Cryptography

Cryptography is the art of writing or solving codes. Cryptography comes from the greek work "kryptos" and "graphein" which mean hidden and writing. In it's early stages, cryptography would include changing writing by using different symbols in order to preserve content of the text as the message traveled from on place to another. In 1900 B.C, Egyptian scribes would use hieroglyphs in non fashioned ways to hide the meaning from those who didn't know the meaning. Greeks would write on tape wrapped around a stick. For receivers to decrypt the message, they would have to use a stick of the same diameter. Of course, a lot of these methods were broken when people found out how to decrypt the hidden message. Modern cryptography uses complex mathematics equations and keys to encrypt and decrypt data which are executes by computers or specialized hardware devices.

Cryptography is mainly connected to other areas of research in terms of security. For example, banking uses cryptography to protect users' account numbers and transaction amounts. Cryptography is also used in things like disk program. Files and applications are encrypted to avoid hackers from stealing valuable information on one's hard drive.


The positive part about cryptography is that helps the world become more secure. With more advanced methods of encrypting and decrypting, the general public can rely on more security in their private lives. This however does come with a cost, and that cost is, hackers will also try and use better and most sophisticated methods to break into systems. Although cartography has some negative implications, I still value the research, because there will always be people trying to hack into systems and if research on cryptography stops, then it will be very easy for thieves to steal other people's private information and the world won't be safe anymore.

Watch this video below to get a better understanding of how cryptography works.

 T. M. (2009). A Brief History of Cryptography. Retrieved April 09, 2016, from http://www.studentpulse.com/articles/41/a-brief-history-of-cryptography 

H. S. (2013, August 14). A Brief History of Cryptography. Retrieved April 09, 2016, from https://securityblog.redhat.com/2013/08/14/a-brief-history-of-cryptography/ 

S. S. (1997, Spring). Cryptography Defined/Brief History. Retrieved April 09, 2016, from http://www.laits.utexas.edu/~anorman/BUS.FOR/course.mat/SSim/history.html 

S. S. (1997, Spring). Cryptography in Everyday Life. Retrieved April 09, 2016, from http://www.laits.utexas.edu/~anorman/BUS.FOR/course.mat/SSim/life.html  

Journey to becoming a Software Architect

Software architects are individuals who are in charge of developing and designing software. They create create software solutions for end users which could include things such as user interfaces and coding programs. The tasks of a software architect include conceiving, experimenting with, and presenting architectural approaches to software applications. These people must stay up to date with latest developments in software and must make sure the cost of their software is taken into consideration. 


In order to become a software architect, one must first obtain a bachelor's degree. There are no degrees specific to software architects, therefore it's good to major in programs such as software engineering, computer science or math, as these help in obtaining the knowledge required for an architect. Candidates don't always become software architects right away, however they can start off in positions such as an analyst or a computer programmer and work their way up to becoming and architect. 

Post-secondary paths:

School: McMaster University

Degree: Software Engineering

Admission requirements:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
• Grade 12 English (ENG4U)
• Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U)
• Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4U)
• Grade 12 Physics (SPH4U)
• Two additional Grade 12 university-level or university/college-level courses
• Minimum Average: high 80s to low 90s.

School: University of Toronto -- St. George Campus

Degree: Computer Science

Admission requirements:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
• Grade 12 English (ENG4U)
• Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U)
• Four additional Grade 12 university-level or university/college-level courses
• Average: High 80s to low 90s

School: University of Ottawa

Degree: Mathematics

Admission requirements:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
• Grade 12 English (ENG4U) -or- Grade 12 Français (FRA4U)
• Grade 12 Advanced Functions (MHF4U)
• Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U)
• Three additional Grade 12 university-level or university/college-level courses
• Minimum Average: Low 80s to Mid 80s.

 Software Architect Salary (United States) United States Home Change Country Don't see what you are looking for?Get A Free Custom Salary Report ». (n.d.). Retrieved April 09, 2016, from http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Software_Architect/Salary 

 Software Architect: Job Info & Career Requirements. (n.d.). Retrieved April 09, 2016, from http://study.com/articles/Software_Architect_Job_Info_and_Requirements_for_a_Career_in_Software_Architecture.html 

 What Is the Best Degree Path to Becoming a Software Architect? (n.d.). Retrieved April 09, 2016, from http://www.bestdegreeprograms.org/faq/what-is-the-best-degree-path-to-becoming-a-software-architect 

myblueprint was used to obtain all the admission requirements for each program. 

