RAWRG social networking for gamers.

Shelbyville, Ky (October 15, 2011) – RAWRG has launched a new website specifically geared towards gamers. The new website, located at http://www.rawrg.com, is feature rich and full of freebies.

RAWRG is a new player in the social network arena, but they certainly don’t show it. The site is full of top quality features including detailed profile customization, free guild hosting, an online game store, and an online arcade packed with hundreds of free titles that can be played from their website.

RAWRG offers something to gamers that many sites don’t offer. They offer a fully integrated entertainment and socialization package for gamers all on one site. By providing social networking, a game store, an online arcade, and a news feed for gamers all in one place, they are bringing everything that a gamer would want or need to a central location. If you are a gamer, and want everything in one place, then this is the site for you.

Besides all of the aforementioned aspects of RAWRG, there are a large number of other features that make it worth checking out. They have integrated other social and media networks into their platform, making it easy for people to share information across sites. There is also a very robust privacy system that allows users to control exactly which portions of their profile are available to the public. Users are also able to set up their own group pages, which makes the site a great place for guilds to host their information. They even offer instant chat site-wide, or with just your group if you prefer.

Whether you are looking to socialize with other gamers, purchase games and accessories from the comfort of your own home, or just want to read up on some of the latest gaming news, RAWRG has what you are looking for. Since signup is free, you can check out what RAWRG has to offer without worry.

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The primary driving force behind this new found revolution is the advent of much more user friendly website tools and content management systems.  One site in particular that offers a tremendous amount of tools is WebCentristic.com.  Site templates, and even full blown Content Management Systems such as WordPress are offered with free installation and setup.  This site makes it extremely easy for anyone to be able to create a website quickly and easily.  One example of a site hosted by WebCentristic.com, and utilizes their fantastic suite of tools, is a site that a friend of mine created that is dedicated to his marriage.  You can visit this site at http://www.scottandjoallen.com.  This site is based on WordPress, and utilizes a custom template created by my friend.

As you can see from this example, not only can you quickly construct a professional looking page quickly, but you are also open to create your own customizable template if you so desire.  For those of you who prefer something other than WordPress, there are numerous other popular content management systems available for use on WebCentristic.com, inluding Joomla, Drupal, Mambo, and many more.  You do not even have to use a CMS if you prefer.  SiteStudio is provided as well, which will allow you to create and customize a website based on over 70 free templates.  You can even go one step further and create your own site from scratch and upload to your server via FTP.

There are a huge number of options out there for web site providers, and choosing one with excellent quality is important.  If you want to make it easy on yourself when creating a website, make sure that the web host you choose has plenty of options for creating content, as well as quality service and a satisfaction guarantee.  Not only is this true for professional websites, but personal websites as well. As far as quality web hosting services go, WebCentristic.com has my vote. They not only have a 30-day money back guarantee, and 99.9% uptime, but they provide all of the web tools you could ever want. You can do as little or as much work as you want to in creating your site, and create everything from a personal site to a full scale enterprise system on their dedicated servers. It will be well worth your time to check them out.

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Information Overload

When most people think of Information Technology, one of the first things that will probably come to mind is data.  IT centers on data, and the amount that they attempt to collect can seem endless.  However, there is such a thing as too much data collection.  As data becomes more and more prevalent, the issue of not being able to obtain enough data no longer applies.  There is enough information being transmitted in day to day business that the problem actually becomes a matter of screening out irrelevant data and collecting only meaningful data.  We are living in an age where data has become cheap, but meaningful data can be the difference between staying in business and closing the doors.

One of the main problems caused by information overload is the lack of adequate storage.  Storage systems have become quite vast, but they are still not big enough to hold all of the data that we have come to value.  People are now looking for ways to store more information.  This is one reason why it is becoming more and more important that information needs to be screened for relevance before the storage process.  By tracking and storing only important and relevant pieces of data we have a partial solution to the increasing problem of information overload.

