Final Blog :)

I am extremely happy that I decided to take this class as an honors and complete the blog. I have never made a blog and it was valuable to learn how to create one, and include pictures and videos. I would definitely create one again because it is fun to put everything I learned in one place! The class in general was very valuable to me and will not only help me now, but in the future as well.

Chapter 14 Enterprise Computing

For this chapter I just wanted to discuss the career in which I want to pursue. The job I would like to major in is Human Resource Management. HR is middle management which is responsible for implementing the strategic decisions of executive management. Human Resources is responsible for recruiting and hiring employees, maintaining employee records, evaluating employees, training employees, and managing employee benefits and compensation. This interests me because I am extremely organized, love working with people, and all of its duties would be something I would never get tired of doing.

Chapter 12 Information System Development

A system is a set of components that interact to achieve a common goal. A system development is a set of activities used to build an information system. System development activities can be grouped into larger categories called phases. The system development life cycle can contain five phases which are planning, analysis, design, implementation, and operation support and security. System development should involve representatives from each department in which the proposed system will be used. Some data and information gathering techniques are review documentation, observe, and survey. This chapter made me realize how much time and effort goes into creating things on the computer and Internet.

Chapter 11 Computer Security and Safety, Ethics, and Privacy

A computer security risk is any event or action that could cause loss of or damage to computer hardware. There are many different kinds of hackers and it can happen at any time one goes onto the Internet. There is a question on page 577 that asks if people should use a surge protector on electronic equipment, appliances, or even the entire house. I do not think that people should use a surge protector on everything in the house. A surge protector should only be used for important electronic equipment such as the television, or computer. There are many health concerns of computer usage. To name a few, repetitive strain injury, and carpel tunnel syndrome. Computer addiction occurs when the computer consumes someone's entire social life. I personally picture the cliché guy in the basement, eating his moms home cooked meal, and playing video games. Fortunately, computer addiction can be cured from therapy and support groups.

Chapter 10 Database Management

A database is a collection of data organized in a manner that allows access, retrieval, and use of that data. Data is a collection of unprocessed items, which can include text, numbers, images, audio, and video. For example, you can type text on a keyboard, talk into a computer's microphone, and transfer photos taken on a digital camera to the computer. I have typed text on a keyboard, talked into a computer's microphone while skyping, and transferred photos numerous times from a camera to the computer.

This is a graph of the most used keys on the keyboard.

Chapter 9 Communications and Networks

Computer communications describes a process in which two or more computers or devices transfer data, instructions, and information. For successful communications you must need a sending device, a communications channel, and a receiving device. A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together via communications and transmission data. A communications device is any type of hardware capable of transmitting data, instructions,  and information between a sending device and a receiving device. A router is a communications device that connects multiple computers or other routers together and transmits data to its correct destination on the network. For example, when I got WiFi at home we had to get a wireless router so we could have wireless throughout the house and more than one device could connect to the Internet.

Chapter 7 Storage

Storage holds data, instructions, and information for future use. A storage medium, also called secondary storage, is the physical material on which a computer keeps data, instructions, and information. Examples of storage media are hard disks, solid state drives, memory cards, USB flash drives, and smart cards. I personally choose to store all of my school work and music on a USB flash drive. I love doing that because it is extremely convenient but the problem is that it can be easily lost. Cloud storage is another storage option, in which the actual storage media is used transparent to the user. I have never stored anything personal on cloud storage. In high school I was Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper and we were required to store the pictures and stories on the cloud. I thought it was rather difficult to get the hang of and I would have rather saved things on a flash drive.