Abstract The internet has allowed much in the way of increased freedom for information collection and exchange. As a public medium of communication, transactions conducted over the internet are often subject to the scrutiny of unauthorized individuals. The paper explains that the ease with which the internet is utilized has forced the issue of secure communication and secure transaction down to the smaller size enterprise. Unfortunately, to obtain the same level of security brings with it a high cost of investment and continued ownership. The Virtual Private Network (VPN) has changed all of this. VPNs are able to connect remote users and remote LANs into functional networks. This paper describes the VPN in terms of what it is, how it functions, the protocols utilized and its future direction.
Table of Contents
Introduction
What is a Virtual Private Network
How it Works
What Type of Protocols are Used
PPTP
L2F
L2TP
IPSec
Socks
The Future for Virtual Private Networks
Conclusion
Endnotes
From the Paper "More specifically, two architectures exist for setting up a tunnel. They are client-initiated and client-transparent. The client-initiated tunnel requires tunneling software reside both at the client end as well as on the associated gateways, although the software could reside as well at the ISP POP that serves as the central site. Client software initiates the tunnel and the gateway-resident software terminates the tunnel. In this scenario, the ISP would not have to support the tunneling and the client and tunnel server establish the tunnel using authentication that is based upon a user ID and password. Similarly, the tunnel server and client can also negotiate an encryption sequence. Regardless, once the tunnel is set up, the communication proceeds as if the ISP were absent."
Abstract After a review of the history of technology, this paper discusses how technology affects the social, political and economic status of a nation. The author goes on to look at whether technology in each of these advanced stages of development are beneficial or non-beneficial to man.
From the Paper "Technology is a term used to refer to the inventions and innovations that are introduced in our society as human needs and wants increase. In fact, technology is technically defined as, "the ways people use their inventions and discoveries to satisfy their needs and desires" (Beaver 1991 76). Although technology was said to have advanced when the Industrial Revolution came into being. However, it can be observed that even in ancient times, technology was already practiced and applied in the everyday activities of the ancient man. The crude tools and weapons that the earliest man had used for his food-hunting and gathering activities show how technology was already in practice, only, it is crude in form and somewhat a lower level in development as compared to technology today. When man discovered how to make fire, technology was advanced further from its ?prehistoric level,? since fire is the essential discovery man has learned to apply as technology because fire is man's ultimate form of survival from the cold climate and food-making of men during earlier times. Through time, as man became more sophisticated, and man's needs and wants increased, the level of advancement in technology also increased."
Abstract The paper analyzes the way that that information systems are changing the healthcare industry. The paper discusses the different information needs of the various stakeholders in the industry-- medical staff, patients and healthcare professionals. It also examines the risks introduced by information systems into the healthcare system, creating issues of security, privacy, and confidentiality.
From the Paper "Stakeholders in the U.S. healthcare system include private and public purchasers of health plans, physicians, hospitals, clinics, health plans, consumers, and public health programs. Each stakeholder wants quick access to information for a variety of reasons. Private and public purchasers need to decide which health plans to offer their employees and want to ensure that they are getting the best value for their premium dollar. Physicians need to be informed about advances in medicine so that they can provide information to patients about the latest treatment alternatives. Health plans need to manage enrollees effectively, monitor contracts with providers and healthcare facilities and make financial decisions. Consumers must select health plans, doctors, and other health professionals that will meet their needs. Public health programs are responsible for ensuring that the health of the population is maintained and for tracking progress toward established community health goals."
Abstract This paper begins by discussing the demographics of women who use the internet, then looks at their surfing habits and reasons for using the internet. It then examines the types of products that consumers purchase and how Carol's Kitchen could fit into a certain niche of these purchasing trends. The paper finally discusses existing competition.
From the Paper "The existing and potential customers for Carol's Kitchen are likely to welcome the addition of an electronic commerce Web site. Busy women now use the Web to both purchase online and to also identify candidates for offline purchases for just about any product that they already purchase. While care will have to be taken to foster site usage for certain buyers, the opportunities will well justify the effort. "
Abstract Adequate security is now accepted as a basic requirement for every e-commerce or networked system. This applies to all the underlying components - the LAN, Firewall, Routers, Internet and so on. The paper shows that as the surge of online consumers continues, e-commerce security is drawing more and more attention from businesses and consumers alike. But one issue, the security of proprietary information sent over the internet, keeps getting in the way. In expanding access to e-commerce solutions, organizations increase their risk of exposing vital corporate information to external parties. The paper shows that such viruses and hacker tools are available around the world virtually instantaneously via the Web. Viral detection software can find and eliminate computer viruses. However, even when one problem is addressed, companies cannot get too comfortable, because safe today does not mean safe tomorrow.
