Friday, March 25, 2011

Mobile Protection

Our Smartphones are part of our everyday lives. These devices keep us in constant contact with the world. Phone conversations, news, music, Internet, Facebook, Twitter, camera technology, email, text messaging and many other functions are common tasks users perform and available at our fingertips. In this maze of information and communication that is transmitting all around us, there is security risk to our mobile technology. Think of your phone for a second, now how much sensitive information does it contain? Depending on the uses you have for your Smartphone there is more than just your name, address, age and picture in the devices memory. There may possibly be data about your bank account, credit cards and other information you would not want someone to obtain. Securing your mobile device will protect this data.

A recent article listed on Mashable.com identifies that many consumers fail to establish security on mobile phones. Threats to Smartphone consumers are very similar to the threats of any mobile device user. Wi-Fi and open networks present risk as well as applications, email attachments, spam and other familiar exposure areas. Device failure could result in lost data and with no backup then no recovery is possible. Maybe the bigger challenge to consumers is not only understanding the risks, but also knowing options of protection.
Lookout is free mobile security for SmartPhones which provides security protection by scanning for threats that are downloaded to the mobile device before installation. The application also provides standard scans of the health and existing applications. Additional benefits of Lookout include data backup to a secured .com site (provided) and a missing device “scream” to help locate the device. There is a premium pay option for additional functions such as “lock and wipe data” for a lost device.
Norton Smartphone Security provides protection to prevent MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) and SMS (Short Message Service) spam, eliminate mobile threats and keep your private information safe. Early detection, quarantine and removal of threats are a key function of the application. Norton is a well established name and reputation in security.

Junos Pulse Mobile Security Suite, by Juniper Networks, offers Smartphone and tablet users a comprehensive protection with antivirus, parental controls, device loss, theft protection and anti-spam. Juniper Networks has begun selling the mobile security suite to consumers through specific authorized companies such as BullGuard.com and marketed as BullGuard Mobile Security 10.

Be certain to review the system requirements and specifications to apply the proper protective application. These applications have a variety of pricing and should be reviewed to fit your specific need. Consumers and businesses need to be aware of these risks and the variety of options. Be proactive and get secure!

References:
http://mashable.com/2011/03/25/mobile-phone-security/

Sunday, March 20, 2011

C2E2 part II

Who is not immediately impressed to find a sketched work of art that's about 15-18 feet tall and then 3 days later see it completely chalked in to look AMAZING? This work of art by Eric Maruscak over 30 + hours is the remarkable talent you would find at the C2E2 (Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo) this past Friday thru Sunday.

I was blown away both days that I was fortunate to attend of the three day event. On this Sunday, the first thing I had done was stopped to stand in line and see the preview of BattleField 3. As I tweeted immediately after witnessing the preview "#Battlefield3 #C2E2 Frostbite Platform...impressive...immersion for the player in the graphic and audio environment." (be sure to follow me @pj_froggy). The Frostbite Engine provides an experience utilizing the capabilities of technology today.This engine provides very realistic physical interactions within the game. Based on speculation in conversation with hosts and other attendees it appears the game will require a 64-bit OS, Quad Core Processor, and 4GB DDR3 RAM to maximize the benefits and enjoyment. Obviously more is always better and the question of graphics card requirements immediately comes to mind which appears to stand as Nvidia with DirectX 11 support and 512 MB recommended video memory. Once again more is better so I would think these requirements fit the 'Recommended' category and not necessarily the 'Minimium'. The team present at the Expo was very cautious in sharing too much and did not allow photos, video or other mobile technology to be used during the preview.

As for the game itself, well having a 15 minute preview on an HDMI 1080p largest screen you have ever seen with 5.1 surround sound in a darkened room certainly did not set the experience back at all! The graphics were visually stunning and it was easy to become immersed in the game. Lighting was a key element to the games imagery. Darkened hallways, ceramic tiles which reflected light and shadow on individual squares, thick smoke rising as the sun tries to break through, gun fire, explosions and general chaos tax the senses. This looks to be very promising overall.














DC Digital had an great display which allowed consumers to pick up and play with the hardware that is supporting the digital comic age. As I mentioned in C2E2 Part I there is no current support available for the Android system. Zooming into the small areas of the text is as simple as any touch screen device that you are familiar with using and the best part is the quality of the artwork is maintained with no pixilation or degrading imagery. Dark Horse Comics took the exposure another step further by offering an iTunes App Store Free Download of a new issue of the Mass Effect comic title.

So here's a bit of awesomeness for my design readers....
J. Anthony Kosar was displaying his talent with the building of a sculpture bust. Spending some time discussing art and education with him was very interesting. He specializes in Fine Art, Illustration, Make-up Effects, Design and Sculpture (obviously) and had shared the opportunity to participate in FX Classes, which was a four week course on Saturdays here in Illinois. We shared interesting conversation on the traits, desires and skills of aspiring individuals. If you have interest in more about his classes, please take a look at Kosarteffects. Classes and workshops are always beneficial to expanding your talents as well as gaining new ideas and perspective.
Today many products are engineered with 3D design software because it provides the engineer with a real world frame of reference for designs. Modeling in any medium will not only provide the same real world frame of reference but it will equally improve drawing and animation techniques in the multimedia profession. Shadows, texture and movement are part of the additional spacial considerations.

