So I said last night that I had finally finished my blog assignment about emerging technologies, I was feeling good about it, I gave myself a break from homework to knit, I did eventually finish my other homework.
BUT - I just realized this morning that even though I had finished posting the assignment on my blog I had completely forgotten to submit it online, and now I'm feeling stupid and crappy.
Luckily I'm under the 24 hour cut-off period, but still the penalty for late submission is 50% and that's a lot of marks - hence the feeling really crappy about it, because I did finish it under the deadline, I just completely forgot about the submitting part.
I do understand the penalty and the need for it, it was explained and written in the assignment, I just feel incredibly dumb.
But hey, at least I remembered this morning, any marks I may get are better than none at all.
Showing posts with label MGCR 331. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MGCR 331. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Emerging Technology 3
Intranet
The Intranet is an IT tool that organizations have been using for some time now, and is constantly evolving in its uses and abilities, in a similar way to the Internet.
The intranet is like a version of the internet that is restricted to only authorized users. For example, in an organization the intranet is a network that only employees have access to. The main goal is to share information and resources between all members of a company.
It is very useful for companies in many ways. It can help a company keep employees up-to-date with the latest information from and decisions of management. It is also a lot more efficient than always emailing employees. Email takes time for employees to pick up and read, and employees can also become overwhelmed with the volume of emails they receive and keeping the information organized requires large amounts of time which can cut down on employee productivity.
The intranet has been evolving and is now working very well with groupware, such as document sharing, combined authorship documents, messaging, as well as others. (Intranet Journal) Because a company’s intranet is a private protected network, security concerns that may be worrisome when using groupware on the internet are lessened. Also, the intranet can assist employees working on group projects and facilitate teleconferences. (Whatis.com)
However, maintaining a corporate intranet can be a disadvantage to its use. To maintain the advantages of having up-to-date information available to employees, the information must be updated quite frequently. Also, information that is no longer necessary to have on the intranet must be sorted through and removed so that overloading the system can be avoided.
Developing an intranet for a company requires knowledgeable IT staff to build and maintain it. Also, in order to be able to use the intranet employees require a computer, or reasonable access to a shared one. Supplying this to all employees expected to use the intranet could be very costly for a company that doesn’t normally do so.
Although it is a very good advantage, the security of an intranet also requires a great deal of upkeep. It needs to be monitored and updated frequently. Employees having access to sensitive information through the intranet is also a security concern. Companies with high employee turnover rates may have more concerns about these issues. (Wikipedia)
References
Intranet Journal Intranet FAQ. Retrieved October 2, 2007, from Intranet Journal Website: http://www.intranetjournal.com/faqs/whatis/index.html
What is Intranet?. (October 12, 2006). Retrieved October 2, 2007, from Searchvb.com Website: http://searchvb.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid8_gci212377,00.html
Intranet. (September 30, 2007). Retrieved October 2, 2007, from Wikipedia Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intranet
The Intranet is an IT tool that organizations have been using for some time now, and is constantly evolving in its uses and abilities, in a similar way to the Internet.
The intranet is like a version of the internet that is restricted to only authorized users. For example, in an organization the intranet is a network that only employees have access to. The main goal is to share information and resources between all members of a company.
It is very useful for companies in many ways. It can help a company keep employees up-to-date with the latest information from and decisions of management. It is also a lot more efficient than always emailing employees. Email takes time for employees to pick up and read, and employees can also become overwhelmed with the volume of emails they receive and keeping the information organized requires large amounts of time which can cut down on employee productivity.
The intranet has been evolving and is now working very well with groupware, such as document sharing, combined authorship documents, messaging, as well as others. (Intranet Journal) Because a company’s intranet is a private protected network, security concerns that may be worrisome when using groupware on the internet are lessened. Also, the intranet can assist employees working on group projects and facilitate teleconferences. (Whatis.com)
However, maintaining a corporate intranet can be a disadvantage to its use. To maintain the advantages of having up-to-date information available to employees, the information must be updated quite frequently. Also, information that is no longer necessary to have on the intranet must be sorted through and removed so that overloading the system can be avoided.
