How Can We Create A Smart City?

Society of Internet Professionals "How Can We Create A Smart City?"

This article, authored by Cory Popescu was first published on the blog of the Society of Internet Professionals (SIP). SIP is a not-for-profit, Toronto (Canada) based International organization to connect, learn and share. Our Vision is to provide the opportunity to leverage technology to have an inclusive future for everyone. Since 1997, SIP has spearheaded many initiatives, educational programs, and networking events.

Futuristic city might be closer to becoming a daily life sooner than we think. There have been a great number of projects calling for the creation of smart-city. Although plans have shown big and at first instance easy to handle, many ran behind the schedule, lower their initial designs and involved lots more resources than planned. None was created so far, leaving us to ask for a better living, desiring to spend our work and leisure time in more affordable and environmentally friendly urban areas.

One project on creating the smart city which seems to approach its goals faster is promoted by the New York company Sidewalk Labs, a subsidiary of Alphabet. The project is aimed to reshape the Toronto Waterfront former industrial area to successfully integrate state-of-the-art digital technology with advanced urban design. This Quayside project will build the whole Toronto neighbourhood from the bottom up while rethinking the urban strategies of affordable and good living in the same time making use of the latest high-tech.

The Quayside was announced in October 2017 and work is aimed to start in 2019. This ingenious project targets their decisions about policy, design, and application of technology on information from a broad and comprehensive network of sensors. They are designed to intensively collect data from a variety of sources, including people’s activities, noise levels, air quality, public infrastructure.

Sidewalk Labs intends to open access to the software and its own systems and then other companies would build services based on their infrastructure. This seems similar to building apps for mobile phones.

The design of the smart city includes daunting ideas such as all vehicles shared and autonomous. Underground robots will do different routine jobs like delivering the mail.  One of the key components of the rebuilding this urban area using innovative high-tech represents close monitoring of public infrastructure. While this could be intruding in data and privacy, the concerns can be alleviated by open communication and public support.

Sidewalk Labs firmly supports communication and open cooperation with the community and the local government to seamlessly make the transition from the current low-tech old infrastructure area to a thriving community embracing a combination of latest digital technologies and leading metropolitan design.

Sidewalk Labs’ executives also bank on Quayside project sense of humility backing the urban-systems planning. They believe that this humility may help the success of this project compared to others that doomed past smart-city initiatives.

One successful project certainly opens incredible avenues for more developments regarding neighbourhoods which base their living on continuous and progressive yet enlightened sensing.

Cory Popescu

Your comments are welcomed

Click on the links below to read the other articles by Cory Popescu:
Can Cloud-based AI Boost the Economy?
Is It Possible To Get 100% Privacy On The Internet?
Why Incorporate Blockchain in Your Business?

Related Video:

youtube video: Inside Sidewalk Labs' Toronto HQ
ITWC got a tour of Google's sister company Sidewalk Labs' Toronto headquarters.
Published by ITWC on Nov 7, 2018

Learn the Art of Public Speaking & Communication

Screenshot: SIPpost: October 25, 2018: Learn the Art of Public Speaking & Communication

SIPpost: October 25th 2018

In this issue: 
•    SIP&Toast conducts a course in the Art of Public Speaking
•    Article on Technology

Learn the Art of Public Speaking and Communication

Is Public Speaking only for Politicians?

No, Public Speaking is not only for Politicians, we all speak publicly and wish to communicate with others more efficiently, leaving a positive value and impression behind.

Here is as an opportunity for speakers and non-speakers to learn the Art of Public Speaking.

A group of advanced Toastmasters will conduct a Speech-craft course as six interactive workshops.

Dates: November 7, 14, 21, 28, December 5, 12
Every Wednesday for six weeks, commencing on November 7, 2018

Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Venue: The Lounge, Richmond Green Sports Centre
1300 Elgin Mills Road E.,  Richmond Hill  ON   L4S 1M5

Details and Registration:
A special price for SIPpost subscribers: Only $80 for six workshops
https://speechcraft1.eventbrite.ca

Max Haroon  |  max@siptalks.org  |  416-891-4937

About SIP&Toast
SIP & Toast is a Richmond Hill, Ontario’s community based Toastmaster new club to foster leadership, boost speaking and communication skills by having weekly meetings.
Our members come from diverse background, such as Technology and health practitioners and everything in between of all adult ages.

