T2.5. DB Research

A few years ago I made a blog website with Wordpress. It required that I use the MySQL database to store all the information such as blog posts and comments. “The MySQL database has become the world's most popular open source database because of its high performance, high reliability and ease of use.” [1] I had no idea what MySQL is and how it worked. To setup MySQL to use with Wordpress, I followed my hosting provider’s instructions and through their graphical interface I made a MySQL username and password.

After making a few posts in Wordpress and clicking around, I was curious how MySQL stored its information. I did some research on MySQL and ran the phpMyAdmin application that my hosting provider had installed. “phpMyAdmin is a free and open source tool written in PHP intended to handle the administration of MySQL with the use of a Web browser.” [2] phpMyAdmin intimidated me and I had no idea what to do. I did click on the tables used for Wordpress and saw that the data was stored similar to a spreadsheet.

Although I eventually lost interest in my website and deleted it, I learned for the first time what a database was and I Iearned about some MySQL basics. When researching MySQL I found many tutorials on it and it seems like the most popular database for simple websites. I was shocked to find out that “Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAVA) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire MySQL AB, an open source icon and developer of one of the world's fastest growing open source databases for approximately $1 billion in total consideration.” [3] I didn’t know that an open source program could be worth that much money.

Answers to Questions:

1. Although MySQL is considered the easiest full-featured RDBMS, if there was any database error inside of software like Wordpress then I’d be clueless on how to manually fix it. I didn’t have a problem with MySQL, but I’ve been to websites that aren’t working and just display a MySQL error. I would have no clue how to fix an error unless I restored a backup of my database or contacted my hosting provider.

2. MySQL is open source and free. It has many books and training classes that also include other subjects like programming. Oracle owns it and they have the resources to improve it greatly. It can be used with not only small websites but for big websites. “MySQL is also used in many high-profile, large-scale World Wide Web products, including Wikipedia, Google (though not for searches), Facebook, and Twitter.” [4]

3. I suggest that MySQL makes a built in visual editor of tables and a point and click way of making search queries. For beginners like me, typing in queries to search through tables in a command line is intimidating. Third party applications that make MySQL tables visual such as phpMyAdmin are too complex for me.

Sources:

1.       http://www.mysql.com/why-mysql/

2.       https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phpmyadmin

3.       https://www.mysql.com/news-and-events/sun-to-acquire-mysql.html

4.       https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysql

Student Info Task

Private Information [:

T 2.3 Hardware and Software

There are many different types of hardware and software that will allow a small business to expand the use of information systems into the mobile world. I have listed some below that I think are vital:

Android OS

Without a sophisticated mobile operating system like Android, smartphones and tablets wouldn’t be able to provide businesses with advanced features they need. Businesses can use Android’s API to make custom applications that are useful just for their business.

Tablets

A tablet computer running the Android operation system can be used to write reports, show sales presentations, and provide full access to every website. A company could install VPN software on the tablet to “allow individual users to connect to a remote network, such as salespeople in the field connecting to their company's intranet.” [1]

Mobile printers

Mobile printers are essential for a mobile business. They are small, print full sheets of paper, and can run on batteries. They could be used to print revised contracts at the client’s location. They can fit in a large laptop bag.

Smart pens

“The Livescribe paper-based computing platform consists of a digital pen, digital paper, software applications, and developer tools.” [2] The Livescribe smart pen could be used for taking notes on a train or at a random sales meeting in a restaurant. It combines hardware and software to intelligently record handwritten notes in its solid state memory.

Bluetooth headsets

These headsets are essential for a mobile business because in some states it’s the only way to legally talk and drive. The headset can also take voice notes with your smart phone while driving so you don’t forget a great idea.

Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vpn
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livescribe

Week 1 Task 3

Week 1 Task 3:
http://kamonjaksarn.blogspot.com/#!/2012/07/magento-ultimate-computer-based.html

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T 1.7 Add a Gadget

I added the “Subscription Links” gadget which is described as: “Let your readers easily subscribe to your blog with popular feed readers.”

First, I logged into my Gmail and went to http://kamonjaksarn.blogspot.com/ and then clicked the picture of the house on the right. I then clicked on my blog name “Kamon Jaksarn.” Next, on the left I clicked “Layout.” After, on the right I clicked on blue link “Add a Gadget.” A pop up window opened and I scrolled down to “Subscription Links” and clicked the blue and white plus button next to it. The box then asked me for a title and I typed in “Subscribe To Kamon Jaksarn's Blog”. This added a RSS feed button to my blog so that people can follow my blog from their smart phone or computer with a RSS reader application. My RSS feed URL is now http://kamonjaksarn.blogspot.com//feeds/posts/default. It will add value to my blog because people with RSS readers will be instantly notified when my blog is updated. I also noticed that I had gadgets preinstalled and I left them enabled.

T 2.4 Zoho Spreadsheet Lab

I made a spreadsheet that can be used for price comparison of hardware. It can be used by a company to quickly see which website they want to buy specific products from that are mobile business related.

https://sheet.zoho.com/publish/kjaksarn/task-2-4

Steps for the lab:

1. Went to http://www.zoho.com/ and signed up.

2. Filled in my spreadsheet with specific products that I Googled.

3. Added a formula to add price and shipping of each row to a new cell called total price. I did this by clicking cell G5 and entering the formula: =E5+F5.

4. To use the formula on all of the total price cells I clicked the G5 cell then dragged the right corner to G12.

5. I saved the spreadsheet by entering a name in the top left and clicking the save icon.

6. I clicked the Publish button then clicked "Embeded in Website/Blog". I copied the HTML and URL to notepad for future use. I checked "Allow to export" and "Hide and lock formula cells".

7. I went to blogger.com and signed in and clicked Layout on the left then "add a gadget" on the right. I scrolled down to "HTML/JavaScript" and clicked the plus arrow.

8. I typed in a title and pasted the zoho HTML code from notepad into the Content area and clicked save.

9. I dragged the newly created gadet to the left above my blog posts.

10. I clicked the Save arrangement button on the top right

blog URL with zoho sheet on top: http://kamonjaksarn.blogspot.com/

T 1.6 Monitoring Social Networks

I would buy harvested data to use in a Facebook and Twitter management company. I would find local business owners that either aren’t using Facebook or Twitter, or are hardly ever updating their Facebook or Twitter. These people are usually not good with computers or don’t understand the importance of social media yet. I would start by only selling my services to local businesses that make a lot of money off of each customer such as dentists and plastic surgeons.

First, I would buy a very target list. For dentists, I would buy a list of Facebook and Twitter usernames who live in a 50 mile radius from where I live in northern New Jersey and have mentioned teeth problems in the past week. I would buy a new list every week after I see that the list is correct.

Next, I put together my sales materials, form a business, and make a basic website. I then use direct mail or walk into dentist offices near me that don’t have a strong social presence. I charge them $1000 per month to manage their Facebook and Twitter accounts. I explain to them that I have a joint venture with another company that will bring them quality leads and I guarantee at least 4 new clients a year.

For each client I make them a nice looking Facebook Page and make updates to it along with their Twitter account. Every week I use my fresh list of people who have teeth problems and contact them through Twitter or Facebook and offer them a discount that the dentist approves. I then repeat the process for plastic surgeons and other affluent business owners.