Saturday, June 28, 2008

Assignment 2

Find any information/ article and examine the state of computer science
research and what are it's variety of technical topics?


Subject:
The State of Computer Science Research in the U.S and the Evolution of Federal Support for Information Technology

This article highlights the statement of Wm. A. Wulf, president of the National
Academy of Engineering and AT&T Professor of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Virginia, about the state of Computer Science research in the
United States. There is a contention concerning the issue "Investing" vs. "Expense". He has pointed out that what the federal funding in basic computing research has contributed in the field of national security, prosperity and health is simply an "investment" and not an "expense". There is a distinction between the two; since "expense" sounds like valueless or basically it is just a money spent on an activity while "investment means spending money "productively". These "investments" will reimburse themselve for the future generation. Computer Science research has brought vast contribution within the scope of physical sciences, engineering, commerce, cosmology and weather prediction. He has quoted that, "Basic research may not be the original source for all the benefits we enjoy from technology, but it is a vital and irreplaceable component of the rich system that produces them". This statement made me realize that, not all researches becomes successful or being developed and later caters थेnecessities of the society; but it may become a foundation for the forthcoming
studies. Wulf has greatly emphasized the proper appropriation of budget to sustain the researches and proposals made. Indeed, federal funding, as what I have understood is a union of funding; is essential to pursue this researches. Without this element, these potential researches and proposals would become futile and stagnant, much more, it is just a waste of time and effort. Without current resources, there won't be anything to yield next time. As mentioned, better and stable funding is strongly needed for long term basic researches.

Technical topics covered:
*Evolution and development of Information Technology
*CyberSecurity Research
*Research Funding Stability


REFERENCE: http://www.nationalacademies.org/ocga/testimonies/Computer_Science_Research_in_the_United_States.asp.3e

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

CS Research Methods Assignment 1

Report 1:
CRYPTOGRAPHY IN COMPUTER SYSTEM SECURITY
Cryptography plays an important role on ensuring the security and reliability of modern computer systems. Since high speed and broad bandwidth have been becoming the keywords for modern computer systems, new cryptographic methods and tools must follow up in order to adapt to these new and emerging technologies.
In our fast-paced world, computer systems are becoming more and more advanced and has these both effects for the end-users. Confidentiality is that very important for some transactions being made electronically such as accounts in the bank, databases or even programs or e-mails in the web. Also the integrity is highly essential because it sets the data to not be corrupted or modified by the clients unless they have the authorization. Cryptology, or the science of coding and decoding secret messages is intended to protect the data from being disturbed or distorted by unauthorized beings.
As I have learned from my professor, some of the most advanced computer systems have these built-in programs that can now decipher the data stored which is pretty bad since it can cause the unreliability of data which is supposedly must not be the last resort of the clients. This is such a big, bad news to all computer users. It is therefore, important to develop more systems in coding and decoding messages to cope up with issues like these. On the other hand, advanced computer systems also means advanced features of it. But we must also bare in our minds to keep that balanced condition or equilibrium regarding this matter; to have a broad understanding about the positive and negative effects of computer systems, which must be answered or being backed-up by cryptography.
Reference: http://www.jucs_org/jucs_143
Report 2:
INTEGRATED MULTIMEDIA-BASED DISTANCE TEACHING OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
This paper discusses a general approach and architecture for a software system that supports the contextualization of learning resources by means of modular learning objects and applying semantic meta-data. They additionally describe the process of gathering information concerning the learning content by matching learner models against learning resources.
E-learning nowadays or learning through the aid of technology like computers, are very much appreciated and widely used by most of the learning institutions, companies and even business establishments. As I can say, E-learning is far off better than the traditional way of teaching—the use of boards and chalks. Through multimedia-based teaching system, students can easily participate in the class activity, since it uses technology, it can be understood that there is what we call multitasking in a way that students can pass, answer, submit or ask questions directly in the web without the teacher being burdened by all of these stuffs. All he has to do is just to check out on his e-mail and presto! All things are settled. This kind of learning is very beneficial but entails patience since there are other people who are not yet acquainted with technology especially those who were dependent on the traditional methods of learning. Yet, this strategy of teaching is highly interactive, and effective, I believe.
Reference: Andreas Schmidt and Claudia Winterhatter from FZI, Karlsrube (Germany)
Report 3:
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT
This research paper aims to present on as to how knowledge would be sustained in an organization or company with the aid of Information Technology in a knowledge management view. One of the most important assets of organizations as it has been lately recognized is knowledge. Knowledge, as it has been believed by some managers, consultants, IT professionals and customers, is what makes organizations work. It is the invisible force that propels the most successful companies to stock market values gaining that good profits. This knowledge doesn't merely comes from the tangible assets like capital and equity but rather from the specific know-how of the company to produce future cash flows. The knowledge movement in organizational thinking is about refining rules used by investors into techniques and methodologies for the knowledge auditing of organizations. It has also proposed to put knowledge on the balance sheet in the form of intangible assets that account for organization's intellectual capital. According to Sveiby [1997], such intangibles include employees' competence; the internal structure of organizations, given by their patents; their own models, concepts and processes, their administrative system and IT infrastructure; their external structure, given by the relationships they have developed with customers and suppliers, their brand names, trademark, image and reputation.
As it has been distinguished by Nonaka and Takeuchi [1995], there is a distinction between “explicit” and “tacit” knowledge. Explicit knowledge is a formal knowledge that can be packaged as information and can be found in the documents of an organization while Tacit knowledge is a personal knowledge embedded in individual experience and is shared and exchanged through direct, eye-to-eye contact.
Although this research has not put a great emphasis on the importance of Information Technology in the organizations or companies, it would be certainly become useless if there is no proper management of knowledge. I believe that in order to succeed in this time, technology and right knowledge should join hand in hand. Without the help of each other, it would be difficult to develop the status of a certain organization.
Reference: http://www.jucs_org/