2011年4月16日星期六

Tutorial Blog4: How to purchase a smart phone?

Tutorial Blog 4—How to purchase a smart phone
In today’s world, you probably will use a smart phone more often than other mobile devices. For this reason, it is important to choose a phone that is available through you preferred wireless carrier, available in your price range, and offers access to the features you will use most frequently.  Today, I am going to provide you some guidelines when purchasing a smart phone.
1.      Choose a wireless carrier and plan that satisfies your needs and budget.
There is multiple wireless carriers exist today, and each one offers a different line for smart phones. Before deciding on a smart phone, you first should research the wireless carriers in your area, and be sure to check whether the coverage is acceptable. Moreover, compare the calling plans for the various carriers and determine which one best meets your needs.
2.      Decide on the size, style, and weight of the smart phone that will work best for you.
Smart phones are available in various sizes, weights, shapes, and colors. Some people prefer larger, heavier phones because they feel that they are more durable, while others prefer smaller, lightweight phones for easy portability.
3.      Determine whether you prefer a touch screen, keypad, or mini-keyboard.
Modern smart phones provide various ways to enter text messages. Some users prefer touch screens because the phone doesn’t require additional space for a keypad, but others find it more difficult to type on a touch screen.  Smart phones with key pads might make it easier to type for some users, however, others don’t like the unfamiliar feeling of keys arranged in alphabetical order.
4.      If you will be synchronizing you smart phone with a program on your computer, select a smart phone that is compatible with the program you wish to use.
Programs such as Microsoft Outlook and Itunes allow you to synchronize your e-mail messages, contacts, music, and calendar with your smart phone.  If you would like this functionality, you should definitely consider purchasing a smart phone that can synchronize the programs either using wires of wirelessly.
5.      Compare battery life.
Any smart phone is useful only if it has the power required to run. Talking and using the internet on your smart phone will shorten battery life. If you have a choice, be sure to purchase a smart phone with a longer battery.
6.      Make sure your smart phone has enough memory and storage.
If you are using the smart phone to send and receive big amount of pictures, videos, and e-mail messages, and to store music, purchase a memory card that not only is compatible with your computer and smart phone, but also has adequate storage space for you messages and file.
7.      Check out the accessories.
Determine which accessories you want for the smart phone. Accessories include carrying cares, screen protectors, synchronization cradles and cables, and car chargers and so on.

2011年4月9日星期六

Secure Email Project

Above are screen captures of my Thunderbird inbox that I have received both signed and encrypted reply emails from Dr. Means.In this project I used Mozilla Thunderbird to create  singed and encrypted emails, it helps me to get a better understanding of the importance of secure email. I had a lot of fun of using Thunderbird and will continue using it in the future. It was pretty interesting experience.
http://www.bme.eu.com/article/Secure-email-today-extremely-beneficial-and-incredibly-convenient/ this is the link of the article that I have found online.According to the article, Stephanie Willemsen, the director partner of marketing and management of TC Trust Center wrote. Three main reasons to explain why secure email is  extremly beneficial and incredibly convenient for protecting data are business requirement-competitiveness, legal requirements-compliance,and customer trust-phishing. Stephanie mentioned in the article that competitive advantages can be gained with shorter time-to-market and faster reation in customer service. Therefore, E-mail communication enhances the fast approvals and short-term submissons of proposals. Only digital signatures provide the necessary non-repudiation and tamper protection for those critical transactions. The best reassurance for customers is a high-quality digital signature on E-mails. This protective measure is inexpensive, generates no extra effor for senders and recipients, is also forgery proof. Companies shouldnt wait any longer to use signing and encrypting emails to protect datas in order to keep pace with the society and be more competitive.