1.29

The terms data, information, knowledge, and wisdom are tossed around so often that they are at times assumed to be one in the same (typically data and information and knowledge and wisdom). This is a fool’s assumption.

Data is raw facts. It has no meaning or context by itself. Take for example a list of people. The list itself has yet to be titled, so all it is at the moment is a collection of data. Now if you were to title that list you would give that data context. It would mean something; in other words, it would become information. Knowledge and wisdom suffer a similar fate. Knowledge is how well the information is known by an individual. Staying with the example of the list of people, let’s assume it is a class list. A professor could very easily memorize this list of people, and he or she could be said to be knowledgeable of that information. Wisdom, however, is the ability to utilize that knowledge. A professor with wisdom would know which name corresponded with what person in their class, and might even remember some things about those people that the list might not tell him such as what they are struggling with in class.

May that clear those definitions.

Cheers,
Eric Summers

1.28

A knowledge management system is simply put a system that allows for the transfer of knowledge throughout a group (or more commonly) an organization. It’s a very organic process requiring the input of all the members to share what knowledge they have obtained with others. When working properly it greatly reduces redundant work, keeps the flow of new ideas fresh allowing the business to adapt and evolve more readily, and in theory would lead to a more satisfied work environment since every person’s opinion matters.

As I have mentioned before I work at Walmart, and I can honestly say as a worker at Wal-Mart the fact that they have managed to achieve (and keep) such success in this world is absolutely mindboggling. When Sam Walton started the company and would encourage management listening to their employees for advice “for they are the true idea generators.” Sadly, with Sam’s death he took his view points with him. Walton promoted, whether they realized it or not, a knowledge management system. Since his death, the employees have been viewed as mindless incompetents who are completely incapable of performing their functions unless a member of management is there to instruct them. Never mind the fact that most of the time the managers in charge of doing this have never worked in the associates department and are completely incapable of understanding why an associate tells them why they do things a certain way. When Walton was alive there would be yearly “grass roots” meetings in which the associates would be given a chance to voice their opinions. These meetings have been abolished due to the negative feedback about the managers they receive on a yearly basis.

A knowledge management system is an incredible thing, but only when it is properly implemented. In the case of my employer, we have an example of how to prevent it from working.

Cheers,
Eric Summers

1.27

As far as the network effect is concerned, our society is more than likely most familiar with it while using social networking sites such as Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter.

On Facebook alone there are millions of users and many of varying ages. When social networking sites like this started out they were prey to teenagers joining them (ie my generation during the time) who simply found the sites, lied about their ages and began to create a circle of friends who they would stay in contact with. Eventually, they would move on from network to network, especially when more and more adults began to become users of the network they were on. Now it is not at all rare to find on Facebook people in their seventies (proof: my grandparents) on Facebook using the site to keep in touch with their families and friends. I've witnessed daily friends from the past finding one another and communicating once more.

Sometimes I think we seem to forget amidst all the pointless 140 character meanderings that comprise Twitter or the automated posts on the Facebook homepage about how someone did on a Facebook application and the numerous suggestions sent to other users to play these asinine creations, is that these sites were founded to create a network of people.

It is just one of the many ways we are all connected.

Cheers,
Eric Summers

1.26

From a historical perspective as early as 1800s we have always had some type of network effect. Then it started with the postal service, and soon after with the railroad system and telegraph which allowed for both speedy transportation and communication.

Over these last one hundred and sixty-plus years we have done nothing but increase and improve just how connected as a world we are to a network. I live about eighty miles from my parents, but with modern transportation I can be there in under two hours if I desired. I can communicate with them instantly using the cell phone resting in my pocket or send them a message via email that they would receive in a matter of seconds. Take my friends living in Florida for example, using free messaging software software and inexpensive cameras we can talk to each other face to face instantly.

In my own short twenty three years of life I have watched what was considered science fiction when I was a child become reality. I've heard people make the claim that our inventive process is stagnating. The technology that we carry with us on our day to day basis is reason enough to realize how untrue that statement is.

Cheers,
Eric Summers

1.25

Personal thoughts on crowds after reading The Wisdom of Crowds's Wikipedia page.

So as not to confuse anyone, when I refer to the "crowd" I am defining it in an ambiguous manner so that it may describe a group of random individuals who do not know one another, yet are all participating in an activity for the same purpose (such as the example given in the book and quoted in the wiki page where a group of fair attendees guess the weight of an ox) or one in which they are part of a group formed entirely for the purpose of making a decision.

From my personal experience and much like some of the studies referenced in the book, I have noticed that a group of completely random individuals will often come to majority decision closely resembling the "correct" decision (if applicable to the situation of course). I have far more intimate experience working with a crowd designed to accomplish some goal, be they a work organization or a group in school. I have noticed that just as the page said, the success of these crowds depends on the members comprising the crowd.

Unfortunately, much of my personal experience with this type of group often lead to somewhat disastrous or unintended negative outcomes. Each and every time it did fail, it could almost always be attributed to certain members comprising the crowd. From a work perspective, an incompetent leader will produce a greater catastrophe than any other member of the group can possibly imagine. On the other hand, a good leader can lead a crowd to the best outcome the crowd is attempting to achieve.

