Final Post/The Future of iChoose

iChoose

Indestructible smart phone case: waterproof, dirt-proof, shock-proof, in a slim, sleek design that everyone will envy. You not only have an option to choose the color, but you could also make it however you like - plain, designed, spotted, stripped, anything you could possibly imagine; even create your own personalized design, including any picture or grouping of pictures that you love! Personalize exactly how you like, no exceptions, with the added guarantee of ultimate protection. We administer cases for every type and brand of smart phone. We aim to please, satisfaction guaranteed. We are iChoose. Have you chosen today?

Final Post/Outline For Future:

            From having to sit through complaint after complaint, and even complaining myself about my broken phone screen (twice this year ALONE!), it was time to come up with a practical solution to the ever-present problem: the shattered, cracked, or simply broken phone screen. Thought after thought, many ideas began to revolve around my head, but one stood out to me. This became the slim design of my ‘indestructible’ phone case, designed with a personalization aspect, creating a option to individualize my product so each case can be unique.

            The one of the most useful things I learned in the past few weeks while contemplating the progression of my idea was the implementation of Photoshop to my website. Photoshop will be a key factor in the personalization aspect of iChoose. I did not realize that one graphics editing program could do so much. My website needs to allow customers to customize and upload their own photos, so Photoshop would be a suitable solution. With the ability to crop, slice, draw on, type on, retouch, overlap, and combine photos, this tool would be perfect for iChoose.

            Another very important aspect that occurred to me over the past weeks is the extreme impact of social media on our everyday activities. In this age of technology, it is very difficult to ignore its prevalence in society. Not only do we have access to these social media sites on our computers, but they are now available though our mobile devices, making their way to phones and tablets alike, creating even easier access to social networking. Advertising iChoose would be crucial on websites like Facebook and Twitter, networks that are accessed daily by millions of people, to get the idea of iChoose out there.

            In my eyes, the future of iChoose seems very bright. With the interest I have seen when brought up in conversation, many women and men alike would appreciate a product like iChoose. I believe the next steps would be to set up the website and gather all the tools needed to do so. This might include hiring employees who specialize in web design, looking at different options for set up and management, etc. This may also include gathering potential companies to provide advertisements on the site, or looking at sites like Facebook and Twitter to advertise on.

            Over the last few months, iChoose has developed from an idea to a reality. With the knowledge gained from my IST 195 course, I have learned so much from the different parts of the system unit to information about how to set up online payment security for customers. In the beginning, iChoose was just a simple idea, but now I realize that there is no product like it out there, and it can really transform into something big. I believe I gained a lot of valuable skills to make it a success.

iChoose: Cryptography

iChoose

Indestructible smart phone case: waterproof, dirt-proof, shock-proof, in a slim, sleek design that everyone will envy. You not only have an option to choose the color, but you could also make it however you like - plain, designed, spotted, stripped, anything you could possibly imagine; even create your own personalized design, including any picture or grouping of pictures that you love! Personalize exactly how you like, no exceptions, with the added guarantee of ultimate protection. We administer cases for every type and brand of smart phone. We aim to please, satisfaction guaranteed. We are iChoose. Have you chosen today?

Lecture Post – Cryptography

Have you ever purchased something online? Odds are, you, as well as millions of others exactly like you have purchased something online just recently, and will again in the near future. Having access to order endless types of products and merchandise online is really a great thing, and is undoubtedly the new ‘fad’ of the consumer market. Ordering things online is quick, easy, and most importantly, convenient. But how exactly can this process be done? How can any given consumer be sure that payment methods are safe and secure? With millions of people ordering things online, there must be a type of security procedure provided by companies who are expecting consumers to purchase products online, and feel safe doing so. This is where a security method called cryptography comes in.

In the most general form, cryptography uses encryption to protect information by transforming data to an unreadable format. Using tools such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), cryptography protects your credit card information as it is transported across the internet for transaction purposes. With millions of users accessing the internet at any given moment, this form of security protection is very important. It safeguards your personal information so others cannot gain access to it and withdrawal money from your account. Cryptography allows people to provide personal information like payment methods used on websites, with confidence that this information will be encrypted in such a way that cannot be recognized by anyone or anything but the computer belonging to the company receiving payment. Only a reader with the correct algorithm (or key) can decipher the encrypted message.

All people simply expect to be safeguarded by a company they are purchasing a product from. For my company, iChoose, this method of security is imperative. Allowing users to feel safe and secure about providing payment information is essential for making any sort of profit. If cryptography is not used, a hacker can easily steal payment information, and my company would be at fault for not using proper security protocol. For websites designed to sell consumer products, there is no other option than to encrypt personal and payment information to protect a customer’s privacy. Being a computer-based company with all transactions happening over the internet, cryptography is a security method that is very important for payment purposes.

