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Local Area Network requirements
Data Communication Networks
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Institution
Additional information on the equipment required for the upgrade
Local Area Network requirements
Considering that the Law firm has grown to occupy two floors, its operations cannot continue being operated on Stand-Alone Computers. It is imperative that a local area network (LAN) is installed so as to allow for the migration from legacy systems to a web-based operating system. This is the only way that the operations of the law firm can be synchronized. A local area network has the advantage of enhancing file transfers and sharing resources such as printers, disks, and internet connection (Schwalbe, 2010). In cases where a wireless local area network is used, mobility is enhanced, not to mention allowing for discussions mainly when computers are remote. While the Law firm has the option of putting in place a wireless network (that uses WiFi technology), a wired network (founded on Ethernet Technology) would be recommended. The following items would be required.
23 new computers- as much as the company has computers, they would be incapable of supporting the new operating systems. While it is not required that “heavy” operating system be installed, it would be recommended that
Network adapter- network adapters allows computers to connect to the network by converting computer data to electronic signals. Most present-day computers incorporate network adapters that are integrated in their motherboards (Schwalbe, 2010). It is worth noting, however, that early computers such as the ones used in the law firm did not have this function in which case the network adaptor has to be bought separately and fitted to the expansion slot on their motherboards.
Network medium- considering that the law firm will be using a wired network, it is required that cables whose length can allow for the connection of computers in both floors. The cable to be used, in this case, is the “Unshielded Twisted Pair” also called “Ethernet cable” or simply “Ethernet cable”.
Power supply- this would be needed irrespective of the type of network that the company chooses. It allows the cabled network to send data that is interpreted as electronic pulse.
Cable Connectors- RJ45 is the most commonly used form of connector in wired networks. Computers that have networking capabilities must have RJ54 ports, also called Ethernet port or network ports.
Router/switch/ hub- considering that the local area network will essentially be a wired network, the computers would be unable to connect to the others without a splinter. Hubs are an advanced form of a splinter that repeats signals that come to one of the ports out to the other ports (Schwalbe, 2010). Cables would then move from its ports to the computer. Switch comes as more sophisticated than hubs as they send signals to the computer than has the address written on the incoming message. Routers, however, have the capacity to forward messages across the world. For this law firm, four routers would be needed each with 8 ports to ensure that each of the 23 computers has a cable connecting it to the network.
Network software- the network software on the communicating computer would package data into segments, as well as put the data into structures referred to as packets. The header of the packet has the destination and the source of the packet written on it. It is imperative that the receiving computer interprets the packets into meaningful data and take it to the appropriate application (Schwalbe, 2010).
Other Software Required: Cloud storage
Legal Management Software
In migrating the operations of the company from a legacy-based to a web-based platform, it is imperative that the law firm obtains legal management software that provides distinctive to enable automation of the core processes in its different departments or units (Schwalbe, 2010). The components should have the capacity to work together in order to establish an end-to-end legal management process. Alternatively, they may function as individual software applications that integrate with the existing payroll, accounting and case systems (Schwalbe, 2010).
While varied software applications may be appropriate, it is recommended that the law firm obtains CLIO, a practice management, client collaboration, time & billing platform that allows for secure access to client data from anywhere. This would not only allow synchronization and accuracy in the billing and payroll operations, but also enhance accountability. It comes with six features that would be useful in enhancing the management processes in the web-based platform. It allows for time tracking, task scheduling, simplified billing, 256-bit SSL encryption for security, document management capabilities for ease and accuracy, not to mention the fact that it is entirely web-based.
Alternatively, it could obtain Rocket Matter, a web-based practice and time management software product that comes with capabilities such as calendaring, invoicing, expense, task, and time tracking, phone messaging, matter-based ledgering, mobile access, documentation management, conflict checking, contact management, mobile access and time-tracking timer among other features.
Irrespective of the software chosen, it should have the capacity for Time, Billing and Invoicing, Electronic Signatures, client and case management, Virtual Law Office Services, document management, remote access, Online Document Storage and Backup, and Encrypted Email and Document Exchange. These will ensure accuracy of the information in the payroll, tracking the activities of the lawyers and allowing for easy correction of any mistakes that may arise in the entries. The lawyers would also have access codes through which they can log in and make any queries and entries pertaining to their billing and payroll, thereby enhancing satisfaction (Schwalbe, 2010).
