Deepak Sivakumar

Virtual Private Networks are networks which are created for securing the traffic over leased lines. The traffic that passes over the internet is always under threat with people sniffing around trying to steal packets. VPN’s make it almost impossible for hackers to intercept packets or access information. Tunneling technique is used in VPN’s where a tunnel or a bridge is made from the source to the destination.

There are 3 different types of VPN: Intranet, Extranet and Remote Access VPN. Intranet VPN is used in companies where a password protected network is created for the employees are used to connect with each other. Extranet VPN is used when a company expands its business to other places and requires a secure connection for communication. Remote Access VPN’s are used for long distance connectivity or even connectivity from a network inside its same network but through a wireless connection. This sort of connectivity is used in places where the employees are always on the move and it is also used for distance learning purposes.

Opinion
I think that VPN’s should be made a necessity everywhere because people are always sending important information over the internet such as their credit card information and other private details. The reason being that all this important data is sent over the internet in the form of packets and there people out there who are trying to get access to this data by either brute force techniques or just plain old hacking techniques. Creating VPN’s for every LAN would create a more secure and reliable network which would provide safety to the users.
It is expensive to create VPN‘s and it gets more expensive as the distance between the users increase but it is a onetime investment where many users can use this facility without being noticed by any hackers.

Annotated Bibliography
1. Tyson, Jeff How does VPN work?. Retrieved February 18, 2008, from Alliance Datacom Web site: http://www.alliancedatacom.com/how-vpn-works.asp
Explains why Virtual Private Network’s are used and the different types of VPN.
2. (2006, oct 12). Cisco Documentation. Retrieved February 18, 2008, from Virtual Private Networks Web site: http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/cisintwk/ito_doc/vpn.htm
Explains Virtual Private Networks and the tunneling process involved.

Deepak Sivakumar
http://www.linkedin.com/in/deepaksivakumar

Posted by Deepak Sivakumar at 01:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Evolution of Information Renaissance
The Information Renaissance evolved from the spoils of the European Renaissance and prides itself on not only embodying characteristics of exploration and discovery, but also incorporates travel and the shrinking of distances into its forte.

Unlike the European Renaissance, the community is emphasized and individualism and the person as a singular entity are discouraged. Collaboration and synthesis are paramount as people become more aware and knowledgeable about the world and its varied intricacies. Barriers created by time and cultural differences are no longer seen as being major issues as networks created by technological advancement and the universal nature of communication devices make the world into a large community unlike the era of the European Renaissance.

Organization leadership
A Leader should be like a boat with swimmers all around it. And the swimmers are the followers who balance the boat. An organization is an arena with multiple levels and the leader should be on the top leading it. It is also necessary that the leader be condescending and comes down to the level of his followers so that he understands their desires. The leader must be able to accept any kind of criticism and sort out the constructive criticism from the destructive criticism so that he doesn’t lose his nerve. The leader understands the scope of work involved and delegates work to his followers without over burdening them. And he definitely defines the starting and termination time of the project.

Conclusion:
Leaders are always looked upon and also blamed for the follower’s actions. The leader must be strong willed and should definitely not crack under pressure. He should be able to play with the followers in a professional way by manipulating them in an ethical way such that they produce the desired results. This should be such that the people still remain in his confidence and give the leader the necessary respect.

Annotated Bibliography:
1. Gillette, Jay (2006).Leadership for the Information Renaissance: Clarity, Challenges, Opportunity.

Posted by Deepak Sivakumar at 03:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Abstract
Leadership is one of the words all of us here always hear and there are so many dynamics surrounding it that it is sometimes hard to understand. This paper explains how leadership has been prevalent through the years and how it had gradually evolved and been transferred from the European Renaissance to the Information Renaissance. Leaders are constantly challenged and are thrown hurdles in organizations and this paper will also tell you how a leader can be subtle to all these forces around him.

Introduction
Throughout history, leaders have always defined who we are as a people, not only politically but also socially and to a large extent economically. These leaders can also be known as forward thinkers. The European Renaissance and the Information Renaissance have developed from the ideas and beliefs of these forward thinkers of their respective eras. From Shakespeare to Steve Jobs, the socio-evolution that has changed requires these outliers in order to sustain human growth and overall development.

History
The European Renaissance marked the change from the middle ages to modern time. It was seen as a cultural rebirth that according to the “Comparisons and Contrasts: Salient Characteristics of the European and Information Renaissances” by Jay Gillette (Jay Gillette, 2006, IEC v. focused on exploration and discovery especially focusing on the human as an individual. Self expression and exploration, idealism and the search for rules and systems marked this as the beginning of the search for social equality.

Posted by Deepak Sivakumar at 03:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

On 11th Feb, Yahoo officially turned down Microsoft’s bid for takeover and there are rumors that News Corp might be the reason for this decision.

Apparently News Corp is talking to Yahoo about buying a 20% stake and this would result in an interesting combination. This deal would result in Yahoo assuming control over MySpace and other news products of Fox interactive media. This in turn will strengthen Yahoo’s current staggering position in the market.

