L07: Discussion - Data Organization

The purpose of this discussion was to find an example of an Excel Macro and share it with the class

1. Finding an Example: 

A common macro I found can be used to simplify copying and pasting data (customized for the users needs).

2. Explanation and Purpose: 

Lots  of time entering large quantities of data can be mundane and  repetitive. Copying and pasting can save a lot of time and with the  absence of errors, possibly make data implementation more accurate. 

 3. Macro Components:

To set up the VBA (virtual basic application)

The main components of this macro begin at the File tab in Excel.
Then Option in the dropdown menu
In the Excel Options Dialog box, click Customize Ribbon
Check Developer under main table
Then click OK

To specifically copy and paste

Sub Macro1()

Range("A1").
Select
Selection.Copy

Sheets("Sheet2").Select

Range("A1").Select

ActiveSheet.Paste
End Sub

4. Benefits and Challenges:

The benefits of using macro are positive because when you are working  with repetitive data, a macro for copying and pasting allows you to  determine a specific range of information to be copied and pasted to  save time.


As we learned in the last lesson on programming, checking work  periodically is part of being a good programmer. This macro could be  used to chunk already reviewed data into sections that can be copied and  pasted for increased efficiency and also accuracy.

5. Customization and Adaptability:

This macro can be customized to adapt to different scenarios. A  variety of ranges and parameters can be specified depending on how much  data is to be copied and then pasted.

6. Learning Resources:

There are many free online tutorial for learning how to create an  Excel macro. The webpage that I visited also served as a tutorial for  beginners working with macros in Excel. It is: 

https://basicexceltutorial.com/excel-vba-code-for-copy-and-paste/ 

 Links to an external site.
 

7. Security Considerations:

There are security risks with macros. Hackers have used tricks to get  people to download macros in Excel and Word. According to the article  below, Microsoft has remedied some of this by making the default in  macros in the off position. This way files unintentionally opened from a  scammer, would not automatically run the macro. Antivirus software is  also helpful for this.

https://www.wired.com/story/microsoft-disables-macros-default-security-phishing/ 

 Links to an external site.

Works Cited:
https://basicexceltutorial.com/excel-vba-code-for-copy-and-paste/ 

Replies

Hi Teyon,

This is a great macro that makes a lot of sense, specifically working  with large data sets. Data doesn't mean much if we cannot find what we  are looking for. Your macro uses this logic to organize and customize  which seems like I would be really beneficial for people who spend a lot  of time in Excel and need an efficient way to comb through and sort  when needed.

The link below shows some information about why using excel macros  are so effective, and it reminded me of the macro you used as your  example.

https://zerotomastery.io/blog/top-5-reasons-why-you-should-learn-vba-for-excel/

Hi Mia,

This is a very useful Excel macro! It can be very time consuming to  remove each and every hyperlink, so this one would be really effective  if the data was connected with links that needed to be removed. I also  like the simplicity of it. One of the most basic things about Excel  macros that we learning this week and that I also found easy to  understand from the link below, is that Excel macros really automate  work and can free up time doing sometime somewhat mundane, for something  a little more complicated. There just seem to be so many benefits of  learning how to use macros when the work environment is heavy with Excel  data.

https://www.computerworld.com/article/1614590/how-to-use-excel-macros-save-time-automate-work.html 

The purpose of this discussion was to explore the relationship between the Internet and the World Wide Web

Although  they may seem the same, the World Wide Web and the Internet are not the  same thing. The Internet is a “global network of computers whereas the  World Wide Web is an application that runs on the Internet.” (BBC  Bitesize). When we go to a website the pages we are seeing are part of  the World Wide Web. The Web is working on the Internet and files like  emails are sent across the Internet (the global network of computers).

Global Impact:
We saw a great example of the  Global Impact the Internet and World Wide Web can have on society during  the COVID 19 pandemic, especially at the beginning. Though many  businesses and in person interactions were halted, a lot of things kept  moving because of the global access we get from the Internet. Schools  were able to be held virtually and many business were able to interact  in virtual meetings.
Additionally, ecommerce has become the norm for  many people. Just look at Amazon and how easy it is to place an order  and receive an item with just a few clicks. 

