With the help of modern cloud hosting technologies, a company can store a website on several servers. All these servers are interconnected, so if one server fails, the company’s website will be able to continue working without interruption and without any restrictions. When choosing a cloud hosting company should pay attention to the Service Level Agreement. This is a document that defines the conditions that are provided to the client and determines the level of service of the site. The paper contains a comparative analysis of two cloud hosting services, such as Microsoft Azure and Cloudways.
Cloudways is a popular platform through which a company can install cloud servers in any of the service’s 25 global locations. Moreover, the client can choose the city or region they need (Features, n.d.). This is an undeniable advantage, since the company can choose the server that is closest to its actual location. This approach significantly increases the site’s speed and demonstrates the fragility of Cloudways plans compared to other competitors.
However, in this case, Microsoft Azure has more advantages than any other hosting. This platform has the distinction of having more global locations than any of its competitors. At this stage, Microsoft Azure has more than 60 locations in the largest countries in the world (Stillman, n.d.). Thus, the extended geographic range makes cloud hosting competitive and acceptable for companies located in remote parts of the world.
One of the main factors that firms pay attention to is the pricing policy of cloud hosting. Cloudways has flexible and loyal pricing, which allows firms with different budget priorities to find the right package. Each price depends on the specific data center and the length for which the company plans to conclude a contract. Organizations can choose to pay for hosting services by the hour, monthly, or yearly. The same policy is followed by Microsoft Azure, which provides customers with a wide choice. However, this hosting offers more convenient pricing, which means savings at every stage.
The most important condition for organizations when connecting cloud hosting is the Service Level Agreement. None of the free usage levels provides for an SLA, so when choosing paid content, this is a priority for the company. A cloud service provider needs agreements such as support, customer site security, and uptime performance. Cloudways offers ongoing customer support that answers their questions 24/7 (Features, n.d.). Thus, a company representative can address the problem immediately if he notices an error. Microsoft Azure uses the same policy for its customers and has a high level of support. With a long answer or the inability to understand the question, the hosting is ready to offer customers significant discounts.
Depending on the different databases and servers, companies may offer customers performance percentages that reflect service uptime. Both hosts use advanced drivers, making talking about a high value possible. Microsoft Azure offers its customers performance ranging from 99.9% to 99.99% (Stillman, n.d.). Cloudways has similar performance and uses SSD drivers in its work, which guarantees high performance (Features, n.d.). Moreover, both hosts use state-of-the-art security and multi-step authentication methods to protect all customer data.
After the analysis, the vendors can be given some recommendations regarding hosting. Cloudways and Microsoft Azure offer an undeniably high level of customer support. However, in order to get more detailed analyzes and functions, the client needs additional tariff plans. These packages provide the ability to monitor and explore the sites needed to increase the efficiency of customers. However, if it is important for customers to have to host support on a regular basis, they need to pay additional funds, which can be expensive and they remain unhappy. Perhaps it is worth expanding tariff plans and adding support to packages rather than a separate feature for the convenience of customers.
References
Features. (n.d.). Cloudways. Web.
Stillman, J. (n.d.). Service Level Agreements. Cloud Academy. Web.
On 30th, 2021, The Wall Street Journal posted that shareholders forced Microsoft Company to disclose sexual harassment information to the public and allow third-party investigation services to carry out the company’s sexual-related assessment. The investigation should produce a report detailing sexual harassment cases, their resolutions and information regarding the company’s executive members, including Bill Gates (Tilley, 2021). The board members had held a meeting asking Bill Gates to step down from the board of Microsoft as a way to prevent and control similar issues in the company last year. Currently, the company has not disclosed any information concerning independent investigations into the company, which remains a challenge for the company’s management.
Disclosing sensitive information concerning a company can destroy its reputation and allow the company’s rivals to find strategies to gain a competitive advantage over Microsoft. Given the first 90 days of leadership, I would detail the importance of maintaining the company’s sensitive information private and educating employees on the steps to follow in such incidents. Disclosing sexual harassment information can scare away recruits and other independent parties from working for the company, leading to low employee productivity.
Drafting a written harassment policy and engaging staff members of all levels in sexual-related education can help prevent similar incidents in Microsoft Company. The training should encompass sexual harassment disciplinary measures, communicate the anti-harassment policy, and strategies to avoid and prevent sexual harassment. Printed materials, including brochures, should be posted in strategic locations to enhance awareness of the same matter and as a reminder. Therefore, engaging staff members, including employees, in sexual harassment education is a critical strategy to eliminate sexual harassment challenges in Microsoft company and prevent future related problems.
Ways in which MS Excel, as a tool for interpreting data can be used by a manager of an organization.
MS Excel as a tool for interpreting data can be useful to an organization manager in many ways. First, it can be very useful in organizing data in a tabular format (Gupta, 2005, p. 60). The various tools and functions of MS Excel would allow a manager to create graphs and charts as well as make various calculations easily. The application also allows the sorting of data, which is often an important step in interpreting data. MS Excel also makes it easier to summarize data in terms of frequency, average, totals, and mode by using its in-built functions. These statistical items are often useful in discerning relationships in data sets.
