Abstract
This paper looks at how for the past few years computer scientists, in particular those concerned with research, have been fascinated by the interaction of social insects and the way in which a community of simple single individuals can come together to perform complex tasks. It analyzes how ants, termites and bees are all simple individuals and how in order to survive the form complex communities they interact to complete certain tasks. It describes how these interactions can be useful in providing new ways of solving such computing issues as routing, robotics and security. It shows how as networks and datasets continue to increase in the future, many current systems will simply be unable to cope with the strain and demand and how swarm intelligence offers a novel way to produce low cost, easy to understand and scaleable agents and applications for the future.

From the Paper
"One of the most influential figures in the study of this behavior was the French biologist Pierre-Paul Grass. In 1959 he observed the behavior of nest building in termites and discovered the incredible way in which they achieve this complex task by working together. When termites start nest construction hundreds of individuals move around at random. At first each termite starts to drop small pellets of masticated earth which are infused with pheromones, these form slight elevations in the ground. As time goes on another termite will find these elevations by sensing the pheromones and its behavior will change, it will start to place pellets on top of these elevations. As more and more individuals start to do this a column will begin to form until it reaches a specific height."

Tags:ants, bees, networks, recurity, robots, routing, termites

Abstract
A semiotic analysis on the importance of the three series Myst by Cryan Software. Investigating the semiotic values of the game, the user interaction and its adaptability from society's culture, its seemingly self-created genre and its subversive game playing presence.

From the Paper
"The three games that are being analyzed are Myst, Riven by Cryan Inc and Myst III: Exile by UbiSoft. Myst is a first person point and click, interactive role playing game. The game is set in a sequential world; the story unfolds through worlds created in books, set on a surrealistic island. Essentially the world of Myst is purely a world of books, an index to passing time between chronicle ages, a reference to what exists within the pages of this referenced work. Myst has tried, quite successfully, to immerse the user into a digital interactive environment. Metaphorically like a reader engrossed in a good mystery novel, the user is in engrossed into a digital diversity interactive world."

Tags:cryan, digital, environment, genre, isf, myst, semiotic, semiotics, software, subversive

Abstract
This paper examines how there is a revolution and evolution taking place in the way war can be fought and shows how technology in the information age is being used to fight wars through new and developing means. It shows how both the English and American governments take the threat seriously and have organised departments and agencies, which investigate reports of cyber terrorism. It also talks about information warfare in general and in the Middle East.

Outline
Introduction
Chapter One: Literature Review
Information Society and the New Forms of War
Definitions of Information Warfare
The Future of Modern Warfare
Chapter Two: Research Question
Why and How is Information Warfare Being Used in the Middle East?Chapter Three: Methodology and Methods
Chapter Four: DATA
Tools Used
Hackers Broke into Hezbollah Sites Placing Israel Flags
Palestinian Hackers Took Out Netvision an ISP
Israeli Supporters and Attacks
Palestinian Supporters and Attacks
166 Israeli Sites and 34 Palestinian Attacked by Dec 2000
Palestinians Sent To and Sent Offensive Images
First Worm / Virus Used by the Palestinians
Analysis of Main Types of Attacks
Chapter Five: Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Amongst the various different methods they tried to use, they used the Internet to publicise their plight of governmental oppression, and mistreatment, to enlist the international sanctions applied to the Mexican Government. The government relented into giving the indigenous people back their lands and allowing them to form back into the tribes that they wanted to go to. They used the Internet in a positive manner and gained international support. Where as the Israeli and Palestinian factions that use the Internet have now used "Hacktivism" to attack websites and each other via the use of website graffiti, denial of service attacks and propaganda websites in a cyber-war."

Tags:bombs, computer, dos, graffiti, hacking, horses, identity, virus

Abstract
This paper looks at the new and developing technology used in communication, not just socially but in the world of e-commerce. It examines the current state of technology and the latest developments and then the barriers to implementation of these new technologies. The cost, as in fiscal cost and quality of life, is also considered before looking at the impact of new technologies and communication on commerce.

