tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22035638095467444542024-03-13T19:38:45.513+00:00Rosie's IT BlogRosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-81497191692485251872010-11-04T14:19:00.002+00:002010-11-04T14:19:22.980+00:00Imrpovements on 1.2How it affects:<br />
<br />
individual<br />
society<br />
economyRosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-22807139070296340692010-11-03T15:34:00.126+00:002010-11-06T13:42:49.740+00:00Age<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><u>How does Age affect the digital divide?</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As the technology we see being used today has been developed in the last 40 years or so we see a huge divide between the older and younger generations. Those who were born before the development of personal computers and mobile phones may not have been able to afford such luxuries when they were new, and as prices have dropped they may have felt too out of touch and 'old' to become involved with all the new technology that may seem confusing and too advanced for those raised in simpler generations. However this affect on the generation of today is reversed; they are being brought up with such variety and comlexity of technology all around them that they see laptops, mobile phones and interactive whiteboards as normal without bearing in mind that their grandparents at their age had to use letters to communicate and wrote on chalkboards- the differences in the lifestyles of generations is phenomenal. </span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">How does it affect Computers/Internet?</span></u></strong><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The first personal computers became popular in the 1990s worldwide as prices were slashed and computers were now available to people all over the world, and not just the richest. The majority of people that adjusted to this amazing advance in technology was the young and those who worked in fields that required frequent computer access, however this didn't apply to those who did not yet understand the importance of computers and how they would influence their life. This same generation of people are now the elderly of today; they have dismissed any technological advances in society as they do not believe it would help them or that it is the young's area of expertese. This attitude towards the phenominom that is the Internet and the computer has caused them to be out of touch with the millions of examples of information that can be extracted online and programmes which have made everyday tasks a lot easier over time. For example decades ago the quickest form of written communication would have been by sending a letter, however through the variety of email and online chat services, written information can be sent instantaneously across the world in seconds and communication can take place for free at a much faster rate than those 50 years ago would ever have imagined possible. </span></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9BXIDPIkiibe8i1fQOaYVM86JTwqcgQz3d7B1YxjmU6DeWjBUgT1bDvwZ5T8yyKHLpYg33EwUpxv8KWGq4Ro8T2GVEJm-3G_JS5XVv47aGk0BxPb5yfOAXrc_rTn_VjG8i9rl9EvG78/s1600/age+graph+internet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9BXIDPIkiibe8i1fQOaYVM86JTwqcgQz3d7B1YxjmU6DeWjBUgT1bDvwZ5T8yyKHLpYg33EwUpxv8KWGq4Ro8T2GVEJm-3G_JS5XVv47aGk0BxPb5yfOAXrc_rTn_VjG8i9rl9EvG78/s640/age+graph+internet.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">In 2006 in the UK just 28% of over 65s had Internet access at home compared to a general UK average of 57% and more than half of elderly people voluntarily exclude themselves from using the Internet as they don't believe it will benefit them in any way. However two thirds of pensioners without access in this survey admitted they would connect themselves to the internet if given the right support. These elderly folk are unknowingly excluding themselves from the endless online world of information and don't realise how many online and digital features there are available that could benefit their lives and make everyday tasks easier. For example supermarkets online, such as Tesco, provide home delivery for groceries that are bought via their online store; this would be of great help to eldery people who can't manage carrying all their bags on public transport or are unable to frequently get out of the house. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLA2X-hyE4OUVY6sDprxCEsSmxIqMvfvuVXlBZmfJHR4-7hT_GKnfgD4zK9K9tZoLkOY4anWQxDXCvj0oRlVUJyN2KhnzQw3HCA2HT3ICr5zrfJKE6HRI57QVghjf7CXOTWBYk23id-A/s1600/AGE+USE+OF+INTERNET.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLA2X-hyE4OUVY6sDprxCEsSmxIqMvfvuVXlBZmfJHR4-7hT_GKnfgD4zK9K9tZoLkOY4anWQxDXCvj0oRlVUJyN2KhnzQw3HCA2HT3ICr5zrfJKE6HRI57QVghjf7CXOTWBYk23id-A/s640/AGE+USE+OF+INTERNET.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Today in schools children are frequently using computers or digital whiteboards to aid their learning process; the use of such technology helps kids to get a better depth of understanding about subjects as they can now see images and participate in lessons via interactive activites. However the older generation of today did not have this privilege during their schooling years and may not see the true value of what technology can help achieve in todays world, the children of this generation are at a much higher advantage than their grandparents as their access to information is available at the touch of a button, so they can learn anything they want to without restriction. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">There are many reported reasons of why the older generation shy away from newer technology and the most commonly stated one is fear- they are adverse to this newer technology that they do not understand and is effectively fear of the unknown. Due to this they are less willing to try and learn how to operate such technology and in their minds the cons outweigh the pros, making technology a scary concept that should be left well alone. Other sources argue that the older generation feel that new technology is beyond their time; they had inventions and their own forms of technology when they were young (such as radios and phones) and now this explosion of new technological advances is the young's turn to experience it. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;">What's being done to bridge the gap?</span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>SimplicITy- </em>computers with a desktop desgined solely for older people to use; it creates simple buttons that allow users to be directed straight to services such as chat and email. It's purpose is to give first time computer users an easy path to getting them familiar with the functions of the Internet. <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8352606.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8352606.stm</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>Maxitech- </em>this computer recycling company teamed up with Age Concern to an agreement which allows the company to provide the elderly with wiped computers. This scheme is available for those living in London.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>Senior.net- </em>an online site full of tutorials and helpful hints for first time elderly computer/Internet users. It teaches them how to use features such as font size and search bars to enable them to experience the best surfing experience.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>Eons- </em>A social networking site designed specifically for seniors and allows them to meet others, chat and exhchange information.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Free computer training has been set up by many councils around the UK sending out volunteers to aid seniors in grasping the basic understanding of a computer system.</span></li>