A pivot table is a powerful tool in MS Excel that would allow a manager to quickly summarize data. It allows one to sort, total, and count data from the original dataset and display the summary in a different table known as the pivot table (Anderson, Sweeney, & Williams, 2008, p. 34). A pivot table also makes it easy to cross-tabulate data.
Through MS Excel, a manager is also able to work with a large amount of data. Data in different MS Excel sheets or workbooks can be linked and used to discern relationships. Therefore, the manager is not limited to the amount of data to work on.
Examples of in which research results would be communicated to other members of the company, and explanation of how the research would be communicated as well as technology that would be used to demonstrate the results and analysis.
Examples in which research results would be communicated to other members of the company include communicating employees’ productivity or performance to the board, reporting market status and trends to marketing executives, and announcing the company’s stock status to shareholders.
The research would be communicated through summarized and diagrammatic formats such as graphs and charts, and tables. For instance, market status and trends information would require the use of graphs to show patterns. Comparison graphs could also be used to show the status of the company in the market. Also, a summary of stock data in terms of averages, totals, mode, and frequencies could be useful to communicate stock information. Short descriptions could also be used to communicate the research results
MS PowerPoint would be used to present the results and analysis, however, these results an analysis would be demonstrated through graphs and charts, and tables. Graphs and charts such as scatter graphs, area graphs, line graphs, column charts, bar charts, and pie charts would be used in the demonstration. The table would also be used for listing information as opposed to providing long descriptions, while pivot tables would be used to provide a summary of data (Dalgleish, 2006, p.5).
The potential legal and ethical issues that could arise if the information gained in this survey was used to create an ideal profile of characteristics that the company looked for when hiring employees.
Several potential legal and ethical issues could arise out of using the survey information in creating profile characteristics. One potential legal and the ethical issue would involve not informing the employees of the real purpose of the survey. It is ethical to inform a respondent of the purpose of a survey in which he or she is providing data. In other words, a respondent should know how the data he or she has provided should be used. It is also would raise ethical and sometimes legal issues if a company used information that was provided free in a commercial setup.
Reference list
Anderson, D.R., Sweeney, D. J., & Williams, T. A. (2008). Essentials of modern business statistics. Florida: Cengage Learning.
Dalgleish, D. (2006). Excel pivot tables recipe book: a problem-solution approach. New jersy: Apress.
Gupta, V. (2005). Comdex hardware and networking course kit. New York: Dreamtech Press.
The parties involved in the case are the U.S government and Microsoft Corporation. The main issue, in this case, is whether the law enforcement agency in the U.S can compel Microsoft which is a communication service provider to reveal the content of digital information that has been stored outside the U.S borders. The Stored Communication Act (SCA) dispels the government’s position even though its contents are not very clear (Eastton & Taylor, 2011).
SCA only allows the government to access contents of information that have exceeded 180 days using a subpoena, a court order, or a warrant. On the contrary, the government argues that subpoena may lead to the disclosure of information (email) despite the above duration. However, Microsoft is of the opinion that the warrant which was issued required extraterritorial search as well as seizures of the data stored in its Ireland data center (Whitman & Mattord, 2011).
According to Microsoft, it is only possible for digital data search to take place where data is stored and not from a point where data is remotely accessed. Since rule 41 does not provide authorization for extraterritorial application, it is impossible for the government to execute the search in Ireland. Therefore, the government cannot force Microsoft to provide the required data (Eastton & Taylor, 2011).
In its defense, the government responded that it is impossible for the U.S to avoid compliance by sticking to SCA regulations by storing the data abroad. They further argued that the warrant is not affected by the location of data since the issue is whether the required information is in the custody of the service provider. It has nothing to do with location (Seigfried-Spellar, Flores, & Griffin, 2015).
Magistrate Judge Francis denied Microsoft’s motion to vacate the search warrant. Given the ambiguity, the magistrate reviewed the SCA’s structure and legislative history for guidance. He later found out that the warrants which were issued under the SCA were hybrids in the sense that some were part warrant and others partially subpoena. A SCA warrant should indicate probable cause to a magistrate. It should also be executed like a subpoena because it is served on a provider who possesses the information (Eastton & Taylor, 2011).
As a result, the warrant’s extraterritorial limits were not implicated and therefore, the concern is whether the provider is able to access the much-needed data. The magistrate further argued that a search can only occur when data is fully reviewed by law enforcement officers in the U.S. He added that the SCA warrant could not compel the government to deploy U.S law enforcement personnel in another country (Church & Li, 2016).
Finally the magistrate backed the government’s opinion and he emphasized that Mutual Legal Assistance treaty (MLAT) process was very “slow and laborious” and that any country can decide to turn down a MLAT request. He added that the U.S does not have MLAT with some nations even though servers can still be located beyond any country’s jurisdiction. This was unlike Microsoft’s reasoning that a provider could only make data or information within its control completely unavailable to law enforcement. Hence, Microsoft lost the case in the entire ruling (Whitman & Mattord, 2011).
