Name Kayley Cartwright Class time: 12pm
KEEP THIS TO 1-3 – PAGES LONG (EXCLUDING REFERENCE PAGE)
Author: Baase
Date of Publication: 2008
Book: “A Gift of Fire”
Sections read: 8.1 Failures and Errors in Computer Systems
8.2 Case Study: The Therac-25 425
1.(Knowledge) Tell three interesting elements of this chapter:
a. “We can categorize computer errors and failures in several ways, for example, by the cause, by the seriousness of the effects, or by the application area” (Baase, pg. 406).
b. “ The Therac-25 was a software-controlled radiation therapy machine used to treat people with cancer. Between 1985 and 1987, Therac-25 machines at four medical centers gave massive overdoses of radiation to six patients (Baase, pg.425).
c. “Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), a Canadian government corporation, manufactured the Therac-25. Investigators studying the accidents found that AECL produced very little documentation concerning the software specifications or the testing plan during development of the program. Although AECL claimed that they tested the machine extensively, it appeared that the test plan was inadequate (Baase, pg.426).
2.(Comprehension) Summarize what is being discussed within this chapter?
Errors, failures, and risk happen all the time when it comes to technology. A website may crash because of too many users or a computer program might fail because of an error. These problems happen all the time. Some are small and affect few people while some are large and affect many people. A perfect example would be the Therac-25. The machine had problems with the programming and many bugs that caused the machine to overdose six patients (Baase, pg.425). More information on Therac-25 http://courses.cs.vt.edu/cs3604/lib/Therac_25/Therac_1.html
3.(Application) Name a specific example or NEW solution for this type of problem/similar situation in society or that you have experienced – BE SPECIFIC AND EXPLAIN?
Problems with software happen all the time. Many of the bugs are found before the product or software is released to the public, a few of them slip by the testers. Take a look at the new iPhone that was released. Many people were complaining about the quick loss in battery life, although Apple claimed that the battery would last up to 8 hours talk time. It took Apple a while to admit that there were problems with the new iPhone 4S, but they have claimed to fix most of the problems and released an update for users to download. Here are the technical specifics that Apple released about the iPhone 4S: http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html Here is an article better explaining the bugs in the new iPhone 4S: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/237698/technology/more-bugs-reported-in-iphone-4s
4. (Analysis) Address ANY that apply. How can you compare one of the situations in this chapter to something that does not relate to computers, technology, or the Internet? Be sure to reference the chapter and your solution. What ideas NEW can you add to the issue that is being presented within the reading? Try to connect what you have by reading this article and how it applies to the stages in Bloom's taxonomy in 2 full sentences.
Many people thought that the Internet and computer systems were going to crash on January 1, 2000. People were told to stock up on food and water and that caused a panic. To tell the truth nothing really happened on the major scale, but some minor problems did occur. “For example, some credit cards with expiration dates in 2000 would not work” (Baase, pg.421). “People writing software in the 1960’s and 1970’s never considered or imagined that their code would still be used in the year 2000. Businesses and governments spent many billions of dollars on the “Y2K problem”, tracking down two-digit dates in their software and making modifications, rushing to finish before January 1, 2000” (Baase, pg.421).
5.(Synthesis) Address all that apply. Do you agree with what is being said within the article (Why/Why not? Back up with FACTS)? What new conclusions can you draw about this (or other topics) after reading this material?
Baase makes many great points about the errors of technology. This topic is important when it comes to technology in everyday life especially medicine. Computer programs and machines need to be tested and be working correctly before they are released to the public. There also can be issues when it comes to the Internet and websites. There maybe an error with your online banking or a companies business through the Internet. I think that there should be tougher regulations when it comes to companies producing products for medical treatments. Maybe if these stricter regulations were in place a while ago the deaths involved with the Therac-25 incident would of not had happened.
