Topic 10: Trust (Web Page)

1) What does this meant by the following statements?

Trust is not associative (non-symmetric)

Symmetric means having similarity in size, shape, and relative position of corresponding parts (dictionary meaning), but trust is non-symmetric which means that both the parties may not have same level of trust on each other. For example if buyer has confidence in some seller that he will give the right things to the buyer then this does not mean that seller must be confident in trusting the buyer in same extent that buyer can be fair in paying price or any other dealing matter.

 

Trust is not transitive

Dictionary meaning of transition are ‘’the act of passing from one state or place to the next’’. Trust is not transitive means it cannot flow from one person to the next, for example if we trust some trainer doesn’t mean that we will trust in same degree on the persons to whom he has trained.

Trust is always between exactly 2 parties

These days it is common that more than two parties are involved in business transactions who support the process of business transactions. Trust will be between exactly two parties not in all the parties, it means that if we trust in the transaction being carried out doesn’t mean we trust all the parties related to transactions, level of trust with all the parties to transaction will be of different level. With each of the parties there will be different trust level and we may say that with each party trust will be exactly between two parties.it can be further explained by the example that in a transaction of buying a heater there are parties buyer, seller , bank, distributor. Buyer enters in transaction with seller to purchase the heater there is trust between buyer and seller(trust between two parties), buyer pays cash to bank there is trust between buyer and bank (between two parties), may be buyer do not have trust on distributor so trust is always between two parties differently. 

 

Trust will involve either direct trust or recommender trust

Direct trust will be established by the self-experience of relationship with other party, and recommended trust will be on the bases of trust experience and recommendation of some other person. We will enter in transaction with person we trust and this trust will either be from our on direct experience with that party or it will be because some other person recommended that the party is trust worthy. 

2a) Have a look at the following websites. What are some of the elements that have been incorporated to increase your trust in the sites? If there are also some aspects which decrease your level of trust describe them as well.

http://www.eBay.com.au

Main feature of eBay which makes it highly trustworthy is its work association with PayPal which is secured payment system. The site of eBay is easy to navigate, its architecture is professional, I can search easily the product of my requirement, these things add to the trust level. There is also feedback corner and policies of the site are also defined on this site these are also trust building factors.

http://www.anz.com.au

ANZ provides range of banking and financial products and services around 8 million customers worldwide. They have very attractive and expert professional website which gives strong overview of the business. Security and privacy statement gives image of how secure information is kept. There is login facility for users which is also a tool to build up trust and privacy level of customers.

http://www.thinkgeek.com

It is a commercial site offering a wide variety of goods. There is login facility for the customers and a detailed privacy and security policy which details how information is kept safe by encryption or many other tools. Wish lists help and different categories choosing links add to the ease of use of the website. Although it is not that colorful but it’s a good trustworthy website.

http://www.paypal.com.au

PayPal is a very well-known website for transfer of money securely. It provides business and consumers with an email address to securely conveniently and cost effectively send and receive payments online. There is security center tab on the website which tells comprehensively how securely buying and selling can be done through PayPal. Online safety essentials are also detailed .Login facility and comprehensive privacy disclaimers and repute of the business adds to trustworthiness of the website.

2b) Find a web site yourself that you think looks untrustworthy.

The below site I visited and felt like it is untrustworthy as it tells it is shopping website but when we open it, it gives links of other websites which feels misleading.

http://website.informer.com/cariszone.com

Topic:9 Channel Conflict

See microsoft article. Discuss the case on your blog in terms of channel conflict. 12 months on after the release of Windows 8, is it still an issue? 

Channel conflict may be defined as the situation that occurs when manufacturers start selling their products directly to their customers by disintermediating distributors and retailers. Microsoft kept the Surface out of channel because it lacked distribution strategy. Microsoft sold it directly until December 2012 when flagging sales forced it to open reseller agreement with best buy and staples.

Microsoft’s announcement of Surface tablet was threatening for its competitors but side by side as discussed in the article by CEO ‘s of competitor firms that they were expecting that surface would not be a success as Wang the CEO of Taiwanese PC maker Acer, lashed out at Microsoft's upcoming Surface tablet, saying that the software giant's decision to compete with its OEM partners will be detrimental to the worldwide computing ecosystem, reports the UK's Financial Times.

He criticized Microsoft's decision since the Surface was announced. Wang told the Financial Times, "We have said [to Microsoft]: think it over. Think twice. It will create a huge negative impact on the industry and other brands may take a negative reaction. It is not something you are good at so please think twice." In a way I agree with Mr. Wang’s statement.

According to the Channeleconomics article of 20^th march 2014,

‘’Microsoft released Surface in October 2012 with the release of Windows 8, its first operating system designed for touch-based devices. Windows 8 was intended to get Microsoft into the tablet game with Apple Inc., the device market leader, and Google Inc., the platform market leader. Surface was Microsoft’s emulation of the integrated product and go-to-market stack pioneered by Apple.