On the side of the government, the ruling was fair since it allowed them to access data. On the other hand, Microsoft also learned a positive lesson that it is possible to be flexible for mutual benefit. Microsoft also understand that the SCA was formed in 1986 when internet was only available in the U.S. there is need to adjust the existing laws because internet is globally used in the modern society (Izosimov, Asvestopoulos, & Blomkvist, 2016).
Understanding the differences between various types of cyber cases is critical to business managers and IT professionals because they may be involved in the mechanics of the case or better still glean vital information that can be applied in their organizations especially in regards to cases currently being resolved in the courts.
References
Church, R. L., & Li, W. (2016). Estimating spatial efficiency using cyber search, GIS, and spatial optimization: a case study of fire service deployment in Los Angeles County. London: Cornell University Press.
Eastton, C., & Taylor, J. (2011). Computer Crime, Investigation, and the Law. Boston, MA: Course Technology, Cengage Learning.
Izosimov, V., Asvestopoulos, A., & Blomkvist, O. (2016). Security-aware development cyber-physical systems illustrated with automotive case study. In 2016 Design, Automation & Test in Europe Conference & Exhibition. London: Leicester University Press.
Seigfried-Spellar, K. C., Flores, B. M., & Griffin, D. J. (2015). Explanatory Case Study of the Authur Pendragon Cyber Threat: Socio-psychological and Communication Perspectives. In Digital Forensics and Cyber Crime. New York: Springer International Publishing.
Whitman, M. E., & Mattord, H. (2011). Reading & Cases in Information Security: Law & Ethics. Boston, MA: Course Technology, Cengage Learning.
On May 18, 1998 the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an antitrust law suit against Microsoft CorporationThe facts of the case were such that the DOJ alleged that Microsoft Corporation engaged in unfair monopoly practices by illegally crippling its competition in an attempt to extend its software monopoly within the personal computer market. The allegations indicated that Microsoft’s Chairman, Bill Gates, abused his monopoly power by bundling its internet browser with its operating system software and essentially offering the internet browser free with the purchase of its operating system. This, the DOJ claimed served as a deterrent for the purchase of other internet browser software and adversely affected their sales.
In addition to the bundling of the browser, there was compatibility issues faced when individuals using the Microsoft Windows operating system attempted to utilize the Netscape internet browser. Of course Microsoft claimed that the compatibility issues were inadvertent and not a direct attempt to further extend its monopoly (Wikipedia, n.d.).
The case was tried in the United States District Court and after a very lengthy trial, Judge Jackson issued his findings of facts on the case on November 5, 1999. He found that it was obvious that Microsoft had achieved dominance within the personal computer operating systems market. This dominance, he felt did constitute a monopoly. This in itself did not prove to be detrimental to its competitors but Microsoft took further action to cripple it competitors.
These competitors included Apple, Java, Netscape, Lotus Notes, Real Networks, Linux, and others. Finally, the case was concluded when he issued a two-part ruling on April 3, 2000 when he found Microsoft guilty of monopolization and attempted monopolization. He further ruled that Microsoft must be separated into two independent units—one solely dedicated to the production of the operating system and the other dedication to the production of other software components(Wikipedia, n.d.).
The case of Microsoft’s unfair and illegal monopoly practices did not end with the lawsuit by the DOJ. AOL Time Warner launched a private antitrust case on behalf of Netscape and against Microsoft in January 2002. The allegations were similar to those made by the DOJ in 1998, however, the parties were able to arrive at a settlement before the conclusion of a trial. The settlement was such that Microsoft agreed to pay AOL Time Warner $750 million dollars in addition to issuing a 7 year royalty free license to AOL Time Warner for the use of Internet Explore.
Internet Explorer would then be bundled with the AOL internet subscription package. Another part of the agreement involved collaboration between Netscape and Microsoft to insure inter-compatibility between Microsoft Instant Messenger and Netscape Instant Messenger (Weil & McMillan, 2003).
When one thinks about the antitrust cases against Microsoft one has to contemplate whether Microsoft is operating in the true competitive nature of business in a capitalistic society or whether it is utilizing unfair practices to essentially eliminate its competitors. In the case of Microsoft, I have to say that it is indeed utilizing unfair practices to eliminate its competitors. I feel that in designing its operating system, Microsoft has attempted to eliminate its competitors by making its operating system incompatible with the other internet browsers.
This was not an unintentional act. I feel that this was well intentioned and aimed at creating yet another monopoly. It wasn’t enough for Microsoft to monopolize the PC operating system market but it wanted to do so with the browser market. This is not a practice that was new to Microsoft. Microsoft had utilized monopolizing tactics since its inception. This began with its attempt to replace IBM as a PC operating system monopoly and continues today.