6.(Evaluation) Address all that apply. Judge whether or not this topic is relevant in today’s society? Evaluate why you are viewing the topic in this manner based on your experiences. What ethical evaluations (see Chap1-1.4 for exp of Ethics) or decisions were made/can be assumed from this chapter? What new ideas will you make after reading this chapter?
Errors, failures, and risks are an important topic to talk about when it comes to technology and safety. There are many new technological inventions that make life easier but they need to be tested to make sure they work okay. For example, my mom had to go to many training classes to learn how to do the new Da Vinci robotic surgeries. The new robotic surgeries are minimally invasive and allow a person to heal quicker. With this there are also many concerns, what happens if something goes wrong and the robot does the wrong thing? The doctor is controlling the robot away from the body and there are many safety features where the robot will just shut off. I have had the experience of seeing this robot at Millard Suburban Hospital and even got to do a pretend surgery myself using the controls it was like playing a video game.
http://www.davincisurgery.com/
http://biomed.brown.edu/Courses/BI108/BI108_2005_Groups/04/davinci.html
References
http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html
http://biomed.brown.edu/Courses/BI108/BI108_2005_Groups/04/davinci.html
http://courses.cs.vt.edu/cs3604/lib/Therac_25/Therac_1.html
http://www.davincisurgery.com/
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/237698/technology/more-bugs-reported-in-iphone-4s
Baase, Sara. A Gift of Fire. 3rd. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008. 1-34. Print.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Chapter 6 : Part 2
Name Kayley Cartwright Class time: 12pm
KEEP THIS TO 1-3 – PAGES LONG (EXCLUDING REFERENCE PAGE)
Author: Baase
Date of Publication: 2008
Book: “A Gift of Fire”
Sections read: 6.4,6.5
1. (Knowledge)Tell three interesting elements of this chapter:
a. “Embezzlement is “fraudulent appropriation of property by a person whom it has been entrusted””(Baase, pg.332).
b. “Supervisors and managers have always monitored their employees. The degree of detail and frequency of the monitoring has varied depending on the kind of work, economic factors, and available technology. Computers have made new kinds of monitoring possible and old methods more efficient” (Baase, pg.335).
c. “The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) sets rules and decides cases about worker-employer relations. It has been a focus of controversy between unions and employers since its creation more than 60 years ago” (Baase, pg.342).
2.(Comprehension) Summarize what is being discussed within this chapter?
Many companies are allowing their customers to telecommute to work. Telecommuting means that the employee is able to work from anywhere but the office to get the work done. With this increase in telecommuting there is also an increase in work crime and employee monitoring. Even if the employee does not telecommute there is still a possibility the company is watching what the employee is doing on the Internet. There are many ways for an employee to commit a work crime an example would be embezzlement.
3. (Application)Name a specific example or NEW solution for this type of problem/similar situation in society or that you have experienced – BE SPECIFIC AND EXPLAIN?
If the job that the employee is doing involves the computer the company is most likely keeping track of what the employee is doing on that computer. I know that at my work when I first started one of the papers I had to sign was a computer policy. This policy stated that if I were to use a computer it would only be used for work related material and I could possible be tracked on what I was doing. Companies can also check emails, web history, and even voice mail. This is a very good article explaining more about companies tracking employees. http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=131333&page=1 - .TsCzN65zzqI
4.(Analysis)Address ANY that apply. How can you compare one of the situations in this chapter to something that does not relate to computers, technology, or the Internet? Be sure to reference the chapter and your solution. What ideas NEW can you add to the issue that is being presented within the reading? Try to connect what you have by reading this article and how it applies to the stages in Bloom's taxonomy in 2 full sentences.
While employee crime has happen a while now, the way it has been done has greatly changed over the years with the changes in technology. Technology has helped employee crime become easier and anonymous. “With the use of computers, trusted employees have stolen hundreds of thousands – in some cases million – of dollars from their employers. Some frauds require specialized knowledge or programming skills. Others do not; employees taking advantage of poor security on their company’s computer systems can commit them” (Baase, pg.332). Without technology, employees stealing from their employers would take great skill and secrecies.
