APPLICATION AND IMPLICATION

A. Internet and communication Technology

Use terms associated with data communication and

networks

Data Communications and Networks

We have been communicating using various methods for centuries!

Face to face conversation

Using two tins tied to a

string

Posting mail via a postal

service

Modern Communication

Tablets

Smart Phones

Many of us are unaware of the movement of data (Data communication) and connection of many

computers that allow us to communicate quickly, at any time, and anywhere.

Let's take a peek into the world of Data Communication.

First! Just as we communicate (talk, interact, share, touch...) in pairs or among several other

people, data communication involves the movement or transmission of data or information

between two computers, or among several computers.

Now when we have many computers connected together to share data, it is called a network.

Why do we want to connect computers? To share data, to send and receive data faster, and to

share peripherals (like printers).

Local Area Network (LAN).

If we link computers together in a small location like a school or a business or even a region, then this type of network is called a local area network (LAN). Computers in a LAN can share a printer, if they are all in the same

LAN.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

The office buildings in a WAN may be in different countries. For example, the main branch or headquarters may be located in the USA, while another branch may a building in Dominica, and a third branch may be in a building Singapore. The workers in the three buildings will therefore use a WAN to collaborate with each other. Note that the Internet can also be considered as a WAN.

A WAN cannot share a printer, so a computer in one country cannot use a printer in another country.

Also, a WAN requires a special-purpose computer, whose only purpose is to send and receive data from the Internet.

Watch this video to understand the difference between a LAN and a Wide Area Network (WAN)

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) links two

or more individual Local Area Networks (LANS). It is therefore smaller than a WAN but larger than a LAN.

This is video explains the LAN, WAN and the Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Network Topologies

Networks can be connected with or without the use of wires. How they are connected is called

a topology.

Name of Topology

Advantages and Disadvantages

Bus Topology

Advantage

It is best suited for small networks.

Disadvantage

Should only be used for a limited number of computers and peripherals. Its performance degrades as more computers are added.

Star topology

Advantage

This topology isolates each computers and/or peripherals in the network.

Disadvantage

Operations depend on how well the central node functions. Therefore if the central device fails, then the entire network fails.

Ring topology

Advantage

Any data transmitted between two devices must pass through all intermediate nodes. A central device (server) is not necessary for this topology.

Disadvantage

If a single node in the network fails, then this can cause the entire network to fail.

How the Internet Works

The Internet is really a Wide Area Network (WAN). Many text books will describe it as a

network or networks. So it is able to connect all computers all over the world. Let's take a peek

into what some of the networks in rooms, buildings, companies and countries who are connected

to the Internet could possibly involve:

Cable/Wired Media

Three common types of cabled or wired media are used of the data transmission. The type of

wired media used depends on distance and type of network. The three types of wired media that

will be discussed are explained below:

Coaxial Cable Twisted Pair Cable Fiber Optic Cable

This cable is somewhat resistant to electromagnetic interference

This cable consists of pairs of twisted copper wires, enclosed in an outer sheath

Uses electrical signals to transmit data. It uses light to moves in one direction. Two- way communication takes place when a second connection is made between the two devices

It is expensive Most widely used Less Most Expensive, very

expensive compared to coaxial cable and fiber optics

hard to install, capable of extremely high speed

Can be used over longer distances on a shared line than twisted pair

Can support higher frequencies and data rates

No energy radiation; little interference with other devices; security from eavesdropping

Most common use is in cable TV and broadband applications

Most common twisted pair cable is used in LANS and telephone connections

Increasingly common in telephone networks. May be able to handle image and video in addition to voice and data

Wireless network technology

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a type of radio communication and networking protocol combined that was

developed so that devices close to each other could exchange data, without having a physical

connection. Having a wall between them does not affect the connectivity.

Advantages of Bluetooth:

It only needs a tiny amount of radio power to work. This means it is ideal for battery

operated devices such as mobile phones.

It is completely automatic - once it is active, every Bluetooth enabled device senses the

presence of another device within range. They can do this because they share a 'network

protocol' that allows them to share data.

WIFI

Wi-Fi is a communication technology that uses radio waves in order to connect to a local area

network. So, laptops and smart phones can connect to Internet when they are not close to cables

to connectivity.

Since Wi-Fi based on radio waves it is affected between devices. For example, at home the base

for the Wi-Fi might be downstairs and so the signal upstairs may be very weak.

