Increase Teleworking

Teleworking or Telecommuting is literally, "employment at home while communicating with the workplace by phone, fax, or modem"

Discussion Question:

Is the Turing test a valid test of intelligence? Why or why not?
The Turing test is a test of a machine's ability to demonstrate intelligence. A human judge engages in a natural language conversation with one human and one machine, each of which tries to appear human. All participants are separated from one another. If the judge cannot reliably tell the machine from the human, the machine is said to have passed the test. I think that it is not a valid way to test intelligence because intelligence is not just the ability to communicate but the ability to do work too. I feel an intelligent machine would commmunicate and do required work.

List several mental task that people do better than computers. List several mental tasks that computers do better than people. Can you find any general characteristics that distinguisht he intems ofn the two lists.
Humans can feel emotion and have the ability to love, hate, and be sad whereas computers are completely emotionless. Computers and humans can multi-task.

4 Review Questions: p535-540

1. In what sense is AI a "moving frontier"?
According to a textbook definition, artificial intelligence is a moving frontier. Elaine Rich says, "artificial intelligence is the study how to make computers do things at which at the moment, people are better. It can be seen as "whatever has not be done yet."
2. What are disadvantages of the approach to AI that attempts to simulate human intelligence? What is the alternative? 
Some disadvantages include people having trouble knowing and describing how they do things, vast differences between the structure and capabilites of the human brain and those of the computer, and the best way to do something with a machine is often very different from the way people would do it. The alternative involves designing intelligent machines independent of the way people think.
3. Describe several techniques used in game-playing software and explain how they can be applied to other AI applications. 
One way to win a game is through searching, looking ahead at the possibilities generated by each potential move. Another technique is heuristics which is basically a rule of thumb. It guides us toward judgements that experience tells us are likely to be true. Third is pattern recognition where a recurring pattern is recognized. This is a huge advantage for the human players against the opponent. Lastly, there is machine learning which is if a move pays off, a learning program will use that technique in future games.
6. What is the relationship between syntax and semantics? Can you construct a sentence that follows rules of English syntax but has nonsense semantics? 
Syntax is a set of rules for constructing sentences from words whereas semantics is the underlying meaning of words and phrases. I mean you can construct a sentence but what good would it do without proper semantics. A perfect english sentence would follow the rules of syntax and semantics.

Review Questions for p. 470-475

1. Define Key Terms. 
-B2B: e-commerce tranactions that incolve ebusinesses providing goods or services to toerh businesses.
-B2C: e-commerce transactions that involve businesses providing goods or services to consumers.
-B2E: another name for the B2B model when the focus is primarily on handling the activities that take place within the organization.
-C2C: The e-commerce model with represents indiviuals, organizations, or companies that are selling and buying directly with each other via the Internet.
-CRM: software sustems for organizing and tracing information on customers.
-dot-com: internet based companies
-e-commerce: business transactions through electronic networks.
-electronic payment system: an online credit card transaction in which a trusted third party transfers fund form one person or business to another, thereby concealingthe credit card information of the buyer from the seller. 
-intranet: a self-contained interorganizational network that is designed using the same technology as the Internet.
-mobile commerce: in which workers use laptips and wireless handheld devices to take their offices with them wherever they travel.
-virtual private network: a network that uses encryption software to create secure tunnels through the public internet or between intranets.
-web hosting service: a service that provides the e-commerce software and expertise to run an online business.
6. What is the purpose of extranets? What is the main characteristics of an extranet?
An extranet is an extended intranet which is a private interorganizational information sustem connectinf the intraners of two or more companies in an e-marketplace. Some characterices of an extranet include a secure private network, public network, birtual private network.
8. List the capabilities e-commerce software should provide.

-increasing the speed of business to business transactions

-reducing errors on intercompany transactions

-reducing costs of telecommunications 

-increasing the volume of business with partners

-exchaning business to business documents

-checking on inventory and order status from suppliers

-collaborating with business partners on joint projects. 