</ul></div><br />
<strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">How does it affect mobile phones?</span></u></strong><br />
<strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></u></strong><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">When mobile phones first became available to the public in the 1980s they were extremely large, heavy and cost an average of £3000. This was an extremely huge price tag for the time that it became available and ensured that only the rich and those who required constant communication (like those who worked in the stock market in London) bought and made use of them. However as popularity increased and demand from the general public to design similar devices of a more accessible size came in the late 1980s the generation that who are in the divide today may have believed they were too old for the mobile phone or that they did not need to invest in such a purchase when they had a perfectly adequate landline service at home. This attitude towards the development of new technology has caused the development of the digital divide due to age, as the young are reaping the benefits of mobile phones whilst the elderly are relying on the inventions of their youth. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HtCEjfYTvpHw80YqQmVV6uuJyYAjWk6ioalVfELvstCAhVLBI_Z7UNIMgZI40cxv-wnLKWEmhtzmbb6VBfwe0iv2Xv0RUKiry8mo39MqtIJU410pmLiardrMqtSta3hG6_odlAVGMg0/s1600/mobile+phone+age+graph.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HtCEjfYTvpHw80YqQmVV6uuJyYAjWk6ioalVfELvstCAhVLBI_Z7UNIMgZI40cxv-wnLKWEmhtzmbb6VBfwe0iv2Xv0RUKiry8mo39MqtIJU410pmLiardrMqtSta3hG6_odlAVGMg0/s400/mobile+phone+age+graph.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">In 2006 in was reported that over 70% of those aged over 70 in the UK has never owned or used a mobile phone compared to just 15% of all adults under 70. This large difference in mobile phone users shows the divide between age groups across the country. The senior generation however may not understand the benefits of the mobile phone and what it can provide; owning one can provide security and comfort when alone in the house or out on the streets at night, a constant source of access to help to family members or the emergency services in times of need and the ability to store contact numbers and information at the touch of a button. In America the situation is similar with around 66% of those over 55 owning a mobile devices compared to 94% of people in the 18-24 age bracket. However the poverty of a country can also affect these figures; in South Africa less than 1% of the users of mobile phones were over the age 65. People of that age living in developing countries would be extremely adverse to new technology due to spending their lives in simpler times without the need for any kind of technology to survive. However the low age rates in these countries could point towards the lack of elderly mobile phone users; if people are unlikely to live past their 50s then there will be very little data pointed towards over 65s using mobiles as there would be very few left. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LMuRtgr2UBsu8v46C36rOzbjsngeqqtkq5JD1nwBx1ykVjxs-ErExsfAKwOvrOrEMfxGXPACoKS-o1iS33Ql2rvypGCor2kO6vyyjdtt6qTYts1RaJTOyfXg8mmjGy1UBLwrJTcpkis/s1600/age+graph+internet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LMuRtgr2UBsu8v46C36rOzbjsngeqqtkq5JD1nwBx1ykVjxs-ErExsfAKwOvrOrEMfxGXPACoKS-o1iS33Ql2rvypGCor2kO6vyyjdtt6qTYts1RaJTOyfXg8mmjGy1UBLwrJTcpkis/s320/age+graph+internet.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">However in developed countries like the UK and the US where the elderly have thousands of opportunities to begin to learn and use this technology, why are they choosing not to? The usual reasons used to explain the elderly's adversity to technology such as mobile phones is fear of the new features they would be exposed to- they feel that technology has become so advanced that they would not understand how to work the phone. Also, they may believe that each generation has it's own technology that makes it it's own and they may feel that mobiles, texting and mobile internet may be our generation's turn and they don't wish to become involve with something which is ahead of their time. However we need to think about not only how many people won't use mobiles, but how many can't. The mobile phones of today are becoming smaller, more advanced and often controlled by touch screen technology that is hard to activate especially for those who don't really understand how to utilize it properly. The elderly may suffer from sight problems that would make it hard for them to read the often small text used on phones and use the buttons that show what letters are on each number. Also, users that are hard of hearing would have trouble hearing their phone ringing and the voices from the other callers when on the phone.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b>What's being done to bridge the gap?</b></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBdNIVZOErRMwfU1wLTxaHnfSwHUZ40zVagH364e0tecHhA9-1rTR6FST6CKd5rn7f-hiKpY1J3kS_Dbmj0jq2ac3Rlp1RGA3kGwYQDbSt6vvs_s9BWznt9pWaVibXwADknFgclSzoU0/s1600/old+people+phone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBdNIVZOErRMwfU1wLTxaHnfSwHUZ40zVagH364e0tecHhA9-1rTR6FST6CKd5rn7f-hiKpY1J3kS_Dbmj0jq2ac3Rlp1RGA3kGwYQDbSt6vvs_s9BWznt9pWaVibXwADknFgclSzoU0/s200/old+people+phone.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><ul><a href="http://shopping.mobtwo.com/uploads/2_15_image2_mobtwo_elderly_mobile_phone2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="http://shopping.mobtwo.com/uploads/2_15_image2_mobtwo_elderly_mobile_phone2.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">There are hundreds of types of mobiles around the world that are designed solely for the older generation; in particular the <i>Mobtwo Elderly </i>which has one of the most basic interfaces of all phones. It is perfect for the older user with extremely large buttons to make viewing easy and the most basic of all screens which displays only what is needed to see. However the most useful feature on this device is the 'SOS button' on the back of the phone. This button, when pressed, can call an emergency number stored by the phone automatically (or a series of numbers that are dialled until someone picks up on any). However you can also programme the phone to call 999 in an emergency by holding down the button which could be life saving to people with health problems or conditions that could be fatal.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><i style="font-family: Verdana;">Clarity Phones- </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">This mobile phone designed for the elderly features large buttons and font size, loud ringtones (louder than a pneumatic drill) and easy to use menu options. This completely simplified version of a phone is perfect for elderly first time users and provides the bare minimum, which is all that elderly people want on their phone. It has an extremely basic face to make utilizing it easier and make it seems less daunting to the user.