Problems of the Communication Technologies - Term Paper Example

 Problems of the communication technologies The news article announces the International Code Council and the National Fire Protection Association start of outfitting of Bi-Directional Amplification systems (BDA’s) in buildings. Dense building materials of metal and concrete reduce radio and cellular frequency signals which negatively affects communication process. The organizations endorsed that design systems, equipment, and qualification of installation or testing personnel follow the US states’ guidelines in order to meet current standards. The article is a short announcement about upgrades of the organizations International Code Council and the National Fire Protection Association of their codes to meet communications requirements of buildings. The article is backed with the actual published codes of two early states indicating its reliability. The impact of the news on me is both positive and negative. The growing concerns about environment – natural and built - have alarmed me in some ways to consider carbon footprint. Built environment as well has not been seen by many environment and humanist advocates and critics as laudable. To provide pressure on existing buildings due to poor communication systems may mean the need to destroy and rebuild – which is costly and wasteful. I hope that there could be better, more efficient ways to address communication systems with the aid of wireless technology on the problems of many metropolitan buildings. The proliferation and growth of cities in a global scale means that there are bulks of building to address this need. This is also good news and a challenge to wireless systems professionals in order to come up with appropriate and cost-effective technology that meets the need of older or existing buildings. Investment on wireless communication system for building communications is positive, now and in the future. The article focuses on the security risks that companies should consider addressing immediately. The use of wireless communications systems is prone to possible mistakes that could cause a company much more than what they expect. These security risks include “break-ins, Wi-Fi sniffing snafus and incidents where Bluetooth sniper rifles were used to steal company secrets” (John P 2). The first of the six is “unauthorized smartphones on wi-fi networks.” Smartphones are vulnerable due to its common use by employees. Hackers use Bluetooth sniper rifle which gauge at reading is about one mile. It jumps its connection to the smartphone then to the corporate wireless network. The articles provided ways on how to minimize the risk. Another security risk are seemingly innocent “Open ports on a network printer”. The article is published in a respected and widely read Computer World making it credible and reliable. The security risks article provides a glimpse of the wide array of problems and solutions in wireless communications systems. The article also shows the wide range of skills, talents, and services that needs to be addressed. This means that there are also needs for more professionals on the field mentioned. In my own opinion, the needs translate to good investment as a profession or even as capital investor. I can feel I am on the right place at the right time. The article features the latest Nielsen finding on the use of mobile phones among teens in the USA. In the Nielsen survey, it was found that an average US teen sends and receives about 3339 texts or short messaging system per month indicating the strong growth of mobile phone use. This translates to six messages every waking hour for any teen. In the age range of 13-17, teens average 646 minutes per month talking, which also meant less talk as compared to the previous year survey finding. 62% also indicated use of the Multimedia Messaging Services or MMS which is also more known as picture messaging. The study found the differences of teen use for the said mobile device: females average about 4050 messages per month but males use more data translated to 75MB of mobile data per month. The data was taken from analysis of 60,000 mobile subscribers and survey of 3,000 teens. The data provided by the news article indicates a trend in the use of one of the products that uses Wireless Communications Systems or Networks. It is considered reliable as it was a survey and study undertaken by the popular survey group Nielsen Co. It is another positive news article on the point of view of a professional like me who is focused on Wireless Communications Systems. The data also meant a promising career for someone like me, or others involved and interested in the networks. It means that services thrive and that there is an up-trend on the use of wireless networks. Considering that the survey focused on teens who will soon join the population with personal or professional income, it indicates a favorable investment trend towards wireless networks. It solidifies the other news articles and reports provided in this paper about the growth of wireless networks. While it is not conclusive to point out that wireless networks will boom on all fronts or on all products it may spawn and launch in the future, the articles indicate positive future for investors, companies and individuals who are engaged in the industry. This article focuses on the expansion of Bluetooth technology in general. Bluetooth use dominates mobile phones but has gained significant market in the mobile computers since the introduction of Bluetooth Low Energy. It was reported that the economic slowdown in 2009 has also affected shipment of Bluetooth products but it has picked-up since then to project over 2 billion of shipment by 2013. The article also summed up the growth of Bluetooth in various segments that includes its use in mobile phones, medical technologies, game consoles and game controllers. Use in cars, and even in the industrial sector. Information provided in this article is quite reliable as it has been backed by study undertaken by In Stat, a market research group that focuses on new technology. Bluetooth technology is one of more lucrative sector of wireless communication systems and based on the projection of In Stat, investment on the technology is promising. This would mean also that for aspiring wireless communication systems professionals like me, the market is rich for growth. This article explores on media using