Markoff (1991) delineates an incident wherein Microsoft turned on its then partner, International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). In this instance Microsoft attempted to gain an unfair business advantage by exploiting IBM’s technological innovations and this prompted IBM to respond. The blatant disregard for fair business practices on the part of Microsoft marks one of the inherent problems with monopolies within the United States.
There are very few sanctions against it and at best the offenders are asked to relinquish a small percentage of the proceeds gained through the utility of those practices. I feel that there should be stronger sanctions against those who are found guilty of monopolizing. This would be the only effective means of ending this practice which proves to be detrimental to the core of capitalism.
A patent is an agreement between the inventor and the federal government under which the inventor receives an exclusive right to use the invention while having an obligation to make it public. A trade secret refers to any information or method giving the owner an exclusive competitive advantage if used in the business. The aim of a patent is to make the invention public while the aim of a trade secret is to keep the information hidden from publicity. While patents are limited in time, trade secrets are not. Another distinctive feature of a patent is its ability to protect the invention from being used by anyone except the owner of the patent for commercial purposes. A trade secret is not provided with such protection, as it can be used by another person if being discovered by legitimate means. The person can patent already existing trade secret if he/she discovers it. Therefore, patents appear to have a higher level of protection than trade secrets do. However to be eligible for attaining a patent, the person has to comply with certain formalities while the process of becoming an owner of a trade secret is less complicated.
Identifying the main differences between these forms of intellectual property helps to determine the factors influencing the choice between them. The first factor that needs to be taken into account is whether the information that needs to be protected can be easily developed or discovered by another person or company. Patents are more suitable for such cases, as they grant protection in case of reinvention. Trade secrets have weak protection, and in the event of reinvention, the owner will lose the exclusive right to keep the information. The costs needed to be spent on keeping the information in secret is another factor that should be considered. If these costs are higher than the initial value of the invention, a patent can be more suitable. Besides, the objective of the inventor and the type of invention influence the choice. If the invention’s usefulness is limited to a particular business area, and the owner wants to use it in private business and receive material benefits in such way, then trade secret appears to be a better option. If the invention is useful for society and the owner wants to share it with publicity while keeping certain rights for it, a patent can be chosen. For example, if the person possesses a secret recipe, shared only among the members of the family, related to preparing a unique homemade cheese that is considered exclusive and expensive, trade secret can be a good solution. If the process of making the cheese can be repeated only in this certain region and only by following the unique recipe, the chances for the reinvention of the process is rather low. Besides, the process of maintaining the invention in secret does not involve any big investments. The invention of the recipe is useful for this particular business and can benefit the owner if used in this area. The invention cannot be regarded as extremely useful to the society, and is more likely to benefit the owner if kept in secret.
Fair Use in File-Sharing Cases
The successful use of fair use doctrine for a defense to a copyright infringement suit based on file-sharing highly depends on the purposes of the act. Four factors should be considered to determine whether an act of digital file-sharing can be considered eligible for a fair use. The first factor is related to the purpose and the character of the use. File-sharing can be used both for commercial and nonprofit educational purposes. If the file is used for non-profit activity such as educating students about some phenomena, then we can weigh the first factor in favor of fair use. If some Web site uses a file to attract users and earns money on this, then the first factor tilts against a finding of fair use. The second factor is related to “the nature of the copyrighted work” (Mallor, Prenkert, Barnes, McCrory, & Langvardt, 2015, p. 275). This factor tends to weigh against a finding of fair use in digital file-sharing, as it usually does not include any transformation. The third factor reveals “the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole” (Mallor et al., 2015, p. 275). If the file displays the entire work, then we the third factor tilts against a finding of fair use. If the work is used only partially, then we can weigh the third factor in favor of fair use. The fourth factor is related to “the effect of the use on the potential markets for the copyrighted work or on its value” (Mallor et al., 2015, p. 275). The use of original work in file-sharing presents an obvious threat to the possibility of receiving revenues from selling the work by the owners. File-sharing has a potential impact on the rates of sales of copyrighted products, such as hard copies of songs and movies. Therefore, sharing of full versions of copyrighted products for commercial purposes tilts against a finding of fair use. However, sharing parts of copyrighted products for educational purposes can be regarded as appropriate for a fair use. The analysis of four factors of defining fair use applied to file-sharing demonstrates that fair use defence is not likely to work in most file-sharing cases, as files usually contain full version of products and influence the profit of the owner. However, file-sharing used for educational purposes and including only important fragments of original works can be considered as a part of fair use.
