The 3 main Information Systems which I use every single day is speaking on my cellphone, using my computer and playing my guitar.
Although it is hard to beleive that such a small item can do the 5 components that is required of an information system, the cellphone is without a doubt one of the most famous information system in the world. A cellphone's hardware can be the SIM card, or the battery. The software, depending on what type of cellphone a person has, can be windows or a company specific cellphone software. My particular cellphone uses software that was made by Samsung, with a very simple and rather outdated interface. The data that the cellphone uses is the words that we hear when others speak, or the sentences that we read when we're quickly looking something up on Google before we lose our connections. The procedure is the way in which we answer our phones or scroll through the software. For example, in order to answer an incoming call you have to slide some cellphones, but flip others. The people that are involved in this information system are me and my friends, or the people who are talking to each other on the telephone.
A huge information system which I use every single day, and in fact, almost every minute of my day, is my computer. Almost anything I do, whether I'm watching video's on Youtube, reading up on my history in Wikipedia, or playing a video game is an information system. Since I mentioned that I love to play video games, I will use video games to explain how a computer is the most perfect example of a information system. In order for me to play my video games, the computer has to run, and in order for it to do that, it has to have it's hardware, ie. power supply, motherboard, hard drive, monitor, keyboard etc. Furthermore it also has to have a operating system. Why is windows XP still retailing for $200+? why is the cheapest Mac on the market $1300? It's because Microsoft and Apple know that computer users (who are pretty much everyone) cannot use their computers without these operating systems or software. In addition, for me to play my video game, I must have bought the game and installed it. The data in the game can be the tutorial, or the labels of areas, weapons, people etc. In a website like Youtube or Wikipedia, the Data would be the actual words, an the actual video's. The procedure of my computer is simply when put in the password to log into my game account. And the people component is the millions of players worldwide that I interact with in game.
Playing my guitar did not seem like a information system, but the more I think about it, the more it makes a lot of sense for it to be. In order for me to play my guitar I need the hardware, that is, the guitar body itself, the pickups, the wires, the amplifiers, the pedals etc. The software is that which takes the sound of the vibrating strings and transforms it into a signal which I can recognize. The data is the part where my amplifier tells me how much effects (distortion, re-verb, Wah, compression etc.)I have disrupting my guitar's signal. Procedures is what I have to do in order to get my amplifier running and finding a sound which I like. and finally the people is the player, or me.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Technology!
Technology is a big part of my life. I use it every day, whether I'm listening to my I-pod on the bus to school or updating my blog using my computer. As we all know, technology is always changing, usually improving, but every once in a while, a new piece of technology would come out that is very different from all the others. According the the Sheridan College textbook called "Experiencing MIS", the an updated and improved piece of technology is called sustaining technologies, while a brand new and innovative machine on the market is called a disruptive technologies. One example of a disruptive technology that has and that I use on a daily basis is the CD drive. Before the CD drive, computers had to use floppy disks, which could hold a much smaller amount of information, and would take longer to transfer information to and from. However, about 10 years ago, the CD, and the CD drive were introduced, and have since made the floppy disk obsolete. The CD drive is disruptive because it doesn't get improved very often. It's job is to change information on a CD into something that we can read, all that has changed about it in the last 1o years is how fast a person can put information onto a CD through the CD drive.
The fact is, everyone uses sustainable technology a lot more then they use disruptive technology. One example of a sustainable technology which I use is my cellphone. Cellphones are probably the fastest machines that get improved. If you buy a cell
phone now, it will be obsolete in a matter of months. The cellphone is not a disruptive technology because it didn't replace any other technology when it first came out. Everyone still uses their home phone when they're are at home, but the cellphone allows people the opportunity to communicate with people outside of their homes as well.
The fact is, everyone uses sustainable technology a lot more then they use disruptive technology. One example of a sustainable technology which I use is my cellphone. Cellphones are probably the fastest machines that get improved. If you buy a cell
phone now, it will be obsolete in a matter of months. The cellphone is not a disruptive technology because it didn't replace any other technology when it first came out. Everyone still uses their home phone when they're are at home, but the cellphone allows people the opportunity to communicate with people outside of their homes as well.
The Business Process And Me...
After reading a very brief explanation of what the business process is, I realize that it is used in almost every job. The business process is basically the actions which each a company takes in order to gain business function. According to a college textbook called "experiencing MIS", the business process contains 4 basic components: activities, resources, facilites, and information. The business process contains 4 components: activities, resources, facilities and information. Activities is the actions that are taken to transfer information or products. Resources are the actual items being transferred. Facilities are the equipment required in order to store the items. And information is asking "how can we make a profit from the items?".