internet connectivity through the so-called online social networks that includes Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and other sites that allow users to share information. First, it summed up Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg’s movie “The Social Network” that built 500 million virtual user-friends, and then, it extolled the virtue of sharing information. Through Youtube, a video of senatorial candidate George Allen of Virginia caught saying a racial slur helped him lose a seat. Then candidate Barack Obama raised funds for his candidacy through social networking, and currently, has set up the site Fight the Smears. In its early stages, social networking sites Facebook and Twitter promised a personal link to all its users. As Rich observed, “Twitter theoretically encourages real-time interconnection between elected officials and the citizenry,” (P 4). However, the advantages of online networking soon is used by businesses and exploited by politicians. Ghost-writers are hired to post at Twitter, bloggers paid about $22,000 to write scripts for Sarah Palin’s internet messages. The author’s information is well-known among internet media experts but may be news to majority of readers. It definitely is very credible considering the reputation that the media outlet is protecting when it comes to verifiable and reliable information. Social networking sites definitely have changed the way internet users interact. Information including videos and images are disseminated in a matter of seconds as compared to previous technology where media companies traffic information and images and subject to rigorous editing as well as approval by media moguls. Considering the value of Facebook at US $23 billion (Leocario, P 4), innovation in social networking sites is considered lucrative. While I will not consider investing at Facebook at the moment, I would consider investing in telecommunication network service providers that would allow mass consumption of internet services. GWEC Module Professional Affiliations Organizational affiliation seemed to have become the standard in acknowledging the existence of one professional. It starts with the university one goes to or graduates from, to corporations one gets employed with. Affiliation has dictated recognition and has become the standard for professionals in many if not all fields of professionalism. Networking and the wireless communication system provides a parallel understanding of technology and the human relations views. In this paper, I will therefore explore the module on Professional Affiliations. I find professional affiliations as challenging because without technology, there seem to be lesser personal relationship between individuals within and outside the workplace, the family, and the community in general. Module Summary The lecture introduced the AMTA or the American Mobile Telecommunications Association. Aside from information, AMTA publishes and sponsors an annual conference to help shape the direction of the wireless telecommunications industry. The CDG is a consortium advancing standard. The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association provides guides in Mobile telephony, Paging, Mobile satellites, Mobile radio, and Fixed wireless. The Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association is publisher of World of Wireless Communications that provides views about the marketplace, news and lobbying efforts. It advices consumers of safety, use of the technology, equipment and available services. The Global System for Mobile Communication Association develops and deploys evolution of the “Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) standard for digital wireless communications and for the promotion of the GSM platform.” (GWEC, 12). The Global Wireless Education Consortium brings industry and academia together to develop workers in the industry, makes available curriculum modules, and conducts faculty workshop and practical work experiences for students. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers publishes books and continuing education for members in 150 countries. The Industrial Telecommunications Association provides license preparation, engineering analysis, radio protection, and interference resolutions. The trade group Land Mobile Communications Council serves private users and commercial operators. The Mobile and Portable Radio Group provides tools for manufacturers, service providers and regulatory agencies (GWEC, 18). The National Association of Radio and Telecommunications Engineers is a non-profit organization certifying engineers and technicians in Telecommunications, Electromagnetic Compatibility/ Interference (EMC), Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), and Wireless Systems Installation. The Personal Communications Industry Association positions its members in marketplace openings, and sponsor online community discussions. The Software Defined Radio Forum enables the wireless Internet and advanced capabilities for civil and military systems. The Universal Wireless Communications Consortium promotes TDMA, EDGE, and WIN standards and deploys of seamless global wireless voice and high-speed data services (QWEC, 22). Wireless Communications Association International represents the wireless broadband industry and conducts conferences and exhibitions devoted exclusively to wireless broadband. The Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance Certifies that products are interoperable using IEEE 802.11. The module also provided a list of agencies or organizations as follows: Agilent Technologies with an Educator Corner that provides a wealth of engineering information, simulations, and activities, web links to related engineering sites, and online seminars. AT&T Learning Network which brings technology to the educational environment using broadband for distance learning. Bluetooth™ is a “A wireless technology specification for a small-form factor, low-cost radio solution providing links between mobile computers, mobile phones and other portable handheld devices, and connectivity to the Internet. It sponsors a Special Interest Group (SIG) to promote the technology and bring it to market as well as resources and tutorial available on the web,” (GWEC, 29). Erlang Traffic Calculators RF Globalnet which provides resources on manufacturing, technology, equipment, suppliers, receivers, transmitters, and