Follow us on the Twitter
Join the community on the Facebook

= = = = = = = =

Is it Possible to Get a 100% Privacy?
The developers at Zcash consider that this method can become reality as they have been working and developing it. It's called zk-SNARK which stands for “zero-knowledge succinct non-interactive argument of knowledge”. The protocol allows users to execute transactions anonymously. Zcash are themselves crypto currency creators. They also create the zero-knowledge proof cryptographic protocol which can prove no doubt existence of something without revealing the actual information and thus keeping it private.

Read More

Can Cloud-based AI Boost the Economy?

Society of Internet Professionals "Can Cloud-based AI Boost the Economy?"

This article, authored by Cory Popescu was first published on the blog of the Society of Internet Professionals (SIP). SIP is a not-for-profit, Toronto (Canada) based International organization to connect, learn and share. Our Vision is to provide the opportunity to leverage technology to have an inclusive future for everyone. Since 1997, SIP has spearheaded many initiatives, educational programs, and networking events.

Currently Artificial Intelligence (AI) penetrates faster in the tech industry, since it has increased the volume of new products and services in an efficient way and the structure of development, production, and delivery seems suitable to the implementation of this cutting-edge technology. Still plenty of other businesses and industries have yet to take advantage of the advances in this relatively novel application field. In medicine, energy or manufacturing sector, a more intensive and comprehensive application of AI could dramatically transform these fields while boosting the economic productivity.

Not only AI enters a particular sector, high-tech, also within it only a few major organizations make use of it to create expansion through volume and efficiency at unbelievable higher speed. Companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Baidu and some startups engage AI in their matrix since it may be acceptable price-wise, while for the most part and all the rest of our economy, this novel technology proves difficult to implement and extremely costly.

Therefore, companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google aim to create cloud-based AI to make the technology cheaper to be implemented and used effortlessly. This leading-edge cloud-based AI is available now and by expanding it to lots of organizations it could trigger more economic development. Therefore, the solution is to bring AI and cloud-based machine-learning tools to large audiences.

In this pursuit, Microsoft has Azure, its own cloud platform and by cooperating with Amazon they are working to offer an open-source machine learning library called Gluon. This is created to engage building neural nets to become a core AI technology to copy and apply the processes of learning exposed by the human brain.

Although at this time, Amazon dominates cloud machine learning with AWS, Google is following suit with an open-source AI library named TensorFlow. This library proves powerful since it can develop and build further machine-learning software. Also, on designers’ table a priority represents the simpler use and implementation of AI, and the recent Google pre-trained system suit Cloud AutoML, promises to do just that. Both organizations start preparing consulting services to cover the shortage of cloud-based AI specialists who can spread the knowledge of the leading-edge AI.

The future will tell who is going to spread more and what quality of AI. It certainly represents a huge business opportunity for those involved. The cloud-based AI technology has great chances to expand and comprehend various sectors untouched so far. We can only realize the true benefits… and the downsides of AI once the cloud-based is ready to roll and found at almost everyone’s fingertips.

Cory Popescu

Your comments are welcomed

Click on the links below to read the other articles by Cory Popescu:
Is It Possible To Get 100% Privacy On The Internet?
Why Incorporate Blockchain in Your Business?
Blockchain: Unbelievable Transactions Blockchain Can Promote!

Is It Possible To Get 100% Privacy On The Internet?

Society of Internet Professionals "Is It Possible To Get 100% Privacy On The Internet?"

This article, authored by Cory Popescu was first published on the blog of the Society of Internet Professionals (SIP). SIP is a not-for-profit, Toronto (Canada) based International organization to connect, learn and share. Our Vision is to provide the opportunity to leverage technology to have an inclusive future for everyone. Since 1997, SIP has spearheaded many initiatives, educational programs, and networking events.

The developers at Zcash consider that this method can become reality as they have been working and developing it. Its name is zk-SNARK which stands for "zero-knowledge succinct non-interactive argument of knowledge". The protocol allows users to execute transactions anonymously. Zcash are themselves crypto currency creators. They also create the zero-knowledge proof cryptographic protocol which can prove no doubt existence of something without revealing the actual information and thus keeping it private.

While Zcash develops their own crypto currency they also find extremely useful and practical to perfect the emerging tool called a zero-­knowledge proof. It seems that science researchers have worked on this technology for a while and it hasn’t become so desired until today when the crypto currency transactions industry experiences high growth and most of the crypto currencies are not private.

What is the application of this tool? If you need to do something online that requires sensitive information, like your date of birth, and the bank account balance so the transaction can be successfully closed, this becomes possible since the new protocol allows the subject to prove these requirements without revealing sensitive personal information which could expose them to identity theft or risking their privacy.