</span></span></span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u>The current Situation</u></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Currently, despite efforts to get older users more involved in using mobile phones, there is unfortunately still a divide between the over 65s and the younger generations in the world today. In the Western World 61% of our senior members have not used or owned a mobile phones however a promising 28% of those who haven't plan to try one in the future due to advances made in accommodating the old to mobiles. However in developing countries the picture is much more severe, more than 85% of over 65s in these nations have not used or owned a mobile phone and only 2% plan to in the future. However these figures may be affected by the lower life expectancy in these countries and data for over 65s may be affected as there would be a lower population percentage in developing rather than developed countries. This proves that all three of my points link together, as older men are also more likely to use a mobile phone. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Throughout the UK roughly a third of the older generation have used or own a mobile phone and the numbers are rising steadily each year proving that efforts to bridge the divide are working and that people affected are becoming more inclined to try this new technology and less intimidated by the complexity of it all. There are also new contracts available when buying speciality phones that offer mostly minutes to use as there is a 84:16 ratio of elderly users favouring calling to texting; these extra minutes will benefit users who would not want to waste money paying for texts that they would not use. These contracts are often offered for often £10 or less a month due to the simplicity of them and can be easily afforded by those even on pensions. </span></div>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-9653709782988323512010-10-31T17:24:00.020+00:002010-11-03T15:46:28.749+00:00Gender<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>How does gender affect the digital divide?</u></b></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are many factors that cause women to fall behind in technology in comparison to men, these are often cultural, economic or educational reasons that impair women's abilities to access a full realm of technological advances. However the extent of the digital divide due to gender relies partly on cultural difference, economic situation and poverty of a country; showing that all my selected topics interlink with eachother showing how all aspects can affect eachother. </span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">In Developing Countries</span></u></strong></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Infrastructure</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In most developing countries the infrastructure in rural and poorer areas is significantly weaker than in urban cities. In Africa, Internet connectivity is often only available in large cities, in which women are least likely to live. Women are therefore a lot more unlikely to have the access to technology that is more widely available to men in developing countries; however limited this may be. In rural towns that women are likely to live in, there is less than a 0.1% chance in some areas of Africa that an Internet connection can be established and the nearest town may be several days walk away, making access to the Internet virtually impossible. Poor mobile phone coverage also may make it improbable for a mobile phone connection to be achieved in rural areas; therefore mobile phones are mostly only used for business purposes. As women are not culturally able to work either at all, or in the fields of work that may require mobile communication, it is unlikely they will require the use of a phone. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Improve Internet and mobile connections so that more mobiles and computers can be used in rural areas.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Build better communication towers to ensure connections can be established</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make computer and phone centres more accessible to the public by setting up more in busy rural areas so that everybody has the chance to access technology no matter where they live</span></li>
</ul><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Education and Skills</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXo21LqM-uMsu91XU5J8nICmvpYAj23PH-HaVQjA8LbKwfiJfS47Rq2NGsOcxkoJR_vCHQ3021Vfk4Bkk7awdAr8u4RpxlTViClfJkgbHzIr4HSB19jNoA_TdOXggJ-q5EOpQFGPdru94/s1600/education+corraltion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXo21LqM-uMsu91XU5J8nICmvpYAj23PH-HaVQjA8LbKwfiJfS47Rq2NGsOcxkoJR_vCHQ3021Vfk4Bkk7awdAr8u4RpxlTViClfJkgbHzIr4HSB19jNoA_TdOXggJ-q5EOpQFGPdru94/s400/education+corraltion.JPG" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Education and skills are two extremely important factors that affect the digital divide; in developed countries education is received equally between genders however in developing countries much less emphasis is placed on women in regards to education and learning. In 2007 Unicef estimated that 100 million school age children in Africa were not in education; 67% of these children were female and two thirds of the world's 900 million illiterate adults are women. Africa is a continent that sees poverty as a normality; some families cannot afford to send all or any of their children to school; often the males are first priority and girls are often sent to the market place or farm to work and earn money that would be more useful to a family than getting an education. It is because of this lack of education that makes women less likely to understand the technology behind computers and phones and be able to utilize them in the correct manner; women that are unable to read will not be able to use digital items effectively. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ensure that women get the same education as men up to secondary level, until learning is no longer mandatory. This will ensure that as long as an individual wishes to continue in education they receive the same level of teaching</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Set up basic reading and writing classes at the weekend so that even girls who don't attend school regularly can be taught to read and write adequately</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> A fund should be set up to pay girls for attending school so they aren't required to work to get money</span></li>
</ul><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Language barriers</b></span><br />
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</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Linking in with women's lack of education in developing countries is the inability to understand different languages that may be used on the Internet and mobile phones. Charities that send on used mobile phones to developing countries are often programmed to English, as the majority of these charities originate in the USA or UK, and women who have not received an adequate secondary education will not have the skills to understand English and make sense of the vocabulary used. Given this limited language barrier women are much less likely than men to not use technology due to the foreign languages that are often used online or digitally. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Encourage the teaching of English in schools in developing countries so that children get a basic grasp of the English language</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Set up weekend classes so that girls who aren't able to attend school regularly still get the chance to learn English</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Create basic web pages in languages spoken in developing countries so that they are relevant to those learning it; even if they can't view the whole web they can get a basic understanding of how the Internet works</span></li>
