Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Web 2.0
Exercise - select five applications that you have not heard of before from Popular URL's Web 2.0 awards or the webware awards and describe on your blog page how they could be useful to a business.
1.) Google Calendar - "Google Calendar is a free, Web-based calendar. Users can add events in multiple calendars and access them on their mobile phone or using Google's Gmail". This would be a usefull tool for business as it allows employees to have a caleneder online that they can easily access from their mobile and it allows users to "share and subscribe to one another's calendars or import them from third-party services that offer things such as national holidays, movie releases, or moon cycles"
2.) Pidgin - "Pidgin is an open-source messaging application that lets you access multiple IM networks from one window, including Google Talk and MySpaceIM" Pidgin is useful for business as it allows work colegues to talk to one another even if they have different IM networks.
3.) Craigslist - "Craigslist is a free, online classifieds service that's localized by geography... Users can post items they want to sell and get responses by telephone or e-mail from people who live around them" This is useful for business as it can cut the time required to pruchase or sell items.
4.) Mozy - "Mozy is an online storage provider that specializes in backup. Users install a small piece of software on their machine, and it automatically syncs any new or changed files over a secured connection. In case of an emergency, you can simply use the software to get everything back, and because it's not localized to where your machine is, you can get that backup from wherever you have a connection" Backup is important to business and this is a good way to ensure that files are backed up for a business.
5.) Safari - "Safari is Apple's Web browser. It's currently in its fourth version, which got Cover Flow-style bookmark browsing, history search, a visual bookmarks start page, and a large-size tab style that mimics Google's Chrome... it is the default Web browser in Apple's iPhone, where it remains as the only way to browse the Web on the popular device" The iphone is very popular and many businesses use it, so safari would be useful for business when using their phone to search for things.
1.) Google Calendar - "Google Calendar is a free, Web-based calendar. Users can add events in multiple calendars and access them on their mobile phone or using Google's Gmail". This would be a usefull tool for business as it allows employees to have a caleneder online that they can easily access from their mobile and it allows users to "share and subscribe to one another's calendars or import them from third-party services that offer things such as national holidays, movie releases, or moon cycles"
2.) Pidgin - "Pidgin is an open-source messaging application that lets you access multiple IM networks from one window, including Google Talk and MySpaceIM" Pidgin is useful for business as it allows work colegues to talk to one another even if they have different IM networks.
3.) Craigslist - "Craigslist is a free, online classifieds service that's localized by geography... Users can post items they want to sell and get responses by telephone or e-mail from people who live around them" This is useful for business as it can cut the time required to pruchase or sell items.
4.) Mozy - "Mozy is an online storage provider that specializes in backup. Users install a small piece of software on their machine, and it automatically syncs any new or changed files over a secured connection. In case of an emergency, you can simply use the software to get everything back, and because it's not localized to where your machine is, you can get that backup from wherever you have a connection" Backup is important to business and this is a good way to ensure that files are backed up for a business.
5.) Safari - "Safari is Apple's Web browser. It's currently in its fourth version, which got Cover Flow-style bookmark browsing, history search, a visual bookmarks start page, and a large-size tab style that mimics Google's Chrome... it is the default Web browser in Apple's iPhone, where it remains as the only way to browse the Web on the popular device" The iphone is very popular and many businesses use it, so safari would be useful for business when using their phone to search for things.
Monday, May 25, 2009
security and privacy
Question 1 -
See if you can find an example of a privacy breach that was reported in the Australian or international news in the last 6 months.
I found the following example of a privacy breach reported in Philadelphia
"NebuAd closing doors after internet privacy woes 2:52PM Thursday May 21, 2009 By Deborah Yao"
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/privacy/news/article.cfm?c_id=546&objectid=10573700
Essentially NebuAd, a company that sought to target ads to consumers based on their online behaviour, examined consumers' internet traffic to determine their interests, targeting ads to people based on their interests and it was argued by privacy advocates that they went too far.
What were the consequences? i.e. legal, political, financial, personal etc.
