Abstract This paper aims to prove that the U.S. government should not regulate the Internet. It shows how the government has used a number of reasons to support its quest for regulation, such as protecting children, yet it has ignored the fact that there are other methods to control harmful and illegal material online without hindering the Internet's growth and capabilities. It examines how the Internet is currently a major example of the First Amendment: freedom of speech and how on the Internet, people can say whatever they want without consequence. It attempts to assess how it would be impossible for any single government or nation to completely regulate the internet, because by nature, the Internet is resistant to control and regulation.
From the Paper "The government claims that the Internet should be regulated because pornographic and hate sites need to be controlled. However, these sites are only a very small part of the Internet. In addition, there are already existing laws throughout the world that regulate these sites, enabling authorities to track, investigate, arrest and convict parties engaging in illegal Internet activities, including credit fraud, hacking, pedophilia and more (117).
Government regulation, such as blocking Web sites from harmful or illegal content is a drastic and unnecessary measure that does solve the problems presented by the Internet. Even if the regulation were successful, it would be impossible to solve the problem of sites outside the U.S. The government still continue to argues that this regulation is necessary, particularly to protect the children."
Abstract This paper considers the ways in which technology and innovation have challenged the music industry, with an economic perspective in mind, drawing on current articles and supports. In particular, it looks at the move from the LP to the CD and more recently, the innovation of MP3 technology which has forced the industry to make swift choices about marketing strategies. It evaluates the legal aspects of downloading free music from the internet and copyright violations through examples of lawsuits.
From the Paper "Even though bootlegged copies of popular albums had been available for decades, the poor quality of these products limited this impact on the music industry. But the emergence of the MP3 changed not only the way that consumers accessed product, but also the way that artists and their labels contemplated their business. The quality of the product offered by MP3 technology rivaled the CD market, leaving little room for consumer discretion in this regard."
Abstract This paper examines how children these days spend more time watching TV or playing video games than any other activity save sleeping and how most studies so far indicate that video games can have both positive and negative effects on children, depending on the time spent in the activity and the type of video games played. It details these affects such as giving the child a good introduction to the use of computers and stress relief as well as the promotion of violence and the increase of obesity and weight problems through inactivity. It concludes with recommendations for parental intervention and the social responsibility of the manufacturers in order to control these phenomena.
From the Paper "Scientists have studied the physiological response of playing violent video games on people by measuring such responses as the heart rate and the galvanic skin response (the electrical activity on the skin). The studies show that the responses vary according to the content of the games?the more violent games tend to produce a response similar to an adrenaline rush and the reactions were more pronounced in the adolescent males. (Clements). The research also shows that the players of violent games quickly get de-sensitized to the degree of violence. This "de-sensitization" has more than one disturbing aspect to it. "
Abstract This paper examines how cell phones and personal digital assistants PDAs have skyrocketed and are now quite common and viewed as a "must have" by numerous individuals. It shows how as technology has advanced, the size and features of cell phones and PDAs has also advanced, to the point where cell phones and PDAs have many functions that were once the exclusive domain of facsimiles and personal computers. It provides a brief history of the development of both gadgets and outlines their main functions and discusses current advancements as well as what the future holds for them.
From the Paper "In 1994, the FCC declared it was allocating spectrum specifically for PCS technologies at the 1,900 MHz band. These new digital wireless standards are currently still being used in PCS. With these technological advances, the marketing of cell phones shifted from high volume business users who were largely unconcerned with cost to the general public who was cost conscious and lobbied for a higher quality of service and more features. In 2001, Ericsson launched its color-screened T69 in Europe; by 2002, Sprint PCS, Motorola, Nextel, and other major cell phone manufacturers released their own versions of color-screen cell phones among much fanfare. "
Tags: computers, facsimiles, technology, wireless, communication
Abstract This research paper argues that the U.S. government should not regulate the Internet. One important reason is that it would go against the nations? right to freedom of speech. The government has used a number of reasons to support its quest for regulation, such as protecting children, yet it has ignored the fact that there are other methods to control harmful and illegal material online without hindering the Internet's growth and capabilities. This paper shows that it would be impossible for any single government or nation to completely regulate the Internet, because by nature, the internet is resistant to control and regulation.
From the Paper "The government claims that the Internet should be regulated because pornographic and hate sites need to be controlled. However, these sites are only a very small part of the Internet. In addition, there are already existing laws throughout the world that regulate these sites, enabling authorities to track, investigate, arrest and convict parties engaging in illegal Internet activities, including credit fraud, hacking, pedophilia and more (117). Government regulation, such as blocking Web sites from harmful or illegal content is a drastic and unnecessary measure that does solve the problems presented by the Internet. Even if the regulation were successful, it would be impossible to solve the problem of sites outside the U.S. The government still continue to argues that this regulation is necessary, particularly to protect the children."
