The basic point underlying the issues is that U.S. has an immense shortage of highly skilled labor ever year and the current percentage of fresh graduates from the STEM field is far less when compared to this huge requirement. Immigrants has always been a boost to U.S. economy. Providing more opportunities for highly skilled workforce…
Offshore outsourcing is a highly debated topic. It would be nice if we reflect on the reasons that has lead to offshore outsourcing – 1. Highly skilled workforce for cheap labor – Most of the developing countries offers education that is highly specialized and with focus on international job economy. Difference in dollars and x…
I appreciate the study conducted by UCSD that it provides some striking insights into operation of scam engines and their origin stations. Based on this research, policies should be devised to regulate ISPs not to provide services for hosting such websites. Enforcing this policy cannot be done from a centralized location. Why don’t we share…
Antiphishing.org links us to various useful means to counter phishing. skimming through the website, here are two things that interested me – 1. The phishing and crime-ware map, which shows world-wide distribution. 2. GAIN technology from InternetPerils which claims highly effective ways to monitor internet traffic using efficient data pattern analysis. Good tool that can…
Cyber-Crime and its big brother – “Cyber-warfare”, have so conquered the ever expanding and versatile cyberspace that we need to establish new international polices and regulations which will enable easy coordinated crime-fighting between nations. Its not about questioning who is accusing who, rather the grave situation here to find am amicable solution for international peace…
I think its the USA PATRIOT Act that gives the right to do this kind of data mining. This actually amended a handful of other Acts such as – Wiretap Statute (Title III): Electronic Communications Privacy Act Computer Fraud and Abuse Act Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Family Education Rights and Privacy Act Pen Register and…
E-mail traffic is one of the main target of intelligence surveillance to detect terrorist and other malicious activities. Its rather easy and result oriented when compared to wiretapping of other data streams. This is because mails send or received can be easily linked to a chain that it belongs to. It can be used to…
First of all, I don’t think a search warrant is surely required in such a case as it is against Fourth Amendment. Now after 9/11, the issue of national security became top priority and CALEA was passed with the motive of intelligence gathering and interception of terrorist activities via electronic surveillance. Considering the terrorist’s strength…
Here’s a special report that analyzes how the Internet can facilitate terrorist operations – http://www.usip.org/pubs/specialreports/sr116.html . It reveals the ways in which terrorists exploit Internet resources for various activities. It’s shocking to read how they have been so Internet savvy and have been utilizing it for psychological warfare to recruitment, networking to fundraising and data-mining…
Here’s a special report that analyzes how the Internet can facilitate terrorist operations – http://www.usip.org/pubs/specialreports/sr116.html . It reveals the ways in which terrorists exploit Internet resources for various activities. It’s shocking to read how they have been so Internet savvy and have been utilizing it for psychological warfare to recruitment, networking to fundraising and data-mining…
Children’s legitimate free speech as applicable to them should not be barred in any case. I have little support for the free speech advocates out there in the current issues that we face in the case of minors. If MySpace leads to minors having being lead to unrestricted content and practices, then there should strictly…
I don’t think there is any explicit filtering technology available that can completely avoid harmful material from chartroom, social networking and blogs. There should be manual and AI based monitoring available that checks for content periodically and raise alarms when it detect something bad going on. All such sites should be personalized services so that…
Spyware is an explicit program that is written with the intention of collecting and using personal info, illegally. Of course its one other way to invade privacy. From the text, literature and real world experience, we know how vast is the world of privacy invasion and techniques that leads to it. Unless we have clear…
Not at all. Firstly there is no relation between the terminology (Spyware) and what the DRM is intended to do. Something which is Spyware is deemed illegal under the law cannot be used for regulation digital rights. The problem that Microsoft is facing is that the license tracking software that it developed is tagged under…
Interesting topic isn’t it! Usage of Spyware by itself should be made illegal in any case, as it invades privacy. Should a software is used for tracking bad behavior, it should be defined clearly in the user agreement that the user will accept as binding. I am not sure whether we can compare monitoring softwares that…
Some tips will be – 1. Make a point that one would not visit web sites such as mass advertising web sites as they are usually infectious with ad-wares and browser hijackers 2. Switching on those pop-up blockers. This would reduce the chances of a malicious ad-ware/spyware process getting run. most of the web sites…
The educational system should revise the curriculum according to the current technology demands in the society and to build creativity of students. I think the engineering schools in US are already doing it. If not, it is sad and the management should take necessary actions to consult the industry and experts to see what subjects…
Intel’s Maloney’s words – “It’s about the Web more than anything. I have young kids …….. doesn’t have access to the Web is overwhelming” – is very striking. OLPC efforts might be an answer to this concern. Strategy and plan alone doesn’t work when we are talking about reforming developing nations, cost effective infrastructure is…
The lesson learned should be lack of effective direction and control in implementing the plan. I remember from IST 601 that we should control technology, reverse should not happen. As wise users of technology, we should devise clear plans as how technology will be used, especially when it is to be used by kids. If…
Here is a nice article on what determines the usage of XO type laptops in developing countries – http://www.olpcnews.com/countries/india/ . The article can be used as a base for understanding how various levels of developing economies see and plan the usage of low-cost computers such as the ones envisioned by OLPC.
