Virtual Vic

Virtual Vic is a management fable about the trials and tribulations of a new executive facing the virtual work environment and the technology associated with this environment. The story explores his struggles to be a successful leader by relying solely on technology and ignoring the human touch aspects behind true leadership. The story helps all of us look at technology as the tool it is meant to be rather than the humanistic hindrance it often becomes. Vic meets three characters (his informal Board of Directors) who help provide the lessons needed to best lead a blended workforce. Each character represents a major theme within the book. The themes of Trust (Reliable Reggie), Isolation (Solitary Samantha), and Presence (Being Bob) are about human perceptions that provide a human touch associated with the virtual work environment. Trust, isolation, and presence are the three main human perceptions discussed throughout the book. Told in a fable style, Virtual Vic can help managers and employees recognize signs that could result in a less-than-ideal work environment. The book is designed for anyone associated with leading or managing teams especially those with the virtual work environment. The lessons discussed allow for the most productive workforce.

"This research describes the results of an independent assesment of the functional capabilities of four virtual individual combatant (VIC) simulators. Infantry soldiers were given the opportunity to operate each VIC in a series of squad-based scenarios requiring the performance of both individual and collective tasks in a desert or urban setting. The results indicated that the more realistic the action or equipment used and the more reliable the VIC, the more the soldiers liked that system. An important consideration in the development of future generation VICS is the specific purpose (s) to be served by these systems, e.g., mission planning and rehearsal versus training individual soldier skills. The data collected from this research provide an important first step in the development of a set of dismounted infantry requirements for manned simulators that will support the integration of the individual soldier into the virtual battlefield."--DTIC.

The virtual work world is upon us. It is ever increasing as both workers and organizations become more familiar with this new structure. The way leaders and managers deal with the virtual worker will become increasingly more important. This book takes a look at the virtual work environment from a view of human perceptions. Trust, isolation, and presence are the three main human perceptions discussed throughout the book and are the foundation for the theory presented. The Change–Self-Efficacy Loop Theory provides the basis for a new tool to maximize the productivity level of the virtual worker. The book takes a journey from the industrial revolution through a second shift or technology revolution which we are currently experiencing known as the virtual work environment. It presents argument and ideas to encourage all of us to take action now to prevent the potential negative outcomes that could affect many working in the virtual work environment. The book is designed for anyone associated with the virtual work environment. Based on the premise that the virtual work environment needs to be a productive alternative to the traditional work environment, the book focuses on variables that can create the most successful outcome.

Cost Oriented Automation 2004 addresses a new integration environment that enables the evolution of collaborative e-design paradigm. This design paradigm aims at seamless and dynamic integration of distributed design objects and engineering tools over the internet.

As the concept and use of virtual organizations grows, it is necessary to gain a better understanding of how the virtual economy operates. Managing Virtual Web Organizations in the 21st Century: Issues and Challenges provides a guideline of how to manage virtual organizations, by introducing the concept, explaining the management theories behind the concept and presenting practical examples of successfully operating virtual organizations.

The fast progress in computer networks and their wide availability complemented with on one hand the "explosion" of the mobile computing and on the other hand the trends in the direction of ubiquitous computing, act as powerful enablers for new forms of highly dynamic collaborative organizations and emergence of new business practices. The first efforts in virtual enterprises (VE) were strongly constrained by the need to design and develop horizontal infrastructures aimed at supporting the basic collaboration needs of consortia of enterprises. Even pilot projects that were focused on specific business domains were forced to first develop some basic infrastructures before being able to develop their specific business models. Nowadays, although there is still a need to consolidate and standardize the horizontal infrastructures, the focus is more and more directed to the development of new vertical business models and the corresponding support tools. At the same time, in the earlier R&D projects, the attention was almost exclusively devoted to the operation phase of the VE life cycle, while now there are more activities addressing the creation phase, developing mechanisms to support the rapid formation of new virtual organizations for new business opportunities. In order to complete the life cycle, there is a need to also invest on support for VE dissolution.

Complete Hands-On Help for Securing VMware vSphere and Virtual Infrastructure by Edward Haletky, Author of the Best Selling Book on VMware, VMware ESX Server in the Enterprise As VMware has become increasingly ubiquitous in the enterprise, IT professionals have become increasingly concerned about securing it. Now, for the first time, leading VMware expert Edward Haletky brings together comprehensive guidance for identifying and mitigating virtualization-related security threats on all VMware platforms, including the new cloud computing platform, vSphere. This book reflects the same hands-on approach that made Haletky’s VMware ESX Server in the Enterprise so popular with working professionals. Haletky doesn’t just reveal where you might be vulnerable; he tells you exactly what to do and how to reconfigure your infrastructure to address the problem. VMware vSphere and Virtual Infrastructure Security begins by reviewing basic server vulnerabilities and explaining how security differs on VMware virtual servers and related products. Next, Haletky drills deep into the key components of a VMware installation, identifying both real and theoretical exploits, and introducing effective countermeasures. Coverage includes • Viewing virtualization from the attacker’s perspective, and understanding the new security problems it can introduce • Discovering which security threats the vmkernel does (and doesn’t) address • Learning how VMsafe enables third-party security tools to access the vmkernel API • Understanding the security implications of VMI, paravirtualization, and VMware Tools • Securing virtualized storage: authentication, disk encryption, virtual storage networks, isolation, and more • Protecting clustered virtual environments that use VMware High Availability, Dynamic Resource Scheduling, Fault Tolerance, vMotion, and Storage vMotion • Securing the deployment and management of virtual machines across the network • Mitigating risks associated with backup, performance management, and other day-to-day operations • Using multiple security zones and other advanced virtual network techniques • Securing Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) • Auditing virtual infrastructure, and conducting forensic investigations after a possible breach informit.com/ph | www.Astroarch.com

The Second International Conference on Hybrid Learning was organized by the School of Continuing and Professional Studies of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and University of Macau in August 2009. ICHL 2009 was an inventive experience for the Hong Kong and Macau tertiary higher education. The conference aims to provide a good platform for knowledge exchange on hybrid learning by focusing on student centered education. The technique is to supplement traditional classroom learning with eLearning. The slogan is “Education leads eLearning,” not vice versa. The me- odology is that at least 30% of learning activities are done by eLearning. The outcome is for students to learn at any time at any place. eLearning can increase students’ lea- ing productivity and reduce teachers’ administration workload alike. It is a new culture for students, teachers and school administrators to adopt in the twenty-first century. The conference obtained sponsorship from Pei Hua Education Foundation Limited, City University of Hong Kong, ACM Hong Kong Section, and Hong Kong Computer Society. Hybrid learning originated from North America in 2000, and is an ongoing trend. It is not merely a simple combination of direct teaching and eLearning. It encompasses different learning strategies and important elements for teaching and learning. It - phasizes outcome-based teaching and learning, and provides an environment for knowledge learning. Students are given more opportunities to be active learners and practice practical skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, cr- tivity, self-management, self-study, problem solving, analysis and numeracy.