Archive for the ‘Electronic’ Category
Understanding the Law – E-SIGN Compliant Electronic Signatures
November 5th, 2009
First we need to understand that E-SIGN, in section 101(b) does not require people to use electronic signatures. When electronic signatures are used then Sub-section (c), in direct support of (b), requires a “Consumer Disclosure” that the consumer also “consent electronically, in a manner that reasonably demonstrates that the consumer can access information in the electronic form that will be used to provide the information that is the subject of the consent”.
As we can clearly see the law outlines a two step process to signing files electronically. First, disclosure of the consumer’s right to use paper, which is followed by their consent to the electronic process. The second phase is the actual capture of the electronic signature.
Once the signature is captured the law directs its attention to the electronic record that has now been created. This aspect of the law, while often overlooked, provides the true power and cost savings of electronic signatures – the ability to STORE electronic files. Printing and storing a paper copy of the electronic record defeats the achievements of this law. It is the accessibility and cheap storage costs of electronic files that really amount to long term cost savings. Sub-section (d) details the retention of contracts and records. If a “statute, regulation, or other rule of law requires” the file to be retained then “that requirement is met by retaining an electronic record”.
Accuracy and availability are discussed in both (d.1.B) and (e). The record must be available to all parties involved; this is easily accomplished by allowing each signatory to save an electronic copy of the record on their own computer. The electronic record and signature created must be in a format that is both accurate and accessible. Meaning that the technology to read, display and transfer the record is of a generally acceptable form. This aspect of the law requires businesses to choose electronic signature services that provide them with flexibility. Read the rest of this entry »
Types of Electronic Whiteboards
October 28th, 2009
Electronic whiteboards are becoming the new standard in classrooms and meeting rooms, in the 21st century. They take presenting, teaching and learning to new levels of interactivity.
What is an Electronic Whiteboard?
An electronic whiteboard allows material to be presented or displayed from a computer. Images, slides, text and even video can be displayed on an electronic whiteboard. Electronic whiteboard technology then allows for the teacher or presenter to interact with that image. For example, notes can be written on the electronic whiteboard adding information to the image presented. Electronic whiteboard technology can then capture that information and store it. Electronic whiteboards provide many useful applications in both business and classroom settings.
Thermal Electronic Whiteboard
Thermal electronic whiteboards allow the user to write, and print in black and white only. Each thermal electronic whiteboard comes with a printer attached and the images captured on this electronic whiteboard are then printed on thermal paper. This provides ease of use, but presentations on thermal electronic whiteboards often lack flair as they can only be seen in black and white. The PLUS BF-041S Electronic Whiteboard is a good example of a thermal electronic whiteboard. It is a freestanding electronic whiteboard unit with the ability to be mounted and contains a printer.
Color Electronic Whiteboard
Color electronic whiteboards can add pizzazz to presentations by introducing color. These electronic whiteboards can also be called copy boards. Using this technology, images are captured on the electronic whiteboard in color. These images can then be stored and either printed or distributed electronically. The PLUS M11s Electronic Whiteboard is a good choice for a color electronic whiteboard. It can be connected directly to a PC and images can be stored there or printed and distributed. Images stored on the computer from the electronic whiteboard can be further edited. Read the rest of this entry »
Tips when deciding which Electronic Typewriter is right for your needs
October 28th, 2009
With the many functions that computers and computer software now serve, many people don’t feel the need for a typewriter. However, electronic typewriters are still widely used in the workplace and serve many functions, particularly in offices. While the computers of today can do almost everything but vacuum your floors, electronic typewriters are still the chosen piece of equipment for printed forms, envelopes, carbon copies, labels as well as many types of checks in financial institutions.
What Type of Typewriter Do You Need?
When looking for a typewriter, you’ll find there are manual, portable and electronic typewriters available with some of the most known brands being Royal, Brother, Smith-Corona, IBM to name just a few. Most business places choose electronic typewriters for their basic office needs. Electronic typewriters can be purchased online as well as in most office supply stores. Because of the wide use of computers and word processing programs, electronic typewriters can now be purchased for very affordable prices.
