Week Three: Questions

Week Three: Questions

What is an IP address? What is its main function?

An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a numerical marker assigned to internet devices on a particular network or a unique address given to every computer on any given network. IP addresses are assigned to each computer connected to the internet and can be either public or private but there numbers are totally unique. IP addresses play an integral function as they are implemented by routers that are systems used to transmit information from one computer to another over the internet. For example, when a message for example, an order is placed over the internet, the data is broken down into small fragments or packets which are sent to the receiving computer. Another example where packets of information are sent to another’s computer is through the transmitting of emails. According to Business Driven Information Systems (Baltzan et al, 2010), the total number of IP addresses globally is just over 4 billion. A domain name system is used to translate a URL into an IP address. For example, a user may type in www.google.com into the URL panel of Internet Explorer, and this is automatically converted into an IP address, allowing the website to be accessed.

Graphical Explanation of the processes involved with an IP address.[1]

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1. What is Web 2.0 and how does it differ from Web 1.0?

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1. 1. Web 2.0 originated in 2004 and is also referred to as the Live Web. The system allows internet users to collaborate and share information on the internet. Web 2.0 systems also allow users to formulate and publish their own content on the World Wide Web. Common examples of Web 2.0 applications include social-networking sites such as facebook, video sharing sites such as youtube, blogs such as google blogger and mashups (a webpage combining data from two or more sources).

1. Web 2.0 is referred to as the Live Web. Users can collaborate and build their own content. Web 2.0 differs dramatically from Web 1.0. Web 1.0 refers to the establishment of the World Wide Web. Web 1.0 was a simple system allowing the use of framesets, online guestbook’s, pixels in web browsers and HTML forms sent via email. [2] Below is a comparative analysis of Web 2.0 and Web 1.0[3].

   Web 1.0	Web 2.0
   Was about reading	Is about writing
   Was about companies	Is about communities
   Was about client-server	Is about peer to peer
   Was about HTML	Is about XML
   Was about home pages	Is about blogs
   Was text	Is video
   Was dial up	Is broadband
   Was IE	Is FireFox

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   Web 2.0 is considered to be an interactive approach to the internet, whereas, Web 1.0 was considered to be a 'passive' style of internet usage. The key difference between Web 2.0 and Web 1.0 is that in Web 2.0 (which is also referred to as a two-way web), users can easily interact with the website and create and add data. Common examples of Web 2.0 programs include file sharing programs such as Lime Wire and social-networking sites such as Facebook. These sites allow users to share files and to post comments, ultimately allowing them to have a greater interaction with certain programs or websites. Web 1.0 (also referred to as a one-way web) is a traditional format of websites where web masters such as newspaper journalists post data onto a website for viewing purposes only. Such data on a web 1.0 system cannot be manipulated (unlike Wikipedia) and data cannot be added to the final document published.

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   1. 1. 1. 1. 1. What is Web 3.0?

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   1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Web 3.0 has been coined as the ultimate revolution of web usage and proposes to transform the internet into a database accessible by non-browser applications or by the semantic web. The semantic web is a proposed advancement of the World Wide Web in which information is worded so it can be read by software agents, allowing them to find and utilise information more readily. Web 3.0 proposes to use 'metadata'. Metadata refers to 'data of data' such as 'tags' used in to identify facebook users in a particular photograph. Tags allow the knowledge of data to expand, ultimately allowing the internet to be transformed into a database.

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            It is believed that Web 3.0 or the Semantic Web will transform the internet into a database that publishes information in formats reusable and easily accessible. The Web 3.0 also allows an evolutionary path to artificial intelligence, for example, websites will be able to predict the hit songs by gathering information from other websites. The Web 3.0 or semantic web will also search for information using different mediums and move towards a 3D model of internet which could open new ways to connect via 3D shared sites.

            1. 1. 1. 1. Comparison of Web 3.0, 2.0 and 1.0:[4]

            

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            Describe the different methods an organisation can use to access information

            There are four key methods used by organisations to access information. The four common tools implemented by businesses today include the use of an intranet, extranet, portal and a kiosk. An intranet is an internal segment of a firm’s internet service inaccessible to external users. Intranets provide access to application software and specific information to the employees of a firm and prove to be an effective mechanism for any firm, regardless of their size as it provides a core structure or meeting place where employees can access information for example their rosters or information on marketing campaigns. The use of intranet services is evident as Citigroup Global Corporate and Investment Banking Division uses such service to provide its IT department with specialised information in relation to its IT projects and has allowed the firm to gain a 15% improvement in its IT project delivery.[5]

            Extranets are also a common method employed by organisations to access information. Extranets are intranet services available to direct external parties including customers, suppliers and partners. Information provided through extranets may include updates on the shipment of a product purchased by a consumer or the publication of prices for different products offered by a business.