The same applies to the normal members of the crowd. Typically there will always be some degree of members in the crowd who do not contribute as much as the others, this of course can be due to various reasons such as shyness or apathy, but provided the other members of the crowd are capable they can usually pick up the slack imposed by these members.

Cheers,

Eric Summers

1.22

On the Wikipedia page Knowledge Economy it specifies that knowledge and information are not one in the same as they are often described. I personally believe this to be true as well. We (as CIS students in particular) are taught to differentiate between the the definitions of data and information. As many of you will recall data is nothing more than raw facts. Information gives those facts a purpose, a meaning. Likewise it is my understanding while you cannot have knowledge without information, knowledge is the practice of using that information.

Knowledge is a very peculiar concept simply because of how abstract it truly is. Most commonly knowledge is referred to as the product of experience, much like wisdom. Yet the knowledge one gains over the course of years can be taught to another in a matter of seconds in some cases. That is what I believe the basis of the knowledge economy. Since knowledge sometimes takes years to gain, but can be passed on a matter of seconds it has become a demand with a limitless quantity. There is nothing more organic than the human mind and therefore there is always new discoveries that can aid others in some manner. Thanks to the high level of connectivity through technology, knowledge can be transported from person to person, and it is from that demand and flow that the economy arose.

Cheers,
Eric Summers

1.21

An amusing little fact: I never thought I'd hear one of my professors say, "Let's go to wikipedia" other than for the purpose of making an example of how flawed or inferior it is compared to more traditional methods of research.

To be perfectly honest, I'm not completely sure I consider this class so much as a class as I do an experiment. Yes, we (the students) are being taught by a professor (Dr. Jih) in a class room environment (use your imagination for this description), yet it would seem as if we are turning our noses to the traditional methodologies of teaching what I can best describe as theories for lack of a better word in my rather capable vocabulary. We are the mice running through the maze constructed entirely of Web 2.0 tools. We are in uncharted territory, being taught by the tools not two years ago we as the students would be punished for using if caught implementing it in our class work and it's not considered cheating.

Is this the future of teaching?

Perhaps, unfortunately I cannot see into the future. All I can do is, what all human beings can do, make a prediction. We as humans our typically reluctant change, but every single technological development in our history is the result of a change and each of these changes eventually changed the way we lived.

And that is how we evolve.

Cheers,

Eric Summers

A Quick Introduction

I suppose it is only proper to take this time for a small introduction about who I am. I am Eric Summers in case you failed to read the title bar located at the top of this bar. I am a senior working on my B.B.A. in Computer Information Systems who will be graduating at the end of this semester. I graduated from Portland High School (Tennessee, not Oregon) in 2005 and have been in college ever since, suffice to say I’m beyond ready to graduate. I am currently employed with Wal-Mart acting as a dairy sales clerk.

I have various hobbies and interests of which I’m sure some will eventually become topics for these five day a week entries to this blog. Very briefly listed, I am very interested in music, art, movies, drawing, video games, cooking, certain television shows, books, and writing.

I currently live in a pleasant apartment located close to campus with two roommates and my cat, Macchi named after the coffee drink, the macchiato.

This blog will be the third blog that I will be updating on a regular basis, and so I shall end this entry with that in hopes that my writers block will leave come tomorrow.

Cheers,
Eric Summers

Helping Haiti

In wake of the massive earthquake which devasted Haiti last week there has been an increasing attention from my peers wanting to help. Unfortunately, due to apathy or ignorance, their help is limited to them only joining a group on a social networking site like Facebook while in all actuality is probably making a false promise to send aid rather than making a guarantee to do so. As many of my peers are also gamers, the link at the bottom of this entry might be of interest to those wishing to help.

Bungie (the company that created the Xbox and Xbox 360 franchise Halo) is holding a charity for the earthquake victims of Haiti. There are several charity options in which all funds accured will be donated to Red Cross. The first involves purchasing a special shirt in which all proceeds will be donated to Haiti. Furthermore, until the end of Februrary all profits made on products from the Bungie store will be donated to Haiti's recovery. The second will allow users to donate directly to Red Cross. The third and final option will require more of a gamers time. On Wednesday and Thursday this week, the 20th and 21st respectfully, any player who plays Halo 3 or Halo: ODST on Xbox Live who creates a special emblem during these days can help contribute to a $77,000 dollar goal by simply playing on Live. For every 1000 gamers online with this emblem, Bungie will donate $100. Every time you play a game over Live, your gamertag is counted and in theory you can add a guest account to your game if you have an extra controller and get counted twice if you create the same icon for this user. The required design details for the icon can be found in the link below. You can make a difference from the comfort of your own home by doing something you probably enjoy.

http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BeAHero

Cheers,

Eric Summers

This is a test blog

This is where you type for your blog. If it is working I might be able to read this after I click publish post. Let's try it out shall we?

Eric Summers