5. a.) One way that data collection can be transferred to the weather database is by sending the data wirelessly to the weather station in real time so that the database is updated frequently. Another way is to store the data collected onto a portable storage device and upload it from the device into the database.
b.) One difference is that a computer model uses mathematical models to represent something and predict its possible results, but a simulation does this by displaying moving images that represent what is being recreated by the model. Another difference is that simulations can be interactive by adding variables as timme in the simulation progresses, whereas a model merely takes the data and calculates the most likely outcome.
c.) One reason is that not every hurricane behaves the same. Each has its unique size, speed, and strength, giving it unique qualities that cause each one to behave differently. Another reason is that there are many factors that effect hurricane movement, such as the wind speed in a certain area, the air pressure, and humidity. The variations in these in a certain environment cannot all be predicted and be simulated to represent enough areas to account for every possible situation that a hurricane may encounter, because there are so many factors that affect weather it is very difficult to predict how anything that meteorologists see every day behave, let alone a unique instance such as hurricane, which can't be studied as much because there aren't as many.
d.) The use of a weather simulation to predict how a disaster such as a hurricane will behave and act on a system or environment could provide architects with better information about how buildings could be built in order to guard against the forces of a hurricane. Also, a simulation could predict what would happen to a food supply if it was struck by a natural disaster, and knowing what would happen could help people decide how to protect their food. This way, people will know what could be harmful to their food supplies and how they could protect them. A simulation could also predict what the environment would look like after the storm hit. This way, the people could be prepared for what their homes would be like and the people in charge could better decide how to solve the problems that follow a natural disaster.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Model/Simulations practice questions
1. a. A computer model is the respresentation of a real-life event or thing using mathematical algorithms and data from said event.
b. One input would be the number of checkouts that he can have open at once, because otherwise the predicted best result would be much too high. Another input would be the average amount of customers waiting in line at once, so that the model knows how many people must be served.
c. One reason is that the amount of people at the checkouts rely completely on human decision, which cannot be modeled by numbers or any algorithm, as there are no patterns. Also, the amount of food each person buys from the store cannot be predicted very accurately either, because of all the factors that contribute to it, such as how much income a family makes, whether or not they're keeping their job, how much time they stay living within the area, whether or not there are other competing stores, etc.
2. a. A computer simulation is the visual representation of a real-life product, object, or phenomenon using data that forms a model that give the physics of said phenomenon.
b. One input would be a realistic cockpit in which all of the buttons and devices in a real cockpit are present and function just the same as in a real cockpit, so that when a pilot goes to pilot a real plane, they are familiar with everything and know how to work it. Another input would be the visual background creation of the appearance that the pilot is actually flying in the sky, so that the pilot cna get used to the sight of being thousands of feet in the air, otherwise the pilot may feel intimidated by the sight when they fly a real plane.
c. One benefit is that a simulation doesn't have consequences of failing that are even close to the consequences of failing to fly a real plane. If a pilot fails a simulation, they can just try it again. However, if a pilot is practicing, say, landing in a real plane, if they miss the runway, the plane could get damaged and the pilot could get injured. However, in a simulation there is no physical danger, so it is much safer. However, one drawback is that the pilot knows that there is no real danger, so there is not as much stress as flying a real plane. If they pass all of the simulations, they may feel intimidated by flying a real plane, and real nervousness and stress could kick in that the pilot never experienced before, which could cause them to do something wrong and crash.
b. One input would be the number of checkouts that he can have open at once, because otherwise the predicted best result would be much too high. Another input would be the average amount of customers waiting in line at once, so that the model knows how many people must be served.
c. One reason is that the amount of people at the checkouts rely completely on human decision, which cannot be modeled by numbers or any algorithm, as there are no patterns. Also, the amount of food each person buys from the store cannot be predicted very accurately either, because of all the factors that contribute to it, such as how much income a family makes, whether or not they're keeping their job, how much time they stay living within the area, whether or not there are other competing stores, etc.