           

iChoose: The Operating System

iChoose

Indestructible smart phone case: waterproof, dirt-proof, shock-proof, in a slim, sleek design that everyone will envy. You not only have an option to choose the color, but you could also make it however you like - plain, designed, spotted, stripped, anything you could possibly imagine; even create your own personalized design, including any picture or grouping of pictures that you love! Personalize exactly how you like, no exceptions, with the added guarantee of ultimate protection. We administer cases for every type and brand of smart phone. We aim to please, satisfaction guaranteed. We are iChoose. Have you chosen today?

Lecture Post – Operating Systems

iChoose is an entirely internet-based company. This means that computers will be used to maintain the site, and customers use the site created to create, order, and process the product they purchase. Being a company based solely off on online sources and programs, operating systems will be a very significant part of iChoose. To access and uphold the site, computers will have to be used on a daily basis, and computers could not function without and operating system. All computers come with this system software consisting of programs that control and maintain the operations of the computer, but why else is the operating system so important?

            The most important piece of software inside a computer is in fact the operating system. Why is this? The operating system has a few very important responsibilities. The operating system control’s the computer’s hardware, manages all software found on the computer, and organizes files that the user creates. Being already built into the computer, the operating system does not need to be bought separately, nor does one ever need to be bought a second time. Updates and improvements may need to be installed, but for the most part, the operating system handles that itself. It truly is the unsung hero of a computer: it is your computer’s head honcho - the number one program of the machine.

            Operating systems perform many functions that including starting and shutting down a computer, providing a user interface, managing all programs and memory, coordinating specific tasks, establishing an internet connection, monitoring performance, administering security, and automatically updating itself and certain utility programs. While that seems like a whole heck of a lot, the operating system does it all. Best of all, it does it all without being told what to do! Although many types of operating systems exist, most operating systems perform the same or similar functions. It is amazing that all of these things can be done with one piece of software. Having a company based off of computers and computer functionality, I would say knowing and understanding operating systems is one of the most important things to learn when starting an internet-based business, considering how valuable an operating system is to a computer.

iChoose: Using Photoshop

iChoose

Indestructible smart phone case: waterproof, dirt-proof, shock-proof, in a slim, sleek design that everyone will envy. You not only have an option to choose the color, but you could also make it however you like - plain, designed, spotted, stripped, anything you could possibly imagine; even create your own personalized design, including any picture or grouping of pictures that you love! Personalize exactly how you like, no exceptions, with the added guarantee of ultimate protection. We administer cases for every type and brand of smart phone. We aim to please, satisfaction guaranteed. We are iChoose. Have you chosen today?

Lecture Post - Photoshop:

            I have been contemplating how I could allow my clients to arrange and manage their photos and designs when creating custom phone cases. I will also need some type of program to create the sample and pre-created designs that will be available for people to choose if they do not want to create their own case.  There are probably tens of hundreds of programs out there that could allow me to have access to this program, but I think that Photoshop would be a great choice. With many different editing options, I don’t believe there are many better options at an affordable cost.

            For my clients, Photoshop would be integrated into iChoose’s website, allowing them to do everything from cropping and slicing, joining and grouping, drawing and typing on, measuring, and retouching the pictures they chose for their specific case. These aspects of Photoshop are very important because they can give my website exactly what it needs, and what I am promising my clients: unlimited options presented in a simple, manageable way. With so many options, iChoose could most definitely benefit from this program.

            For iChoose designers, Photoshop will make it easy to invent designs for the pre-created cases available on the website.  Using Photoshop’s extensive editing options, designers will be able to style each designs in a quick and easy manner. These designs will have to be constantly updated for the ever-changing idea of what is ‘popular’ at any point in time, so I can see Photoshop being used quite often. Video editing is included in the cost of the program, enabling my staff to make all sorts of videos to how-to-create-your-own-case videos to advertisements. Photoshop could be heavily utilized for these two types of videos, allowing easy navigation through the website as well as video advertising on other websites.

Professional Blogger Review: FabSugar

iChoose

Indestructible smart phone case: waterproof, dirt-proof, shock-proof, in a slim, sleek design that everyone will envy. You not only have an option to choose the color, but you could also make it however you like - plain, designed, spotted, stripped, anything you could possibly imagine; even create your own personalized design, including any picture or grouping of pictures that you love! Personalize exactly how you like, no exceptions, with the added guarantee of ultimate protection. We administer cases for every type and brand of smart phone. We aim to please, satisfaction guaranteed. We are iChoose. Have you chosen today?