Developing an intranet for a company requires knowledgeable IT staff to build and maintain it. Also, in order to be able to use the intranet employees require a computer, or reasonable access to a shared one. Supplying this to all employees expected to use the intranet could be very costly for a company that doesn’t normally do so.
Although it is a very good advantage, the security of an intranet also requires a great deal of upkeep. It needs to be monitored and updated frequently. Employees having access to sensitive information through the intranet is also a security concern. Companies with high employee turnover rates may have more concerns about these issues. (Wikipedia)
References
Intranet Journal Intranet FAQ. Retrieved October 2, 2007, from Intranet Journal Website: http://www.intranetjournal.com/faqs/whatis/index.html
What is Intranet?. (October 12, 2006). Retrieved October 2, 2007, from Searchvb.com Website: http://searchvb.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid8_gci212377,00.html
Intranet. (September 30, 2007). Retrieved October 2, 2007, from Wikipedia Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intranet
Monday, October 1, 2007
Emerging Technology 2
Office Live Workspace
Microsoft announced this week that they are preparing to launch a beta version of a new online tool, “Office Live Workspace”. This is a tool designed to help Microsoft users store, share and access files online. It allows users to have access to business documents they may store there while they are away from the office. This means that workers can stay productive, even if they are caught out of the office. Also, it allows easier sharing of documents between co-workers, meaning that co-workers can collaborate on projects and reports much easier.
Office Live Workspace is not currently going to be allowing users to edit or create documents online, but instead is intended to work alongside a desktop version of Microsoft Office (The Associated Press). This can be seen as an advantage because it will use programs many people already use in their everyday work and that they are comfortable and familiar with. This could also be seen as a bit of a drawback, as organizations wishing to make use of it will have to be using Microsoft Office, as will all of their employees who may want to access their documents at home.
Some organizations may feel more secure using an online document sharing system offered by Microsoft, as opposed to others that are currently available. Microsoft will be offering virus and security protection for documents stored in the workspace. Also, users will be able to control who may access, edit or only review and comment on a particular document. This means that even while in the editing stage, employees could get input from co-workers, without giving them the opportunity to edit a document themselves.
Office Live Workspace is going to be accessible only with a Windows Live ID, meaning all companies wanting to take advantage of this tool will need to allow their employees to have a Windows Live ID, possibly a one that is solely for work purposes so that this tool will not be utilised for non-work related things during working hours.
Microsoft also has plans to possibly integrate this system with other products that utilise Windows Live IDs, such as Hotmail or Windows Live Messenger (CNET News). While these developments could improve employee productivity with the ability to contact co-workers and instant message each other in real time, as opposed to email which can cause delays and hold-ups in communication, they could also present problems with personal use conflicts. Using all of this interconnected software will require organizations to have very good IT use policies in place to diminish the number of people who may begin to abuse the use of these programs in the workplace.
References
Fried, Ina. (September 30, 2007). Microsoft Office heads to the Web. Retrieved October 1, 2007, from CNET News.com Website: http://www.news.com/Microsoft-Office-heads-to-the-Web/2100-1012_3-6210696.html?tag=nefd.lede
Microsoft Office Live Workspace. (2007). Retrieved October 1, 2007, from Microsoft Corporation Website: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/officelive/FX102394081033.aspx
Mintz, Jessica. (October 1, 2007). Microsoft to Unveil Microsoft Live Workspace. Retrieved October 1, 2007 from The Associated Press Website: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hiiOCMPC5XQNJkiuNOzZDAUFCVFAD8S08TA80
Microsoft announced this week that they are preparing to launch a beta version of a new online tool, “Office Live Workspace”. This is a tool designed to help Microsoft users store, share and access files online. It allows users to have access to business documents they may store there while they are away from the office. This means that workers can stay productive, even if they are caught out of the office. Also, it allows easier sharing of documents between co-workers, meaning that co-workers can collaborate on projects and reports much easier.