So what else was missed if you did not attend?Oh lets see....Darth Vader, Storm Troopers, Batman, Batgirl, Harley Quinn, The Joker, The Fantastic Four, Zombies, Black Ops, Spiderman, Ghost Hunters (Steve Gonsalves & Dustin Perry & Paranormal State crew), Laurie Holden & Jon Bernthal (The Walking Dead series), Eliza Dushku (Faith from Buffy and FOX's Dollhouse) and so many more actors, actresses, celebs, writers, artists and of course the crazy masses of people having a great time and sharing common interests.







Saturday, March 19, 2011

C2E2 Chicago March 2011

The C2E2 Event is a Comic and Entertainment Expo which last year drew over 27,000 people. The event includes meet and greets, panels, early previews, video games, digital media, artists, writers, publishers, bloggers, tweeters, video interviews, podcasts and so much more. The gates to the event opened at 1:00pm to the general public, but I was in at 9:30 and talking with professionals by 10:00....SWEET!
With so much to do and so little time to do it in, I started the day off by talking with the first comic industry expert I found, Dark Horse Comics. Mass Effect and Star Wars are well known titles and the latest and greatest by Dark Horse (in my opinion) is The Guild; yes the same "The Guild" series as the web product genius of a Felicia Day and the associated friends. You may notice the items on the table and in the hands of the Dark Horse employee. The iPad seemed to be almost everywhere as you will see in other photos. The use of the iPad  
in so many areas reflects the versatility of the mobile device. The iPad was a central tool for these professionals, which was used to display information on Dark Horse Comics as well as gather customer/client data for future efforts. Dark Horse also set up a simple yet affective green screen to place backdrop images of various comic covers. Attendees can get a picture taken and placed on his/her favorite comic as a free souvenir. Once again this technology demonstrates the variety of hardware, applications and skills used in this industry.

My next stop took me next door to Marvel Comics!
Immediately you can see the fact they are moving on digital comic. Based on my conversation with the representative there are more than 9000 titles available through subscription and the number of titles continue to grow. These titles are available through any MAC, PC and many mobile devices with Internet access even on devices such as the iPhone, PSP but apparently not available in the Android Market. The lack of Android access certainly reduces market penetration in mobile arena. Through Google Chrome and the development of HTML 5 web applications flexibility and tool simplicity are beneficial and are part of the Chrome Web Store. Marvel was gaining maximum exposure at C2E2 as the new film Thor was a prime display. Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor, was a key appearance for autographs and photo ops. The banners on display for Marvel titles were impressive; certainly a few I'd like to have hanging around the house if I could.




Stay tuned....much more to come.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

A way to help

For all of the people I know on Facebook please take a minute to log in and “Like” the site of “Dog Bless You” as Explore.org is donating $1 for everyFacebook page "Like", up to $100,000.

http://www.facebook.com/exploredogs


Explore.org founder Charlie Weingarten stated “Search and rescue dogs are a critical resource for emergency situations.”

Rescue dogs help find survivors, injured and those who need recovery. This is a FREE and simple way to help.

Thank you

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

a few new things....about me.....about education technology....and a moment of rememberance

First, check out http://www.rrstar.com/news/gtkm/x536401353/PJ-Way and Get To Know Me (Thank you Rockford Register Star!). Oh yeah...and follow me on twitter @pj_froggy

Next here is something I am investigating:
Once again I think about the impact of technology on todays students. Todays elementary, grade, middle and high school students seem to learn through so many different methods. My daughters 2nd  grade class has a SMART board and this tool is invaluable and I wish this was around when I was in school. It makes the class so much more engaging and interactive. Once again this is going to play a part in my future research paper/case study. The SMART Slate is a solution that offers even greater possibilities. There is a whole line of SMART products that present value for a variety of environments and conditions. The Senteo interactive response system is another such product.
The SMART Slate tool is my current interest. The opportunity to provide wireless instruction to the class while having the flexibility to support individuals with specific challenges with class material. When one student struggles with an area of a topic it is often a class teaching opportunity. There are many times when I must limit individual support to move back to the instructors pc so I may provide overhead instruction for all. The concerns of my investigation (other than cost) is the demand for additional software and integration with existing applications. The Ink Aware program allows the user to capture written interaction and is compatible with MS Office products. I will post more on all the information I find as my knowledge grows. For now however, I see the benefits and understand the needs, so now I need to investigate if this is the best solution considering restraining factors (ie budget, maintenance, software, etc, etc.)

If anyone reading this has input, knowledge or an opinion, please comment!
http://smarttech.com/us/Solutions/Higher+Education+Solutions

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On a personal note: today I my 7 year old Australian Shephard, Sydney, passed away of unknown causes. This blog is probably a little therapy for me today. I miss you Syd.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

New growth

Just a bit of personal promotion - Today I have just recieved word my application as a Journal reviewer for the Journal of Information Systems Education has been accepted and already assigned my first review!!! Now I hope to get accepted as a standard contributor to Examiner.com; still waiting but its only been a few days since I submitted my applicaiton so patience is required....