Outline
Introduction
Current Communications Technology
Mobile and Wireless Technology
Cable Television and Internet
Satellite
Television
Latest Communication Developments
Wireless Local Networks
Broadband
High Definition Television
Social Aspects and Decision Making Issues
Barriers to Implementation
E-Commerce and E-Business
Convergence of Technologies
Bibliography

From the Paper
"The increase of communications and its convenience provides much scope for dataveillance. The monitoring and storing of personal data may breach the privacy rights of individuals. However the combining of surveillance sources such as CCTV, bank records, and location tracking using mobile telephone signals bring surveillance to a new level. By pooling together all information sources, information gathered on an individual is so personal and provides such a three-dimensional picture into one's life and habits."

Tags:analogue, bluetooth, internet, mobile, satellite, telephones, television, wap

Abstract
This paper takes a critical and evaluative look at the use of computers in public junior high schools in one of the world?s most high-tech countries, Japan. It shows that, as the new millennium dawns, Japan is slowly but surely beginning to harness the technologies now available to help give its younger population a competitive advantage in what is set to become the ?information age?. The paper uses the case study of a British English language teacher, Lyle De Souza, who pioneered the use of advanced technologies to help learning in general and the teaching of English as a foreign language (TEFL), in particular.

From the Paper
"A recent development in computing has been that of speech recognition software. This software recognizes speech and can even be programmed to perform actions accordingly. Typical uses include dictation or navigation within operating systems. For a word to be recognized correctly the user must speak as closely to "standardized English" as possible. The system is designed to cater to different types of English but correct pronunciation is all-important. At Shiun JHS, De Souza used IBM's Simply Speaking Gold that claims 99% recognition rate if used correctly. This software is invaluable in the training of speech contest students. It is a change for the students from the pressure of continuously practicing with teachers and also frees up some time for teachers."

Tags:conformist, internet, tefl, JTE

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that information technology plays a major role in every business, ranging from a small corner shop to a large multinational organization, as it can be an important source of competitive advantage. This essay is based on a hypothetical scenario concerning a newly-established business, making and selling greeting cards to specialist shops and retailers but not directly to the public. The writer discusses how information technology can improve the way in which the business operates. The writer then suggests a new vision and mission statement and discusses any changes that will be required to the IT system following a change in the business's strategy to begin selling greeting cards directly to the public.

Outline:
Introduction
Task 1 - Using IT to Improve Business Operations
Task 2 - Selling Greeting Cards Directly to the Public. New Vision and Mission Statement and Changes to IT System
Conclusion
References
Appendix

From the Paper
"When starting a business, the establishment of organizational objectives and strategy to be followed is critical in order to gain competitive advantage. The IS strategy should be designed to reinforce the organization's overall business strategy, in this case, to only sell our products to specialist shops and retailers. In preparing a practical strategy four elements must be considered: the business vision, Information Technology, key people, and application systems. To establish sound objectives and an appropriate strategy, the external, as well as the internal factors that can influence a firm's operations have to be identified. These can be determined by conducting PESTLE and SWOT analysis. Moreover, Porter's Five Forces Model developed in 1980 sets out to identify the factors that can influence an organization's competitiveness."

Tags:storing, communicating, application, systems

Abstract
This paper looks at Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) networks and switches including the problems associated with the old existing networks and the introduction of Broadband Integrated Networks. The paper also compares ATM networks with the traditional circuit and packet switching systems as well as discussing different categories of ATM switches and buffering schemes.
Outline
Origins of ATM
Evolution to a Broadband Integrated Network
Service Characteristics
Information Rate and Burstiness
Service Examples
Transfer Modes
Extreme Transfer Modes
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
Benefits of ATM
ATM Cell Structure
Cell Size
BISDN Protocol Stack
Transmission Delay
Header Functionality
Virtual Paths
Statistical Multiplexing
Making an ATM Call
ATM Switching
Classification of Switch Fabrics
Time Division Switch Fabrics
Shared Medium Single Bus Structure
Space Division Fabrics
Single Path Self Routing Switch
Switch Problems
Buffering

From the Paper
"Asynchronous Transfer Mode is a digital technique for high speed switching. The unit of multiplexing and switching is a cell which comprises a short fixed length information packet with a fixed length header to carry signaling information. By offering access at the cell level, information from many sources with widely differing activity patterns and transmission rates can be interleaved on a single transmission link or switched through an ATM node. As in other packet switching environments capacity is used only when it is needed."