I think OLPC program is making a sincere effort with a clear vision from Negroponte. The idea is that it is not the only means to get rid of Digital divide. But carefully implementing it will do a great deal of work in reducing the digital divide. Just by placing the laptops in children’s hands…
I think we should encourage funding on social impact research as it would lead us to explore and find answers to long disputed or rather complex issues. One major area in which funding can be flown in can be reaching out of computers and Internet in mass usage in the rural and village areas (talking…
Java (SunMicroSystems) and ActiveX (Microsoft) are two major technology platforms that has evolved itself a long way from years of R & D and support from the developer groups. In case of Java, Sun has invested a lot of money and effort to develop, innovate, maintain and release Java which can cater to all industry…
700 Mhz band is being developed and utilized with the intention of allowing entrepreneurs with less capital to establish broadband services, since it offers cheap means to setup service. This is the reason for the major players influencing Congress to gain an upper hand so that they kill competition and innovation. The term “public” means…
Again this is an instance of protecting consumer rights and freedom in utilizing the digital medium. The carriers have a very important role in maintaining a healthy pipe that is effectively utilized. There should be efforts to setup regulation and standards to avoid piracy and unauthorized usage of network traffic. At the same time the…
This reminds me of the most common issue – when should government leave the publishing of information to the private?. Intended quality and convenience of service determines the cost of the service. So its straight forward to believe and allow distributors to charge differently for different types of traffic. Faber’s view point is not different…
From the literature and court cases, FCC is less obliged to regulate broadband distributors as common carriers, as “Computer network Information” services are not subject to common carrier telecommunication service regulation under Title II of the federal Communications Act. (NCTA v. Brand X Internet Services et al., U.S. Supreme Court Nos. 04-277 and 04-281, June…
Here is another analysis article on a widely asked question – “Should treaties like the World Trade Organization’s TRIPS agreement be modified so developing countries can ignore software patents without facing WTO retaliatory measures?” Read along.. In my opinion, IPR should be preserved anywhere in the world. Making strict TRIP regulations has its major advantage…
Here is an interesting analysis article (short and sweet as we say) on “Should the US patent process be revised as suggested in S 1145 and HR 1908?”. Read along .. I think this move is a right one since it will help harmonizing with the method followed by European Union, where they follow first-to-file system. This…
Here is an short and to-the-point article on a most debated topic that I would want everyone to focus on now – “Should the Linux and Open Source communities be protected from software patent challenges?”. As a matter of fact, if we look deeply into the patents that various companies says Linux Kernel has violated,…
This article is a good resource for those who want to know more about the most raised question – What is the impact of software patents on innovation in the software industry? Read along .. Interesting that I found this online petition against Software Patenting – Petition Against Software Patents. The petition states that Software programs…
This article is a good resource for those who want to know more about the most raised question – Is there a need for legal and technological protection mechanisms that are uniform internationally? Read along .. I reviewed the Betamax case (Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc., 464 U.S. 417 (1984)) from Wikipedia. See…
This article is a good resource for those who want to know more about the most raised question – Is there a need to legitimate digital rights management mechanisms for protecting intellectual property? Read along .. As the article suggests, DRM is being inherently misused to invade user privacy. This “improper advantage” should not be allowed. DMCA…
This article is a good resource for those who want to know more about the most raised question – How can the intellectual property community protect their intellectual property without the DMCA safeguards? Read along .. In my opinion, DMCA safeguards are a necessity for the IP community to keep up in business, although we…
This article is a good resource for those who want to know more about the most raised question – Should the prohibition in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act against breaking intellectual property safeguards be modified? Read along .. I agree to the general consent that DMCA should be amended to shift its view from complete…
This is an interesting article that I would recommend which tries to find some conclusion as how agencies may be controlled on posting biased or un-biased information. I think that Data quality regulations should be strictly used while assessing data released by federal agencies. A good example of why this is so can be seen…
The core idea of this article is to comtemplate on a most commonly discussed topic – Does making documents accessible over the web eliminate the need for printing documents? Here is the answer which you may not find in other all articles. This is an interesting question! The answer is NO. The very simple explanation…
There are so many articles about e-governance, but all these articles stress on what e-governance can do, with little thought on how and when e-governance systems should enclose and disclose information to the public. This article is different from all articles and lays down specific view as to when and how government documents could be…
Though Information Technology (IT) is seen as a core enabler of business continuity and competence, it is not always viewed so. I was impressed by a research paper in MIS quarterly by Michelle L. Kaarst Brown. Her research study (Kaarst-Brown M.L ) done in the referenced paper finds that the state of assumptions about IT could be…
This article is based on a research paper that I reviewed recently as included in the reference section. The focus of this article is to draw the importance of cultural influences on global strategic positioning of any company/industry. Through his research oriented paper, author Tay H. K. has done a good job in analyzing the current and…
