E-Commerce for Emotional Support

E-commerce not only allows people to shop online for physical products, but fast, accessible electronic communication has also allowed people to use e-commerce to gain emotional support in many areas. Emotional support can range from personal training, digital therapy, online alcoholics anonymous groups, and many other areas where a person may seek professional help. For people who have busy schedules or simply feel desperate for support, they can simply perform an electronic transaction to immediately receive their services without travel. The downside of emotional support online is that people are so anonymous and it can be challenging to verify someone’s sincerity and the value of their information. One positive form of E-commerce designed for social service include third party online websites, such as breakthrough.com and CaliforniaLiveVisit.com, sites that consist of verified, licensed doctors and therapists who hold online private practices[1]. Since these sites ensure that these doctors and therapists are credible sources, patients can pay without risk of a scam from dishonest users. An article I read in the New York Times presented different experiences customers have had through the convenience of online support. Their options are limitless compared to the options available for in-person meetings. The fact that there is no travel allows customers to choose the best doctor for them, regardless of their location. One woman described her experiences with her online therapist saying, “I can have a Skype therapy session with my morning coffee” and “I emailed him that I was panicked about a first date, and he wrote back and said we could do a 20-minute mini-session”[1]. Naturally, online therapy can even be cheaper due to the elimination of travel expenses. The third party website allows a secure connection between doctors and clients, and this form of E-commerce has provided many emotional benefits to people with no transportation or busy schedules. On the flipside, some E-Commerce websites that are harmful have become accessible that would not as easily be formed in-person, such as pro-anorexia websites. Pro anorexia websites is an online service that encourages people to become “better anorexics” through support forums and products [2]. It is difficult to find people in person who would openly support such an illness that attracts serious medical attention. The internet, however, has become so anonymous that E-commerce has opened up not only good services, but bad ones as well. People can easily access emotional support online, which can attract someone who feels resentful of people demanding they get help for a problem they do not believe they have. Since serious anorexics generally feel misunderstood and alone, they are desperate and turn to support that will seem helpful to them due to their distorted perspectives. These websites refer to anorexia as a “lifestyle,” when Dr. Oz corrects the term as a “deathstyle”. The help available on the internet is so readily available that it can be a desperate source for mentally ill people [2]. People with mental illnesses often exhibit poorer judgment. Thus, the administrators of the sites that encourage these illnesses are either sick too or just intend to advantage of people who are desperate and willing to pay for their services. E-commerce has been a valuable investment for many clients and has allowed professionals expand their businesses on a global scale [3]. Therefore, E-commerce has expanded the economy. Also, many people with emotional problems can receive quality help from secure websites that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. Due to the countless, malicious E-commerce web sites and scams, such as pro anorexia websites, people are often reluctant to trust the authenticity of E-commerce [3]. Through careful judgment and continued efforts to monitor the digital world similarly to the physical world, E-commerce can be a useful practice. [1] http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/25/fashion/therapists-are-seeing-patients-online.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 [2] http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/katie-rickel-phd/deadly-lifestyle-pro-ana-movement [3] http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-electronic-commerce-e-commerce.html