Financially NebuAd is going out of business as their clients drop out of doing business with them
Legally they are in court
Also with privacy breaches like this it makes it difficult to gain clients in the future.
What action was taken in response to the privacy breach?
NebuAd is winding down its business, it has closed its office and laid off all employees.
So what can you do about privacy?
Don't breach it.
Question 2 - Have you been using Turnitin software this semester? If you have was it a positive or negative experience and why?
I have not been using turnitin software this semester, however I have used it in the past. I found it to be a relatively positive, if not frustrating, experience. It was positive in the sense that it helped me with referencing and avoiding plagiarism, however I found it frustrating because even when I had referenced my work correctly I had some similarities with other students work that made the percentage increase.
See if you can find an example of a privacy breach that was reported in the Australian or international news in the last 6 months.
I found the following example of a privacy breach reported in Philadelphia
"NebuAd closing doors after internet privacy woes 2:52PM Thursday May 21, 2009 By Deborah Yao"
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/privacy/news/article.cfm?c_id=546&objectid=10573700
Essentially NebuAd, a company that sought to target ads to consumers based on their online behaviour, examined consumers' internet traffic to determine their interests, targeting ads to people based on their interests and it was argued by privacy advocates that they went too far.
What were the consequences? i.e. legal, political, financial, personal etc.
Financially NebuAd is going out of business as their clients drop out of doing business with them
Legally they are in court
Also with privacy breaches like this it makes it difficult to gain clients in the future.
What action was taken in response to the privacy breach?
NebuAd is winding down its business, it has closed its office and laid off all employees.
So what can you do about privacy?
Don't breach it.
Question 2 - Have you been using Turnitin software this semester? If you have was it a positive or negative experience and why?
I have not been using turnitin software this semester, however I have used it in the past. I found it to be a relatively positive, if not frustrating, experience. It was positive in the sense that it helped me with referencing and avoiding plagiarism, however I found it frustrating because even when I had referenced my work correctly I had some similarities with other students work that made the percentage increase.
Trust
1) What does this meant by the following statements?
Trust is not associative (non-symmetric)
This means that if person 1 trusts person 2 with a particular subject matter then this does not mean that person 2 necessarily trusts person 1 with the same subject matter.
(Adrian McCullagh (1998))
Trust is not transitive
In general terms transitivity is:
If A = B and B= C then A =C.
This does not occur for trust. Trust can not generally be transferred along a chain. If person 1 trusts person 2 and person 2 trusts person 3 then it does not necessarily follow that person 1 trusts person 3.
(Adrian McCullagh (1998))
Trust is always between exactly 2 parties
This means that trust is only between two parties, person A trusts person B.
Trust will involve either direct trust or recommender trust
Direct trust occurs when person 1 directly trusts person 2 with some subject matter. Recommender trust involves person 1 trusting the recommendation of person 2 about person 3 with respect to some subject matter.
(Adrian McCullagh (1998))
2a) Have a look at the following websites. What are some of the elements that have been incorporated to increase your trust in the sites? If there are also some aspects which decrease your level of trust describe them as well.
http://www.ebay.com.au/
eBay has a lot of information based on security and privacy which helps both buyers and sellers with trust. eBay's feedback system is one of the best ways for both buyers and sellers to see what others who have delt with that person thought about their experience. The feedback system is one way eBay increases trust in their site.eBay's website also offers step by step information for buying and selling items, and has information about risks and how to avoid fraud, which also helps to increase trust in their site.
http://www.anz.com.au/
Like all banking websites that offer internet banking the ANZ website has a log on feature where a customer registration number and password is required, this is one way ANZ helps to increase trust in their website.The website also provides information about recent security alerts.
http://www.ozrural.com/
I dont really think this website does anything to increase trust in their website. I personally would not buy anything from this website.
http://www.paypal.com.au/
PayPal has a lot of information on their website that helps to increase trust in their site. It gives you information on how to buy safely which increases trust in the website.
2b) Find a web site yourself that you think looks untrustworthy
I find websites that have a lot of advertising untrustworthy, or websites that offer a quick fix for things such as weight loss or life advice.