References
Schwalbe, K. (2010). Information technology Project Management. Boston, MA: Course Technology/Cengage Learning.
Media As A Shaper To Public Opinion On Government Activities
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Media As A Shaper To Public Opinion On Government Activities
A greater percentage of information received and used today is relayed through the media. Today in the democratic society, there are critical roles plays by the media. Primarily, the media is expected to relay information to the public for them to make independent decisions. When one talks about the media, it can be newspapers, magazines, television programs, radio programs and social media sites. The media can give both correct and wrong information depending on the target audience, the director of the content and who is relaying the information. Through relaying of news, setting up of public forums, facilitating community building and finding solutions to societal problems, the media has helped shape public opinion on current government.
First, the media influences public opinion through the spread of news. The public obtains its news from the media and some people are vulnerable to the news whether right or wrong and some cannot differentiate the two. After being given an update on what is happening for example, president X offered support to a group of students at Harvard. The public then can make conclusions on the qualities of this president and the next time they are told to vote they will vote depending on what they were told by the media (O’shaughnessy and Jane 94). For instance, if the media becomes biased and does not air out the negative side of a given politician, less people will be aware of this fact and will give positive feedback on such a leader. Indeed, it is what the people are told that they use it to make decisions such as voting and rioting to remove a leader.
Further, the media shapes public opinion by setting up forums to discuss matters affecting the society/ nation and the type of leaders the people chose. Through these forums, people raise their views on their leaders, discuss them in detail and give a final vote whether a given leader is doing what is expected of him or her. In most cases, television channels will always arrange discussion forums with politicians and leaders where they discuss a certain topic for example; how well the government uses the public resources? It is from such discussions that people know the type of leaders they have elected to represent them (Wolfsfeld 2). Debates on media platforms shapes public opinion and later contribute to democracy since from the forums leaders are able to create an image of who they are. Without the debates and public forums, it is hard to know the characteristics of the leaders we elect.
Also, the media facilitates community building which in turn, affects the public opinion.by community building, it implies that the media educates the public on certain matters. For example, a certain media house can decide to teach people on qualities of a good leader. Through the teachings, people are able to judge politicians are later determining whether they are good leaders or not. Further, the same media houses are the ones who help in aiding community programs such as food aid and other programs. Through the programs the people are able to realize the gaps in the community and that their leaders have failed (Subrahmanyam and David 7). The media has played a great role in finding solutions to societal problems such as insecurity, drug abuse, poverty, lack of employment among other problems. These are the problems which leaders promise to solve but fail in the end. When the media highlights such problems other areas are made aware of what is happening in the country. Airing out problems in the society and how some have been solved influences the public opinion on the government and its leaders.
Not to forget, the media can be deceiving sometimes by airing out wrong information to the public. When such things happen, the government is always involved. There are some issues when told to the public they can affect unity thus they are not said. What is sad is that the public will always find out whether early enough or when it is too late. For example, there are dark secrets of the government that should not be told to the public, but at some point one person decides to leak them out which then can be used by the public against the government. Some media houses deceive the public by airing out what they are old and leaving important information that can cause problems. That is wrong since when one decides to inform the public, they should give all the information and let the people make their choices wisely.
Also, politicians use media platforms to market themselves which can be deceiving or not. There was a case during the 2016 campaigns where YouTube would redirect users to videos about candidate X (Besley and Burgess 633). When one makes a single search about a certain candidate, they could be given five or more videos and without realizing, one would get glued to watch more. Politicians use the media to tell people what they what to and asks them to hide other details. For example, when one is giving a press address, the video has to be edited to ensure the best part is given to the people. In short the press is used by the leaders to manipulate the public on what they feel it is right.