Bandwidth (broadband, narrowband, voice band)

The most important question of communication channels is "How much digital data can it carry".

Remember that the smallest form of digital data is the BIT and time interval to send these bits is

in Seconds

What is the maximum amount of digital data that can travel along a communications channel in a

given time?

This answer is found in its "BANDWIDTH".

Digital data can travel very quickly or really slow over a communications channel. That is, the

bandwidth varies

Communication Modes:

Direction that data travels in:

Simplex

We can talk to each other but only one at a

time. One after the other.

FULL DUPLEX

I talk and you listen

Digital data travels in one direction only.

Full duplex. We can both talk to each other at

the same time.

Digital data travels in both directions at the

same time.

DISTINGUISH BETWEEN INTRANET, EXTRANET

AND INTERNET

The Internet, an extranet and an intranet are different based on:

Who is allowed access from OUTSIDE of the company's network

Who is allowed access WITHIN the company's network

The size of the network

The Internet

Remember that the Internet is a 'network of networks', so it includes a very large maze of

networks. The Internet can be accessed by the public (everyone, including you!).

Your CXC syllabus (page 51) states that:

'The Internet is the largest computer network system in the world. It consists of many smaller

networks connected together by a global public network. The Internet is often called the

information superhighway or cyberspace.'

The are very few restrictions on users who can access to the Internet, so there can be access

among many organizations and users throughout the world.

Just to make sure, you can watch the following video!

Intranets

An intranet is a private network that is only available or accessible to select users within a

specific group. So, an intranet restricts access to only employees within a company or business.

Examples:

A school may have an intranet so that students and teachers and office staff and

administrative staff can work and share files and peripherals within the school

environment. Once they are not logged in at school, they cannot access the intranet.

A company's employees can access the company's intranet to do their work, share files

and peripherals. If you are not an employee, then no access!

An intranet is NOT like the Internet because an intranet restricts public access to that network.

The intranet (network) is limited to that organization.

Extranets

An extranet takes some aspects of the Internet and an intranet.

An extranet allows users who are NOT members of the company or business to restricted or

limited access their network.

For example,:

Suppliers can have specifed access to the company's network. That is, they can only

access the system that may tell them about their supplies to that company. They cannot

however, access other areas on the network.

Customers can have limited and restricted access to a company's network to say, place

orders online or check the status of their order.

An extranet is NOT like the Internet, because it restricts or limits outside users from full access

to a company's network.

An extranet is NOT like an intranet because an extranet gives access to specific users who are

not employees of the company or business.

The diagram below illustrates the differences among the Internet, intranet and extranet:

TERMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERNET

Electronic Commerce

Electronic commerce, commonly known as e-commerce or eCommerce, is the buying and

selling of products or services using electronic systems such as the Internet.

For ecommerce to work you need:

Buyers - people with money who want to purchase a product or service. Sellers - people who offer goods and services for sale. Sellers can be retailers who sell directly to

buyers and wholesalers. Sellers can also be distributors who sell to retailers and other businesses. Producers - people who create the products or provide the service to sellers or buyers.

E-Learning

E-Learning is web delivered and / or supported teaching and learning using a computer,

multimedia and Internet technologies. E-learning allows you to learn anywhere and usually at any time,

usually through a computer or mobile phone that connects to the Internet.

Podcasting

Podcasting combines blogging and mp3s to make an exciting new way to listen to information on a

computer or personal digital audio player. It allowed anyone with a computer to become a DJ, talk show host

or even a recording artist. Podcasting combines blogging with digital audio technology to create content.

Bulletin Board

These are text discussion groups. Individuals post a message to the bulletin board and then others can read it and reply if they want to

Hacker culture involves the use of bulletin board systems in order to share information. Learn

more about some of the elements of hacker culture... bulletin board systems (BBS). A hacker

could host a bulletin board system on his or her computer and let people dial into the system to

send messages, share information, play games and download programs. As hackers found one another,

information exchanges increased dramatically.

VoIP

This is a method that allows users to use the Internet in much the same way that a regular

landline telephone uses a phone line. Most IP telephony software requires that each user have a computer,

Internet connection and special software such as speakers, sound card and microphone.

Instant Messaging

Chat - Chat is a conversation between two or more people that takes place in a chat room. The

chat room software allows a group of people to type in messages that are seen by everyone in the

"room."

Chat is most effective when:

You need an immediate answer.

You want to communicate with more than one person.