Trademark Infringement and Trademark Dilution
To define whether “Windows” is a term that can be trademarked, it is necessary to analyze whether any category of distinctiveness can apply to the term. As the word “windows” is used as a term describing graphical user interface, it can be regarded as a generic term and, therefore, prevent considering “Windows”, naming a graphical operating system, a trademark. To prove trademark infringement, Microsoft should prove that it owns a valid and protectable mark. Besides, Microsoft should demonstrate that Lindows.com uses the similar version of the mark in commerce and without the consent of Microsoft, which is easy to be proved. However, the main factor, determining the likelihood of confusion, is difficult to be identified, as the goods the marks identify are not identical, and the actual confusion is rather difficult to be proved. Trademark dilution by blurring does not appear to be possible to be found in this case, as Lindows.com does not put a threat on the distinctiveness of Windows trademark or cause it to be diluted. Dilution by tarnishment also cannot be applied in this case, as the similarity between the discussed trademarks does not cause any harm to the reputation of Microsoft, as Lindows.com mark is not used in an unwholesome context. Therefore, a court is more likely to find that Lindows.com was committing trademark infringement.
Reference
Mallor, J., Prenkert, J. D., Barnes, A. J., McCrory, M. A., & Langvardt, A. (2015). Business law: The ethical, global, and e-commerce environment (16th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
Microsoft Corporation is a public company founded by Bill Gates, its chairman, and Paul Allen on the 4th of April 1975 in Albuquerque New Mexico in the United States of America but its headquarters have since shifted to Redmond, Washington DC. The corporation has a worldwide market for computer software, video game consoles as well as consumer electronics. Among the renowned products of the corporation include Microsoft servers, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft office suite, Business software, Microsoft expression, Windows Developer tools, Windows live, Zune, Bing, and Windows Phone. “Among its most strategic products are the Microsoft Windows operating system and the Microsoft Office suite.” (Lemley, Peter & Robert, 2006). In the year 2009, the entity was ranked the third-largest corporation in the world preceded only by Petro China and ExxonMobil. It is undoubtedly the largest technology corporation in the universe.
The corporation is listed in the New York Stock Exchange (NASDAQ) as well as the Hong Kong Stock exchange (HKEX) and its stocks have been fairly stable in the past years since its debut listing on the NASDAQ in 1986. In addition, it has done several stock splits since inception (up to nine stock splits), although the dividend payout has been steady and in fact, reverted from annual dividends payout to a quarterly dividends payout scheme from 2003.
In the fiscal year ended 30th June 2009, the company’s balance sheet indicated a total asset base of $ 77.888 Billion of which the current assets constituted the largest portion of $ 49.280. This was largely attributed to an increase in cash and short-term investments as well as an increase in the net receivables for the year whose summative value came to $ 42.5 Billion. The valuation for goodwill ($ 12 Billion) and property plant and equipment ($ 7 Billion) also constituted a significant increase in the value of the total assets. Total liabilities in the period 2009 increased to $ 38.330 Billion from the previous year $ 36.507 Billion. Current liabilities also formed the bulk of this figure standing at $ 27.034 Billion, long term liabilities largely consisted of long-term debts of $ 3 Billion with the payables and accrued expenses forming the bulk of current liabilities at six billion dollars.
Total equity for the period to 30th June 2009 was $ 39.558 Billion significantly made up of common shareholders equity of sixty-two billion dollars and other equity amounting to $ 962 Million. However, the reduction in total shareholders equity and particularly the earlier stated common shareholder’s equity of $ 62. 382 Billion, can be attributed to the accumulated deficit that saw the corporation’s retained earnings reduce slightly in the year 2009 to $ 23.793 Billion.
The company’s 2009 revenues were valued at $ 58.437 Billion, this was however a reduction from prior year revenues. The operating income also dropped from the prior year to $ 20.363 Billion and so did the net income which was $ 14.569 Billion in the same year. Microsoft’s total assets in the year 2009 stood at $ 77.888 Billion (an increase from the prior year). The expected revenues for the subsequent 2010 period are expected to increase slightly to more than $ 60 Billion as a result of largely what is being viewed as the stabilization of the world economy that is currently recovering from the worst crunch in recent years. The corporation boasts of employing directly more than 93,000 personnel in human capital operating in more than 100 countries globally as per its 2009 statistics.
Using the percentage of sales method, the percentage increase or decrease in sales is computed in two succeeding years and the results obtained are used to forecast future values for the balance sheet (Chapman, 2002). The future values are obtained by taking one year’s balance sheet results (2009) as the base year and multiplying them by the percentage value obtained. The 2009 revenues expressed as a percentage of 2008 revenues indicate a 0.96 % increase (rounded up to 1%). Using the percentage of sales method, the projected balance sheet for the period ending 2010 will appear as shown below: (values in Millions)
The underlying schedule indicates the computed values for the various financial ratios ranging from efficiency and activity ratios to profitability and investment rations of the entity.
From the year 2005 to 2009, the share prices of Microsoft Corporation’s as well as its competitors Dell Inc and IBM can be summarized as below:
The above performance results in terms of share prices indicate that Microsoft Corporation and Dell Inc are competing favorably, however IBM has a more superior performance record in the computer technological industry. Microsoft performed better than Dell in all years except 2005, but dell performed better than all of them in all years.
A cash flow analysis of Microsoft Corporation for three years from the year 2009 going backwards appears as summarized in the schedule below:
From the above analysis, no overdrafts were experienced on the company’s cash flow statements t from the year 2007 to 2009 which is a good indicator for appraising an investment. The performance of Microsoft Corporation is generally stable and can set a good investment because of minimal fluctuations and a steady return on investment (Mueller, 2002).