When choosing electronic typewriters, the most important thing is to keep in mind what your needs are going to be as well as the budget you have or want to work within. If you don’t have plans for using the electronic typewriter often, you aren’t going to need a lot of extra functions but if it will be used regularly, you may need some of the extra features. Some of the things you may need to consider when deciding what type of electronic typewriter you need include the paper width you’ll be using, the amount of projects you’ll be doing, what type of projects they’ll be, if you’ll need a lot of different fonts and if you’ll need to make corrections on your documents.
Read the rest of this entry »
Electronics Engineering Technology Distance Learning – Become a Most in Demand Technologist
October 23rd, 2009
Electronics Engineering Technology distance learning courses are flourishing, making use of the low entry-level requirement of a 2-year Associate Degree to become an Engineering Technician, and the further career advancement to an Engineering Technologist (or Applied Engineer) possible in the field by pursuing a 4-year Bachelors Degree. Among all Technicians and Technologists working in USA, Electrical and Electronics Engineering professionals make up more than one-third, which is a clear indication for their demand. And this demand is nowadays driven more by the high-tech industry’s need for Electronics Engineering Technicians, rather than the conventional industries’ need for Electrical Engineering Technicians.
Why Electronics Engineering Technology?
All of today’s booming industrial sectors like telecommunications, medical equipment, control systems, automotive systems, navigational systems, and of course, the consumer appliances sector are bringing out everything from mobile phones to home theatres, and require expertise in Electronics Engineering more than anything else, which explains the demand for Electronics Engineering professionals.
However, to attempt the field through an Engineering Degree can be taxing to those students who are not interested in taking advanced level mathematics (calculus) courses that an Engineering Degree requires, or to endure its long 4-year time frame. For such students, Electronics Engineering Technology is a great option, with its stress on applied or hands-on Electronics Engineering rather than the mathematics-dense and research-oriented Electronics Engineering. The time frame also is much shorter, with an Electronics Engineering Technician requiring only a 2-year Associate Degree to enter the field.
The job opportunities too are tilted in favor of Electronics Engineering Technicians when compared with Electronics Engineers; there are 182,000 Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians working in USA, compared with only 143,000 Electronics Engineers. The only drawbacks – a lower level in the hierarchy and the lower starting salaries than Electronics Engineers – can be overcome in the long run, since interested Electronics Engineering Technicians can study further for a 4-year Bachelors Degree, thus qualifying for the senior position of Electronics Engineering Technologist, who enjoys a position and salary comparable to Electronics Engineers. Average salary for Electronics Engineering Senior Technicians / Technologists is US $46,000, very comparable to salaries for Electronics Engineers at US $52,000.
Why Electronics Engineering Technology Distance Learning?
It is estimated that job opportunities for Electronics Engineering Technicians and Technologists would grow at up to 17% every year, for nearly the next 10 years. The requirement of an Associate Degree for entering the field is a relatively recent phenomenon, and a significant percentage of working Electronics Engineering Technicians doesn’t have such a formal degree. The industry preference to degree holders is encouraging such working professionals to get an Associate Degree, and electronics engineering technology distance learning becomes the natural choice. Also, due to the boom in the sector, those already having an Associate Degree will go for a Bachelors Degree so that they can work as a Technologist. And, of course, the growth prospects in the sector are attracting working professionals from other fields to Electronics Engineering Technology. These three factors are driving the huge demand for electronics engineering technology distance learning courses.
Earlier, there were technological hindrances to deliver such a hands-on course through a distance or online model. However, with the development of state-of-the-art systems like National Instruments’ LabVIEW/ELVIS (Educational Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Suite), which can be used by remote students through a web browser, to virtually perform any electronics experiment, the demand for Electronics Engineering Distance Learning courses are at an all-time high.