</ul><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Social/Cultural restraints</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In many developing countries women are viewed as inferior to men; they are the child bearers who raise the family whereas the men go out to work to earn money to provide for his family. Religion may also come into the picture as in some religions women are expected to be obedient to their husbands and if he does not wish for his wife to use technology or learn how to, then she will be unable to do what she wishes. Also, as places where technology may be found are often situated far away from rural areas, women may be unable to use any form of public transports to get there. This may be due to lack of funds to provide transport costs or how in some cultures women are not able to access public methods of transport and must find their owns means to getting themselves around. However transport may not be an issue in some cases, as in more severe conditions women are not expected to leave the house other than to collect water or food, as they should be tending to the house and the family while her husband is away at work. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Places in which computers are found may also be in places that women are not socially recommended to visit or may be in environments that make a woman awkward; it is difficult to learn how to use computers in an environment where you may not be expected to be able to cope with the knowledge it takes to operate such devices. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Set up women-only Internet and phone cafes to encourage women to attend without feeling socially awkward</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Set up a free shuttle bus to transport women to the nearest local internet centre to give her the means to access the Internet</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Charge lower prices to women so they are the ones that are encouraged to use the computers or phones rather than the men</span></li>
</ul><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Media Limitations</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The media often portrays technology as a masculine purchase which may deter some women from wanting to use or learn how to use the products it is advertising. Also, in developing countries, a lot of purposes that a computer is used for (such as stocks and social networking) would not appeal to a female market that have no such use for a computer. Also the Internet content that is available in developing countries is often of little relevance to women and doesn't not encourage a woman to learn how to use a computer as she has no interest as to what is offered online.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Advertise sites that are appealing to women in developing, such as those that could be helpful in cooking or child bearing, and potentially improve their quality of life</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Send leaflets in the local language to tell women of sites that are online that may be useful to them</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Promote female related devices to encourage women to try and use computers/phones.</span></li>
</ul><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><u>In the UK</u></strong></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Locally the divide between the genders is not as severe as that seen in developing countries around the world; however we do see a slight difference in the activites carried out on technology dependant on gender. In the UK it is estimated that the ratio of Young people in Britain using a computer regularly is 53:47 percent boy to girl ratio. However in teenagers and children girls use computers slightly more than boys however this may be due to the emphasis teenage boys are now placing on computer games and consoles. And teenage girls are also more likely to use their mobile phone and place greater emphasis on the importance of the newest models of devices and are twice as likely to choose their phone over a computer or a games console. Women in the work place are also 35% more likely to send emails and check their email accounts on a more regular basis than men showing that they are more frequent users of online communication services. Women tend to use and send more personal emails than men and are more likely to recieve emails from friends and family rather than work-related. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">However though women may use some features of the web more frequently than men, there are also several areas where males dominate the web. Research suggests that the reasons why many older women in the UK do not spend as much time online as men due to their household responsibilities of cleaning and looking after the children which may shape their ability to access the computer; especially women who work, as they will have to juggle work and home life and would leave little time spare for surfing the web. There is also a lot of sexism apparent on the net; women may feel uncomfortable revealing their gender as they could feel threatened or intimidated by the abuse they may suffer in chat rooms or in forums due to their gender. Also, men search for information on the web on average 125 days each year in contrast to women who only search on average 88 days in the year; this information proves that men are more likely to use the internet as a means of information than women. </span><br />
<div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFYsqho51I_iAEQYWHUAzZ8xk_6dGusDeCK1pFfw746in80mH0nUxa-zVHcMEtWPS0t6zuNdkWhfTb1WHpWNV1KLwxQdmHxGIV3ORPkSGRh9-HEYTOkYgTzVpAbdE6-l7PYgD-evmicI/s1600/table+gender.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFYsqho51I_iAEQYWHUAzZ8xk_6dGusDeCK1pFfw746in80mH0nUxa-zVHcMEtWPS0t6zuNdkWhfTb1WHpWNV1KLwxQdmHxGIV3ORPkSGRh9-HEYTOkYgTzVpAbdE6-l7PYgD-evmicI/s640/table+gender.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Current Situation</span></u></strong></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The effects of gender on the digital divide vary from country to country; my research has shown me that the majority of countries that show a large divide between the genders are usually third world or are nations that put large emphasis on religion in which women are seen as inferior. In these types of conditions women would be restricted by social, religious and economic problems that may not allow them to have equality in terms of access to computers and mobile phones. These restrictions to technology can be harmful in women's education and skills in later life as the world is becoming predominately run by electronic based systems and the Internet is becoming the world's most in depth source of information; those who do not have the oppurtunity to research via the Internet and learn basic computer skills will statistically have lower wages and worse jobs in later life. Women in many developing countries are being denied the right to information just because of their gender which is harbouring their journey to success; in these countries women are seen as inferior and get worse education and are lower in the heriarchy of society. If these nations allowed women to achieve an equal status as men and allowed them the same oppurtunities then we would see the digital divide lessen significantly as females all over the world would get to use a computer for quite possibly the first time.