From the Paper "The security problems of the future will be the same as those of the present: management of complexity. Software systems suffer security problems because they are complex, large, and difficult to program; a single flaw can give an attacker a foothold into an otherwise very strong system. Good design and a solid security foundation can provide multiple levels of protection, and reduce the risk of a system being completely compromised. Future electronic commerce systems will require correct interoperation among end points, browsers, servers, firewalls, and other network devices that haven't been invented yet. As the number of cooperating agents increases, the chances that everything will perform correctly decreases."
The paper analyzes the Point of Sale (POS) inventory management system used by retailer Wal-Mart to keep inventory and labor costs low while increasing the accuracy of their inventory management.
Abstract The paper looks at how inventory management systems benefit large firms and examines how Wal-Mart's information system functions. The paper explores the effect of the management information system on its users and focuses on the software specifically designed to support the team approach essential to the organization. The paper also discusses the necessity for creating a model for the system prior to its creation.
From the Paper "Much of the action required to operate and manage inventory levels with this system is back up, verification, and system maintenance. Strict government regulation regarding computerized pricing practices mandate that retailers keep the marked priced on the products as well as maintain the computer database. Managing this dual pricing system is time consuming. Actual inventory levels must be checked against computer records on an ongoing basis in order to ensure proper inventory levels on every item. At a corporate level, this sales and inventory information can be used to determine items to carry, discontinue, feature on special, etc."
Abstract This paper discusses Napster, first started by college student Shawn Fanning in 1999, that facilitated the sharing of recorded songs over the Internet. It shows the way Napster operated until its shut down in September of 2002, due to multiple charges that the website violated copyright infringement. The paper then looks at the void left in the market by Napster and shows how other entrepreneurs are looking for legal ways to enter the market for digitized music files.
From the Paper "Anticipating the void left by Napster, various other individuals began working on alternatives that would still allow the swapping of music files without violating the law. Ian Clarke, a programmer in England, designed a program to facilitate untraceable files. His program would allow anything to be traded, including pornography. He said that those who made their money on copyrights should just find another way to make their living (Levy, 2000). He did not explain how anyone could profit from writing songs without copyright protection. In addition, what is untraceable now may well be traceable in the future, and it is unlikely that all nations of the world will do away with copyright law."
Abstract This paper discusses how today software requirements analysis has become an indispensable part of software development. It examines how the system development life cycle incorporates the complete analysis, design and maintenance of any software project wherein each phase of the project is meticulously planned and based on the previous phase. It considers the requirements engineering process in a little detail.
Outline
Introduction
The Software Requirements Specification
Languages for Requirements Specification (Automated Tools)
PSL/PSA
RSL/REVS
Structured Analysis and Design Technique
Effect of Bad Requirements Analysis
Conclusion
From the Paper "The software requirements specification is a comprehensive document, which presents all the different aspects involved in the software development. This includes the product overview, data flow, functional requirements, performance requirements, methods to handle exceptions, provisions for modification etc. It is desirable that the software specification or requirements report should be correct, complete, consistent, clear, functional, verifiable, traceable and easily changeable. If the requirements are badly stated or incomplete we might end up developing software that satisfies the requirements but still way behind the user expectations."
Abstract The number of eBay members on-line today is incredible. eBay has succeeded in redefining the way the general public buys and sells just about anything, as well as how the world communicates with one another. The reasons for the success and popularity of eBay really come down to a few things: membership, choice, value and communication. This paper discusses the success of the eBay phenomenon, emphasizing how its innovative method of global communication filled a much-needed void in the consumer marketplace.
I. Abstract
II. Introduction
III. About eBay
IV. eBay's Phenomenal Success
V. Conclusion
VI. Bibliography
From the Paper "In 1995, Pierre Omidyar, a Silicon Valley software engineer, created website so his girlfriend could find other collectors of Pez dispensers (Avis, 2002). To his surprise, droves of people came to the site wanting to trade various types of collectibles. He slowly expanded the Web site, eventually quitting his job to accommodate the overwhelming pressures of his new and successful site, which was generating thousands of dollars in fees per day."
Abstract This analysis applies Porter's Five Forces Model to Gateway Communications, a company that sells direct to computer consumers through a modified Dell Computers direct channel approach. The paper concludes that with a solid base in R&D and an organized manufacturing capability, Gateway is an extremely able competitor as proven by its consistent if not stunning financial track record.
