For Submission:

Research Topic:

The Impact of Collaborative Technologies on consumer generated media and its effect on Marketers.

Literature Review

Consumers are key to a successful business. Most business listens to their customers because of the underlying importance of feedbacks and primarily satisfying their needs. Web-based companies dealing on digital products and services maximises the opportunities created by the Internet to effectively communicate and collaborate with customers on new product development or redesigning existing products (Robert, et al., 2003).

Innovations in web experience brought about by web 2.0 have created disruptive force like CGM (Carson. 2008). Consumers now are more appended to what another customer feels about a product than mere traditional channel preferred by marketers (CompeteInc. 2006). These innovation and the capabilities of using collaborative tools available with web 2.0 give marketers great opportunity to get direct feedbacks from end users. It also eliminates data collection barriers and reduces error assumptions in data analysis (Neilson. 2008).

Marketers have already anticipated possibilities for fostering trackable, one-on-one relationships with customers. This is possible with innovations in collaborative technologies like Google’s Android which will offer portable rich-media capabilities, allowing brands to integrate online, text and e-mail marketing into a lower-cost smart phone that fits into consumers' pockets (Noreen. 2008).

Therefore, the way forward is to create a robust customer relationship management based on systematic collaboration using technologies where customers manage that relationship with generated contents to support product marketing while companies concentrate on and customer satisfaction and service fulfilment (Seybold. 2008).

The areas that needs further research is the lack of proper understanding from marketers’ perspective on the application and use of collaboration and associate technologies to effectively compromise between customer wants and profitability.

Background

The internet has created enormous opportunities for people and business. Nowadays, consumers are up to date in terms of information on product and services in the market. One of the trusted sources of information is customer generated media from various customers. Existing customer reviews and user experience plays an important part in influencing potential customers in making buying decision. Therefore, an effective strategic plan dealing with consumer behaviours is very vital for any business to success online.

Companies could gain an advantage by simply creating platform using collaboration with customers and suppliers and also mining massive available content generated media on the internet. This is achievable by using technologies to effectively communicate and implement important marketing strategy and the ability to review feedbacks in an inexpensive way.

Business agility to respond to current market trends will highly be dependent on how well companies communicate with customers especially on feedbacks and comments on new offerings and existing products.

Research Objectives

The main objective of this research paper is to address how the use of collaborative technology in customer generated content impact marketing strategic planning. It will focus primarily on answering the following questions;

1. Do marketers really need to listen to customers?

2. What are the effects of CGM on product development life cycle?

3. What could marketers gain from using collaborative technology in creating online customer intimacy?

4. What are the current available technologies?

5. What are the limitations of using collaborative technology in today’s customer-centric marketplace?

Benefits of Research Paper

This paper will benefit e-marketer as well as product designers to understand the impact of using collaborative technologies in creating value proposition based on customers reviews on different CGM channels online.

Another benefit is how these technologies could be used to communicate with customers in an inexpensive and effective way and customers feedbacks on new product offering can easily be collected and assessed.

Sections of Research Paper

1.0 Introduction

1.1. Definition of Collaboration

1.2. Importance of the “customer”

1.3. Purpose of Research Paper

2.0 Consumers’ influence on product development

2.1. What the customer wants

2.2. CGM as a disruptive force

2.3. Impact of consumer to consumer messaging

2.4. Innovation Vs Marketability

3.0 Collaboration as a Branding tool

3.1. Virality

3.2. Customer retention

3.3. Inexpensive information gateway

4.0 Current Application of Collaborative Technologies

4.1. Web 2.0

4.2. Virtual Worlds

4.3. Business intelligence tools

5.0 Limitations of collaborative technologies

5.1. Internet infrastructure

5.2. Consumer Awareness

5.3. Trust and Security

6.0 Future trend of Technology and CGM

7.0 Conclusion

8.0 References

Sources of Information

1.0 Carson, J. 2008.Four disruptive opportunities wrought by CGM.[Internet] Available at: http://blogs.nielsenbuzzmetrics.com/mouthpiece/archives/2007/03/four_disruptive.html [Accessed on October 1st 2008]

1.1. Disruptive nature of CGM

2.0 Noreen , O. 2008. Walk the talk: What marketers are learning from word of mouth and group dynamics. VNU Business Media Journal, [Online]. 49 (5),
Available at: http://search.rdsinc.com.ezproxy.lib.swin.edu.au/texis/rds/suite2/+lReElW_eoxbtqA68nh_Wxv9+xFqo15nG9+vW/full.html (Business and Industry)
[Accessed October 8^th 2008].