            1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Ericsson Intranet[6]

            

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                        A portal is a website that offers links to an array of resources such as other internet websites. Portals may be classified as general or specialised/niche. For example, google is considered to be a general portal offering a vast selection of website URL’s to users, whereas, the website, garden.com provides links for individuals or firms interested in gardening. Portals prove to be a very important resource commonly used by businesses to access a large array or variety of information.

            1. 1. 1. 1. A kiosk is another method that may be implemented by organisations to access information. A kiosk is a public computer system consisting of simple steps for navigation (commonly through the use of touch-screens). One of the most common forms of kiosk’s used by businesses include self-check-in airline kiosks. Such kiosks allow employees to easily access information relating to their flight such as their seat number, the gate of departure and the time of departure and arrival. The picture below[7] displays an example of Air New Zealand’s check-in kiosk service which allows individuals such as business employees to personally check-in and deposit their bags at the ‘bag drops’.

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                        What is eBusiness and how does it differ from eCommerce?

                        
                        

                        E-business refers to the conduct of business transactions and the exchange of business information on the internet, whereas, e-commerce refers to the use of internet to solely order and pay for goods or services. E-commerce is considered to be a sub-set and is differentiated between e-business as it only refers to the payment of goods or services. E-business however, also consists of the transmitting of information over the internet for example, a financial institution such as the Commonwealth Bank allowing its customers to review its accounts online via net banking. E-business and e-commerce prove to be a useful asset for businesses as such processes allow enhanced productivity and convenience. Other benefits of e-business and e-commerce include:

                        • improved accuracy and delivery of information regarding goods and services
                        • access to products 24/7
                        • enhanced market intelligence
                        • creation of improved distribution channels
                        • expansion of consumer base

            List and describe the various eBusiness models

            E-business model refers to the different forms in which internet transactions can occur. There are four key eBusiness models implemented by businesses. Such models include Business-to-business (B2B), Business to consumer (B2C), Consumer to business (C2B) and Consumer to consumer (C2C). B2B transactions refer to the process of businesses buying from and selling to each other over the internet through electronic marketplaces such as officeworks.com or directly from the business. The B2B business model is the most common model in the Australian Business Industry, representing 80% of transactions (Baltzan et al). B2C transactions apply to any firm that sells its goods or services directly to consumers over the internet. Corporate Express is a leader in this type of transaction. The firm sells office supplies, furniture and other products to consumers and was reported to achieve an annual turnover of $1.3 billion in 2007.[8] B2C transactions can be completed using an e-shop (an online retail store such as amazon.com) or via an e-mall (a database consisting of various e-shops allowing a variety of deals such as www.tripadvisor.com). Another e-business model is the C2B model. This applies to any consumer that markets a product or service to a business over the internet. Examples may include a photographer selling a business its photos over iStockphoto.com or simply an individual answering a poll through a survey website. The final e-business model evident in the commercial world is the C2C model. This model refers to the process of consumers selling goods or services to other consumer through internet websites such as eBay. Such products can be sold through e-auctions (use of consecutive bids), forward auctions (auction where highest bidder wins) or reverse auctions (auction where lowest bidder wins). C2C communities consist of communities of interest which includes the collaboration of people with a similar hobby such as stamp collecting. Communities of relations are another C2C community channel which consists of people who collaborate as they share certain life experiences such as cancer patients. Communities of fantasies are another example of a C2C community which consists of people who participate in imaginary environments such as fantasy football teams[9]. It is essential to understand the different eBusiness models as different approaches to marketing are implemented accordingly.

            
            

            List 3 metrics you would use if you were hired to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of an eBusiness website.

