Homeland Security and Technology

There are many precautions the Department of Homeland Security are using that is further increasing our degrees of technology.

The first few the book states are the passenger and baggage screening, stepped up border patrols, smallpox vaccinations for military personnel, electronic sniffing devices in airports, and a color-coded Homeland Security Advisory System. I have heard of the screenings and the color-coded advisory system. When threat levels are high, I see these on the news stations such as CBS.

The book also discusses the PROTECT system, which I have never heard about before. This system uses chemical detectors to sense toxic fumes, video surveillance cameras, a computer program that predicts the dispersion of toxic materials, and a wireless communications system to coordinate emergency responders. The PROTECT system was designed to be used on subways. I honestly thought there were cameras on the subways, and that was it. I am not sure if other people know about this system because I have ridden the subway once in my life, so perhaps this system is in fact well-known.

A computer system called CAPPS II has the ability to reduce flagged passengers to only 5%, instead of the usual 15%. If this is implemented correctly, it can save a lot of hassle and time at the airport.

The MATRIX (Multistate Anti-terrorism Information Exchange System) collects, stores, analyzes, and exchanges multiple data about criminals. I agree with this because when a criminal gets caught, many of their rights are taken away and this is for good reason and for the protection of the rest of the people.

The NSA (National Security Agency) uses electronic intercepts that monitors communication worldwide. If this could prevent a potential terrorist attack, I believe that it is worth it.

A DHS division called US-CERT deals with handling internet viruses and such that could harm computers and helps to prevent them. It is also helpful to computer users because it allows them to know when harmful threats are discovered.

I really have not heard about these different computer programs and systems. This is all interesting because I did not realize the extent the nation has taken on security. It really is amazing how many people are monitoring so many different aspects of people’s lives.

The computer systems used in Homeland Security do make me feel safer. I did not realize how many precautions were being taken. The scary part is that the government has to go to this extent because in this day and age, anything can happen. However, knowing about it and that these measures are being taken to protect the nation and its' people are comforting.

I believe that privacy is important. However, if there is a case where it could save people’s lives to read someone’s e-mail or intervene with some form of communication, it is important to do so. The Patriot Act gave government officials the power to uncover suspected terrorists in the United States. The FBI can now intercept wire, oral, and electronic communications. This act was created to help prevent terrorist attacks. If intervening and invading someone’s privacy could potentially help save the nation, I definitely believe it’s a chance worth taking.

I decided to research English Springer Spaniels for my search engine project. The English Springer Spaniel is a dog, and this particular breed has been with my family for decades. I realized that I do not know too much about them, so I figured why not? :)

I decided to use and for my research. My first impression of the two search engines were *completely* different.


Google looked more visually appealing then Yahoo!. It immediately had 3 pictures of English Springer Spaniels (one of them is above), and proceeded with relevant sites. The first site was the “English Springer Rescue America”. This site is for someone who is looking for this particular breed of dogs without homes, and this is where my family rescued the dog we have now, Bogie. Here is an actual picture of my dog!

The sponsored links in Google were located far over to the right, and even those were pretty relevant. (except , but you are going to find that in any search engine because they are everywhere!) The whole Google set-up was appealing to the eye, and had relevant topics, despite what I put in with the different terms that we were supposed to use. For example, I used “English Springer Spaniel and dogs” for one of my search queries. I was immediately directed to factual sites about the dogs, as well as images and rescue sites. Using my different terms, I was directed to relevant sites all English-Springer Spaniel related. However, they were in different spots with the different terms. The #1 site would jump to #5, and the #2 site would move to #6, etc. I was very satisfied with Google. It was visually easy to research, and directed me to the appropriate websites.


I was pretty disappointed with Yahoo!. The website is set up so there are sponsored links in various parts of the site; on the far right, and as the first results located the top of the page. However, these sponsored results were not relevant. One was for E-bay, and another was for shirts with dogs on them. Both were unsuccessful for my research. There were also no immediate images of English Springer Spaniels. As I typed in the different terms, many sites that were in Google were showed on the website. However, I also got inaccurate responses. Some directed me to a dictionary, and some directed me to other search engines. I was not provided the research I wanted with some of my different search queries.


Google was definitely more accurate in my search engine research. As I typed in the different terms, I was directed to accurate sites. Yahoo! had many of the sites Google did, but there was a noticeable difference with the irrelevant sites that showed. I was impressed with the visual & textual appearances of Google, and will definitely stick to using the website in the future!

If by any chance you were interested with English Springer Spaniels, here are some facts I found!

• English Springer Spaniels are bird-hunting dogs.
• Their breed character is merry, alert, eager to please, and easy to train.
• The color of the dog is black or liver, and white.
• The tail is "docked" at birth.
• English Springer Spaniels go through their "teenage years" and may test the owner!

The End! (hope it wasn't too boring!) :)

Introducing..

My name is Wesley-Anne.. I am currently a junior at the University of Bridgeport. My major is public relations. I am moving to Cali as soon as I graduate, and I am sooo excited. I also love Clay Aiken even though I get crap for it everyday :)

My first post :)

Just testing out this whole blogging thing..