3.0 Seybold, P. 2008. How your customers will co-design your company’s future. [Internet] http://outsideinnovation.blogs.com/

3.1. General source for Innovation on Collaboration

4.0 Nielsen BuzzMetrics. http://www.nielsenbuzzmetrics.com/cgm

4.1. My source for CMG estimates on posting and usage

5.0 Pitts, RA.. and Lei, D. 2003. Strategic Management: Building and Sustaining competitive advantage. 3^rd ed. South-Western: Thomson Press.

5.1. Source for strategic planning theories

6.0 Blackshaw, P. 2005. Word of Mouth a long term strategy? [Internet] http://www.clickz.com/showPage.html?page=3553036

6.1. I’m using this source to identify the importance of CGM as part of strategic planning.

7.0 CompeteInc. 2006. There is a Viral going around that Marketers will want to catch http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20061213005288&newsLang=en

7.1. This source is to suggest how viral marketing influences buying behaviour

For Submission-Kang Loong

Title-The Growth of Ubiquitous Internet in Malaysia

Introduction on Research topic
Nowadays, internet has become a new channel for e-commerce. Many organizations have built their own website, blog or forum for online marketing, advertising, customer relationship services, and etc. With the emerging technologies in internet infrastructure and telecommunication, the internet can be upgraded to ubiquitous.

Ubiquitous internet means connection between virtual internet and physical world at anytime by anything and anyone. Thus, ubiquitous internet will provide more opportunities to organization to do e-commerce. In this report, I will discuss on the advantages and disadvantages of ubiquitous internet, challenges face by ubiquitous internet and facilities which can support the growth of ubiquitous internet in Malaysia.

In conclusion, ubiquitous internet in Malaysia allows all Malaysian connected to the global world and updated with the latest knowledge and technology.

Scope of Research
Ubiquitous internet is a new issue which may be applicable and available in near future. The changes in ubiquitous is unpredictable as it concern on the changes of human needs and wants. Advantages and disadvantages of ubiquitous internet will be included in this research paper. The growth of ubiquitous internet will be concentrate in Malaysia with the use of other countries as reference.

Objectives of this Research topic:
• What is the meaning of ubiquitous internet?
• What are the advantages of ubiquitous internet?
• What are the disadvantages of ubiquitous internet?
• What are the challenges to Ubiquitous internet in Malaysia?
• What are the facilities to assist Ubiquitous internet in Malaysia?

Literature Review
The ubiquitous internet means an internet that is everywhere and can be easily assessed from variety of devices not just personal computer. According to Mark Weiser, “The internet revolution has barely started. It won’t be done until everything is on the Web. Light switches, pagers, copiers, printers, as well as PCs, benefits from Web connections” (Weiser, 1996). International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has predicted the new era of ubiquity will have billions of internet users and most of the traffic will flow between devices, creating a much wider and more complex “Internet of Things”.

The Ubiquitous internet can provide business opportunities for ecommerce. Capitalists have always wanted to convince people that their product is everywhere, that everyone is doing it (irregulartimes.com, 2008). Therefore, telecommunication companies such as TM touch, Digi, Celcom and Maxis will try there best in the technology to provide ubiquitous internet. Electronic devices manufacturer will innovate products which can be used in ubiquitous computing. Web service programmers such as Microsoft and Dell will develop new software that can satisfy the needs of internet users.

The flows of information and contents become more flexible as the digital media exploding (Lockhorn, 2006). Besides, people can interact with each other easily via internet as the ubiquity increase. Most of the teenagers in the new generated are well educated in computer technology and internet. Thus, they will be able to benefit from the convenience of internet in their daily activities.