5.(Synthesis) Address all that apply. Do you agree with what is being said within the article (Why/Why not? Back up with FACTS)? What new conclusions can you draw about this (or other topics) after reading this material?
With advancements in technology, companies will find new ways to watch employees and what they are doing on company time. Companies will also have to find many new ways to help protect their company from crime committed by employees.
6.(Evaluation) Address all that apply. Judge whether or not this topic is relevant in today’s society? Evaluate why you are viewing the topic in this manner based on your experiences. What ethical evaluations (see Chap1-1.4 for exp of Ethics) or decisions were made/can be assumed from this chapter? What new ideas will you make after reading this chapter?
Many employees need to know that the company they work for will be tracking what they do on company time. This important to know because if the employee does something wrong the company may fire them. As I stated in the answer to question 3, when I started my new job I had to sign a computer policy letting me know that the company will be tracking what I do on the computer. Employee Crime is also relevant to today’s society because there are many ways crime to happen. “Some frauds require specialized knowledge or programming skills. Others do not; employees taking advantage of poor security on their company’s computer systems can commit them” (Baase, pg.333). “Careful screening and background checks on prospective employees can be helpful, although some laws make various kinds of screening more difficult (or completely illegal)” (Baase, pg.334).
References
Baase, Sara. A Gift of Fire. 3rd. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008. 1-34. Print.
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=131333&page=1 - .TsCzN65zzqI
KEEP THIS TO 1-3 – PAGES LONG (EXCLUDING REFERENCE PAGE)
Author: Baase
Date of Publication: 2008
Book: “A Gift of Fire”
Sections read: 6.4,6.5
1. (Knowledge)Tell three interesting elements of this chapter:
a. “Embezzlement is “fraudulent appropriation of property by a person whom it has been entrusted””(Baase, pg.332).
b. “Supervisors and managers have always monitored their employees. The degree of detail and frequency of the monitoring has varied depending on the kind of work, economic factors, and available technology. Computers have made new kinds of monitoring possible and old methods more efficient” (Baase, pg.335).
c. “The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) sets rules and decides cases about worker-employer relations. It has been a focus of controversy between unions and employers since its creation more than 60 years ago” (Baase, pg.342).
2.(Comprehension) Summarize what is being discussed within this chapter?
Many companies are allowing their customers to telecommute to work. Telecommuting means that the employee is able to work from anywhere but the office to get the work done. With this increase in telecommuting there is also an increase in work crime and employee monitoring. Even if the employee does not telecommute there is still a possibility the company is watching what the employee is doing on the Internet. There are many ways for an employee to commit a work crime an example would be embezzlement.
3. (Application)Name a specific example or NEW solution for this type of problem/similar situation in society or that you have experienced – BE SPECIFIC AND EXPLAIN?
If the job that the employee is doing involves the computer the company is most likely keeping track of what the employee is doing on that computer. I know that at my work when I first started one of the papers I had to sign was a computer policy. This policy stated that if I were to use a computer it would only be used for work related material and I could possible be tracked on what I was doing. Companies can also check emails, web history, and even voice mail. This is a very good article explaining more about companies tracking employees. http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=131333&page=1 - .TsCzN65zzqI
4.(Analysis)Address ANY that apply. How can you compare one of the situations in this chapter to something that does not relate to computers, technology, or the Internet? Be sure to reference the chapter and your solution. What ideas NEW can you add to the issue that is being presented within the reading? Try to connect what you have by reading this article and how it applies to the stages in Bloom's taxonomy in 2 full sentences.
While employee crime has happen a while now, the way it has been done has greatly changed over the years with the changes in technology. Technology has helped employee crime become easier and anonymous. “With the use of computers, trusted employees have stolen hundreds of thousands – in some cases million – of dollars from their employers. Some frauds require specialized knowledge or programming skills. Others do not; employees taking advantage of poor security on their company’s computer systems can commit them” (Baase, pg.332). Without technology, employees stealing from their employers would take great skill and secrecies.
