Assignment 5

Here is the link to download the game “Catch the Diamond”: http://mypage.iu.edu/~dorrusse/

I thought this assignment was relatively easy when I followed the tutorial.  But, without the tutorial there would be no way I would have gotten this done.  I find Object-Oriented programming concepts difficult to grasp without direction.  Creating the actions for the objects was difficult when I tried to do it on my own.  I think I would enjoy doing more of this if I had the time, but I can tell from this simple game that making a complex game for today’s demand would take a great deal of time and skill.  I have gained a new respect for the games on today’s shelves.

Chapter 9 Discussion

1.  There are several milestones in the history of computing.  I would say that the manual calculator, the mechanical calculator, the Atanasoff-Berry Computer, the UNIVAC, and pretty much every generation of computer were important milestones in the history of computing.  All of these changed how we use computers today.  I think the current trend of making computers smaller and more portable will greatly affect the future of computing.

2.  The rapid growth of the computer and the IT industries have both benefits and drawbacks.  The benefits are that with the development of computer technology, the technology that is available is becoming cheaper for the average person.  People worldwide are able to communicate with each other because of this technology, which is increasing the possibilities for business owners.  The drawbacks are that some tasks are becoming impossible to do without the technology.  Educational and business organizations require some form of technology in order to participate.  This can be difficult for some who can not afford such technology.

3.  I think that computer professions are comparable to many professions.  Computers are so vast and complicated that they take a lot of skill to work on, skills comparable to those of doctors, mechanics, lawyers, and many other professions.  Computer professions require a lot of time and preparation, like many professions.  Some people are able to develop their knowledge of computers on their own in order to have a profession, but there is a lot of educational preparation that is required for many computer professions.  The money that computer professionals make can vary depending on the field of work, and the social status is the same way.  I think more people in the computer industry are beginning to gain in social status due to how important the work is.  I am more interested in the business field, but I am interested in knowing as much as I can about computers in order to be successful.  My incentive to know more in the IT field is to become successful in other fields.

Chapter 8 Lab

A favorite special effect movie of mine is Frank Miller’s 300.  This movie used a wide array of digital camera and software work to develop the special effects used.  300 used a lot of computer-generated imagery in almost every scene.  This movie has upheld a visual standard that all movies are expected to produce in this day and age.  The visual-effects supervisor of 300, Chris Watts, first attempted to use a mechanical wolf for a shot in the movie.  He eventually was forced to cover that up with incredible CGI work.  The rest of the movie from there on was developed by a lot of digital creations and recreations in order to produce the final product.  300, along with most movies today, are forced to use all kinds of special effects, specifically computer-generated imagery, in order to meet the standards of today’s movie industry.

Before:

After:

Chapter 8 Discussion

1. I have had trouble using software because of copy protection. Where I work we have to use certain graphic software, which we use on multiple computers. If we don’t buy enough licenses for the software, we can’t use that software on all of the computers that we need to use them on.

2. In my opinion, I think sites like iTunes Music Store do provide consumers with enough flexibility for copying files and creating playlists. They offer a lot of options for downloading music and copying files.

3. I think digital rights management technologies are justified because of the high rate of piracy, for now. I think as it evolves it will need to be more cautious of the rights of consumers in the near future.

Chapter 12 Discussion

1.  I have become frustrated with a software user interface before when it has changed with a new version.  For example, I was frustrated with the new Microsoft Office when it changed the user interface.

2.  I think it is probably easier to make computer software easier to use, but doing this may cause that software to be less functional.  The more options that software offer, the more complicated it will be.

3.  I do not agree that programmers do not understand the viewpoint of a typical computer user.  Programmers are typical computer users, so they want software to be good and easy to use as well.

I think the Computer User’s Bill of Rights is an interesting compilation of what users expect as consumers.  I think for the most part these ‘rights’ are assumed when a producer targets consumers.

I like the way technology is used in the courses that I take.  I would like to see more interactive material used through technology in some courses.  I think games and simulations could be a good way to involve students in learning the material.  This could be especially helpful for students who learn better by experience.  Blogs and wikis are a good way for students to see what others have to say about particular topics.