The tool is available now for the increasing economy demands. Important key companies developing and/or using this remarkable tool are: Zcash, JP Morgan Chase and ING. As seen, some major financial institutions keep interested in this, as it could allow them to use blockchains in payment systems and in the same time protecting their clients’ privacy. Just recently JP Morgan Chase implemented the protocol called zk-SNARKs to its blockchain-based payment system to enhance the privacy of their transactions. For instance, most public blockchain systems including Bitcoin expose their transactions to the public and certain parameters within including users can be identified even though these transactions are considered anonymous.

As normal with the first appearance of such complex and novel tool, the computation seems slow and convoluted. The initial setup involves the implementation of a “trusted setup,” which generates a cryptographic key still vulnerable to system breach when used involving the wrong intentions. Even having barriers of this sort, the scientific research continues to improve this tool. They are looking at more efficient alternatives to implement and execute zero-knowledge proofs without using the compromising cryptographic key. Even with all obstacles intrinsic to new-born technologies, the zero-knowledge proof is described by Vitalik Buterin, creator of Ethereum as an "absolutely game-changing technology."

Cory Popescu

Your comments are welcomed

Click on the links below to read the other articles by Cory Popescu:
Why Incorporate Blockchain in Your Business?
Blockchain: Unbelievable Transactions Blockchain Can Promote!
Blockchain: Growth and Limitations

Art of Public Speaking: An Introduction

Introduction to Speech-craft: Learn the Art of Public Speaking
by Society Of Internet Professionals (SIP)

Join us for the Introduction to Speechcraft and learn the art of public speaking:

Introduction to Speechcraft
Learn the Art of Public Speaking

Date: Thursday, August 2, 2018
Time: 6 pm - 8:30 pm

Venue: Metro Hall
Location: Room 309, 55 John Street, Toronto, ON M5V 3C6

Event Description:

Do you think the content of your speech is King? Yes, only in your written communication. There is some truth in the old adage “It’s Not What You Say—it’s How You Say It! In fact, 80% of your presentation is not what you say, but the way you present it.

This seminar will make you aware of seven essentials of preparing and delivering speech, so that you will gain confidence in the art of giving presentations, either professionally or informally.

This workshop will be followed by a follow-up workshop where your speeches will be evaluated by a panel of credited toastmasters.

You Will Learn:

• Structuring your Speech
• Preparing Speech
• Planning for your audience
• Using your voice
• Using your body language
• Adding Vocal variety and words
• Listening to Your audience

Registration
This and its follow up workshops are only open for SIP members. Free for SIP members.
Become a member for $100 annually and attend most of the networking meetings and educational programs free.

http://www.sipgroup.org/become-a-member/

Register at: https://sipevent1.eventbrite.ca

Visit our website for details: http://sipgroup.org/
Email: SIPpost@sipgroup.org
Phone: 416-891-4937

SIP and Toast: Introduction to Speechcraft: Learn the Art of Public Speaking
by Society Of Internet Professionals (SIP)

Volunteer Appreciation Celebration

Society of Internet Professionals (SIP) wants to Thank all Volunteers for their time and energy in making the organization successful.

Volunteer Appreciation Celebration Summer Bash

Please join us for some great BBQ (Veg & Non-veg) along with (Non alcoholic) drinks by the beach.

When:
Thursday, June 28, 2018 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Where:
Woodbine Beach
1675 Lake Shore Blvd E, Toronto, ON M4L 3W6

Registration:
Like all our events, FREE for Volunteers and Members
Guests are welcome with a $5 contribution.
Must RSVP at events@sipgroup.org by June 26.

For more information send an email to Vikas Ramrakha, VP Events at events@sipgroup.org

Network with our sponsors, peers and some industry leaders.

Photos of  Summer BBQ to appreciate volunteering work of SIPpers on June 28, 2018
‎SIP & Toast‎ Society of Internet Professionals

 Summer BBQ to appreciate volunteering work of SIPpers on June 28, 2018
SIP & Toast added 6 photos to the album SIP Volunteers BBQ.

Wake up and Touch the Blockchain: SIP Talks March 22

Society of Internet Professionals Blockchain SIP Talks
Wake up and Touch Blockchain: March 22, 2018 at ThatChannel, Toronto

Join us for the 3nd Blockchain: Technology, Applications and Implications event of #SIPTalks and explore what is Blockchain and how it will affect your life....very, very soon!

