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Chapter 4 Hardware, Software, and Mobile Systems
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e. Does DreamSpark provide an unfair advantage to non-mobile operating system with its latest edition
Microsoft? Why or why not? (if you are using the latest edition, compare with the
old version) and find out additional features pro-
4-2. Visit the Open Source Initiative’s Web site at www .open- vided by non-mobile client operating system used
source.org. Summarize the mission of this foundation. by you.
Find the definition of open source on this site, and sum-
marize that definition in your own words. Explain this 4-5. Mark says that “Open service softwares cannot replace
foundation’s role with regard to open source licenses. licensed software. Peter disagrees with this statement.
Summarize the process for having a license approved Now, as a friend of Peter, download Libre Office and
by the foundation. Describe the advantage of having compare the features of MS Word and LibreOffice. On
the foundation’s approval. the basis of the comparison, give your verdict on the
statement made by Mark.
4-3. Suppose that you are Cam at Falcon Security. List five
criteria you would use in helping Falcon Security de- 4-6. In case of server operating system, there are three options
cide whether it should make its own drones. Justify which are discussed in this chapter, i.e. Windows Server,
your criteria. UNIX and Linux. Find out which type of server operating
system is being installed in your college/university com-
4-4. Refer to Figure 4-10 and list the non-mobile and mobile puter lab after interviewing the IT admin. Find the rea-
client operating systems that you are using. Make a list sons for selecting a particular server operating system.
of unique features that you like the most, compare the

Coll abora tion exerCise 4

Using the collaboration IS you built in Chapter 2 (page 110), collabo- One of the first implementers of PixelSense was the iBar
rate with a group of students to answer the following questions. lounge at Harrah’s Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas,
In the past few years, Microsoft has been promoting Pix- Nevada. The subtitle for the press release announcing iBar’s sys-
elSense, a hardware–software product that enables people to tem read, “Harrah’s Reinvents Flirting and Offers New Uninhib-
interact with data on the top of a table. PixelSense initiates a ited Fun and Play to iBar Patrons.” 46
new product category, and the best way to understand it is to The potential uses for PixelSense are staggering. Maps can
view one of Microsoft’s promotional videos at www.microsoft. display local events, and consumers can purchase tickets to
com/en-us/pixelsense/default.aspx. those events by just using their fingers. PixelSense can also be
PixelSense paints the top of the 30-inch table with invis- used for new computer games and gambling devices. Children
ible, near-infrared light to detect the presence of objects. It can can paint on PixelSense with virtual paintbrushes. Numerous
respond to as many as 52 different touches at the same time. other applications are possible. Microsoft envisions PixelSense
According to Microsoft, this means that four people sitting as a ubiquitous billion dollar technology that will find its way to
around the PixelSense table could use all 10 of their fingers to tabletops, countertops, and mirrors. 47
manipulate up to 12 objects, simultaneously. As you can see at the PixelSense Web site, this product can be
PixelSense uses wireless and other communications tech- used for many different purposes in many different places, such
nologies to connect to devices that are placed on it, such as cam- as restaurants, retail kiosks, and eventually at home. Probably
eras or cell phones. When a camera is placed on PixelSense, pic- most of the eventual applications for PixelSense have not yet been
tures “spill” out of it, and users can manipulate those pictures envisioned. One clear application, however, is in the gambling and
with their hands. Products can be placed on PixelSense, and gaming industry. Imagine placing your credit card on a PixelSense
their product specifications are displayed. Credit cards can be gambling device and playing the night away. Every time you lose, a
placed on PixelSense, and items to be purchased can be dragged charge is made against your credit card. Soon, before you know it,
or dropped onto the credit card. you’ve run up $15,000 in debt, which you learn when PixelSense
Currently, Microsoft PixelSense is marketed and sold to tells you you’ve reached the maximum credit limit on your card.
large-scale commercial organizations in the financial services, Recall the RAND study cited in Chapter 1 that stated there
healthcare, hospitality, retail, and public service business sec- will be increased worldwide demand for workers who can apply
tors. Also, smaller organizations and individuals can purchase new technology and products to solve business problems in
a PixelSense unit from Samsung (www.samsunglfd.com/solution/ innovative ways. PixelSense is an excellent example of a new
sur40.do). technology that will be applied innovatively.