You can communicate in brief messages the information you need to know or wish to

provide.

You want to meet new people.

Concepts associated with the Internet (Continued)

World Wide Web (WWW)

The WWW is accessed through a web browser to link files together using hyperlinks. The WWW transmits

hypertext documents.

The internet hosts all forms of data, including games, video, telecommunications, files and programs. With

a web browser, the user can view web pages that may contain mainly text, but also images and videos in order

to navigate between them via hyperlinks.

Web browser

A web browser (commonly referred to as a browser) is a software application for retrieving,

presenting and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web. An information

resource is identified by a Uniform Resource Identifier (URL) and may be a web page, image,

video or other piece of content.

Hyperlinks present in resources enable users easily to navigate their browsers to related

resources.

Although browsers are primarily intended to use the World Wide Web, they can also be used to

access information provided by web servers in private networks or files in file systems.

The major web browsers are Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera,

and Safari.

HTTP

The Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is a networking protocol

behind the World Wide Web.

HTTP allows for transmission of Hypertext documents and webpages.

HTML - Hypertext Markup Language is used for building web pages.

All web pages have the following basic structure:

HTML - specifies that this is a web page

o Head - contains the title of the page with code and css includes

o Body - displays the main page content

Which can be represented in HTML code using the following Tags:

<html>

<head>

<title>...</title>

</head>

<body>...</body>

</html>

HTML5 makes websites fully interactive with the ability to quickly embed videos and interact

with web pages. Over the next few years you'll increasingly see applications moving over to this

new technology

Uniform Resource Locator (URL)

When you use the Web or send an e-mail message, you use a domain name to do it.

For example, the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) "http://www.notesmaster.com" contains

the domain name notesmaster.com, and the URL http://www.cxc.org contains the domain name

cxc.org. So does this e-mail address: support@notesmaster.com. Every time you use a domain

name, the software in the background translates the domain name as we know it, into the

machine-readable address.

WebPage (or webpage)

A webpage is a document, typically written in plain text by formatted using Hypertext Markup

Language (HTML, XHTML). A webpage may incorporate elements from other websites that

link to them. A web browser displays a web page on a computer monitor or mobile device.

Website

This is a set of related web pages served from a single web domain.

Webserver

The most common use of web servers is to host websites, but there are other uses such as gaming or data

storage

Blogging

A Blog (also known as a weblog) serves as an online journal of a person's thoughts, opinions, visits or

anything that they find interesting including links to other sites and news stories. So there is no particular

sequence to the posts. It is normally a single page of entries written by one person, and is organized with the

most recent entry at the top. A blog is normally public meaning that anyone on the Internet can view its

contents

Concepts associated with the Internet (Continued)

Electronic Mail (email)

“Electronic Mail”, better known as e-mail or email, is one of the most widely used forms of communication today.

Email allows a user to write text, send and receive messages that may contain images or other softcopy files attached to the email. Emails are transmitted through a network to a specified computer user or group of users.

An email message is stored on a server or the user's computer and can be read at any time. Web-based email can be accessed simply by going to the appropriate website and entering a username and password.

Popular email hosts are hotmail.com, yahoo.com, and gmail.com

Email addresses:

An email address comprises three parts. Here are some examples of email addresses:

user@furniture.com help@notesmaster.com

my.name@hotmail.com support@acompany.com

The first part of all e-mail addresses is the alias, user, group, or department of a company. In our above examples, user, help, my.name, and support is the username of the email address.

The @ symbol separates the username from the domain name of the company. It is used as a divider in the e-mail address and is required for many e-mail addresses.

The last part of the email address is the domain name of the email host where the user belongs. The domain names in the examples above are furniture.com, notesmaster.com, hotmail.com, and acompany.com

Newsgroups

One source of both information and communication is newsgroups. A newsgroup is a continuous public discussion about a particular topic. You can join a newsgroup at any time to become part of a huge conversation between hundreds or even thousands of people. There are newsgroups for car enthusiasts, aviators, education, religion, exercise and fitness and so many more! That is, newsgroups allow the free exchange of information between its users on practically any topic.

Newsgroups are most effective when the user:

does not need an immediate answer. wants to communicate with more than one user. wants to share information with a group of users interested in the same topic.

Internet Relay Chat (IRC)

Chat - Chat is a conversation between two or more people that takes place in a chat room. The chat room software allows a group of people to type in messages that are seen by everyone in the "room."