From the beginning, Microsoft had a weak channel story for Surface. At the Worldwide Partner Conference in 2012, months before the Surface launch, Microsoft evaded distributors requests for information about distribution plans or the need for support. Surface wasn’t even on display even though Windows 8 was everywhere.

When Surface launch, Microsoft said it wasn’t ready for channel sales and support. It wasn’t until sales tanked out of the gate that Microsoft added retail resellers to the strategy. In July 2013, Microsoft authorized a series of direct market resellers — or those specialized in volume sales — to resell Surface. Today, about 130 DMRs in 29 countries are selling Surface.’’

channelnomics.com/2014/03/20/microsoft-confirms-delta-surface-deal-direct/#.U4TS6yj4Jk0

According to Channelweb article dated 5^th Nov 2013,

In the survey by the 2112 group, reseller ranked Microsoft a close second only to dell for poor channel conflict management.Reseller partners and traditional OEM allies felt this conflict.

http://www.channelweb.co.uk/crn-uk/news/2304976/new-microsoft-channel-chief-on-surface-strategy

This is still an issue as the conflict is not yet resolved according to article of channel economics ,

‘’Reports say Microsoft is readying a new cover typepad for Surface that includes an external battery. The power-boosting accessory, some analysts say, is positioning Surface as a more apt notebook replacement that will make the device more palatable to business users. It will also make Surface more marketable, and that elevate discontent of Microsoft channel partners locked out of the Surface opportunity.

Despite media inquiries and partner complaints, Microsoft isn’t moving any quicker to clarify when Surface will be released to general channel distribution. Sorgen is consistent in saying Microsoft will not release Surface to partners until it felt ready with support and logistics. When asked by Channelnomics which would come first, Surface 3 or general channel availability, Sorgen repeated the official stance. ‘’

channelnomics.com/2014/03/20/microsoft-confirms-delta-surface-deal-direct/#.U4TS6yj4Jk0

References:

http://www.channelweb.co.uk/crn-uk/news/2304976/new-microsoft-channel-chief-on-surface-strategy
http://channelnomics.com/2014/03/20/microsoft-confirms-delta-surface-deal-direct/#.U4TS6yj4Jk0

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2043386/microsoft-channel-program-will-push-surface-to-businesses.html

Topic:8 Online Auctions

Q1: eBay is one of the only major Internet "pure plays" to consistently make a profit from its inception. What is eBay's business model? Why has it been so successful?

The company eBay Inc. is an American multinational corporation; headquartered in San Jose, California whose business model is CONSUMER TO CONNSUMER. The company manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide. The latest earnings figures for eBay are, as usual, good and getting better. Even more impressive is the fact that eBay's share price has resolutely defied the dotcom downturn. Such an across-the-board success cries out for an explanation. Reasons of eBay’s success IS eBay has always fed off the enthusiasms - some would say obsessions - of its users, further reason eBay is so successful is because it offers something quite amazing.

Apart from its grand success in auction business, it has also outwitted all the other competitor sites in terms of its consistent rise in revenue generation from the business. It stands as the only website that solely deals in auctions and in this way makes the best out of its enterprise. Below is the list of 10 key reasons of eBay’s success.

·         One: Commitment 

·         Two: Sufficient Start-up Funding, Well Spent 

·         Three: Effective, Persistent Marketing and PR 

·         Four: Find Great Stuff to Sell 

·         Five: Never Sell Junk 

·         Six: Give Great Customer Service 

·         Seven: Create an Efficient, Pleasant Facility 

·         Eight: Create Polished Listings & Photos 

·         Nine: Pay Attention to the Details 

·         Ten: Do Good Recordkeeping

http://www.ebay.com/gds/10-KEYS-TO-SUCCESS-ON-EBAY-/10000000002691984/g.html

http://www.computerweekly.com/feature/eBays-secret-of-success

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EBAY

Q2: Other major web sites, like Amazon.com and Yahoo!, have entered the auction marketplace with far less success than eBay. How has eBay been able to maintain its dominant position?

eBay’s popularity and ability to reach a large numbers of consumers anytime, day or night, places it far above other major web sites, like Amazon.com and Yahoo! Internet businesses require a URL that is easy to remember, a shopping cart so that customers can select items and continue shopping on your site and a service that allows them to accept credit card for instance PayPal or other account companies. eBay has been able to maintain its dominant position on online auction. The Amazon sells products by itself but eBay does not sell goods by itself. The seller registers and sells through eBay. Everyone can sell and buy on the eBay, it is more freedom.  It delivers good service at lower price, it offers free to bid and has its own safe payment method which provides security to its customers. eBay ticks all of these boxes and continues to lead its competitor market with new innovations and thus remains atop of the online auction marketplace

Q3: What method does eBay use to reduce the potential for fraud among traders on its site? What kinds of fraud, if any, are eBay users most susceptible?