The Dangers of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence can save lives through predicting hazardous weather conditions, using robotics to carry out dangerous jobs, and monitoring patients’ health in hospitals [1]. As technology has progressed, artificial intelligence has expanded its functions. Not only do people use artificial intelligence for safety measures, but the robotic feature has also been used to replace humans to perform other kinds of work. While artificial intelligence has been beneficial to improve quality of life, the exponential reliance on artificial intelligence is predicted to achieve the opposite outcome [2]. The field of artificial intelligence has grown so rapidly that scientists estimate that robots will replace all occupational positions by 2029[3]. Indeed, artificial intelligence is not prone to human error like people and can prevent costly, adverse mistakes in many situations. For example, artificial intelligence is expected to develop the capability to robotically perform surgery and teach. If a robot performed surgery instead of a human doctor, the rate of malpractice insurance that burden doctors could potentially decrease significantly. The major drawback of robotics for surgery is the removal of human support for a patient who is likely scared to experience a risky health procedure [3]. In addition, artificial intelligence has begun to replace weather forecasters since the machine recognition of patterns is less prone to error, and thus the accuracy of the weather predictions become much higher. Even though artificial intelligence provides these benefits, its potential grave harm may be a call to put its expansion to a halt. Despite the usefulness of robots to eliminate work required by humans, studies predict adverse consequences to society, including “unemployment in turn leading to mental depression, poverty and crime” [3]. Humans need to be able to devote their energy to activities that make them feel accomplished and valued, or else the risks above will rise drastically. Robots are simply not human and cannot experience that sense of personal satisfaction. If robots accomplished everything electronically for people, hard work and study would no longer be a necessity of life. If artificial intelligence continues to grow at such a fast rate, artificial intelligence may eventually overpower humans and extinguish them[3]. This paper highlights the potential dangers of the increased reliance on artificial intelligence. While artificial intelligence can be highly beneficial in certain areas, people cannot forget the importance of their humanity that no machine can ever have. The ability to feel and seek reward in life is a human trait that must be fulfilled, despite the tradeoff of hard work. Even though artificial intelligence should be used when it is necessary, humans need to set strict limits on its potential abilities in order for the human race to maintain dominance on earth and control over its survival. [1] http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/ways-artificial-intelligence-will-affect-our-lives.htm [2] http://www.proconlists.com/list/technology-science/artificial-intelligence/3894 [3] http://www.buzzle.com/articles/disadvantages-of-artificial-intelligence.html

Knowledge Management Systems in the Video Game Industry

The purpose of this research is to demonstrate how the video game industry achieves overwhelming success through its usage of knowledge management systems. This paper will specifically focus on how EA Games, a popular video game company, relies on various forms of KMS to retain customer satisfaction with their most famous personal computer game, The Sims. The Sims is one of the most popular computer games of the 21st century, and its advanced artificial intelligence features keep players engrossed in the game [1]. First, the player creates their own person (known by Sims in the game) and develops his/her physical appearance, personality traits, and even life ambitions [2]. Through the advanced vision system component of the game’s KMS, players experience realistic, 3D images of their characters that they almost come to life. The high-end graphics in The Sims represent a form of virtual reality, since the design of the people and objects in the game are so believable. The powerful KMS in The Sims allows players to create physically diverse, humanlike characters from the versatile options for their appearances, a versatility that is comparable to the unique appearances of real people. In addition to the visions system of the KMS, The Sims maintains its sophisticated features through its learning systems software. Not only does each Sim look physically realistic, but they display intelligent behavior so that the players can develop unique life stories for each character. Since the player creates individual personalities for each character, the KMS compares each character’s unique trait which causes one character to gravitate to some other characters more than other ones. The learning systems software is effective when one Sim has a negative encounter with another Sim, and then these two characters often react aggressively towards one another in future interactions. In contrast, two Sims will naturally be friendly or romantic with one another, depending on the nature of their previous interactions. Like real people, the characters in the Sims create unique relationships by learning how they feel about one another through trial and error [3]. As EA Games upgraded the Sims games with sequels, the features of the artificial intelligence in the KMS continued to improve. For example, the sequels allowed even more options of physical appearances, life ambitions, and added scenarios in relationships between Sims. A new feature in the third sequel of the Sims is the idea of rumors among all of the characters that spread, such as rumors of cheating spouses [4]. As the KMS system advances through the sequels, the interpersonal relationships among the characters become more realistic, ambitions broaden, and physical appearances become increasingly humanlike. The EA Games business and many other video game companies have thrived due to one similarity; they all had efficient Knowledge Management Systems. The more advanced the KMS is, the more the game comes to life. The key to success in a video game business is having customers that can play the game for hours on end, and The Sims is an example of a game with that powerful response. In the Sims, the above descriptions of the stellar programs that make up the vision system and the realistic learning system software that influence the characters’ behavior attract millions of loyal customers. The KMS that stems the success of EA Games places the company as a role model to other aspiring video game businesses. [1] http://www.sims-hr.com/design-gameplay-sims-games.html [2] http://www.sims-hr.com/history-sims-games-facts-sims-games.html [3] http://www.ea.com/the-sims-3 [4]http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/06/01/the-sims-3-ambitions-review