</span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">In the UK the divide between the genders is not as stark as in less developed countries; here women and men are seen as equal in society and throughout all stages of life both sexes are offered the same oppurtunites both in education and work related systems. This equality has ensured that the digital divide is dependant on an individual's personal interests and choices of what they wish to achieve with technology; as we are all able to achieve access to technology either through home, school, work or public domains such as libraries which provide free access to computers and the internet to those who do not own their own device. </span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Other Measures being taken:</span></u></strong></div><div align="left"><ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>mWomen- </em>This scheme, developed by Cherie Blair (wife of former Prime Minister) and US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, is designed to allow women in developing countries to have greater access to Mobile Phones. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>CodeED- </em>a charity which personally pays for colourful notepads to provide to lower income girls in schools in New York to encourage them to create their own websites and use programmes such as Java.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>Iridescent- </em>A organisation that created a mobile app to get girls to take part in a competition to create a business plan.</span></li>
<li></li>
</ul></div>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-34649253768966311972010-10-28T13:25:00.003+01:002010-11-03T15:47:21.661+00:00Poverty<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>How does poverty affect the digital divide?</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Poverty is by far the most important factor that contributes towards the severity of the digital divide; countries that are still developing suffer greatly from this. Residents living in countries that have high poverty levels are more than likely going to spend their wages on their family and bringing food to the table- the average wage is so low that they cannot afford to sustain a family and own technological goods. Over half the world's population reside in developing countries- this means that over half the world's population are likely to have never driven a car, called another person or logged on to the internet. As the divide between the rich and the poor in the world deepens, the digital divide also becomes more apparent. Studies have shown that Africa, as a continent, is the world's poorest- for this reason I will be using Africa as the main example of how poverty affects the digital divide.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font: medium "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Of the approximately 816 million people in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b style="background-color: #99ff99; color: black;">Africa</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>in 2001, it is estimated that:</span></span><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>How does it affect the use of computers/internet:</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.aptivate.org/webguidelines/attach/Summary/World_Internet_Cost_Wiki.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://www.aptivate.org/webguidelines/attach/Summary/World_Internet_Cost_Wiki.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The graph shows the difference in internet costs in comparison to average monthly wages all throughout the world; in most African countrie's it exceeds 100%.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/Global_Digital_Divide1.png/799px-Global_Digital_Divide1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/Global_Digital_Divide1.png/799px-Global_Digital_Divide1.png" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A recent study found that over half of the households in the USA owned a computer compared to less than 1% in Africa; this accounts to 77 million houses in America being connected to the internet while in Bangladesh there is less than 50 known internet connections for the whole country. This huge difference may be due to the low wages in developing countries; over half of the world's population live on less than £2 a day and more than 20% live on just £1- leaving nothing spare after feeding your family as much as possible. The cost of an internet connection in Africa exceeds the average income for the majority of the population, while it amounts to less than 2% of an average monthly income in the UK. This contrast in wages is most likely due to the laws on minimum wage that each country possess- in the UK a minimum working wage for one week is equivalent to 258 euro yet in Zimbabwe the allowed minimum wage law allows for a man to earn just 2.50 euro a week legally. Employers in developing countries are more likely to exploit their workers and force them to work longer hours for little money as they are able to get away with poor treatment and unsanitary conditions allowing them to gain the maximum amount of profit possible- however in developed countries such as the UK this would be against human rights and not allowed by law. Workers in countries such as Zimbabwe would also be more willing to take whatever job they could; as very few people have the ability to read or write due to lack of education growing up, and manual labour is often the only way forward.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This lack of computer and internet access is contributing towards the lack of elementary education; the UN states that everybody of school age has the right to access good education. However due to low funds, lack of teachers and families sending out children to work too young means very little of the developing country's population receives the necessary education to succeed academically later in life. It was estimated in 2008 that 18% of the world was illiterate- in sub Saharan African states over a third of men and half of women are unable to read or write. These figures are almost certainly due to the lack of resources available in developing countries and lead to more people turning towards manual labour for low wages, as mentioned in the second paragraph. As society progresses it seems more information is becoming available online every day; and those who can't access it are falling to a much larger disadvantage than those who can. On the web you can find revision sites, information about almost every topic or question in the world or use chat rooms to discuss similar subjects with people all over the globe. Those in developing countries are not able to reap the benefits of computers and the internet and use them in everyday life; if they had the ability to regularly access the information that a computer could hold then the digital divide would slowly lessen. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="http://www.ispreview.co.uk/ispnews/data/upimages/subfolders/2010%20Statistics/2010_uk_children_without_broadband_internet.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.ispreview.co.uk/ispnews/data/upimages/subfolders/2010%20Statistics/2010_uk_children_without_broadband_internet.gif" width="403" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However although the effects of poverty on use of computers and internet predominately affect developing countries, we can still see examples of this in the UK. Although poverty does not seem a realistic problem in a developed country like Britain, recent studies have shown nearly 13 million people live in what the Government deems as poverty-like conditions (1 in 5 people) affecting almost 4 million children in our population. However due to rising birth rates these numbers are likely to have risen. Over a third of UK households choose not to subscribe to the Internet as they believe the price range is out of their reach. These 4 million children that are affected by lack of internet access at home are estimated to cost the taxpayers £80 million over a 40 year working life as individuals are estimated to earn on average a lower wage and may require expensive training in the future to bring them up to date with technological advances. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Measures being taken:</b></span><br />