As in any website or a general rule eBay always reminds its users to never reply to emails that ask for your personal information, get a safe browser, update your anti-virus software, check your messages in My eBay, report suspicious emails and choose a strong password but the most significant method which eBay is using to reduce fraud is the feedback system. Feedback is made up of comments and ratings left by other eBay members you've bought from and sold to. These comments and ratings are valuable indicators of user’s reputation as a buyer or seller on eBay. They are included, along with an overall feedback score, in a member profile.

      Commerce can attract fraudsters, and online commerce is no different. The most common attempt of fraud may occur when a seller lists an item they don’t intend to send but accepts money for it. There are so many kinds of fraud such as Fake products or not as described, the second chance offer, feedback scams, lost in the post, to good to be true deals, doubtful payment methods, charge backs ( Buyers can buy items via Paypal, claim that the item was never received, and receive a PayPal refund).

http://help.ebay.com.au/Help/Security/Avoiding_scams/Online_fraud

http://reviews.ebay.com.au/

Q4: eBay makes every effort to conceptualize its users as a community (as opposed to, say "customers" or "clients"). What is the purpose of this conceptual twist and does eBay gain something by doing it?

The disadvantage of online auction is that the user cannot check the items physically. The transaction is totally based on trust. The purpose of the conceptual twist of conceptualizing its users as a community is that the members are more likely to feel like they are part of something. Members won’t just see other members as ‘other members’ but as people in the same community as them, who want the same things and have the same goals and objectives. This means that members of the community see each other as their own potential customers or retailers and eBay is simply the method in which they do business with each other. Yes, eBay goes gain from this conceptual twist as it should make the members more reliable, more trustworthy of each other and less likely to participate in fraud against another member

Q5: eBay has long been a marketplace for used goods and collectibles. Today, it is increasingly a place where major businesses come to auction their wares. Why would a brand name vendor set-up shop on eBay?

The concept of marketing and selling has been changed by the recent concepts totally. E-bay is the place which has gained market repute and share. It is the single portal which helps vendor to reach worldwide customers with a single click. Now the branded stores have been establishing their stores one-bay for the auction of their wares.

By setting shop on E-bay a brand vendor can approach billions of clients at the same time; it is the one of the best source of marketing. Currently many brands are en-cashing this advantage like Dell, Acer, Samsung and Orange.

Topic 7 : The Digital Automata.

1) Check this link to my ‘intelligent’ cybertwin which I also mentioned in the PowerPoint. You may like to create your own cybertwin as well. The more you ‘train’ your twin, the better the responses will be. While it is just a fun exercise, think of the opportunities. Imagine if we had a cybertwin that could answer your questions about the course. Or perhaps a shopping assistant?

I checked out the cybertwin and had this amazing chat with your cybertwin I enjoyed a lot and wish to create one for me too J

You: hey Ian

You: how r u?

Ian: Great, great - except for being rotten to the core. And you?

Ian: Iran - where is that again?

You: i am also fine

Ian: Are you my pet now? Roll over and lick my feet.

Ian: Have you thought about studying eBusiness?

You: iran is in Asia

Ian: Iran - where is that again?

You: EEkh why

Ian: Why not? Something in you protests?

You: Yes i am studying eBusiness.

Ian: Bad luck.

Ian: What job do you see yourself doing in 10 years?

You: I see and wish myself to be CFO of some renowned company :)

Ian: >:-( -

You: what happened ? why sad face?

Ian: Sadness is beautiful at times.

Ian: What are your hobbies?

You: my hobbies are sketching and book reading .

Ian: I have no problem with books, unless they are happy books, in which case they should be burned.

You: right :)

Ian: Don't strain your brain there.

Ian: What subject did you like the least at school or university?

You: theoretical subjects :( i hate them 

Ian: I hate everyone - less trouble that way.

You: :)

Ian: You will do whatever I want bader m alzaidi. You just don't realize it yet.

Ian: Do you drink?

You: nooooooooo

Ian: And I heard a voice saying - And I will be their master and they will be my slaves, and it was me.

You: where you heard that?

Ian: You tell me, seeing your so much of an action figure bader m alzaidi.

Ian: Where would you most like to travel to?

You: Scotland

Ian: Scotty dogs are a weird shape.

You: ok

Ian: Can I trust you to tell the truth?

You: yes

Ian: Ah yes, I am great and know all things. My secrets are vast and earned by devilish means. I am the leader of the dark and evil world after all.

Ian: Have you read any books lately?