Wake up and Touch Blockchain
Integrating Blockchain in Your Business

Date: Thursday, March 22, 2018
Time: 6 pm - 8:30 pm
Registration, refreshments and meet SIP Team and Speakers at 5:30 pm

Venue: Internet TV Station - ThatChannel.com
Location: 600 Bay St, Suite 510, Toronto, ON M5G 1M6, Toronto

Event Description:
We are pleased to invite you to the Final of the three series in our newly launched #SIPTalks.
We began with a successful January session: “Wake up and Smell Blockchain” including three experts discussing how to harness Blockchain in your life.
The Second session: "Wake up and Taste Blockchain" three expert 'Talks' followed by a panel discussion about security, legalities and mining of various cryptocurrencies.
For this Event "Wake up and Touch Blockchain", once again we will follow the same structure, three experts who will simplify Cryptocurrencies in 20 minutes talk time each, followed by a panel discussion.

Come early, by 5:30 to Network and meet Peers and Industry Leaders.

Speakers:
• Paul Liu, the Founder and President of Fast Access Blockchain.
Paul is a leading IT expert with over 20 years’ experience in developing financial, supply-chain applications. He was the first general manager of China Unionpay Financial Network where he led and developed a series of large scale applications. Paul designed the FAB model to achieve highly scalable enterprise applications that can support a high number of transactions and information using important ground breaking technologies including KanBan, SCAR and CCUA. Those unique technologies together make FAB one of the first blockchain that meets real business and commercial uses.
Topic: Blockchain scalability and practical enterprise applications

• Garlam Won, the Chief Strategy Officer at TIP Blockchain.
Garlam is a strong strategist with background in Investment banking and management consulting from JP Morgan and Deloitte. He has built numerous products in his career through his startups and as a product manager. Currently, Garlam is working at TIP Blockchain to build a product that is easy and familiar to use for average users.
The blockchain space is currently littered with projects and functionalities that make it hard for the average user to understand, let alone use the technology. Mainstream adoption will only be possible once people are free from checking their address 5 times, character by character, before they can send money to themselves.
Topic: User Un-friendly Blockchain

• Russell Korus, Co-Founder and CEO of EZ.Exchange.
Russell is a self-avowed futurist and a leading IT expert with over 20 years’ experience in developing financial, supply-chain applications. He has been a Blockchain visionary and cryptocurrency evangelist since first discovering this groundbreaking and innovative space. As an angel investor, Russell has been focused on investing and start-up incubation for new tech ventures.

Topic: Breaking down the barriers of entry into the crypto market

+ 'Surprise 4th Guest Speaker'

In panel discussion we will be incorporating Personal Experience on Floating Cryptocurrency. 
 
Panel Moderator:
• Elena Yunusov, the Founder and Head Marketer of Communicable Inc.
Elena works at the intersection of digital communications and experience design and her marketing firm works well with large organizations and tech startups, including Pressly, Ritual, City of Toronto, Symbility Intersect, MaRS, EDIT by Design Exchange, Influitive, Wealthsimple, Connected Labs, Vox Pop Labs, Ontario Arts Council, Jane's Walk, Toronto Maker Festival, and others.

Network with our sponsors, your peers and some industry leaders.

Registration Information:
$30. Early Registration, before March 18 is $25.

Free for SIP members, become a member (only $50/year).
Existing Members, please send an email to sippost@sipgroup.org to reserve your ticket.
Membership has many other perks, including Live Streaming of the event. Link will be emailed on the day of the event.

Details and registration: https://SIPblockchain3.eventbrite.ca
SIP Membership Details: http://www.sipgroup.org/membership/

For more information or sponsoring opportunity, send an email to
Vikas Ramrakha, VP Events at events@sipgroup.org or phone 416-558-3061

Check out our SIPTalks First Blockchain series discussion Wake up and Smell the BlockChain!
Check out our SIPTalks Second Blockchain series discussion Wake up and Taste the BlockChain!

If you would like to learn more, please read an article by Cory Popescu Why Incorporate Blockchain in Your Business?

Photos of the event are posted on the Facebook

Photos: Final Panel Discussion of Blockchain event of #SIPTalks. Speakers: Paul Liu, Garlam Won, Russell Korus, Kyle Bowles. The panel was moderated by Slava Apel. 

Photos of the event are posted on the SIPgroup Facebook.
Please tag them and use the hash tag #SIPTalks.