My Blog Post URL on FabSugar: http://www.fabsugar.com/PopSugar-Shop-Fall-Color-Trend-25065203 (second comment posted)

Blogger URL: http://www.fabsugar.com

FabSugar is a fashion blog focusing primarily on new fashion trends of the week/season. Some of the designs displayed on the site are really unique, creative, and obviously really popular and trend-setting! Many different articles of clothing on the site gave me ideas for iChoose phone case designs. From leopard print pants, to bright red sweaters with tiny Eiffel Towers on them, so many designs are so adorable, and could totally work for a phone case as well. I chose to comment on a popular trend of the moment: the color burgundy. The color is often looked down upon, but the site shows it in a completely different light. I hope you feel differently about the color after watching, just as I did!

Pretty in Burgundy Post to FabSugar Content:

I was never really drawn to the color burgundy, but it really does look great in the pieces shown in the video. It is a great transition color from summer to fall, especially since I live in a very windy area (northern NY) and start to wear jeans earlier than most. I am not quite a fan of colored jeans, but burgundy is a color that can either blend or pop, depending on what you are wearing it with. I love that aspect, and I really do think it is a great transitional color that can work with many things, from jeans to pumps, as shown. I am not a leather skirt kind of girl...(whatever that means...) not to mention in burgundy...but to each his own! Brandi definitely rocked the burgundy jeans and blazer! You go girl!

This is the first time I have been on the site, and I really like it. The interactive aspect of the video was very informative and definitely kept my attention. It would not have been effective to me in just plain text, because I am primarily a visual learner and have attention trouble with long bodies of text. The videos and rotating slides of pictures on the main page of the site were very interesting...I saw a few things that caught my attention so I think I will go back and look at those things now! Your site is pretty awesome, I must say! Keep up the good work, I will definitely be back soon! 

-Lindsey

Competitive Analysis: Lifeproof and Zazzle vs. iChoose

Entrepreneurial Post Overview: iChoose

Indestructible smart phone case: waterproof, dirt-proof, shock-proof, in a slim, sleek design that everyone will envy. You not only have an option to choose the color, but you could also make it however you like - plain, designed, spotted, stripped, anything you could possibly imagine; even create your own personalized design, including any picture or grouping of pictures that you love! Personalize exactly how you like, no exceptions, with the added guarantee of ultimate protection. We administer cases for every type and brand of smart phone. We aim to please, satisfaction guaranteed. We are iChoose. Have you chosen today?

Competitive Analysis:

Competitor 1 URL:

http://www.lifeproof.com/shop/cases/

Competitor 1 Overview:

This product, Lifeproof for the iPhone 4 and 4s and iPad Generation 2 and 3, seems like a very good product on the market. The phone case has the exact design I am aiming for: slim, sleek, and ultra protective. Two of my friends have this case, and they are quite satisfied. The only complaint I have heard was that the rubber lining on the edge of the case is easily scratched. My product will have lining made of a different, more durable material. Otherwise, the protection offered for the front and back of the phone case will be the same. While Lifeproof focuses on specific Apple products only, specifically the newest generation iPhones and iPads (a case is not available for the new iPhone 5 or iPhone 3) it does not offer a product for any other phone type. It also only comes in a few solid colors, limiting a customer’s creative options. While Lifeproof is a very good, innovative idea, it is a very limiting product.

Competitor 2 URL:

http://www.zazzle.com/iphone+cases

Competitor 2 Overview:

The customization of this product, Zazzle, is unique, and I really like the execution the company used on the website. Similarly to my idea, this site offers two options: to choose a design already created (many are displayed on the website) or start from scratch and customize an entirely new design. While this personalization aspect is great, the cases used to display the design are hard, easily breakable, and have no protection for the front screen. Protection for the front screen AND back is one of the most important features of my product’s design. The cases from Zazzle are, in theory, for protection, but in reality offer very little to no protection for the delicate design of the iPhone. Unlike Lifeproof, Zazzle provides hard cases for iPhones 3, 4, and 5. Like Lifeproof, Zazzle only caters to Apple products.

iChoose is essentially a fusing of two ideas – the ultimate protection of an indestructible case with the customization aspect of a ‘create-your-own’ case. iChoose not only offers these two features, but caters to all smartphones, including iPhones, Blackberries, Androids, etc. We design for every smartphone, protection is guaranteed, and creative options are endless.

By having many design options displayed on the site, customers can decide exactly what they would like without limitation, but are also assured to have a sturdy, dependable case. Combining these two ideas makes iChoose, a flawless, original and reliable phone case.

