Networks and Data Security

The concept of a network is pretty simple, multiple computers or devices connected in order for users to share data or connections.  Where it becomes more complex is the varying types of networks and ensuring they are secure.


First there is the Local Area Network, known also as the LAN.  The LAN is a smaller network focusing on a small area such as a home or office.  The configuration is done one of two ways:

1. Peer to Peer
2. Client/Server

With a peer to peer LAN this basically means there is a maximum of ten computers connected and at least one or more of the computers can also have a printer, scanner or external device which is usable by all the computers on the network.

With a client/server LAN there are multiple computers, one or more servers and additional devices such as printers.The main difference between peer to peer and client/server is that with client/server a network operating system is used to manage storage, connection, security and communications.  This option is more expensive however has the support of the network administration.

Additionally there is the Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN) which allows connectivity between clients in a larger area.  A good example would be multiple office buildings in a larger complex such as a school like UB. 

A Wide Area Network (WAN) is even larger.  This allows connectivity across the country or around the world.  Larger corporations would own a WAN.  Bosch utilizes a WAN and do to the sensitivity and the need for security they have a strict Data Security Policy which is enforced through local "DSP's" (Data Security Partners) who ensure security policies and procedures are are followed strictly. 

This security safety functionality has become a cub business as well http://www.boschindia.com/content/language1/html/17516.htm

Getting More Out of the Internet

Early on in the chapters we learned that a portal is a web site however there is so much more to it then that.  Chapter 5 starts with consumer portals which consist of a variety of types of information such as search tools, sports, weather, financial info etc. This variety allows for larger target audiences which allows for portals to gain organizations who want to monopolize on the advertisement and promotional advantages of a portal.  Good examples of a consumer portal would be Yahoo!, Lycos and Excite.  While initially these sites may have originated s search tools they have developed into general consumer portals.

Another more specific option is  personal portals, also known as horizontal portals. The difference between the personal portal and the consumer portal is the ability to customize your preferences.  This allows you as an individual to get the most out of these same tools.  Again examples would be My Yahoo!, My Excite and My MSN!

Also in the portal family are vertical portals, also known as vortals.  Vortals are a gateway for more specific interests either on a broad topic like medicine or a niche topic. The vortal will contain links, search tools and at times chat boards.

The key to any type of portal is maximizing it's capability.  This has introduced my to the customability of My Yahoo which allows me to really narrow down what I want to see versus the continuous popular media which normally streams on the general Yahoo page.

Chat as a Useful Business Tool

In today's society we want everything short and fast.  The need for instantanious gratification has opened up the doors for the use of Short Messafe Service (SMS) and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS).  The are of talking to people not just face to face but also by phone is slowly depleting.  Text messaging has removed the human interaction. 

There are debates as to the pro's and con's of such a transition.  All new short abbreviation languages have developed to further hasten the communication.  Most would agree LOL is an overused term!

In the work place this need for immediate response has made way for Instant Messaging softwarem allowing not only for internal communications but external to the customer as Live Chat technologies have emerged allowing real time service.

Similar to email this new communication tool must be managed to ensure your correspondence is professional without the short hand of text.  Most tools allow companies to create canned responses which not only show a consistent image to customers but also allows for a faster response and increased utilization of support staff.

Other great features of Live Chat is the utilization of push pages.  This functionality allows a service representative to send a web page directly to the requester, allowing chat to be a learning environment.  Additionally items such as monitoring, feedback and other management tools are right at your finger tips. 

Your Emails Anatomy

Even your email has predefined anatomical structure!  Most e-mail services have the same basic set up so you can be sure there is consistency.  The trick is how to truly use the structure appropriately and more importantly what are the rules of email etiquette.

It begins with the To line which you use to enter one or more e-mail addresses for the receivers of your email.  Typically multiple recipients are separated by semicolons ; or commas.

Next is the Cc line which is for the email receipients who you determine should recive whats known as a courtesy copy aka carbon copy.  This is widely misused in business today.  I urge you to consider two things before using utilizing the Cc:
#1: Is the e-mail urgent for the cc'ed recipients, do you expect a response?
#2: Are you using it to ensure your boss is aware of what you are doing as a means to prove you've completed a task?

The Bcc line is next in the structural layout.  This allows you to send a blind courtesy copy to designated recipients.  The Bcc is not visible to other recipients only to the sender and the Bcc recipient. This is potentially another misused feature which can be misconstrued as a means to tattle on others.  More appropriately a forward to the appropriate recipient with a note in regards to why you are forwarding.