Ontological Engineering in Clinical Settings

Healthcare decision support systems have begun to use ontological engineering to aid in the practice of optimal patient care. The function of ontological engineering is involves “data integration, which fosters a better understanding of patient needs, thus resulting in better patient care and excellent patient outcomes” [1]. Through ontological engineering, the data is filtered from various information systems throughout the organization so that the important aspects of one patient/case study can be seen quickly. The time wasted with digging through irrelevant information is eliminated. When this software is used, medical professionals can achieve faster, more efficient results. Ontological engineering is a useful decision support system tool in its ability to store data on cures or solutions to diseases that medical professionals have dealt with in the past. If a doctor needs to investigate a particular condition on one patient, he/she can use ontological engineering to receive immediate guidance when solutions of similar conditions are revealed [1]. While every patient has different circumstances, the doctor can save time and money through less research that has already been done. In that sense, hospitals can work together efficiently since their ideas, solutions, and cases are shared throughout the organization. Medical professionals can learn from one another and improve their skills and quality of patient care in a short, easy method. Another usage of ontological engineering can be helpful when a doctor needs to sort through endless pages of a patient’s medical history [1]. Instead, ontological engineering can simply extract the information needed in the situation at hand. The software sorts can filter information from all the systems throughout the entire organization, from applications, databases, and all other forms of record keeping [2]. Productivity in medical centers has improved immensely through the usage of ontological engineering. Perhaps a form of ontological engineering can be used/is used in other types of organizations besides healthcare. Retail and financial organizations could use this product to filter information regarding particular products and make crucial economic choices [3]. Past diagnostics and solutions can be shown and time can be saved for all kinds of workers. Beginners in their fields can learn from experienced professionals if they ever are unsure about their choices, without having to make phone calls or interrupt their task. The help is immediately available through ontological engineering. The efficient use of ontological engineering can save money, time, and lives. The benefits of this system are likely to cause the system to be enhanced and become more prevalent in businesses. [1] http://ezinearticles.com/?Healthcare-Decision-Support-Systems&id=4871564 [2] http://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/5563523 [3] http://ontologyengineering.org/content/about

Online Shopping

Online shopping has skyrocketed in the networking realm. Amazan, EBay, Netflix, and E-book businesses are only a few of many businesses that have relied on the network for their businesses to strive. Since networks have become so popular, online shopping is often preferred nowadays to traditional shopping. Even for this course, transactions were made online to register for INFO 224 that would have been much less convenient to rely on with mail or in-person measures. In the era of e-commerce, Netflix has become so successful. “Netflix is prospering while Blockbuster is bankrupt” [1]. Before this era, blockbuster was a popular method to rent videos. Now, however, Netflix has catered to the priorities if this new era. “As far as the consumers go, Netflix thinks that busy people see downloading a movie through Netflix as a less expensive -- at $8.99 per month for unlimited rentals -- and more time efficient way to see a movie than making a trip to a movie theater.”[1] Netflix is continuously moving towards online streaming as this society continuously moves toward online shopping and networking. E-books have also become a popular item people shop for online. Pretty soon, I predict that libraries will become obsolete. E-books allow people to read more easily on-the-go, shipping hassles are cut, and inventory costs are eliminated. Now, E-books are simply downloaded and users can read their desired book within minutes [2]. Waiting for books to arrive, just like videos, is becoming history. As online shopping is becoming more prevalent, the convenience of reading novels and textbooks online is becoming more preferable. Amazon and EBay have been popular websites for online shopping and continue to attract more customers. When compared to physical stores, online stores have risen in profit more rapidly. “According to eMarketer, B2C (business to consumer) e-commerce sales in the Asia-Pacific region grew by more than 33% in 2012, amounting to $332 billion. The figure is expected to grow by more than 30% this year amounting to $433 billion and accounting for more than one-third of the global B2C e-commerce sales” [3]. That said, online shopping through many websites is on the rise. It is understandable how online shopping is more preferable nowadays than traditional shopping. Online shopping is less time-consuming and in many ways less expensive. Travel costs are eliminated and people can buy their products without physically leaving their home. People now have the ability to purchase items while they are working or doing any other activity at the same time. http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/09/23/why-blockbuster-went-bust-while-netflix-flourished/ http://www.bookswealth http://www.forbes.com/fdc/welcome_mjx.shtml.com/

