Module 9 

As I continued to read The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman, I learned how some many things that I never thought about continued to make the world a more equal playing field. A lot of things in these sections were harder for me to completely grasp the ideas, since they were a lot more in depth about programming on computers.

                One of the things that contributing to the flattening was work flow software. This is what standardized computers and the way they communicated. It was allowed for people to work on the same projects from all over. It allowed for different individuals and even different companies to access the same information. My wife currently works in a job where she works from two different computers, one at the office and one at home, because of work flow software she is able to transport files back and forth from the two computers, even though they don’t run the same exact programs. I guess what was most shocking about the idea of work flow software was the fact that I never knew it was any different that it is today. I didn’t realize all the complications that there was when it came to sharing information, files and company information. It is insane the amount of programs that we have allowed to communicate with one another and work hand in hand.

                The next “flattener” open source software has also made it so that we have found many new advances due to the contribution of many people. These software programs allow people from all over to tap into them and edit them. They are allowed to make improvements or find problems. Someone writes a code that allows the program to run as they want. Another aspect that plays a part with the codes written for software programs are hackers, they developed a community where they would go in and change programs and share their ways. Most of this really goes above my head to be honest, I do not fully understand about computers and codes and the interworking’s that there are, I just want my computer to work when I want it to. I am grateful that there are people that have developed such programs so that I am able to do everything that I am able to from the convenience of my living room couch.

                The last section was on outsourcing, which is when companies outsource their jobs to other country, the biggest being India. Through the internet and programming companies are able to share information across seas. It was amazing to me that in the book they said that often times in other countries there are many companies that work out of one large room. Since the companies aren’t stationed there they don’t need a fancy office, so often times they cram as many individuals in the office as possible and have them working for multiple companies depending on the part of the room that they are assigned to. I think that outsourcing has provided companies a cheaper way to run businesses. A lot of companies are also able to have extended hours of customer service when they outsource to other countries. Personally, I see the advantages for companies to outsource, but sometimes as a consumer it can be very frustrating. They don’t always understand completely how the problems that you are having because sometimes there is a gap in the understanding of the company that they work for.

                This section of the book was a little harder to completely comprehend, but I still think it helped to open my eyes to all the interworking’s of companies and all the things that they are constantly doing to make sure that we are still advancing.

Module 8

How have computer been relevant in my education? It would probably be a lot easier to tell you how they have not. All throughout school I have had to utilize computers for many different purposes. For instance in college, you apply online, you register for classes and online, and you can even take classes purely online. How would any of this be possible without utilizing computers, exactly it wouldn't. I am extremely grateful for computers in my education because I take advantage of them by taking mostly online classes since by life seems crazy busy enough. Trying to balance a full time job, a family and school at once can seem at least overwhelming, but because of computers I have been able to get my education all while not leaving the comfort of my own home, which makes it seem less demanding. I am so grateful for all the technologies that have made communicating with teachers easier, so that any questions I have working from home can be answered. Programs like canvas, and this blog help me to stay on top of my school work, all while not having to worry about getting to class on time. 

It seems as though every part of my education is interlinked to computers and technologies. I have to type all my assignments from my computer. I have to post my assignments online to my professors, all on a computer. I have to go to school to take tests all of which are on a computer. It is remarkable that computers can basically run our lives and keep them organized. My computer has a calendar which reminds me when I have assignments due. Without my computer I probably wouldn't be able to pass my classes because I can't seem to remember anything on my own with out my computer or cell phone.

It is hard to imagine having to go through school without computers and all the accessibility that they bring us. They allow  us to research for projects, communicate with classmates and teachers, type assignments, turn in assignments and keep our education on track. I myself am grateful to get to go to school today and have all the help that computers have brought. 

