WEEK 7 QUESTIONS

CHAPTER 5:

1. Describe the underlying technologies, applications and types of Web sites that comprise Web 2.0.

There are many underlying technologies and applications that comprise Web 2.0. Some of these include AJAX; Tagging; Blogs and blogging; Wikis; Podcasts and videocasts. There are also many types of websited that comprise Web 2.0. Some of these websites inclyde Social Networking sites such as 'facebook'; Aggregators, which provide collections of content from the web; and Mashups, which takes content from a number of websites and mixes them together to create a new kind of content
http://hinchcliffe.org/img/web2tree.jpg

2. Describe the function of Web services.

Web services are applications, delivered over the internet, that users can select and combine through almost any device. By using a set of shared protocols and standards, these applications provide the function of permitting different systems to 'talk' with one another, without requiring human beings to translate the conversations.


3. Describe how you see Social Networking being used in Business.

I see social networking as a major issue for businesses. With increasing numbers of social networking sites, and increasing numbers of people joining these sites, it is almost impossible not to let these interfere with your everyday work. With people uploading information constantly, or even just constantly 'checking out' these sites, it means that they are taking time away from their work, whilst at work. Rather than promoting the business on these social networking sites, people are just socialising and not concentrating on the more important task at hand. For these reasons, many businesses have blocked these sites so that the workers will not get distracted by them, which I see as a good move.


CHAPTER 6

Section 6.1:

1. Define e-commerce and distinguish it from e-business.

E-Commerce describes the process of buying, selling, transferring or exchanging products, services or information via computer netoworks, including the internet. On the other hand, E-Business is a somewhat broader concept. As well as the functions of E-Commerce, it also refers to servicing customers, collaborating with business partners and performing electronic transactions within an organisation


2. Distinguish among B2C, B2B, C2C and B2E electronic commerce.

-B2C: the sellers are organisations, and the buyers are individuals

-B2B: both the sellers and buyers are business organisations

-C2C: an individual sells products or services to other individuals

-B2E: businesses use B2E internally to provide information and services to its employees


3. List some benefits and limitations of e-commerce.

Some benefits of E-Commerce for organisations include it makes national and international markets more accessible and lowers the cost of processing, retreiving and distributing information. Customers benefit by being able to access a vast number of products and services around the clock. The major benefit to society is the ability to easily and conveniently deliver information and services to people in cities, rural areas and developing countries.

Limitations include the lack of universally accepted security standards, insufficient telecommunications bandwidth and expensive accessibility. It is also non-secure and there are unresolved legal issues and at times, lacks a critical mass of sellers and buyers.


Section 6.2:

1. What are spamming, permission marketing and viral marketing?

These are all forms of advertising methods over the internet. Spamming is the indiscriminate distribution of electronic ads without the permission of the receiver. Permission marketing asks consumers to give their permission to voluntarily accept online advertising and e-mail. Viral marketing refers to online "word of mouth" marketing


Section 6.4:

1. What are micropayments?

Micropayments are small payments of a few dollars or less


2. What is Multichanneling?

Multichanneling is a process through which a company integrates its online and offline channels


Section 6.5:

1. List some ethical issues in EC.

Ethical issues in E-Commerce include how should the company handle the layoffs?; should companies be required to retrain employees for new positions?; should the company compensate or otherwise assist the displaced workers?


2. List the major legal issues of EC.

The major legal issues of EC include fraud; domain names; cybersquatting; taxes and other fees and copyright