2. a. A computer simulation is the visual representation of a real-life product, object, or phenomenon using data that forms a model that give the physics of said phenomenon.
b. One input would be a realistic cockpit in which all of the buttons and devices in a real cockpit are present and function just the same as in a real cockpit, so that when a pilot goes to pilot a real plane, they are familiar with everything and know how to work it. Another input would be the visual background creation of the appearance that the pilot is actually flying in the sky, so that the pilot cna get used to the sight of being thousands of feet in the air, otherwise the pilot may feel intimidated by the sight when they fly a real plane.
c. One benefit is that a simulation doesn't have consequences of failing that are even close to the consequences of failing to fly a real plane. If a pilot fails a simulation, they can just try it again. However, if a pilot is practicing, say, landing in a real plane, if they miss the runway, the plane could get damaged and the pilot could get injured. However, in a simulation there is no physical danger, so it is much safer. However, one drawback is that the pilot knows that there is no real danger, so there is not as much stress as flying a real plane. If they pass all of the simulations, they may feel intimidated by flying a real plane, and real nervousness and stress could kick in that the pilot never experienced before, which could cause them to do something wrong and crash.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Gift of Fire questions p.184-185 3/4/10
4.25) The fire department official has had plenty of experience in fire prevention and his intuition is much faster than having to design a computer model, and with 25 years of expertise, he probably knows as much as anyone could put into a computer model. Also, if something is entered incorrectly into the model, it will be insufficeint, which cannot happen to a human, although there is human error.
The boss, however, is right to say that a computer model will help. When designed correctly, a computer model can predict exactly what will happen to a system, which can be a bit more reliable in a situation in which failure is not an option.
4.27) While the statement itself may be true that 100 separate studies have been performed about the presented issue, technology and knowledge have both grown considerably since the 1960s. Both sceintific knowledge and the ability to create accurate and efficeint models have grown exponentially since the 1960s. Many of the older models are out of date and, compared with today's models, may not be accurate, since there is so much more known about the world near 1993 than in 1960, and the ability to create accurate models has grown since the 1960s. The statement may be accurate, but the data behind the statement probably doesn't support the reality that can be predicted by more contemporary models.
4.29) a.) The program doesn't know how many of the people included in the world population have access to copper, and how many people who may have access to it use it, and how much one uses more than the other. Also, new mines may be discovered, in which the amount of known copper in the world will increase, so the data does not have a good way of knowing exactly how much copper is yet to be discovered. Also, there could be years in which copper is used more and years where it is used much less, and only having the average amount used, the data does not account for these fluctuations. The program cannot predict how people will use this resource each year as technology progresses.
b.) One reason is that people respond to danger in the near future much more dramatically than they respond to danger that can happen in, say, 100 years, a much longer timespan. Another reason is that this report seemed to grab people's attention because it was so threatening, so it probably got a lot of media coverage, which would make it seem more believeable to the average person. Another reason is that to many people, computer models may have seemed new and extremely scientific and absolute, since technology was new and growing at the time.
The boss, however, is right to say that a computer model will help. When designed correctly, a computer model can predict exactly what will happen to a system, which can be a bit more reliable in a situation in which failure is not an option.
4.27) While the statement itself may be true that 100 separate studies have been performed about the presented issue, technology and knowledge have both grown considerably since the 1960s. Both sceintific knowledge and the ability to create accurate and efficeint models have grown exponentially since the 1960s. Many of the older models are out of date and, compared with today's models, may not be accurate, since there is so much more known about the world near 1993 than in 1960, and the ability to create accurate models has grown since the 1960s. The statement may be accurate, but the data behind the statement probably doesn't support the reality that can be predicted by more contemporary models.
4.29) a.) The program doesn't know how many of the people included in the world population have access to copper, and how many people who may have access to it use it, and how much one uses more than the other. Also, new mines may be discovered, in which the amount of known copper in the world will increase, so the data does not have a good way of knowing exactly how much copper is yet to be discovered. Also, there could be years in which copper is used more and years where it is used much less, and only having the average amount used, the data does not account for these fluctuations. The program cannot predict how people will use this resource each year as technology progresses.
b.) One reason is that people respond to danger in the near future much more dramatically than they respond to danger that can happen in, say, 100 years, a much longer timespan. Another reason is that this report seemed to grab people's attention because it was so threatening, so it probably got a lot of media coverage, which would make it seem more believeable to the average person. Another reason is that to many people, computer models may have seemed new and extremely scientific and absolute, since technology was new and growing at the time.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Gift of Fire p.272, 6.8, 6.11, 6.13, 6.14
6.8) One method is encrypting digital of movies and music so that only the companies can use and distribute the encryption key. This way, if people were able to copy the file, their computer would not be able to open it. This is justified because it is the companies protecting their work with their encryption keys distributing it at their will. Also, they only release some software on disks that are sold in actual physical stores. This way, there is no possibility that a person could go to the website and electronically steal the file. This is justified because it is just like food venders selling food, toy companies selling toys, etc.