The best way to explain the business process is to give an example from my own job. A couple weeks ago, 5 hours into my shift a guy came up to me and told me that he had a hardware shipment for Rabba Fine Foods store #145. I acknowledged that the store he was at was #145, and he presented me with an invoice. He then proceeded to check the order with me by calling out each item he had while I ran down the list of the item in the invoice. After we were finished, I organized all of the item onto the shelf, priced them, and put the extra's in our stock room. This is a good example of the business process at work. The activities component in this particular example is the when the delivery man was calling out what he has for our store while I ran down the list of orders to make sure he has everything we ordered. The resources component of the process is the actual hardware. So he delivered everything from glue to kitchen knives. The facilities are the shelves which I stocked them on, and the cabinets in the overstock room. And the information component is the pricing of the items. The pricing of the items is the information because it is the way in which we turn the input (the hardware order we got) into a profitable output.
The best way to explain the business process is to give an example from my own job. A couple weeks ago, 5 hours into my shift a guy came up to me and told me that he had a hardware shipment for Rabba Fine Foods store #145. I acknowledged that the store he was at was #145, and he presented me with an invoice. He then proceeded to check the order with me by calling out each item he had while I ran down the list of the item in the invoice. After we were finished, I organized all of the item onto the shelf, priced them, and put the extra's in our stock room. This is a good example of the business process at work. The activities component in this particular example is the when the delivery man was calling out what he has for our store while I ran down the list of orders to make sure he has everything we ordered. The resources component of the process is the actual hardware. So he delivered everything from glue to kitchen knives. The facilities are the shelves which I stocked them on, and the cabinets in the overstock room. And the information component is the pricing of the items. The pricing of the items is the information because it is the way in which we turn the input (the hardware order we got) into a profitable output.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
My Business Hero...
Out of all the CEO's in the world, I idolize Warren Buffett more then anyone else. Warren Buffett is currently the second richest man in the United States, coming second to a good friend of his Bill Gates.Warren Buffett grew up in Omaha,Nebraska and even in his early years he was a very successful person. He bought his first shares when he was 11 for $38, and then sold them at $40. He also made a total of $5,000 delivering newspapers before he had graduated high-school. After high-school, Buffett went to the Wharton Business School in Pennsylvania. Buffett was first recognized for the amount of money he made in 1962. He had made over 7 million dollars through partnerships and mergers. His luck in business only increased from that point. In the year 1979, shares in Berkshire Hathaway Inc., which was owned by Warren Buffett, were selling at $775 per share. Currently he owns shares in many companies such as American Express, Coca-Cola, Comcast, and many more.
Although Warren Buffett is a very smart and successful business man, I don't idolize him because of his success, but rather because of his lifestyle. Unlike every other person on earth, Buffett absolutely despises technology. He doesn't live in a $20 million dollar home, and doesn't have 10 Porsche's that which he only uses for bragging rights, in fact, he doesn't even own a cellphone! Instead, he lives in a small house which he bought when he got married in the 1950's, and prefers to drive himself everywhere as opposed to hiring a driver. The reason why his lifestyle makes me idolize him is simple. It is well known that money corrupts, and it is also a common goal for everyone to want a lot of money. What is very scary for a lot of people is the question "if I had a lot of money, would I be who I am?", and Warren Buffett answers that question through his lifestyle.I realized this when I watched him give a lecture to a bunch of graduating MBA students, in which, if I didn't know who he was, I would have assumed he was just another motivational speaker who wants to encourage these students into "being the best they can be". His actions in that speech made me feel as though that he is similar to any other person, and that he is a person that I can relate to.
A very brief but interesting biography of Warren Buffet can be found at A very brief biography of Warren Buffet can be found at http://beginnersinvest.about.com/cs/warrenbuffett/a/aawarrenbio_3.htm
The video where Warren Buffett was giving a speech to the graduating MBA students can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfuXKpMFUjc
Although Warren Buffett is a very smart and successful business man, I don't idolize him because of his success, but rather because of his lifestyle. Unlike every other person on earth, Buffett absolutely despises technology. He doesn't live in a $20 million dollar home, and doesn't have 10 Porsche's that which he only uses for bragging rights, in fact, he doesn't even own a cellphone! Instead, he lives in a small house which he bought when he got married in the 1950's, and prefers to drive himself everywhere as opposed to hiring a driver. The reason why his lifestyle makes me idolize him is simple. It is well known that money corrupts, and it is also a common goal for everyone to want a lot of money. What is very scary for a lot of people is the question "if I had a lot of money, would I be who I am?", and Warren Buffett answers that question through his lifestyle.I realized this when I watched him give a lecture to a bunch of graduating MBA students, in which, if I didn't know who he was, I would have assumed he was just another motivational speaker who wants to encourage these students into "being the best they can be". His actions in that speech made me feel as though that he is similar to any other person, and that he is a person that I can relate to.