9. List the ethical issues of E-Commerce.

-A statement of the of the organization's privacy policy

-A statement that a person's permission must be secured before his or her ID

-A statement on how the company will inform cnusomers of the inteneded uses of personal information gathered during an online tranactions. 

-A statement that addresses issues of ownership with respect to network postings and communication 

-A statement of how the company moniters or tracks user behavior. 

Review Questions for p. 461-464

2. Is e-commerce possible without the Internet? 
Electronic commerce is the process of sharing business information, maintaining business relationships, and conducting business transactions through the use of telecommunications networks. The answer to the question is no because of the clause that all of e-commerce is possible through the use of telecommunications networks. Some say that since the 1990s, e-commerce is internet based.
3. Describe the three forms of e-commerce. 
a. The first form of e-commerce is B2B (business-to-business) which represents interorganizational information systems in which a company handles transactions within its own value chain and with other businesses and organizations.
b. The second form of e-commerce is B2B (business to consumer) which represents retail transactions between a company and individual customers.
c. The third form of e-commerce is C2C which represents indiviuals, organizations, or companies that are selling and buying directly with each other via the Internet.
4. What are the main purposes of the Intranet? What are the Characteristics? 
An intranet is made up of physical technology and information content. The physical elements of an intranet are a network and other computers wih client software installed. The physical network can be LAN or WAN. The communication software for an intranet includes middleware and TCP/IP. An intranet also includes firewall software for secuity and an intranet should provide users within an organization easy access to information.
5. What are three important ways companies use intranets? 
a. To provide employees access to imporant information for their jobs
b. facilitate employees teamwork and collaboration within and amond departments
c. to process internal company tranactions online.

Discussion Question:

You are planning on starting your own business selling clothes. Discuss pros and cons for starting an e-business

A few pros of having an e-business that people anywhere can purchase your clothes. Let's say I am in China and I want to buy the new Michael Kors bag but it isn't available in China, then I would go online and buy it. Same thing, if I have a very popular bag then anyone, anywhere in the world who has access to a computer and a credit/debit card can purchase the bag. Also any positive would be that these are made to sell stuff. Like if I had a whole store full of bags and 300 bags were still left unsold then I would just end up either throwing them away, giving them away, or selling them for less that I bought them just to get rid it. A con of having an e business is many hackers target e businesses and steal information and money. In order to prevent that, one must buy a very high end security system and that could cost a lot of money but could be a very good investment. Another big con is that consumers will not be able to try on the clothes before they buy it and let's say that someone bought a shirt but it was not their size, then when they ship it back to us, it costs the business money, and then shipping it back to them also costs us money. Lastly, the price of shipping nowadays is SO expensive and first even I had the consumer pay the shipping, it would be a HUGE turnoff to pay like $30 for shipping.

Discussion Question:

If someone discovers a cure for the common cold, should he or she hide it to protect the jobs of allt he people who work in the huge cold-medicine industry?
Identify reasons why so many people react negatively to advances in technology that eliminates some jobs.

If someone discovers a cure for the common cold, many research jobs could become obsolete and many people would lose their jobs, and the economy would just be sunk. Though this is really wrong, we still must think about the greater good, curing the common cold. By curing the common cold, so many problems are solved, and if a person with bad immunity gets the common cold it could become fatal. This breakthrough could save many lives and it would be selfish to keep it but at the same time it is selfless because that person is trying to save jobs. Oh! The confusion! Most people react negatively to advances to technology because then their trade becomes obsolete and could lead to many financial and economical problems but these people need to ADAPT! This is a shark eat shark eat dog eat dog eat cat eat cat eat fish eat fish world.

Discussion Question:

Do computers increase or decrease efficiency? Explain.
- What are some fears generated by the use of tech/computers in the work place?
- List 3 jobs/skills that have become obsolete in the 21st century and 3 jobs/skills that have taken their place.

I feel that technology really has helped in the aspect of efficiency but it also can also lead to inefficiency. Why? Due to the fact that it does take time to learn and get used to the software but once one gets used to it, it really is more efficient. Some fears generated in the work place is that one might lose all their work or that confidential stuff can be stolen. Three jobs that have become obsolete is the job of the librarian, factory work, and layout artist. These jobs can be done using computers and machinery.