Module 7

            It is amazing that through the process of combining all the flatteners together we were able to make things even more accessible. The triple convergence allowed for easier convenience for both the company and the costumers. The first convergence allowed for costumers and companies to work hand in hand because of the availability of computers, bandwidth and know-how. Southwest and Konica were two of the first companies to take advantage of this. The second convergence was the platform, since we had now made an equal playing field, or a flat platform, it made it allowed for companies to not only do business the old way, but also find new ways to do business with their customers.  This breakthrough is what gave Wal-Mart the ability to communicate with their shippers across seas to make sure that they were able to keep up with the demand of their customers. The third convergence was getting the whole world involved. Once the Berlin Wall came down it allowed for even more people to become part of the flat world. All the new technologies were now available all over the world, making it a more level playing field for companies and people everywhere.

            The case of India vs. Indiana is very interesting and I don’t think there is a clear black and white answer to who is being exploited and who is doing the exploiting. I think that both sides were taking advantage of each other. It is definitely comical to me though that the state’s employment center was accepting work from outside the United States. By taking advantage of the lower costs of India they were benefiting themselves and hurting themselves all at the same time. I believe that India was definitely taking advantage of the skills that they had been taught and would do whatever they could to bring the work to them, because what good is their education if they aren’t able to use it. Unfortuantely I think this same sort of thing is happening all over still between states and outsourcing. It is hard to provide the adequate products at reasonable prices here in the United States because of the costs, but then again we are giving away work that could be helping out those in our country.

            Intellectual property are the things that people think of to help better the country. They are ideas and inventions that are used to make advances in society. It is hard to say though who can own what and who has to share ideas. If all intellectual property was kept to oneself we wouldn’t be able to make all the advances that we have thus far. I think that it is important that we allow some things to be kept to oneself because I think that sometimes it forces us to think of newer, better ways to solve problems then just already accept a solution that has already been found. I think that is important that people are compensated for their intellectual property if they have to share and disclose it otherwise there would be no incentive for them to keep progressing and making things easier. People wouldn’t care to work hard to find a better way if they weren’t being rewarded for it. 

Module 6

            It is amazing that through the process of combining all the flatteners together we were able to make things even more accessible. The triple convergence allowed for easier convenience for both the company and the costumers. The first convergence allowed for costumers and companies to work hand in hand because of the availability of computers, bandwidth and know-how. Southwest and Konica were two of the first companies to take advantage of this. The second convergence was the platform, since we had now made an equal playing field, or a flat platform, it made it allowed for companies to not only do business the old way, but also find new ways to do business with their customers.  This breakthrough is what gave Wal-Mart the ability to communicate with their shippers across seas to make sure that they were able to keep up with the demand of their customers. The third convergence was getting the whole world involved. Once the Berlin Wall came down it allowed for even more people to become part of the flat world. All the new technologies were now available all over the world, making it a more level playing field for companies and people everywhere.

            The case of India vs. Indiana is very interesting and I don’t think there is a clear black and white answer to who is being exploited and who is doing the exploiting. I think that both sides were taking advantage of each other. It is definitely comical to me though that the state’s employment center was accepting work from outside the United States. By taking advantage of the lower costs of India they were benefiting themselves and hurting themselves all at the same time. I believe that India was definitely taking advantage of the skills that they had been taught and would do whatever they could to bring the work to them, because what good is their education if they aren’t able to use it. Unfortuantely I think this same sort of thing is happening all over still between states and outsourcing. It is hard to provide the adequate products at reasonable prices here in the United States because of the costs, but then again we are giving away work that could be helping out those in our country.

            Intellectual property are the things that people think of to help better the country. They are ideas and inventions that are used to make advances in society. It is hard to say though who can own what and who has to share ideas. If all intellectual property was kept to oneself we wouldn’t be able to make all the advances that we have thus far. I think that it is important that we allow some things to be kept to oneself because I think that sometimes it forces us to think of newer, better ways to solve problems then just already accept a solution that has already been found. I think that is important that people are compensated for their intellectual property if they have to share and disclose it otherwise there would be no incentive for them to keep progressing and making things easier. People wouldn’t care to work hard to find a better way if they weren’t being rewarded for it.