...Final...

I seemed to miss Chapter 10 for some reason. And now that the semester has come to close I would like to end this properly, by covering Ch. 10 as well as giving a final summary of the class and Dr. Tuggle.

Almost all of Chapter 10 was a bit of a blur for me. Paired with Chapter 9, and earning me the lowest test grade in the class, just proved how much knowledge I had actually absorbed from it. One thing I feel like I understood was the system conversion section. Of course like most concepts I understood in this course, I can thank the CLPOA for the knowledge it instilled in me. We had a system which our computer tech created himself, and even though it certainly wasn't perfect, it was almost always functional. One of the main problems, however, was that even though they were not flat files, some of the screens or functions behaved as such. One of the even bigger obstacles was that we had to give handwritten receipts out, instead of being able to enter a payment into the system, and then have a receipt print out. That was one of the new applications that we hired a second computer tech on to work towards, building a new system in which things would run more smoothly, and bring us into the 21st century.

The system conversion that was being implemented seemed to be a cross b/w parallel and pilot, with the pilot locations being the different departments using a mix of the new and old systems, such as the ACC (architectural control committee) and Accounting, while our Member Services Dept. had no access to any of the new system components. Interestingly enough, a year plus after I have worked there, I still do not know if they ever got the new system up and running.

This class was particularly difficult for me in the sense that I learn by doing thing hands on. As me to create a data table after demoing one in class, no problem, as me to set up an Excel spreadsheet w/ cell referencing + addressing, you got it. Test me on concepts...not so much. Even though Dr. Tuggle did a great job at his demonstrations, lecturing over powerpoints, and including news reports and daily little activities, I still feel that this material is difficult for even the most techie minded to grasp. All in all I put everything I could into this class, and I feel that Dr. Tuggle needs to be commended for being so supportive and understanding. For those of you actually reading these blogs for some strange reason unbenownst to me, thank you. But I will no longer be posting new ones, as today was the last day of class, and almost the end of the semester.

...Excel...

Ok well I know that i am just a little bit behind on my blogging. Blame it on end-of-the-semester-itis in order to take tests, complete papers, pull out large chunks of hair...I feel rather confident about my scholastic aptitude this semester thus far, and with only a week to go, I hope I can continue in my success. One of the easiest subjects that we covered in Intro to IS this semester was the Excel in class lectures as well as the homework assignments. Now I honestly hate hearing those smarty-pants-know-it-alls that leave classes saying how easy everything was, but being an Acct. major, these Excel projects were pretty much a breeze.

Let's just pretend that I knew nothing about Excel going into Dr. Tuggle's class. He not only covered the important basics without making things too painful, but also covered a few of the important components that would be useful to almost all business students. I think it's so sad that Dr. Tuggle has to put up with so many "slow down"s, and "I don't understand"s, when it is clear that some people just don't pay attention. Instead of sitting in my own class for the Excel demos, I decided to take the later class. As I watched some people around me in the class I realized why it was so difficult for some of them...they were on the freaking internet the whole time!!! You have got to be kidding me. Dr. Tuggle takes the time to teach such an important program at such a slow pace and you can't manage to keep up because you are chatting to your friends on Facebook?? Wow...Dr. Tuggle I hope your salary includes a babysitting fee.

I took an Excel class 3 years ago at a jr. college, and because it was an online class you pretty much had to teach yourself right out of the book. The teacher was most non-helpful and never available to answer questions, had the wrong answers on tests, and completely shut you out if you challenged her authority. Myself as well as a few other classmates had to go as far as contacting the dean because she was simply MIA and would not respond to emails. Teachers like THAT deserve students who do not pay attention and later ask infuriating questions. Dr. Tuggle deserves students willing to listen and learn, and even if they are not the best and brightest on a computer because he is always available to help!

...Robots...

Learning about Robots was truly the most interesting subject that we have covered thus far, this year. Who would have ever thought a decade or so ago that they would come out with a mini robot that you could program to vacuum your floors for you while you are not home? I am simply in awe and jealous of the fact that Dr. Tuggle owns a Roomba, which is the aforementioned room vacuuming mini robot. One of the most mundane and irritating household tasks for me is dragging a heavy, clunking machine around the house to pick up little odds and ends, dust and dirt, and the ever present clumps of cat hair. So if I can manage to save up a little over $400, a little robot will go around each room that I put a receiver in, saving me time and annoyance. thus poses the only problem: as cool as new technological advances are, you must have and be willing to invest the money.