Yahoo would remain a private equity firm or otherwise independent and there would be a cash infusion to complete this deal too. On the other hand, Microsoft is doing its best to close the deal with Yahoo and since Yahoo has turned down its bid. Microsoft is left with only two options: either raise the offer or else plan a hostile takeover.

Sources
1. Lawson, Stephen (2008, Feb, 13). News Corp., Yahoo in talks to fend off Microsoft. Network World, Retrieved Feb 17, 2008, from http://www.networkworld.com/news/2008/021308-report-news-corp-yahoo-in.html
2. Pimentel, Benjamin (2008, Feb, 13). Yahoo sees shift in potential suitors. MarketWatch, Retrieved Feb 17, 2008,fromhttp://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/yahoo-seen-weighing-alternatives-talking/story.aspx?guid=%7B27469F05%2D2823%2D4CAA%2DA9F1%2D16B7578214AE%7D
3. Helft, Miguel (2008, Feb 14). Microsoft looms over Yahoo talks. The Newyork Times, Business Day, p. C1-C2.

Posted by Deepak Sivakumar at 09:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On Jan 10th 2008, at the Citigroup Investor conference in Las Vegas, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Chairman Mr. Kevin Smith hinted that the merger between the two radio satellite giants XM and Sirius would be blocked.

The CEO of Sirius, Mr. Mel Karmazin earlier stated that this merger would be of the best interests for the both the company and the public. However, the FCC is not in agreement. Inside Radio quoted Mr. Smith commenting that it would result in a monopoly and relates this merger to the earlier satellite television merge between Echostar and Direc TV which was blocked by the FCC because it violated the Satellite DARS Anti-Merger Rule which prohibits monopolies in spectrum assigned to particular services.

The music industry is concerned about this merger as well since this monopoly would prove to be serious competition. The Recording Institution of America (RIAA) has filed comments with the FCC to overlook copyright infringements if this merge happens. Due to the fact that people would have access to a wide range of music on multiple platforms including the internet this would make it easier to rip music and videos. This is one of the biggest threats to the music industry since piracy levels would increase as never before. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is completely against this merger because it not only violates the DARS rule but, would also put minority-owned providers at a disadvantage. All parties are eagerly awaiting the final ruling by the FCC.

SOURCES
1. FCC Chairman Hints That XM + Sirius Merger Would Be Blocked. (2007, January 12). Retrieved February 2, 2008, from Orbitcast Web site: http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/fcc-chairman-hints-that-xm-sirius-merger-would-be-blocked.html
2. RIAA Tells FCC It Takes XM-Sirius Merger, Well, Seriously. (2007, July 9). TMCnet. Retrieved February 2, 2008, from http://blog.tmcnet.com/regulations/fcc/
riaa-tells-fcc-it-takes-xmsirius-merger-well-seriously.asp

Posted by Deepak Sivakumar at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Virtual Learning Environments such as LMS (Learning Management Systems) and CMS (Course Management Systems) are conventional online systems that help faculty and students interact with each other efficiently.

CMS are platforms where the faculty can add classes such that the students can logon and have a very interactive session with the faculty and also the rest of the class that have enrolled in the course. This allows faculty to upload PowerPoint presentations which is required for the class along with other course related documents such as course syllabus and course materials. There is also a discussion board where topics related to the classroom sessions can be posted and the students and faculty can chat on related matters.

On the other hand LMS is used for training purpose by the workforce where there are more facilities than CMS such as tuition payment, classroom enrollment, registration and attendance. The details of a student are linked to an employment database where their track record is updated and can be monitored. Organizations can train their employees in various technical or management areas by utilizing this system.
CMS is used more widely than LMS in Educational Institutions since the institution would already have employed an expensive payroll system and hence CMS is used for education purpose whereas LMS is used for teaching purposes.

Opinion
CMS and LMS are systems used by faculty in institutions to coordinate with students in various levels. At educational level in institutions, I feel it definitely makes life easier for both the faculty and students since they can correspond through discussion forums and emails. But I feel that the assessments must be done in person since the faculty never knows who is taking the tests.
LMS is the system which would help distance learning and accelerate ones learning regardless of geographic locations. I feel that these systems are required for people with special needs and it is necessary that one weighs out the benefits because some facilities of these systems are better in the traditional classroom. An example would be the discussion board in Blackboard, a traditional classroom setting discussion would be more helpful and an active participation can be experienced. Overall I would definitely utilize these online learning systems since it helps and boosts the students performance along with the regular classroom sessions.

Annotated Bibliography
1. Carliner, Saul (2005, November ). Course Management Systems Versus Learning Management Systems. Retrieved January 13, 2008, Web site: http://www.learningcircuits.org/2005/nov2005/carliner.htm
Difference between LMS (Learning and Management System) and CMS(Course Management System).

2. Nichani, Maish (2001, May 02). Retrieved January 13, 2008, from elearningpost Web site: http://www.elearningpost.com/articles/archives/lcms_lms_cms_rlos/
Description of LMS (Learning and Management System) and CMS(Course Management System) in layman terms.

Posted by Deepak Sivakumar at 09:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)