Cloud Computing Threats and Solutions

While cloud computing has been beneficial to expand businesses and increase productivity, security issues remain a threat. When cloud computing is used to store crucial data for organizations, the information is stored in a data center, a central location where IT professionals secure the data with encryption policies and the security of the data in a business is in the hands of the supervisors of that data center. Cloud computing heightens the speed of research and access to information that allow businesses to survive. In addition, that speed allows information to be reliably accessed and secured over the internet, so it can be seen regardless of which information system is in use. The security concerns of the information in the cloud are on the rise. For example, personal data and crucial business information can be exposed and even stolen. First of all, the information is in a central location of a data center, a location that can attract various hackers and potential theft [1]. Also, the increased reliance on cloud computing increases the vulnerability to problems when network outages occur, such as the recent outage in hurricane Sandy [2]. For instance, if patient health records need to be accessed and is stored at the cloud, his/her life can be at risk if such an outage occurs [2]. Statistically, only thirty-eight percent of businesses have adequate protection in place over their information on the cloud [3]. While these risks of cloud computing can be scary, proper precautions can increase the safety of this activity and companies can continue to enjoy the benefits of it while securing their private data. To protect sensitive data, companies need to know exactly who has access to it and ensure that the only people with that access are users of their company. Encryption is necessary so that all information becomes gibberish to any unauthorized users who attempt to read it as soon as the information leaves that organization [4]. Even if the information is stored in a third-party data center, the access of that data must involve the owner of the organization [4]. Also, the data should be protected according to its level of sensitivity, as the costs can add up. Still, these regulations must be enforced as the outcome of leakage of any information in a business can easily exceed the costs of preventing them at great lengths. Despite all of the concerns for the security in cloud computing, such as unauthorized access, excessive reliance during network outages, and information exposure, the benefits of increased productivity and increase of security regarding the IT advances have limitless advantages. [1]http://blogs.cisco.com/smallbusiness/the-top-5-security-risks-of-cloud-computing/ [2]http://healthitsecurity.com/2013/07/25/does-cloud-computing-threaten-patient-privacy-data-security/ [3]http://cloudcomputing.sys-con.com/node/2747305 [4]http://www.siliconrepublic.com/reports/partner/26-ibm/report/390-predictive-threat-and-risk/

About Me

Hi, I'm Marni. 1) I am majoring in Information Technology Management. 2) My operating system on my computer is Windows 7. 3) I have the right to upgrade the software on my computer. 4) I have taken a course in C++ programming, and I normally use the internet for social networking, watching movies and TV shows, and reading the news. 5) I am currently taking Business Statistics online as well. 6) I currently have the 2007 version of Microsoft Office. I know.. I am a bit behind. 7) I currently work as Easy Technology Associate at Staples on average of 35-40 hours a week, and I love it! 8) I am not positive when I am going to graduate since I am practically working full-time as well as taking classes part-time at Ramapo. 9) As I progress with my education and experience with technology, I hope to advance my career in the IT field. I am proudly working my first IT job as an easy tech, where I recommend various products (printers, shredders, computers, tablets, routers, etc. etc.) and troubleshoot/fix minor PC problems customers happen to have. This hands-on experience has been invaluable to me as I am learning so much and enjoying every minute of it! 10) During my leisure time, I enjoy running and often participate in races (so far some 5k events). Otherwise, I like to work out at the gym and when time allows it, I always love hanging out with my friends. Well...that is me in a nutshell. I look forward to reading the summaries about my online classmates. smile