Chapter 11 Discussion

For the question marks, I just was not sure if these could be required for the field of applying for a job.  I am pretty sure they are not, but I really don’t know.  I put nothing in the spaces that I was sure of not needing to be required.

Chapter 10 Discussion

1.  Some of the strategies that organizations can use to respond to threats from competitors or to take advantage of opportunities are to use information systems analysis in order to problem solve in these areas.  A mission statement can help an organization identify and pursue these strategies by defining the goals of the organization and outlining how to accomplish those goals.

2.  The decision to create an information system driven by new technology is good because that keeps everything being used up-to-date.  But, it can also cause problems because new technology continually comes out, so by this process all information systems would rapidly become obsolete.  The decision to create a system driven by the user is good because then the people that need the information are the people that are involved in what goes into the system.  But, this can also cause problems because the users don’t always know the best way of creating a system for their objectives.

3.  I remember having problems when using any Microsoft software on an Apple for many years.  I realized the problem was in how incompatible these two were at the time.  I had to spend a lot of time at the ‘help desk’ in order to figure out how to use the software correctly.  Since then, Microsoft and Apple have become more compatible in many ways, although there are still many ‘gaps’ in the compatibility.

4.  Developing the documentation before the system could change the development process and the system itself.  If the documentation was developed first, then the development process would be geared more to making it easier to run a system around documentation.  The system itself would be centered around how the documentation works, instead of the other way around.

Assignment 3

http://mypage.iu.edu/~dorrusse/macproject/resume.html

Chapter 6 Lab

For “Issue” project please see post Chapter 6 Discussion.

My first memory on the Web was at a very young age.  My family had an old Macintosh computer that did very basic functions.  We had dial-up so the connection was very slow, although I did not know the difference at the time.  In the last two years my experience with using the Web has changed a lot.  Back then I really only used it for school work and to occasionally catch up on the news.  I now use the Web to manage all sorts of things in my life, including my schedule.  I use it to research a lot in my field of study, as well as to keep up in my line of work.  I rely a lot more on the Web today than I did two years ago.

Chapter 6 Discussion

1.  I think governments should and will have the right to choose how they deal with accessing the internet.  Just like it is not up to us to tell another government what policies are allowed for their citizens, it is not up to us to tell them how to manage their access to the internet.  Now this is not to say I agree with them doing it, but I do not think anyone can tell other governments how to govern.

2.  I do think that a privately-held Internet Service Provider like AOL has the right to censor the data posted on the Web sites they host.  Just like any company, virtual or physical, they have the right to associate or disassociate with anything they agree or disagree with.  That is their right.

3.  Companies like Microsoft, Yahoo!, and Cisco Systems should have the right to choose whether or not they provide blocking technology to foreign governments.  As businesses, they have a product they wish to sell, and are legally doing so to governments that want to use their technology.

4.  I would not use filtering software to block pornographic and nuisance Web sites on a mass scale.  If I could do so for my own uses I would, but I believe everyone has a right to choose what they look at on the internet or otherwise.  Although I believe people should uphold a moral code, they should always have the right to choose.

I can’t think of a time when I encountered an Internet myth, but I do know they are out there.  I guess the closest thing I can think of are chain emails.  The idea that if you do not perpetuate a certain email it will come back to do something to you is obviously ridiculous.  In order to verify the accuracy of information on the Internet, especially Internet Myths, it is important to rely on credible sources and Web sites on the Internet.  Just like when writing a paper, using proven, reliable sources such as well-established news sources is important when verifying information.  Data bases and virtual libraries are also accurate, as opposed to blog sites and personal opinion Web sites.

Some characteristics that well-designed Web sites share revolve around organization.  I really like the Web sites that are well-organized.  I like when all of the links on that Web site are logically organized in the same area on that page.  The mistakes that poorly designed Web sites share also deal with organizations.  Web sites that are not organized in a logical, well-defined structure make for a poorly designed Web site.  Some Web sites are too confusing to figure out because they are not organized well.