Blogger.com my fiend

I do mean fiend not friend!

ERROR ERROR ERROR

Is all I've seen for the last week, blogger.com updated there systems as part of their 'maintenance' on sunday with any update of technology and software comes waves of errors, unfortunatley for me these errors came when I needed to post.

The problem no posting on blogger.com for a week. The worse thing was there was no contact or message posted from blogger.com, so I started to think it was me, (uploading too many images, gone past my limit or some error with my connection).

I've had a very stressful week due to this, which made my condition dramatically turn for the worst, so I've been too fatigued to make much of a catch up with work or attend many of my classes.

I have my blogs from my major to catch up on, then I can finally post up on here.

Assessment contemplation

As part of the first assessment, the topic for the essay/report, has come to mind. I'm strongly swaying towards the privacy question. It seems appropriate for me. I think I have more of an opinion on privacy and an interest too. Though at the moment I'm still study the environment of security and privacy, still trying to understand whats out there, so maybe another week before I study privacy harder, actually is that right, I've totally forgotten when the assignments due, well I make sure I really know privacy, but i dont want to rush, without fully understanding.

For the other part of the first assessment the artifact, I don't think I would be able to code anything, it would be a shambles. I'm thinking a presentation, however if its to be uploaded first, then maybe I should add audio of me presenting, as I cant do something in flash/powerpoint that is bombarded with text. But I wasnt keen on a presentation as its quite a lot of content driven pieces for a portfolio, a lot more research too. I really can't think of what else I could do for it, especially if its the same topic.



For the second assessment I will probally be drivin mad by the topic and want to do a different topic, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, as I can't see myself producing anything technical on encryption and the thought of legal and ethics is enough for me to think of for now.

Book to return

Almost forgot to mention this book, its one that I'm returning to the library as its due, but its not one that I am retaking out. I don't doubt the books content nor the expertise of the author. However this is not a book for the faint hearted, esspecially if your like me where upon math is not your strongest asset. Almongst all the jargon well to me, there are some key topics covered, if your thinking of choosing to concentrate on privacy, its worth a glance, or like me a couple of tough hours.

I did however as mentioned previously scanned in relevant and useful pages. So it wasn't a waste of time, if only to illiminate it rebooking it out.

Week 2

NO CLASS, disappointed, not because of the waiting, not because of having prepared work( essay) for class, but because I achieved nothing, no further on the subject, the same thing happened the day before, so frustrated. By the time I got back home it was still morning but not with the best of health, was too drained to do anywork, even to catch up on my reading.

Note to myself: Security and privacy books are due back next week.

At the moment just updating my blogs and scanning in all my library books that are due back, (not every page, already filtered what pages were important) really should have photocopied instead, but lagging library books around is impossible for me. Although two of my books hopefully I can get out again, thats enough for me to carry.

Essay work again

I had a rethink on security and managed to complete my essay. The piece straight from my essay below, was the breaking point, bringing my essay altogether, and providing me with a way of linking to a source, which Ive been reading.

'Whether or not I have taken risks, have I as a young designer/student being on the corner of the internet / digital boom, let my side down by not being anymore security savvy than a person born 20 years prior to me? Or does it matter when I was born? Has security always been the same compared to the level of threat? '

I'm pleased, although I had only one point of reference by the end, hopefully thats enough for whats needed for a short essay.

Essay work

Its been a long time since my last essay and getting down something logical when its far from that in my head I'm finding tricky. I decided just to discuss my views till something emerges.

Like I said previously more than a week ago I would have said it means not even a second thought to me, however now I'm forced to open my eyes.

Security is to me about protecting from risk, thoughts I've had include- have I put myself at risk by negleting the thought of security?, or has my lack of trust kept me safe?, lowering my chance of risk?, or have I always been safe because I naturally take precausions without thinking about it? Have I've gone off topic and onto risk or is as I think at the heart of security?

Reflection most needed

A link to my 'reflection most needed post' located on another of my modules blog. Despites its location, its a reflection on my learning ability at present it applies its self to all modules, it was a must to include.

http://mydoubleproject.blogspot.com/2006/10/reflection-most-needed.html

New Link

I added a new link 'Schneier blog'. Bruce Schneier is from what I gather an expert on Security and Privacy and his blog has a wealth of articles, papers and such. I havent had the chance to go through it yet, will include it though in my list for researching the topic 'What security means to me'. But for now the links there.

Week 1

We went through the module study guide, sounds pretty straight forward on the face of things.
Then during the to be weekly discussion, the topic was 'what is security and trust?'. A very open topic, everyones had experiences involving security and trust, I know I've had a mountain load, this we discussed in small groups before it was opened up further.

What was intresting was the different viewpoints, the difference in levels of trust and security an example said was 'counting of money recieved from a atm' , I know I never count my money from a atm (risky?) or the amount of students who trusted lecturers and staff members, down to their status or guidelines possibly enforced, I know I'm not very trusting in general no matter whether the person is official or not (too over precausious/ paranoid even?).

The fine line between security and trust, the boundaries we think we set but infact, sway from situation to situation.

We've been asked to write a small essay on 'What security means to me' for the next session. Before this lession I would have said 'not much' but now I must admit my view has altered a tad.
I am wondering more about what security means to me, than more of a textbook general overview. I'll think I will re-read parts of Bruce Schneier- secret and lies, as his viewpoint is pretty understandable, down to earth if you will (if not a little paranoid), before I attempt to move on to cryptography in my study.

I feel I'm on track with my independent learning, especially when two of the books recommened, I already booked out the library to study (sorry any one who goes looking for them, I cant say ill be quick with them). Although class learning I am concerned about, not being the most vocal person, will this have an effect on my learning and will the pace of discussion topic speed right past me?

Understanding definitions

Ive printed off material from the module study guide resources (definitions, various acts and a mass of unknown), which I'm preceeding to sift through. Neccessery due to my lack of knowlege on the topic. The definitions are understandable but memorizing them is taking time.

I'm up to cryptography on the book I'm reading, I think its a must read before I tackle the pile of printed material of unknown, which to be honest is jargon to look at currently.

I really want to get a better understanding through the recommened books and resources I ammounted before I research further, so I dont waste my time sourcing/printing and filtering through unworthy material.

My current read

SECRET & LIES
Digital Security in a Networked World.

-Bruce Schneier.















Less than a third of the way through the book. Its structured into three sections, 'THE LANDSCAPE', 'TECHNOLOGIES' and 'STRATEGIES'. Im up to technologies, I must admit I feel more aware already. I really recommend this book and unlike other books within the topic, this one is readable.