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My wife and I are in this video.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Hackers Swipe Terabytes of Sensitive Pentagon Data
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Hackers-Swipe-Terabytes-Of-Sensitive-Pentagon-Data-259690/
The above article tells of how hackers have stolen several terabytes of data from the Pentagon. Most of the stolen data was related to the Pentagon's Joint Strike Fighter program, the most expensive weapons program ever developed. Sources claim the attack originated in China. It appears hackers exploited network weaknesses of several contractors working on the project. The hackers encrypted the data as it was stolen, leaving the Pentagon unable to determine what all was taken. The article also stated that the United States does not currently have an office responsible for cyber security. It will be interesting to see how this latest breach changes the government's future plans towards cyber security.
The above article tells of how hackers have stolen several terabytes of data from the Pentagon. Most of the stolen data was related to the Pentagon's Joint Strike Fighter program, the most expensive weapons program ever developed. Sources claim the attack originated in China. It appears hackers exploited network weaknesses of several contractors working on the project. The hackers encrypted the data as it was stolen, leaving the Pentagon unable to determine what all was taken. The article also stated that the United States does not currently have an office responsible for cyber security. It will be interesting to see how this latest breach changes the government's future plans towards cyber security.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Canadian Credit Card Fees
http://nbbusinessjournal.canadaeast.com/journal/article/627676
The above article discusses how high credit card transaction fees in Canada are impacting businesses. Canada is currently in the worst retail climate in 15 years and credit card fees are on the rise. Credit card transactions cost Canadians a total of $4.5 billion last year. Large and small businesses have started to feel the pain and are beginning to petition local government to intervene. High credit card transaction fees will only become more increasingly painful as more and more buyers purchase online.
The above article discusses how high credit card transaction fees in Canada are impacting businesses. Canada is currently in the worst retail climate in 15 years and credit card fees are on the rise. Credit card transactions cost Canadians a total of $4.5 billion last year. Large and small businesses have started to feel the pain and are beginning to petition local government to intervene. High credit card transaction fees will only become more increasingly painful as more and more buyers purchase online.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Amazon's Information Systems
The internet has revolutionized the way modern shoppers purchase items for their homes. Consumers no longer have to leave their homes to purchase items. From home, shoppers can buy anything from a car to groceries.
The barriers to entry into starting an online store are very low. All a potential entrepreneur needs is a computer with an internet connection, something to sell, and access to a post office. This results in many online sellers, and buyers have a majority of the power. This sparks a lot of rivalry amongst competitors. The main focus of product differentiation is emphasizing the quality of the goods sold. To be successful, online sellers need to assure potential clients that the item purchased is precisely what the buyer expects.
Amazon.com is an online store that has effectively differentiated itself from its competitors. Buyers have gained confidence in purchasing online through Amazon. By setting up an Amazon account, a buyer is able to easily transition from selection of a product to checkout. Saving billing information online is a point of anxiety for many online shoppers and Amazon has been successful in gaining the trust of its clients. Amazon.com has also excelled in fully executing online purchases. Once a transaction has been made, delivery is generally completed within a week. This is achieved through Amazon’s distribution infrastructure.
The barriers to entry into starting an online store are very low. All a potential entrepreneur needs is a computer with an internet connection, something to sell, and access to a post office. This results in many online sellers, and buyers have a majority of the power. This sparks a lot of rivalry amongst competitors. The main focus of product differentiation is emphasizing the quality of the goods sold. To be successful, online sellers need to assure potential clients that the item purchased is precisely what the buyer expects.
Amazon.com is an online store that has effectively differentiated itself from its competitors. Buyers have gained confidence in purchasing online through Amazon. By setting up an Amazon account, a buyer is able to easily transition from selection of a product to checkout. Saving billing information online is a point of anxiety for many online shoppers and Amazon has been successful in gaining the trust of its clients. Amazon.com has also excelled in fully executing online purchases. Once a transaction has been made, delivery is generally completed within a week. This is achieved through Amazon’s distribution infrastructure.
Amazon further differentiates itself from competitors by tracking its users’ browsing patterns. This allows Amazon to make recommendations for additional purchases based on past view history. This is an effective marketing tool. Buyers may be led to purchase music or a movie based solely on an Amazon recommendation.
Everything Amazon does is supported through information systems. Attracting customers to the website, browsing products, checking out, and delivery is fulfilled through Amazon’s IT infrastructure.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Britannica vs Wikipedia
http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2009/03/31/enter_britannica/
The above article discusses the lengths Encyclopedia Britannica is taking to stay relevant in the age of Wikipedia. Beginning this summer, Britannica will allow its online feature to be edited by certified users. This will be different from Wikipedia because no editing will be anonymous and any edits will be reviewed and approved by Britannica editors. In theory, this should separate Britannic from the criticisms surrounding Wikipedia.
Britannica has been around since the 1700s and has been forced to change its format in recent years to stay competitive in the face of all the free information online. It will be interesting to see if they will have to change from a subscription based revenue stream to an advertising/donation only revenue stream.
The above article discusses the lengths Encyclopedia Britannica is taking to stay relevant in the age of Wikipedia. Beginning this summer, Britannica will allow its online feature to be edited by certified users. This will be different from Wikipedia because no editing will be anonymous and any edits will be reviewed and approved by Britannica editors. In theory, this should separate Britannic from the criticisms surrounding Wikipedia.
Britannica has been around since the 1700s and has been forced to change its format in recent years to stay competitive in the face of all the free information online. It will be interesting to see if they will have to change from a subscription based revenue stream to an advertising/donation only revenue stream.
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