Chapter 9 correlation with the article “Windows 7 born from Vista’s frustrations”

Ina Fried basically says that complains made by customers regarding Windows Vista lead Microsoft to a new product designing approach. Where they sought the input of PC manufactures like HP, Dell, and Acer etc. Morbello, an Acer Vice president, said, “Until Vista, Microsoft was fully thinking on there own and implanting their own ideas and then releasing it. The PC manufactures didn’t really know what to expect or how it would function in there PC hence all the problems that PC users experience.
Microsoft had to change their method of design in part because of Apple strong customer satisfaction. They held meeting and discussed how certain PC components were functioning with the Windows program and also how pre-installed non-Microsoft programs would affect the function of the PC. A few of the decisions made were the addition of an XP mode to allow users to use a free virtualization copy of Windows XP in order to run older applications not compatible with the new version; and they also cut out all the “Crapware” (preinstalled non-Microsoft software) that was slowing down the PCs.
This article relates to the chapter because it used all the information obtained from complains surrounding Windows Vista. Microsoft took this information obtained from customers and got to the “root cause”! Rather than continuing to develop their product in the same fashion they took their customers complains into consideration and developed a software program with the help of the PC manufactures in order to eliminate possible future consumer problems.

BY: Ina Fried
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10380296-56.html

Verizon, Motorola unveil the Droid correlated with chapter 7

This article highlight the Motorola Droid, a new phone offered exclusively By Verizon wireless. It was designed for people seeking an alternative to the iPhone and shows that while the iPhone has standard it is not immune to threat or rather “not untouchable” as stated by Straton (www.cnn.com). The Droid offers many similar features and runs on the Android OS. The Droid offers voice activated search feature for music photos and contacts, Google maps turn by turn GPS directions, it also offers a 5-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. It has a Webkit HTML 5 browser, and it's powered by a 550MHz processor and a removable lithium ion battery offering 6.4 hours talk time and up to 11 days of standby time.

This correlates with Chapter seven, Networks, Telecommunication, and mobile Technology, because it describes yet another gadget in the assistance of mobile technology. The Droid would be classified as a Smartphone because it offers both PDA and phone function. It also shows how we are integrating more and more mobile technology in that it also offers a GPS system, WI-FI and Bluetooth. I am quite excited about this phone because it provides a powerful tool as great service. While researching and reading some blogs comparing the droid I came to the conclusion that the Droid was more Business oriented, while the iPhone was more multi-media orientated.



By Marguerite Reardon

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/10/29/cnet.verizon.motorola.droid/index.html?iref=allsearch

Chapter 2 correlation with Robot parking: the blindfold idiot test

This article described discussed and compared new technology that was offer in a few vehicles (the VW Touran, the Toyota Prius Spirit, and the Lexus LS460 to be specific). This technology is called the intelligent parking assistant, and it does what it implies (Parks your vehicle). This feature was put to the blind fold test and exerted varied results in usability and performance. The VW Touran was the easiest to use and passed the blind fold test it allowed the driver to pick a parking spot on the street and took control of the steering wheel. The driver however, still had control of the power exerted (gas pedal) and if it reached a certain speed it would automatically shut off this feature. The Lexus and the Toyota differed from the VW in that the Lexus and Toyota use on screen control to plot out the vehicles path and the VW does that on its own. Also all systems had a shut off that was engaged if the driver began to accelerate to fast. Nicholas Rufford and Jason Dawe concluded that these systems where good but still required some improvements and that "the system still couldn't beat a competent driver" (www.timesonline.co.uk).

This article correlates with chapter two because it involves the use of artificial intelligent. The Text describes four types of artificial intelligent: Expert systems, neural networks, genetic algorithm, and intelligent agents. I believe this is an intelligent agent system because it performs a certain task, I think also exhibits traits of a genetic algorithm AI system in that it optimizes a repeated tasks at least in the VW system. I wonder if both system of AI where used and if anymore systems will be integrated to form other tasks.

Nicholas Rufford and Jason Dawe

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/features/article2068943.ece

Chapter 6 correlation with IBM Adds Informix Data Warehouse Feature

The articles is about IBM has improved the Informix Dynamic Server. According to Kevin Brown, IBM’s Lead Architect for Informix Database, “the new tools allow [customers] to transform their data into Star Schema for efficient warehouse workloads, With this offering, we are providing the necessary tools to make their jobs that much easier" (www.eweek.com). Prior to this enhancement users would need to create manuscript and trigger to create schemas, schematic or preliminary plan. According to Brian Prince the new feature provides a visual representation of the user’s current database design and can be used to transform data into a star schema without writing a single line of code. According to brown this converts weeks of effort into just a few hours of work. Informix Dynamic Server is typically used for OLTP environment (online transaction processing) and DB2 for a database warehouse the new feature consolidates both tasks into one system. This was done in efforts to increase customer satisfaction rather that provide an edge on IBM competitors.

This correlates with chapter 6 because as noted the new feature increase productivity or rather simplifies it. The text explains that databases were implemented in order to access relevant data quickly and efficiently an attribute that today’s developer continues to improve as seen by this article.



By: Brian Prince

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Database/IBM-Adds-Informix-Data-Warhouse-Feature-to-Bolster-Database-Software