Deepak Sivakumar

Unified Communication

2008-06-07T00:04:53Z

Unified communication is a technology that brings call features, messaging functions and multimedia under one roof.

]]> These services are integrated to provide features such as unified messaging, VoIP services and collaboration tools. Unified messaging provides users the facility to access their email, voice mail and fax from a single mail box. The user can use a wide range of facilities from video conferencing and speech technology to paging and these can be real time or near real time. There are other services too such as calendaring, scheduling and integrated voice response that accepts input based on voice, touch tones and also routes calls. This technology can be used not just for business but for social purpose too. Communication services can also be integrated with enterprise applications such that if any of your machinery acts funny, you would be sent a message or notified about the process.
Opinion
The market contains various communication devices such as mobile phones, PDA’s and computer internet devices but they need to be integrated so that user has continuous access to information in both a fixed and mobile environment. Phone services such as voice mail and telephone calls are synchronous modes of communication whereas computers are asynchronous and services such as email don’t allow you to integrate voice services into it. The combination of both these modes brings together a platform that allows you to make calls from your computer.
You could be at a vacation in the mountains and still attend that conference in Hawaii over web conferencing or troubleshoot a problem for one of your clients using this service. It basically allows you to be reachable and allows you to access information at any time and at any place. In conclusion, unified communication unites different communication devices or technologies and breaks down telecommunication barriers for better accessibility.

Annotated Bibliography
1. Lazar, Irwin (2007, May 16). The ROI of unified communications. Retrieved March 24, 2008, from Network World Web site: http://www.networkworld.com/techinsider/2007/052807-unified-communications-guide.html?page=1
(How Unified communication can make business process, save time and make employees more productive)
2. (2006). International Engineering Consortium. Retrieved March 24, 2008, from Unified Communications Web site: http://www.iec.org/online/tutorials/unified_comm/index.html
(Defines Unified Communication and explains how it is benefits both the consumer and subscribers)
3. (2008, March 7). Retrieved March 24, 2008, from searchunifiedcommunications Web site: http://searchunifiedcommunications.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid186_gci1239583,00.html (Uses and services of Unified communication)

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

Virtual Private Networks

2008-03-23T06:10:54Z

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

European Renaissance and the Information Renaissance: Derivatives of Leadership Part 2

2008-03-21T20:08:28Z

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.

European Renaissance and the Information Renaissance: Derivatives of Leadership Part 1

2008-03-21T20:01:11Z

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.

Prospective suitors for Yahoo

2008-03-21T02:29:09Z

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.

XM Radio/ Sirius Merge – Would the FCC bend the rules again?

2008-03-20T16:24:08Z

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

Learning Management System/Course Management System

2008-03-20T02:35:19Z

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.

Content Aggregator -Part 4

2008-02-16T00:52:17Z

The Online Content aggreagtors are more involved with the audience or the users and definitely have a lot of advantages such as:

]]> a. Both the Advertiser and the User develop a trustworthy relationship and this would make the user to come back for more services. This is possible when the data on he content server is authentic and proofed. This is very crucial since a lot of aggregators make random links to different products and sites without checking for their reliability.

b. It is not just consumers who can profit from this but also advertisers can advertise their products with us along with sponsors. The services offered then to the advertisers and the consumers would be very broad and always expanding.

c. All the assets that are aggregated would come under one huge portal and would be a user preferred interface. Users would realize that they needn’t search different websites for the typical same information and would just search for the necessary product or service on our aggregator.

d. It would be easy for the aggregator to handle it since the different content can be characterized under separate network infrastructures such an education, organizations, games or music and the content will be searched and updated automatically.

e. The Security and access to the different levels of information can be accessed at the corresponding levels based on the position.

Conclusion:
The process of aggregating all our digital assets would help users gain easy access to different products and services and this would help us cut costs and would offer a wide range of services. This would help our company grow faster in the future since information is wealth and people are always looking for more to satisfy themselves.

REFERENCES
1. Blossom, John. The New Aggregation. Shore Communications Inc, 2004. 14 Nov. 2007 .
2. Porter, Joshua. Digital Web Magazine, 2004. 14 Nov. 2007 .
3. Porter, Joshua. Bokardo, 2004. 14 Nov. 2007 .
4. In-Stat, 2007. 14 Nov. 2007 .
5. Electronic Publishing Services Ltd, 2005. 14 Nov. 2007 .

Content Aggregator -Part 3

2008-02-16T00:52:13Z

It is important that the existing assets be divided into specific divisions so that they fall into different genres. This is done since users are mostly content-specific and they expect the web sites of companies be the same too. An auto-fill for words in the search boxes would be helpful to users because it helps them get closer to their destination.3

]]> There are many businesses involved with Content Aggregation and some of them are Google, AOL and YAHOO! to name a few. AOL OR America Online is number one of all the online content aggregators and they have a terribly strong customer relationship. AOL’s customers help them to find out the latest and the next thing coming up in market. Then there is Google which is charging through the market with AdWords and AdSense which widens participation from very small businesses to large businesses. Their strategy also helps advertisers in soaring up in their business too. Yahoo! comes next by gaining a major market in building online communities and social societies. With the effective partnership with eBAY, Yahoo has made it big in advertising and online payments. 4

contd..