Chat is useful:

You need an immediate answer from another user who is also online and can accept a chat. You want to communicate with more than one user who is also online. You can communicate in brief messages the information you need to know or wish to

provide. You want to meet new users.

Telnet

Telnet allows a user to control remote computer

Telnet is one of the famous network protocol widely used to manage network and other equipment.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard network protocol used to copy one or more files from one host to another over a TCP-based network, such as the Internet.

Here is a one-minute video on FTP:

Upload / Download

Upload refers to the transfer of data from a computer system to a remote system such as a server which usually stores a copy of the data being transferred.

Download refers to receiving data from a remote system such as a server to a local system.

DESCRIBE MEASURES TO SECURE DATA AND MAINTAIN DATA

INTEGRITY

Physical Access Restrictions

What are physical access restrictions?

This involves physically making the building with the computers, the computer rooms or the

computer itself difficult to access. This can be achieved by blocking unauthorised access to the

building and computer room thus keeping those computers in secure areas.

Sometimes it is best to prevent unauthorized users from getting near to your data and computer

systems than to try to remove them once they have gained access. Let us discuss some ways

to protect computer equipment from intentional theft or vandalism, also from accidental damage

by person who should not be using them

- Keeping important computers such as servers or mainframes in locked rooms

- Posting security guards

- Security locks, smart cards

- Keeping sensitive data on stand-alone machines instead of networks

- Using alarm systems and video cameras

Guards

Locks

Biometric Systems

Fire Resistant Cabinets

Software Restrictions

Users and businesses can use software to help protect their systems.

- User Identification and Passwords

- Data encryption

- Virus Protection

- Firewalls

- Access rights

We will discuss some of these software restrictions:

User Identification and Passwords

User identification (user ID) along with a password can control access to a computer's operating system, or

the network that the computer is connected to or especially the computer itself.

Each user must enter a unique username and a password to log on. Since the username is unique, each user

can be identified and their user's access to the system can be logged.

A password is a combination of letters, numbers or symbols that is private to each user. The password is

given to each user so that only the genuine user is logging on. This prevents hackers and unauthorized users

from logging on with someone else's user ID.

To maintain the integrity of access to the system, passwords should be changed about every 90 days

(3 months). The longer a user keeps the same password, the more likely the password will be

discovered and breached. If a password is wrongly entered three times, then the user is automatically

locked out. This may prevent a hacker repeatedly trying to guess a password.

Encryption

Encryption is a way of protecting data by scrambling it so that it unreadable without a special

decryption code. Only an authorised user would be given this code and the software to decode

and get the original information.

It is useful to encrypt data that is transferred over wireless networks since it is easy to

intercept. E-commerce web sites also use encryption to protect the personal and financial details

of their customers because their credit card and other information is transferred over the Internet.

If anyone intercepted the information it would be unreadable.

This is an example of the contents of a document:

This page has been created by NotesMaster for Information

Technology

After using an encrypted code, the document may look like:

jkd2f*hlj86ik7$171kjfh7d1h4djkd2f*86ik7$171k

An authorized user would have the correct key code to translate the document and produce the

original document.

Virus Protection

Since a virus is a program that can attach copies of itself to system files or programs, it can cause

damage by altering or destroying programs, files and even operating systems of computers.

Anti-virus software can detect and destroy viruses by scanning computer files for any viruses

which it then removes and alerts the user. Since there are so many viruses, the anti-virus software

need to be updated regularly.

Firewall

Computers that use ADSL and other permanent connections to the Internet need software called

a 'firewall' to prevent unauthorised access to the system. A firewall allows mainly one way

access, so that you can access web sites and search the Internet, but the firewall checks all data

and information coming TO your computer system against a set of rules. If the data accessing

your system is from an unauthorized source, then it is blocked unless you specifically grant

permission for it to be accessed on your computer.

Access Rights

User Identification (user ID) controls who has access to which files and even parts of files or settings

on the computer or network. Controlling access levels can restrict users from installing software accessing

some files or changing the computer setup.

Some users will only have READ access to files while others may have READ and COPY and yet another set

of users may have DELETE access.

Keeping your Data

Many times you have so much data that you need to create space for the incoming data and move

the older data that you are not using as often to another location. This is called Data Archiving.

Other times you will need to store your current data somewhere else just in case it becomes

corrupted or lost. We make backups of our data in this case. Let's discuss these in more detail:

Data Archiving

As you create more and more data, some of it becomes old as the

new data is created. Old data can range from a day old to years old - it all depends on what the

data is used for.