I also think that  one major impact is education. Learning on the Internet/WWW is  everywhere and it’s easier than ever to be taught by someone across the  world, without even having to travel.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations:
Online  security is important because there are scammers and hackers try to  steal bank and identity information. Since more and more people are  using online banking and applications connected to personal data, it  incredibly important to make privacy and security a top priority when  using the Internet.

There are also threats to government and academic institutions, that have to be regularly monitored and prepared for. 
I  think there may come a time when stricter regulation will be needed to  enforce privacy, but in the meantime users need to be away that one of  the challenges of using the Internet and World Wide Web is that no tool  is one hundred percent secure.

Works Cited
BBC Bitesize. “What’s the Difference  between the Internet and the World Wide Web?” BBC Newsround, BBC,  www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/av/47523993. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Huizer, Erik, et al. “How the Internet Affects Societies.” Internet  Society, 22 Dec. 2023,  www.internetsociety.org/resources/doc/2017/a-brave-new-world-how-the-internet-affects-societies/.

Replies

Hi Al, 

I think you explain the main differences between Internet and World  Wide Web well. The world wide web is just a small part of what the  Internet in its entirety is.

You bring up a great point about the “800 page” privacy policies that  we are often “forced” to sign to use apps, and our software…etc. Though  800 might be an exaggeration, I do not think someone should have to be  an attorney to understand the privacy policies of the devices they are  using. 

I have attached a link to a NY Times article that talks about what we  are all agreeing to when we click “agree” to a privacy policy. I think  these are really important ethical considerations to think about as  users of the Internet.

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/what-are-privacy-policies/

Hi Rehan,

It is funny how people often say they are going online when web  browsing, when in fact being on the web is just one aspect of being on  the Internet. It seems like a very common misconception.

I think the emerging trend of the Internet of things is both  fascinating and also a bit concerning. On one end of the spectrum,  having so much connection to things in our everyday lives makes so many  things easier. But then we have to think about data compromise, which  seems to happen more than it should. We we put so much sensitive  information into things like our healthcare and banking, it seems like  there should be some insurance in case information ever becomes  breached. I also think the Internet of Things opens up more doors to be  tracked and listened in upon, with devices like Alexa and the like.

I have attached a link to a pretty easy to understand explanation of the Internet of Things that I found interesting.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/technology/article/what-is-iot/

In this discussion we answered the question: "How  do you think the tension between privacy and database technology will  or should play out as powerful database applications become ever more  pervasive in our world?  

How  do you think the tension between privacy and database technology will  or should play out as powerful database applications become ever more  pervasive in our world?  

Cultural analysts might argue that the current generation is not as  concerned about privacy as those who grew up before Facebook,  YouTube…etc., but MIT researchers have cited that “Internet users have  never felt more helpless about how their data are being used: Surveys  show that the vast majority of U.S. adults feel that they have little to  no control over the data that the government and private companies  collect about them” (Conner-Simons | MIT CSAIL). Because of this, MIT  has formed the Future of Data, Trust, and Privacy initiative,  a forum where discussions can take place in regard to advancements in  database technology as well as policies related to privacy related to  both user and organizational interests. 

Similarly, the gaming world has had to take a closer look at how data  is being used and even manipulated by corporations for in game  monetization purposes. While some data is important for game designers  to understand how to improve or fix glitches, most games have the  ability to “track everything a player does in a game” (Darrell M. West  et al., 2021), leaving privacy a topic that is becoming more and more of  a concern. What data is being collected when I play this game and what is all the data being used for?--should be a question players and parents of minor players, should be asking.

As powerful database applications become more pervasive and tension  builds between them and privacy, consumers are going to have to join  forums like MIT’s Future of Data and educate themselves about what data  is being used and why. I don’t think that sitting back passively is the  answer to the tensions between the two. I believe every consumer should  make sure to be educated, skeptical, and intellectually articulate about  privacy rights in a world with growing database applications.

