Gigabit Routers

I posted last month about an interesting discovery. I installed a 10g system in a bank setting with the thoughts of quicker response and data flow.
 To update the title of my 10 g system I installed in my home. I have to retract the 10g it was an error in my typing skills. It is not 10g it is a 1g system I installed in my home.
I also failed to mention that if your internet provider does not offer the gigabit bandwidth in your area. You might find that they will update there equipment from time to time. Here in my area Sudden Link made a Data and Equipment Merger. Such a mess it caused switching over from outdated slow equipment in both there cable vision and the internet adding more reliable means for the customer to add bundles to their service. Offering automatic upgrade in internet bandwidth like 8 Megs/s to 10Meg/s at no extra charge. This will deliver a more reliable steady stream of information sent to and from your home entertainment and computer devices. With that in mind an investment at the distribution point in our City has to be costly. So the down side is the constant degrading of old wire fed neighborhoods will have to wait for the fiber-optics upgrade that brings us more reliable higher speeds, like the 1 and 10 G service that makes our mouths water. Gamer's you'll still have to wait.
Last weekends switch over left a few disgruntled customers including myself. No internet left me powerless to get any work done. The techs could not get my M T A router to preform as it should. It was getting the information sent yet failed to distribute it past the Ethernet port on the rear of the router. A replacement Router remedied the fault. Now that I have a faster service running over old coax wire along with the more than a capable LAN I installed in my home office and home is working out nicely now. I have a whopping 10Megs feeding my home network. It is not much I know, when you look at my network in comparison to what I can be using. Our area will not support at this time anything over 50 Megs of bandwidth.
I am not an avid Gamer so my needs are not demanding like the Gamer.
I can however stream two movies and run the computer at the same time without or minimum slow downs and stops when streaming now. Yes I tested it, out of concern.
As time moves forward I believe that the new cable company will change and upgrade the old 5 coax cable to a 6. If they use the good stuff like all copper or copper core and aluminum braid. I did see some copper clad stuff, that wont fly for long before they start having trouble with unprotected weather boots over the ends of the cable termination or union.

Cyber-Attacks, "Who's the Target"?

Ken Brewer © July 12, 2011

Many international terrorist groups now actively use computers and the Internet to communicate, and several may use technical skills to direct and coordinated attack s against computers in or homeland or elsewhere in the world. Cyber-attacks intended to harm the economy would likely target computers that operate the civilian aspects of the finical network and or critical infrastructure of government agencies.

How would a well-coordinated cyber-attack against the U.S.’s critical infrastructure be harmful? Would infecting computers operated by and in the civilian critical infrastructure actually offer an effective target terrorist’ goals?

There are three methods for computer attack physical, electronic and cyber. “Some feel that past discussions about a coordinated attack against civilian computers may have been over-inflated that perceived risk to the U.S. critical infrastructure, and several experts have stated that cyber-terrorism does not pose the same type of threat as Nuclear, Biological, or Chemical (NBC) threats”. (Clark, 2003)

Different attack methods target different vulnerabilities and involve different types of weapons. To further discuss a computer attack, and may be defined as actions directed against computer systems is to disrupt equipment operations, control, and corrupt stored data. 

 A physical attack may come in many forms, however basically different vulnerabilities involve different types of weapons. A physical attack involves conventional weapons directed against a computer facility or its transmission infrastructure.

The DOD argues that a physical attack is unlikely do to the fact in its physical nature. Facilities that would be damaged would suffer to some degree; the long-lasting effect would be limited to such a measure and would be temporary out of commission until reestablishment.

EMP’s electromagnetic pulse device could be considered as a type of physical attack. The EMP is a device that would be more permanent with longer lasting effects. The power overload emitted from a device can put a civilian company or government facility out of order for days, months, or longer, however the stored data will be deleted and unrecoverable.

Cyber-hits, attacks are most common and lay in for an attack against a larger scaled target. Targets may include a local intra-structure of a closed network or as large as worldwide, using the computer to attack itself with an encrypted virus for example.

Reading this you may see a pattern. Physical deployment methods are used at the beginning of each of these attacks. It took a physical action involving someone with enough development in one or more technical advancements to create and deploy acts of terror and mayhem.

Physical attacks come from within the confines of a facility. Disgruntled workers, friends, relatives and neighbors connected with a government or civilian facility. Temporary effects as it may seem the physical attacks in nature pose a threat to the environment that surrounds the target. Collateral damage comes in forms like bystanders being in the wrong place at the wrong time along with the loss of revenue, cost to rebuilding, data recovery, people and nature in some cases. Physical attacks happen when a facility needs be shut down for a purpose at a specified time, for a specified reason. The extra that comes with it is cause and effect.

September 11, 2001 is an example of such an event that devastated thousand, and thousands more that were related to the causalities. America is an example to the world. Nations look to the US as a Big Brother. Others feel threatened by this. Combating threats weather they are physical, electronic or cyber in one way or another will always be in nature an avenue for attacks. Welcome to the World of the Tech!