As more internet users store their personal information in the internet, by themselves or companies who they transact with, the privacy and securities of the information are threaten. The activities which may reveal personal information can be found in an article entitled “Traveling in Cyberspace Safety” (PrivacyRight, 1995). Besides, the disadvantages of ubiquitous internet include virtual monopoly as mention in “The Growth of the Ubiquitous Internet”. (Irregulartimes.com, 2008)

In order to implement ubiquitous internet successfully, Malaysia needs to outcome the challenges of substantial gap between poor n rich, country development, geographical limitation and the vision, “Ubiquitous Society”. An example of ubiquitous society in Japan can be found in an article written by Jack Turner entitled “The Transition to a Ubiquitous Internet Society”.

In this research paper, the facilities to support ubiquitous internet in Malaysia will be tested on the infrastructure, devices and technology. Jack Turner had mentioned few latest technologies such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Voice over IP (VOIP) and Wireless Network (Wi-Fi) that can improve the performance of internet connection.

In my research paper, I would include 2 case studies that potentially contribute to ubiquitous internet. The first case studies will be the Digi EDGE plan which allows Digi customers to surf internet using Streamyx and mobile phone. The second case studies will be the Microsoft program that provides chat services and check mail box via mobile phone.


Structure of Paper
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Definition of ubiquitous internet
1.2 Purpose of research paper
1.3 Background of ubiquitous internet(Malaysia)
2.0 Advantages of ubiquitous internet
2.1 Opportunities for ecommerce
2.1.1 Telecommunication company
2.1.2 Electronic devices manufacturer
2.1.3 Software and hardware developers
2.2 The access to rich electronic information and content
2.3 Personalized connection between people
2.4 Convenience daily activities
3.0 Disadvantages of ubiquitous internet
3.1 Securities and privacy concerns
3.2 Virtual monopoly in internet operating system and web browser market
4.0 Challenges for ubiquitous internet
4.1 Substantial gap
4.2 Country development and geographical limitation
4.3 “Ubiquitous Society”
5.0 Facilities to assist ubiquitous internet in Malaysia
5.1 Extensive infrastructure for wireless networking
5.2 Microchip, microprocessor and mobile devices
5.3 Updated internet software and technology
6.0 Case studies
6.1 Digi Edge
6.2 Messenger Goes Mobile
7.0 Conclusion
8.0 Recommendation
8.1 Solutions to disadvantages of ubiquitous internet
8.2 Well planning to prevent failure
8.3 Steps to increase more ecommerce opportunities
9.0 Reference

List of References

Irregular Times, “The Growth of the Ubiquitous Internet”, viewed on 9 October 2008
http://irregulartimes.com/ubiquitous.html

Lockhorn J, “Are You Ready for Ubiquitous Interactivity?”, viewed on 9 October 2008
http://www.clickz.com/showPage.html?page=3624090

Privacy and the Internet, “Traveling in Cyberspace Safely 2008”, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, viewed on 9 October 2008
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs18-cyb.htm

ITU 2007, ‘Ubiquity: Here, There and Everywhere’, viewed on 9 October 2008
http://www.itu.int/newsroom/features/ubiquity.html

Burbey, I 1996, ”Ubiquitous internet computing”, viewed on 9 October 2008
http://ei.cs.vt.edu/book/chap24/chp24-01.html

Turner, J 2005, “The new internet: the transition to a ubiquitous internet society”, BNET, viewed on 9 October 2008
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NTN/is_65/ai_n15797829/pg_4?tag=artBody;col1

Susanne Huttner, “The Internet economy: Towards a better future”, OECD Observer, 2008, viewed on 9 October 2008
http://www.oecdobserver.org/news/fullstory.php/aid/233

PhpBB, “Digi EDGE going unlimited a month”, viewed on 9 October 2008
http://mobile.mypdacafe.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=17424&start=45

Digi,” High Speed Mobile Access powered by EDGE”, viewed on 9 October 2008,
http://www.digi.com.my/data_services/gprs/datagprs_overview.do

Digi,” Technical Specification”, viewed on 9 October 2008,
http://www.digi.com.my/data_services/gprs/datagprs_technicalspec.do

Window Live, “Messenger Goes Mobile” viewed on 9 October 2008,
http://www.messengergoesmobile.com/