<br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Broadband for all scheme-</i> this scheme in the UK aims to provide a grant of £500 to all 270,000 recorded low income families in the UK (less than £16,040 a year) allowing them to pick out a computer worth that amount- the Government will then provide a 12 month free broadband connection for all the families followed by a reduced price for the years following. This scheme aims to come in place in March 2011 and will encourage families to use the internet and will lessen the digital divide in Britain.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>One Laptop Per Child- </i>provide laptops that run on low power for under $100 per device, encouraging low income families in developing countries to be able to receive laptops. The computers are sold to the Government of developing countries then handed out to needy families throughout the nation. The company has sold over 2 million laptops so far.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Basic PC and Internet course- </i>Officials in the Czech Republic have set up one week courses in Africa to teach young people the basic skills required to use a computer and access the Internet. They hope the skills will stay with them and allow them to teach their peers also- these skills will help them get better jobs in later life.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Computer Aid- </i>a UK registered charity that provides thousands of refurbished computers to schools and hospitals in developing countries to deepen their educational learning and provide people with access to the Internet and computers.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Close The Gap- </i>A similar project to Computer Aid, computers are wiped and tested then shipped to the country that needs them, although this project also forms partnerships with companies all over the world to </span></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Grameenphone Communication Information Centre- "</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is designed to be run independently as small businesses by local entrepreneurs. Each CIC is equipped with a computer, a printer, a scanner, a webcam and a modem to provide internet-based services. CIC entrepreneurs are trained and are provided with continuous support from Grameenphone so that they can extend their knowledge and service to the communities they serve. CICs also provide other GP services, such as payphones and electronic recharge for pre-paid and post-paid mobile accounts."</span></i></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>50x15- </i>aims at providing accessible internet and computer to 50% of the world's population by 2015</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>World Information Society Day- </i>Recognised each year on May 17th, introduced by the UN in a hope to raise the awareness of the digital divide and the effects it has on our neighbours.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many towns across underdeveloped countries are setting up Internet cafes in which one or two computers are available and connected to the internet. However the government often provides the computers and instructs a man to look after the shop and charge low prices for residents to come and access them; meaning even people on extremely low incomes can afford to use a computer.</span></li>
</ul><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Landlines/ Mobile Phones</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However the digital divide is not solely about the lack of access to a computer, it covers a wide aspect of technology that is widely available in the Western World- such as telephones. However popular phones seem to be, in 2003 over 50% of the world's population have never made or received a phone call in their life. Some 15% of the world's population own 70% of the phones available worldwide- this accounts to roughly 80 million phones in the top 15% however the 48 poorest countries combined only have access to 2 million devices. This shows the extent of the digital divide and how people who live in poorer countries are likely to never use a phone, or even if they did have access to one they may not know anyone they could call. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However the lowering costs of mobile phones and subscriptions and charities providing free mobiles caused mobile phone subscriptions in Africa to soar; there are almost 300 million throughout the continent (although this still only covers 6.2% of the population); and like all continent's subscription levels it varies from country to country- there is a 75% or mobile phone owners in the Reunion province yet the whole of Ethiopia only has a 0.1% ownership rate. Though users have learned to use drop calls (hanging up before the other answers) to indicate messages for free; owners have used this technique to tell buyers that their stock is ready, to indicate they have arrived at a destination and so on. Research also shows that even though in terms of ownership the percentages are very low, in Africa it has become custom to share your phone with others who require it for a small fee, so even if a person does not own a mobile phone they may be able to access one. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE69D4WX20101014">http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE69D4WX20101014</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/Mobile_phone_use_world.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/Mobile_phone_use_world.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The use of mobile phones to communicate is extremely important to those living in third world countries as they may require stock prices or to talk to family members who may live a long while away. The rise of mobile phone users in these countries has also lead to a lower death rate as people have more connection to the emergency services quickly and ambulances can be called to the scene at a much faster rate than before. Also, as towns in LEDCs often have no landline phones due to the complex and expensive network required to set up this system, mobile phones are often the only way to communicate over long distances quickly and can be essential in everyday life. Officials in Third World countries have also set up a database that allows people to text information, such as polio outbreaks, to the Government who track the health of the country on a real-time computer, information is now shared instantly but years ago it could have taken months to find out about an outbreak on the other side of the country. This method is helping to stop the spread of diseases and has the ability to save several lives. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/telecoms/8053964/Africa-is-saving-lives-by-turning-mobile-phones-into-hospitals.html">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/telecoms/8053964/Africa-is-saving-lives-by-turning-mobile-phones-into-hospitals.html</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQiKI_CDct_bFXs-nOOxGEMU5qEO67Pisd5huPfuQ_PxxmQA6C1wi9wa95LKiHcQjN_JfHjaoYuUUFmYxOYqZNBLGIyERSaZKt8KNqy-LnCorFFfWMbYcn6mXeyrBIApsIo21_OHrwtY/s1600/mobile+phone+sub.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQiKI_CDct_bFXs-nOOxGEMU5qEO67Pisd5huPfuQ_PxxmQA6C1wi9wa95LKiHcQjN_JfHjaoYuUUFmYxOYqZNBLGIyERSaZKt8KNqy-LnCorFFfWMbYcn6mXeyrBIApsIo21_OHrwtY/s640/mobile+phone+sub.