Trust is not associative (non-symmetric)
This means that if person 1 trusts person 2 with a particular subject matter then this does not mean that person 2 necessarily trusts person 1 with the same subject matter.
(Adrian McCullagh (1998))
Trust is not transitive
In general terms transitivity is:
If A = B and B= C then A =C.
This does not occur for trust. Trust can not generally be transferred along a chain. If person 1 trusts person 2 and person 2 trusts person 3 then it does not necessarily follow that person 1 trusts person 3.
(Adrian McCullagh (1998))
Trust is always between exactly 2 parties
This means that trust is only between two parties, person A trusts person B.
Trust will involve either direct trust or recommender trust
Direct trust occurs when person 1 directly trusts person 2 with some subject matter. Recommender trust involves person 1 trusting the recommendation of person 2 about person 3 with respect to some subject matter.
(Adrian McCullagh (1998))
2a) Have a look at the following websites. What are some of the elements that have been incorporated to increase your trust in the sites? If there are also some aspects which decrease your level of trust describe them as well.
http://www.ebay.com.au/
eBay has a lot of information based on security and privacy which helps both buyers and sellers with trust. eBay's feedback system is one of the best ways for both buyers and sellers to see what others who have delt with that person thought about their experience. The feedback system is one way eBay increases trust in their site.eBay's website also offers step by step information for buying and selling items, and has information about risks and how to avoid fraud, which also helps to increase trust in their site.
http://www.anz.com.au/
Like all banking websites that offer internet banking the ANZ website has a log on feature where a customer registration number and password is required, this is one way ANZ helps to increase trust in their website.The website also provides information about recent security alerts.
http://www.ozrural.com/
I dont really think this website does anything to increase trust in their website. I personally would not buy anything from this website.
http://www.paypal.com.au/
PayPal has a lot of information on their website that helps to increase trust in their site. It gives you information on how to buy safely which increases trust in the website.
2b) Find a web site yourself that you think looks untrustworthy
I find websites that have a lot of advertising untrustworthy, or websites that offer a quick fix for things such as weight loss or life advice.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Topic 8 Online Auctions
Q1: eBay is one of the only major Internet "pure plays" to consistently make a profit from its inception. What is eBay's business model? Why has it been so successful?
eBay's business model is to link sellers and buyers through online auctions.“eBay acts as a broker, bringing buyers and sellers together and taking a listing fee on products listed over its site and a commission on things sold” (Rappa, 2005). It has been so successful because of the convenience and positive experiences by both buyers and sellers.
Q2: Other major web sites, like Amazon.com and Yahoo!, have entered the auction marketplace with far less success than eBay. How has eBay been able to maintain its dominant position?
eBay has managed to keep its donimany position in the market because of they way it conducts business through auctions, where buyers can get a great bargain.
Q3: What method does eBay use to reduce the potential for fraud among traders on its site? What kinds of fraud, if any, are eBay users most susceptible?
Feedback is the method eBay uses to reduce the potential for fraud among traders on its site.
Types of fraud
sellers bidding on there own items to increase the final selling price
sellers putting up items they dont actually have or intend to post to the winning bidder and keeping the money
identity theft
fraudulent emails
item description does not match product actually receieved
"an ebay account that was been inactive for a period of time and is now selling expensive items, could be a hijacked account" (Scam sellers (2009)) Some high risk items on eBay would include "expensive items, rare collector items, collector hobby items, plasma, LCD TVs, laptops, computers, electronics" (Scam sellers (2009))
Q4: eBay makes every effort to conceptualize its users as a community (as opposed to, say "customers" or "clients"). What is the purpose of this conceptual twist and does eBay gain something by doing it?
The purpose is to make the shopping experience a good one so customers will return. Ofcourse eBay gains something by doing this, the more people using eBay and having good experiences the more money they make.
Q5: eBay has long been a marketplace for used goods and collectibles. Today, it is increasingly a place where major businesses come to auction their wares. Why would a brand name vendor set-up shop on eBay?