Works Cited:

Conner-Simons  |  MIT CSAIL, A. (n.d.).  MIT launches New Data Privacy-Focused initiative. MIT News |  Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  https://news.mit.edu/2021/mit-launches-data-privacy-focused-initiative-fod-0420 

Darrell M. West, N. T. L., Signé, L.,  & Aaron Klein, C. F. K. (2021, July 2). A guide to reining in  data-driven video game design. Brookings.  https://www.brookings.edu/articles/a-guide-to-reining-in-data-driven-video-game-design-privacy/

Replies

Hi  Jerry, I think your point about the need for governance frameworks that  mediate between innovation and individual agency makes sense. On one  hand we aren't necessarily trying to not share data at all because we  are going to continue to use computers, the Internet, and applications,  but we also want policy that is understandable and fair to the the  individual. It's often a lot, especially with constant updates, to full  understand just how much a our data is being used and for what. The  article linked from Stanford talks about privacy in the age of AI and I  think it breaks down what data is collected and what we don't want used,  as well as laws that exist and should exist.

https://hai.stanford.edu/news/privacy-ai-era-how-do-we-protect-our-personal-information

Hi  Colin, It does seem like more data is being collected than what we  assume. Seeing ads after having had a non-computer based conversation  about something does not make one feel like privacy is a concern to  corporations as much as it should be. I don't think each person should  have to opt-out of the data collection, but rather opt-in. This would  hopefully cut down on some of the surprising ways we find our data being  used. I see your point with smart cities and how there could be  advantages for safety, but at the same time, without regulation, a loss  of even more privacy. The link below is interesting--showing that even  taxi passenger and fare is being collected an analyzed.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20141027-the-hidden-ways-youre-tracked

The purpose of this discussion is to discuss the benefits, challenges, and real-world applications if crowdsourcing 

1: Definition and Basics: Define crowdsourcing and briefly explain how it works. How does crowdsourcing tap into the wisdom of the crowd to achieve outcomes that might be difficult for a single entity to achieve?
Crowdsourcing is when someone needs information or ideas for a project and they go to a large group of people to help them out or they go to a website that has answers that they might need to be successful. Crowdsourcing is important because it can help an individual or business to achieve a goal and inspire other people in the future. It’s basically tapping “into the knowledge and creativity of the wider public” (Explainer: What You Need to Know About Crowdsourcing | @BloombergCities, n.d.), which can sometimes be difficult for a single entity.
Source:
Explainer: What you need to know about crowdsourcing | @BloombergCities. (n.d.). Bloomberg Cities. https://bloombergcities.jhu.edu/news/explainer-what-you-need-know-about-crowdsourcing

2: Real-World Applications: Share instances where crowdsourcing has been employed successfully, such as Wikipedia, citizen science projects, or design challenges. How did crowdsourcing contribute to the success of these initiatives?
In the Video Game “Broken Age” Tim Schafer of Double Fine Productions wanted to bring back a type of video game that had long been outdated. He knew going to a publisher for money would not work so he decided to go directly to his fans and began a crowdfunding campaign. The company not only achieved the initial $400,000 toward its goal, but went on to raise $3.75 million from those who chose to back them. This real-world scenario shows that reaching out to the masses who may be fans of yours already, can override possible industry related obstacles.
Source:
Shirke, R. (2023, January 18). The most successful Kickstarter-Funded Indie Games. Into Indie Games. https://intoindiegames.com/features/the-most-successful-kickstarter-funded-indie-games/

Replies

Hi Gabbi,
I like how you expanded upon the zyBooks information on the Netflix prize. It really shows how many from around the world can be pulled into a crowdsourcing project/competition and as we learned from the lesson, how this type of business model allows a company to reach people that they might not have otherwise have ever encountered. I searched crowdsourcing prizes and there are a decent number that come up in a regular search. I have posted a link to NASA's website, where they also sometimes have crowdsourcing prizes.

https://www.nasa.gov/prizes-challenges-and-crowdsourcing/

Hi Rehan,

You give some great examples of real world applications crowdsourcing. I had never heard of Galaxy Zoo before and it is interesting that by using crowdsourcing, they are able to accelerate discoveries that are of real importance and that have an impact on the world. I also think it is interesting to see Lego using a crowdsourcing platform to produce innovative designs, I feel this helps them to stay relevant and probably has something to do with why the company has been so successful for so long. The link below shows some additional crowdsourcing challenges specifically by the federal government.

https://www.challenge.gov