Office Live Workspace is not currently going to be allowing users to edit or create documents online, but instead is intended to work alongside a desktop version of Microsoft Office (The Associated Press). This can be seen as an advantage because it will use programs many people already use in their everyday work and that they are comfortable and familiar with. This could also be seen as a bit of a drawback, as organizations wishing to make use of it will have to be using Microsoft Office, as will all of their employees who may want to access their documents at home.
Some organizations may feel more secure using an online document sharing system offered by Microsoft, as opposed to others that are currently available. Microsoft will be offering virus and security protection for documents stored in the workspace. Also, users will be able to control who may access, edit or only review and comment on a particular document. This means that even while in the editing stage, employees could get input from co-workers, without giving them the opportunity to edit a document themselves.
Office Live Workspace is going to be accessible only with a Windows Live ID, meaning all companies wanting to take advantage of this tool will need to allow their employees to have a Windows Live ID, possibly a one that is solely for work purposes so that this tool will not be utilised for non-work related things during working hours.
Microsoft also has plans to possibly integrate this system with other products that utilise Windows Live IDs, such as Hotmail or Windows Live Messenger (CNET News). While these developments could improve employee productivity with the ability to contact co-workers and instant message each other in real time, as opposed to email which can cause delays and hold-ups in communication, they could also present problems with personal use conflicts. Using all of this interconnected software will require organizations to have very good IT use policies in place to diminish the number of people who may begin to abuse the use of these programs in the workplace.
References
Fried, Ina. (September 30, 2007). Microsoft Office heads to the Web. Retrieved October 1, 2007, from CNET News.com Website: http://www.news.com/Microsoft-Office-heads-to-the-Web/2100-1012_3-6210696.html?tag=nefd.lede
Microsoft Office Live Workspace. (2007). Retrieved October 1, 2007, from Microsoft Corporation Website: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/officelive/FX102394081033.aspx
Mintz, Jessica. (October 1, 2007). Microsoft to Unveil Microsoft Live Workspace. Retrieved October 1, 2007 from The Associated Press Website: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hiiOCMPC5XQNJkiuNOzZDAUFCVFAD8S08TA80
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Emerging Technology 1
As mentioned earlier, I'm going to stray from normal topics for a couple posts while I complete a school project, so just bear with me and I'll get back to knitting as soon as I finish this (and when my yarn gets delivered...).
Say It, Sign It
For my first emerging technology, I chose to talk about a technology that has just been making headlines this month. It’s a newly developed technology from IBM that translates speech into sign language, called ““Say It, Sign It” or “SiSi” . Here’s an example of how it works: (Video from YouTube)
The speech is first turned into text using speech recognition software and then SiSi is able to convert the text to animated signing in British Sign Language (BSL). It was developed in 12 weeks by a group of interns in IBM’s internship program Extreme Blue with cooperation from the University of East Anglia and the RNID (Royal National Institute for Deaf People). (MarketWatch Article)
This technology has the possibility of making it much simpler for companies to integrate deaf team members into meetings and conference calls when a qualified interpreter is not readily available. Because of the simultaneous translation, time would not have to been taken to communicate through writing or special accommodations made to allow for speech-reading. This not only allows for integration of deaf workers but also gives them a more equal footing with everyone else in the meeting and does so in a timely manner.
It could also be used to make other applications user friendly for deaf users both in the workplace, such as translating voicemail, and at home, such as translating television or radio programs. This techonological tool would work best for translating presentations given in a lecture format.
There are a number of drawbacks to the current edition of this program. The system is not currently commercially available and is only able to translate to British Sign Language, which limits the use of this technology to only users of BSL. However, a student who was working on the program said it should be fairly easy to further develop the system so that translation into other signed languages was available. (BBC article)
Also, the SiSi system can only translate one way, from speech to sign, as opposed to an interpreter who can also translate from sign to speech. This means that the communication advantages provided by this program only work in one direction. Deaf workers would not be able to use this system to contribute easily to the conversation in their first language (usually a signing language) and would have to rely on an interpreter or a spoken or written language. As seen in the comments on the YouTube example of this software some people are already very critical of this flaw and I can understand their point of view.
