Viable Computing Options

I found an excellent article that related to the rise of Linux and open-source software section of Chapter 5. The article brings up the fact that there has been a lot of talk about an open-source revolution coming, but Linux might be the software that creates this revolution. In the past, Linux was primarily used by IT pros and PC hobbyists, but that is rapidly changing. Today customer perceptions have changed and large tech firms such as Dell are seeing the power and flexibility of this open-source software. Windows software must be purchased and is rigid, while Linux is free and can be modified by users. In late 2007, Walmart began selling Everex's Linux-based PCs for $200. This PC is much lower in cost than the machines anchored by Microsoft's and Apple's operating systems. Linux can do all the basic things that most people use a computer for; surf the net, email, and write documents. Now Sun Microsystem's Open Office and Mozilla's Firefox can run on Linux. Therefore, Linux-based PCs could be a great fit for individuals getting their first computer or small businesses using multiple workstations. The major drawback to the software is the time and possible training costs spent learning an alternative operating system.

I personally think that the Linux revolution may not ever come. I definitely think that there will be an increased amount of use of this open-source software, but it won't be the most used operating system. I think Microsoft and Apple will develop operating systems that are less expensive and involved then their current systems. The time spent training an employee on Linux could very well exceed the cost difference between the two operating systems. I think that Dell has made the right move by offering both Linux and Windows Vista on some of it's PCs. Let the consumer make the decision on which operating system they would utilize the most, maybe having both is the correct choice.

Jabulani Leffall (2008, April). VIABLE COMPUTING OPTIONS. Black Enterprise, 38(9), 60. Retrieved April 18, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: 1463787951).

Merrill Lynch Connects Past and Future Technology

1. Why did Merrill Lynch need to update its IT infrastructure?

Merrill Lynch needed to update its IT infrastructure in order to remain competitive in the financial market. Its last five years of success was largely due to its information technology infrastructure. Merrill Lynch's IT infrastructure was one of its key competitive advantages. The key in remaining successful in business is sustaining a competitive advantage over time. So, it had to continue to modernize its technology infrastructure to sustain this competitive advantage.

4. Do you think that Merrill Lynch's decision to sell off its successful technology initiatives was a good idea? Why or Why not?

No, I don't think that selling its successful technology initiatives was a good idea. This IT technology helps them sustain its competitive advantage. Part of the deal was for Jim Crew, then head of database infrastructure for Merrill Lynch, and three other key members of the X4mL to shift their employment to the buyer, SOA Software. These four people are to continue to enhance the tool for SOA software. I realize that Merrill Lynch has sold internally developed technology before and it greatly helped its IT budget, but I still don't agree with the decision. Merrill Lynch should have protected that technology, to sustain its competitive advantage. At the very least, it could have sold the technology to customers for $125,000 per customer. That revenue could go towards its IT budget. Finally, I think that the biggest lost was of the four key employees. These employees were a great asset to the company as human capital. They could have continued to develop and enhance programs to sustain Merrill Lynch's competitive advantage.

Wiretapping, whistleblowing and IT ethics

I found a closely related article to the Chapter 4 case study on how the telephone company is violating our privacy. The article brings up several ethical questions. Mark Klein, a retired AT&T employee, announced that "An exact copy of all Internet traffic that flowed through critical AT&T cables...was being diverted to equipment inside the secret room." The NSA had taken wiretapping beyond phone lines and was monitoring everything coming through AT&T's Internet wires. There are secret rooms set up in communication facilities like AT&T across the country. The NSA is not being selective in its monitoring, but observing all communication. The government is analyzing connections rather than content. The problem with this monitoring is that the NSA could incorrectly accuse an innocent person of terrorist activity or gather information for future cases not related to terrorism. The author of the article goes on to ask if you were Klien, the man working for AT&T, would you have blown the whistle knowing that it could cost you your job?

Since we discussed the ethical issue of wiretapping in the case study, I'm going to discuss what choice I would have made in Klien's situation. I would have most definitely blown the whistle on AT&T's involvement in wiretapping. This is too large of an ethical issue to be overlooked and needed to be reported upon immediately. It's one thing to witness a coworker using the copy machine for personal use, but quite another to know of an ethical wrong at this level. I think that Klien made a good choice and I'm sure a future employer would look upon this act favorably. There are several business owners that would appreciate this honesty and ethical behavior.

Mark Gibbs (2007, November). Wiretapping, whistleblowing and IT ethics. Network World, 24(44), 54. Retrieved April 10, 2008, from ABI/INFORM Global database. (Document ID: 1388463031).

Is the Telephone Company Violating Your Privacy?

1. Yes, I think that the increased surveillance power and capability of the U.S. government presents an ethical dilemma. There is a question of this behavior being right or wrong for the U.S. government and U.S. citizens. The government wants the best information available to fight the war on terror, while citizens want to have safety along with privacy. The government can explain how this increased power benefits citizens, but citizens can argue that it intrudes on their privacy. A question of this being right or wrong is created because the ethical principles are in conflict with each other.

2. The ethical issue is if the U.S. government is right in obtaining data from all citizens to fight the war on terror. The U.S. government can argue how doing so will provide a great benefit for the war on terror. If they citizens want safety from future terrorist attacks, they must give up some of their privacy. U.S. citizens can argue that privacy and freedoms must always be provided regardless of the situation. It's not right to have the U.S. government analyzing private calls of U.S. citizens. So, a great ethical dispute is created from the government's use of telecommunications data to fight terrorism.

5. I feel like there is a more effective solution to this ethical dilemma. I believe that the Fourth Amendment is extremely important to uphold regardless of the situation. This country needs to continue to honor its citizens rights and privacy, but it also has the responsibility to protect its citizens. I think that stricter rules need to be set by the Senate Judiciary Committee on the NSA wiretapping program. There needs to be boundaries established and more visibility of the program.

Blockbuster vs. Netflix: Which Will Win Out?

1. Blockbuster's business model is the rental and sale of movies primarily at retail locations. Its main source of distributing its service and products is through its many bricks-and-mortar locations throughout 25 countries. However, since the emergence of Netflix, it also began an online subscription service in attempt to keep its large share in the movie rental market. The new business model has had mixed reviews. Netflix has more subscribers than Blockbuster's Movie Pass subscribers and is more user friendly. Blockbuster has also lost revenue from implementing its "No More Late Fees" campaign.

4. Netflix has become quite successful over the past 10 years. It has become the number one online movie rental service. It's online ordering and delivery through the mail has drastically changed the movie rental industry. Its business model eliminated the need for physical locations, which eliminates a large fixed cost. Currently, Netflix has over six million subscribers and continues to grow.

5. I think that both businesses will lose revenue from the new movie distributors emerging; VOD technology, Movielink, Apple and Amazon. Blockbuster will suffer the most because it has a large fixed cost from its thousands of physical locations around the world. Blockbuster has already closed several locations and continues to see increased losses. The entrance of these new competitors might be the end to Blockbuster. Its subscription service is inferior to Netflix and there is little growth potential for this bricks-and-mortar business today.