Content Aggregator- Part 2

2008-02-16T00:51:18Z

When the data and assets are aggregated the consumers would have easier access to it and it would be best if most of the information is available for free to the public and the already existing customers could have access to privileged information to the company’s resources.

]]> The internet speed for this purpose should be fast since the web aggregator would upload and aggregate sources every few hours whenever necessary. An example would be Moreover technologies that searches thousands of sites, retrieves and stores headlines and sends them out as packages by the web to the different users. 5

Some of the applications of aggregating the digital assets are that the consumers can have access to any kind of information by just typing in the necessary key words and the information will be delivered to them at an instant unless they are looking for something irrelevant. When it comes to the price factor, the online content can be accessed for free but there might be content which cannot be accessed by the general public due to security reasons.

The consumers or the customers when accessing for information on an aggregator machine can gain access to a very diverse range of information and they can get exact details on the products or other details. It also allows them to take part by blogging which in turn can be aggregated under that product’s category. This forms a network and people looking for some product vaguely related to ours might end up realizing the difference s between the two products which would make them consider our products. 2

contd..

Content Aggregator- Part 1

2008-02-16T00:49:37Z

The Web is a broad domain where tons and tons of information float around. All these information need to be segregated into niches for the easy access by the web users. This is the concept of Content Aggregation where data and content are focused primarily based on their features so that users can gain access based on their needs and requirements.

]]>
There are plenty of businesses all throughout the world such as public institutions, commercial organizations, academic institutions that use content aggregation to highlight their company’s products and are definitely more accessible for information compared to the businesses that don’t do content aggregation.1 All the information or the digital assets over the web need to be rich in content and not just novelty since at the end of the day the users are looking for productive data to help them with their business.

The aggregators can either be humans or machines. Human aggregation is when new sites compile stories from the Press or just Blog entries or feeds in readers like Shrook or FeedDemon. Machine aggregation is the method of compiling large number of content over the internet and making them accessible via search engines such as Yahoo, Google and the rest. People no longer go to a specific domain if they are in need of a particular piece of information but they rather go to a search engine such as Yahoo or Google to access this kind of information.2 This is done because the users can go straight to the information source without having to go through all the different links which connects to the required content.

contd..

Vladimir Zworykin: Father of Modern Television. Part 5

2008-01-22T05:23:43Z

RETIREMENT
After his retirement from RCA in 1954, he served as the Director of the Medical Electronics Center at the Rockefeller Institute in New York. He also continued to do work at his own laboratory and maintained an office at the RCA laboratories too. 5

]]>
HIGHEST ACHIEVEMENT
He was awarded the National Medal of Science IN 1967 which is highest scientific honor given in the United States.5

OTHER INVENTIONS
He created the Endoradiosonde which is a tiny transmitter that was swallowed by the patient and this helped the doctors in tracking and monitoring process inside the body. He also invented the Ultraviolet Microscope which uses electromagnetic radiation. 9

SWEET SLEEP
Dr Vladimir Kosmo Zworykin left his physical self on July 29th 1982 at the Princeton Medical Center, a day short of his ninety third birthday. 2

CONCLUSION
One of the greatest men who have brought about a change to the way broadcasting is perceived by the world. The world praises him for inventing the television but he turned down the honor and says it was a contribution by hundreds of other people too. Controversies have always been raised and will continue to do so but his name will always stand in time as “The Father of Television".2

REFERENCES
1. "Great Depression." Wikipedia. 10 Oct. 2007. 10 Oct. 2007 .
2. RCA NEWS. 30 July 1982. 10 Oct. 2007 .
3. Television Pioneer. 30 Jan. 2007. 10 Oct. 2007 .
4. New York Times. 1 Aug. 1982. 10 Oct. 2007
5. Wikipedia. 1 Oct. 2007. 10 Oct. 2007 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Zworykin
6. Science heroes. 10 Oct. 2007 .
7. Lemelson Mit Program. 10 Oct. 2007 .
8. Adventures in CyberSound . 10 Oct. 2007 .
9. Answers. 10 Oct. 2007 .