A very brief but interesting biography of Warren Buffet can be found at A very brief biography of Warren Buffet can be found at http://beginnersinvest.about.com/cs/warrenbuffett/a/aawarrenbio_3.htm
The video where Warren Buffett was giving a speech to the graduating MBA students can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfuXKpMFUjc
Jobs That I'v Worked......So Far
At the age of 13, I realized that a $40/month allowance simply wasn't enough for me to go to the movies and enjoy my time with my friends, so I decided to take a paper route with the Mississauga News. I was responsible for delivering the newspapers to the houses around my block, which were about 80 houses, 3 times a week. Although this did provide me with an extra $120/month, it was probably the worst job I've done, I especially realized that during the winter season. Every time I slipped and fell on the ice and dropping all of the papers my hatred for that job increased. Fortunately I able to put up with the paper route until I found a better job at the age of 16. That summer, my sister decided to quit working at Rabba Fine Foods, and needed a replacement. So I went in and got trained to work as stock boy. Luckily, the manager decided to hire me, and I have been working there ever since. Although the job pays little, I chose it over other jobs simply because of the fact that the hours are flexible. I only work on weekends during the school year, and I pick up an extra 20-30 hours a week during the summer and during Christmas break.
Although I have continued to work for Rabba, I have also taken other summer jobs to save up some money for college. When I was 18, I worked at a factory called AMT Plastics Inc. It wasn't hard and it was the highest paying job that I had worked, however, long hours combined with night shifts made that job too difficult for me to keep during the school year.
Last summer, when I was 19, I received a request from the headquarters of Rabba Fine Foods to help a new store manager set up the store. For about 2 months, the manager and I were alternating 2 shifts. In addition to that we were responsible for recruiting and training new employees, helping customers, and dealing with deliveries and shipments. Thankfully, we were able to find the right employees before my school year started, and I was able to go back to my part-time summer job.
Although I have continued to work for Rabba, I have also taken other summer jobs to save up some money for college. When I was 18, I worked at a factory called AMT Plastics Inc. It wasn't hard and it was the highest paying job that I had worked, however, long hours combined with night shifts made that job too difficult for me to keep during the school year.
Last summer, when I was 19, I received a request from the headquarters of Rabba Fine Foods to help a new store manager set up the store. For about 2 months, the manager and I were alternating 2 shifts. In addition to that we were responsible for recruiting and training new employees, helping customers, and dealing with deliveries and shipments. Thankfully, we were able to find the right employees before my school year started, and I was able to go back to my part-time summer job.
Where I Want To Be In 5 Years
As I mentioned, right now I am in College. I am studying Business Accounting, and I'm glad to say that so far I have enjoyed it. Next year by this time, I hope that I will be participating in the Co-op program that Sheridan College offers. This program will give me a good understand of what I will be doing when I graduate, and will provide me with valuable work experience. In 2 years, I hope to be graduating, after which, I would like to continue my education in business at a university. Although I have not yet decided which university I would like to go to, I have been able to narrow it down to either Reyerson University in downtown Toronto, or McMasters Univesity in Hamilton. After I earn my University Degree, I hope to be given the opportunity to write the UFE exam and earn my CA designation. Will I accomplish this in 5 years? I certainly hope so, but I wouldn't mind taking a bit longer.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Things I Want To Do In My Lifetime
1.Compose a Song 
Many people out there will say that all they want to do in their lives is to travel all over the world, or that they want to own a Ferrari. My main personal ambition, however, is much simpler, and cheaper, then that. All I want to do is compose a song. Although music is just a hobby, it has probably had the most influence on my life. It is more of a therapy then entertainment simply because its main goal is to make you feel what the musician or the composer felt at the time he/she was writing the song. Although that is the goal of all musicians, only a few musicians are skilled enough to actually achieve that goal, and my ambition is to one day have that kind of skill at what I now consider my favorite hobby, playing guitar.
2.Own An Island....Johnny Depp Did It!
Is it expensive? yes it is, very expensive. But if there is anything that the world famous actor, Johnny Depp, has taught me its that owning an island is not impossible. Although I understand that this goal is very unrealistic and rather stupid, the notion of being alone on a small island where only I reside appeals to me.
Many people out there will say that all they want to do in their lives is to travel all over the world, or that they want to own a Ferrari. My main personal ambition, however, is much simpler, and cheaper, then that. All I want to do is compose a song. Although music is just a hobby, it has probably had the most influence on my life. It is more of a therapy then entertainment simply because its main goal is to make you feel what the musician or the composer felt at the time he/she was writing the song. Although that is the goal of all musicians, only a few musicians are skilled enough to actually achieve that goal, and my ambition is to one day have that kind of skill at what I now consider my favorite hobby, playing guitar.
2.Own An Island....Johnny Depp Did It!
Is it expensive? yes it is, very expensive. But if there is anything that the world famous actor, Johnny Depp, has taught me its that owning an island is not impossible. Although I understand that this goal is very unrealistic and rather stupid, the notion of being alone on a small island where only I reside appeals to me.
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