Reference

Clark, D. (2003, June 3). Computer Security Officials Discount Chances of ‘Digital Pearl Harbor. Retrieved July 12, 2011 , from http://www.GovExec.com

Home owners and the new 10 G Routers

Buy a new router lately? Which one?

Linksys has an E2500 and E3200 High performance Duel-Band wireless-N router which claims to avoid network interference and a 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports. WOW! Is it time to get your today? Don’t you have a router that works just like you like, so why the upgrade?

Technology is advancing every day, this is true. Then persons ask when I buy a computer off the shelf then as soon as I get it home it is outdated. This is also true! Let’s look at it from this point. Yes the tech gadget you buy today is outdated from some standpoints yet you will also notice that advancements are still being made some things remain the same. The Cell phone craze is one that moved quickly. Every time we turned on the T V we are bombarded with Cell phone ads, something new every week.

When it came to buying a router every time a new one came out I bet you kept the one you had. Same holds with me I have had the same router since 2000. Its 11 years old and still works the 302.11n hadn’t come around back then and only works off 802.11g and 802.11b which is fine for most small offices and home owners.

The new kid on the street has and extra punch you might want to consider. I destroyed my Dish, disconnected my Cablevision and cut the phone wires. I’m tired of the rising cost of all the extra utilities. I have a cell phone, and an internet service through the Cable Company. My little old router gets a workout on an hourly base.

Now let me explain why I want a new router, and see if you are like me.  I watch TV Shows on my computer and my Blu-ray player that’s hooked to my 52inch flat screen TV. What? Smart TV’s not to unlike the smart Phones we carry has an App-ready enablement on the TV, as well as most Blu-ray players, DMS devices. Available mediums are Netflix, Blockbuster, Hulu+, Pandora, Vudu and Amazon just to name a few choices. I can sit down and enjoy my retro shows like the Munsters  and Bewitched, the latest movies and the classics. This in turn gives a new meaning to the couch potato, more like mushed potato.

What turned me on to going this way was I travel all the time. I would miss out on my TV during the week. Yes If I had a DVR or TIVO it would be ok, and I did. The Dish was alright. However it was on 24-7 eating away at my billfold when I wasn’t there to enjoy it. I turn them all off and have one internet bill. I work at home now and still love it.

Getting back to why I upgraded. It was a simple choice for me because I wanted my streaming shows to end my torcher. Because of my large Local Area Network (LAN) within my home I had bandwidth loss. The shows would stop and start and or the voices would be out of sync with the video. Up grading was the next thing to do and well worth the money I put into it. I did it piece by piece until I switched it all over to 10 G networks.  CAT 6 at $50 was first, replacing the CAT5 and then the switch was around $40 then the router E2500 at $80 or the E3200 at $140ish

The steps I took

The router I chose was a 10G router and my Ethernet will be changed to CAT6 to handle the traffic on my network. From my Gateway I plug in the new Router an E3200 from Linksys, My phone line into the VOIP connection. Next I run one CAT 5e jumper to a Gigabit switch. From the router three CAT5e is routed to my workstations in my office. That takes care of all the ports on the router, 4 in all. From the switch I have to make a run to the front of the house and to bedrooms for the kids. Because of the switch I have 4 new ports to choose from. For the long runs I use CAT 6 STP. In each room I placed Ethernet jacks so wiring was made easy and neat.  All together my cost was about 250 dollars, and an hour or so of time and did it myself.

 

New Servers? 10 Gbps? What’s next?

I was looking in an IT add from one of my computer suppliers and it prompted me to remind fellow internet users the new generation of Ethernet is affordable and available.

I know, you companies have already put lots of big bucks into your Servers and many upgrades already. You have spent lots of money getting to where you are at and feel you are comfortable.

If you have a recent purchase of a server or switch it might be labeled somewhere on the face; 10/100/1000 or10/100. The 10/100/1000 is an upgrade model and will give you the 10 Gbps you will want or crave sometime in the near future.

So why upgrade when, when all is working so well?    Dell, for example, now has a number of servers that are presenting either converged networking adapters (CNAs) or iSCSI interfaces that are 10 Gbps like the PowerEdge R810. This model still has two built-in 1 Gbps Ethernet interfaces, but also includes two 10 Gbps interfaces through an OEM agreement with Emulex. You may see a number of storage and networking products start to offer 10 Gbps interfaces. Does this mean or desk tops and workstations are ready for it?

Ask you IT Pro if you are ready for it. Making the initial change from what you have now that works to a new cost to the upgrade may not what you need right now. Smaller offices could get away with a partial upgrade for less money that what you would expect. For example I helped on an install a few weeks ago. Where the workstations and internet connections were upgraded, new ATM’s installed the whole nine yards. Did they need it? Some one thought so.