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the UK almost every household has a landline service that is unique to the house and area in which a person lives in; it allows houses all over the country to connect with each other no matter the distance and often for much lower calling rates than mobiles. However a recent study showed that 28% of Brits with a landline hadn't used it in more than 6 months and 91% say they use their mobile phone for the majority of the calls they make and receive. This shows that even though as a country we have a massive amount of access to landlines we frequently don't make the use out of them that we should; countries such as Ethiopia have less than 0.05% of the landlines in the UK and yet we barely use them. Graphs show that in the UK there are 126 mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people- this means there are more subscriptions than the whole population; this means that there are several examples of people owning more than one mobile phone (perhaps for work and personal purposes). This shows the extent of the differences in developed and developing countries as we in Britain are exposed to endless landlines, mobiles or public telephone boxes within minutes however there are those in Africa who have to share one mobile often between family and neighbours, as well as themselves. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Measures being taken:</b></span><br />
<br />
<ul><li><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lifeline- </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This Government funded scheme in the US provides those within America a free mobile phone and up to 75 minutes of calls per month if they fall below the minimum income line, roughly 1.5 million people have benefited from this scheme.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Lifeline for Africa- </i>A brother scheme to the above lifeline, however this service provides phones for those in developing countries in Africa. People send in old phones, some of which are sold in the USA to generate revenue but most are refurbished and sent on for free to African charities.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Fonebank- </i>This UK service allows people to sell their old mobile phones to the company who then send on working mobiles to developing countries to be reused for extremely low prices, providing people in developing countries with cheaper alternatives to new mobiles.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>The Village Phone- </i>Run by Grameen Telecom; mobile phones are sold to women in poor villages for a low cost loan. The women then rent out the mobile phone to those who need it in the village on a cost per minute rate. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Grameenphone CellBazaar- </i>launched in 2006, allows users to search market prices from all over the world from their mobile phone. Has helped millions in developing countries to develop their selling strategies and gain revenue.</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><u>The current situation</u></strong></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><u></u></strong></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The current situation about the digital divide based on poverty cannot be completely accurately defined due to individuals getting access to technology more everyday as the world evolves digitally and unreliable data about levels of poverty that may affect a country. For example in the UK the Government's description of a family living in poverty-like conditions may vary largely from how poverty is defined in Africa, with even some of their more well off population living in far worse conditions than the UK's poverty line. However we can clearly see that globally the digital divide is very apparent with over half of our own world's population being extremely far behind in regards to access and knowledge of technology which is in stark contrast to the leading countries such as the US, UK and China who are leagues ahead. The world's richest 15% of countries have 70% of the world's available computers which leaves the developing countries falling far behind in the technology world. Studies have shown that in general countries with a lower GDA have lower levels of access to phones, cars and computers as they do not have the money to support the costs of these systems. Those who would like to connect to the internet the UK would only have to part with, on average, 2% of a household's monthly income whereas those in African countries may have to part with over 100% of their wages- an impossible feat. The lower network coverage in these areas may also alter the prices as it would cost more time and effort to establish an internet connection when you are not situated near communication towers that speed up the process. Although over the last few years as charities are providing computers and phones, and as prices as slashed in many fields of technology, those in the poorest areas in the world are getting more access to technology than they've ever had before. </span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Locally the situation is not nearly as severe, however the image above shows that more children than we may expect are not given the oppurtunity to access the Internet at home; though we are unsure if this is due to voluntary or unvoluntary reasons (poverty). On the map it tells me that as of 2007 under 20% of children living in Essex didn't have access to the internet at home- this marks our county as being in the lower band of severity in terms of Internet access. In fact the constiuency in Rayleigh is the second wealthiest in the country making Essex one of the richest counties in terms of income. However although Britain has the fourth largest gross income in the world more than 13 million people live in income poverty; the divide between the richest and the poorest is also very severe; the wealthiest 1% owned four times as much as the combined wealth of half the population (28 million people). In England, as a country, poverty is not one of our main problems and as a nation we tend to focus more on helping the more severe cases of poverty in developing nations due to events such as Red Nose Day. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The following website is extremely interesting in showing us how each country in the world ranks in terms of technology; <a href="http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/med_per_com_percap-media-personal-computers-per-capita">http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/med_per_com_percap-media-personal-computers-per-capita</a> . Some examples from this list show that the leading country in terms of numbers of computers is Switzerland with 865,000 computers per one million people however the lowest ranking country Niger has only 0.76 per one million of the population. These statistics show the strong differences in the best equipped and the worst equipped countries in terms of computers; if you lived in Niger there is less than a one in a million chance of owning a computer. The site also tells us about access to mobile phones; China top the list with 547,286,000 mobile phones in use compared to the 130,000 in the Central African republic. However as these figures are not per/1000 (or similar) they do not give us an accurate insight into how many people have access to phones as countries with a larger population have more chance of owning more phones. These lists are extremely helpful in highlighting the differences between the rich and poor in the world; there is such a large divide it is hard to understand the sheer number of people in our world who will never get the chance to use a computer or a phone. </span><br />