Data archiving is the process of moving that data that is old or data that we are no longer actively

using, to a separate location or storage device. At any time we can retrieve this data for use, so it

must be stored and kept in an environment that will not let it get destroyed or corrupted or lost.

This also means that the data should be stored and organized in a way that it can be located and

presented easily. It is also important to keep this data, as some laws insist that the data and files

be kept for a certain period of time before they can be destroyed.

We can archive our email, physical files, files on our computer memory sticks, CD...once data is stored, it can be archived.

Data Backup and Recovery

In many organizations, data is copied at regular intervals. In case the current data is corrupted or

lost, the last set of saved data can be used and then the lost or corrupted data can be re-entered.

When you backup our data, you create a copy of it. You continue to

add data using the original storage device as if you did not create a backup. However in case the

data on the current storage device becomes corrupted, destroyed or lost, you can use the last set

of data that was backed up and re-enter the most recent data that was not included in the backup.

Data loss can be a common experience of computer users. You can backup your data so that it

can be recovered if it is loss, whether through accidental or deliberate data deletion or corruption.

Your data is usually located on a storage device or media, such as a hard

drive, CD, or USB Flash Drive. If the storage device becomes damaged, or you cannot access

your data from the device or media, then you should extract your data. This process of getting

your data from this damaged device or media is called data recovery.

Difference between data backup and data archiving

Backup your data - Create a copy of current data which can be used easily in case the original

data becomes corrupted

Archive your data - Data that you do not use often. It is not archived because it was corrupted,

but for historical purposes, just in case it is needed

B: Applications And Implications

Outline ways by which information can be misused

Ways in which information can be misused

The Internet is not only used by innocent members of the public, but also by fraudulent traders,

software pirates, hackers and con-artists, to name but a few.

Here are a few ways in which information can be misused:

Violation of privacy

Users have passwords to keep their data private and secure it from being stolen or modified. Some

computer users such as hackers use software to decipher codes and passwords to gain

unauthorised access to computer systems for their own illegal purposes. This violation of privacy

resulted in the creation of the Computer Misuse Act of 1990, where users if found guilty

were punishable by fines or imprisonment.

There are three levels of hacking:

Viewing another user's information without permission -

o this includes accessing someone's files or email or accessing their personal

information without their knowledge or permission.

Using accessed information for illegal purposes

o the information that the user has, is accessed by the hacker and used as blackmail

or for unfair advantage

Altering accessed information for fraudulent purposes

o the hacker alters the accessed information, such as changing figures on bank

accounts or deleting files

Propaganda

This is a form of communication through email, online articles, websites and other electronic

methods, to bias users' attitudes toward supporting a cause. The information shared is usually

partially true. This information is bombarded using many electronic methods to create the chosen

result in users' attitudes.

Computer Fraud

This is a criminal activity where someone uses a computer to defraud an individual or organisation of

money or goods. Computer fraud can be difficult to detect because the user committing the crime is

very skilled, discreet and difficult to locate since they are accessing the computer through the

Internet from another user's computer.

Electronic eavesdropping

This is a method of using a computer system to record the keystrokes such as passwords and

websites that a user accesses. These details are then transferred over the internet to the illegal user

for fraudulent use.

Surveillance

This is where users' activity on the computer is monitored and observed secretly to detect illegal

activity. That is, a user can be illegally monitored to see when they perform an illegal activity!

Many times this is authorized by governments, huge corporations, or influential individuals.

These surveillance programs are used widely and almost anything on the Internet could potentially

be monitored for proof of illegal activity.

Identity Theft / Credit card fraud

This is when a user pretends to be another user by assuming that person's identity, usually to

access credit card information in order to use the funds on the credit card without permission.

Using Appropriate hardware and software

Business

A- Banking, shopping, and buying and selling of goods and services

The first applications of ICT within banking were the use of mainframes, and later minicomputers, to process

data such as customer accounts, bank inventories, personnel records, and accounting packages.

Hardware: Computer, or an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM), Debit or Credit Card

Machine; (Electronic Funds Transfer at the Point Of Sale) system.

Software: Payment for goods or services by debit and credit cards through the EFTPOS

B - Using documents as feedback in a utility billing system:

Hardware: Optical mark reader;

Software: Application program to read the utility bill

Science and Technology

A - Expert Systems

Hardware: Sensors in greenhouses (such as temperature, airhumidity, soil

moisture, light sensors).

