Week 14: CLEAR: RAID

This week something that was very clear to me was RAID. RAID stands for Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks. Its main purpose is to treat multiple drives as if they were one. The various designs of RAID involve two main goals. The first goal is to increase data reliability. The second goal is to increase input/output performance.

RAID increases Capacity, Speed and Reliability.

for more info check out:
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/perf/raid/levels/singleLevel0-c.html

Until Next Time,
Zack

Week 13: CLEAR: Viruses, Trojans and Worms

Something clear to me this week was the differences between Viruses, Trojans and Worms. While they are all bad for your computer, they are a little bit different in their actual functions.

Viruses are small programs that are written in order to alter the way a computer operates. They must run without the permission or knowledge of the user. All Viruses execute themselves and replicate themselves. Some types of viruses are File infector viruses, boot sector viruses, master boot record viruses, multipartite viruses and macro viruses.

Trojans are impostors that claim to be something desirable but, in fact, are malicious in nature. An important distinction between Trojan horse programs and viruses is that they do not replicate themselves.

Worms are programs that replicate themselves between systems without using a host file. This is different than viruses, which require the spreading of an infected host file.

For more info check out:
http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Internet/2004/virus.asp

Until Next Time,
Zack

WEEK 12: CLEAR: Types of Networks

This week something that was very clear to me was the different types of Networks and how they are all different. In our lectures we discussed 4 types of computer networks that I will go into detail about. Those networks are PAN (Personal Are Network),LAN (Local Area Network), MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network).

Personal Area Network, or PAN, is a computer network used for communication among computer and different information technology devices close to one person. Some examples of Personal Area Networks are personal computers, telephones, printers and fax machines.

Local Area Network, or LAN, is a network that connects computers in a limited area such as home, office building, school or a close group of buildings. They are used for smaller geographic ranges than WAN.

Metropolitan Area Network, or MAN, is a large computer network that span an entire city or metropolitan area.

Wide Area Network, or WAN, is a computer network that covers a large very large geographic area such as a city or even a country. They use a communications channel that combines many types of media such as telephone lines or cables.


For more information visit: http://compnetworking.about.com/od/basicnetworkingconcepts/a/network_types.htm

Until Next Time,
Zack

Database Project

This database project was very difficult for me to get finished. I had to go back and watch all of the lectures plus all of the discussions just to begin to understand.

Even after finishing I still feel like I dont have a very good understanding of Microsoft access and how to make databases. I hope to continue gaining more and more knowledge on the subject because I can see that it can be very useful in a business.

Until Next Time,
Zack

EXTRA CREDIT: Build an AVATAR

I chose to build my avatar using Buildyourwildself.com. I thought that this was a very fun exercise because it was much different than any avatar creating sites I have seen. Instead of creating a realistic avatar that looks exactly like you, this site allows you to create an avatar that has ridiculous features like animal arms and legs.

I chose to incorporate a little of both side in my avatar. While i chose to make my head look thus like me with black spikey hair, pail skin, and normal looking eyes and mouth, I also chose to make my body completely ridiculous. Since I am a huge fan of the ocean and the water I chose to give my avatar ocean like features. With octopus arms and jelly fish legs, I believe my avatar shows what I would look like in an underwater land. I also chose to have him waering a t-shirt with a guitar on it. I did this because I love guitar and wanted to incorporate my musical side in my avatar. I also chose to put my avatar underwater because I love the water and the ocean.

I enjoyed this activity and believe I will make more avatars in the future no that I have seen how fun a cool this site is.

My avatar can be viewed at:

http://www.wix.com/zackyang/avatar


Until Next Time,
Zack



Below is a photo of my avatar for your viewing pleasure.

Week 11: Clear: What is a Systems Analyst

Something that was very clear to me this week was the job description for a system analyst. A systems analyst is a person who helps companies and organizations decided which computers and software they should buy and use. By planning a system from the ground up, systems analysts write technical instructions and interact with designers to understand software completely.

Whenever a development process is conducted, the system analyst is responsible for designing components and providing that information to the developer. The systems analysts are the liaisons between vendors and IT professionals.

As far as pay, the average salary for a systems analyst in 2008 was $78,830 and they are usually required to work very long hours.

For more information read the article at: http://www.bls.gov/k12/computers06.htm

Until Next Week,
Zack

WEEK10 CLEAR: Data vs. Information

Something that was very clear to me in this week lectures was the difference between Data and Information. While many people may think that they are the same thing, they are actually very different.

Data is raw materials and unorganized facts that have yet to be organized. In order for data to become information, it must be processed and organized. Information is when data is processed, organized and structured so that it is useful. Data can be in the form of numbers, letter, pictures and symbols. Once these data are structured into a way that they are meaningful, it becomes information.

To put it short, Data in a meaningful form is information

http://www.differencebetween.net/language/difference-between-data-and-information/

Until Next Week,
Zack