Tutorial 4: What is RAID?? Seriously...

That's how I felt when I first started learning about them. Turns out, they're not as bad as they seem at first. RAID stands for "Redundant Array of Inexpensive Drives". This is basically a way of  combining the storage across multiple drives to offer a single virtual device. RAID can provide the following benefits: Data redundancy (protects important data from failures), Fault Tolerance (provides a more reliable system), Increased Capacity (combines several disks together into one), Increased Performance (subjective to the type of RAID is used, overall the technology is the better option). These are the main types of RAID...

RAID 0: Also known as "Striping", the read/write operations are executed from the various drives simultaneously. Meaning, your data is split among different disks for storage. The total amount of storage available for use is the sum of all disk's memory. This translates into faster writing/reading times because of the simple fact that it can execute from several disks at once, as supposed to one for a big file. RAID 0, is the fastest and most efficient type of RAID. However, it does not offer any fault tolerance, simply because there is no extra disk where you may backup your data. This is a great choice for someone that backs up their data on an external hard drive often. Below we have RAID 0, striping.

Credit to: www.Iomega.com tutorial team.

RAID 1: Also called, Mirroring, is a two disk system that allows redundancy. The structure offers redundancy (as supposed to RAID 0) because, the data is written fully on BOTH disks. This is great for environments where, cost is not an issue but data loss is a big concern. Although, cost is 50% higher than Striping (you need double GB to store your data, twice), it's great when handling critical data. You may also add what is called a "Hot Spare" disk which, is an extra disk that is only used when one of the others (with data) fails. In the case of said disk failure, "Hot Spare" disk copies all the data from the "good" disk to create a second copy. When the failed disk is exchanged, it becomes the new "Hot Spare". Here is what RAID 1 looks like...

Credit to: www.Iomega.com tutorial team.

RAID 5: Is a redundant system, which is similar to striping but distributes parity among the drives. RAID 5 requires three or more drives as it spreads data blocks across all disks except for one, "Hot Spare". This system has relatively fast reads similar to striping. however, due to having to compute parity, writing times are a bit slower than previous RAID. In addition to fast read times, this provides data redundancy. If a single disk fails, due to parity, "how spare" can easily reconstruct the data lost. Here is what it may look like..

Credit to: www.Iomega.Com Tutorial Team

So now you have the main idea of what RAID is what their advantages are. If you're in the market for a RAID system, I would advice you to do extensive research on which is more appropriate to your environment. Here are some websites I find useful: Addonics RAID quick tutorial & Publib Boulder's RAID Journal.

Project: Secure Email

The article "Tampa Company Using Biometrics to Secure Computer Systems" explains a new technology that uses biometrics to secure "personal and corporate data". It is very simple, the user swipes his finger at a any computer (that has the technology installed) and he/she is given the access that they are allowed. This new security technology, called "bioLock", is going to help companies keep their data secure as it records and logs who accessed what, where and when. The article also explains how this new system could have prevented three famous corporate fraud cases, one being: NASA's 2008 identity theft which questioned the government's computer security. The article can be found at: http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/jan/07/071031/tampa-company-using-biometrics-secure-computer-sys/.

Below is the screen capture of my inbox. Highlighted in red are the two replies from ism3004.prof.

Screen Capture by: Cesar Tobar

Extra Credit Assignment: VOIP and Video Capture

I have been using Skype for quite sometime now, not knowingly that this is the Voice Over IP technology. As I just learned that Voice Over IP may come in many forms. The most popular is Skype, which allows you to make free phone calls and video conference (2 or more users) with just an internet connection. Like I mentioned before, I've used it since it was first released. I am now able to keep in touch with family and friends that I can't see very often. Attached is a video call with a friend of mine...
Screen Cast Skype_Call

Extra Credit: Creating an Avatar

To start off, I want to show you my avatar. I created it using the "Create Avatar-South Park Studios". I chose this website because it allows you to download the avatar in form of a background. As supposed to other choices, they email it to you which can take up to 30 minutes. I tried "Face Your Manga" twice and the avatar never came in my inbox. I also just enjoy South Park to begin with. So, here it is..

Created by: Cesar Tobar; Used "Create Avatar-South Park Studios.

I started off by using Google, the link to the website is: www.southparkstudios.com/avatar. The first step is, choose whether you want to; Create new avatar, Randomize a character, or view gallery. I chose create new avatar. The menu looks like this...

Created by: Cesar Tobar; Used "Create Avatar-South Park Studios.

As you can see in the picture, this is the navigation menu. The blue circle, represents the navigation menu (to jump sections) as well as an undo button. The red circles, are used to go to the next section once you have decided on a particular item on the present section. Yellow circles are also navigation arrows that allow you to scroll from one item to the next (skin colors).  Finally, the green circle, has a save button, share button (allows to share on Facebook and other media) as well as a random button if you are indecisive.

