Mission Impossible????

Although I have been attending class at UMUC since 2004, I still become anxious at the start of the semester.  Once the class is opened, I immediately go to the syllabus and reading the course expectation, projects descriptions, and other items.  Then I become even more panic sets in when I think that I have 12 weeks to go!  Invariably, I find ways to manage the challenge each course entails with an action plan.  Once I submit and receive feedback, then I get a sense of what the professor is like.  Does she/he provide quality feedback, does he/she grade fairly, or does he/she respond to questions and concerns in a timely manner.  As soon as I know the aforementioned information, I start to develop the confidence to tackle the challenges the course requires.

In the particular course, I found the mini-projects challenging. Yet, in an odd way the mini-projects were enjoyable, especially when I involved my children.  Each Monday, I imagined I was a secret agent in the same vein as the agents on the late 1960’s TV show, Mission Impossible.  While most of my classmates probably have no idea about this show, the agents would receive instructions via tape recorder and when the message was finished the tape unit would self-destruct.

Fortunately, nothing self-destructed as I received my assignments, but I almost had a melt-down when the audio did not work for my Podomatic assignment.  Podomatic was problematic, so I attempted to submit my using YouTube.  My children are huge YouTube fans, so when they learned I was going to submit an assignment at this site, they were a bit horrified. Imagine their Dad on a medium where all their friends could watch my, “Holographic Episode”   My daughter gave me feedback on my script (it was lame), and my son starred in holographic form. After the video was completed they were a bit disappointed it did not work entirely.  This is one of many “take-a-ways” I benefitted from this course, receiving input and involvement from my children.

Therefore, Professor Pang, I thank you for the challenging assignments and the quality and timely feedback I received on the assignments.  I bid you the best as you continue to inspire other students seeking to be enlighten in the information technology world. This mission was possible.

Adrian

Thanks Team Trail Blazers

The bulk of this week’s focus was on the Group Assignment.  In all honesty, I detest group assignments primarily due to previous unpleasant experiences. I completed my individual contribution at 2am on Sunday morning and planned to submit my portion to Goggle Docs later in the day.  When I attempted to access my draft, to my extreme displeasure, my document was corrupted.  Not other file was affected other than this crucial file.  At this discovery, it felt as if all the air had been sucked from my body.  Not only was I disappointment, but my group members were waiting for my contribution.  After I was resuscitated by my daughter (just kidding, but did feign fainting) and a long walk, I located an earlier draft.  I immediately contacted my group mates of the situation and to my surprise they understood.

Group assignments can be risky propositions: there is a 50/50 chance of getting a good or bad group. This is especially uncertain with the online format, since it is hard to measure dispositions and personalities. This is where the value of video technology can play a role.  In the real world working in teams could be accomplished using the many video conferencing technologies which bring groups of people from around the world to work collaboratively.  Still, drafting a seamless document is a challenge.  However, this exercise is important to development interpersonal skills, critical thinking, respecting the opinions of others, and dealing with deadlines.

Thanks team Trailblazers for all your efforts.

Adrian







Temptations Abound

Black Friday has passed and now Cyber Monday is tomorrow. It has been projected that sales will far exceed Black Friday sales. Most cyber customers are not at home, but at work trying to capture great deals. These customers are using company resources for personnel benefit. Is this unethical? Not really, because my company allows limited use of the Internet for personal business. The problem arises when employees spend too much time on the computer taking away paid time from the employer.

Ethical behavior really has foundations early in our childhood whenour parents and caregivers teach us right from wrong.  As early as the age of two or three, we can teach our children the importance of being truthful.  Something as simple as telling a child not to eat cookies, yet when the parent leaves the room the child takes and eats a cookie anyway is a form of stealing.  The child broke the household rule.

While thrift store shopping this weekend, as my daughter and I were about to check out, a woman frantically rushed into the store. She had tried a watch on and forgot to pay for it. She realized her mistake as she was packing her car.  Although the watch was only $2.00, she displayed personal integrity, and I am glad my daughter was able to witness such honesty.

Ethical behavior should be established well before a person becomes employed. So when we get to the workplace, business ethics should be an extension of personal ethics.  Information technology nowadays allows employees access to all types of information while at work.  There is always a temptation to use computers for private business.

Each year our company requires the annual training, to insure employees are in line with company guidelines. Awareness training is important because it addresses issues of intellectual property rights, customer and employee privacy, security of company records and more.  Which reminds me: I need to complete my training for FY2011.