However, overall I do believe this new technology will be a great tool to assist organizations in intergrating and including deaf workers and will increase the speed at and extent to which they are able to do so.
References
Visual Interpreter turns speech into sign language. (September 13, 2007). Retrieved September 25, 2007, from CBC.ca Website: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/09/13/tech-deaf-avatar.html
Adams-Spink, G. (September 15, 2007). Technique links words to signing. Retrieved September 25, 2007, from BBC News Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6993326.stm
IBM Research Demonstrates Innovative ‘Speech to Sign Language’ Translation System. (September 13, 2007). Retrieved September 25, 2007, from MarketWatch Website: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/ibm-research-demonstrates-innovative-speech/story.aspx?guid=%7B57DE2EA8-D02B-4B9E-90F6-80EE757D441E%7D
IBM Research Demonstrates Innovative 'Speech to Sign Language' Translation System. (September 12, 2007). Retrieved September 25, 2007, from IBM Website: http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/22316.wss
IBM Voice-to-Sign Language Translation Tech. (September 12, 2007). Retrieved September 25, 2007), from YouTube Website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RarMKnjqzZU
Say It, Sign It
For my first emerging technology, I chose to talk about a technology that has just been making headlines this month. It’s a newly developed technology from IBM that translates speech into sign language, called ““Say It, Sign It” or “SiSi” . Here’s an example of how it works: (Video from YouTube)
The speech is first turned into text using speech recognition software and then SiSi is able to convert the text to animated signing in British Sign Language (BSL). It was developed in 12 weeks by a group of interns in IBM’s internship program Extreme Blue with cooperation from the University of East Anglia and the RNID (Royal National Institute for Deaf People). (MarketWatch Article)
This technology has the possibility of making it much simpler for companies to integrate deaf team members into meetings and conference calls when a qualified interpreter is not readily available. Because of the simultaneous translation, time would not have to been taken to communicate through writing or special accommodations made to allow for speech-reading. This not only allows for integration of deaf workers but also gives them a more equal footing with everyone else in the meeting and does so in a timely manner.
It could also be used to make other applications user friendly for deaf users both in the workplace, such as translating voicemail, and at home, such as translating television or radio programs. This techonological tool would work best for translating presentations given in a lecture format.
There are a number of drawbacks to the current edition of this program. The system is not currently commercially available and is only able to translate to British Sign Language, which limits the use of this technology to only users of BSL. However, a student who was working on the program said it should be fairly easy to further develop the system so that translation into other signed languages was available. (BBC article)
Also, the SiSi system can only translate one way, from speech to sign, as opposed to an interpreter who can also translate from sign to speech. This means that the communication advantages provided by this program only work in one direction. Deaf workers would not be able to use this system to contribute easily to the conversation in their first language (usually a signing language) and would have to rely on an interpreter or a spoken or written language. As seen in the comments on the YouTube example of this software some people are already very critical of this flaw and I can understand their point of view.
However, overall I do believe this new technology will be a great tool to assist organizations in intergrating and including deaf workers and will increase the speed at and extent to which they are able to do so.
References
Visual Interpreter turns speech into sign language. (September 13, 2007). Retrieved September 25, 2007, from CBC.ca Website: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/09/13/tech-deaf-avatar.html
Adams-Spink, G. (September 15, 2007). Technique links words to signing. Retrieved September 25, 2007, from BBC News Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6993326.stm
IBM Research Demonstrates Innovative ‘Speech to Sign Language’ Translation System. (September 13, 2007). Retrieved September 25, 2007, from MarketWatch Website: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/ibm-research-demonstrates-innovative-speech/story.aspx?guid=%7B57DE2EA8-D02B-4B9E-90F6-80EE757D441E%7D
IBM Research Demonstrates Innovative 'Speech to Sign Language' Translation System. (September 12, 2007). Retrieved September 25, 2007, from IBM Website: http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/22316.wss
IBM Voice-to-Sign Language Translation Tech. (September 12, 2007). Retrieved September 25, 2007), from YouTube Website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RarMKnjqzZU
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