With a large project like and that one really wasn’t yet still had to be assembled in steps or phases. The servers were upgraded one weekend, while at the same time branch offices had the switches and hubs installed, however before the week for the workstations were installed they still had to be  up and running so the worked off the old system the whole time. 10 Gbps routers and switches in the network closets were in place the servers and the software were installed. Then comes the weekend when everyone leaves and the IT guys make the change.

We would then come in and switch out the workstations, then change the plugs from the patch panel to the new 10 Gbps switch Test start the data transfer clean up and we were done. At the same time the main server is changed over and tested.  This sounds easy enough, however the time and steps and actions taken can be a mess for everyone, including a costly for the investment. Depending on the number of offices and the number of workstations a company has. Handling it yourself might not be a good idea. There are firms that do Network mergers for a small price and would be rewarding for you and the company if or when it becomes necessary for transmigration.

My suggestions; if you are purchasing new equipment or gadgets for the office anytime soon, get the interface that will handle the 10 Gbps now spend the extra 10 bucks or so to get it. Then when moving day comes you will have fewer items to purchase and they will be in place.

 

Come visit the Philippines

Welcome to the Philippines

Islands full of beauty, a natural paradise and scenery full and brilliant colors.

Nothing in the world can compare to the natural beauty and landscape of the world around you. Sometimes we like to get away and see how the other half lives. The many Islands of the South Pacific can introduce you to new and exciting paradise full of wonder and amassment.  Its very nature lets you enjoy cliff diving platforms located alongside breathtaking rock formations, lush mangrove forests, and turquoise swimming pools. Explore the Islands walk on the white sandy beaches at White Beach, the sand under your feet stay cool in the hot sunny day. In the evening take that special someone in your arms and share a most amazing sunset one can ever witness.

Places to see and things to do

For the golfer in you, master golfer Graham Marsh designed this world-class 18-hole course in the middle of a tropical paradise at the Fairways and Blue Water   resort. One may also enjoy the first rate accommodations while they stay at the Royal Park Hotel.

The limitless possibilities is only what one could imagine,

a visit to Boracay is well worth the trip, to visit places like the Dead Forest, and Ariel’s Point. Take a long walk on white sandy paths and enjoy the scenery or to just sit and relax and watch to tide rollout.    

The tropical island of Boracay, is in the north Aklan Province, and remains one of the Philippines' most popular destinations with its many white sandy beaches. One has a choice of Yapak Beach, with its white pooka shells, White Beach, with its amazing sunsets, and romantic, secluded Balinghai Beach.

Boracay is packed entertainment, good restaurants, and shopping. The adventures can explore the 4.5-mile-long island by motorized Pedi-cab, rent a bicycle or motorbike right from your resort. Don’t forget to visit the Boracay Butterfly Garden which provides one more appealing diversion.

Boracay a natural splendor only one can experience by being there come to the Philippines. Experience It!

Global Out Look and the Philippines

Attributes:

            A description of the economic climate and issues in this country between the years of 2000 and the current year, including the following:

1.         Periods of economic expansion and recession (Economic Cycle)

2.         Trends in GDP

3.         Instances of inflation, deflation, or stagflation

4.         Unemployment rates, interest rates

5.         Examples of the government’s monetary policy during this time

6.         Discussion of the government’s fiscal policy during this time

Descriptive Report on the Philippines

            Describing the economic climate in a country or Government arena for a country has become easier in recent times, due to the vast movement of information stored on computers, and it availability at a few strokes on a keyboard. Gathering of factors that contribute information on various nations have become necessary for global trade. The benefits of finding current conditions in a trading nation allow us information on trends, unemployment rates, GDP values, indicators and statistics, fiscal policies that may be implemented along with monetary exchange rates.

History

            Since the end of World War II, the Philippines has been on an unfortunate economic trajectory, going from one of the richest countries in Asia (following Japan) to one of the poorest. Growth after the war was rapid, but slowed as years of economic mismanagement and political volatility during the Marcos regime contributed to economic stagnation and resulted in macroeconomic instability. A severe recession from 1984 through 1985 saw the economy shrink by more than 10%, and political instability during the Corazon Aquino administration further dampened economic activity.

Today's Economy

            The Philippine economy proved comparatively equipped to ride out the recent global financial crisis in such a short time, partly as a result of the efforts over the past few years to control the fiscal deficit, bring down debt ratios, and by adopting an internationally-accepted banking sector and capital adequacy standards. The overall investment forecast remains a concern due to limited exposure to investment and financial institutions. Time is needed to recover from the impact of external shocks to long-term economic growth, poverty alleviation, employment, credit availability, and overall investments.

The economical cycle & law of demand

            When the cycle is just starting to expand out of a period of recession we first, consider how consumer spending might influence this economic environment. If a consumer purchases a product, they inject money into the economy and add to the demand for that particular product. As a result, the seller of the product has gained income. This increase in income might influence the seller to increase the hours of a part-time worker. Now that part-time worker also has more money to spend this is called recovery. The compounded effect of all the hiring and spending will then lead to a period of remarkable economic activity, which is called economic expansion.

