Reflections on Session 5

I was surprised that the class did not address thumbdrive security, patch management, dumpster diving, and social engineering more in their submissions.

In past years, the issues surrounded viruses, spyware, worms, and other malware. During the more recent semesters, the postings were on wireless issues (lack of encryption), server security, patch management, laptop (data-at-rest) and thumbdrive security, social engineering, shoulder surfing, tailgating, identity theft, and dumpster diving. This reflects a broader perspective of security beyond the intrusions from the World Wide Web.

Some students think that because of the exercise on alternatives to passwords, I am implying that passwords should be replaced totally. No, I am in favor of a two-factor authentication which typically includes a password or a PIN particularly when dealing with portal entry. I am disappointed with passwords themselves which are long, complex and impossible to memorize. And they say not to write it down. There MUST be a better system. I'm glad a few of you mentioned graphical passwords but that is still vulnerable to shoulder surfing!

Oh, yes, MISS RAMBO says...

Reflections on Sessions 3 and 4

Session 3

Students posted some very unique next-generation telecommunications devices. The trend among the submissions was human implantations -- under the skin, in the eye and in the ear. This really should not be a surprise...after all some folks have pacemakers, artificial limbs and VeriChip. Other trends include converged functionality: small form factor, wireless, MP3, and GPS technologies. This is the world of "mash-ups" where different technologies are married together to create a new application. The classic one is the mash-up of cell phones and GPS technology.

Another trend was that many students are REALLY awful artists! I'm VERY glad this is not an art class.

I remember when I was a kid there were matchbooks with offers to take drawing lessons by mail. I wonder if these companies are still around. Some of the students could use their services!



I am pleased with the students' topic selections. Frankly, I wish students could write on 2 or even 3 of the topics they proposed. But I am satisfied with the final selections -- these should be very informative for both the students and myself. You see, students will post their papers in a conference for everyone to view. We are in a collaborative, sharing environment in our virtual classroom!

Session 4

Students are getting "in the groove" (to use an archaic term) with the course. The discussion threads are full of insightful comments and exchanges, the current events postings are timely and stimulating to read and the mini-projects reflects significant thought by the students. Most students are keeping up with their blogs. Hey, this is what graduate school is all about!

Starting this week -- no more Mr. Nice Guy! I won't send e-mail if your posting is deficient (less than 100 words, forgot to put the current events title, etc).

There is no perfect web site (except mine :-) ) so Zillow reflects a number of flaws but represents where we are going when it comes to the web. Self reporting, integrating and re-packaging data, and collaboration are features of most new web sites.

Keep up the good work, gang! Groovy!

Reflections on Session 2

I am glad to see that we have an imaginative group of students in the class. The diary assignment revealed that! Here are just a few of the creative thoughts that came up:

Robotic maid
High tech forensics lab
Elementary school hackers
108-inch displays
Virtual stadium
Personalized home
Flights to Mars
Universal teleworking
Peeing robotic dog
Robotic barista
Voice recognition systems
Trips to Mars
Ear implanted cell phone chip
Iris scanning
Collision-avoiding car
Robotic arm
Tax criminal caught on camera
Smart house computer
Just-in-time grocery delivery
Lexus LX 850 Fuel Cell Car
Bullet trains
10 terabyte players
Robotic food delivery service
Amazon-Google merger
"Red tooth" power
Second Life FBI
All-electric SUVs
Thin clients finally arrive
Optical computer
UAVs
Robotic secretary
Video cell phone

This is from past semesters...

Laser shower
GPS car-crash avoidance system
Waterless shower
Aero car
Health sensor (just like Bones)
DNA sampling
MP7
Touch TV Screen
Virtual assistant
Retina scan for authorization
Multi-purpose and secure PDA's
Smart kitchen
Holographic ads
Nano-bots
Instant video messagingFred the Robot
Voice Recognition Car
Holographic tables
10 Terabyte PDA's
Quantum servers
Integration across systems
All-Access Device
Wireless entertainment system
Wallpaper TV
Cloned bosses
Computer control by thought
Digital textbooks
GooHoo (Google + Yahoo)
Organic solar panels
Hyper-bikes
100 core processors
OLED
Auto dresser
Cyber-wife
Kitchen digital assistant
Wireless Base Launch
Imbedded RFID chips
3-D holograhics
20-core processor

One of my favorite sayings is "Imagination is more important than Knowledge." Reflect on that statement a few minutes because it is very profound. Without imagination, our society would not have advanced at all.

BTW, that saying came from Al...

P.S. Humor is also important!

Reflections on Session 1

This class reflects a broad spectrum of backgrounds. I like classes like these -- you get a wide range of perspectives. I predict a very stimulating class this semester!

Miss Rambo, our mean and evil TA, is upset that several students forgot to include the name of the student they are responding to. However, I feel that this is just a minor concern. I am glad students met the 100-word minimum -- this helps to ensure depth to the responses.

I hope students are applying critical thinking and analysis to the discussion question contributions. It's easy to copy and paste info, but graduate school is all about higher order thinking. The current events postings are really on target! Seems like there are a lot of interest in a variety of areas.

As for the blogs, it would be great to add a little more pizzazz with the addition of images, relevant links and (yes) even humor!



Looks like a terrific semester coming up!!!!