Thank you to everyone who joined #SIPTalks Wake up & Touch #Blockchain at @thatchannel. It was an amazing & informative evening. A special thank you to panelists @paullby @GarlamWon @russellkorus Genia Mikhalchenko @blockchainRI Kyle Bowles @Uecosystem @slavaapel for moderating. pic.twitter.com/7BnGGNpVDB

— SIP Association (@sipgroup) March 23, 2018

Why Incorporate Blockchain in Your Business?

Society of Internet Professionals Blockchain SIP Talks

Wake up and Touch Blockchain: March 22, 2018 at ThatChannel, Toronto

This article, authored by Cory Popescu was first published on the blog of the Society of Internet Professionals (SIP). SIP is a not-for-profit, Toronto (Canada) based International organization to connect, learn and share. Our Vision is to provide the opportunity to leverage technology to have an inclusive future for everyone. Since 1997, SIP has spearheaded many initiatives, educational programs, and networking events.

Blockchain, the database (underlying the bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies) transactions is shared by all nodes present in a system. During the transaction, every connected computer receives an instance or copy of this chain with data records.  They provide proof of every transaction which takes place at every network location and address with their corresponding costs and benefits.

So, why would a business incorporate blockchain? Since it presents several powerful features, as described below, this progressive technology opens extraordinary ways to develop new fields and solve current matters.

Simplifying Operations
Being a distributed database, blockchain operates as an open electronic ledger. It contains the records at each location allowing transaction transparency and ease of processes. Consequently, it leads to simplifying business operations for the parties involved in each transaction. Thus, one can evaluate the returns based on the values committed to every particular location of the blockchain database.

Abiding Transactions
When during the existence of a transaction many steps exist and data records prove necessary to synchronize with the company or industry business model, blockchain supports creating unchangeable and permanent records in the chain. They are easily viewable depending on the security access model used. They are not dependent upon a centralized hub and the blockchain permits the generation of immutable records for every transaction passing through different states within the database.

Problem Solving putting Business and Organizational change First
Due to its flexible, dynamic and powerful structure, blockchain allows change in your business and organizational models to successfully complete the expected goals.  By using the right approach to analyze and act first and foremost on the business and organizational structures in order to change aiming for improvement, this avant-garde technology can be engaged with outstanding results in resolving current industry issues.

Adding Value
In current economy one finds numerous business processes which carry the burden of costly intermediaries who provide no value. Blockchain technology provides fertile place for introducing and utilizing it eliminating steps which do not add meaningful value and which benefit the industries currently requiring intermediate channels.

With above-mentioned aspects suitably applied in various circumstances the blockchain technology that provides the base for cryptocurrencies transactions inaugurates and could successfully expand in all fields and industries while having a profound and prevalent impact.


References:
Techloyce LTD: Blockchain Technology Explained to Understand it
Fundera Inc.: Entrepreneurs: Here’s Blockchain Explained Just for You

Cory Popescu

Your comments are welcomed

Click on the links below to read the other articles by Cory Popescu:
Blockchain: Unbelievable Transactions Blockchain Can Promote!
Blockchain: Growth and Limitations
Efficient Action Lists: Your Effective Time Management Tool

SIP Talks panel discussion Wake up and Touch the BlockChain!

If you found this article of interest and would like to learn more, please consider attending SIP Talks panel discussion Wake up and Touch the BlockChain on March 22, 2018 to explore what is blockchain and how it will affect your life....very, very soon!
Read more and register here: https://sipgroup.blogspot.ca/2018/03/wake-up-and-touch-blockchain.html

Wake up and Taste Blockchain: Integrating Blockchain into Your Business: SIPTalks February 22

Society of Internet Professionals Blockchain SIP Talks

Wake up and Taste Blockchain: February 22, 2018 at ThatChannel, Toronto

Join us for the 2nd Blockchain event of #SIPTalks and explore what is Blockchain and how it will affect your life....very, very soon!

Wake up and Taste Blockchain
Integrating Blockchain in Your Business

Date: Thursday, February 22, 2018
Time: 6 pm - 8:30 pm
Registration, refreshments and meet SIP Team and Speakers at 5:30 pm

Venue: Internet TV Station - ThatChannel.com
Location: 600 Bay St, Suite 510, Toronto, ON M5G 1M6, Toronto

Event Description:
We are pleased to invite you to this second of three monthly sessions in our newly launched #SIPTalks. We began with a successful January session: “Wake up and smell the Blockchain” including three experts discussing how to harness Blockchain in your life.
For this Event, once again we have three experts who will simplify Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies: wallets, tokens and mining in 20 minutes talk time each, followed by a panel discussion.

Come early, by 5:30 to Network and meet Peers and Industry Leaders.

