Secure E-mail

Wells Fargo

Above is the link from the article that I read about businesses that have used secure e-mail or other security measures to protect their data.

In this article Wells Fargo & Company tried to utilize a new way to efficiently and safely exchange confidential information with its business customers. A vice president in the bank's wholesale banking group articulated that she wanted a secure e-mail system that was user friendly and not too cumbersome. She explained that certificates were

always required for secure e-mail and not all users were tech savvy. Wells Fargo looked at three email encryption products and chose Voltage Security's SecureMail, which ended up being the most user friendly system for both employees and customers. Accoring to Well Fargo's Wholesale Architecture & CEO-Mobile application development team, SecureMail has saved time and money in mailing confidential customer documents via an express mail service.

Microsoft Access Project

Before doing this project I was very intimated of database programs. However, after tackling and fighting and overcoming much frustration, I started to understand some of the concepts and features that Microsoft Access had to offer. I think what I learned from using Access is how to successfully make a form. Microsoft Access forms provide a quick and easy way to modify and insert records into your databases.

I think the one thing that this database should do to increase its functionality is to provide some sort of help box for users. There were several times when I had a question and I had to turn to Google for help in finding the answer. I don't think that Access is overly user friendly. When it comes to databases if you don't have some type of computer science capacity then these programs can prove to be somewhat challenging. If Microsoft were to implement a user friendly interface with a help box then things would become a lot easier for users. 

Web Presentation 2.0

In staying with the guide lines provided by the rubric for critiquing our presentations, I believe that I met all the requirements that were asked of the professor.

I had a logical flow of content in my presentation. I went in sequential order in explaining the points of my presentation.

For all my headings, I phrased the title in somewhat of a question. So, I anticipated what my listener was thinking.

I attempted to grab the readers attention in the first couple slides of the presentation, by providing an interesting and engaging topic with supporting information in each slide.

I avoided invalid claims and double checked my work for errors and unbelievable claims.  I also avoided clutter by keeping slides simple and clear.

To ensure readability, I kept the words on the slide to a minimum and did more talking in each slide explaining my point clearly and effectively.

I first showed the information and then began to go over the information verbally to my audience.

By critiquing my peer's presentation before completing my own gave me a better idea of what was expected from me on this project. I liked looking at my classmates work and using the rubric to analyze their presentation. This process allowed me to have a better understanding when completing my own work.

Upon completion of this project, I learned how to effectively use PowerPoint to my advantage. I had no idea that I could create slides and then add a narration to the slide. This is a very effective way to present an idea in the business world. Especially, with the rise in technology; you never know if a future employer will request a PowerPoint from you via E-mail. If that is ever the case, I know now how to add a narration to make my point explicitly clear.


A link to my Presentation: Web Presentation 2.0

Excel Project

While working on the Microsoft Excel project for this class, I started to slowing but surely understand a lot of the concepts that were once foreign to me that I spoke about in my previous blog post.

After completing the project, I am now capable of doing the following things on my own:

• Understand and navigate the three dimensions of an Excel workbook
• Enter, edit and format data
• Format and print worksheets
• Use arithmetic operators to create formulas
• Use absolute and relative cell references appropriately
• Use selected general-purpose functions fluently
• Find and learn to use more advanced/specialized functions when needed
• Create and use pivot tables
• Use built in help to improve Excel skills

While doing the project, I realized how efficient Excel could actually be. I think the best thing that came out of this project was me learning how to use the pivot tables. It was truly amazing to me how Excel could automatically sift through a large amount of data and make sense of it all after a couple of clicks.  I was very proud of myself once I figured out how to create target heart rate percentages and target rates achieved. Two weeks ago, I would have never been able to tell you how to convert raw data in averages or percentages, but now I am able to do it with just a click on my mouse.

Avg Increase

The one thing that I continue to struggle with, however, is learning how to manipulate Excel 2007 on my Mac computer. After watching the lectures, I noticed that the professor used a Microsoft computer. In the beginning it was quite difficult to figure out how to apply the same concepts on my personal computer. But after figuring out how to use the wizzard, I was able to do the exact same thing.