For Submission: The Emergence of RFID in the Future (Mayi Al-B Chang May-Yee)

INTRODUCTION

This proposal is written to research on the topic “The Emergence of RFID in the Future”. The current and future applications of RFID, its implications and ethical issues of RFID will be included in the research paper based on research and personal knowledge or interest. This research paper is to deliver knowledge to all. Basically, RFID is one of the vital technologies that emerge continuously in the world ranging in its designs and usage.
The reason for choosing this topic as my research paper is to identify the continuous emergence of RFID in every industry which brings benefits to the society and contributes to the world of e-commerce. Besides, I am keen to know about the emergence of RFID in the future and how secure will it be in the coming few years supporting not only business affairs but also to the society.

SCOPE OF RESEARCH

Although there is numerous research areas that can be researched about RFID but the scope of this research will only focus on the emergence application of RFID in the future, its implications and ethical issues. There are no specific areas of RFID application and other topic discussion would be included due to time constraint. This research paper will also include a case study in identifying the successful of RFID application in supply chain of Campbell’s Company.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the research are to identify the revolution of RFID application in various industries from current application to future application, to identify its implications towards industry, the society and also in e-commerce perspectives. Besides, the research objectives include discussion on how secured will RFID be and its ethical issue in the future as compared to now. Moreover, with the insertion of a case study, the successfulness of RFID application in supply chain can be determined and proven.


BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Definition of RFID

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification which it is a kind of technology that uses radio waves in doing automatic identification relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders (Technovelgy, 2008). According to The RFID Gazette (2007), RFID was first invented by Harry Stockman with the publishing of his 1948 report “Communication by Means of Reflected Power”, has only in the last few year become viable. It is more similar to a small electronic device that consists of small/silicon chip and antenna that might be capable in carrying 2000 bytes of data or maybe less than that. It can be both attach or implanted into a product, animal or even person. This RFID device act the same as a bar code or even a magnetic strip enacted behind a credit card or even ATM card enables information available just with a scan of the device (The RFID Gazette, 2007). Mainly, the key feature of this technology is the ability in instant tracking of tagged object.
RFID is beginning to revolutionize the way business is done and the emerging of RFID development in the future on its usage and designs will definitely make it to be one of the technology that plays a vital role in business industry (RFID Journal, 2008).

Revolution of RFID

Structure of Research Paper

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Definition of RFID (This section will define RFID in general)
1.2 Scope of Research (This section will define the scope or area that this research paper will cover and its limitation)
1.3 Objectives of Research (This section will point out the objectives or purpose of the research)
2.0 Current Applications of RFID (This section covers current usage of RFID in various industry consisting of business, education and etc. in relation with e-commerce)
3.0 Future Applications of RFID (This section is done based on the research of future usage of RFID in various industry)
4.0 Implications of RFID (This section will be discussing about the effects to the society, business or e-commerce or ways that RFID should be used )
5.0 Ethical Issues of RFID (This section discuss about the security and ethical issues that RFID face and ways to eliminate this problem)
6.0 Case Study : RFID in Campbell’s Supply Chain (A case study to prove the successful usage of RFID in the supply chain)
7.0 Conclusion (The conclusion will briefly summarize the whole research paper)
8.0 Recommendations (This section will cover the suggestions and recommendations in relation to e-commerce for businesses to implement RFID)
9.0 References
10.0 Appendices