Speakers:
• Jerry Qian, Founder, Open Bounty, Founding Organizer of The Bitcoin Bay, the largest and longest running Toronto Bitcoin meetup group.
Jerry is working on OpenBounty, a project management platform utilizing smart contract transactions and collaborative platforms.

• Aryan Nava, Founder, Chief Strategy Officer, Blockchain Mind Inc.
Aryan will help us understand the demand for Blockchain technologies and Cryptonomics – the economics protocols that govern the demand, production and consumption of Cryptocurrencies and helping clients to launch ICO (Initial Coin Offerings) on Ethereum and building smart parking using Blockchain and Hardware wallet.

• Scott Howard, CEO, ePIC Blockchain Technologies Inc.
The infrastructure required to mine cryptocurrencies. A massive business opportunity is waiting.
Scott connects tech companies with partnerships, channels, and capital to accelerate revenue growth. Converting business strategy into a predictable revenue engine that is multi-factor, not just sales.

Network with our sponsors, your peers and some industry leaders.

Registration Information:
$25. Early Registration, before February 18 is $20.
Free for SIP members, become a member (only $50/year) and also attend free next Blockchain event (Security concerns on March 22, 2018). Membership has many other perks.

Details and registration: https://SIPblockchain2.eventbrite.ca
SIP Membership Details: http://www.sipgroup.org/membership/

For more information or sponsoring opportunity, send an email to
Vikas Ramrakha, VP Events at events@sipgroup.org or phone 416-558-3061

Check out our SIPTalks First Blockchain series discussion Wake up and Smell the BlockChain!

Download of a Princeton University Book on Blockchain

There’s a lot of excitement about Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. Optimists claim that Bitcoin will fundamentally alter payments, economics, and even politics around the world. Pessimists claim Bitcoin is inherently broken and will suffer an inevitable and spectacular collapse. Underlying these differing views is significant confusion about what Bitcoin is and how it works. Princeton University, wrote this book to help cut through the hype and get to the core of what makes Bitcoin unique.

This book addresses the important questions about Bitcoin. How do Bitcoin and its block chain actually work? What makes it different? How secure are your bitcoins? How anonymous are Bitcoin users? What applications can we build using Bitcoin as a platform? Can cryptocurrencies be regulated? If we were designing a new cryptocurrency today, what would we change? What might the future hold?

Register for the above event and get a pre-publication draft of the book, a study conducted by the Princeton University https://SIPblockchain2.eventbrite.ca

Kudos to all of you for the success and your contribution to our 2nd #Blockchain event of #SIPTalks Wake up and Taste the Blockchain: a panel discussion by Jerry Qian, Aryan Nava and Scott Howard.
Photos > https://t.co/JCM7jquMbe#Toronto #blockchaintechnology 📸 pic.twitter.com/dIGlnUfIQa

— SIP Association (@sipgroup) February 26, 2018

Blockchain: Unbelievable Transactions Blockchain Can Promote!

youtube video: Introduction to Bitcoin
Presented at the Singularity University's Innovation Partnership Program (IPP), this is an entry level talk about bitcoin by Andreas Antonopoulos.
Published by aantonop on Sep 24, 2016

This article, authored by Cory Popescu was first published on the blog of the Society of Internet Professionals (SIP). SIP is a not-for-profit, Toronto (Canada) based International organization to connect, learn and share. Our Vision is to provide the opportunity to leverage technology to have an inclusive future for everyone.  Since 1997, SIP has spearheaded many initiatives, educational programs, and networking events.

Since cryptocurrencies' birth, flowing them across the markets have not been easy partly because of their volatility which does not make it suitable to pay for goods and services. Therefore, blockchain transaction and traditional financial economies keep separate ledgers without cooperation between these systems.

In order to grow, bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies need larger markets to carry out their transactions of goods and services. Unless used in large cryptocurrency markets, for example bitcoin, it would not be able to expand. And bitcoin cannot expand until it trades in its own currency markets. With this paradigm, we can think of expansion utilizing the cryptocurrencies in specific trade finance transactions, meaning buy and sell products between two companies in different countries and use a bank to guarantee, which for centuries are controlled and guided by traditional financial and banking system.

Having been presented in a previous blog post Blockchain: Growth and Limitations, some of blockchain features relates to the transactions' performance efficiency which take place with high security. The speed and simplicity of blockchain operations lure, and not only, top bankers to conclude trade finance exchanges which otherwise can last weeks or even months even using correct data. As an amazing medium of transfer, the cryptocurrencies can be used with small fees to conclude small – for instance, six figures - transactions in only a few hours.

