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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.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
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.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Competitive Intelligence - Outsights
http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/response-interactive-launches-outsights-competitive-intelligence-service/
The above article discusses the company Response Mine Interactive's new product, "Outsights". Current clients of Response Mine include Home Depot, Rooms-to-Go, and Staples. The main purpose of "Outsights" is to analyze consumer data and allow its clients to understand consumer behavior. This knowledge leads to informed decision making into which strategies would have a high probability of success. Response Mine is another example of how bridging the gap between buyers and sellers can be a profitable business venture.
The above article discusses the company Response Mine Interactive's new product, "Outsights". Current clients of Response Mine include Home Depot, Rooms-to-Go, and Staples. The main purpose of "Outsights" is to analyze consumer data and allow its clients to understand consumer behavior. This knowledge leads to informed decision making into which strategies would have a high probability of success. Response Mine is another example of how bridging the gap between buyers and sellers can be a profitable business venture.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Second Life
Having spent a few hours on Second Life, I have found a few locations that interest me. One is the Weather Channel's island. The many interactive buttons makes this location enjoyable.
I am a big Star Wars fan. Another island I really enjoyed was Star Wars themed. It had many Star Wars wall decorations and interactive objects. The Mos Eisley detail was also a plus.
A third location I found was a Lake Tahoe ski lodge. The scenery and vastness of this island made a strong impression. There were many interactive snowmen and penguins. This was also a plus.
Overall, Second Life is an entertaining and interesting way to interact over the internet. There are many different locations that appeal to a wide range of interests. I found many locations that were customized for specific TV shows that I watch. I personally found it awkward to start conversations with strangers I met on various islands. Most of the avatars either didn't respond or didn't seem too interested in the theme of island. I also sometimes found it difficult to find other avatars. I spent a lot of time walking around looking for other people. This may be due to my lack of experience on the site.
Overall, Second Life is an entertaining and interesting way to interact over the internet. There are many different locations that appeal to a wide range of interests. I found many locations that were customized for specific TV shows that I watch. I personally found it awkward to start conversations with strangers I met on various islands. Most of the avatars either didn't respond or didn't seem too interested in the theme of island. I also sometimes found it difficult to find other avatars. I spent a lot of time walking around looking for other people. This may be due to my lack of experience on the site.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Artificial Intelligence in Video Games
http://www.siliconrepublic.com/news/article/12582/new-media/artificial-intelligence-to-revolutionise-game-and-movie-development
The above article discusses the new ways video games programmers are improving the overall experience of their games through increased artificial intelligence. AI allows a game to "learn" the player's strategies and techniques and adapt accordingly. As the player improves and advances through a game, the game learns of new ways to defeat the player.
The above article discusses the new ways video games programmers are improving the overall experience of their games through increased artificial intelligence. AI allows a game to "learn" the player's strategies and techniques and adapt accordingly. As the player improves and advances through a game, the game learns of new ways to defeat the player.
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