Abstract This paper analyzes the evolution of Extensible Markup Language (XML) which has become a major server side resource for web site presentations. It examines how the standard HTML had become a rigid and standardized mark-up language for browsers and how XML was designed from its inception to be flexible enough to describe any kind of mark up schema that the industry could devise. It looks at how the most basic use for XML is to describe the data structure of the provided data, however its ability for data transformations has made it into the database world for transferring data from one table schema to another one. Today it has become the de facto format for modern configuration files, and every major vendor has XML in their product offering in one form or another. XML hasn?t replaced HTML; instead it has found a companion role in providing the data that is presented in HTML.
From the Paper "When XML was first designed, many people thought that XML would be quickly adopted as a replacement for HTML. At first, XML was used to describe scientific terms and domains such as chemistry and music. This
never really caught on beyond the small groups who championed their
mark-ups. Instead, XML has become more of a server side tool than a presentation tool. However, HTML 4 has been extended into XHTML. Even though this is a new standard, compatibility with existing HTML user agents is possible by following a small set of guidelines. This means that the original vision might yet be realized as more tools are developed that produce content in this format."
Abstract This paper examines the famous case of Napster being sued by the RIAA over copyright infringement by their technology that allowed individual users to share personal recordings across the Internet. It looks at the arguments from both sides against restraint, the legal position of both sides and the ethics of the whole episode. It evaluates how Napster's enterprise deprived artists of their rightful profit from their work even though it probabley was not the intent upon Napster's entry into the marketplace and whether Napster were really at fault since they posted the copyright rules on their web site.
From the Paper "The RIAA claimed that Napster did not have any non-infringing uses that were commercially significant. The RIAA also claimed that copying off a television program is different than copying and distributing off a cd. Napster's position was that they were comparable to Sony because they are providing the directory that enables users to use it for non-infringing purposes. In this phase of the argument, both parties made reference to the Universal City Studios v. Sony case. Which determined that it was OK to videotape television shows for personal use. In Sony, why isn't it acceptable to copy music from the Internet for personal use?"
Abstract This paper discusses the effects and issues related to web-based customer service, focusing on e-service and customer relationship management tools. Traditional customer services are compared to Web-based service and benefits of self-sufficient customers and responsive Web sites are explained. Ethical, social, and economic concerns revolving around web-based customer service are addressed, focusing on the challenges that lie in integrating Web-based marketing, service, support and communication with traditional channels and the organizations that support them. In critiquing this technology, strategies are recommended for implementation and improvement of current online support.
From the Paper "Traditionally, the "concept of e-commerce has been associated with providing information, expressing brand awareness, and telling the corporate story in the virtual marketplace"(Ruyter 2001). Increasingly, businesses are also using "virtual storefronts" to sell and distribute their products (Ruyter 2001). However, a 100-year trend tells us that today's economy is changing (Rust 2001). Business is no longer ?one size fits all,? mass marketing is being replaced by a consumer economy. According to Dan Flack, program director at IBM Americas, "Businesses must change their mass economy marketing habits and make an organizational commitment to do business on customer terms" (Flack 2001). Rather than merely supplying information and selling products, companies must provide "consumers with a superior experience with respect to the interactive flow of information" (Rust 2001). Increasing consumer expectations of the buying experience, with respect to self-sufficiency and personalization, have resulted in the rise of e-services in the virtual marketplace. E-service encapsulates the imperative building blocks of web-based customer service: self-service, responsive web sites, and consumer tracking."
Abstract Analysis of the company's strengths and weaknesses. Management strategies. Problems faced by AOL and possible solutions. Describes makeup of company and its interactive services, etc.) SWOT analysis (internal and external environment). Porter's Five Forces analysis. Contends AOL's P/E ratios are out of whack in relation to its value. Three charts.
From the Paper "AOL Business Analysis
1. Overview
This analysis of America Online (AOL) will detail some of the strengths and weaknesses of that company, and consider some of the strategies that its management has undertaken. The analysis will also consider some of the problems that the company faces, and suggest possible solutions for those problems. AOL is a complex company, and it is essential to describe some parts of the business in detail.
AOL is a division of AOL Time-Warner, which is a media conglomerate. AOL is headquartered in Dulles Virginia, and as its primary business is an Internet Service Provider with more than 30 million online customers, who pay a monthly fee of $24 for the service.
America Online..."
Abstract Examines benefits to employers and privacy issues of employees. Current state of the law (federal & state). Political and moral issues. Differing views of labor and business groups. Cites legal cases & decisions. Difference between a supervisor watching & employee video cameras. Employee rights advocates.