6.11) Quotes such as ones found in this book are not used to steal another's ideas, they are used to reinforce an idea by stating an opinion of another person to back up the author's ideas with an opinion coming from a usually well-respected source. Also, the purpose of quotes is to show that the statement comes from another source. If a statement made by another person was used without quotes, then it would be plaigiarism, which is illegal, but the purpose of quotes is to show that the contents of the quote is not the author's own work.
6.13) The nature of the work is non-fiction, so it likely has less protection, and because newspapers are usually written about real events, the users of the websites are not copying anyone's creative ideas. Also, posting comments on newspaper articles would not decrease the sales of the newspaper company. The users are not stealing anything, and they are merely using the articles as examples to help with discussions about political issues that the newspapers do not directly talk about, so the winner of the lawsuits should be the forum users.
6.14) a.) One way would be to appeal to the company and request either a discount on the software if it is purchased in mass quantities, or ask for it as a donation to the school. Also, you could obtain the software so that it is just used at school and not at home.
b.) There are probably other options, as technology such as this is fairly new, so I would decide against using it. The reason being that schools used to be able to get along fine without advanced software, and there are probably many other teaching methods to teach what is trying to be taught by using the software. However, new software is generally faster and more advanced, allowing more things to be taught faster. However, copying the software illegally could get the school into a lot of trouble and may not be worth it in the end, especially if there are other teaching options, so not making illegal copies would be the better solution.
6.11) Quotes such as ones found in this book are not used to steal another's ideas, they are used to reinforce an idea by stating an opinion of another person to back up the author's ideas with an opinion coming from a usually well-respected source. Also, the purpose of quotes is to show that the statement comes from another source. If a statement made by another person was used without quotes, then it would be plaigiarism, which is illegal, but the purpose of quotes is to show that the contents of the quote is not the author's own work.
6.13) The nature of the work is non-fiction, so it likely has less protection, and because newspapers are usually written about real events, the users of the websites are not copying anyone's creative ideas. Also, posting comments on newspaper articles would not decrease the sales of the newspaper company. The users are not stealing anything, and they are merely using the articles as examples to help with discussions about political issues that the newspapers do not directly talk about, so the winner of the lawsuits should be the forum users.
6.14) a.) One way would be to appeal to the company and request either a discount on the software if it is purchased in mass quantities, or ask for it as a donation to the school. Also, you could obtain the software so that it is just used at school and not at home.
b.) There are probably other options, as technology such as this is fairly new, so I would decide against using it. The reason being that schools used to be able to get along fine without advanced software, and there are probably many other teaching methods to teach what is trying to be taught by using the software. However, new software is generally faster and more advanced, allowing more things to be taught faster. However, copying the software illegally could get the school into a lot of trouble and may not be worth it in the end, especially if there are other teaching options, so not making illegal copies would be the better solution.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
A Gift of Fire: Questions 4.8 and 4.10 p. 182-3
4.8 a.) Yes, it is more likely to occur in computerized records, because on paper, text and writing does not need to be coded and decoded in order to be transferred, it simply must be physically transferred, whereas with an electronic record, different coding schemes may have an error in which the transfer of data causes the data to be misinterpreted and say something completely different when it is decoded and stored in the new space.
b.) One practice that can help prevent these errors is to run checks to make sure that the coding systems are compatible with each other and that they don't cause errors in the transfer of data. Another practice would be to update the software so that the different types of coding are directly compatible and recognize each other, shrinking the margin for error. An alternative to this would be for every school in a given area use the same coding schemes for things such as disciplinary coding.