LIST OF MAIN REFERENCES AND SOURCES

Blogger.com, 2008, HBM370 Innovation & Emerging Technologies, last viewed 2 October 2008, http://www.HBM370innovation.blogspot.com
(This blog had been useful for me to get and know more about RFID as my classmates had contributes their ideas and comments that I can take as reference for my research paper)
Emigh, J., 1 February 2004, “RFID and the Future of Asset Protection”, viewed 1 October 2008, http://securitysolutions.com/mag/security_rfid_future_asset/index.html
(This reference would be used as discussion of RFID usage in asset protection in business)
Malykhina, E., September 30, 2004, “Campbell Uses Slap-and-Ship Approach to RFID”, Information Week, http://www.informationweek.com/industries/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=RRFA2CD44IPEKQSNDLQCKIKCJUNN2JVN?articleID=48800377
(This article discuss about the usage of RFID in supply chain management whereby it helps in my discussion for the case study)
RFID Journal, viewed 1 October 2008, http://www.rfidjournal.com
(This is the main reference I am going to use for my research paper as it consist of latest news and updates of RFID technology in every aspect)
Technovelgy, “What Is RFID”, viewed 1 October 2008, http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Technology-Article.asp?ArtNum=20#Security
(This reference gives me the proper definition of RFID which I can give a much proper definition for RFID for the research paper)
The RFID Gazette, “RFID Report – The Future is Here, A Beginner’s Guide to RFID”, viewed 1 October 2008, http://www.rense.com/general62/fuure.htm
(Here is the website that provides me with proper guide of using RFID)
“The Emergence of RFID in the Modern Society”, http://islab.oregonstate.edu/koc/ece399/f03/explo/gragg.pdf,
(This journal gives me a better idea on how the emergence of RFID can affect the society in the modern days in relation to the revolution of technology)
Raveendran, K., “Emergence Of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology Retailing and Supply Chain Management”, http://www.indianmba.com/Faculty_Column/FC725/fc725.html
(This article gives me idea in the application of RFID in supply chain management that assist me in the case study that I am going to provide in the research paper)
RFID Solutions Online, http://www.rfidsolutionsonline.com/content/hubs/dir.asp?hub=News
(This website provides me with updated information relating on the application of RFID in various industry that assist me in the part of future applications of RFID)
RFID Net, http://www.rfid.ae/index.asp
(This section provides me with information on the current applications of RFID in various industry which will assist me in outlining the information into the research paper)
You Tube, 2008, “RFID videos”, last viewed 1 October 2008, http://www.youtube.com
(You Tube is full of uploads for RFID related videos which enable me to understand more about the usage of RFID, its applications and revolution in the world in the form of visual reference as it will give me a better understanding and ideas)


REFERENCES (BACKGROUND INFORMATION)


Emigh, J., 1 February 2004, “RFID and the Future of Asset Protection”, viewed 1 October 2008, http://securitysolutions.com/mag/security_rfid_future_asset/index.html
RFID Journal, viewed 1 October 2008, http://www.rfidjournal.com
Technovelgy, “What Is RFID”, viewed 1 October 2008, http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Technology-Article.asp?ArtNum=20#Security
The RFID Gazette, “RFID Report – The Future is Here, A Beginner’s Guide to RFID”, viewed 1 October 2008, http://www.rense.com/general62/fuure.htm
The RFID Gazette, “RFID Report – The Future is Here, A Beginner’s Guide to RFID”, viewed 1 October 2008, http://www.rense.com/general62/fuure.htm

Drafts: Research Proposal on The Emerging of RFID in the Future

INTRODUCTION
This proposal is written to research on the topic “The Emerging of RFID in the Future”. The current and future revolution of RFID, its purposes, implications and ethical issues of RFID will be included in the research paper based on research and personal knowledge or interest. This research paper is to deliver knowledge to all. Basically, RFID is one of the vital technology that emerges continuously in the world ranging in its designs and usage.