Feedback loops in a central heating control system:

Inputs:

Buttons - used to set the time and heating options as well as override the programmed timer.

B - Engineering and Design

Computer Aided Design (CAD); Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

Hardware: Robots, Computers

Software: Programmes to design products, manage the robots

Describe current and emerging technological trends

Current and Emerging Technological Trends

Technology impacts many aspects of our lives with no sign of slowing. Here are some current

and emerging technology trends:

Robots

A robot is a mechanical but virtual intelligent machine that can repeatedly perform tasks automatically or by remote control.

Robots work in factories that assemble vehicles, and can also have roles in the film industry and fight wars in ways such as unmanned planes. In 1984 a film called The Terminator was released. It featured a future world where the military created robots to fight wars.

Computer-Aided Learning (CAL):

CAL focuses on teaching at a distance in an anywhere anytime environment.

CAL is also used to provide simulations of training for real or dangerous situations for

Examples of CAL include virtual classrooms and Flight Simulator for the space program or to fly an airline

Games:

These programs often simulate real or imaginary situations.

Examples include military games such as Call of Duty and Modern Warfare; simulations for flying a plane or playing basketball; or general games to find goals and gather points for saving a city.

Video conferencing

Video conferencing allows computer

users in different locations or even

countries to see, hear, and interact among

each other, and even share computer

screens as if they were in the same room.

If your computer has hardware such as

microphones, speakers and a video

camera, then you can take part in video

conferencing.

It is best to have a good Internet

connection so that you can send and

receive images and large files quickly and

easily.

Control software:

Used to program external devices that

have repetitive tasks, such as traffic lights

where programmed instructions are used

to control traffic on highways.

They can also be used in other situations

such in the space program, satellites,

bomb disposal.

CAD, CAE and CAM all use control

software.

Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

This is the use of special computer

software to design products including

jewelry, vehicles, ships, parts,

architectural designs and prosthetics.

Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE)

This is an area of CAD that focuses on

engineering areas, specifically to analyze

the robustness and reliability of parts and

objects such as buildings and vehicles.

CAE can also be used to improve the

safety and durability of vehicles

Computer-Aided Manufacture (CAM)

This is another area of CAD that is

used to develop and test products and

related machinery in the manufacturing of

work pieces.

The model is designed in CAD and tested

using CAE, CAM software is then used to

control the machine tool to produce the

final mold or product.

Expert Systems

The purpose of an expert system is to use a system of 'artificial intelligence' to replace one or more

people with the expertise of knowledge in a particular area. The expert system this requires a

system that can process information into knowledge.

To create such a system would require the following:

a large database of organized data on the specific area

a method of searching the database based on questions and answers. Depending on the

answers, a different set of questions may be asked

a set of rules for making decisions based on the responses given and the data in the

database

Examples:

A medical diagnosis expert system.

Patients would use a touch screen to answer questions on symptoms.

Based on responses, the system could use the database of diseases and symptoms, and the list of

rules on the various symptoms and responses to produce one or more possible diagnoses for the

doctor to consider.

Advantages.

The doctor saves time since the patient has already describes his or her symptoms.

The doctor is given possible diagnoses to consider.

The database can easily be updated.

Disadvantages

It can be difficult for some patients in pain or unconscious to answer questions on

symptoms to a computer system.

It assumes that patients have basic technical skills and can use and respond to the

computer

It lacks the 'human touch' of a doctor actually talking to or examining a patient

quickly.

A trouble-shooting expert system

This type of program could help diagnose what is causing problems with software or hardware. The

system would ask a series of questions and give instructions on possible actions to try out. If the

actions were successful the program would end but if not then it would ask further questions and

suggest further tasks to try.

Advantages.

The system goes through a logical series of steps that are likely to solve common

problems.

The system can connect to and directly access areas of the software such as printer

or network management screens to help diagnose the problem

The computer can access data on a wide range of common computer problems to

see if a similar problem has been solved.

As new problems and solutions are entered into the system, the database can easily

be updated.

Disadvantages

The user may not have technical knowledge to answer the questions.

It lacks the 'human touch' of having the problem explained in sounds or use of hands

to explain the problem.

A car mechanic expert system

This type of expert systems can help to diagnose faults and assist with regular maintenance of a car.