And the adage goes.....

“Failure to plan, means planning to fail.” The SWOT analysis, if done objectively can provide needed insight on element to improve the business or help the business meet their goals.  This week’s lesson reinforces my idea that research and thorough analysis should be useful to any major life decision.  Value planning is not only crucial in business, but can be applied to our personal decision.    The process of choosing a college is a major life decision. Last year, when my son in the process of trying to select a college there were many choices and options to consider.   It was an exciting, yet confusing time. At that time I had no idea of SWOT analysis or other business models for decision making.  Yet the same types of strategies were useful for the choosing a college: cost of attendance, academic reputation, crime rate, location, student-to-teacher ratio among other factors was items to consider and review.  He came to make for advice and I suggested he write down the pros and cons, which ultimately allow us to make decision that was best for the situation.

Where It's Made

For those of us parents, we know the joys and pains of potty training.  It is really a milestone for the child as she/he gains independence and the parent is released from the financial burden from buying disposable diapers.  Potty training takes patience, so when I was potty training my daughter, I devised a game while my trainee was waiting to “produce”. Bathrooms are filled with a multitude of products from soaps to bathroom scrum removers. The game went this way: I picked up a product, told my daughter what it was, and then where it was made. After many visits to the potty, my daughter insightful observed; not many products are made in the America.

This week’s topic on globalization and outsourcing does impact our individual lives. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with foreign produced products.  The problem arises when there are disapportionate amounts of products imported to this country. Further, when the quality of the products affects the health and safety of our citizens, then there is a cause for concern and accountability.

Many of the products indentified as toxic have originated from China. The products range from dollar store trinkets and toys, health and beauty aid, among others. Therefore, better quality assurance measures must be adhered to if the United States continues to import products from China or any nation for that matter. Perhaps, the next generation will not be so impetuous to save a dollar, but favor quality and toxin free products not matter where they are produced.

Reallife ERP

Reflective Journal
ERPs do in fact help the business run more efficiently. In my work history, ERPs have been the normal mode of operation for years. Fortunately, I work for an organization which believes information sharing is a must. Just recently, we received an upgrade to our DR(discrepancy reporting system) and MAXIMO(asset management). Both of these management system house information that is viewed daily by decision makers. The information they glean help pinpoint problem areas with equipment, operational discrepancies, ordering information among many other matters.

However, there have been issues. The old discrepancy system lost functionality prior to the implementation of the new system. Yet, upper management still wanted to know why preventative have gone unreported. Clearly, there was an obviously discontent. So, we had to relay on “good ole” pen and paper to record our issue and place it in four drawer file cabinet. So, old century! Once the new system did become available there was pressure to update information to the new system. The problem with this is we had a full operation schedule, so we perform operations first and the paper work became secondary. The database administrator wanted the information updated and proceeded to inform the direct supervisor our section was insubordinate. Despite all the benefits ERPs offer, office politics does play a significant role in how well it functions.

The Next Generation Troubleshooters

Week Five Reflective Journal

Although I have been using the Internet since the early 1990’s, I never really considered the backbone infrastructure which actually allows it to function.  The current infrastructure, IPv4 has nearly reached capacity, and the upgrade, IPv6 is waiting to be deployed.  However there are few issues surrounding the upgrade including cost, performance, and compatibility concerns.

In my introduction blog, I mentioned that a serve as an advisor with the Career and Technology Education program at Parkside High School located in Salisbury, MD.  Advisors provide input from various industries allowing instruction to shape their programs to be relevant to the needs of businesses as well as preparation for college.  Today’s generation has grown up with the Internet and other high technology products.  Conceivably, they will be the problem solvers for the concerns with IPv6 and other problems faced today.

See more about the CTE program at http://cte.wcboe.org/?page_id=268

Adrian

Data Mining Reflective Journal

Customer information, purchasing information, credit card numbers, and related personal data are housed on databases. This week’s discussion is certainly timely in light of the all the security breaches in government, entertainment, corporation, and social networks. Data we entrust to corporations and even to our medical providers is not secure as we would like, despite to best efforts on part of data possessors to the contrary. This week I participated in another 5K race benefiting the Palliative Care and Hospice Community of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Certainly an organization like hospice use personal data for most altruistic intentions. However, what measures do these often cash strapped firms deploy to protect their databases. I received an e-mail from the director the hospice organization informing me of the race about three weeks ago. Considering the topics of this week does heighten a level of concern of my personal data. Military organization, large corporations, and other institutions are hacked constantly. These organizations have the money for network security protections, but are barely keeping pace with cyber- criminals. Smaller organizations like non-profits barely have the funds to operate their programs let alone have the funds to afford network security protections. We live in a new age where our personal data is at risk. So we must be vigilant in protecting our information by using strong passwords, using anti-virus software, and only acknowledging e-mails from people and organizations we know are legitimate. 