LITERATURE REVIEW
Definition of RFID
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification which it is a kind of technology that uses radio waves in doing automatic identification relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders (Technovelgy, 2008). According to The RFID Gazette (2007), RFID was first invented by Harry Stockman with the publishing of his 1948 report “Communication by Means of Reflected Power”, has only in the last few year become viable. It is more similar to a small electronic device that consists of small/silicon chip and antenna that might be capable in carrying 2000 bytes of data or maybe less than that. It can be both attached or implanted into a product, animal or even person. This RFID device act the same as a bar code or even a magnetic strip enacted behind a credit card or even ATM card enables information available just with a scan of the device (The RFID Gazette, 2007). Mainly, the key feature of this technology is the ability in instant tracking of tagged object.
RFID is beginning to revolutionize the way business is done and the emerging of RFID development in the future on its usage and designs will definitely make it to be one of the technology that plays a vital role in business industry (RFID Journal, 2008).
Revolution of RFID
RFID had emerged with the continuing of technology development in its purpose to develop various practical usage. The innovation in RFID is for example like product tracking, transport payments, automotive, inventory systems, smart cards, retailing and medical industry that continues to evolve in its usage (Technovelgy, 2008).
The RFID in the future of asset protection and supply chain management had proven successful as Wal-Mart had fully implemented RFID in all of their management process and even requesting their suppliers and retailers to implement RFID technology that can bring convenience to both (Emigh, 2004).
Mainly, RFID brings a vary of benefits to both customers and businesses based on its low cost characteristics which enable it to be implemented conveniently. According to Emigh (2004), most agree that RFID offers future potential for cost-effectiveness, however, RFID is really much pricier than bar code scanning at this point.
Nowadays RFID had made a big impact in e-Commerce compare to the olden days. It affects in a way that it can bring customers and businesses the mobility, convenience and fast way in doing business transactions. The implications of RFID in the world of technology will not only effect only one industry which is business industry but also it will emerge in the world of clothing, hospitality, entertainment, automotive, education and etc. (RFID Journal, 2008).
However, every technology that can be define in the terms of communication or data storage will certainly has its own ethical issues that discuss about RFID’s security issues. Mainly, the problems existed from technical and privacy and ethics of RFID (Technovelgy, 2008).


Structure of Research Paper
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Definition of RFID
1.2 Purpose of Research
2.0 Current Revolution of RFID
3.0 Future Revolution of RFID
4.0 Implications of RFID
5.0 Ethical Issues of RFID
6.0 Case Study : RFID in Campbell’s Supply Chain
7.0 Conclusion
8.0 Recommendations
9.0 References


REFERENCES AND SOURCES
Blogger.com, 2008, HBM370 Innovation & Emerging Technologies, last viewed 2 October 2008, http://www.HBM370innovation.blogspot.com
Emigh, J., 1 February 2004, “RFID and the Future of Asset Protection”, viewed 1 October 2008, http://securitysolutions.com/mag/security_rfid_future_asset/index.html
RFID Journal, viewed 1 October 2008, http://www.rfidjournal.com
Technovelgy, “What Is RFID”, viewed 1 October 2008, http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Technology-Article.asp?ArtNum=20#Security
The RFID Gazette, “RFID Report – The Future is Here, A Beginner’s Guide to RFID”, viewed 1 October 2008, http://www.rense.com/general62/fuure.htm
You Tube, 2008, “RFID videos”, last viewed 1 October 2008, http://www.youtube.com

Article: The Growth of the Ubiquitous Internet

Here's the big word that begins with "U" for this week: "Ubiquitous". Something that's ubiquitous is omnipresent, everywhere at the same time. Pretty intense idea, huh? Also something that doesn't exist. This is one of those words invented to describe religious concepts that have never been witnessed. The obvious example is God. God is supposed to be ubiquitous: everywhere at once, looking in and keeping track of everything and listening to 5 billion prayers all at the same time. God pretty much has to be ubiquitous to have all those qualities that people say he does. I mean, God just wouldn't be God if he needed a beeper, or call-waiting, would he?

You may have noticed the internet has begun to reach God-like proportions. Well, there are some who would have that become literally true. They want to create what they call the ubiquitous internet.

To me, this seems like the ultimate in marketing hype. Capitalists have always wanted to convince people that their product is everywhere, that everyone is doing it. But what if that were true?

Here's what is being planned for the internet - it's just in the research phase at this point, but you know how fast the computer industry moves these days. They want to put the internet into everything. It'll be in your car, helping you find out where you are and giving you information about wherever that is. The internet will be in your house, turning lights on and off for you, operating all of your appliances. There won't be any separate TV or computer anymore. It'll be all around you, with displays in every room. The internet will also be there in this way at your place of work. You won't need to sign in anymore, because the building itself will be able to sense when you enter and when you leave. The internet will even be on or in your body in the form of a medical implant or a badge that communicates with whatever internet sensors are nearby.

Wow. Isn't technology wonderful? It really is impressive that they're soon going to be able to do this kind of stuff. I won't deny that the ubiquitous internet could do some really remarkable things.