Next up is the Subject line which contains a short description of what the purpose or content of the message is. This should be brief but enough to grab the recipients attention, this determines whether they open your email or not.  A good article I came acrossed suggested to treat it like a news headline.  See the article for other good advice http://www.lyris.com/email-marketing/108-Email-Subject-Lines-15-Rules-to-Write-Them-Right


Attachments or the Attach Line will contain the filenames for any attachments you have chose in the message.  A good tip is to keep these brief as well. 


The meat of your email structure is the message body which contains the message you are sending.  Treat this as a formal letter when using for business.  All to often people treat email as a casual interaction.


Finally the signature file is the closing of your email.  You can set up an automatic signature which contains all of your business information.  Additionally we use the signature to promote anything new and exiting we want all customers to know.  Most organizations have a pre-determined format, here is an example of my business signature file:


Amy Cronin

Bosch Security Systems, Inc.
Supervisor - Pre-Sales, Customer Service, Key Accounts & Sales Support (ST/SCS1-AM)
130 Perinton Parkway
Fairport, NY 14450
www.boschsecurity.us

Tel.: 1 (585) 678-3751
Mobile: 1 (585) 719-6790
Fax: 1 (585) 223-9180
mailto: amy.cronin@us.bosch.com

Bosch makes it possible for customer's to check order status and track shipments online

Check the status of new product orders and track your shipments online anytime!  

Visit our Customer Care Portal today to sign up for this new service – http://www.boschsecurity.us/en-us/Service/CustomerCare/portal.

Did you miss the 2011 Safe & Sound Tour? Check out our demonstration videos to see what nearly 7,000 people have experienced in the industry's largest product exhibit truck, and keep an eye out for the 2012 schedule - coming soon at www.boschsecurity.us/safeandsound!

SoundCloud - Sharing Your Sounds

SoundCloud is a social media site which allows you to easily share sounds.  Navigation of the site is simple enough with features such as recording and uploading.  Sharing your sounds and tracks is possible through social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare or Tumblr.  For an avid blogger this would allow for narration etc.

Unfortunately I have had technical difficulty actually recording my own sounds.  Trouble shooting my browser etc was unsuccessful.  Apps are available for both iPhone and Android users.  As an Android user I downloaded this quickly from my Google Store and was operational within moments.

Recording via the cell phone worked great!  Enjoy some Tom Petty http://soundcloud.com/amycronin216/tom-petty

Mobile Devices - How did we everl live without them?

Mobile devices have allowed constant connectivity between employers, employees and customers.  More and more companies are utilizing laptops, smart phones and tablets.  While Blackberry may have been the tool of the recent past it has been replaced with the latest and greatest Android and Apple technologies.  Connectivity is no longer limited to just email.

This mobility offers advantages for not just companies but it's employees.  Personally speaking the flexibility this allows me as a working mother is priceless!  I am able to connect from lacrosse games and my customers are provided the same level of support as if I was in the office.  Having direct connectivity to my office has also allowed business travel to be more productive.  Fast and immediate responses are now possible due to the new mobile technology.  There was a time when traveling or out of the office you had to get back to people when questions or issues arised, now there is instant gratification.

As with most things this comes with its disadvantages.  Cellphones and tablets present a new challenge to the IT field in regards to management.  With security being such a large concern with businesses today protecting data could be challenging.  Additionally a recent concern for both employees and employers is the concept of tracking work time as was documented in a recent USA Today Article http://www.usatoday.com/money/jobcenter/workplace/story/2012-04-15/workers-sue-unpaid-overtime/54301774/1.

Have laptop will travel is my motto, I couldn't live without my mobile office.

After being introduced to Symbaloo I will never go back to the standard bookmarks menu.  I have this set to my homepage and utilize it daily.  I have all my favorite links such as Linked In, FaceBook, Google Reader and my email and news connections as well. The ability to customize my start page has proved to be very beneficial.

The easily laid out tile feature makes this tool so simple to use. Simple search functions with web-mixes available to be utilized makes this so user friendly.  I was overwhelmed at first but with a little time to play I will not go back to the olden days!

This puts my PLN at my fingertips!

Read All About It!!

Google Reader is now part of my daily routine.  This handy little tool allows me to not only follow my classmates but also other blogs I've happened upon.  As a mom, student and employee my interests are of a wide variety.  Keeping up with it all can be the biggest struggle.



I've found this handy quick video on Google Reader which puts it in the simplest terms.  I can't believe I have been this far removed from the blogging phenomenon!  Even with my dabbles in Pinterest I find most of those link back to blogs which I like to refer back to regularly, with Google Reader that is possible!