Another problem that can accompany information overload is loss of quality.  Instead of focusing on collecting meaningful data, we tend to try to collect every piece of information we possibly can and then sort it out later.  This sacrifices quality in the data collected and can cause the value of the information to drop.  Irrelevant data is useless and when intertwined with relevant data, it can cause the usefulness of the information to decrease as the information would have to be screened again in order to strip it of the useless data and this would take time, resources, and money.  This can be particularly bad if a business makes a significant portion of its income from the trade of information.  Typically in order to collect meaningful data, we must not only collect the relevant information, but also any relevant metadata.  By the additional collection of metadata, we have now added context to what would otherwise be somewhat ambiguous information.

The collection of metadata may overcome the issue of data relevance, but it creates a different sort of problem, and that is data complexity.  As the world and technology progresses, so does ability to collect vast amounts of data.  However, this adds a complexity factor that can cause such information to become unmanageable, both in hardware and software capabilities.  Complexity is not typically something that can be dealt with very easily by a company, and is generally handled by throwing more money at the problem in the form of faster hardware, better software, and hiring more people.

Of course wherever there is a dark cloud there is also a silver lining.  There are many companies now that are very excited about the problems associated with information overload that are occurring.  These are the companies that have developed information systems that can help businesses sift through their immense data sets.  This is a practice known as data mining, and it can prove very beneficial to those companies who require immense amounts of relevant data, but who do not have the infrastructure to support the collection of it.

Successful data mining can be a very profitable and a very useful business if done correctly, so many companies will invest quite a bit of money in outsourcing these types of operations.  The data analysis software that these companies use takes given sets of data, extracts meaningful data sets, and sends outputs information in a very easy to digest form.  This allows businesses to be able to quickly extract important data they need from the new set of data after analysis.  This type of service can be vital for some companies to acquire as they can spend vast amounts of time and money trying to weed out information that is suitable for use.

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Groupware Conceptualization

Groupware is a somewhat new concept in mainstream productivity applications.  However, it utilizes technology that has been around for quite awhile, primarily in the form of database technology.  While groupware shares a lot in common with standard databases, there are also quite a few differences.  Groupware is not actually just a database, rather it is a way of utilizing technology to form an application to perform a specific task or set of tasks.  Database technology just so happen to be the main technology that makes groupware able to function as it does, as groupware is more of an extension of database capabilities.

Groupware must be able to support interactions between large numbers of people for it to live up to its definition, and it is fairly typical to find it utilizing a client/server system of interaction.  Databases are well suited to the task of powering the back end of groupware as they are specifically designed for just this type of interaction process.  Databases are also well suited for use in groupware as they offer a persistent storage which always necessary in any type of collaboration environment.  Therefore most groupware available will utilize a database as a way to provide this client/server interaction and persistent storage.  The typical interaction process flows exactly as it would in a standard database.  Requests for data manipulation are sent by the client to the server.  The server acknowledges the request, performs the action, and stores the result.  Once the action is completed, it sends confirmation back to the client.  In this way, groupware at its most basic acts exactly as a normal database would be expected to act.  However, what makes groupware an interesting concept is how it is different from a normal database.

Groupware is quite different from standard databases in many regards.  There are many technologies that must be combined into a single application in order for it to be considered groupware.  Lotus Notes is one very good example of groupware.  Lotus Notes has many features that allow users to collaborate.  Some of these features include email, documents, calendar, spreadsheets, and presentations.  As one can see, Lotus Notes is a very versatile system, and it can allow many collaborators to work through a client/server model.  Lotus Notes utilizes a database system to store the data that is sent to the server.  This is a prime example of how databases can be utilized to create a collaborative work environment.

Lotus Notes is just one of many fine examples of groupware.  There are other newer types of groupware such as Google Apps, which promotes real time collaboration.  By utilizing Google Apps any limitations that may have been perceived in current groupware applications have been removed.  Not only are Google Apps created with real time collaboration in mind, but they are also reliable, secure, very low cost, and require a minimum of administration.  Wasting time waiting for the collaboration process to move forward is a thing of the past with this type of application as contributors can work on projects simultaneously.  Real time collaboration will be used more and more in the future as people discover its power.