From the Paper "Should an employer be allowed to conduct video surveillance of its employees in the workplace? No, say employees, who feel that such surveillance violates their right to privacy. Yes, say employers, who argue that employees have no right to privacy in the employer's workplace, and the employer's need to prevent misconduct and maximize productivity outweigh the privacy interests of employees. This paper will examine this question, focusing on the current state of the law (both federal and state) and the continuing political and moral debate among labor and business groups.
Employers utilize video surveillance for a variety of reasons. Situations that require scrutiny include suspicion of drug use, conducting personal business on company time, revealing trade secrets, surfing the Internet, and harassment issues..."
Abstract Examines concerns over computer invasion of privacy. Electronic data-processing equipment. Pravacy problems involved in government, corporations & financial institutions gathering private electronic information. Growth of database information & ways in which private data is used by organizations. Concerns of public. Selling software programs & information.
From the Paper "Corporations have long used what we might call private data for a competitive advantage. What has changed recently is that with the increasing use of the computer, companies can access even more such data than ever before and perhaps make better use of it. Every company develops its own database of private information based simply on its own clientele, with information such as income levels, residency patterns, spending habits, and so on. Today, computer services gather and collate the same type of information on a much broader scale, making use of data gathered by everything from credit card use to swiping a supermarket club card at the checkout counter. Financial institutions possess a mass of private data by which they can make decisions and target consumers on such things as loans, sales of financial instruments, and similar issues."
Abstract Examines reliance of contemporary executives on IT to conduct business. Impact of Internet & the World Wide Web (WWW) on business. Variables & changes that characterize the industry. Resistence to change. How chaos theory can be applied to change the role of IT from a reactive to a proactive organization. Discusses the IT approach in which theoretical and applied IT professionals can work together.
From the Paper "Introduction
Information Technology has grown out of Information Systems, which were formerly Management Information Systems, which often started as Data Processing groups. The various titles given to these departments illustrate the evolution of the role that information plays within organizations, and the increasingly important role that computers play as part of managing that information. Today's executives depend on information technology not only to provide them with critical reports, but to conduct business in ways which were not thought of even ten years ago. The Internet and World Wide Web has increased the reliance of companies on technology, and the factors which shape that technology have become increasingly complex. This research considers how chaos theory can be applied to changing the role of information technology ..."
Abstract Comparison of the two retailers. Compares a physical store with a electronic market. SWOT analysis of both operations (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats). Discusses similarities. Nordstrom as a major upscale retailer, "shopping as entertainment" concept, low sales record. Business model of Bluefly.com, an Internet retailer of discounted designer fashion brands.
From the Paper "Comparison of BlueFly.com and Nordstroms
When comparing a "brick and mortar" store with a "click and buy" or "click and brick" operation, the only valid way to pursue the analysis is to concentrate on operations that sell roughly the same products and target the same customers. In this respect, both Bluefly.com and Nordstrom's have many similarities: A) They both target upscale customers; B) They both offer a wide variety of merchandise that is at the top of the market; and, C) They are both desperately in search of identity. We shall first perform SWOT Analyses of the two operations.
Nordstroms, Inc. (Brick and Mortar)
Nordstrom's is Number 320 in the Fortune 500, and is one of the Standard & Poor's 500 major companies. It is in the most competitive of all sectors, retail; and within the retail sector, it is in the
Abstract The writer shows the advantages of the way in which the Dell Computer Company and Gateway Computer Company sell directly to the buyer, providing not only economic benefits inherent in maintaining virtually no inventory, but also allowing them to interact directly with their customers.
From the Paper "PC marketers are having a harder time than before as the saturation begins to take hold in the market; household computer penetration is rising past 50%. With the advent of inexpensive (and even free) machines, the computer hardware industry is moving toward commoditization. (Brandweek, June 21, 1999). PC prices are falling and the public is looking more and more at wireless options for Internet access representing computing, content and communications; desktop machines are less the center of consumer attention and sales than before."
Tags: sales, hardware, consumer, communications, business
Abstract The paper shows how these two companies function as part of the enormous and ever-growing software, internet, and computer market of today. Oracle and Sybase have some overlapping functions; however, the paper focuses on the different services they provide to the world market.
From the Paper "Sybase, Inc., located in Emeryville, California, is a global provider of software solutions for businesses to manage, deliver and distribute information across mixed computing environments. Sybase, Inc. develops relational database systems for computers distributed in networks. (Money Central Investor, www.msn.com, 12/16/00). The company's primary markets include financial service providers, insurance companies, telecommunications companies and defense and government agencies. The company's software products may be utilized on hardware platforms including those manufactured by Compaq (Digital, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and Sun Microsystems. They are able to handle a wide range of operating systems including UNIX applications, Windows, Window NT and Linux."