There's more to it then just Google?

Surfing the web to me used to mean just Google but there seems to be so many more options.  The idea of Google alone always amazed me, how this tool could search so much information and be able to narrow down the results so eloquently.  After reading Chapter 2 I looked into the other search engine options.


The search engines differentiate the return results by how they determine the "keyword match type."  For my personal uses Google remains the engine of choice as they utilize more of a broad word matching system.  In simple terms if I am looking up a combination of blue trucks Google will dissect this search and search for blue and truck and blue truck.  Where as Bing will only look for the keyword match of blue trucks.  Of course using Boolean operators within your search removes this issue, for example blue and trucks.

In my search for information on the Google giant I found the following link http://techchunks.com/technology/35-interesting-but-lesser-known-facts-about-google-the-search-engine-king/ which provides 35 interesting little known facts about Google.  Did you know the Google pro-type was called "BackRub".  Good call on changing the name!

Maximizing Connections with LinkedIn

Whats that famous saying, "it's not what you know it's who you know", well that sums up LinkedIn. In today's job market it's competitive enough and sometimes the who you know can make all the difference. LinkedIn is an online network of people, more importantly professional people.

The mission of LinkedIn is ""to help you be more effective in your daily work and open doors to opportunities using the professional relationships you already have." In my limited experience to date it has the potential to do that. I've set up my initial page and made some connections with classmates and colleagues. Creating this initial network has the potential to open doors and perhaps to job opportunities but more importanlty to growth opportunities.

The best feature thus far from me was adding groups where I was able to follow organizational groups which have topic discussions. I wasn't aware that my own organization had such a group and have seen great conversations and even job postings so far.

I'll continue to play with this new business tool making more connections and strengthening my personal brand.

Go Animate!

Go Animate was easier to use then I thought! I had similar issues to Karen which I did not experience today. I can see using this tool at work to deliver messages differently to my team. Sometimes keeping it fresh and delivering information differently will get their attention. Being in Customer Service I need their attention! I will be using Go Animate in other blog entries soon. GoAnimate.com: GoAnimate 1 by amycronin216

Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!

IP Addresses, Domain Names, and URLs OH MY!!!

IP Addresses, Domain Names, and URLS - OH MY!  What does it all mean and how does it fit into the puzzle of the WWW?  I certainly thought myself to be web savvy until reading Chapter 2 where I realized I was comfortable navigating but I didn't truly know what it all meant.

IP Address I had heard of because of Net Meeting and other applications at work.  the simple analogy in the book helps me understand the significance.  It's an address, literally like your street address USPS uses to deliver your mail.  The IP Address is simply put how information is sent to your computer.

Domain Names are much easier to understand it's basically the name for the IP Address of a server, also known as the website address.  For instance "blogger.com" is the name for the IP address of the server hosting the blogger websites. When using the domain name the computer is searching for the corresponding IP Address in order to locate the page.  Domain names must be unique in order to ensure they point to the right IP address therefore the domain must be registered similar to a trademark.  Naturally there is an organization that managed the registrations, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers(ICANN).

Finally ther is the URL or the Uniform Resource Locator.  This could be easily described as the cookie crumbs which takes you from the domain name to the specifics within a page.  The first part of the URL is the protocol used to transmit the web page, the second is the domain name preceded normally by www.  additionally the URL can contain a path or a file name which drills down farther into a site.

Now that the pieces are put together and the puzzle is complete I'll be surfing on to the next assignment....

Twitters Tool - Tweetdeck Installed

Installing Tweetdeck today was fairly easy, it gave me a chance to really explore the possibilities of Twitter.  I'm finding that Twitter is an extension of other social media outlets however I would consider it less Facebook and more micro blogging. 

I was able to add topics I am interested in, such as Strategic Leadership, into columns and find interesting information being thrown in literally by the second.


With my limited followings Tweetdeck didn't make much sense but when you begin to follow hundreds of people and topics its imperative there is some organization.  It's my own Twitter filing system, which I will need to keep my sanity in this new found land.

Personal Learning Networks consist of a learner making connections with individuals who can contribute to their personal development and knowledge growth in a selected subject matter. In order to connect with others the learner will choose the appropriate Personal Learning Environment and social mediums in order to create connections. While the term itself is new the concept is not.

 PLE's allow the learner to manage their learning progress through desktop or web applications. Additionally social mediums such as Face Book and Twitter can be utilized to create networks. Blogs such as this are an important medium in a PLN as well and can be followed by utilizing Google Reader. Discussion groups are also widely used as are virtual conferences.