5.(Synthesis) Address all that apply. Do you agree with what is being said within the article (Why/Why not? Back up with FACTS)? What new conclusions can you draw about this (or other topics) after reading this material?
With advancements in technology, companies will find new ways to watch employees and what they are doing on company time. Companies will also have to find many new ways to help protect their company from crime committed by employees.
6.(Evaluation) Address all that apply. Judge whether or not this topic is relevant in today’s society? Evaluate why you are viewing the topic in this manner based on your experiences. What ethical evaluations (see Chap1-1.4 for exp of Ethics) or decisions were made/can be assumed from this chapter? What new ideas will you make after reading this chapter?
Many employees need to know that the company they work for will be tracking what they do on company time. This important to know because if the employee does something wrong the company may fire them. As I stated in the answer to question 3, when I started my new job I had to sign a computer policy letting me know that the company will be tracking what I do on the computer. Employee Crime is also relevant to today’s society because there are many ways crime to happen. “Some frauds require specialized knowledge or programming skills. Others do not; employees taking advantage of poor security on their company’s computer systems can commit them” (Baase, pg.333). “Careful screening and background checks on prospective employees can be helpful, although some laws make various kinds of screening more difficult (or completely illegal)” (Baase, pg.334).
References
Baase, Sara. A Gift of Fire. 3rd. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008. 1-34. Print.
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=131333&page=1 - .TsCzN65zzqI
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Chapter 6: Work
Name Kayley Cartwright Class time: 12pm
KEEP THIS TO 1-3 – PAGES LONG (EXCLUDING REFERENCE PAGE)
Author: Baase
Date of Publication: 2008
Book: “A Gift of Fire”
Sections read: 6.1,6.2,6.3
1. (Knowledge)Tell three interesting elements of this chapter:
a. “Telecommuting has become part of our vocabulary, describing the phenomenon of working at a distance from the traditional company office or factory, connected by computers and telecommunications device” (Baase pg.308).
b. “The Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an international organization whose members include most of Western Europe, North America, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, studied employment trends in 25 countries from 1950 to 1994” (Baase pg.313).
c. “Telecommunicating is very common now, so it might be surprising that local governments and labor unions attempted to stop it in the 1980s and that the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) tried to regulate it” (Baase pg. 330).
2. (Comprehension) Summarize what is being discussed within this chapter?
With the creation of new technology there comes a change in jobs. The new technology will take away jobs but it will also create new jobs. “The goals of technology include a reduction in the resources needed to accomplish a result and an increase in productivity and standard of living” (Baase, pg.310). “The new jobs created by computers are different from the jobs eliminated”(Baase, pg.315). Many employees that were replace by technology would have to go and get extensive training to be hired to fill one of the new jobs that were created by the new technology because it was different than what the employee was used to doing. The unemployment rate also decreased because many companies began offshoring. “India has been the most popular country for offshoring work from the U.S., but companies are moving work to Canada, China, Brazil, and other places”(Baase, pg.319). “Forrester Research estimates that 3.3 million white-collar jobs will have left the U.S. for other countries between 2000 and 2015” (Baase, pg 321). “The internet makes it possible for companies to locate in small towns and work with dispersed consultants instead of having hundreds or thousands of employees in larger population centers” (Baase, pg.327).
3. (Application)Name a specific example or NEW solution for this type of problem/similar situation in society or that you have experienced – BE SPECIFIC AND EXPLAIN?