Tags:bisdn, broadband, integrated, isdn, modes, multiplexing, packet, paths, recirculation

Abstract
This paper examines how the evolution of popular music over the last century has undoubtedly been heavily influenced by the constant development in recording technologies. It looks at how the huge variety of options available to producers and engineers nowadays are almost boundless and how virtually any radical new idea conjured up in the studio can be implemented in one of several ways. It shows how the changing way in which music is produced can be analyzed by looking at several contrasting recordings, produced at suitable milestones in record production history.

From the Paper
"The audio quality of the record is somewhat poorer than more modern reel-to-reel tape recordings. This is primarily due to the non-existence of any noise reduction technology, but also because of the lack of attention paid to the rest of the signal chain, other than the microphones and the tape machine itself. The high proportion of background electrical noise and hiss was mostly created (and then further amplified at the output) in unbalanced, un-screened cabling runs, and poorly earthed equipment. More modern tape machines like those used at Electric Lady Studios by Stevie Wonder, would have been properly biased to balance unwanted distortion and noise, with high frequency fidelity."

Tags:song, sound, popular

Abstract
The main purpose of this paper is to analyze different aspects of Pulse Code Modulation including sampling theory, aliasing, quantizing and effect of non-uniform quantization. Each part of the paper begins with the theoretical analysis; then the simulation results are presented. Finally the practical measurement results are demonstrated and discussed. For better analysis and subjective evaluation of quantization process, a Java-MATLAB application is developed (the source codes are included). Finally in the conclusion, the main points of each part are summarized.
Outline
Introduction
Pulse Modulations
Pulse Code Modulation
Sampling
Nyquist Sampling Theorem and the Aliasing Distortion
Zero Order Hold (ZOH)
Effect of Output Pulse Width
Aliasing Distortion
Variation of the Output Filter Bandwidth
Quantization
PCM Quantization Analysis: Java-MATLAB Software Application
Peak clipping
Quantization Distortion
Spectrum of Quantization Noise
Non-Uniform Quantization
The i law
Quantization Distortion for a Companded System
Conclusion
References
Appendix A: Java Software Source code

From the Paper
"Sampling is the first step in any pulse modulation system. In fact by sampling, a signal is represented by set of discrete samples. If the frequency of the sampling is high enough, the original signal can be recovered from the samples. This concept will be examined with more details later. From the mathematical point of view, the sampling process can be considered as the multiplication of the message signal by a train of Dirac impulses. "

Tags:aliasing, analogue, bandwidth, clipping, code, communication, converter, dac, digital, distortion, filtering, frequency, holding, law, low, matlab, modulation, non, nyquist, pass, pcm, peak, pulse, quantization, sampling, simulation, spectrum, theory, uniform, zero, zoh

Abstract
This paper examines how, although it has taken a century for the concept of a practical hybrid car to become a reality, it is clear that the hybrid has found its time and how thanks to the improvement in hybrid system technology, the increased concerns surrounding the environment and the relatively limited supply of fossil fuels, hybrid cars are closer to mainstream than ever before. It uses as an example the Toyota Prius, the world's first volume production hybrid car and looks at how the five-passenger Prius has since become by far the world's most popular hybrid with current total sales of over 110,000 units worldwide.

Outline
Introduction and Background Information on Toyota Prius
Product Logistics
Materials Procurement System
Bill of Materials System
Intellectual Property
Patents
Trademarks
Designs
Copyrights
U.K. Market Information
Market Size and Trends
Market Segmentation
User Benefits
Performance Specifications for Improved Product
The Competition
Problems and Complaints
'Must Have' Features

From the Paper
"The notion of a hybrid car is nothing new however Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive is, because of the way it works. In conventional hybrid cars or mild hybrids, which rarely develop further than the concept stage, the batteries were recharged either through a dynamo or simply by plugging it to a power source. The Prius however is much more sophisticated in this sense because it recharges the batteries by restoring the kinetic energy of the car which would otherwise be wasted during breaking. This is also called regenerative breaking. This makes Prius and the Hybrid Synergy Drive superior to other forms of hybrid technologies. The main component of this system is the Power Split Device (patent number: WO2004100202), which directs the kinetic energy generated during breaking to be restored in the batteries which are located at the rear section of the Prius."

Tags:hybrid, car, market, patents, environment