            Acting with self-interest, consumers tend to produce a compounding effect within the economy starting with spending increases, which in turn, causing business profits to increase, which causes employment to increase, which causes consumer spending to increase further! Then the nation now is experiencing economic expansion sometimes called a boom. Economic expansion is described as a time of high economic growth, which is characterized by high spending, high production, and high employment. All good things come to an end, the same self-interest groups behavior which caused economic expansion will soon start to inspire economic decline.

            Behavioral economic decline happens as a result of the secondary effects which accompany economic growth. When demand for products and services increases, businesses will soon become inspired to increase prices. In addition, increased spending, business expansion, and consumer confidence during economic expansion causes the demand for borrowed money to increase that in turn causes interest rates to rise. After a while, increased prices, inflation and high interest rates start to reduce consumer spending. While the spiral continues to wined leads to a recession considered the most painful part of the recession.

            Recessions decreased incomes may cause consumers and businesses to merely cut back on expenditures. However, during severe recessions, individuals and families may be forced to sell their homes or business as they become unable to make ends meet.

            After a while, consumer will demand fewer goods and services, as well as the need for borrowed money, causing both prices and interest rates to drop. With this happing, the prices become lower and those prices will inspire some people to finally buy items they may not have purchased before. Still other people will take advantage of low interest rates to borrow money.

            The GDP growth slowed to 3.8% during 2008, and sputtered to 0.9% during 2009, though the economy showed clear signs of recovery in the first half of 2010, growing 7.9%. Overseas workers’ remittances increased at a slower 5.6% pace in 2009, down from the double-digit growth rates of previous years, although were nonetheless better than expectations and rose to $17.3 billion which was nearly 11% of GDP, helping the economy avoid recession and by supporting the balance of payments and international reserves. A growth in industry focused on outsourcing along with Government spending policy helped to support the economy. Taking the consideration of population growth rate of 2.0%, the annual GDP growth averaged 4.3% under the Arroyo administration indicating it will take a higher, sustained economic growth path around 7% per year by most indicators to make the progress needed for poverty alleviation.

            Natural devastation pelages Pacific Islanders every year putting some untold stress on the nation and with the Philippines population growth rate topping the charts higher than any Asian nation can be a call for concern. The population living below the national poverty line increased from 30% to 33% between 2003 and 2006. The cost of food, fuel, and financial shocks along with the severe typhoon-related damages of 08 and 09 pushed more Filipinos into poverty. More devastation to the economy has been brought on by drought in 2009 and early 2010 reducing agricultural and hydroelectric production.

            The national government worked to reduce its fiscal deficits for 5 consecutive years to 0.2% of GDP in 2007 and had indicated they hoped to balance the budget in 2008 although opted instead for measured deficit spending to help stimulate the economy and control the adverse impact of global external shocks that have burdened the struggling Nation.

            In 2004 the GDP peaked AT 78%, although still relatively high, the debt of the national government has declined to about 58% of GDP and with a peak in 2003 the consolidated public sector debt has declined to about 75%.

            The government has used privatization receipts during these times to reduce the shortfall in targeted tax collections, other than this, it has not been a sustainable revenue source. Future reforms may be needed to ease fiscal pressures from large losses being sustained by a number of government owned firms.

            The national government's tax-to-GDP ratio increased from 13% in 2005 to 14.3% in 2006 after new tax measures went into effect resulting in a decline and stagnated at 14% in 2007 and 2008, and then declined further to 12.8% in 2009. The Philippines have taken the steps to adopt Internationally Agreed Tax Standards (IATS) and has implemented legislation that allows a framework for the exchange of tax-related information.

Inflation concerns everyone

Interest rates have dropped drastically from about 2001 to early 2002 the gradually declined to the present 4.25%.

Investopedia explains Stagflation

            Stagflation occurs when the economy isn't growing but prices are. For example in the 1970’s, when world oil prices rose dramatically, causing sharp inflation in developed countries. For these countries, including the U.S., stagnation increased the inflationary effect. (investopida/Stagflation, 2011)

            Watch groups both of privet and Government sectors keep watchful eyes on countries globally looking for trends, setbacks and developments. The U.S. Trade Representative is one that has this task. Prior to 2006, the Philippines have been on a 301 special priority watch list from this department. Due to the some progress and economical improvements, although lifted, however there remains a concern.

            Bottlenecks in grow will stunt the growth of any nation. A main concern is, inadequate laws, dealing with tourism, inadequate infrastructure, policy and regulatory instability, and governance issues. Competition from other economies elsewhere in Asia for investment underlines the need for sustained progress on structural reforms to remove unwanted bottlenecks for growth. The outlook in anti-corruption efforts is ineffective and need more improvement. Perhaps this Nation should start with the need to focus on cleaning up an image that may have plagued this Nation for some time. 