 

Ways to reduce negative impact of computers on environement

Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce the negative impact that computers have on environment. A lot of which are very basic that you can incorporate in your life. Although computers lower the use of paper on a daily basis, that doesn't mean no paper is being wasted. When it comes to printing documents or pictures, think twice before doing so. If it doesn't have to be on paper, then there's no need to print it. Saving a digital copy instead can be just as useful. Also make sure to buy paper from recycled post-consumer and that you recycle the paper that you use. You'll be quite surprised at how much paper you are saving.

As we all know, computers require electricity to function, and electricity is not free. So it might be in one's best interest to save electricity by turning off all computers when not in use. Even when computers are on standby, computers use energy.

Green Computing - Reducing Waste - The Carnegie Cyber Academy. (n.d.). Retrieved April 09, 2016, from http://www.carnegiecyberacademy.com/facultyPages/environment/reduce.html

Positive Effects of Computers

Although the negative effects seem menacing, there are some positive effects of computers worth noting. The first one which seems to be the most obvious is paper. The use of computer drastically reduces the consumption of paper. The use of computers saves trees being cut down by utilizing methods of online payment such PayPal or credit card. Because most documents and notes are typed in computers, the need for writing on paper is greatly lessened. 

Computers also serve as a benefit to the environment due to it's ability to make communication easy via social media or video calling. This is a huge plus as it exempts the need for travelling by vehicle to one another in order to communicate as travelling by vehicles can cause air pollution. 

Lastly, with every moment that passes, computers are being used to create sustainable technologies which are eco friendly, technologies such as solar energy for example. 

Green Computing - Environmental Issues - The Carnegie Cyber Academy. (n.d.). Retrieved April 09, 2016, from http://www.carnegiecyberacademy.com/facultyPages/environment/issues.html

N. (2006). How do computers effect the environment? Retrieved April 09, 2016, from https://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080421105612AAkplI8

Why I want to be a software architect

The reason why I chose software architect is because to me it's like the backbone of all software. For any software to function properly, it must have a good design. In this regard, software architects are a very integral part of software making as a lot of reliance is put on the architects.

My take on computers and the environment

I think the most important thing for people to keep in mind about computers and the environment is the amount of harm computers can cause environmentally when thrown out. To me that really the main issue with computers. Computers should be used with care as long as possible and shouldn't be thrown away to purchase a new computers than came out a year after your current one. If people would base their purchases on their needs rather than their wants, then their would be less computer waste which would make the Earth more cleaner. Here are two great websites regarding computer stewardship which may interest you:

http://greenelectronicscouncil.org

http://www.greentechexchange.ca/

Computers and the Environment

Many of us use computers for a variety of reasons. Some use it to play games, other use it to surf countless hours on the web, you might use it for research and school work. Even right now, you are using your computer to read this blog. But what happens to these computers once a newer model comes out or when our existing computers are no longer needed by us. The simple answer which is also the most practical, is that the existing computer gets thrown away for a newer computer. While this doesn't sound particularly harmful to us, it is indeed to the environment. 

On average, electronic products including computers make 20 - 50 million tonnes of waste every year which ends up in developing countries such as China, Nigeria, India. A lot of these electronic waste contain toxic chemicals such as cadmium, lead and mercury. When left out in the dump, these toxic chemicals leak into nearby lakes and rivers surrounding them which harms the residents nearby who rely on those lakes and revers for cleansing clothes and drinking. 

Many of these electronics such as computers contain precious metals such as gold and silver which are extracted by burning methods. These methods produce smoke which are hazardous to the air quality and people who inhale them causing respiratory problems. In addition to that, non-renewable resources such as coal are also consumed to generate electricity which powers computers. Get a better understanding of how throwing away computers effects the environment by watching the video below: 

C2.1 Negative Effects of computers and computer use on the environment - Computers and Society 2. (n.d.). Retrieved April 09, 2016, from https://sites.google.com/a/danteacademy.ca/computers-and-society-2/environmental-stewardship-and-sustainability/negative-effects-of-computers-and-computer-use-on-the-environment

Green Computing - Environmental Issues - The Carnegie Cyber Academy. (n.d.). Retrieved April 09, 2016, from http://www.carnegiecyberacademy.com/facultyPages/environment/issues.html