The question that remains unanswered is why the ubiquitous internet is needed. Do we really need to have a connection to some international communications network to turn on a lamp in our living room, to heat a cup of coffee in a microwave, or play music on a stereo? What's the advantage? Maybe we're developing this ubiquitous internet simply because it's possible. We can have it, so we make it.

I suspect that there's more to this idea than just a love of high technology, though. I see the ubiquitous internet as the logical end of a long-standing pattern of increasingly intrusive market research. In the old days, companies got information about consumer behavior by conducting formal studies with paid respondents. Quite a bit of this sort of research still goes on, but it has been supplemented with electronic information gathering.

Credit cards are useful to market researchers because they leave a trail of transactions recorded by computer that can be studied for patterns in consumptive behavior. This information isn't just interesting. It's valuable. A credit card company can sell this information about your buying habits to marketing firms, who then send out junk mail to you without you having to ask for it. What a convenience.

This system has grown into a tighter net as the power of computers to gather and organize information has grown. Banks are now planning for the near total replacement of untrackable paper currency with electronic money cards. Soon you may not be able to make a single purchase without it going on your permanent record.

The internet is just the latest tool for secretive information gathering about your life. In many respects it already is ubiquitous. Through the use of little programs that they call "cookies", web masters can track all of your activity on the internet. In some cases, even the contents of your hard drive can be read. This is the equivalent of a company being able to look through your personal files.

The scary thing is that all of this intrusion is done without your knowledge, much less your permission. Haven't you noticed how some commercial web pages take an especially long time to load? That's because the web page is busy putting its cookie programs onto your hard drive and downloading the cookies already left by other by other web pages that you've visited.

Microsoft is one of the worst cookie cutters out there on the internet. On practically every page they have some sort of program gathering information about you. This is why it's so dangerous to have Microsoft as a virtual monopoly in both the operating system and web browser markets. With no competitors, nothing could stand in the way of Bill Gates in his drive for the power to find out about everything that you do. With the onset of the ubiquitous internet, nothing would be off-limits to the Microsoft spies. Every minute of the day Microsoft would know where you are and what you are doing.

So what do you have to fear? You never do anything wrong, do you? You never make any mistakes or do anything you don't want someone to know about, right? Do the virtuous really need privacy anyway? What have you got to hide?

Well, it doesn't matter what you have to hide. The fact is that you have the right to hide anything that you want to, so long as it isn't directly related to criminal behavior. This principle is in the Constitution. We are supposed to be protected from unreasonable search and seizure, remember?

Watch out, because that protection is being eroded, bit by bit, with every electronic transaction being made, with every new connection of the internet to our every day lives.

Not to worry, says Bill Gates. The development of the ubiquitous internet is a service being done for our convenience.

The idea that there should be a limit to convenience amounts to heresy in today's world of compulsive consumption. It's a shame that the internet has become a tool for electronic spies, because it also can be a powerful tool for individual expression. Nevertheless, when the time comes for me to make the choice between a convenient Big Brother watching over me and an inconvenient seclusion, I know what my decision will be.

Insight
Basically, this article mentions more about the disadvantages of ubiquitous internet which include exposure of privacy information, unnecessary of certain products and hackers. In my opinion, the growth of internet is equal to the importance of internet. The advance in internet technology will cause the internet become part of us. In the end, every human being needs to get himself connects to the internet and half of the daily activities will be on the net. Is this a good thing or bad?

References:

The Growth of the Ubiquitous Internet,Viewed 28 August 2008
Link of the Article

The Emerging of RFID in Future

Emerging of RFID Technologies in e-Commerce

With the development of RFID technology in its usage and designs, it becomes one of the technology that plays a vital role in business industry. There are more practical uses of RFID that have emerged with the continuing of technology development. The innovation in RFID is for example like product tracking, transport payments, automotive, inventory systems, smart cards, retailing and medical industry continues to evolve in its usage which i am going to share with u below. Nowadays RFID made a big impact in e-Commerce compare to e-Commerce during the olden days. It affects in a way that it can bring customers and businesses the mobility, convenience and fast way in doing business transactions.