Visit http://www.hpces.org/

Adrian Justis

Cloudy days are not bad at all!

I subscribe to a couple of high technology magazines, but I rarely have time to read them. I did notice on a recent issue of Oracle Magazine, articles on cloud computing. Coincidentally, this week’s discussion does delve into this subject area. Now a have a clearer understanding of the concept and how this can be a money and time saver for businesses. Cloud computing could possibly have application at my place of work. One of the requirements of tracking satellites, rockets, planes is to retrieve and record information. Depending on the launch requirements the end user certainly want to review their data. Currently the recording media in use has some performance concerns. Replays or playback have been uneven at times and then there is the time to retain the information. Clouding computing could be a solution, but the concern would be the level of security since much of the information processed in my section is classified. Therefore, I will research this topic more extensively and perhaps present my findings to my supervisor for review. Speaking of clouds, there were overcast skies for a 5K Race I participated in Saturday to support the American Cancer Society. This race was sponsored by a local shoe store, Vernon Powell, now in its tenth year. I have participated each year and this year I finally won free sneakers! Check out more photos at http://www.vpshoes.com.

Reflective Journal : Session One

Technology has played a crucial role in advancing society.  This week’s learning has refreshed my understanding on how all the myriad communications and computer components work independently and collectively to provide solutions for consumers and businesses. The information from the assigned reading was applicable to my workplace environment.  Recently, we received new equipment from different vendors.  As we started equipment testing it was revealed there were some compatibility issues.  Despite assurances from the salespeople and systems engineers, interfacing the new equipment to our legacy equipment has been problematic.  Some vendors have dispatched technician to the work-site for further testing to resolve the issues.

Additionally, reflecting on the information presented in the reading assignments re-energized has invigorated my critical thinking skills.  I have used this awareness base to help my daughter with concerns she is experiencing with homework assignments. I shared with her not to be totally concerned about the answers, but try to gain an understanding of how she arrived at the answers. Take it in steps.

Finally, I totally overlooked another member of our family; our dog, Summer.  We adopted Summer in the summer of 2010 from the SPCA. Many have inquired of the type of breed. Some say a rat terrier, Papillion, Chihuahua, or basically a mutt.  However, to us she is our "Designer Dog", made just for us.

Greetings from the Eastern Shore

Hello Fellow Classmates,

My name is Adrian Justis and I reside on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.  I am happily married with an 18 year old son and an 11 year old daughter.  When not working or studying, I love to spend time with my family.  We love to travel, play sports, and support our children in their various endeavors.

I have been taking on-line courses since the fall of 2004.  The on-line format has been a welcomed solution to fulfill my desire to complete the bachelor’s program requirements, while at the same time accomplishing an active role as husband, father, mentor, employee, etc. In May of this year, I joyously graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree.  Additionally, my son graduated high school and is now a freshman in college.  So 2011 has been a year full of milestones and transitions.

Presently, I work at NASA’s-Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA as contractor with the firm ITT. As a Fixed Telemetry Electronics Technician my role is to provide support to various missions including: rocket launches, satellites launches and orbits, Space Shuttle missions, aircraft missions, and mission simulations.  In this position, I operate and maintain a variety of telecommunications, antenna, and computer systems.  My goal is to use my work history coupled with an advance degree in Information Assurance to obtain a position in the cyber security field.

Giving to others give me a sense of worth in my life.  I teach “New Members Class” at my church, volunteer at the Red Cross and Kidney Foundation, and participate on electronics advisory committee at a local career and technology facility.  I am also in to fitness and I actively participate in 5k or 10k races which benefits worthwhile organizations such as cancer, kidney disease, and the like.

My wife is working towards her Master’s degree, so we are frequently doing homework along with our children.  My children think my wife and I are geeks.   Not dissuaded, I feel my wife and I are giving them models in emulate as they progress in their educational pursuits.  When we are doing homework together, we all get a chance to share not only about our current homework assignments, but these occasions allows  us to communicate any concerns or problems we may be facing.

Now that I have been exposed a bit, I will I look forward in interacting with you all.  I hope everyone has a successful semester.

Peace