Many jobs are being offshored, which is creating fewer jobs in the United States. “India has been the most popular country for offshoring work from the U.S., but companies are moving work to Canada, China, Brazil, and other places”(Baase, pg.319). Offshoring can have positives and negatives. One positive of offshoring is that it is cheaper for companies to create their product and to pay the employees. “Consumers have many complaints about customer-service call centers in foreign countries: Foreign accents are difficult to understand. Service personnel are not familiar with the product or service the consumer is asking about – they just read from a manual. The workers experience problems too” (Baase, pg.321). While offshoring may seem like a greater financial option for many companies they also need to think about the customer needs and the needs of the company.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/home-depot-sending-jobs-offshore/nFNcC/
4. (Analysis)Address ANY that apply. How can you compare one of the situations in this chapter to something that does not relate to computers, technology, or the Internet? Be sure to reference the chapter and your solution. What ideas NEW can you add to the issue that is being presented within the reading? Try to connect what you have by reading this article and how it applies to the stages in Bloom's taxonomy in 2 full sentences.
Without the advancements of technology through the years what would the current times look like? Would we have cars? Would we still be using typewriters? Would anyone be able to work from home? Would job be offshored to foreign countries? The answer would most likely be no to all of these questions. With the advancement of technology has allowed for many great inventions that make our lives easier. A new technology advancement that has allowed company employees to work from anywhere is telecommunication. “Telecommuting, and telecommunications generally, make it easier to work with clients, customers, and employees in other countries: At home, one can more easily work a few hours at night that are compatible with foreign time zones” (Baase, pg.328).
5. (Synthesis) Address all that apply. Do you agree with what is being said within the article (Why/Why not? Back up with FACTS)? What new conclusions can you draw about this (or other topics) after reading this material?
There is a never-ending cycle between technology advancements and jobs. The new technology is created, jobs are lost, and new jobs are created. This happens all the time when new technology is created. The only way that this cycle will end is if new technology advancements are not made or the technology advancements include the jobs that exist and the new one that are about to be created. I also think that jobs will continue to be offshored to other countries rather than stay in the country that the company is in.
6. (Evaluation) Address all that apply. Judge whether or not this topic is relevant in today’s society? Evaluate why you are viewing the topic in this manner based on your experiences. What ethical evaluations (see Chap1-1.4 for exp of Ethics) or decisions were made/can be assumed from this chapter? What new ideas will you make after reading this chapter?
Chapter 6: Jobs is relevant in today’s society. For many young adults graduating from high school the major question is: Is it worth going to college? They may think this because many jobs are being lost and sent overseas. Is it worth going into debt, which you may never be able to pay back, just to get a higher education? Will this higher education guarantee me a job? The answer may be no and it may be yes, it depends on the person. This chapter has helped me to understand what is happening between technology and jobs. “Telework reduces overhead for employers and, in some, cases, increases productivity” (Baase pg.328).
Chapter 6 has helped me to learn the benefits and problems of telecommunication and working from somewhere other than the office.
References
Baase, Sara. A Gift of Fire. 3rd. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008. 1-34. Print.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/home-depot-sending-jobs-offshore/nFNcC/
KEEP THIS TO 1-3 – PAGES LONG (EXCLUDING REFERENCE PAGE)
Author: Baase
Date of Publication: 2008
Book: “A Gift of Fire”
Sections read: 6.1,6.2,6.3
1. (Knowledge)Tell three interesting elements of this chapter:
a. “Telecommuting has become part of our vocabulary, describing the phenomenon of working at a distance from the traditional company office or factory, connected by computers and telecommunications device” (Baase pg.308).
b. “The Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an international organization whose members include most of Western Europe, North America, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, studied employment trends in 25 countries from 1950 to 1994” (Baase pg.313).
c. “Telecommunicating is very common now, so it might be surprising that local governments and labor unions attempted to stop it in the 1980s and that the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) tried to regulate it” (Baase pg. 330).
2. (Comprehension) Summarize what is being discussed within this chapter?