The Importance of a System Unit

 Entrepreneurial Post Overview: iChoose

Indestructible smart phone case: waterproof, dirt-proof, shock-proof, in a slim, sleek design that everyone will envy. You not only have an option to choose the color, but you could also make it however you like - plain, designed, spotted, stripped, anything you could possibly imagine; even create your own personalized design, including any picture or grouping of pictures that you love! Personalize exactly how you like, no exceptions, with the added guarantee of ultimate protection. We administer cases for every type and brand of smart phone. We aim to please, satisfaction guaranteed. We are iChoose. Have you chosen today?

Lecture: System Unit

            Being a web-based company relying heavily on computer and information technology, understanding the system unit would be an essential to iChoose. The company is internet-based, potentially processing a lot of information across the web and somehow storing it within company systems. The company has many jobs and responsibilities including offering the advertised product, being efficient and effective with orders and assistance, and allowing customers to feel secure and comfortable with the company in general. Accomplishing these goals undoubtedly require a multitude of system units. But these units are quite complex, and sometimes scary to people. Breaking it down to simpler terms can help understand exactly what is going on inside a complex computer system.

            The main part of a computer including the processing unit and other devices make up the system unit. For desktop computers, this would be the large case of electronic components. The system unit includes many integral parts of a computer, but most importantly, the motherboard, central processing unit (CPU), and memory chips. The motherboard is the main circuit board of the system unit. Many components of a computer attach to the motherboard so electronic information can be transferred throughout the machine and tasks can be carried out effectively. Think of the motherboard as a brain: a person cannot think without a brain, and a computer cannot operate without a motherboard. This makes the motherboard the most important aspect of the system unit. The processor of a computer, also called the CPU, interpret and carry out basic instructions given and transferred by the motherboard. Memory chips hold programs and data for temporary or future use. Primary storage called RAM, or random access memory, temporarily stores information that the CPU uses while the computer is on. This information is erased when the computer is turned off. Other minor aspects of the system unit are the system clock, expansion slots, ports, and busses.

            While the whole system unit is very important to my company, memory would be of extreme importance. Holding information of clientele is important for the customization aspect of my product. Because every person will create a different design, my systems will have to hold a lot of memory. Not only general graphics and patterns will have to be stored as starting points, but each individual picture or design uploaded will have to be stored as well. In addition to this memory, methods of payment information must be stored and protected as well.

Gathering and organizing information through the internet is crucial for my company. Understanding how systems work and what the purpose of different components in a system unit are would not only be useful to myself as the CEO of the company, but also very beneficial to employees as well. They could then understand how systems are running and processing information, and potentially fix problems or assist customers having technical trouble.

Social Media's Impact on iChoose

Entrepreneurial Post Overview: iChoose

Indestructible smart phone case: waterproof, dirt-proof, shock-proof, in a slim, sleek design that everyone will envy. You not only have an option to choose the color, but you could also make it however you like - plain, designed, spotted, stripped, anything you could possibly imagine; even create your own personalized design, including any picture or grouping of pictures that you love! Personalize exactly how you like, no exceptions, with the added guarantee of ultimate protection. We administer cases for every type and brand of smart phone. We aim to please, satisfaction guaranteed. We are iChoose. Have you chosen today?

Lecture: The Impact of Social Media

            Social media would be essential to promoting a project in this day and age. Nearly every person I know uses some form of social media, whether it is Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. Not only does every pre-teen to young adult have a computer or access to a computer, but everyone uses social networking to connect to one another. No matter what your background, race, ethnicity, we can all agree that social networking is a powerful thing. All you have to be is interested in connecting to other people, and the fact of the matter is, everyone is interested in this. This fact is very useful to me, but more importantly, the group of people using these social networking sites most, young adults and teens, is exactly who my target market is.

            Facebook would serve as a key tool to getting the word out there. Seemingly everyone these days connects on Facebook if any form of social media. If an advertisement could be posted on the far right side of the screen, which Facebook started enabling recently, many people would see the idea and possibly click to learn more. Creating a fan page with information about the product would also be a good way to spread the word. The information just needs to be passed on to a few people, and will become more known as it spreads and time progresses.

            Twitter would be a great place to connect with groups that are interested in technology, leading to people that could possibly interested in my case idea. With 200 million users on twitter, I am sure that my idea could solve a lot of people’s broken phone dilemmas.  If promoted properly, it could become a trending topic, and the idea could potentially reach hundreds of thousands of people. In addition to spreading the word about the idea, when the hiring process begins for my company, Twitter (as well as LinkedIn) can be a very useful resource for recruitment, ideas for improvement, and a resource for problems with the product, producing early warnings that could potentially be fixed in a quick and efficient manner.