Chapter 13 : Copyright and Fair Use

News about problem of copyright and fair use

Louis Vuitton Malletier, S.A. v. Akanoc Solutions, Inc., et al.
Louis Vuitton sued Managed Solutions Group, Inc. (MSG), Akanoc Solutions, Inc., and Steven Chen (collectively, Defendants) for contributory copyright and trademark infringement, contending that Defendants were liable for their role in hosting websites that directly infringed Louis Vuitton's trademarks and copyrights. After trial, a jury found Defendants liable and awarded damages against each defendant. In response to Defendants' motion for judgment as a matter of law, the district court set aside the jury's verdict and award against MSG. The district court otherwise denied the motion. The court affirmed the district court on all issues of liability raised by the appeal and cross-appeal but vacated the judgment and remanded with instructions that the district court award statutory damages in the amount of $10,500,000 for contributory trademark infringement and $300,000 for contributory copyright infringement, for which Akanoc and Chen should be jointly and severally liable. Accordingly, the court vacated and remanded.

source : http://fairuse.stanford.edu/more_feeds/featured_cases.html

Chapter 12 : Knowledge Management System

Knowledge Management System

Knowledge management system is usually related to Information Technology and it depicts a system to manage information in the organization.
Knowledge management system can be considered to be part of knowledge management, which can be used to create and storage of information in any organization or firm. The basic idea of knowledge management system was to allow employees to have instant access to their organization’s documents which consists of large work and also some solutions. The data once stored in the database when distributed through out the employees of the organization with the help of knowledge management system can solve the prevailing problems and give space to the employees to think about any recent development to the machinery or equipment.
Some of the features of Knowledge management system to be considered are the original purpose or objective of developing this system, context where this knowledge management system can be utilized, one or more processes in which it can be utilized for one particular project or the entire firm and also the instruments which can support this system.
Some of the benefits by using knowledge management system is that information can be circulated within the organization, hence if any error occurs then any individual can search the currently existing database for solution if not found can come up with their own innovative and creative solution. This will also help in reduction of the training time for new employees based on the information already store also reducing the repetition of work if the solution already exists.

Even if the employee leaves the company, information they posses can be withheld through these knowledge management systems and can be later on used as per the needs to train other people in the same aspect, this knowledge management system can be considered an open source information system.

source : http://www.knowledgemanagement.co.in/knowledge-management-system/

Chapter 11 : Example of information systems in any organization

Management Information System

Every hotel group needs financial and statistical key figures to reach the right future decisions. The ASSD Management Information System offers these information and turns out to be an indispensable companion concerning financial and marketing-relevant issues.

Comfortable selection tools of the ASSD Management Information System simplify evaluation as well as forecasts and statistical analysis and comparison of any data combination possible - find out for yourself!

• Reservation forecast: Due to the previous years bookings the MIS works out the pick-ups (expected bookings within a certain period). This forecast enables changes in strategy, adjustment of prices or additional marketing campaigns in due time.
• Information: Expected income and cash flow report.
• Year on year: Annual comparisons with regard to various years possible.
• Evaluation: Data on occupancy based on rooms, beds, days, months, years, guest types, nationality, etc. available.
• Choice in evaluation: Comfortable selection tools, e.g. only country or city hotels, only resorts within a certain country, selection based on number of rooms, etc. or individual selection by click list. Results displayed either individually or totalized.

Source : http://www.assd.com/hotel-mis.en.htm

Chapter 10 : Pros and Cons of Information Technology

Some advantages of information technology

Globalization - IT has not only brought the world closer together, but it has allowed the world's economy to become a single interdependent system. This means that we can not only share information quickly and efficiently, but we can also bring down barriers of linguistic and geographic boundaries. The world has developed into a global village due to the help of information technology allowing countries like Chile and Japan who are not only separated by distance but also by language to shares ideas and information with each other.

Communication - With the help of information technology, communication has also become cheaper, quicker, and more efficient. We can now communicate with anyone around the globe by simply text messaging them or sending them an email for an almost instantaneous response. The internet has also opened up face to face direct communication from different parts of the world thanks to the helps of video conferencing.

Cost effectiveness - Information technology has helped to computerize the business process thus streamlining businesses to make them extremely cost effective money making machines. This in turn increases productivity which ultimately gives rise to profits that means better pay and less strenuous working conditions.