Work in the Philippines

            Industry and agriculture have potential in this region, 40% of land usage is farm or agriculture related and an ever growing outsourcing industry while a surviving industry in production assembly seems to dominate. Mining contributes for its mineral wealth with today’s estimates at more than 840 Billion. Gold, and copper had been it chief export mineral in the 1970’s and 80’s however supports other important minerals which include nickel, silver, coal, gypsum, and sulfur. The Philippines also has significant deposits of clay, limestone, marble, silica, and phosphate with a recent discovery of natural gas that is now online and fires electricity for a percentage of the nation.

            Unemployment figures are still high despite what seemingly should be a healthy economy. Poor investment structure, high cost of extraction and infrastructure have contributed to the industry's overall decline. The unemployment figures have improved between 2005 and present as this chart will indicate.                      

            The current unemployment rate indicated at the end of the last year is 7.10 %.

Industry will include textiles and garments, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, paper and paper products, tobacco products, beverage manufacturing, food processing, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, electronics and semiconductor assembly, mineral products, hydrocarbon products, fishing, business process outsourcing services.

Side affects

            Unfortunately uncontrolled laws have lead to the decline in economical investments therefore growth for this country has suffered both ecologically, and financially. The uncontrolled deforesting of the land has eroded the eco-system. The fishing has become scarce because of the inability to enforce fishing protection laws. In summary; Government, humans, and natural disasters have forcefully put in motion a doomed or disastrous path.

            Only by taking some types of measures or steps that will be needed can guide this economy towards its recovery. This Nation has experienced the shortfalls that could take many Nations down, however the Philippines have survived. It has survived from Typhoons, earthquakes, human intervention to include global expansion, health and humanity, ecological, political corruption and war.

            The, “New Central Bank Act" of 1993 confers autonomy on the central bank in its role as the nation's monetary authority.

            The New Central Bank Act governs the structure and function of the Monetary Board, which is the BSP's policy-making agency. The seven-member board is comprised of the governor and a cabinet-level official, along with five private-sector individuals. All are appointed by the president. By law, at least four members of the Monetary Board (with one being the president or a legitimate representative thereof) must meet weekly. Emergency provisions allow the governor, with the concurrence of at least two other board members, to make decisions outside of the board meeting structure. (Monetary Transparency, 2010)

            In 2006 a report indicated the banks were carrying a high number of distressed assets carried on the BSP (Central Bank) balance sheets, and called for legislative reforms to deal with the problem. In July of 2007, banks were to be required to standardize their credit and operational risk assessments, placing a higher risk-weighting on non-performing loans. In 2010, the Philippines started allowing banks to adopt a more advanced internal ratings-based system.

Policy falls short sometimes

            Fiscal policy and goals included alleviation of poverty, generation of more productive employment, promotion of equity and social justice, and attainment of sustainable economic growth. Goals were to be achieved through reforms by strengthening the collective bargaining process and by undertaking rural, labor-intensive infrastructure projects, with additional goals providing social services and expanding education. With any well laid plans it fell short and ended up focusing on the agriculture sector.

            The fiscal plan also involved implementing more appropriate, market-oriented fiscal and monetary policies, achieving a more liberal trade policy based on comparative advantage, and improving the efficiency and effectiveness. as well as better enforcement of government laws and regulations. 

Presentation and Communication

              Almost daily most of us have some type of interaction with one or more persons. The delivery person, the store clerk, the boss and even family members. Each with behavioral tendinitises of their own. I believe we adapt to persons and the environment that we interact with. Then we change with it throughout the day as the surrounding events present themselves.The start of the day presents itself with things that will effect us and influence our attitude towards others and our daily performance. In this type of situation our attitudes become mirror reflections of the environment that surrounds us.

Presentation and Communication

             Presentation and Communication are two important skills that should go hand in hand and become a part  of your personal nature. Speaking well, using words with purpose and meaning, using language skills and words the audience will understand. Preforming an artistry in self presentation is assurance you will be received well by others. Appearance, communication, and  knowledgeably subject matter will equal presentation.   

            Scheduled speaking engagements are normally presented at the beginning of the day, to avoid a warn tired and stressed-out speaker. Attitudes are easier to self-manage without the stress for a long day.     

          3 effective oral communication skills:

1.      Idea, of what to speak about.

2.       Accurate presentation, of material.

a.       Keeping in mind diversity, and correctness.

3.      Listen to feedback, from the listener.

            First of all I may find it necessary to write down what idea I have to speak about, before I deliver the message. By doing this it will help me stay focused on the body of the subject. Basic strategy contained in the delivering message has to precise. By keeping the sentence structure short and to the point. When speaking a person should not speak with long words that no one understands. A person should speak at moderate education level leaving no one for chance of not understanding the point. All the while when speeches are delivered two things to keep in mind is not to offend persons by political incorrectness.