Conclusively, the press can choose to guide the people in the right direction or mislead them. The public take what they are told by the media seriously and through the information, they make decisions which can be long-term and short term. Democracy is the freedom to choose leaders and this can be interfered by the media when they give misleading information to the public to favour certain leaders or party. The media should be true to the public by giving the right information without hiding what they feel will affect the people’s unity or trust on certain leaders. There is freedom of press which should be utilised to give the people the information needed. All in all, the press does well in informing the public since it is the information given that affects public opinion on government and leaders.
Works Cited
Subrahmanyam, Kaveri, and David Smahel. Digital youth: The role of media in development. Springer Science & Business Media, 2010.
Besley, Timothy, and Robin Burgess. “Political agency, government responsiveness and the role of the media.” European Economic Review 45.4-6 (2001): 629-640.
O’shaughnessy, Michael, and Jane Stadler. Media and society: An introduction. Oxford University Press: Australia, 2002.
Wolfsfeld, Gadi. Making sense of media and politics: Five principles in political communication. Routledge, 2011.
Media and Traditional Gender Roles
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Media and Traditional Gender Roles
The media has significantly influenced and shaped the societal norms and roles (Collins, 2011). Unexceptionally, Disney movies have also played an important role in conforming to as well as challenging the traditional gender norms, roles, and expectations. As a result, the traditional practices and beliefs have been shaped for the better. Over the years, The Disney characters have been used to convey important messages in simple ways (Collins, 2011). In the movies men and women are displayed in stereotypical body forms, and the characters play different roles which illustrate that they either conform or challenge the traditional practices and beliefs (Collins, 2011).
Moan is a good example of a Disney movie which challenges the societal gender roles, norms, and expectations. Moana plays a role which is dominant in the movie and her actions change the course of events by saving the Islands and saving Maui; an act which could only be attributed to a man since women ae considered as weaker than men. When Moana meets Maui, he also believes that she cannot sail with him on their journey across the dangerous seas because women are not allowed in such kinds of adventures. This is an instance where traditional gender roles are challenged because of Moana’s determination and courage. Traditionally, technical roles are limited to be performed by men, while women are expected to perform lighter tasks.
From the movie, it is clear that Moana is being directly connected to the ocean. But when we watch the film from Maui’s perspective, he also notices Moana as a woman and hence should not be sailing with him but he decides to follow her on their journey. This shows that it is not just men who are considered as stronger than women; women too can achieve anything they want.
In instances where women are expected to act submissively, Moana challenges this. According to her elders a woman should not be sailing with a man much less make decisions which they think could lead to danger. However, she is brave enough to sail on a large ship without any fears or worries about losing control of it. Traditionally, women are expected to conform to the set rules, and they should not challenge them; however, Moana challenges this when she goes to the oceans to save her family and also, when she becomes the lead in all decisions.
In the movie “Bend it like Beckham”, Jesminda the main protagonist; a 17-year-old Indian girl who wants nothing more than to play soccer professionally. This is a drastic departure from the traditional gender roles and norms of her culture, which expect women to be “docile, virtuous homemakers”. To overcome the confines of these expectations and stereotypes, we see Beckham’s character rebel in subtle ways. First, she is a soccer player, athlete, and not a wife or mother. Traditionally, the society celebrates women as mother and housewife at the expense of all else; thus, the character turns to be the opposite of what she is expected to be according to the society. Secondly, Jesminda wears unsuitable clothes that are uncharacteristic of the dress associated with her culture. She also plays soccer against boys and joins in games even when it is not appropriate for girls to play. By breaking out of these confinements and living her own life we see many other characters have an awakening as well. In other words, Jesminda is a symbol for the shift of power; from men to women. She does not want to be like her father, who sees his daughter as simply a woman who is expected to cater to him and his family. Her rebellion is not only against her father but against the traditional gender roles and expectations of the society. The society tries to discourage her efforts while she struggles on wearing pants and playing soccer. The mode of dressing is often influenced by the traditional norms, where women are restricted from wearing other clothes; thus, by choosing to wear pants, the movie character challenges the societal gender norm.
References
Collins, R. L. (2011). Content analysis of gender roles in media: Where are we now and where should we go?. Sex roles, 64(3), 290-298. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11199-010-9929-5