With the creation of new technology there comes a change in jobs. The new technology will take away jobs but it will also create new jobs. “The goals of technology include a reduction in the resources needed to accomplish a result and an increase in productivity and standard of living” (Baase, pg.310). “The new jobs created by computers are different from the jobs eliminated”(Baase, pg.315). Many employees that were replace by technology would have to go and get extensive training to be hired to fill one of the new jobs that were created by the new technology because it was different than what the employee was used to doing. The unemployment rate also decreased because many companies began offshoring. “India has been the most popular country for offshoring work from the U.S., but companies are moving work to Canada, China, Brazil, and other places”(Baase, pg.319). “Forrester Research estimates that 3.3 million white-collar jobs will have left the U.S. for other countries between 2000 and 2015” (Baase, pg 321). “The internet makes it possible for companies to locate in small towns and work with dispersed consultants instead of having hundreds or thousands of employees in larger population centers” (Baase, pg.327).
3. (Application)Name a specific example or NEW solution for this type of problem/similar situation in society or that you have experienced – BE SPECIFIC AND EXPLAIN?
Many jobs are being offshored, which is creating fewer jobs in the United States. “India has been the most popular country for offshoring work from the U.S., but companies are moving work to Canada, China, Brazil, and other places”(Baase, pg.319). Offshoring can have positives and negatives. One positive of offshoring is that it is cheaper for companies to create their product and to pay the employees. “Consumers have many complaints about customer-service call centers in foreign countries: Foreign accents are difficult to understand. Service personnel are not familiar with the product or service the consumer is asking about – they just read from a manual. The workers experience problems too” (Baase, pg.321). While offshoring may seem like a greater financial option for many companies they also need to think about the customer needs and the needs of the company.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/home-depot-sending-jobs-offshore/nFNcC/
4. (Analysis)Address ANY that apply. How can you compare one of the situations in this chapter to something that does not relate to computers, technology, or the Internet? Be sure to reference the chapter and your solution. What ideas NEW can you add to the issue that is being presented within the reading? Try to connect what you have by reading this article and how it applies to the stages in Bloom's taxonomy in 2 full sentences.
Without the advancements of technology through the years what would the current times look like? Would we have cars? Would we still be using typewriters? Would anyone be able to work from home? Would job be offshored to foreign countries? The answer would most likely be no to all of these questions. With the advancement of technology has allowed for many great inventions that make our lives easier. A new technology advancement that has allowed company employees to work from anywhere is telecommunication. “Telecommuting, and telecommunications generally, make it easier to work with clients, customers, and employees in other countries: At home, one can more easily work a few hours at night that are compatible with foreign time zones” (Baase, pg.328).
5. (Synthesis) Address all that apply. Do you agree with what is being said within the article (Why/Why not? Back up with FACTS)? What new conclusions can you draw about this (or other topics) after reading this material?
There is a never-ending cycle between technology advancements and jobs. The new technology is created, jobs are lost, and new jobs are created. This happens all the time when new technology is created. The only way that this cycle will end is if new technology advancements are not made or the technology advancements include the jobs that exist and the new one that are about to be created. I also think that jobs will continue to be offshored to other countries rather than stay in the country that the company is in.
6. (Evaluation) Address all that apply. Judge whether or not this topic is relevant in today’s society? Evaluate why you are viewing the topic in this manner based on your experiences. What ethical evaluations (see Chap1-1.4 for exp of Ethics) or decisions were made/can be assumed from this chapter? What new ideas will you make after reading this chapter?
Chapter 6: Jobs is relevant in today’s society. For many young adults graduating from high school the major question is: Is it worth going to college? They may think this because many jobs are being lost and sent overseas. Is it worth going into debt, which you may never be able to pay back, just to get a higher education? Will this higher education guarantee me a job? The answer may be no and it may be yes, it depends on the person. This chapter has helped me to understand what is happening between technology and jobs. “Telework reduces overhead for employers and, in some, cases, increases productivity” (Baase pg.328).
Chapter 6 has helped me to learn the benefits and problems of telecommunication and working from somewhere other than the office.
References
Baase, Sara. A Gift of Fire. 3rd. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008. 1-34. Print.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/home-depot-sending-jobs-offshore/nFNcC/
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