OLR: Exercise 2 – Topic 3

Wireless technology: issues and opportunities for improved workflow

With the ever increasing availability of wireless devices from the standard laptop to new PDA and smartphones being wireless enabled there is an ever increasing opportunity for us to improve workflow.

I currently work as a desktop support engineer and having looked at my day to day work practices and procedures I could quite easily become more time efficient using a wireless device on campus. This could be through the use of Instant messaging, access to online resources and reference through wireless and being able to update support tickets in realtime and in situe would prove most useful. Cisco has a white paper (http://www.cisco.com/en/US/netsol/ns340/ns394/ns348/ns337/netbr0900aecd8050322c.html) regarding wireless application within the health care services. The article describes the main points for improving workflow as the following:

As these examples illustrate, location tracking of assets can save resources through three key business policy improvements:

• Healthcare organizations spend less time locating and collecting equipment within the facility.

• Improved utilization of assets under management reduces the need to order new equipment to compensate for poor utilization and availability.

• Staff can respond to patient needs more quickly because needed equipment is distributed more efficiently throughout the facility.

Wireless devices deployed through organisations can also pose a large security risk if they are not deployed, designed and implimented correctly. These unsecured wireless networks can allow literally any passer by can patch into the network.

Ultimately the workforce is moving towards more and more wireless devices enabling us access to realitme data and resources on the move. Enabling a much more mobile workforce allows for distributed and geographically diverse organisations.

OLR: Exercise 1 – Topic 3

Examine the ‘Hero’s Journey’ as a metaphor for games design. It has been stated that the hero has a thousand faces. Explain this notion using example of a video game that you have experienced.

A hero has a thousand faces to me indicates that anyone from any background can be a hero in their own right. There is no stereo type of what a hero starts out as.

Many modern MMORPGS have these ideals in them during their story progression. Some such examples are Ultima Online, World of Warcraft and the Ultima Series which is a stand alone game.

What are the characteristics of a successful clan or guild?

Having been part of a number of successful guilds or clans in video games I have come to found that the keystone is a STRONG leader. This is vital to the progress and survival of a guild.

In addition to this each member needs to be a contribution and willing participant. They each need to feel needed and have a say and purpose in the group.

Lastly a strong support base is needed. For example a web master, someone to do the admin work, and a goto person.

These are all vital for the survival of a clan.

My current guild that I am in is a World of Warcraft Guild called For the Lose – www.forthelose.com I am an assitant Guild Master a Class leader and I look after the guilds website.