antennas. Wireless Design Online which brings information on cellular communications, microcellulars, satellite communications, and digital signal processors. Industry portals and Newsletters: America’s Network, Business Communications Review, Interactive Week, TR Wireless, RCR, RF Design, Broadband Wireless Business, Mobile Radio Technology, Internet Week, LAN Times, Multichannel News Online, Network World Fusion, teledotcom, Telecommunications® Online, Telephony Magazine, and Wireless Week; and Additional Resource Sites. Module Assessment The module is rich in information about the professional networks in a global setting. This is not surprising considering that wireless technology has helped hasten the union of nations and like-minded people in one or more groups. In fact, the list also confirms the networking of groups with various resources made available to them. There are overlapping groups that provide same services although there are also focuses on the specific field or area in many of the groups. One professional will not feel lost with the updated, real-time information that the module provides. It lived up to its reputation as a wireless but networked system. Challenges about the Module Topic Overlapping groups may seem competitive, with one trying to outdo the other through formation of a network of groups after a group has been formed. Here, redundancy becomes very obvious. This may mean more expenses for sustaining membership as well as keeping up with industry regulations such as licenses, certificates, accreditation, standards, and all other forms of requirements that group membership entails. I hope that this should not discourage or hamper the growth of an individual professional. While growth is also easier to sustain in an organizational setting where one professional may be employed, many corporations will remain the corporate organization that they are: maintain sweatshop manufacturing, control research and development, as well as maintain greed where innovation may be introduced by an employee. There are already many ways that one skilled professional may seek growth that pays. However, challenges remain to be addressed. One needs to be enterprising enough in order to hurdle the obstacles. I believe that with all the networks and groups that have proliferated and seem to continue expanding and growing, there is sufficient support group, services, information, and tools that will help each individual take advantage of the existing technology’s resources. The module provided sufficient links about the organizations, service providers, manufacturers, source of information, market, and all other details that one needs to know to explore the human web of wireless communication. Recommendation Despite the long list of the professional networks provided, it is quite obvious that most forms of interaction will also be wireless, therefore, “personless”. There are a few brick and mortar workshops, forums and conferences which one may attend and join, provided membership has been secured on the organizing group. This, however, does not guarantee a humanized interaction but a marketing tool that brings people together to explore wireless network existing technologies and products. It seems it is still up to the person to initiate his own personal contact and manner of conducting rapport. A friend in the industry to collaborate and grow with seemed to me, with the successes of duos, an ideal setting even in a wireless network. A slap on the shoulder for a job well down is still preferable over MMS, no matter how innovative the delivery may be. In addition, having a professional partner may also spell success for a skilled professional even in wireless communications systems. It makes an individual aspire with strength that cannot be provided by joining professional groups but by having a real person to morally and professionally support you without any membership fee, registration process, or qualifying standards. It is downright support which one cannot find elsewhere. That is a kind of professional network that I may want to encounter in this wireless communications system. I believe that Facebook and other networking sites may be trying to provide this, but ironically, wireless technology seems to hamper it. In this age of technology, individual efforts as well as humanization of organizations should be an issue that needs to be addressed. Many if not all organizations today are profit-oriented, in the guise of non-profit. These organizations are set up by corporations to regulate as well as control the industry they belong to, with agenda that returns profits back to these organization’s leaders. Members remain the controlled population who may be unwittingly used as pawns although their leaders will always provide a “platform for discussion of issues”. A big issue in many industries today including wireless is about upping the ante of consumption. The communication and information technologies that wireless supports seem to gang up on consumers to keep on buying and disposing as model after new model comes out successively, one always better than the last which at most has only been released a few seconds earlier. Works Cited Brandon, John. “Six enterprise security leaks you should plug now.” Computer World. October 12, 2010. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9189738/Six_enterprise_security_leaks_you_should_plug_now CIOL Bureau. Bluetooth-enabled device shipments to cross 2bn in 3yrs. Cybermedia. October 13, 2010. Web. From http://www.ciol.com/Technology/Networking/News-Reports/Bluetooth-enabled-device-shipments-to-cross-2bn-in-3yrs/142249/0/ Day Wireless System. “In Building Wireless Fire Code Adoption for OR & WA Begins July 1, 2010.” July 14, 2010. Web. From http://www.daywirelessnews.com/?p=167 GWEC (Global Wireless Communication Consortium). Professional Affiliations. 2010. Web. From http://ece-2.rose-hulman.edu/gwec/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=53&Itemid=30 Leocario, Ryan. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Surpasses Apple CEO in Financial Worth. MWD. September 27, 1020. Web. From http://www.mwd.com/2010/09/facebook-ceo-surpasses-apple-ceo-in-financial-worth/ Rich, Frank. Facebook Politicians Are Not Your Friends. New York Times. October 9, 2010. Web. From http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/opinion/10rich.html?scp=1&sq=Facebook%20politicians&st=cse Read More