This is the case of Barclay's facilitating a $100K deal – more info in the references – of cheese and butter between an Irish food company and a trading company. The transaction finalized in four hours and with a high level of security because of the following reasons:

• The blockchain made available from Barclay's consisted of digital ledger that is temper-proof, meaning that no party in the deal have the power alone to change the transaction books.
• Blockchain has a built-in transaction system and digital record-keeping.
• Secure network to transmit all documents between parties.

Using the traditional financial system, this considered small transaction would conclude in weeks with considerable higher costs including the intermediary costs. Using the new technology eliminates the need for the middlemen providing significantly more efficiency dealing in smaller transactions as there are no more steps added to the supply chain or long supply chains are irrelevant for the open, decentralized networks.

With such success in trade finance, new favourable opportunities manifest and are related to more efficient transactions between small companies from different countries regardless of the countries' levels of development.

References:

MIT Technology Review: Why America’s Biggest Bank Digs Anonymous Cryptocurrency

Casey Research: This One Trade Changed 400 Years of History in Just Four Hours

Cory Popescu

Your comments are welcomed

You can also read this article here:

sipgroup.org: Blogs: Unbelievable Transactions Blockchain Can Promote!

Click on the links below to read the other articles by Cory Popescu:

Blockchain: Growth and Limitations
Efficient Action Lists: Your Effective Time Management Tool
What are the Industries that Most Use Internet of Things?

Explore What Is Blockchain and How It Will Affect Your Life: January 25

Society of Internet Professionals Launch of SIP Talks

Wake up and Smell the BlockChain! January 25, 2018 at ThatChannel, Toronto

Society of Internet Professionals is
Launching SIP Talks, a new series like TED Talks with this first in the series:
"Block Chain: Technology, Applications and Implications”

Wake up and Smell the BlockChain!

Date: Thursday, January 25, 2018
Time: 6 pm - 8:30 pm
Registration, refreshments and meet SIP Team and Speakers at 5:30 pm

Venue: Internet TV Station - ThatChannel.com
Location: 600 Bay St, Suite 510, Toronto, ON M5G 1M6, Toronto

Event Description:
Attend this premier panel discussion by three experts to explore what is Blockchain and how it will affect your life....very, very soon!

We will explore:

• Blockchain
• Bitcoin
• Cryptocurrencies
• Tokens
• Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs)

We will also explore disruption impact of Blockchain on business models and wealth distribution.

Speakers:
Jenna Pilgrim, Director of Businesses Development, Blockchain Research Institute
The Blockchain Research Institute is a knowledge network organized to study the strategic implications of blockchain, headed by Don Tapscott.

Jenna's topic title will be "Blockchain - WTH is it? / Blockchain 101"

Alan Wunsche, CEO & Chief Token Officer, TokenFunder.io as well as Chair and Founder of Blockchain Canada
The Blockchain Canada is a federal not-for-profit that focuses on education, community-building, startup innovation, and government awareness of blockchain technologies.

Alan is a cryptofinance and blockchain technology expert passionate about the transformative impact of blockchain technologies across the financial services industry.

Marc Lijour, Co-Founder, ColliderX
The ColliderX is the world first crowdfunded R&D Hub focusing on Blockchain and Open source technologies (AI, AR/VR, IoT, Identity Management etc.).

Marc aims to provide funding to important Free Software projects aiming to securing and maturing the blockchain infrastructure.

Panel Moderator:
Joseph Iuso, Serial banking/eCommerce Entrepreneur, Business/IT architect, consultant, and compliance specialist;

Master of Ceremony:
Paul Litwack, Capability Improvement Coach®, Get UNstuck NOW

Network with our sponsors, your peers and some industry leaders.

Registration Information:
Early Registration is $20 on the Eventbrite: Wake Up and Smell The Blockchain
At the door $25.

Free for SIP members, become a member (only $50/year) and attend all three monthly Blockchain events, a value of $75.

Details and registration: https://SIPblockchain1.eventbrite.ca
SIP Membership Details: http://www.sipgroup.org/membership/

For more information or sponsoring opportunity, send an email to
Vikas Ramrakha, VP Events at events@sipgroup.org or phone 416-558-3061

Check out all the photos and a video from our first #SIPTalks event: Wake up and Smell the BlockChain!