Bridging the cultural gap - Information technology has helped to bridge the cultural gap by helping people from different cultures to communicate with one another, and allow for the exchange of views and ideas, thus increasing awareness and reducing prejudice.

More time - IT has made it possible for businesses to be open 24 x7 all over the globe. This means that a business can be open anytime anywhere, making purchases from different countries easier and more convenient. It also means that you can have your goods delivered right to your doorstep with having to move a single muscle.

Creation of new jobs - Probably the best advantage of information technology is the creation of new and interesting jobs. Computer programmers, Systems analyzers, Hardware and Software developers and Web designers are just some of the many new employment opportunities created with the help of IT.

Some disadvantages of information technology

Unemployment - While information technology may have streamlined the business process it has also crated job redundancies, downsizing and outsourcing. This means that a lot of lower and middle level jobs have been done away with causing more people to become unemployed.

Privacy - Though information technology may have made communication quicker, easier and more convenient, it has also bought along privacy issues. From cell phone signal interceptions to email hacking, people are now worried about their once private information becoming public knowledge.

Lack of job security - Industry experts believe that the internet has made job security a big issue as since technology keeps on changing with each day. This means that one has to be in a constant learning mode, if he or she wishes for their job to be secure.

Dominant culture - While information technology may have made the world a global village, it has also contributed to one culture dominating another weaker one. For example it is now argued that US influences how most young teenagers all over the world now act, dress and behave. Languages too have become overshadowed, with English becoming the primary mode of communication for business and everything else.

source: http://www.smallbusinessbible.org/advan_disadvan_informationtechnology.html

Chapter 9 : Characteristics of good websites and Bias information

Characteristics of good websites

1. Original, Fresh Content

    Content is king in the web world. People visit websites for the primary purpose of finding content, so make sure you deliver. Website content should be unique and up to date.

2. Target Audience

From a quick scan of your website, visitors should be able to determine what you offer and how you can benefit them. A good website will have headlines and text that speaks to the target audience’s needs and wants

3. User-Friendly Navigation

A good website has content that is easy to find. Pages should be organized and named in a way that the target audience will easily understand.

4. Simple and Professional Design

A good website will have an attractive layout that is easy on the eyes. Be sure your colors contrast well and your text doesn’t require a magnifying glass to read.

5. Speed

How many seconds will you wait for a page to load before you give up and leave a website? Many factors can affect the loading time of a website including coding, number of graphics, the server speed, traffic volume on the website and the capabilities of a user’s computer.

6. Search engine optimization

SEO is one of the most commonly neglected aspects of a website, but a website is useless if no one can find it. Think about the keywords that users may search for to find a product or service you offer.

7. Link building

Links are an important factor in determining where your website appears in search engine results. Find as many legitimate sites as you can that will link you your website.

8. Tracking

A good website is a work in progress. A nice tool like Google Analytics will keep track of the number of people who come to your website, what pages they viewed, where they came from, what keywords they used in search engines, how many left after the first page and more.
Remember to include these characteristics in your next website design project. A professional-looking website with interesting content that is easy to navigate and can be found in search engines is sure to bring value to your business.

Sources: http://www.successdesigns.net/articles/entry/characteristics-of-a-good-website/

Here are some example of good websites in my opinion:
http://www.businessballs.com/
http://www.buzzle.com/
http://www.manager.co.th/home/


Bias information
How to evaluate biases in information is important to understand. You need to be aware of what is true, or what just someone’s opinion is. When evaluating biases in information, it is important to remember that everyone has an opinion. Especially when looking at the Internet, understand that a lot of the websites are self published and don’t require any concrete evidence to back up what the author is saying. Following these guidelines will ensure you are getting the true information from reliable sources.

Sources: http://www.surfnetkids.com/go/safety/451/evaluating-bias-in-online-information/

Example of Bias Information:

On Bill ClintonClinton suggested at the end of 1996 a 25% CUT in the Federal home assistance plan, and as a result received a lot of flack from representatives in the Northeastern states. He thus decided to drop the issue. His change in position was shown in the Bangor, Maine Newspaper as "Clinton Saves Federal Heating Assistance Plan" ....SAVES??? He was going to cut it. Funny we didn't hear anything about Clinton "gutting" the heating plan as I am sure it would have been referred to if a Republican had suggested the cut. It's so interesting how Clinton is hailed as "saving" a plan that HE suggested cutting!

Sources: http://www.gargaro.com/bias.html