Reference list
Chapman, R. (2002). In search of stupidity: over 20 years of high-tech marketing disasters. New Jersey: Apress.
Lemley, M., Peter, S. & Robert P. (2006). Introduction to computer technology. Intellectual Property in the New Technological Age, 4th Ed. New York: Aspen Publishers.
Mueller, S. (2002). Upgrading and Repairing PCs. Indianapolis: Que Publications.
In deciding which the better software for web design is, there are both positive and negative features for both Macromedia Dremweaver and Microsoft Frontpage. Many users may argue on the virtue of the other over a lot of features and usability. For beginning web designers, Microsoft Frontpage is best due to the established familiarity that Microsoft Office already set. It makes learning and using easier and quicker for its Microsoft Office-like menus, working system, and prebuilt design templates. It has a very simple interface through the use of built-in wizards and templates making the creation of HTML pages very quickly. A user could set up a website in minutes because text formatting, inserting images or tables is comparable to doing MS Word which is already very familiar for many (Van Duyne et al, 2002; Jorge, 2007).
However, speed and ease of use are not enough making Macromedia Dreamweaver more preferable not only for clients but also for web designers. Considered a diamond or treasure for Macromedia, Dreamweaver has become the most popular web development program due to its stability and incredible capacity for advanced users. Its most outstanding feature is the possibility of changing between layers and tables. One can place a layer, with all its HTML content in a place on the page which itself is absolute positioning. One can set the number of pixels where it will be placed, and in consideration that not everyone uses the same screen resolution, a designer may use tables instead of layers. Dreamweaver allows a designer to design pages with layers and then it will automatically transform the layers into tables, without losing any of the document’s structure (Jorge, 2007). It has been commented to generate very clean HTML that is easy to customize, with useful interface items letting the designer view document in full design, full code, or half-design or half code views. Dreamweaver also has unique built-in web objects such as a rollover-button interface and a tabular-data table builder as well as animation capability built-in.
Likewise, Dreamweaver can create an image map or an image with many different links from a normal image inside the program itself. Macromedia Dreamweaver has an HTML reference so that when in doubt about a tag, it lets the user create interactive images without any external JavaScript, as it writes the scripts itself as well as other options (Jorge, 2007). Frontpage in comparison uses back-end programming for features such as forms through the use of “bots”. But customizing page design is difficult for Frontpage as the graphic interface creates convoluted as well as confusing code that is hard to customize. In addition, the use of “bots” requires Frontpage extensions to be loaded and configured on the webserver (Google Answers, 2007).
On one level, both programs have features that are equally attractive. While Dreamweaver is compatible with other Macromedia products such as Flash 5 or Fireworks 4, FrontPage is also compatible with other Microsoft Office programs. But another advantage for Dreamweaver is that in the absence of Flash 5, Dreamweaver 4 can create Flash Buttons or text for Web site’s files in order for future uploading. One can keep Dreamweaver 4 up-to-date with its Extensions as well as other useful add-ons made by advanced users from ASP or PHP server-side scripting to new HTML tags. It is also compatible with the latest web development technologies such as Cascading Style Sheets which can be created inside the program (Jorge, 2007).
One of the more important features of Dreamweaver is that while previously changes in websites were a nightmarish task, as changing a few simple things is the same as changing dozens or even hundreds of pages one at a time, with Dreamweaver, one can create a model for the whole Web site and change the design just once as Dreamweaver will take care of the rest (Jorge, 2007).
For a more precise comparison, Microsoft Frontpage is better in usability, beginner tools, text management, and DHTML. But Dreamweaver is better than Frontpage in Advanced tools, stability, price, tables, layering as Frontpage cannot work with layers, normal images, interactive images, uploading, and CSS. Dreamweaver files also occupy less memory, thereby allowing faster download and upload, making it more preferable for end-users (Google Answers, 2007).
However, an interesting view is circulating in the IT world that goes, “if an IT manager recommends a Microsoft solution and the solution fails, it’s Microsoft’s fault, but if the IT manager recommends any other solution and it fails, it’s the IT manager’s fault. So IT managers would much rather recommend MS over any other product because it clears them of any responsibility if it fails…” quoted from Google Answers (2007). This all ends up that Microsoft could be more attractive for beginners, Macromedia has provided professional tools that actually work in the real, more competitive IT world.
What makes a good website design?
Web design has evolved in humongous proportions but usability guru Dr. Jakob Nielsen believes that 80 percent of the things found ten years ago are still of importance today (Ward, 2004). While some have vanished due to change, about ten percent have changed due to technology, so that still, the majority of factors that worked ten years ago still are practical until the most recent times. In judging what makes a good website design, there are three sides to consider: the designer, the website owner, and the website user (Garrett, 2002; Smallbizonline, 2007).
