Electronic Voting

Electronic voting is controversial because recent studies have revealed that hackers can easilly hack into the technology to fix an election. "Hacking Democracy" documented this issue.The documentary investigates the integrity of electronic voting.People do not trust electronic voting machines because of this. In addition, electronic machines do not produce paper records that can be used for record, as well as security and documentation. With no paper record many people are concerned over how a recount would be done if there was a malfunction. Furthermore, If I were in charge of running an election I would not use an electronic voting system. I would increase security and use a physical form of voting.

Intellectual Property: File Sharing

File sharing is defined as "the practice of distributing or providing access to digitally stored information, such as computer programs, multi-media (audio, video), documents, or electronic books. It may be implemented in a variety of storage, transmission, and distribution models." File sharing has become a very controversial topic in that it is attaining and distributing files that you do not "own" and is therefore considered stealing.
I personally consider file sharing stealing; however, the fact that files are not tangible objects that we can touch and hold, creates a very grey area for many people when it comes to classifying sharing as stealing. The use of the computer creates ethical justifications and less guilt when taking a song from a musical artist. I could never bring myself to pick up a cd from a store, place it in my purse, and walk out; however, I don't even think twice when I download that cd for free off the internet. Both scenarios would make me a thief, yet the ladder gives me no guilt, or fear, and is therefore easily done.

Python

1)
a. 12
b. 42
c. 0

2)
a. 5
b. 4
c. 7

3)
a. Strange: a =6
b. weird: a = 8 b = 4
12

4)
a.1
b.3

Math

1)
a. 1011
base-16: B
base-10: 11
b. 10101
base-16: 15
base-10: 21
c. 10010110
base-16:9F
base-10:2+4+16+128=150
d. 1111111
base-16:7F
base-10:255

2)
a. 8
base-16: 8
base-2: 1000
b. 63
base-16: 3F
base-2: 111111
c. 113
base-16: 8F
base-2: 10001111
d. 97
base-16: 9F
base-2:10011111

Net Neutrality

The fundamental debate surrounding net neutrality is whether network operators should be allowed to appropriate parts of the Internet infrastructure and create “diamond lanes” dedicated to heavier traffic, such as web TV and other web based instantaneous services. The issue of net neutrality addresses whether internet traffic legislation should remain fair and equal, in that these new "diamond lanes" could only be accessed by users capable of paying extra money.

Many companies, including Microsoft, Google and Yahoo, were strongly critical towards the idea, and instead advocate a form of net-neutrality where telcos and cable operators would not not be able to decide whose data should flow faster or slower. In addition the fcc wants to protect a free and open internet with a strong intention of keeping the net free from corporate control. President Obama also supports the FCC's stance, explaining: "One key to strengthening education, entrepreneurship, and innovation in communities...is to harness the full power of the internet. That means faster and more widely available broadband– as well as rules to ensure that we preserve the fairness and openness that led to the flourishing of the internet in the first place."

However, major telecom companies like AT&T, Verizon and Time Warner Cable. net neutrality will actually kill Internet innovation.

CLOUD COMPUTING

Cloud computing is a broad term used to describe the delivery of hosted services over the Internet. This type

of delivery service allows users to access computing resources such as processing, storage, messaging and databases outside the confines of your home. Unlike traditional hosting services, a cloud service is sold on an as needed basis, (usually by the minute or hour) and is solely managed by the provider.

It becomes clear as to why cloud computing has become so popular to ordinary computer users: all it requires of them as the consumer is a personal computer and Internet access. The ability to check your email, facebook, or sports scores while waiting in line for your morning starbucks, fuels the clouds popularity amongst the everyday computer users.

In addition to the everyday computer users, start-up companies are also taking advantage of Cloud Computing. The use of a Cloud service allows any entrepreneur an easy and cost efficient way to test an idea. Michael Fitzgerald talks about how Combining the ability to rapidly shift capacity with a new distribution and marketing channel like Facebook is what makes the cloud exciting for entrepreneurs, in his New York Times article, "Cloud Computing: So You Don’t Have to Stand Still". Fitzgerald also points out that Traditional companies are also beginning to adapt their computing infrastructure to the cloud.

However, there are many dangers surrounding cloud computing that hinder buisiness and social use of its services. Many people are uneasy about the idea that their documents are being stored on places such as GoogleDocs rather than their own private local machine. Many critics argue that established companies will not adapt to and use the cloud because of these security concerns. However, it is clear that the convenience provided by the cloud is more of an appeal than it's dangers. Progressive companies are joining the cloud because they recognize the huge consumer popularity behind the convenience of being able to access internet from anywhere.

First Post

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