Money in exchange for convenience is the driving force behind our society today. That's why there are so many fast food restaurants, coffee shops, and electronic gadgets, as well as a website for just about anything. Why go out in the cold, to get in your car to go Christmas shopping, when you can sit in your own home and order every last gift online? Not that I am complaining, because I typically do all of my own personal shopping online, on the other hand, for other people I usually manage to put a little bit of time and effort into gift giving.

...Data Mining...

One of the most interesting concepts out of Chapter 9 is the section on Data Mining. I find it truly fascinating that companies can do a bit of research in trends and purchases, and come up with idea such as convenience stores putting diapers next to beer. Imagine the horror that was your neighborhood 7 Eleven before the studies and data mining? Having to walk from one end of the store all of the way to the other to grab one item than another??

If anything is proven out of studies and research is that people seem to be getting lazier and lazier. Was there studies to show that people would forgo one item or another if they could not find them or had to walk further? I believe that if people truly want something, they will work hard to get it. What actually seems more remarkable to me is that in more recent years Vons stores have been putting their snack aisles directly in back of the alcohol aisles. So that when you go to pick up some Absolut or Jack, you also can see the peanuts, popcorn, chips and candy, and will be inclined to pick up a few of said items for later. Almost more of a marketing ploy, than an actual convenience.

...eBay...

So, I realize that I am quite a few days behind in my blogging, 2 days behind to be exact, so I will use this little study break to play a little catch up. Last Thursday in class, we went over eCommerce. This chapter seemed significantly easier to get through than the other 2, and we did a few fun little activities such as comparing US eBay against Hong Kong eBay and how to visit websites using their IP addresses. I find it quite interesting that planning ahead for the popularity of the internet did not seem to be a factor in the creating period. I find it sort of amusing that because IPv4 seem to be running out, that these already existing addresses need to be converted over to IPv6 addresses.

The second topic that piqued my interest in this section was the introduction of "network sniffers". I knew that evil people were capable of stealing other's credit card numbers online, but I really had no clue how they went about it. Makes it seem all that much more important to know which websites can be trusted and are secure, and which websites should not be trusted as far as you can throw them, look for https(security) and a little gold lock in the bottom corner. This was a practical application that everyone should know before offering their information willingly to strangers. Luckily for me, even with all of the ordering I have done off of websites, some big name ones such as Best Buy and Walmart, I have also ordered off smaller less well-known ones, and I will definitely need to be more careful from now on, because identity theft or stolen credit card numbers does not make for a fun time apparently, or so I've heard.

...AIS...

Since my major is Accounting, there are certain classes that are required and crucial for me to take, which is why I will not be having a winter break that lasts every long, because for some reason unknown to me both sections of Accounting IS were cancelled for Spring semester. So, as it seems, I will be waking up super early every Monday through Wednesday to sit in class for 3 hours straight, I'm just hoping that we do some sort of activities and not just listen to the professor all day.

Ok, so I got a little off track, but I had a point. On Tuesday we started learning about the functional business systems, and luckily for me I received a bit of an overview of AIS. Everyone always seems to mention how difficult computer classes are, unless they are Comp. Science majors, but I tend to disagree. Out of all of my classes this semester, the least dismal of my test scores come from Info. to IS. Accounting IS is like a two for one deal: accounting and computer work. Luckily, I am a tad bit familiar with the way some components of an accounting IS work after setting up the accounts payable module at the dental lab I was working for last year. I also did a little bit of work on the accounts receivable section as well. Hopefully this prior experience will help me in the classes to come.

...E-Business...

Class has seemed a little bit long and strenuous to me lately, not because Dr. Tuggle's teaching has become any different or less passionate, but perhaps because as the semester hit the halfway point, all professors have been expecting more: more papers, more tests, more homework. If I seem a little bit dazed and confused it's only because my brain is stretching to it's limits. God I need a vacation!

Luckily for me, there was one concept that seemed to just jump out at me during last Thursday's lecture: E-Business. Gone are the days when I have to drag my lazy butt off the couch to buy a new dress or pair of shoes for a special occasion. No need to leave the living room or the marathon of House reruns, because with the invention of the internet came online purchasing and selling. Not that shopping online is a new concept. I remember one of my best friends in junior high had Prodigy at home. Now I know not a lot of people remember this online service, but I certainly remember Trish showing me how she could shop the JC Penny's catalog from her parents office computer in her own house!

E-Business, I believe, is crucial in this day and time. What with the skyhigh gas prices as well as the overpopulation of many cities. Just point and click, and anything you want will be delivered to your home within a matter of days. Easy? Yes. Efficient? You bet. Now if only the numbers to customer service actually could connect you to a real live person instead of a voice activated message system. :)