From a user’s point of view, the things to consider are ease f navigation, download time, conformity of design, clarity of message, impact, and browser capability. For download time, it refers to either a slower or faster appearance of a complete page to the user’s browser. Many users believe that it is important that a website downloads in about 15 seconds or less. Ease of navigation refers to an easy understanding of what the site offers and how users should move around to seek and find what they are looking for or are interested in. It is recommended that a user must not be more than two clicks away from what they want or need. The design must be clear and simple but far from visually boring and that any adornment should not defeat the site’s purpose (Garrett, 2002).
Conformity of design is the use of more familiar or what users have been accustomed to. Conventional web page layout is more preferred over confusing and irritating layouts that do not meet the expectation of the user. Some of the more familiar layouts use a logo on the top line with page navigation on the top or down one side. Consistency in the layout also throughout the site could also be easier for users so that they need not think too much about the layout. Clarity of message may depend on the use of text color and background, as less irritating color combinations with pastel backgrounds and a few small graphics may add up interest. Text descriptions must be brief with headings so that a user can easily pick the information and proceed for details (Van Duyne et al, 2002).
Impact refers to the combination of information and visual stimulation so that plain text may be useful but not attractive enough. The opening page must give users an idea of what the rest of the site has to offer with enough information leading to details via page links. Hope page or opening page must elicit interest and encourage users to explore. Browser compatibility refers to the adaptation of old and new computers on web browsing as capability may disrupt user enjoyment. An alternative rendition may convey messages appropriately to old browsers (Garrett, 2002; Smallbizonline, 2007).
In the point of view of the web owner, a good website must be easy to navigate, impact a good professional image, and most especially, easy to find. Factors to be considered include browser compatibility, search engine friendliness, color schemes, ease of updating the website, text legibility, and download speed. For search engine friendliness, it means that a good website must use keywords that are most often used in search engines such as Google or Yahoo!. Web contents are read by search engines and the words are retained for reference when users type in words they are looking for. Ease of update refers to the possibility of minimal IT intervention when updating the website, or, the speed and simplicity of uploading new pages, edited texts, images, and content of a website. The use of web design software may affect this so that it is necessary that IT professionals deal with the web design (Van Duyne et al, 2002; Really Good Domains, 2007).
These all reflect the universal approach for ease of use as much as the clear message the site wants to convey. User empowerment has been cited as defining what is extremely profitable and successful with Nielsen citing Google, Amazon, eBay, and Yahoo. These sites are known for their simplicity coupled with powerful tools that are practical and available to users (Ward, 2004).
Interestingly, Lowery (2007) has enumerated the following as deadly website sins that kill business: Poor load time, Poor overall appearance, Spelling/Grammar, No contact information, Poor content, Poor navigation, Broken links and graphics, Poor browser compatibility, Large slow-loading graphics, Too many graphics, Pages scrolling to oblivion, Multiple uses of animated graphics, Animated bullets, Too many graphic and/or line dividers, Busy, distracting backgrounds, Multiple banners and buttons, Poor use of frames, Large fonts, Pop up messages, Overuse of java, Poor use of tables, Poor organization, Different backgrounds on each page, Overpowering music set to auto-play, Confusing, Too much advertising, Large Welcome banners, Multiple colored texts, Text difficult to read, No Meta tags, Multiple uses of different fonts, Under construction signs, Scrolling text in the status bar, Large scrolling text across the page, and Poor use of mouseover effects.
Reference
Garrett, Jesse James (2002) The Elements of User Experience. New Riders.
Google Answers (2007). “Q: DreamWeaver OR MS Front Page : Which one should I select ?” Web.
Jorge, Ruben (2007). “Macromedia Dreamweaver 4 vs. Microsoft FrontPage 2000.” Web.
Lower, Shelly. (2007). “35 Deadly Website Sins That will Kill Your Business!” Web.
Really Good Domains. (2007). “What makes a good website?” Web.
Smallbizonline (2007). “What Makes a Good Web Design?” Web.
Van Duyne, Douglas, James Landay, Jason I. Hong (2002). The Design of Sites: Principles, Processes and Patterns for Crafting a Customer-centered Web Experience. Addison Wesley.
Ward, Mark. (2004). “A decade of good website design.” BBC News, UK version, Web.
I strongly refuse to agree with the idea that Microsoft is a monopoly. The charges put forward against Microsoft of engaging in anticompetitive and exclusionary practises were strategies by its competitors to curb Microsoft’s growing popularity and success. Microsoft was legally practising its technology advancement and competition plans to gain more market control.
For instance, the case of the Netscape’s navigator and Microsoft’s internet explorer, the Department of Justice alleged that Microsoft blatantly and illegally tried to monopolise the browser.
Using its market control power, Microsoft strategized on how to popularise its browser by bundling the IE with its operating system, after Netscape refused on dividing the browser market. If the Netscape’s navigator was superior to Internet Explore as was asserted by many practitioners, then consumers would gone ahead to buy and install Netscape’s browser other than using the Microsoft’s browser.
