Stayed at the Hyatt...fabulous!)"
BTW, I don't even know if there is a Hyatt in Aruba, but if there is, I will gladly accept payment via PayPal!
PS I'm also aggravated that I can't figure out how to undo the "block quote" thingy now that I'm done block quoting. ARGH!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
February 1, 2010
I just watched Steve Jobs' presentation of the IPad on cnet.com. I'm starting to wrap my mind around this new gadget. I can have my calendar, internet, pictures, videos, and email all with me, and carry this thing in my purse, without giving myself a hernia?! I could entertain one of the kids (or myself!) with a video while the other one is in the dentist's chair? Or check my email while I'm in line at the drive-thru? Reserve the hottest new DVD online with Redbox while I'm standing in line behind 4 people who want the same thing? I'm starting to see the potential for this new item!
It almost looks like one of those tablets the doctors used to carry around...our current doctor has to log in to a computer in each examination room as he enters. I wonder if it would be possible to access medical charts via this one tablet? Each doctor would have their own, and could take it with them wherever they go, even--dare I say it--golfing? I'm thinking I could call the nurse, describe my child's sinus infection, and have a prescription written without the doctor ever missing a stroke on the back 9!
While our current options with Internet connectivity and WiFi are obviously more decadent than they were even 3 years ago (think McDonald's adding WiFi), it is still very awkward to haul around the standard clamshell laptop. And don't forget the carry bag. And the charger. And the detached numberpad for us tried and true Accountants who can't live without it! The weightlessness of this new tablet is very attractive to me, the average consumer. The portability seems almost sinful...as Jobs' put it, "it's like having the Internet in the palm of your hand."
It almost looks like one of those tablets the doctors used to carry around...our current doctor has to log in to a computer in each examination room as he enters. I wonder if it would be possible to access medical charts via this one tablet? Each doctor would have their own, and could take it with them wherever they go, even--dare I say it--golfing? I'm thinking I could call the nurse, describe my child's sinus infection, and have a prescription written without the doctor ever missing a stroke on the back 9!
While our current options with Internet connectivity and WiFi are obviously more decadent than they were even 3 years ago (think McDonald's adding WiFi), it is still very awkward to haul around the standard clamshell laptop. And don't forget the carry bag. And the charger. And the detached numberpad for us tried and true Accountants who can't live without it! The weightlessness of this new tablet is very attractive to me, the average consumer. The portability seems almost sinful...as Jobs' put it, "it's like having the Internet in the palm of your hand."
Sunday, January 31, 2010
January 31, 2010
Today I read "The Apple Ipad: First Impressions" by the NY Times blogger David Pogue. He was talking about the new Apple Ipad, set to debut in April. The author appears to be warning people not to judge the Apple Ipad too quickly...he says "Criticims of 'Like a laptop', and 'a big Ipod Touch' don't really do justice to the possibilities".
I admit, I'm not sure I see the potential yet of this new product. It is basically a screen without a keyboard, a memory slot, and very expensive...when the Ipad goes on sale, it will start at $499 for a 16-gig memory, and go up to $830 for 64 gigs. It seems rather expensive, and more for viewing videos or talking on the phone than anything. And while there is an app for Word and other similar applications, I can't imagine it would be very easy to work with just a screen--no keyboard--when creating documents or anything else, for that matter.
David Progue seems to believe that as the product becomes available, the people that are currently "bashing" the Ipad will change their minds as has happened in the past with products like the Ipod and Iphone.
But, I am an accountant, and as such, have a limit to "thinking outside the box". Perhaps this tablet will be the next best thing since sliced bread? If so, I will be among the group of people Progue is talking about!
I admit, I'm not sure I see the potential yet of this new product. It is basically a screen without a keyboard, a memory slot, and very expensive...when the Ipad goes on sale, it will start at $499 for a 16-gig memory, and go up to $830 for 64 gigs. It seems rather expensive, and more for viewing videos or talking on the phone than anything. And while there is an app for Word and other similar applications, I can't imagine it would be very easy to work with just a screen--no keyboard--when creating documents or anything else, for that matter.
David Progue seems to believe that as the product becomes available, the people that are currently "bashing" the Ipad will change their minds as has happened in the past with products like the Ipod and Iphone.
But, I am an accountant, and as such, have a limit to "thinking outside the box". Perhaps this tablet will be the next best thing since sliced bread? If so, I will be among the group of people Progue is talking about!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
January 22, 2010
Today I read about TOR (The Onion Router) which is, I believe, software designed to create anonymity for the user. Apparently, this creates a "cloak of invisibility" for people using the internet for questionable activities, such as pedofiles. According to ZDNet.com, HD Moore, the creator of the "Metasploit Project", has developed a method for identifying users that were previously operating under the guise of invisibility. If I understand it correctly, his software can peel back the layers of the "onion" that has created the anonymity and identify the ISP address of a user searching for certain keywords. While it is not yet clear if his software could be used as evidence against a pedofile, the potential for this software would be immense. If the tech world could stay one step ahead of the criminal world and use this technology to prosecute pedofiles, terrorists, and druglords, the benefits would be great to all society.
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