While groupware is not a new technology, it is a new way of combining established technology in order to achieve a new tool to promote productivity amongst a group of people.  Groupware not only changes the way in which we think about databases, but also the way in which databases can be utilized to promote group functionality.  By pairing databases with standard productivity tools, an entirely different concept emerges.  Groupware, and in particular real time collaborative groupware, is the future of productivity.

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Change is Hard

Change is a very difficult thing for most people. It is even more difficult for organizations since there are typically many people whose roles may change. Often times businesses neglect to consider the human factor when decided upon a change, and this has the potential to bring catastrophic results. When people resist changes that an organization hands down, it is typically for several factors. Sometimes it is due to the fact that people inherently dislike change since it breaks people free of their comfort zone. Other times it is because people feel that everything is fine the way it is and there is now need for change. Regardless of the underlying reason, there are many things that an organization can do that will help alleviate the stress of changes within the work environment.

The biggest factor in helping to ease tension from a planned change is communication. There are some managers out there that may feel that communication is pointless as long as others follow their direction. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Often, tension can be eased when the lines of communication stay open. People are most fearful of the unknown, so by exploring this unknown factor and explaining in depth the changes that are to take place, an employer can help to ease the minds of their employees. When an employee’s insecurities are explored they will typically fall away very quickly. It is important for these companies to keep in mind though that often times employees need persuasion to explore their issues regarding a change is the office environment. Many times it could be beneficial for managers to sympathize with their employees, and to let them know that change is not always easy. But by reassuring their workers that the change is necessary, and the changes will be approached as a team, and that any challenges that present themselves will be overcome as a team, managers will often be able to ease their employee’s minds.
Another way in which employers can prepare their people for change is by understanding that people can react in different ways to change. Some people may show an extreme reaction to the change, but then quickly become comfortable with it, while others may not seem to mind but then suddenly begin to dislike it later. People also have different reasons for disliking the change. Some people may be timid when it comes to doing things differently just because it is part of their personality, while others may have been burned in the past by changes and have a lot of bad feelings about changes within their office environment. Basically what this means is that there can be an extremely broad range of emotion within the organization. The best way to combat this is by not lumping everyone together and formulating a one explanation fits all type of attitude. Employers would be wise to offer and open door policy and encourage employees who still have issues with the change to sit down and discuss them. This way the employer can explore the feelings of the employee and help put to rest any fears they may have.

Yet another way in which employers can help prepare employees for change is by dividing the change process into several phases. Typically people can adapt to smaller changes more easily than large ones. By seeing the change as a series of small hurdles, it does not look as insurmountable as it would if everything had to be done at once. By breaking up the change over a period of time into smaller more manageable changes, employees can grow accustomed and adapt more easily.

Organizations can ensure that employees adapt to change by following a few simple guidelines. These guidelines are not created by any authority, but rather deduced from common sense. Organizations must recognize the human factor in all things. Business may be conducted through computer systems; however, there are still people on the other side of those computer screens. Companies should keep this in mind when they consider any form of change whether it is big or small. Communication is of the utmost importance as this will ensure that all employees are operating on the same level, and that the fear of the unknown does not set in. It is also important for organizations to realize that reactions may vary and that each person must be approached differently. Finally businesses should make sure that the change is manageable. By following these simple guidelines the process of change can be streamlined and will ensure a much more smooth process of changing the office environment.

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Information Systems

Almost all organizations, no matter their size or scope, are dependent on information systems to some degree. As systems, networks, and software have become more powerful, their abilities to assist us in business have become quite vast. For some small organizations, these systems may not be crucial, but they help to improve the work flow and increase the turnaround of the products to the customer. For other larger organizations, these systems can be of the utmost importance, and be critical to a business’ success. There are quite possibly as many business software solutions as there are businesses. However, many of these can be broken down into just a few general types of information systems. These types are the Transaction Processing System (TPS), the Decision Support System (DSS), the Executive Information System (EIS), the Office Automation System (OAS), and the Expert System (ES).

