Software As A Service (SAAS)

In the past software has been defined as an application that you run on your personal computer. Software as a service gives a customer the ability to free memory and run the application through the cloud. There can also be drawbacks, if there is no internet connection, or if your internet connection is slow or not consistent.

The three Saasa programs that we examined for class are: Microsoft 365, Zoho, and Google Docs.

Microsoft 365 is much like the Microsoft Office Suite, which is offered as a packaged software. The advantage of the Microsoft 365 SAAS is how close it is to the actual suite. This will have a small learning curve as many people have already used the Microsoft Office suite. Along with the familiar settings, the base of people users who use Microsoft Office will more likely use Microsoft 365 as opposed to other similar SAAS applications.

Zoho has an interface that is very intuitive and user friendly. The advantages of this SAAS is that it has the option to add shapes in the presentation portion, and change themes very easily. I like the usability of this application the best of the three SAAS programs. All the options are very easy to do if you wanted to create a watermark or other features that are not typical of other word processing applications.

Google Docs is a SAAS program that I use on a regular basis. I like the fact that this SAAS lets you convert to Office extensions. Also many of my friends already have a Google Account and can be easily added to documents and presentations. There are collaborative settings where a user can change different aspects of a document, while another user can also change it. Google Docs allows for the user to create forms and drawings, something that the other two SAAS did not allow for.

After reviewing the three programs, I think SAAS is where the future of software will be headed. As the internet becomes more readily available, more users will want to access their documents online and it makes it more convenient to share and collaborate with others.

A3: Business Model Generation Canvas

Virtual Communications the name of a company that I created. The company will be a forum where users will be able to discuss different meanings of communication in the virtual world. Any form of virtual communication, for example (texting, e-mailing, Instant messaging, etc.). Here will be an area where users will be able to post questions and comments about different words and expressions that they see on a daily basis. Many people have always wondered, "What does that mean?" and this website will come to help people understand. There are many books and resources about body language, but there are few resources on Virtual Communication, which is where I believe the world is going to head towards with more and more users becoming familiar with technology.


I created a Business model Canvas for Best Buy. The company is an electronic retail store that also provides services such as: car installs, computer set-up (geek squad), home theater set-up, and much more.

What is a router?

The internet is comprised of a large network of routers. A router makes it possible for different networks of computers to communicate with each other. Each device on the router has a unique MAC(Media Access Controller) Address that is unique for that particular device. If one wanted to see the history of the device, you could track it by its MAC address. Also an IP Address, is given to each device connected to the router. These addresses can be local or global. Most routers will give the devices a local IP address which allows the devices on the network to communicate with each other. These IP addresses are not unique to the device, but they are unique amongst the devices attached to that specific router.

The information on the internet is sent through "packets". These packets are broken down pieces of information that a user is requesting or sending. Routers use the most logical way to send packets, which may not be the most direct way. Each time a packet is sent to a different location that is called a "hop". A "hop" is when the packet lands on different servers. If a person were to send a large amount of packets to a router, then it could cause it to overload. Firewalls are used to prevent this happening.

This is a very broad overview of what this podcast was about, and what I took away from it.


Notes:
The internet is a massive network of computers connected through routers. Without routers this would not be possible. Routers allow transfer of information through different layers. There are 7 layers to the internet, only talking about first 3.

1. Bit Layer - physical data of communication i.e. pins, voltage, one device
2. Communication between devices - using LAN, router is unnecessary (switch)
3. Router -> controls information from LAN to internet.

Internet is sent through packets, these tells where its going and what piece it is. May find path to send traffic through the longer route rather than the direct route.

Protocols - languages routers use to speak to each other.

Routing table - set of rules to send packets over the internet. They are dynamic, constantly changing so the most efficient route is taken.

Router - is sent through "hops" certain protocols have limited number of hops, this information is sent through the data packets.

IP Address - own unique address, so that when you send you can have an address.

MAC Address (Media Access Control) - unique address for every device, different from ip address as its for the device not internet

Network Address Translation - more devices in the world, then we have ip address to connect to the internet. Dynamic IP addresses vs. Static. Local IP address (ones that are assigned through router 192.168.0.1) vs. global address.

Can overload a router, by sending large amounts of packets to it. These are called Service Attacks. Firewalls can prevent service attacks through routers (hardware) or software.

Reference: http://podcasts.howstuffworks.com/hsw/podcasts/techstuff/2011-08-08-techstuff-routers.mp3?_kip_ipx=421756093-1314244694

Introduction

This blog will be about the material that I learn in the Master of Internet Technology Program. The Class MIST 7500: Internet Technology, I will learn more about the internet and different applications that make the internet what it is. I hope to learn more about cloud computing, and be able to utilize the abilities of the cloud.

Overall, I am very excited to be in the program and hope that the skills learned in this course will help me with projects that I do in the future.