            
            

            There are various metrics implemented by managers to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of eBusiness websites. Such metrics or tools consist of cookies, ‘click-throughs’ and banner ads. A cookie is a small packet of information deposited on a hard drive that has been sent by a World Wide Web browser. The information contained in this ‘packet’ consists of information regarding a customer and their web activities without their knowledge or consent. Cookies can therefore be used as an analytical tool to measure how commonly a firm’s e-business site is visited per day or per hour and would allow a firm to evaluate how effective their site proves to be in intriguing users or potential customers. A ‘Click-through’ is an internet tool used to count the amount of users who access their e-commerce site by clicking on an advertisement. By analyzing how many users clicked the firms ad, they can evaluate how well its placement is and how effectively it is attracting customers. Even though such mechanism allows firms to gather how many people clicked their ad, it does not include any information relating to the time spent on the advertisement or whether or not the user was satisfied with the information contained in the ad. A banner-ad is another metric implemented by businesses to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of their eBusiness website. A banner-ad advertises the products or services sold by the eBusiness on another webpage, for example in a panel at the top of the ninemsn.com.au website. Advertisers can monitor how often customers click on their banner ads, allowing them to be connected the eBusiness being marketed, thus, allows the firm to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the ad and conclude how the ad is reaching its targeted audience. Other metrics that can be used to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of an eBusiness website include:

            - the number of page views

            - duration spent on the firms website

            - the demographical information of visitors to website

            - number of abandoned shopping carts

            Banner Advertisement [10]

            

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            1. 1. 1. 1. 8. Outline 2 opportunities/benefits and 2 challenges faced by companies doing business online.

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            There are various opportunities and benefits faced by companies conducting online business. Such benefits include increased convenience and an increased global reach. Through the use of eBusinesses, firms and customers are able to have an easy and convenient access of the firm’s website and information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Another benefit of eBusinesses is the improved ability firms have at expanding their consumer base. Both large and small firms who wish to sell products online through websites such as eBay or other e-markets are able to sell their goods or services internationally from countries ranging from Africa to America. Through the increased global reach eBusinesses allow, firms are able to enter new geographical locations, ultimately allowing revenue maximization. Even though such benefits exist, there are also challenges firms conducing business online must consider. Such challenges include security risks and the necessity to adhere to taxation rules and guidelines. As transactions are commonly performed online, businesses must ensure that they protect the security of their consumers and implement well-maintained privacy and security systems to prevent scams such as credit-card fraud from occurring in online transactions. Online bodies that monitor transactions such as Pay Pal have stern programs enforced to prevent such issues. Another challenge eBusinesses commonly face is also the necessity for them to adhere to strict taxation rules. As online transactions are a fairly new concept, the internet is not yet subject to the strict levels of taxation common to traditional businesses. As the online marketplace remains considerably duty-free or tax-free, businesses must consider that taxes may be implemented in the future and they will have to account for this in their prices. Even though such challenges exist, overall, the internet proves to be an advantageous and profitable source for business.

            Other opportunities and challenges are listed below:

            
            

            Opportunities:

            - self-running business: whilst employees are not working, the firm is still running online 24/7 in a global market (highly accessible)

            - improved content information available online: web 2.0 allows users to comment and rate various products. For example, on eBay, users can leave feedback describing the quality of certain products purchased from a seller. Through the leaving of feedback and a thorough description of products for sale, consumers can make more informed decisions regarding their purchases.

            
            

            Challenges:

            - many firms are global in the contemporary commercial world, thus firms that wish to enter the global market must maintain a competitive edge

            - currency fluctuations must be foreshadowed and accounted for

            - different languages: businesses selling online must adequately be able to converse with their market base

            - online businesses must have a stratified method enforced to ensure the firm is able to meet the demands for certain products (cannot have customers waiting due to lack of stock)

            [1] http://www.3cx.com/phone-system/images/3CX_ip-pbx-overview.jpg, 3CX, 2009

            [2] http://www.weballey.nl/forms/index.html, Gerben Hoekstra, 2007

            [3] http://www.darrenbarefoot.com/archives/2006/05/web-10-vs-web-20.html, Darren Barefoot, 2008

            [4] http://www.theappgap.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/web1to31.jpg Pod Press, 2007

            [5] Info on 3.9M Citigroup, Money, 6 June 2005

            [6] http://intranetblog.blogware.com/Ericsson%20Group%20Intranet%20case%20study.jpg, Toby Ward, April 2007

            [7] http://www.rfidjournal.com/ezimagecatalogue/catalogue/phpe2DGTK.jpg, Dave Friedlos, Nov 2008

            [8] www.ce.com.au, Corporate Express, 2010

            [9] Business Driven Information Systems, Baltzan et al (2010), Page 126

            [10] http://www.techfuels.com/attachments/general-internet-terms/1072d1206441399-banner-ad-banner-ad.jpg, VBulletin, 2008