This Tuesday AITP will be hosting the Executives Club of Chicago, Technology Conference - Tomorrow's Technology Today. I look forward to the event and will be sure to share the experience. The topics of the conference will focus on the mobility, digitization, social networks and cloud computing. These areas are areas in technology which are once again changing the landscape of how business gets done. Keep an eye out for much more to come this week!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Improving the classroom

In a budget crunched economy, not only are people trying to save money just like many businesses, but our schools are faced with the same challenge. The cost of programs, books, materials and resources keep climbing and budgets keep dropping. The attention of the students also creates a challenge for our instructors, when the format of classroom content delivery has not advanced as quickly as the technology those students is comfortable using. Well what can be done? How can teachers find innovative solutions to improve the classroom learning experience and not be faced with opposition due to budget restraints?


Microsoft has introduced one possible improvement as a cost effective pedagogy tool; Microsoft Mouse Mischief! This application add-in for Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 and 2010 introduces the use of technology in learning that is comfortable, fun and educational. The instructor can develop course material that engages the students and collects response data through interaction. Students participate in lessons through interactive instruction with the use of a mouse. Each student controls his/her mouse to complete questionnaires, poll, select the best answer and even work in teams to complete lessons. The Microsoft website, http://www.microsoft.com/multipoint/mouse-mischief/en-us/default.aspx, provides complete details and case study information. Improving the student experience and the material delivery process is important to engaging the younger students of today. Aside from the numerous benefits to the instructor and the students, one additional perk is the fact that this PowerPoint add-in is free.

To find out more, use your favorite search engine to find ‘Microsoft Mouse Mischief’

PJ Way

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Calling ALL Rockford ISM Students!!!

Calling all Rockford Rasmussen ISM students!

Rasmussen in Rockford is currently developing an AITP Student Chapter. Please contact me with your level interest for a position. pj.way@rasmussen.edu
I am excited to be at this point and can only imagine what is in store!

Need more information on AITP? Here is what AITP is about as pulled directly from the AITP site:
AITP is the professional association comprised of career minded individuals who seek to expand their potential -- employers, employees, managers, programmers, and many others. The organization seeks to provide avenues for all their members to be teachers as well as students and to make contacts with other members in the IS field, all in an effort to become more marketable in rapidly changing, technological careers. http://www.aitp.org/organization/council/council.jsp

Get involved.....there will be much more to come!

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Phones, laptops and me

Phones.
In a recent conversation with my friend in San Diego while I was asking him his opinion of the DC Universe Online pc game, we started talking technology. I have had my Droid Incredible since the day it released and yes it is 'Incredible' and he has the iPhone. We compared the technology and our likes and the potential for improvement. The new Motorola Atrix became a focus due to the capabilities.
Check out the phone for yourself on this Link (Atrix). You will find this to be a a versatile phone with a ton of potential. I need to get my hands on this one!

Laptops.
People are always asking around "What's a good laptop?"
Well that is a loaded question and it certainly depends on your needs, the applications and the depth of your pockets ($$$$). However, I recently was turned onto checking out the new Acer (Yes, ACER) Iconia and I am blown away from what I have seen so far. The laptop will offer a dual touch screen design! The idea is sure to entice the technology fan in all of us. Check out the information that is available HERE (Iconia) and preview the design. Based on poking around, I have found the Iconia will run the Windows 7 operating system. The inner workings of this machine, which looks like a tablet design, will include the Intel Core i5 processor and 1 GHz CPU CPU is bundled with 4 GB DDR3 RAM and have a base hard disk size of 750 GB. As with all competitive laptops the Acer will have HDMI, USB (2.0 and 3.0) and Wi-Fi connectivity. Here is a short video on THIS LINK from CNET demonstrating the Iconia. The release date is still not known and there has only been speculation on the price point. Take a look and Enjoy!

 Me.
The Rockford Register Start offered me the chance to introduce myself to the public. So get to know me and thank you for following my blog.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Meet and Greet Event

WOW! The 'Meet and Greet Tech Panel Experts' event was GREAT!
The professionalism and discussion from our guests was excellent. They provided valuable insight, knowledge and conversation that was educational and informative for all the attendees. We had a two long time professionals representing the positions of a Systems Administrator and a Network Administrator as well as two Rasmussen ISM graduates who are successfully working in their fields of study. Each panel member discussed her/his experience and journey through education and employment. The attendees shared thoughts, comments, questions and a few good sandwiches over the course of the two hour event.

Based on the discussion we all walked away understanding, working in the IT field requires a desire for life long learning, being a strong self starter, effective communication skills, patience, and numerous other intangible characteristics. The career field is rewarding and can take you in many directions. Each panel expert agreed, expectations are often limited compared to potential achievement, so remain open to opportunity. The field is in high demand and the outlook for the future is positive.

I would like to thank each of the expert panel members for their time and effort, the attendees for their attention and interest and the team from admissions at Rasmussen for all of your support and effort making this a success.