Universities and Colleges Offering Electronics Engineering Technology Distance Learning
Electronics engineering technology distance learning courses offer both 2-year Associate and 4-year Bachelors Degrees. While Community Colleges and Institutes dominate the Associate Degree scene, Universities and Polytechnics are the primary sources for Bachelors Degrees. While searching for electronics engineering technology distance learning courses, it should be kept in mind that many US institutions still call the subject Electrical Engineering Technology.
Associate Degrees
Many Community Colleges and Institutes offer 2-year Associate Degrees for electronics engineering technology distance learning, but fully accredited courses are fewer. Whether for employment as an Electronics Engineering Technician or for further pursuance of a Bachelors Degree, it is always better to go for an accredited course. Cleveland Institute of Electronics (CIE), Penn Foster Career School, and Grantham University are three institutions that offer accredited Associate Degrees in the subject.
CIE’s Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Electronics Engineering Technology boasts of many unique features. Designed from the ground up as a distance learning course, rather than an online adaptation of a regular course, the CIE A.A.S. provides everything that an electronics engineering technology distance learning student might require, in a packaged fashion – complete with printed courseware for over 250 self-paced lessons, videos, and detailed instructions for the over 300 hands-on lab experiments. The only thing missing will be access to an Oscilloscope, and the CIE Bookstore even sells Oscilloscopes at discounted prices to its students! One-to-one instructor support is always available for students. Even the exams can be taken online. A really unique feature of the course is that interested and capable students can complete the course in half or even quarter time, and need only pay for that!
Penn Foster Career School offers an Associate in Specialized Technology (AST) in Electronics Technology, that can be completed fully online, with access to an internet-connected computer being the only requirement. Tuition includes well-written and amply-illustrated printed courseware, tools and equipment for experiments, and unlimited instructor support through website, phone, email, and regular mail. Online open-book exams and end-of-semester proctored exams are other features of this course. The course is self-paced, with longer than 2-year durations allowed.
Grantham University offers an Associate of Science (AS) in Electronics Engineering Technology through the distance mode. The tuition package for the course includes textbooks, lesson guides, grading of all tests, mailing of materials and graded tests from the college, consultation with instructors, and required software. Proctored exams are conducted at the end of every semester, which lend more credibility to this course. Consultation with instructors is available through phone, fax, email, and regular mail. To better facilitate the distance mode of the course, Grantham University even provides a discounted option for its students to buy computers from Dell. However, the main advantage of this course is that full credit transfer is possible to Grantham’s Bachelors Degree in the subject. Grantham is especially popular with military students.
Bachelors Degrees
When it comes to Bachelors Degrees for electronics engineering technology distance learning, even courses with accreditation from the Technology Accreditation Commission (TAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology (ABET) are available.
Old Dominion University offers its Bachelor of Science (BS) in Engineering Technology, with Electrical Engineering Technology as Major, and Electrical Systems Technology as optional. The course name follows the earlier US convention of naming Electronics Engineering courses as Electrical Engineering courses. This B.S. indeed has significant stress on Electronics Engineering Technology. In-depth coverage of Electronics includes Linear Electronics, Digital Controls, Microprocessors, Communications, Control Systems etc. High-tech delivery methods like virtual laboratory, streaming video, and satellite broadcast for 1-way video and 2-way audio, are fully utilized. The course is accredited by TAC of ABET.
World College, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Cleveland Institute of Electronics (CIE), offers a Bachelor of Electronics Engineering Technology (BEET) through the distance mode. Features include over 300 lab experiments, online exams, and toll free phones and email for consultation with instructors. Subjects covered include Electronics, Computer Technology, Telecommunications, Electrical Power, and Control Systems. Access to a computer and an oscilloscope are necessary.
Grantham University (described above, under Associate Degrees) also offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Electronics Engineering Technology.
The only current limiting factor for electronics engineering technology distance learning seems to be the high costs for implementing virtual labs that can be simultaneously accessed by a large number of students, and once this is solved by better and economical hardware and software, electronics engineering technology distance learning will be provided by more and more Universities, Colleges, and Polytechnic Institutes.