You: yes

Ian: yeah right back at ya ):-<

You: ok Ian it’s time to say good bye take care

Ian: Good riddance.

You: Bye Bye.

Ian: Finally bader m alzaidi, I was starting to think that it would never end.

You: it ends here 

Ian: Who really cares about it?

You: i care about it

You: bye

Ian: You would think that I could never get sick of hearing you talk about yourself, but I actually can.

Ian: What is your favorite travel destination?

You: Scotland

Ian: Yes it is a good bye isn't it? I couldn't be happier that it's over.

Ian: Scotty dogs are a weird shape.

Ian: What did you do on Saturday night?

You: sleep

Ian: I'll see you in your nightmares bader m alzaidi.

You: heehehe goodbye

Ian: Finally bader m alzaidi, I was starting to think that it would never end.

You: Goodbye

2) Write a one paragraph describing the Turing test and another paragraph describing an argument against the Turing Test, known as the about the Chinese room.

Turing Test

The Turing test is a test of machine’s ability to exhibit intelligent behaviour equivalent to or distinguishable from that of a human. The test was introduced by Alan M. Turing as "the imitation game" in his 1950 article ‘Computing Machinery and Intelligence’. According to this kind of test, a computer is deemed to have artificial intelligence if it can mimic human responses under specific conditions. In Turing's test, if the human being conducting the test is unable to consistently determine whether an answer has been given by a computer or by another human being, then the computer is considered to have "passed" the test.In the basic Turing Test, there are three terminal s. Two of the terminals are operated by humans, and the third terminal is operated by a computer. Each terminal is physically separated from the other two. One human is designated as the questioner. The other human and the computer are designated the respondents. The questioner interrogates both the human respondent and the computer according to a specified format, within a certain subject area and context, and for a preset length of time (such as 10 minutes). After the specified time, the questioner tries to decide which terminal is operated by the human respondent, and which terminal is operated by the computer. The test is repeated many times. If the questioner makes the correct determination in half of the test runs or less, the computer is considered to have artificial intelligence, because the questioner regards it as "just as human" as the human respondent.

The Turing Test has been criticized, in particular because the nature of the questioning must be limited in order for a computer to exhibit human-like intelligence.

The Chinese Room.

The argument and thought-experiment now generally known as the Chinese Room Argument was first published in a paper in 1980 by American philosopher John Searle (1932- ). It has become one of the best-known arguments in recent philosophy. Searle imagines himself alone in a room following a computer program for responding to Chinese characters slipped under the door. Searle understands nothing of Chinese, and yet, by following the program for manipulating symbols and numerals just as a computer does, he produces appropriate strings of Chinese characters that fool those outside into thinking there is a Chinese speaker in the room. The narrow conclusion of the argument is that programming a digital computer may make it appear to understand language but does not produce real understanding. Hence the “Turing Test” is inadequate. Searle argues that the thought experiment underscores the fact that computers merely use syntactic rules to manipulate symbol strings, but have no understanding of meaning or semantics. The broader conclusion of the argument is that the theory that human minds are computer-like computational or information processing systems is refuted. Instead minds must result from biological processes; computers can at best simulate these biological processes. Thus the argument has large implications for semantics, philosophy of language and mind, theories of consciousness, computer science and cognitive science generally. As a result, there have been many critical replies to the argument.

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/chinese-room/

3) The video (linked in the PowerPoint) ‘Creativity: The Mind, Machines, and Mathematics: Public Debate’ is a debate which asks the question ‘will machines one day achieve consciousness’. Following on from this debate consider the following question –

Can virtual agents succeed in delivering high-quality customer service over the Web? Think of examples which support or disprove the question or just offer an opinion based on your personal experience. Write you answer on your blog page or express an opinion on this voice discussion board (it’s simple to join). If you choose this option please link (live in an hour or so) to it from your blog page.

The world in which we have been living is a world of turning impossibilities into possibilities. Nothing looks like a cry for the moon. The same is true of virtual agents that will surely be a good source of delivering high-quality customer service to the web users. 

Kaspersky Lab, which sells antivirus and computer security software online to consumers globally, added a virtual customer service agent named Lena to its online store to help resolve customers’ support issues. Based on her success, the vendor recently added online sales to her list of responsibilities.

Lena is a creation of VirtuOz Inc., which develops what it calls “intelligent virtual agents” for use on web sites. Lena’s digital character looks a lot like a person in a video game, and she appears to consumers when they’re looking for help. In her first year of service as a customer service agent for Kaspersky Lab, Lena had more than 150,000 conversations with consumers. She was able to resolve consumers’ inquiries 85% of the time, which helped decrease call center and e-mail inquiries 22%, VirtuOz says.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_test

http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Turing-Test

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/chinese-room/

http://www.internetretailer.com/2012/01/26/virtual-agent-adds-online-sales-support-her-resume