            Pending on how the speech is delivered. Having a question answer forum and the end or of such. As the speaker is communicating listeners will develop questions and comments as time goes by. After every speech, may it be a sermon, may it be a political speech from the old soapbox. I have to listen to those to whom I speak. As the speaker I might pick a hand full of persons to look at during the delivery. Eye contact is very important. By diverting your eyes might show the listener you might not being quit truthful, and too is discourteous. 

                Placing myself in a situation that I would have to use this skill; I would then have to overcome my personal hang-ups of speaking to someone in a position such as a congregation or class.  I then would prepare my speech by going over the material and subject matter that I will deliver my Sunday school class.

            For example a situation for a communication, which would need to be well thought out and delivered properly without offence to my listeners, yet to a direct point. To be nondiscriminatory in my speech would be kind of hard to do sometimes when speaking on a religious them. For example, if I chose the subject of Alcoholism it will offend most likely offend the occasional drinker. Not all subject matter in a religion hall will be spoken with political and ethical candor.

            I have been fortunate to be able to talk upon subjects and teach with little backfire. Unlike the pulpit Preacher classroom teachers get feedback from the listeners right away. Communications between me and the group have developed in an extraordinary way; in the past I just hoped that I would deliver the lessons in which it is appropriate     

            The situation was in a senior’s Sunday school class I lead now and then. Subject doesn’t matter.  However the delivery skill used does; I prepare in the lesson by studding and being absolute knowledgeable on the content. I write down the lesson in an outline form sometimes. Mostly I remember and wing it. It turns out alright because of class participation. 

            I believe the effectiveness is good, but how much better it could have been if I would have put more effort into the speech, or lesson. Meaning the effort I should have put into the communication preparedness.

On a scale 1-10 the oral lessons, did just fine in my situation, and I owe that to participation by the listeners. 

            Effectiveness:

           With a lot of help from the audience you will see acknowledgement from those who understood the message. If the situation is advisable, a Q&A session reviles feedback, from this the audience will give you an indication of your effectiveness.  

            In conclusion:

        We all have the need to communicate; perhaps we can use several methods, oral, light or sound signals like Morris code, sign language, to name a few. First of all we need something to communicate, an idea or a reason for one. Second I must consider the means that I will convey, what we need to say. Perhaps I’ll write a poem, maybe a letter, perhaps a public announcement. 

Kenny Company

Kenny Company

The ever changing evolution

The ever changing evolution: Technology is allowing companies evolve and become innovated to test new ideas at speeds never heard of a few years ago. Innovation is the lifeblood of that growth, showing humans a new path towards perhaps a better life and life style. Man was asked if given seven things he could not live without and he came up with twenty. All answers included an innovation of technology that was created in the last decade. He forgot about food and clothing.

The changing time along with the innovation of technology man has been able to move forward at a pace never seen before. With this fast paced culture we have, introduced a line of products to many Nations that have been left far behind others.

With the changing tides of technology prices of advanced appliances for example have become less expensive.

The ability of computers can record the sale of an item at a department store, and within seconds reported to the Distribution Center to place that item on the next delivery. If I may Use Wal-Mart as an example; the UPC bar code is used in tracking sales from all of its stores. Limiting the Management of said store of some of that persons duties. This manager will find that PR and employee attention can be concentrated upon.            

Management, Or the leadership teams of all types of business will have to keep abreast of upcoming innovations, in order to survive in this poor economy where everyone is out to fight for the next bit of profit.

Look out side, the world changed overnight; we have replaced the family car with the space shuttle. If managers of companies don’t keep up they’ll be still riding horses to work.

The changes in technology will give new offerings to the marketing efforts and a better shot at success.

You might see numerous amounts of tech-guys writing about their favorite Operating environment, such as Linux, Microsoft, Unix, Novell, and so on. Here on this blog, I'll write about anything that I'm working on or experimenting with. The reader is always welcome to comment, advise, and instruct on this blog. I just ask that it is kept professional and curious enough that it will help the tech-impaired to improve their abilities in the Information world of the web.  I encourage the technically smart to share their experiences so others can learn from them.
I don't plan on leading anyone to one brand of any kind. I do not encourage anyone to follow my lead to buying something you don't want or need. My blog's are to encourage readers to understand the topics and or issues of the day. To provide help and understanding to some that have none. Good luck and try! What will it hurt, remember we are all students, we learn as we go! Ken     

Competitive and marketability in the I T field, Outsourcing?