That does it for my avatar post. I had fun creating my avatar, it was quick and easy. I advice you, when you're bored, to get on a search engine and look for some web-flash based avatar creators and have some fun!

Tutorial 3: Microsoft Access queries and a look at their criteria!

So, I was working on an Access project for my class and I realized how much you can utilize a well developed database. As part of my assignment I had to create a query that required a special "criteria" equation that returns records less than 180 days (6 months) old. I got to thinking, what are the other criteria equations that I could use to enhance my database. My project setting was that of a gym, and I was manipulating raw data of current and former members. Whatever the situation that you're utilizing Access for, the criteria needed for the desired return might be similar. Here is a quick look at one criteria equation that I would like to use to enhance my database.

The first Query I wish to create would be: A list of current members that includes basic info (ID, name, address, birth date, type of membership).  This list could be used as a marketing tool. We can use this list to send promotions to current members on their birthdays and/or promotions based on their type of membership (Individual or family membership). My only issue is that the "Leftdate" field ( If left "blank", member is a current patron). What criteria could I use have my query return all records with blank "Leftdate" fields. Here is a closer look.

 

 

Screen Cap Taken By: Cesar Tobar

 

First we'll start with our query in "Design View". As you can tell I already added all the fields I want it to return. The red circle indicates the field that I want to return with only "blank" records.

Screen Cap Taken By: Cesar Tobar

As you can see the required criteria "equation" for the desired return is simple. "Is Null" does the job for this desired return. As you can see I also sorted our query by Last Name. You might want to sort it by ascending "Birth Date" so it's easier for the marketing department to send promotions as the time passes. You can also see that unchecked the "show" box for "Left Date" field, so  your return does not show a black column.

Screen Cap Taken By: Cesar Tobar

The finished product looks like this. As you can see a simple query could be turn into a report, which could be used as a great tool to generate more business. There is a TON on criteria equations that may be used to return a desired information. This page gives you a very extensive list of criteria and sort equations that may be used along with a simple explanation. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for the next post!

Database Project

I had attempted to use Microsoft Access last year for a project, it was difficult. I could not understand all the different views, structures of queries, forms and reports. Learning about Microsoft Access in this class is definitely something I was looking forward to because this is the one program that I could not figure out on my own. After finishing this project I learned many things: How the program is structured (different views & how to import data), how to create queries, forms reports and how to create reports from a certain source.

One way to improve this database could be: Create a table called "Current Members". We would know who our current clients are so we can send gifts and promotions on special dates (i.e. birthdays). We could have the same table as "6mo" except to change "Left Date" criteria and have the table return members with no "left date". Another way would be,  create a table of all current, individual memberships so the gym can send "family deals" so the whole family can sign up.

Presentation and Web 2.0 Project

For the Presentation and Web 2.0 Project, I decided to present about The Delta Chi Philanthropy (Earthball) and how we support the Jimmy V. Foundation and it's cause. My presentation can be found on you tube here. Overall, I believe my presentation followed all the instructions very well. I made a very conscious effort to meet all the requirements that the evaluation rubric set.

I started off with a very emotional excerpt from Jimmy V's famous ESPY speech in 1993. I believe I grabbed the audience's attention right away. The presentation was given in logical flow. I introduced four main points: Who is Jimmy Valvano?, What is the Jimmy V. Foundation?, What is Earthball and how it's played? and lastly, How you can get involved. My slides were tastefully done, I had big enough text with enough information, large pictures and plenty of white space as to not have too much noise.

I do believe I missed one part of the requirements. I did not add a SLIDE with cited works on my Powerpoint slide. However, I did cite ALL of my media in the "details" section of my presentation's page on YouTube. I also resubmitted my source file to reflect written consent to use Jimmy V. Foundation's logo and Jimmy V's picture. I strongly believe NO copyright laws were infringed upon.

Critiquing a peer's presentation gave me great insight as to what I had to do to make my presentation perfect. It is a combination of: Natural and error free speech, a slideshow with the right layout and notice-to-signal ratio along with the right media to grab your audience's attention.

Overall, I not only learned a lot more about my topic which I presented on but I learned the effort it takes to put technology together for a presentation. It is truly getting to work anywhere from 3-10 programs in harmony to have ONE final file to upload to the internet. I, of course, made things very complicated and tried around 6 programs until I found the ones that were useful to me the most. My final programs were: Powerpoint, YouTube Dowloader, Boilsoft Video Splitter, Easy Video Splitter (to switch to WMV format), snagit and of course Youtube.com. Once again, I learned a lot more than I expected for this project and I am glad I put as much effort as I did. I will absolutely be using all this new found knowledge on web 2.0 technology in the future, as I join the workforce.

Note: Instructions said this project was easy, I do not agree. Researching programs to fit your needs can become a hassle and I have a new found respect for amateur video and audio editors that work with little resources.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT!!!!!
CT