Information Management Blog by Brandon Coltress B.A.

What is Big Data? Big Data is a type of information generated by computers due to the progressions made in computer technologies in conjunction with the widespread use of the internet.   Companies such as Google and Amazon gather loads and loads of personal information about their users and then use that information as they see fit.   Remember the solar eclipse?   Citizen scientists used their computers to submit data about the behavior of animals during the eclipse and big data was used to advance science.   Sometimes, it’s used to make money; however, once the data has been gathered, it can be used for a myriad of different purposes.   Users must agree to their information being stored by Google before they can sign up for an email address or a cloud storage account.   And that is why it can be stored away forever – because you agreed to it.     Companies such as Amazon use big data to personalize ads, hoping to make more money.  ...

I read the article, “ Stupidity of Computers ,” by David Auerbach.   Auerbach starts the article by stating that computers are, “near-omnipotent cauldrons of processing power.”   Sounds like a good thing, huh?  I couldn't understand why he would call a good thing sutpid.  Well, after reading further, I have several thoughts on why he called what sounds like a good thing (reads: a computer) stupid.   A popular saying goes "progress is a slow process; but, I don't have anything but time."  To put it plainly, the saying means, "I must and am doing all of the good things that I want to do, just like I should." and, I'd like to add my conclusion to the old saying, "when I can think of more than one good thing, I move more slowly."  I thought t o speed up any process or processes would be a convenience.  I didn't understand why a convenience would be talked about in a disrespectful or loathsome way. Auerbach says computers have near-omnipot...

Hello! My name is Brandon Coltress.  This is my Information Management in Government blog for UAB's MPA 605 Fall 2018 course.  I will be posting here from time to time.  Stay tuned!  Thanks! -Brandon Coltress BA