Virtual Reality

Virtual reality began with silent movies on a black and white screen. Electronic and computer engineers are leaders in improving the virtual reality experience. So, what is virtual reality? Virtual reality is a 3-dimensional graphic representation of a human experience using a computer. The human experience includes sight, hearing, feel, and smell. Scientists are now working improving the sense of taste. Virtual reality is a surreal experience used to build the human experience.

Many technologies are needed to create a virtual world. The three main technologies are hardware and software. Hardware may include a glove, visor, or treadmill. Software may be graphic libraries like OpenGL and Direct3D. For virtual reality to work, the user inputs data using the hardware – such as moving the fingers of the glove. [1] Then, the hardware outputs data by using the software – like the hand on the screen moves. This is all possible because of motion sensors. Motion sensors allow the hardware to talk to the software. An example of a device which uses motion sensors is the Nintendo Wii. Video game industries are using programming languages, such as C++ and Java, to create 3D environments. Scientists may be replacing those languages in today’s time. [2]

Simulations, or close to real-life experiences, can be found in today’s society. Most children are exposed to virtual reality at the elementary school level. As young students have “Tamagachi,”[3] where they need to feed, play, and put to sleep their own pet. As they grow older, they play on facebook. The most common facebook game is “the Sims Social.” [4] The game creates a world of what owning a house and family is similar. The world is a lifelike experience; but the disadvantage is the limited display and technology to actually live in the “Sim world.” As college kids get older, adults talk about playing MMORPG’s (also known as Massive Multiplayer Role Playing Games). These virtual worlds are larger and require more time and dedication. The newest summer hit is Diablo III[5]. Women and men battle each other to compete for the most wealth. As technology improves, communication, imaging, and processing power may improve the experience of gaming at low costs.

In conclusion, virtual environments allow people to experience the situations of others. Virtual reality consists of primarily two parts: hardware and software. They are found in today’s society through video games. This kind of technology makes almost anything possible. A whole new world can be created making all wishes and desires to come true.

[1] http://www.nordtech.ubm.ro/issues/2010/2010.01.09.pdf pg 58-61

[2] http://searchcio-midmarket.techtarget.com/definition/virtual-reality

[3]http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-06-09/news/0506090424_1_tamagotchi-virtual-pet-previous-pets
[4]http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/web/ea-sues-claims-zynga-copied-the-sims-social-1091168
[5]http://www.ingame.msnbc.msn.com/technology/ingame/diablo-iii-will-let-you-sell-virtual-loot-real-money-121769

T4.8

SELECT "Customer Name", "Product Category", "Profit", "Date" FROM "Sales" WHERE "Region"='East' ORDER BY "Profit" DESC



Here is a SQL of the most profitable products in the eastern region and when it occurred. The purpose is to see where my business is making the most profit.

SELECT "Customer Name", "Product Category", "Profit", "Date" FROM "Sales" WHERE "Customer Name"='Jency Johnah' ORDER BY "Date" DESC



Then I went deeper and looked up the most recent profitable customer and track down her purchased goods in date depending order. The purpose is view costumer loyalty and how my business can provide a better service.

SELECT "Customer Name", "Product Category", "Profit", "Date" FROM "Sales" WHERE "Product Category"='furniture' ORDER BY "Date" DESC



Now I singled out furniture only, so I can get a better view of furniture profits.

T4.4 ( steps + Conclusion)

1) Import Super Smart from database > Import to spreadsheet Zoho >Truncate Spreadsheet
2) Insert Future Cost and Profit 4% using absolute method for row G first and then copied the rest of the column
3) Insert Future Cost and Profit 8% using absolute method for row G first and then copied the rest of the column
4) Clicks on tab "Publish" > "View Public URL" (copy to forums) > clicked "Embedded in Website/Blog" (Copy to blog)
In conclusion the the lesser inflation rate results in a more profitable future vs the greater inflation rate.

IS and DSS

For companies, Information systems are used to make decisions, operate, and plan. For schools, many on-line universities offer diplomas for DSS, MIS, and EIS disciplines, but they are not offered in other major schools. Today, companies and schools are turning to computer systems for everyday business. These computer systems speed up the methodology of doing business. EIS, MIS, and DSS are different computer systems that do different operations.

            EIS, which stands for Executive Information System, is the most specialized system. This program is primarily used for most difficult to use for decision-making.  The decision-making compares, analyzes, and highlights variables to select the best one. This kind of storage works best with high data storage; the other parts can be cheap. According to Floyd Kelly, a researcher on EIS, more senior administrators use this program for they have "limited time, limited keyboarding skills, and little direct experience with computers” [1].  Therefore, the software contains more text, database, graphic base, and model base than MIS.

            MIS, which stands for Management Information System, is a supportive computer system.  This program is medium difficulty. The decisions are used to communicate, plan, and summarize variables. Unlike EIS, employees of a company can benefit from this program.  They use internal data and micro-job functioning for their job.  Back in retail, my manager had developed a retail management information system.  The system benefitted by increasing profits through the tracking of procurement, inventory, and sales [2].

            DSS, which stands for Decision Support System, is a general system. The system is the easiest to use for decision-making.  This program is useful in taking raw data and documents to create different combinations; the knowledge is useful in making decisions. Managers use the information most.  They use data to calculate inventory, sales, and revenue.  An example of a company using DSS is Sam’s Bookstore. Through the use of DSS, a table was created with quantities and demands.  Past purchases and future demands were estimated. The results showed the maximum profit was as $12,250 at ordering 2000 quantity of books.  Sam’s Bookstore has an easier time in their decision-making with the help of DSS. [3]

            The three systems are similar because they all work together. MIS stores small files, such as documentation and texts, which is used by EIS and DSS. DSS and EIS are used for critical decision-making. Middle to higher level management use MIS, while DSS is for all levels of the corporation. EIS is the most advanced program.

            In conclusion, EIS, MIS, and DSS are computer systems where each program is designed for a different skill of the user. More on-line schools are based on information systems, and many more companies are using them today. Both on-line learning and information companies are growing each year. Will accredited schools be replaced by on-line learning? Unlikely, but as more companies continue to rely on computer systems, the demand for skilled computer users continue to grow. Computers are the future, I hope my kids will be able to experience a similar, if not, better one than mine.

[1] http://dssresources.com/papers/features/kelly11072002.html
[2] http://www.ehow.com/about_5564925_retail-management-information-systems.html
[3] https://www.student.gsu.edu/~averghese1/dss.html