4.10) Had the scores been reported higher instead of lower, there would be no complaining by the schools and, if someone within the school did suspect something, they would probably stay quiet about it because the higher test scores would mean that they would be looked upon as better and their careers would become better. However, if another school suspected something and noticed that many schools had a sudden rise in test scores, they would eventually suspect that a software error may be present, and, if found, it would be corrected and it would demote the people of the school whose lives were boosted from the error. One situation where a computer error might not be reported would be if a company's stock values were to increase suddenly causing more people to invest in the company. The company would most likely not report the error, because their business would be doing better. Another case might be if an electronic survey was taken across a large scale of people. A malfunction in the software could cause the results of the survey to be skewed, and so if an organization had planned to take action depending on the results, they may perform the wrong action based on incorrect results. Since the survey would be set on a wide scale, the people who see the results would most likely not collaborate and discuss their answers; they would just accept that the answer they gave was merely not the popular choice. The company would most likely not see it either because they probably are not familiar with the behavior and personalities of people on a very broad spectrum.
b.) One practice that can help prevent these errors is to run checks to make sure that the coding systems are compatible with each other and that they don't cause errors in the transfer of data. Another practice would be to update the software so that the different types of coding are directly compatible and recognize each other, shrinking the margin for error. An alternative to this would be for every school in a given area use the same coding schemes for things such as disciplinary coding.
4.10) Had the scores been reported higher instead of lower, there would be no complaining by the schools and, if someone within the school did suspect something, they would probably stay quiet about it because the higher test scores would mean that they would be looked upon as better and their careers would become better. However, if another school suspected something and noticed that many schools had a sudden rise in test scores, they would eventually suspect that a software error may be present, and, if found, it would be corrected and it would demote the people of the school whose lives were boosted from the error. One situation where a computer error might not be reported would be if a company's stock values were to increase suddenly causing more people to invest in the company. The company would most likely not report the error, because their business would be doing better. Another case might be if an electronic survey was taken across a large scale of people. A malfunction in the software could cause the results of the survey to be skewed, and so if an organization had planned to take action depending on the results, they may perform the wrong action based on incorrect results. Since the survey would be set on a wide scale, the people who see the results would most likely not collaborate and discuss their answers; they would just accept that the answer they gave was merely not the popular choice. The company would most likely not see it either because they probably are not familiar with the behavior and personalities of people on a very broad spectrum.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
TrueCrypt Advantages
One advantage to using TrueCrypt on your PC is that it Encrypts data "on-the-fly." This means that data will be encrypted and decrypted much faster than previous encryption schemes. Encryption will be faster and less time-consuming. However, the PC still needs to process the encryption command, so it won't be as fast as a computer without TrueCrypt. Another advantage is that TrueCryot uses special coding that is given to the user so that the device doesn't need to be used on a specific computer and data can be transferred easier. However, if the user forgets their password, then they will not be able to retrieve their data and will have to spend time figuring out how to change or recover their password, or their data will be as good as lost. A third advantage is that the user's data will be encrypted so that no one else can use it. This protects personal information from being stolen. however, if the user's password is stolen and the hacker also has or is familiar with TureCrypt, then they can steal the password and access the uer's information. However, this would take longer than stealing unprotected information, and having to tak ethe extra time may discourage a hacker and cause them to look for a different victum.
Monday, November 9, 2009
ATM advantages
One advantage of using an ATM is that an ATM is available longer. A person doesn't need to wait for any specific time of day to go to an ATM, whereas they do need to wait in order to go to the bank. This is good because people can access the services of an ATM at many more times of the day than at a bank, and thus is more convenient for the user. Another advantage is that an ATM is less pronged to human error. Getting helped by a bank employee has its benefits, but the service is pronged to human error, and can be very inconvenient if not caught right after the error is made. An ATM, being a programmed machine, is less pronged to random error, although it is not completely error-free. Humans built this device, and so there exists a possibility of a programming error, causing error on a much wider scale. However, these errors can be caught and fixed more easily, as certain trends that have to do with the error are much easier to spot and it is much easier to reprogram a machine sometimes than it is to correct a human error. A third advantage is that transactions made by an ATM are much easier to keep track of than by a human teller. A human must manually record the transactions he or she made, and sometimes this can lead to an incorrect recording due to human error or poor memory. However, an ATM is programmed to record every transaction it makes, and, given that the device has been programmed correctly, these records will not be incorrect or pronged to error as much as if a human were recording. An ATM is a machine, and has no emotions, making it less likely to make an error in a transaction. There are quite a few advantages to using ATMs, but they are not without their disadvantages.
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