Symposium Blog

The seminar series highlights several topics. The first four (4) topics discussed were under Microsoft, while the last two were about social media and gas detection and monitoring. Below are my reflections on the topics that were tackled.

Windows 8

          The first topic during our seminar series was about Windows 8. Windows 8 was said to be a re-imagined windows wherein there are more interactions involved. It includes several benefits namely: (1) supports mouse and keyboard or touch mouse, (2) has a new and fast fluid skin, and (3) cloud-connected. At the same time, it provides applications that are commonly being used. All of these applications do work together as Windows 8 supports integration.

          Windows 8 was built for business. It increases mobile productivity, as it does not only support Facebook and Twitter, but other google accounts as well. Additionally, enhancement and security, together with virtualization and management are emphasized on this operating system. There is also great experience across hardware as data can be shared between devices such as a desktop and a laptop. As can be observed, the compatibility of this operating system is flexible.

          As previously mentioned, Windows 8 is said to be a re-imagined windows. When it comes to browsing, it has a re-imagined browsing with IE10. There is less browser, more web wherein the focus is on the content. To add on, the address bar in Windows 8 is temporary. After typing a link and being redirected to the page, the address bar would disappear, eliminating too many contents within a page. I personally believe that having minimal visualizations and texts would allow users to easily navigate on a given page.

          What I really find interesting about this operating system is how applications are closed just by dragging them down. This allows the maximization of the space that is provided. Also, the picture password is another aspect that had struck me the most. User would have to drag or connect pics in order to access an account. I find this quite amusing since it's something different from the typical log-ins.

Windows 7

          Windows 7 is a revolutionary platform. It is made up of 2 smart designs, together with 5 hubs. Under the smart designs are: (1) Glance & go experience and (2) Do more in less steps while the 5 hubs are: (1) People, (2) Pictures, (3) Office hub & email, (4) Music & videos, and (5) Games. As the speaker explained to us how each of these works, I have realized that this operating system is flexible as well, just like Windows 8.

          Since Windows 8 was first presented before Windows 7, I have discovered that the usability, functions, and features are quite similar to that of Windows 8. Though, the main difference between these are mainly on the interface, that is, Windows 8 is made to be retro-style. The metro-principles of Windows 7 can be derived in Windows 8.

Unit Testing, UI Testing & Test-driven Development

          As an introduction to the topic, the speaker had first defined unit testing, which is a code that test a single unit of functionality. Based on experience, I believe that unit testing is very important in developing systems. In unit testing, I find it easier to discover bugs as my perspective is only limited to a specific functionality or module. Unlike in integration testing, my perspective would already be more broad and I might not be able to determine small bugs anymore.

          Next, the speaker had also discussed about UI testing. He had defined this as something that validates user interaction through clicking and typing. At the same time, UI testing allows repetitive tasks across an application's interface for you. Also based on experience, I believe that testers are required to be very patient and observant in order for the testing to be more efficient and feasible.

          The 3rd topic discussed was Test Driven Development, which is about using unit tests to design software. This kind of development involves codes being changed without alterations on the functionality. Additionally, unit testing becomes a tool to guide the code design. On this kind of development, I think that it is best to find out the reason why codes are made in a certain way to determine if codes are necessary to be changed for it to be flexible when it comes to usage.

Windows Azure

          To be able to fully explain what is Windows Azure, the speaker had to first explain what is a cloud. As was defined, a cloud is a set of connected servers on which developers can (1) install and run services and (2) store and retrieve data. There are 3 deployment models namely: (1) Private Cloud, (2) Public Cloud, and (3) Hybrid Cloud. The private cloud is the cloud infrastructure own or leased by a single organization and is operated solely for that organization. On the other hand, the public cloud is operated for the general public while he hybrid cloud is a mixture of both. I have also learned that cloud is not equal to virtualization and its main focus is on agility and resiliency.

          On the other hand, Azure is defined to be a blue color on the HSV color wheel at 210 degrees. At the same time, it's the hue that is halfway between blue and cyan. Its complementary color is orange. The word Azure is a near synonym for the color blue.

          As a whole, Windows Azure is an operating system for the cloud that is designed for utility computing. It has 4 primary features which are the following: (1) Service Management, (2) Compute, (3) Storage, and (4) Developer Experience.

Social Media

          Our 2^nd to the last topic tackled about social media. The speaker defined social media as “social communication processes, and tools used in the Internet.” There are 2 specific areas in social media: (1) Digital Marketing and (2) Public Relations. Digital Marketing focuses more on applications, how these are managed, ads, social tools, campaigns, and blog-related concepts. On the other hand, Public Relations involve relations with users and media.

          With the following concepts and facts mentioned above, there had been several challenges that were discovered on social media. As social media is continually evolving, people had to cope up with the changes that are being made. Additionally, people had been having different perspectives, leading to damage control when it comes to advertisement and the like. I believe that in order to alleviate challenges like these, procedures and standards should be set to control interaction and human behavior.

          In the future, I think that social media would rapidly grow into another level, knowing that almost everybody goes online. Due to this, there would be a directly proportional relationship between gadgets and its prices. As more gadgets are produced, the lower the prices of these. In time, I think that there would be a big difference between the behaviors of human beings before to human beings in the future.

Gas Detection and Monitoring

          Among all the topics that were discussed during our seminar series, the last one was quite different. It was about gas detection and monitoring, which was a topic under engineering. During this seminar, I have learned about the difference between gas detection and gas monitoring. Gas detection was about the identification of specific gases present in one's work environment while gas monitoring focuses on the measurement of gases. I have also found out that the main purpose why this is done is for preservation of human life and property.

          The speaker had also shown us some pictures of gas monitors. He had explained to us that there are 2 kinds, portable and fixed systems. Under the fixed systems there are (1) Electrochemical Sensors, (2) Catalytic Diffuse Sensors, (3) Combustible Gas, and (4) Flame Arrestor. Each of these have their respective uses, such as electrochemical sensors is a fixed system that involves oxidation and reduction.

Conclusion

          After doing my reflections per talk, I have then realize that emerging technology does not only play an important role in computer-related activities, but in different industries, niches, fields, and the like as well. There are no limitations when it comes to innovations, as there are no boundaries on how man thinks and explores in this world. However, I believe that the key values to be able to innovate something is through intensive research, patience, and hard work. Though, there are still some who are able to create something out of accident.