RFID is a technology that can transmit, process and store data for its consumers and also for its businesses. These applies that a company are able to do multi task transaction in between with the usage of RFID. For example a company that controls transport payments, customers are able to pay their toll by just passing by the reader of the RFID without any hassle (easy, fast & convenience)

Basically, the current usage of RFID in the world e-Commerce:

· Transport Payments
· Product tracking (disease tracking in animal, shipping, books, baggage)
· Automotive (tires of car, car keys-theft protection)
· Inventory system (tracking of inventory)
· Smart cards (payment or accessibility)
· Medical industry...& whole lots more....

Here’s some future in RFID that is able to emerge in the world of e-Commerce

Come & think of RFID in casino which features product associated with RFID that can change the face of gaming devices as with the one we played today. In this way, RFID will able to save the house money & make gaming fun for customers which a win-win deal for everybody in the casino!!!!Its easy for both customers and the casino itself as chips are inventorized without touching or running them through counter. Machines, customers, food or anything that needed to be accounted can be identified, instant head count of casino patrons in emergency situations. Instant & iinovative!!!!Right????

How about RFID in advertisements??? Visualize that u r driving thru a new town where signs direct u to a business by using RFID dash mounted receiver that may speaks in multi languages.

In the near future, Real Estate signs may be outfitted with RFID tags so you can park in front of them and enablesyour audible in-car-reader that will display all the pertinant information about the house in the comfort and safty of your car! RFID devices for advertising are only limited by your imagination. Imagine RFID signs can sell your product as you drive by them!!!Less cost for business company, does not pollute the environment with ads lying around and convenience for customers. moreover it benefits in creating awareness in the memory of customers.

Y RFID an Emerging Technology in e-Commerce???

E-Commerce is a world where both technology and transactions are involved. Technology makes it better and convenience for customers to do business transactions more conveniently and that is why technologies like RFID emerge in e-Commerce offering multi benefits to customers like easy items returns, smart appliances, personalization and easy shopping.

References:
RSA Laboratories, “RFID, A Vision in the Future”, viewed 25 August 2008, http://www.rsa.com/rsalabs/node.asp?id=2117

For more information on RFID technology, please click here

Oh! Thats cool.......Can I do that too?

Nowadays, service and consumer centric approach is the way forward in doing business especially in the digital world. These bring about innovations and new technologies to collaborate in synergy for effective fulfilment in terms of how products and services are delivered to the end user. In this effect, Converge network solutions for e-commerce plays a prominent role by bringing new platform in integrating different service-oriented systems which are designed to improve the way business is done in the new economies.

Part of what we see now are availability of different new innovations and technologies from Biometrics to VOIP services which provides cheap voice calls over internet protocols and also technologies such as RFID that ease inventory management and supplies. These innovations are basically an essential part of doing e-business as which we have learnt how early adopters set the market pace.

However, some of these technologies like destructive technologies alter the norm by bringing in new approaches and tools that affect larger aspect of the market. A good example is the Cellular Telephone or Hand-phone as they are called in Malaysia. This type of service completely change the way we transact business and the level of how information is transmitted. Customers can use these technologies to pay for items in stores or even transfer funds using m-commerce platform and e-banking.

( http://safaricom.co.ke/index.php?id=228 )

No doubt innovativeness in terms of technological development has brought about opportunities in how we transact business either online or offline it also has its consequences of unethical behaviours and actions which are not new to our society but another way of doing the same crime on a different medium. Certain question arises on implementing new technologies like RFID which in my opinion is a tracking device that can be use as a “Big Brother” in countries where human rights are serious issues. Personally, I am less worried about privacy issues because to me I prefer dealing with intuitive sellers that monitors my buying habits in order to recommend products and services that tally with my preferences, these could in another way ease my interaction with sellers and the time I need to compare and decide on a particular service either online or offline.

Furthermore, I hope to get personal opinions on the following issues;

• Are innovations and much of emerging technologies beneficent to our lives?

• How do we handle issues of policy vacuums created by new technologies in areas like privacy, copyrights and intellectual property?

• What are ethical issues associated with new technologies?

As much as I want to talk about these issues I guess people have different perspective which I look forward to receiving them on this blog.....


References:

http://safaricom.co.ke/index.php?id=228