Photos: Society of Internet Professionals Launch of SIP Talks

Wake up and Smell the BlockChain! January 25, 2018 at ThatChannel, Toronto

Thank you to everyone who joined SIP Talks premier panel discussion on #blockchain #technology at @thatchannel. It was an amazing & informative evening. A special thank you to panelists @jennapilgrim, @AlanWunsche, @marclijour, our MC @PaulLitwack, and @jojomah for moderating. 📸 pic.twitter.com/LZbUKpVzv0

— SIP Association (@sipgroup) January 26, 2018

Blockchain: Growth and Limitations

youtube video: How the blockchain is changing money and business | Don Tapscott

This article, authored by Cory Popescu was first published on the blog of the Society of Internet Professionals (SIP). SIP is a not-for-profit, Toronto (Canada) based International organization to connect, learn and share. Our Vision is to provide the opportunity to leverage technology to have an inclusive future for everyone.  Since 1997, SIP has spearheaded many initiatives, educational programs, and networking events.

The past several years have been making the bitcoin, the first digital currency in the world, a rampant success. The reason for bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies existence is the overwhelming need to speed up, reduce fees and increase trust while performing online financial transactions across the entire world bypassing government control of currency.

The use of cryptocurrencies such as: ETH - Ethereum, BTC - Bitcoin, STQ - Storiqa, LTC - Litecoin, XRP - Ripple in the financial transactions would not be possible without blockchain which is the underlying leading software platform to support the single shared ledger, an accurate history of recorded transactions for digital assets.

Blockchain stores and transacts the cryptocurrency over the open and public networks. Blockchain has emerged as a dramatically improved platform to support financial transactions for the following reasons:

• Tamper-evident because a single shared online ledger allows accessing records of each transaction and which cannot be altered. If in error, it can only be reversed and viewed by all parties in the transaction.
• Transparency which means consent from all parties before the transaction takes place.
• Reduction or elimination of papers and overhead costs leading to cost efficient transactions.
• One-time recording a transaction viewable to all parties which leads to minimizing duration of financial transaction and increased efficiency.

Due to its novel features, blockchain presents essential benefits to enterprises:

• Distribution takes place over the open business networks, enables seamless peer-to-peer communication through sharing the single system of records among them by eliminating the need to reconcile multiple ledgers used previously by old systems to perform online financial transactions.
• Enables secured validated transactions because once all the parties consent to the transactions, they are recorded, validated and cannot be deleted by any party.
• Allows permission based on accessing rights of each network member to confidential information on a need-to-know basis.

Ironically, the blockchain benefits seem to display important limitations, such as:

• Restricted use because it is mainly designed for cryptocurrencies
• Open, public, anonymous meaning that anyone can join the network and view records, which results in breach of confidentiality and does not allow to know the identity of the parties in transactions.
• Significant computing power necessary to build highly encrypted software to overcome the limitations above-mentioned and stop forging activities.

During its blossoming years, cryptocurrencies and blockchain incurred wide criticism mainly due to the following factors:

• Price fluctuations –solution: new applications that lock the value of bitcoin to dollars, euros or gold
• Necessity to upgrade blockchain software as we similarly do for the software installed on laptops or iPhones.
• Possibility to be used by drugs or weapons dealers, smugglers although here the opinions are divided – see References below.

Meanwhile, over the time, cryptocurrencies continue to grow and so does blockchain showing that at least for now fulfilling necessities outweigh the issues related to using it. Broad opportunities arise from the use of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, on one hand and concerns, as well as the likelihood of government specific regulatory policies on the other hand. Although the current times foresee a triumph of this way of business and life, only the future will tell if the humans are willing to take charge to expand this crucial technology in a highly efficient manner while elegantly solving its limiting matters.

If you found this article of interest and would like to learn more, please consider attending SIP Talks premier panel discussion Wake up and Smell the BlockChain! on January 25, 2018 to explore what is blockchain and how it will affect your life....very, very soon!

Read more and register here: http://www.sipgroup.org/wake-up-and-smell-the-blockchain/

References:
Blockchain: Bitcoin Developer APIs

Harvard Business Review: The Truth About Blockchain

Toronto Star: What you need to know about blockchain technology

IBM: Blockchain 101 Infographic

Newsweek: Bitcoin: Too Big to Fail

HM Treasury: Digital currencies: response to the call for information

thegardian: Bitcoin: UK and EU plan crackdown amid crime and tax evasion fears

Cory Popescu

Your comments are welcomed

Click on the links below to read the other articles by Cory Popescu:
How to Efficiently Set Up Priorities
Efficient Action Lists: Your Effective Time Management Tool
What are the Industries that Most Use Internet of Things?