Competitive and marketability in the I T field 

 The current competitive demand for IT services is brought on by rapid technological advances. Largely the profitability and success of companies depend on the offering of technical experts, in various areas of innovation and technologies. Larger companies have the advantage offering a broad spectrum of services. There are some companies that feel healthier by keeping most if not all their I T resources in-house providing to their own broadened security needs. Having the home advantage has recently become a growing concern for the economic success for their business. However labor costs have climbed to the roof leaving companies and board members in a quandary. The end result companies still want to offer a broaden mix of services to their clients. The solution it seems most companies is to look at outsourcing the I T needs.  Companies large to small can collaborate by teaming up with outsourcing ala carte I T Specialties Firms. Combining similar goals and strategies, the smaller companies can compete effectively by specializing in market trends and needs, For example the smaller I T servicing firms can often be designed to handle one or more of the larger companies outsourcing needs. Here are a few examples; R&D (research and development), web sourcing and developments, firm ware and Security. I’ve only touched on a few possibilities that could lead a person or a small IT firm into the arena of information technologies and its competitive market.

            Board members will take note that outsourcing technology services is a small step to a healthy recovery in poor economic situations that large companies face today. Especially in the down turn of economical events as the Nation has faced in recent events.

Why should IT be outsourced? Utilizing a comparative attempt to walk through a broadened research that will result in the possible steps that a company may take to heal the ongoing problems we face economically, by comparison with in-house or outsourcing its I T services. Researching and the comparison processes will take this researcher to web sources globally and will attempt to explain how a large company and a small IT firm can thrive and benefit from collaborative projects. Evaluating resource that may pertain to being helpful Information may be used are; Answers.com, About.com, DirectPointe.com, Accenture.com, to name a few. Evaluation may be achieved in a comparison with the general need of IT outsource. 

            A working solution, through cutting labor costs and unnecessary expenditures with the in-house IT departments can and will save several dollars in labor cost with a comparatively small investment in an outsource I T firm. Problems facing companies range from many factors, however this focus will be on specializing small I T firms, and its resourceful nature.

(Brewer, 2010)

Additions:

            America along with Europe faces new employment practices. The ongoing economy has put a demand on companies forcing the need to down size   Outsourcing has become a growing complaint, among many of the laid off unemployed that are being strangled by America’s incapacity to employ. Although the change in employment practices that has hit globally new has and will open opportunities for outsourcing ala cart companies. Them that are laid off will find opportunities in the private sector of specialties to where they can provide the ongoing service needs that larger company still need. We find the still ongoing problems that America has very little servicing companies that can operate. So America seeks outsourcing solutions across the sea.          

Outsourcing Its really a good thing, or is it?

The World Wide Web is a universal standard for the exchange of data, so information in different locations and formats can be routinely shared, processed, integrated, and reused by distinct organizations and individuals. The ultimate goal of the semantic web is to allow a user to gather and use information as it were a virtual database. On that note Companies are finding resources to help with their company needs, such as writing services, bookkeeping, collections, phone solicitations, and phone in help services for customer service. 

Call a manufacture to get help on a software or hardware based computer device. You might find your talking to the Philippines, India, and now Russia. By financially impoverished countries providing services at lower than 1/5th the US labor costs. Such as these, Industrialized advanced Nations businesses can save the labor bucks and sell their products at a lower price to the consuming public, keeping bigger profits in the directors pockets. However by eliminating customer service done in-house or kept  within the shorelines has left an unwilling desire for some to re-purchase a product from that and those companies that practice offshore resourcing.       

Implementation of services and applications are rapidly growing, and new applications and services are greatly improving the efficiencies of computer technology. To services areas such as Research and Development, Security systems, Graphic and Web development, along with many others. Companies must either have services in-house or look outside for help in the week areas for ongoing development.

Most companies will not have the unlimited resources and funds for all their needs, so the company will eventually look for capabilities outside the firm. Many of these capabilities are preformed by new firms created after laid-off worker sought for employment within America's shores. The drawback for hiring an American Resource, is still more expensive than hiring one at 1/5th the going current job rate.      

Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I believe that anyone can see the benefits that outsourcing can bring companies such as relief from the finical burden  of having full time labor for just a few projects.

The argument is if outsourcing is so well received within the business world, why then has it been not so well received within the ranks of the everyday skilled laborer or office personal who  lost his or her job?     

You decide! What are your thoughts? As always please keep it clean and professional when responding.

Electronic mail

Electronic mail

Electronic mail, most commonly called email or e-mail. This is a method of exchanging digital messages across the World wide Internet or other computer networks such as military as well as home or office.

Great invention and conceptions of the mind and the need to communicate quickly between two fixed points in and office or in great distance, however man wouldn’t be satisfied with just two computers communicating with one or the other, man has to be inventive. Communication between two, three and up to thousands of computers at one time are at the very hand of the sender. The technology behind emails alone has grown leaps and bounds, over just a short life-span. I would like to say emails have been around a long time. Put in to perspective, emailing started only a few years ago. Addresses had to be given to each computer as a reference point. You need both contact points of reference to receive and send emails.