The first type of system, the TPS, is probably the most widespread of all the information system types. TPS stands for Transaction Processing System, and is the most well known example. TPS is best recognized by any type of system that utilizes bank card processing. Any time a person pays for goods or services via their bank card, the transaction is sent to the bank. The bank in turn either approves or denies this transaction. The key point to notice in this type of system is that it guarantees that either the transaction completely succeeds or completely fails. If the transmission to the bank does not go through, or partially goes through, the transaction completely fails. This is to help provide protection to each participant involved in the transaction and maintains transaction integrity. There can be no partial transactions. This type of system is used in many types of systems though, and not just limited to financial transactions. These types of transactions are also common in database transactions. Many times, database connectivity protocols have TPSes built in so that transactions are considered failsafe. In this manner one can be assured that when an item is stored in a database, that information is either correctly and completely stored, or it is not stored at all. Partial data is not accepted but will instead be discarded and an error code will be produced.

The second type of system, the DSS or Decision Support System, is also quite common. In its most simple form, the DSS can be found in many types of automatic text completion systems. One of the most popular forms of this system is Google Suggest. Google Suggest is a type of auto complete feature that completes your search phrase based on the majority of searches it has based on what has already been entered by the user. Other more complex systems make use of DSS technology in various forms. One form of DSS is a model driven DSS in which users develop a business strategy based on various business and financial models. Another form is the communication driven DSS where many people interact with the system and each other to develop a solution. A third type of DSS is the data driven DSS. Data driven DSS collects data of many different types and restructures the data so that is suitable to the application of the data. A fourth type of DSS is the Document Driven DSS. This form of DSS is very similar to the Data Driven DSS in that it relies on data to formulate strategies. However, in this type of DSS documents such as text files are the only types of data sources used. The final type of DSS is the Knowledge Driven DSS. In this form of DSS, the system simply helps users determine whether or not a decision should actually be made.

The third major type of information system is the EIS, also known as the Executive Information System, in which the overall management of an organization is supported. An EIS typically consists of an organizations entire information system. Not only does it involve the computers and the network, but also the people and the procedures. This system as a whole supports the organization and allows it to move forward in a productive manner, thus supporting its operation. This system specifically targets the needs of the upper management, and helps to provide useful information to the management in order to help facilitate decision making. By utilizing this type of system, management can help to filter out any extraneous information and maximize the usefulness of the information that they do receive.

The next major form of Information System is the OAS, or Office Automation System. OASes can take many forms, but their primary function remains the same throughout, and that is to facilitate information exchange between people in an organization. Some of these systems may include word processors, spreadsheets, email clients, file sharing systems, databases, etc. The main benefit behind this type of technology is that the more freely that information flows around an office, the more productive the environment is. With the increase in production, the organization can raise its profits considerably as the efficiency of data exchange increases, allowing a decrease in the time it takes to deliver the product to the customer.

The final form of Information System is the Expert System, or ES. This type of system is probably the least common of all the systems listed above, but it is no less important. Expert Systems are designed to basically take the place of an expert. One excellent example of this sort of system is WebMD.com’s Symptom Checker. This tool is used by everyday people to help diagnose any medical conditions they may have. In essence, this program can almost take the place of a highly trained professional (though not recommended by the site for obvious legal reasons. By asking users to submit their symptoms this system can diagnose the condition of a user in much the same way as a doctor would. Of course there is some room for error in a system like this as the application cannot run test on a user as a doctor could, but it can narrow down the results very well. In the hands of a professional, tools like this can be invaluable when utilized by a professional. Other systems similar to this, in both the medical field and in other fields are already being used in this way. Not only are these systems very good at narrowing result by asking a series of questions, but they can store the knowledge of a very large number of professionals, thus improving the chances of providing an extremely accurate result. On top of this, they do not make the same kinds of mistakes that a person would, and the results are not the product of opinion or conjecture.

As technology progresses, so too does the complexity of the tools that can be utilized by organizations in order to boost efficiency and improve the speed and accuracy of information transmission. Many of these systems are designed to integrate with almost any type of function imaginable in an organization, and can help increase production in many areas. From office employees to expert professionals, Information Systems are in use the world over. They serve to handle far more information any single person could handle by themselves and help to drive organizations to success.