Vladimir Zworykin: Father of Modern Television. Part 4

2008-01-22T05:21:56Z

RCA (SARNOFF and Dr ZWORYKIN) VERSUS FARNSWORTH
Philo Farnsworth, an American Inventor was best known for inventing the working electronic image pickup device or the camera tube. Dr Zworykin, during his time of service with RCA as instructed by David Sarnoff made a visit to Farnsworth’s labs in San Francisco. The purpose of his visit was that he was an inventor interested in Farnsworth’s work but he was actually a spy in disguise. He took back Farnsworth’s design structures and copied it for RCA.8

]]> In 1931, David Sarnoff tried to buy out Farnsworth’s company but lost it to another company called Philco. This was the beginning of a rivalry between both the companies and they fought it out in legal offices like the US patent office for control of the dissector tube.8

ICONOSCOPE
With the help of his colleagues, he went on to build the iconoscope which used a photo-cathode composed of discrete globules of photo sensitive to store the electrical values rendered by discrete elements of the optical image. He derived the word iconoscope from the Greek, icon being image and scope being observing. In June 1933, Dr Zworykin, in front of the Institute of Radio Engineers during the Chicago World’s Fair presented his complete description of his television system. 6 7 8

THE ELECTRON MICROSCOPE
The Electron microscope was developed by Dr James Hillier in RCA with the help of Dr Zworykin within a three month period.8

THE SNIPERSCOPE
The Sniperscope or the Snooperscope was developed during the Second World War by Dr Zworykin. He developed this camera which was a hundred times more powerful than the iconoscope. It was also called the first night vision camera and this was used to also measure radioactivity and the tool used for this was called the Scintillation counter.3

Dr ZWORYKIN AND JOHN VON NEUMANN
Since Dr Zworykin was adept with vacuum-tube technology, he worked with the mathematician John Von Neumann on the early development of the computer.6

PERSONAL LIFE
Dr Zworykin was married to Tatiana Vasilieff during the First World War (1914-1918) which ended in divorce. In 1951, he married Dr Katherine Polevitzky who was a physician and was the on e of the first to use RCA’s newly invented Electron Microscope in her research on bacteria which was co-invented by Dr Zworykin.3

contd..

Vladimir Zworykin: Father of Modern Television. Part 3

2008-01-22T05:21:22Z

THE FIRST TELEVISION
In 1923, he demonstrated his first Television system in front of the officials and he filed a patent on Dec 29 of the same year. He called it the Kinescope, which serves as the basis of the television display tubes that are in use today. Since then, all future television systems would be based on Vladimir’s 1923 patent.

]]> He followed up by a second application of essentially the same content but with changes like color transmission and reception. He said that the cathode ray tube could be used as both a transmitter and a receiver, the main operation being to prevent the emission of electrons between scansion cycles. And so each time a cathode ray swept over an image point or a pixel, a small number of electrons would be released which would produce the television signal.5 7

Westinghouse was impressed but was not prepared to invest largely in this matter and he was told by the management to “devote his time to more practical endeavors”. He paid no heed to these words and he kept working off hours and there where times when the laboratory guard would request him to leave at 2.00 in the morning if he saw the lab lights still turned on. This was obviously because of the instructions of the company who thought that Vladimir was wasting the company’s and his time.

He became a citizen of the United States the next year after which he wrote his doctoral dissertation in 1926 and this earned him a PhD from the University of Pittsburg. Armed with a PhD, he started working on his Cathode ray television project in June 1924. The Westinghouse Laboratory was now into the project and they made his project their highest priority. This made Vladimir’s life easier since he could now purchase all the equipments he wanted and could hire any number of people too. However he wasn’t happy for long since Westinghouse took away the project from him and he learnt an important lesson: Commercial Research required Profitability. 5 6 7

THE GREAT DEPRESSION
David Sarnoff, the president of Radio Corporation of America, transferred Vladimir who was now Dr Zworykin to RCA in California in 1929. He was given his own lab and Zworykin designed the color television and filed for the patent later that year. This was the year of the Great Depression when the stock market crashed and all business plummeted. RCA was no different and many departments and offices were shut down but David Sarnoff was prepared to give Dr Zworykin as much money as he said he needed and RCA ended up spending $50 million on the department of television during the 1930s and 1940s.1

contd..

Vladimir Zworykin: Father of Modern Television. Part 2

2008-01-22T05:20:13Z

FIRST WORLD WAR
In 1914, Vladimir had to put an end to his studies due to the war and he eventually returned to Russia. During the war, Vladimir was enlisted and served in the Russian Signal Corps. His expertise in wireless transmission got him a job with the Marconi Company. This was a wonderful opportunity for him since he gained complete access to the latest in radio equipments and high-vacuum amplifying tubes. He met his wife Tatiana Vasilieff during this period.6

]]> POST FIRST WORLD WAR
In early 1917, Vladimir wanted to join the Russian Branch of Marconi but a series of world events forced him to change his mind. After the great civil unrest, the Russian parliament acquired power and the world saw the civil war coming, Vladimir avoided signing up for the Red Army and an immediate arrest was announced. But Vladimir escaped with the help of his friends. 6

USA
Vladimir struggled to get to the USA and he finally did on January 1st 1919. On his arrival, he worked as a bookkeeper for the financial agent in the Russian Embassy. In 1920, he went on to work for the Westinghouse unit of the Radio Corporation of America and soon bought a nice house. 4

WESTINGHOUSE UNIT
Based on their pioneering effort in radio, Vladimir convinced Westinghouse to do research in television and they agreed. He turned down a big offer from Warner Brothers so he could work day and night in the labs designing his very own Television system. 4

contd..