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Why is it cheaper to use VOIP?
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP), also known as Broadband Phone, Digital Phone or Internet Phone service is much cheaper than a normal phone because it is not subject to government taxes and surcharges. No fees are charged for additional features either. It becomes even cheaper when the subject is long distance calls. International call rates may vary according to where you’re calling to, but many VoIP providers set a monthly fee that includes international calls to particular regions of the world. This is made possible because VoIP allows you to use your Internet connection to make phone calls (Haag, 2007, p. 428).
In fact, a fixed monthly low cost plan for the internet phone services including unlimited local and long distance phone minutes, and several other features makes it possible for a user to save up to 80% of what they would spend in the conventional method. That’s why so many businesses have already adopted this new trend and many people who have friends or families living in foreign countries are also acquainted with this tool.
The following table illustrates the huge difference in costs when switching from normal phone services to VoIP:
Note: From WhichVoIP.com (p.1), 2009.
The table shows what an average family would save by replacing their conventional line for a VOIP provider. If you do the math, you’ll see a saving of up to $500 a year (“Cheap Phone Service,” 2009). It’s needless to say that a business might be able to save even more than that especially if there’s a need to make a lot of long distance calls. The low quality of some calls is still a problem to be resolved, but other than that, VOIP has definitely come to replace the conventional phone and protect our pockets.
References:
WhichVoIP.com. (2009). Retrieved November 30, 2009, from http://www.whichvoip.com
Haag, S. (2007). Management Information Systems for the Information Age. Boston: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Asset Identification
When designing a security policy, it is important to first know the specifics of what it is you are meant to protect. This process is known as asset identification. Anything that has a positive economic value in an organization is known as an asset. Every asset can be organized into one of the following categories:data, software, hardware, physical assets or personnel. Data, software and hardware are self explanatory. Physical assets are defined as anything physical that is not computer related. Personnel assets include people such as employees, customers, business partners, etc. (Network Magazine, Dec. 2002)
The whole idea behind a security policy is to protect anything that is worth any amount of money. Different assets are worth different amounts of money, so as you build a security plan you should rate each asset on a scale of 1 to 5, depending on how important it is to protect that item. Once you have done this you will know what your main focus should be. (Network Magazine, Dec. 2002)
Reports
Sometimes during your system analysis and design methods, you might be asked about the progression, problem, or suggestion. The better way to just telling them by verbal, document report will be used to report your project progressing.
In system analysis and design method, report must be prepared many times during the system development cycle, including the preliminary investigation report, the system requirements document and the end of the system analysis phase the system design specification at the end of system design phase, and the final report. However, report might bother you or your boss. It might be filed without being read, thrown in the trash, or useless. We don’t want it to be this way right?
Figure 1 Bad Report (Morris, unknown)
What is A Good Report?
A good report is one that is read and action taken because of it, not just filed and ignored. First of all thing, the quality of your writing should be considered. The followings are some of idea that we can apply to reports (Bartle, 2009).
- Short but complete
- Containing only what is necessary
- Simple; written in good language
- Having no repetition, no redundancy
- Including no preaching, lecturing
- Containing interesting and relevant information
- Well structured and organized
- Neat and tidy
Writing reports can be a satisfying experience, though, especially when the result is an elegant document that meets your objectives. Remember that your purpose is to present information that allows good decisions to be made, or outlines the effects of decisions that have already been made (Editorial, 2009). Good reports should be structured so that the logic of their arguments can be followed easily, with enough information to make the case but not so much that the writing becomes boring.
References:
Editorial, B. (2009). Writing Good Reports. Retrieved November 30, 2009, from BNEt basic Worklife: http://www.bnet.com/2410-13074_23-59954.html
Morris. (unknown). Bad Report Cartoons. Retrieved November 30, 2009, from CSL Cartoon Stock: http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/b/bad_report.asp
Readability
Why is readability important? Being able to write a readable document can make a big difference in the workplace. A person who can write well is more likely to be promoted. The lack of readability can damage credibility, distract the reader from the intended message, and reduce the chances of a document being read all the way through.
Some important factors to keep in mind when writing are:
- Know your audience
- Use active voice when writing
- Keep writing clear, concise, and well organized
- Use lists when appropriate
- Use short, easy to understand words
- Review and revise (repeat as necessary)
Know your audience
It is important to keep in mind who you are writing to. The extent of the reader’s knowledge of the subject matter will determine what words you use in the document. If the reader knows little about the subject, then it would be best to use words that they will understand and avoid using field specific jargon. If the reader is knowledgeable about the subject, it may be appropriate to use technical jargon if it will better communicate the message.
Use active voice style when writing
When writing a professional document such as a letter, memo, or e-mail, it is appropriate to write in an active voice style. An example of using the active voice when writing would be: “The secretary wrote the memo”, as opposed to “The memo was written by the secretary”. When you use an active voice writing style, the subject is the doer of the action. The active voice style is much stronger than the passive style.
Keep writing clear, concise, and well organized
Wiring a clear and concise document increases the reader’s retention of the information. A document that includes irrelevant information or is too wordy can distract a reader from the main points. It is also just as important to present the information in a well organized manner to lead the reader smoothly from point to point.
Use lists when appropriate
If you have a group of actions or ideas it is often appropriate to use a bulleted or numbered list format. Bullet and numbered lists increase clarity of a document, increasing readability. If it is a sequenced action list, use numbers. Otherwise use bullets for your list.
Use short, easy to understand words
Have you ever read a textbook or technical magazine that uses large unrecognizable words in a chapter or an article? I find that I rarely make it through the whole article. When writing a document using short, easy to understand words will make the information more accessible to more people. You never know when a document you’ve written will end up being passed along to others to read.
Review and revise (repeat as necessary)
This is one of the most important steps in any writing. Without review and revision, most documents would have numerous mistakes and lack optimum readability. Professional writers work with editor’s to review and revise to make their work more readable. If a professional writer depends on review and revision, how can I possibly think I don’t need to do the same? I have found that I often need multiple revisions to be fully satisfied with a paper or other document.
In conclusion, it is important to learn how to write a document that has good readability. It can make the difference between a good job and a great job.
Hacking Story
I found this story interesting. Check out this link:
IS Student Journal 
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