Learn to Communicate:

To communicate properly one needs to learn how to speak to his audience properly. The sender is liable for the content form that represented in the email.  Dawn McKay explains in an article seven things to watch out for while using the emails for a source of communication. One, mind your manners; refer to persons using the Mr., Ms, and Mrs. Two, watch your tone. When speaking to another, jokes and such will not be taken well by the recipient; jokes are best left for the face to face interaction. Three, Get to the point of your email as quickly as possible, but don't leave out important details that will help your recipient understand. Four, be professional. Five, use correct spelling and proper grammar. Six always ask before sending attachments. Seven, never fill in the (TO) section until finished, keeping the sender from sending the mailer to the wrong person or perhaps inappropriate mailings to a recipient. (Dawn Rosenberg McKay, 2010) (Brewer, K,2010)

Misconceptions of expense for a LAN Network

The misconception that only large corporations can afford computer networks, this may be far from the truth. With a trip to the local computer store and a little help from the clerk will produce a shopping list of all the needs along with instruction on a self install if one is so inclined. In fact however by installing a network will also save money and enhance productivity for your company large or small. This is made possible through a few networking principles. By allowing computers that you may already have sharing common resources such as printers, modems, centralized server and CD-ROM drives. (Shultz, 1997) (Brewer, 2010)

For example, let’s use an office of five each with workstations, computers if you will. If each had printers with a cost of 300 dollars each, the cost would be 1500 dollars. Now think about having one multipurpose printer that cost 1000 dollars that would connect to all the workstations in the office. That’s a savings of 500 dollars. This is only one of many examples of how a network can save companies money.  

 There are basically two role mediums at play in network architectures, for example in a Local Area Network (LAN) for home or office setting client/server and peer-to-peer. In the client-server network, a central server would handle all the security and file transactions from one location. The peer-to-peer networks are a little different, less expensive and most commonly found in smaller office or possibly home settings. With this type, each machine shares its own resources and handles its own security. Each workstation/computer has a Network card attached to it by a plug with a common hard wire (Twisted wire CAT 5, or Fiber optics), wireless language card (Wi-Fi) or a combination of the two allowing communication ability with all the computers in the home or office. This is commonly set up through an office or home router on a group setting address. This is accomplished by a topology that the user may want to set up for their LAN. Network topologies are categorized into the following basic types: bus, ring, star, tree, mesh. Used however maybe not so much in home settings, more complex networks can be built out of two or more of the above basic topologies; this may be considered a hybrid. This is achieved in this example. Three computers routed on a wired Ethernet Bus with Cable and one or more devices/clients maybe on a wireless system. In a home setting this is common, with the new toys that are on the market today. Wireless TV’s, DVD/Blue ray, internet player devices (Games Box, ect.) used for entertainment and TV viewing. All these have an option for hard CAT 5 wire or built in WI-FI language cards.  Asking why would I not just go all wireless or all wired and routs them through a router? Computers hold and send data to one another in a network that that should be secure so use wire and a firewall on the router settings. The information on gaming and entertainment consoles need not be protected.  The household may not want wires spread all through the home and could be cost prohibitive. ( Bradley Mitchell, 2011)

With the client/server network being the more expensive of the two to implement because such networks require a central server. Although you may use many types of computers as your server, you'll get the best results by utilizing a dedicated, high-end machine that was designed for a system. This will allow the company to spend more on the server than on the workstations, with the end results again saving the company on expenses. With that statement there could be slight disadvantages to client/server networks, that which may be the cost of the server software.  A typical software package may only authorize connecting five other workstation/computers to your server, and then it requires a payment for a client license fee for each additional workstation that is connected in the network. (Brewer, 2010) With the role of this LAN medium and a server being the expensive part to set up, why would anyone choose this option? The possible answer is that this type of network structure offers a wide range of powerful administrative tools; such are particularly useful in an environment where security may be an issue. In a client/server environment, the server is dedicated to file server controls that level of access that client/workstations have when sharing resources. This will allow the network to be controlled with the needed security levels wanted implemented by the means of a central location through which a utility server and proper software are needed.

Servers vs. Clients

A blurred line between the client and a server explained; a server is a computer programmed to provide certain dedicated services to other computers in a work group (Clients) with its main function to provide programs and resources for the network users. However in the real world of today that context is almost untrue. With open source resources and multiple browsers types, like Google. Along with other open resources such as Wikipedia and Yahoo blur this line with who is in charge of the servers, in essence the user can edit the open resource. It all may very well fall to entities like Adobe and Oracle to figure out the language and uses in which the information seeker is trying to perform thus making a blurred line between the two. (Kruger, 2008)

A computer network is an interconnected collection of autonomous computers (not controlled by one another). Each computer interconnected by physically connecting through a network card, wired or wireless allowing signals to flow in both directions, and capable of exchanging messages and resources. With protocols that make the hardware and programs to specify and exchange within the services that the network provides. The software is designed to overcome hardware deficiencies by step instruction within the computer workings its self (See: 7 step OSI reference Model).