People love brands and the more ways for them to access the brands they like, and the convenience of doing it online the more money the major businesses will make. With auctions customers can also get a brand named item at a lower cost than in the shops. One reason a brand name vendor would set-up shop on eBay would be to get more publicity for their brand and access to more consumers as more and more people are using the internet to do their shopping.
References
eBay (2009 Scam sellers retreived on May 9th 2009 from http://reviews.ebay.com.au/Scam-Sellers-fraud-warning-signs-red-flags-SCAMS_W0QQugidZ10000000002662377
Q1: eBay is one of the only major Internet "pure plays" to consistently make a profit from its inception. What is eBay's business model? Why has it been so successful?
eBay's business model is to link sellers and buyers through online auctions.“eBay acts as a broker, bringing buyers and sellers together and taking a listing fee on products listed over its site and a commission on things sold” (Rappa, 2005). It has been so successful because of the convenience and positive experiences by both buyers and sellers.
Q2: Other major web sites, like Amazon.com and Yahoo!, have entered the auction marketplace with far less success than eBay. How has eBay been able to maintain its dominant position?
eBay has managed to keep its donimany position in the market because of they way it conducts business through auctions, where buyers can get a great bargain.
Q3: What method does eBay use to reduce the potential for fraud among traders on its site? What kinds of fraud, if any, are eBay users most susceptible?
Feedback is the method eBay uses to reduce the potential for fraud among traders on its site.
Types of fraud
sellers bidding on there own items to increase the final selling price
sellers putting up items they dont actually have or intend to post to the winning bidder and keeping the money
identity theft
fraudulent emails
item description does not match product actually receieved
"an ebay account that was been inactive for a period of time and is now selling expensive items, could be a hijacked account" (Scam sellers (2009)) Some high risk items on eBay would include "expensive items, rare collector items, collector hobby items, plasma, LCD TVs, laptops, computers, electronics" (Scam sellers (2009))
Q4: eBay makes every effort to conceptualize its users as a community (as opposed to, say "customers" or "clients"). What is the purpose of this conceptual twist and does eBay gain something by doing it?
The purpose is to make the shopping experience a good one so customers will return. Ofcourse eBay gains something by doing this, the more people using eBay and having good experiences the more money they make.
Q5: eBay has long been a marketplace for used goods and collectibles. Today, it is increasingly a place where major businesses come to auction their wares. Why would a brand name vendor set-up shop on eBay?
People love brands and the more ways for them to access the brands they like, and the convenience of doing it online the more money the major businesses will make. With auctions customers can also get a brand named item at a lower cost than in the shops. One reason a brand name vendor would set-up shop on eBay would be to get more publicity for their brand and access to more consumers as more and more people are using the internet to do their shopping.
References
eBay (2009 Scam sellers retreived on May 9th 2009 from http://reviews.ebay.com.au/Scam-Sellers-fraud-warning-signs-red-flags-SCAMS_W0QQugidZ10000000002662377
Monday, April 27, 2009
Week Seven - Digital Automata
1.Write a one paragraph describing the Turing test and another paragraph describing an argument against the Turing Test, known as the about the Chinese room.
Turing Test
"The phrase “The Turing Test” is used to refer to a proposal made by Alan Turing in his 1950 paper "Computing Machinery and Intelligencee" as a way of dealing with the question whether machines can think" (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2003)). The test is done by a human judge who has a conversation with another human and a machine. All participants are in an isolated location.The test is passed by the machine if the human judge cannot tell the machine from the human. In order to test the machine's intelligence rather than its ability to render words into audio, the conversation is limited to a text-only channel such as a computer keyboard and screen.
(Wikipedia (2009))
Chinese Room
One argument against the Turing Test is the Chinese Room argument. This argument was put forward in 1980 by John Searle in his paper titled ‘Minds, Brains and Programs’. This argument is an argument against the possibility of Artificial Intelligence (AI)."The Chinese Room argument comprises a thought experiment which attempts to show that a symbol-processing machine like a computer can never be properly described as having a "mind" or "understanding", regardless of how intelligently it may behave" (Wikipedia (2009)) The argument is intended to show that while suitably programmed computers may appear to converse in natural language, they are not capable of understanding language, even in principle (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2004))
2. Can virtual agents succeed in delivering high-quality customer service over the Web?
Yes virtual agents can succeed in delivering high-quality customer service over the Web.