The mechanic can answer questions on specific areas to help diagnose problems or it could be

automated where there sensors and connections to a direct interface between the expert system

and the computer system built into the car. The system would then run its diagnostic tests. The

mechanic would get a list of any issues or even make automatic adjustments needed on the car.

Advantages.

Saves time because the mechanic is taken through a logical series of things to try

out that are likely to solve common problems.

The system can directly access computer systems built into many modern cars.

Can be used as training for new mechanics.

Disadvantages

It can be difficult to answer questions if the mechanic is new or has no knowledge of

the problem.

Assess the impact of Information Technology on job skills and careers

Job skills and careers with IT

Most jobs today require that employees use or have access to some sort of technology. It seems to be the norm

that employees have email addresses of the company in order to send and receive messages among customers

and colleagues alike.

Reports can now be distributed via softcopy with graphs and tables. The size of the reports can be compressed

(zipped) and even password protected.

Meetings can be conducted online using video, audio, and chat features, including the option to share

documents

Loss of jobs

The introduction of Information Technology has influenced the automation of many tasks. This has made the

jobs of many employees redundant such as:

Typing pools: Secretaries were located in a central area typing documents using typewriters. Documents could

not be saved and had to retyped if they were to be distributed to many people. The introduction of the word

processor allowed documents to be saved and reduced the time spent retyping documents. The use of mail

merge also simplified sending one document personalised to many people.

Accounting tasks: Gone are the days of clerks assigned to manually calculate and count out wages.

Accounting programs now calculate the wages and in some cases employers deposit wages directly on the

employees' bank accounts.

Typesetting for newspapers: there is no need for printers to

manually typeset the newspaper pages. Many hundreds of thousands of people lost their jobs as these changes

happened.

Job loss is not pleasant; it affects one's self confidence and creates all kinds of stress and disruption in families

and society in general.

Technology drives much of business these days and so most companies want workers with the basic skills to

use it - typing for example or having the ability to use email. The use of these basic skills in the workplace is

as important as reading and writing.

Many people have found that their job has been changed because of the introduction of computers. Sometimes

employees can perform the same tasks but by using a computer.

Training has become a major money earner based on the many people who need to keep up to date with

technology to maintain their jobs.

Telecommuting

Information Technology has changed how we work in a major way. Some business have disappeared, new

ones have been created because of IT, while others have adapt to meet the challenges of new technologies.

Telecommuting is a method of working from home.

Benefits and Challenges of Telecommuting for the Employee

Benefits for employee

Ability to schedule you own working hours

Save traveling time and costs

Environmental benefits such as saving on gas and air conditioning at work

Collaboration is better with an Internet connection

Challenges for employee

Work place can contact you at any time

It may be difficult to separate work from home life

Employees may work even longer hours

May miss the camaraderie and team spirit at work.

Benefits and Challenges of Telecommuting for the Employer

Benefits for employer

Less office space

Can employee skilled workers from anywhere in the world

Keep employees who relocate but want to remain with the business

Challenges for employer

Data security and confidentiality issues may arise

The business culture may be lost.

Use of Technology on Job Skills and Careers

Office employees

Most office employees spent time typing

correspondence using a typewriter. Any mistakes

when typing were difficult to correct and most

likely the page had to be retyped.

Now, with IT, many documents can be kept in softcopy and edited easily. This saves time, and

reduces wastage of paper.

Office employees may now have different tasks

such as arranging meetings and appointments,

making travel arrangements and so on.

Teachers In the Classroom

Typically, teachers use word processors to

prepare tests and class notes, presentation

software (e.g. PowerPoint) to show notes and

illustrations, spreadsheets (such as Excel) to

record and calculate marks, as well as use the

Internet to search for material to support the

teaching activities.

Interactive whiteboards are used in many

classrooms. These whiteboards can connect to a

computer, where students can interact with the

board by using a special pen or their hands.

Some teachers have access to a digital projector

which helps students to see the presentation and

what the teacher is explaining on the teacher's

computer.

Computer rooms

Students can use computer labs at schools to

complete their school-based assessments.

Teachers can also place exercises on the main

server so that students can access these files to

work with.

Medical Personnel

Doctors and medical personnel use equipment in

wards, laboratories, pharmacies and offices.

Skilled personnel are needed to be able to enter,

store, and access patient record systems, as well

as interpret data and diagnose results from

monitoring of vital signs, CAT scans (Computer

Aided Tomography), MRI scanners (Magnetic

resonance Imaging), ultrasounds, and X-rays.