Table of Contents:
Five Force Analysis
Risk of Entry by Potential Competitors
Bargaining Power of Suppliers
Bargaining Power of Buyers
Risk of Entry by Potential Competitors
Threat of Substitute Products.
Conclusion
From the Paper "With a solid base in R&D and an organized manufacturing capability, Gateway is an extremely able competitor as proven by its consistent if not stunning financial track record. Its main weaknesses seem to derive from underestimating the consumer's taste and opinion levels; today's customer wants style along with standardized qualities like, ease of use, reliability, and compatibility with existing products."
Abstract This paper details the beginnings of Priceline.com, an integrated Web-based e-marketing automated system. It looks at Priceline.com's transformation from a limited liability company to a corporation and the marketing hurdles it now faces because of increased competition in the dotcom market place. The paper defines the problems besetting Priceline.com now and offers a solution to the problems.
From the Paper "Where can a traveler satisfy every need at their price, be it airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, mortgages, new automobiles? The answer is Priceline.com. All you have to do is know your need, state your terms, and make your offer. It doesn?t get easier than this. Priceline.com was one of the pioneer online companies to traverse the traditional limitations of the Internet and revolutionize online purchasing. It's strategy ? letting the consumer name his/her price, and matching it with a seller who is willing to fill the demand at that price and those conditions, there by providing the required service the consumer desires. Thus Priceline.com is basically an integrated, Web-based e-marketing automated system, which was one of its kinds when it started its business in the consumer marketplace."
Abstract This paper examines how e-marketing has become an essential part of the marketing strategies for corporations around the globe and how organizations must find innovative ways to market their products through the technologies of the 21st century. It discusses the integration of e-marketing strategies into the overall marketing plan of Dresser-Rand which sells parts and energy solutions for the compressor industry. It focuses on understanding e-marketing and looks at how segmentation and positioning strategies will affect the marketing and media mix.
Outline
Introduction
Dresser-Rand
Understanding E-Marketing
Segmentation and Positioning Strategies
Affect of Segmentation and Positioning Strategies on the Marketing and Media Mix
Conclusion
From the Paper "Segmentation and Positioning can prove to be beneficial to the marketing and media mix for Dresser-Rand. The segmentation and positioning strategies of the company will still allow them to use the traditional forms of marketing and media promotions. However these strategies and the nature of the Internet in general may create shorter product life cycles. According to Frost and Strauss (2000) product life cycles occur because of the increased level of global competition that now exists because of the Internet. Product life cycles are also decreased because of the current pace in the development of various technological advancements. "
Argues that globalization is the set of processes that first connect and then integrate societies, fragmenting and transcending the traditional social structures they confront.
Abstract Globalization is centuries old and has proceeded throughout history at an irregular pace and with uneven intensity. Economic and cultural globalization have accelerated again late in this century, after almost 50 years of regression. More and more, national economies are now integrated into a single global marketplace through trade, finance, production, and a dense web of international treaties and institutions. Cultural products with widely recognized icons are shared globally. The speed and intensity of global connection and integration in the last two decades have provoked serious debate about their cultural and social consequences and, in this context, deep concern about the continuing capacity of the state to provide social justice. The paper focuses not on economic globalization, usually the principal subject of analysis, but rather on the cultural and social dimensions of global connection and integration. This paper describes this idea and its origins so as to understand in depth the true rationale of globalization. It then examines the political and the economical proportions which power the environment of the debate in this area. This study is based on historical and descriptive analysis which is considered to be among the most popular methods in international and comparative studies. These methods help to trace the roots of the research problem and its effect on the present debate about globalization. At the same time, the descriptive technique helps explore the relationship between the different elements that are associated with the contemporary developments of globalization.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Globalization and Technology
Chapter 3: Globalization in Technology Influence Culture and Language
Chapter 4: Globalization Influence in Education
Educational Institutions
Students
Curriculum
International and Global Studies
Chapter 5: The Global Citizen in a Global Culture
Chapter 6: Recommendation
Conclusion
Reference
From the Paper "Such a radical undermining of people's existing values and cultures has a corrosive impact on their sense of who they are, what they want and what they respect. It attacks spiritual values and faith traditions. The cumulative effect in countries is a crisis of cultural confidence, combined with the increased economic uncertainty and crime which global integration often brings. This creates real problems for social solidarity, whether it is at the level of nation, community or family. While it offers shiny new goods as compared to old faded ones, the market offers no replacement for such community solidarity."
Abstract This paper compares the role of automobiles in 1920's society with that of today's society. The paper discusses the role of automobiles from various points taking many aspects into consideration.