References
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2003) The Turing Test. Retreived on 9th May 2009 from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/turing-test/
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2004) The Chinese Room Argument retreived 9th May 2009 from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/chinese-room/
Wikipedia (2009) Turing Test retreieved on 9th May 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_test
Wikipedia (2009) Chinese Room retrieved on 9th May from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_room
1.Write a one paragraph describing the Turing test and another paragraph describing an argument against the Turing Test, known as the about the Chinese room.
Turing Test
"The phrase “The Turing Test” is used to refer to a proposal made by Alan Turing in his 1950 paper "Computing Machinery and Intelligencee" as a way of dealing with the question whether machines can think" (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2003)). The test is done by a human judge who has a conversation with another human and a machine. All participants are in an isolated location.The test is passed by the machine if the human judge cannot tell the machine from the human. In order to test the machine's intelligence rather than its ability to render words into audio, the conversation is limited to a text-only channel such as a computer keyboard and screen.
(Wikipedia (2009))
Chinese Room
One argument against the Turing Test is the Chinese Room argument. This argument was put forward in 1980 by John Searle in his paper titled ‘Minds, Brains and Programs’. This argument is an argument against the possibility of Artificial Intelligence (AI)."The Chinese Room argument comprises a thought experiment which attempts to show that a symbol-processing machine like a computer can never be properly described as having a "mind" or "understanding", regardless of how intelligently it may behave" (Wikipedia (2009)) The argument is intended to show that while suitably programmed computers may appear to converse in natural language, they are not capable of understanding language, even in principle (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2004))
2. Can virtual agents succeed in delivering high-quality customer service over the Web?
Yes virtual agents can succeed in delivering high-quality customer service over the Web.
References
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2003) The Turing Test. Retreived on 9th May 2009 from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/turing-test/
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2004) The Chinese Room Argument retreived 9th May 2009 from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/chinese-room/
Wikipedia (2009) Turing Test retreieved on 9th May 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_test
Wikipedia (2009) Chinese Room retrieved on 9th May from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_room
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Topic Six - Digital Markets
Question 1
a) What experiences have you had with shopping online?
Ive bought a few items from e-bay. Mostly they were good experiences, one however never sent the dvd i bought. I have not used e-bay since. Ive recently bought some stuff from from forgeworld in the UK for my boyfriend... now he just has to wait about a month for it to get here lol
b) Describe a good experience.
I had to return a dvd i bought because it was from a different area code or something, basically it meant it wouldn't play in an australia dvd player. The person who sold it to me on E-bay was really nice about it and gave me my money back.
c) What did you like about the online store you used?
E-bay was easy to use, i had no trouble finding what i was looking for. Forgeworld's online shop is really well set out and easy to place orders.
d) Describe a bad experience.
I bought a dvd on E-bay over a year ago, i sent the money and never recieved the dvd. after they had recieved the money i never heard from them again.
e) What problems did you have with the online store?
I have not had any problems with any of the online stores i have used, only the people i bought stuff from.
f) What features make an online store more appealing?
Convenience, and the time you save not having to leave your house :)
g) What features make an online store less appealing?
Probablility you wont get what you ordered or it will be damaged on its way to you. Waiting for the order to arrive, and the cost of postage
h) Should we expect to see the prices of goods and services rise or fall due to the migration of consumers online?
Probably fall, price is determined by demand and supply, if consumers are buying more products online then the demand for in store items will decrease, and thus the price should also fall.
Question 2
a) The dispersion of prices (that is, the spread between the lowest and highest price for a particular product) will narrow.
Agree. Consumers have the ability to compare a vast array of products from many online stores and can choose the best deal or lowest price. This will put pressure on online stores to have similar prices for similar or the same products.
b) The importance of brand names will decrease.