Law enforcement

Criminals make use of the very latest

technology, and so law enforcement also uses

technology to maintain law and order.

Technology is used in analysing fingerprints

taken from objects at the scene of a crime once

they are scanned into a computer

Technology is also used to analyse DNA found

at a crime scene. These results can stored in a

computer and are used to identify criminals.

CCTV cameras (closed circuit television) are

also placed in locations in and around cities,

towns and main roads to monitor traffic flows

and those breaking the law by speeding.

Movie industry

Until recently, the only way films were

distributed to cinemas all around the world was

by physically transporting large film reels to

each and every cinema.

Now an alternative is appearing where the films

are distributed as a digital file.

Banking

Banking services are now offered in

supermarkets, department stores and many more

places where commodities are sold. Customers

can also use online banking or use an Automatic

Teller Machines or ATM, more recently called

Automatic Banking Machines or ABM.

The use of technology to enhance banking

services has also attracted persons who attempt

to fraudulently gain funds. 'Phishing' works

mainly by email as an alarming email message

appears in your inbox that your funds have been

frozen or your account has been breached.

Usually you are asked to log in to your account

urgently. If you do log in, the criminal is able to

access your password to withdraw your funds to

another account.

Shopping

Almost every item that you purchase in a shop

has a barcode on it. With the use of technology,

shoppers are able to use EPOS (Electronic Point

Of Sale) to pay for their shopping using a debit

or credit card instead of cash.

Travelling

Travelers can easily book flights through a travel

agent or better yet, do it themselves very easily

online.

Technology is now integrated into electronic

parking at the airport, reading flight information

sent to your mobile phone, airport check-in, even

baggage handling and passport security.

A luggage label with a barcode is attached to

each suitcase or bag. The label also has a bar

code which contains your flight information. As

the suitcase moves along the conveyor belt, the

barcode is scanned and automatically routed to

the correct area for loading onto your flight.

Automation of baggage handling has reduced the

workforce in this area.

Passport Security

Passport used to be purely paper documents with

basic personal details and a photograph.

Recently, each new passport contains an

embedded microchip containing biometric

details of the owner's face and a complete history

of his or her travels. This is more secure and has

allowed customs and immigration personnel to

speed up the process in airports.

Describe The Roles Of Various Personnel In Computer-Related

Professions

Individual Job functions

Computer

Engineer Responsible for designing, developing, implementing and testing computer-based hardware

and software. This includes configuring the computers and determine what cables are needed.

Computer

Technician Provides on-site support for clients, or internal support for computer maintenance. Can

also install and update various software packages.

Database

Administrator Designs, implements, maintains and repairs an organisation’s database. It can also include

monitoring and improving database performance and capacity as well as securing the database

from intruders.

File Librarian Keeps track of the tapes, CDs, disks and other storage devices that are stored and logged out

for use

IT Manager Since technology tends to evolve rather quickly, the IT manager should periodically review

and evaluate how current systems and applications are meeting the needs of the company or

organization.

Multi-media Artist Uses a wide range of media such as visual art involving sound, moving images and other

media to create an art piece or product.

Network

Administrator Responsible for support and management of computer networks (intranets and extranets, and

aspects of the Internet) to ensure they run efficiently.

Programmer Write, test, and maintain programs. Must be good at problem solving and work with a team to

develop systems solutions.

Software Engineer The software engineer is responsible for the complete life cycle of a new or modified software

package, from research and design to implementation, training and support.

Software Tester Run tests, using various customer scenarios, stress testing, and performance testing. The

ultimate goal is to iron out any bugs and improve the quality of the finished product.

Software Trainer A specialist who teaches persons how to use computer applications such as spreadsheets,

word processors, desktop publishing programs, or computer network systems software.

Requires expert knowledge of computer software programs and strong communication skills.

Systems Analyst

and Designer Identifies and specifies software requirements and specifications as well as manages the

program design and development. A systems analyst may supervise a team of programmers in

the development of a system solution.

Systems

Programmer Installs, customizes, and maintains the operating system as well as installs or upgrades

applications that run on the operating system.

Web-Developer Specializes in the development of applications for the Internet, or distributed network

applications that use HTTP from a web server to be displayed on a web browser.

Webmaster Responsible for maintaining one or more websites; may include ensuring that the web servers,

as well as the computer hardware and software are operating correctly, designing websites,

generating and revising web pages