Software Theft - Paper #3

     Software theft is the copying or distribution of copyright protected software without authorization. Most people do this because the profits can be substantial without labor costs. But there are some who do this for the purpose of lowering a publishers profits or ruining the publishers reputation. These types of people justify their actions by claiming the publishers are over-pricing the products and believe they are doing a public service by offering the product for a cheaper price or even for free. Some software that has been stolen could have viruses build in or may be incomplete compared to the publishers version, meaning the only one who profits off of software theft is the thief and thief alone (FAST, 2013).
      Software theft can occur though many methods. Scenario one involves the unauthorized use of the same software on multiple PCs, leading to heavy fines and eventual purchase of the product anyways(SSIA). Scenario two is the spread of software by one criminal either though physical copies or though the internet(Nagpal).
     Scenario one revolves around purchasing one licensed software for multiple PCs. "John" wanted to cut expenses, so he used the same software for 45 PCs. Eventually, one user of the illegal software had to call technical support, which lead to the SSIA realizing that the company didn't have licensing for the software, leading to an overall expense of $500,000 that could have been avoided.
     Scenario two is when someone purchases a copy of the legal software and then duplicates it using CD ROMs and then sells it using dealers, or sells the software though electronic downloads. Either method is used for monetary gain, and usually leads to incomplete or compromised software.
     Software theft has heavy legal ramifications. Copyright infringement can be punishable up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines. Repeat offenders can be imprisoned up to 10 years and violators can be fined up to $150,000 per work(US Copyright Law). As well as the legal consequences, users of stolen software may experience exposure to viruses, lack of technical support, and no accessibility to upgrades that would be available though purchase of the product.
     Software theft is a criminal activity that leads to nothing except profit to the thief or harm to the publishers reputation. The harsh legal consequences for participating in software theft is justified and the actions of these criminals are deplorable.
   








Sources:
fastiss, 2013, FAST, 11 Nov. 2013
Software & Information Industry Association, 2013, SSIA, 11 Nov. 2013
Chmag, Nagpal, Club Hack, 11 Nov 2013
http://www.symantec.com/about/profile/antipiracy/consequences.jsp

NXT Sensors

Tonight we attached sensors to our NXT robots. First was the speaker. This program applauds when opened. Second was the light sensor. The sensor stops the NXT robot from moving when it detects a dark spot. Third was the touch sensor. The program drives the NXT robot forward until the touch sensor hits an object, causing the device to brake. Lastly, there was the ultrasonic sensor. The program has the device drive, sending out ultrasonic waves. Once the robot gets too close to an object, the ultrasonic sensor tells it to brake.

Linus Torvolds was the co-developer of Linux. He did something that challenged the developers of other operating systems: he made Linux a free download.






Steve Woziak is the co-founder of Apple computers. He was the main designer of Apple I and Apple II.

Tonight we built a Castor bot, using a kit from LEGO. We had to deviate from the directions slightly due to some incongruities between ours and their model. Most of the changes resulted from minor size differences, and involved some moving of the connecters. Code:

For mid term Lab link click here.

Click here to see my animoto.

Mini-Paper #2 - Concerning Employee Monitoring

     Employee monitoring can be a controversial subject. Kristin Morgan, from an informative perspective, states that employee monitoring can be used as an important tool to assess and improve employee performance and productivity. She assumes that employers will work to improve their employees opposed to firing them. However, from an academic standpoint, Jitendra M. and Suzanne M. believe that the cons outweigh the pros for employee monitoring, assuming that employees wish to keep their privacy.
     Morgan's primary purpose is to stress how employee monitoring can be used to improve the overall quality of employees, as well as teaching the employers how to implement the systems required. However, Jitendra and Suzanne state that employers can abuse these systems and create stress for the employees.
     For example, let's say that an employee's call is being monitored when on the phone with a customer. The employee makes a rude statement on accident without noticing, ultimately causing the customer to hang up, frustrated. The employer notices and confronts the employee in an attempt to improve the employee's ability to interact with customers. This is how employee monitoring can be used from Kristin's point of view.
     On the other hand, the stress buildup of always being monitored can be detrimental to the employees. Constantly being aware that your job depends on your employer's judgement on your actions may lead to extraordinary stress buildup and cause sub-par results from employees.
    Morgan believes that using employee monitoring systems, when used correctly, can be used to improve employees whose problems wouldn't be addressed otherwise. Jitendra and Suzanne believe that employee monitoring can be harmful to both the performance and health of workers due to a high amount of stress. The disparity in these views are beneficial to employee monitoring possibilities. It can lead to Morgan's ideal use of monitoring and improve employer-employee relations by building trust in employers by knowing if their employees are working well. However, the disparity in ideals may lead to a complete abandonment of employee monitoring, effectively shutting off the benefits it provides, although saving employees from the detrimental effects.
     Employers can either use monitoring well or not, regardless of the debate. Depending on which side the employer is on, they can make the workplace good or bad. If done badly, frustration and stress can build up in employees, a negative side effect. However, good use of monitoring will lead to fruitful employees and methods to improve their performance.

Sources:
http://www.stfrancis.edu/content/ba/ghkickul/stuwebs/btopics/works/monitoring1a.htm
http://faculty.bus.olemiss.edu/breithel/final%20backup%20of%20bus620%20summer%202000%20from%20mba%20server/frankie_gulledge/employee_workplace_monitoring/employee_monitoring_privacy_in_the_workplace.htm

Componets

CD/DVD player to read cd/dvd discs


Screen/monitor to display images on computer.


Hard drive stores data (non volatile)


Mouse- this is used to move the cursor on the screen.


Battery - is used to supply the computer with power.


Keyboard - used to give commands to the computer. numbers/letters/enter/backspace/tab/ ctrl.



Memory(ram) is the storage space used for nonvolatile data.


Usb port is used for many different things, but it is a connection that most devices use to connect to the computer.


Webcam is used to take images/video and puts it onto the computer.


Jump Drive is a portable volatile storage space. (data storage)


Surge protector is suppose to save the computer/power supply from getting under voltage and over voltage.



Motherboard is the circuit board where all of the components are put to run a computer.  buses, drives, processor, etc.