Disagree. Brands are always going to be popular
c) Price competition will make all products cheaper.
Disagree. Price competition will make some products cheaper
d) Digital markets will become dominated by a handful of mega-sites, like Amazon.com.
Agree.
e) How do you think the balance of power between buyer’s and seller’s will change?
Buyers will have more control over where they purchase items online, as they can spend a while looking for the best deal
f) Prices are clustered online.
Disagree
g) Online prices are elastic. ( i.e. immune to change up and down with demand)
Disagree
h) Online prices are generally transparent (the extent to which prices for a given product or service are known by buyers in the marketplace.).
Agree.
Question 3
a) What types of m-commerce services does your cell phone provider offer?
Telstra - Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. This is a short-range high frequency wireless communication technology which enables the exchange of data between devices over about a 10 centimetre (around 4 inches) distance.
Sourced from Wikipedia
b) Which of these services do you use?
I only use my phone to text and call
c) What types of transactions do you perform through your cell phone or other wireless device?
does this include wireless internet? i buy credit for my phone online
d) What types of transactions would you like to perform, but are currently unable to?
Nohting at the moment
e) What is your opinion of wireless advertising/mobile marketing?
Stupid and pointless
Question 1
a) What experiences have you had with shopping online?
Ive bought a few items from e-bay. Mostly they were good experiences, one however never sent the dvd i bought. I have not used e-bay since. Ive recently bought some stuff from from forgeworld in the UK for my boyfriend... now he just has to wait about a month for it to get here lol
b) Describe a good experience.
I had to return a dvd i bought because it was from a different area code or something, basically it meant it wouldn't play in an australia dvd player. The person who sold it to me on E-bay was really nice about it and gave me my money back.
c) What did you like about the online store you used?
E-bay was easy to use, i had no trouble finding what i was looking for. Forgeworld's online shop is really well set out and easy to place orders.
d) Describe a bad experience.
I bought a dvd on E-bay over a year ago, i sent the money and never recieved the dvd. after they had recieved the money i never heard from them again.
e) What problems did you have with the online store?
I have not had any problems with any of the online stores i have used, only the people i bought stuff from.
f) What features make an online store more appealing?
Convenience, and the time you save not having to leave your house :)
g) What features make an online store less appealing?
Probablility you wont get what you ordered or it will be damaged on its way to you. Waiting for the order to arrive, and the cost of postage
h) Should we expect to see the prices of goods and services rise or fall due to the migration of consumers online?
Probably fall, price is determined by demand and supply, if consumers are buying more products online then the demand for in store items will decrease, and thus the price should also fall.
Question 2
a) The dispersion of prices (that is, the spread between the lowest and highest price for a particular product) will narrow.
Agree. Consumers have the ability to compare a vast array of products from many online stores and can choose the best deal or lowest price. This will put pressure on online stores to have similar prices for similar or the same products.
b) The importance of brand names will decrease.
Disagree. Brands are always going to be popular
c) Price competition will make all products cheaper.
Disagree. Price competition will make some products cheaper
d) Digital markets will become dominated by a handful of mega-sites, like Amazon.com.
Agree.
e) How do you think the balance of power between buyer’s and seller’s will change?
Buyers will have more control over where they purchase items online, as they can spend a while looking for the best deal
f) Prices are clustered online.
Disagree
g) Online prices are elastic. ( i.e. immune to change up and down with demand)
Disagree
h) Online prices are generally transparent (the extent to which prices for a given product or service are known by buyers in the marketplace.).
Agree.
Question 3
a) What types of m-commerce services does your cell phone provider offer?
Telstra - Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. This is a short-range high frequency wireless communication technology which enables the exchange of data between devices over about a 10 centimetre (around 4 inches) distance.
Sourced from Wikipedia
b) Which of these services do you use?
I only use my phone to text and call
c) What types of transactions do you perform through your cell phone or other wireless device?
does this include wireless internet? i buy credit for my phone online
d) What types of transactions would you like to perform, but are currently unable to?
Nohting at the moment
e) What is your opinion of wireless advertising/mobile marketing?
Stupid and pointless
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