Previously, Netscape controlled the internet browser market, but it was after the introduction of the internet explorer it started losing to Microsoft browser due to it superiority qualities thus the rise of its IE shares from 5% to almost 50% by mid 1998. Furthermore, Netscape had plans of using its navigator technology to make Microsoft’s Windows obsolete, but on discovering this Microsoft strategized by bundling its IE to its operating system as it did with other of its software application.
Finally, as the also viewed, consumer had a variety of alternatives for computing solutions. Microsoft therefore, was not a monopoly but rather firm, that had acquired market control through it innovativeness in software technology. However, there were cases of anticompetitive activities in Microsoft.
Divestiture
In order to prevent such cases of interferences and malpractices in future, I am of the opinion that Microsoft be split. This would ensure a levelled playing ground for all competitive firms in the market place and ensure consumers obtained their computing solutions from the desired and preferred source. Furthermore, this would encourage more software technology inventions and development in operating systems and application systems than ever before, exposing consumers to a wide variety of technology.
Microsoft’s market dominance
On whether Microsoft used it market power to prevent potential competitors from challenging its market dominance position in operating system, I would say no. Consumers looking for computing solutions had options from which to make their selection. Among the choices were a variant of UNIX’s operating system, Mac 05 and of course Microsoft’s Windows. Microsoft used its innovation, value for products and constant product improvement besides its business strategies to capture the market.
This is what its competitors lacked hence made it difficult for them to penetrate the market while at the same time Microsoft became dominant. For instance, Microsoft strategized on how to promote its operating system by introducing application software’s that operated on windows. On my personal opinion, this was a strategy rather that a restriction.
Judge Jackson’s Remedy
According to Judge Jackson’s final judgement on November 5, 1999, in his findings of fact, some of the remedies were appropriate while others were too harsh for Microsoft. For instance, splitting Microsoft was an appropriate move for this would bring and allow more software application manufactures on board the system.
Prohibiting the operating system and applications businesses from merging or going into agreements with one another or other enterprises will ensure a more favourable market conditions to all parties. On other hand, ordering Microsoft disclose its technical information and communication interfaces used in Windows was a too harsh Judgement as it was a bias against Microsoft in favour of its competitors.
Vision statement is one of the most important concepts of any company or organization aiming to realize its dreams in the current volatile market situation. The effectiveness, applicability and realization of any vision of a company depend on how well the vision statement is developed. This paper discusses the effective elements, merits and shortcomings of the vision of Microsoft Company.
Vision Statement
Microsoft Company is one of the most successful companies in the world. The success may be attributed to their vision statement: “To be led by a globally diverse workforce that consistently delivers outstanding business results, understands the various cultural demands of a global marketplace, is passionate about technology and the promise it holds to tap human potential, and thrives in a corporate culture where inclusive behaviors are valued” (Microsoft 1).
Effective Elements
A good vision must be realistic in terms of what the organization wants to achieve. A vision must make sense to all the organization fraternity since it is the inspiration tool for the organization employees and thus must be credible.
The vision must be attractive to an extent that the whole organization fraternity wants to be part of the organizations’ future dream. A vision looks into the future and thus it should clearly capture the future and bridges it with the present (Cowings, 1991).
The effective elements of a vision statement are clear in Microsoft vision statement. Globally diverse workforce covers the global coverage dream; a workforce that delivers outstanding business results may be what everyone in the organization likes to be part of, workforce that is sensitive to culture diversity of their customers will ensure company’s relevance to all the global cultures.
The vision statement has also considered the changes in technology with time and thus passionate about it, realizes the importance of human potential in realizing its dreams. Most importantly the vision appreciates the importance of working as a unit in its corporate culture where inclusive behavior is valued.
Merits
It can be argued that Microsoft has realized its vision with time due to the effectiveness of its vision statement. Microsoft is currently led by global workforce that continues to grow even more, they have been able to achieve outstanding business results with ever increasing profits every year and may continue in this trend in future.
They have been able to accommodate all cultures of the world and their products are appreciated all over the world. They have been at the forefront of advancement in information and technology with their up to date products. By tapping into human potential they have been able to develop genius products which represent work of competent workforce.
Shortcomings
Microsoft may claim to envision a globally diverse workforce but most of its operations are more or less centralized. It may be hard to realize this vision in places such as developing countries where they may have not invested enough. Meeting cultural demands of the global market may be unrealistic due to the wide diversity.
It can also be argued that the vision statement is not unique and may apply to any other related company a contrast to what Maurer claims “Each vision is unique. If you create a good vision statement, it will apply only to your organization; it cannot be transferred to another industry” (Maurer, 2000, p. 5).
Conclusion
Microsoft vision was discussed and found to be effective in terms of being credible, realistic, attractive and sensitive to the future. However some elements of the vision may not be realistic and their vision may not be unique to the company alone but all in all it has brought the corporation to its present success state.
References
Cowings, A. (1991). Strategic Leadership and Decision Making. AUF. Web.