“Competing commitment and how to overcome it” – A review of work done by Kegan R. and Lahey L. L. Overcoming employee resistance has been and is one of the main issues that every manager face in his day-to-day functions. Whether it is Information systems department or customer service department or marketing or production or…
Bertelsmann AG is the largest media and entertainment group in Europe and the second largest in the world to U.S. based Time Warner, Inc. Bertelsmann has operations in over 40 countries, primarily in North America and Europe. Bertelsmann’s Theory of Business is to provide information, entertainment and media services to inspire people’s daily lives, make…
Case Study: Opportunity A: Your bank is looking at an optical character recognition (OCR) system to further automate the check processing function. Check processing is a time sensitive function. If outgoing checks miss daily clearing deadlines, the bank looses use of the money for one day. Since your bank clears over one million checks per…
Overview Amazon.com offers Earth’s largest selection of online products. Being the #1 online retailer, it offers the most advanced and innovative ways of e-commerce that is capable to continuously deliver fastest, reliable, cheapest and most user-friendly online shopping experience for the customer. Marketing Strategy Focus and Market Segments Company’s mission is to become extremely customer-centric…
All organizations strive for excellence. The Theory of Business (TOB) of any company is considered the deciding factor, which determines the degree of excellence and ultimately defines the fundamental assumptions that the business is built on. The main thought process that leads to a well-defined TOB is an organization’s own experience and its openness to…
Its my pleasure to introduce you to the emerging world of m-commerce and how your company can take a competitive edge by harnessing this technology towards effective information management. The industry has already seen a huge shift towards increasing end user value by enabling commercial transactions such as comparison shopping and directory services via handheld…
Force field analysis is a tool used for analyzing the supporting and opposing forces behind a change process. Managers use it to identify the stakeholders who support or oppose the proposed change, analyze the forces or motivating factors behind each supporting or opposing behavior and then take action so as to reduce the opposing forces….
Technology cycles and innovation are two useful phenomena that can be used to explain how competitive advantage of companies can be maintained over time. Technology cycle can be defined as the period of time between the birth or introduction of a new technology and when it is replaced by a newer and substantially better technology….
Planning has advantages as well as disadvantages. This means that even though planning aids in improving organizational and individual performance, it might not work very well all the time throughout the existence of the organization. One important benefit of planning is that it encourages managers and workers to direct their persistent efforts towards activities that…
Cognitive dissonance is an insecure feeling, or lingering doubts, consumers sometimes have after making large purchases. One way to reduce Cognitive dissonance (CD) is to introduce full money back guarantee on dissatisfaction within a stated time period, say 2-3 weeks after purchase. Another way to reduce CD is by allowing product evaluations where the user…
The consumer can be influenced by exposing him to some stimuli that makes him realize about his potential need or desire for something. A good method will be to expose him to some sort of advertisement. For example as a marketing manager of a ABC company that produces dandruff remover shampoos, I will work on…
Market segmentation is the process of separating the varied market into segments, each of which has similar characteristics. For example, a cosmetic company may segment its market according to age and sex, thus concentrating on baby lotion (age), adult shampoo (age), after-shave (sex) and eye-liner (sex). The organization could then do research in each segment…
Case: A company invests $15000 and receives a $11000 cash benefit at the end of the first year and a $12100 cash benefit at the end of the second year. (Assume Cost of Money = 10%) Calculation: t=0 t=1 t=2 Costs Onetime investment (15000) Benefits Cash 11000 12100 F (15000) 11000 12100 P (15000) 10000…
Accounting can be considered as an information system that provides various tools to summarize financial performance or economic activities of an individual, family, organization or any other entity. The reports generated from an accounting system, aids the interested individuals, management, owners and creditors to make intelligent decisions in allocating resources. Financial management is the discipline…
Balance Sheet gives the snapshot of the business’s financial position at a particular instance. It basically measures the wealth of a business firm at that instance. On a Balance sheet, the main accounting formula is Owner’s Equity = (Assets-Liabilities). The Income statement on the other hand is the summary of the revenue and the expenses…
Assets and liabilities are the two major entities that find an entry in a business’s balance sheet for measuring its wealth. Assets are items owned by the business firm that have certain monetary value and will result in future benefits in the form of service and and/or cash flows. Two common assets are accounts receivable…
Process Management has its relevance when managers begin to conceptualize business activities as interdependent processes instead of functions and tasks. The basic requirement towards effective process management is IT enabled business process automation, usually an outcome of a reengineering task. For the processes to accomplish the set goals, we need to set various standards of…
Systems view refers to analyzing a problem situation as a system of interdependent processes that exchange input and output. This view helps to identify the important processes and their relationships as far as maximizing the organizational efficiency and goal achievement is concerned. This leads to the main principle of process improvement which is to emphasize…
Equity theory states that a person is motivated when he perceives that he is treated fairly. He usually picks a colleague who works with him, as the “referent”. He tries to equate his outcome (pay, status, job-title, job assignment) over input (education, training, intelligence, experience, number of hours worked) ratio to that of referent’s and…