Google describes it best - "A PLN is a reciprocal network that you create to learn from, connect with, gather information or resources, create with and finally share what you have learned."  Comparing it to the Verizon Network, can you hear me now?  Google Link

In my blogs to come I will determine how I will utilize a PLN towards my future growth.  Developing a plan and making connections will be my next steps, stay tuned!

My new loves....Wordle & Jing

This time of year is full of mass confusion and immense pressure at work! Mostly due to the ever so popular performance review period. Having to do twenty one reviews was more then I barganed for. Amongst the chaos I have found time to play with the new tools from our assignment.

Wordle was a neat tool to use, the kids enjoyed jumbling words. It was a great tool for my seven year old while studying for his spelling test!

Jing is very similar to a program I use daily at work called Snag It, having another option is always good!

Is there really a neutral side?

In short net neutrality determines who controls what you get to see when and where. As it stands now equal access is given however the debate currently is whether a provider can give preferential treatment because of higher payments, exclusivity agreements or they may even have a sourced option.

Whatever happened to knowledge is power and out there for the taking? 

The FCC originally ruled to keep things status quo however due to an appeal currently in place the new proposal is for semi-neutrality.  This is where the waters get muddied.  Semi-neutrality? I like to refer to semi anything as a means to create loop holes, depending on who's interests are more of a priority will determine where you fall in the semi-neutral proposal. 

The topic has gone viral so to speak!

From my perspective this is a no brainer.  The internet is meant to be open source and available to all, allowing corporations to monopolize on its capabilities.  The internet has this almost American quality about it, a place where dreams are made of.  Allowing even semi-neutrality stifles these dreams.

Monopolize on the power of the internet now, use your voice.  Sign the petition
http://act2.freepress.net/sign/end_pipa/?=sti_featurebox

Goes to show you how much I really know...

As a frequent user of the internet I considered myself an expert of sorts.  I am able to Facebook, LinkIn, IM and even Tweet.  I could google just about anything!  As of recently I've even blogged. What I've failed to due is truly understand it.  The it of course is the all encompassing "internet."

Working in a highly technical industry I have often heard the reference of protocol and now have a better understnading of the interworkings.  The interconnected network of networks is made possible by the protocol used to transmit and receive data.  Every computer, smartphone or wireless devise utilizes a TCIP/IP in order to allow communication across multiple devices.



Photo courtesy of HowStuffWorks http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet-connection-pictures.htm

Honestly who knew there was a difference between the internet and the world wide web?  The idea that there are these network of computers that make all of this possible is amazing when you actually think of the complexity of it all.  The internet allows so much of our daily functions possible.  Simple things we take for granted such as browing the world wide web, communicating through various medias as well as conducting business.

To think this all began in 1960 is hard to believe. Being a Generation X'er I don't recall much computer interaction until highschool in the late 90's.  ARPANET began development in the early 60's and continued to develop through the 1970's.  The actual first international connection was not made until the late 80's and early 90's. Internet protocol was developed in 1972 but not mandated until 1983. Growth continued through the 1990's with the development of a directory based system known as Gopher as well as the development of Hypertext and HTTP protocol which led to the rise of HTML documents. 

Where would the world be without HTML? 

More importantly where would this blog be without HTML?





Blogging About Blogging....A Look Into My First Blog

I find it interesting that I begin my blogging career with a blog focused on the topic of blogging. Say that three times fast! Justin Kenagy said it best when he states

I associated [blogs] with pretentiousness and blowhards<a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/business-economy/small-business/articles/2008/09/26/how-to-blog-your-way-to-small-business-success">

But lets face facts, the internet in all its glory with Facebook, Twitter etc. provides the masses with a voice. Right, wrong or indifferent.  However this new found voice or web presence can have a positive impact on your presence as a small business for instance.  Blogging allows small business to gain internest presence and drive attention back to their web page.

The process of blogging can be overwhelming for those that have not had exposure or have limited experience with the internet as it relates to social networking etc.  Several articles are available which highlight some important tips or tricks to keeping it simple.  I like to refer to them as "Blogging for Dummies" resources, I wonder if that book exists?  I certainly could use a copy!

The most obvious to me was the point made by Matthew Bandyk http://money.usnews.com/money/business-economy/small-business/articles/2008/09/26/how-to-blog-your-way-to-small-business-success?page=2.

The highlighted tips are easy to remember:

1. Don't stress about it - keep it simple, short and sweet is best.
2. Blog often - use it or lose it!.
3. Be a blog expert.  Don't just write but be a reader and a follower.

 My advice.  Jump in feet first and do it, perfection will come with time.  At least I hope.