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Group Network

As technology matures, the ways in which businesses can utilize technology to increase their effectiveness becomes more and more complex.  With the rising usage of the Internet, businesses are no longer relegated to a specific geographic location, but are beginning to find their home in the cloud.  As such, many of the business transactions that are conducted by these organizations are done without physical boundaries and can have very broad reach.  One of the best ways of increasing effectiveness is by taking advantage of the virtual team environment.  Virtual teams are quickly becoming a standard business practice as organizations globalize.  What this means for most employees of these organizations is that your fellow team members may be in the next building, in the next state, or even in the next country.

Virtual teams are quickly becoming the standard norm in most business practices.  These types of teams can be composed of individuals all located in different geographical areas.  This is quite a large difference in the way that typical teams were formed several years ago.  Instead of geographically isolated teams, performing separate tasks, and collaborating only so often, teams are now collaborating around the globe on a day-to-day basis and contributing to possibly several different projects at once with different members in each project.  This type of dynamic fluid environment is a vast improvement over the past rigidity that was present in most team settings.  Due to the extreme style of collaboration present in virtual teams, the increase in production levels far outweigh the production levels of it’s predecessor.

Organizations help to promote these types of collaborative environments through many different methods.  The top priority is placed on communication.  Since virtual teams are so geographically dispersed, a very large emphasis must be kept on communication, as without this key factor these types of teams would quickly fall apart.  With the Internet continuing to grow, so to do the technologies that allow us to communicate through it.  Some of the most important types of technologies where virtual teams are concerned include email, instant messaging, VOIP, video conferencing, and groupware.  When each of these technologies is combined, organizations are able to form large highly collaborative team environments that are capable of high levels of quality output.
Each of these technologies have certain principles which allow virtual teams to communicate to their fullest potential.  Email is, of course, the De facto standard for collaboration.  Email is ideal for sending persistent messages to people who may or may not be able to communicate at the time when the message is sent.  However, email alone will not help to promote the virtual team environment as it does not function well for real time communication which is imperative for any sort of efficient collaboration environment.

Instant messaging is a somewhat more important part of collaboration as it allows for the real-time communication that email lacks.  By using instant messaging, businesses can ensure that each member of the team is able to communicate ideas in real time to other members of the team instead of just simply sending email and waiting for a respone when the recipient reads it.

VOIP, or Voice Over Internet Protocol, is another real-time collaboration tool.  Many times it is necessary for teams to discuss issues simultaneously in a conference call so that real time communication within the team as a whole can take place.  However, if a standard phone system were to be used, the cost of team collaboration across countries could add up to a very large expense, especially in large team environments.  VOIP greatly reduces the cost of this form of communication as it uses the Internet as its transmission medium.

When face-to-face communication is desired, or if there are numerous visual elements in a project, video conferencing also helps to promote collaboration among virtual team members.  This can also have the added benefit of allowing team members to become more familiar with one another which can help with team cohesion.  This is a very important preventative measure in order to keep a team together and allows members to become familiar with others on the team.

The newest technology that is further pushing the envelope of team collaboration is groupware.  Groupware is a more recent development in technology that allows simultaneous editing of team documents by team members.  By enabling simultaneous editing, team members no longer have to use a round robin method to editing documents which in turn increases productivity.  Besides the fact that documents can be edited simultaneously by multiple team members, team members can also contribute to one another’s work in some cases, by utilizing on-the-fly document revision.  This type of collaboration allows not only multi-user document creation, but also allows team members to contribute to another member’s text while they are writing it.

These are just some of the tools today that businesses use to empower their employees with the ability to collaborate on projects.  There are many other tools that are more specific to particular types of projects that can be used by organizations that need them.  However, the general types of communication methods described above are the primary tools that are used in order to promote a collaborative environment for virtual teams.  By utilizing these types of technologies businesses can quickly develop a highly efficient, interdependent team of geographically separated members.

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