Page 399-409

1. Define each key term. 
-authoring tools: software used to create multimedia presentations.
-automated factory: a factory that uses extensive computer systems, robots, and networks to streamline and automate many jobs.
-automated offices: offices that use extensive computer systems and networks to streamline information flow and automate many processes.
-CIOs: the chief decision makers concerning enterprise systems.
-CTOs: chief technology officers.
-computer monitoring: using computer technology to track, record, and evaluate worker performance often without the knowledge of the worker.
-courseware: educational software
-de-skilled:job requires less skill
-distance education: using computers to extend the educational process beyond the walls of school.
-distributed computing: integrated all kinds of computers
-drill and practice software: teaching software based on the principles of individualized rate.
-edutainment: programs that combine education and entertainment
-e-commerce: business transactions through electronic networks.
-electronic cottage: a home which enables a person to work at home.
-electronic sweatshops: worker warehouses where most of the work is mindless keyboarding.
-filtering software: software that keeps inappropriate and offensive content from being viewed by children
-globalization: the creation of global businesses and markets
-groupware: software designed to be used by work groups instead of individuals
-intranet: an inter organized network that uses the same technology as the Internet.
-Luddites: one who opposes new technology
-paperless office: an office of the future where technology is replace paper
-satellite office: workplaces that enable workers to commute to smaller offices closer to their homes.
-smart card: a card that looks like a standard credit card but features a microprocessor.
-technophobia: fear of technology
-telecommuting: working at home by modem
up-skilled: job requires more skill
7. Describe controversy surrounding electronic sweatshop.
Electronic sweatshop is a data entry shop that contains hundreds of clerks sitting at terminals in a massive, windowless room. Workers, often minorities and female, are paid minimum wage to do mindless keyboarding. Many of these workers experience headaches, backaches, serious wrist injuries, stress, anxiety, and other health problems.
10. What kind of education does a student need to prepare for living and working in the information age? 
Socrates says, education is not the filling of the vessel but the rekindling of a candle. The education a student needs in order to prepare for living and working in the information age is literacy, mathematics, culture, communication, and learning how to learn.
16. What are smart cards? 
A smart card looks like a standard credit card but instead of a magnetic strip it contains an embedded microprocessor and memory.

383-387 Reading Questions

2. What are the major components of the modern automated factory?
An automated factory is a factory that uses extensive computer system, robots, and networks to streamline and automate many jobs. The modern automated factory is a robot which is a computer controlled machine designed to perform specific manual tasks such as assembly line jobs. But robots are only one factor of an automated factory, computers also help track inventory, time and delivery parts, control the quality of the production, monitor wear and tear on machines, and schedule maintenance.
3. How has the evolution of the automated office paralleled the evolution of the computer? 
Modern offices have been transformed by computers. Office automations goes back to the mainframe era when banks and other large institutions used computers for behind the scenes such as accounting and payroll. They were faster than the systems they replaced but were very difficult to use. Using timesharing enabled workers to access computer data. As computer function evolved, so did the ways offices function did too.
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of telecommuting from the point of view of the worker? management? society? 
From the worker point of view: An advantage would be saving time. Instead of driving two hours to get to work and then working five hours then driving back another two hours, telecommuting saves four hours. It can also give one a very flexible schedule. A disadvantage would be there would be no office social life and it requires a good amount of self-discipline. Lastly, workaholism cuts into family time.
From the point of view of management: Productivity skyrockets, which is a huge advantage but a big negative would be that this would not apply to jobs requiring interaction.
From the point of view of society: An advantage would be that it reduces the number of cars on the street which equals less pollution. A disadvantage would be that workaholism can lead to dysfunctional families.
5. What is de-skilling? What is up-skilling? Give examples of each. 
De-skilling is when a job is transformed so it requires less skill. This is shown when offices automate clerical jobs.
Up-skilling is when a job becomes more technical, requiring the workers to have more skills. Like when some clerical jobs becomes more technical when adopting databases and other computer functions.