<ul style="font-size: 0.9em; line-height: 1.4em;"><li>1 in 4 have a radio</li>
<li>1 in 13 have a TV</li>
<li>1 in 35 have a mobile phone</li>
<li>1 in 40 have a fixed line phone</li>
<li>1 in 130 have a PC</li>
<li>1 in 60 use the Internet</li>
</ul>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-26791722809461523272010-10-26T17:01:00.001+01:002010-10-26T17:13:13.982+01:00The Digital Divide<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The three factors I have decided to explore will be how;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Poverty of a country</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Gender</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Age</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can affect the digital divide </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/jamesks/internet-and-society-internet-use-and-digital-divide?src=related_normal&rel=202789">http://www.slideshare.net/jamesks/internet-and-society-internet-use-and-digital-divide?src=related_normal&rel=202789</a></span>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-54898209521840662292010-10-12T10:41:00.174+01:002010-10-17T10:41:14.423+01:00The effect of ICT on crime and the law<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Internet IP checking, virus protectors, illegal downloads and tracking</span><br />
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<div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><u>Airport Security</u></strong></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Body and bag scanning:</span></u></strong></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/body-scanner-airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/body-scanner-airport.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Due to terrorist attacks in recent years and increase in security, all plane passengers are required to undergo two security scanning check before they are allowed onto the aircraft. Passengers must walk through a metal detector; mostly all of these are based on pulse indication (PI). This causes a magnetic field to generate in the machine and sends a current to the alarm if metal is detected on the individual. Individuals who set off this alarm are then further checked by airport security staff for any hidden items. This scanning results in passengers being unable to carry weapons such as knifes and guns onto the plane which could cause in violence and terrorist actions being staged; confirming the security of the other passengers and minimising the risk of violence on board. New technology implimenting x-ray technology is also being put in place in airports today, although this takes longer it gives an extremely clear x-ray image of the passenger showing any hidden items they may be carrying, there is a debate about invasion of privacy for women and minors in regard to these machines however many airports around the world are installing them. </span></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/airport-security-xray2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="236" src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/airport-security-xray2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">As you are undergoing these security measures, your bags are also being scanned through an x-ray machine to ensure you are not carrying any dangerous items on board. These machines send x-ray waves at the items, and as different substances absorb x-rays at difference rates it can show what the item is essentially composed of; x-rays can determine if an item is metal, organic or non-organic. This means that security staff can find drugs, home made bombs or further weapons using these machines and can persecute the individual responsible for attempting to carry these items on board. </span></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Passport Control</span></u></strong></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://ofwnow.com/wp-content/uploads/image/_2010/june/e-passport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="http://ofwnow.com/wp-content/uploads/image/_2010/june/e-passport.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">This is possibly the most important aspect of airport security as it checks that the passengers travelling are who they say they are, and are permitted to be boarding the aeroplane. Passengers must present their passport to a security staff member who will be using a system called CAPPS (Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System)- this causes a large image to be presented on the screen as well as your personal details, and flying history. However these systems are being fazed out and new electronic passports are being distributed to adults around the world and are already widely available in the UK. These e-passports are scanned through a machine and a small camera lowers to take a detailed scan of your face, this is then matched to the picture on your passport and if the photos are approved you are allowed to continue on your journey however if the photos are not matched then you will be checked by a security official to ensure you are exactly who you claim to be. In some countries you are required to have fingerprint scanning to further ensure accuracy and the UK officials are considering this to be added to their line of defence</span></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Advantages:</span></u></strong></div><ul><li><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Ensures national security, and the safety of passengers on the flight</span></div></li>
<li><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Reduces the risk of a terrorist attack via an aeroplane</span></div></li>
<li><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Keeps the airport environment safe and weapon free</span></div></li>
<li><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Stops people smuggling goods from one country to another</span></div></li>
<li><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">New electronic passports can speed up the time it takes to make it through to the aircraft</span></div></li>
</ul><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Disadvantages:</span></u></strong></div><ul><li><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">There are not many disadvantages to the airport security system as it is for all our safety and the only slight problem is that it may cause long waits or delays due to large amounts of people trying to get through to the departure lounge at once.</span></div></li>
</ul><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Police Force Security</span></u></strong></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TM9grVPqtxXjnOYklaOziUubJ3St14sCoup69JhMb39KPzjpdvu4hNzx6EH5zNafhFAp9xiJkJVTtSxP046jII5g_Pke5kRPNlUh0lAbzwJlYn9of5SXj5dMZKW6S2aFI09e_LEKp30/s1600/specs-speed-camera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TM9grVPqtxXjnOYklaOziUubJ3St14sCoup69JhMb39KPzjpdvu4hNzx6EH5zNafhFAp9xiJkJVTtSxP046jII5g_Pke5kRPNlUh0lAbzwJlYn9of5SXj5dMZKW6S2aFI09e_LEKp30/s1600/specs-speed-camera.jpg" /></a></div><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Speed Cameras</span></u></strong></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Speed cameras are in place all over the UK to reduce the occurance of drivers speeding on the roads and risking the lives of other drivers through their careless driving. There are various types of speed cameras available over the world but the most commonly used on motorways in the UK are SPECs. These cameras are fitted with high tech cameras and ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Reading) techonology and track every vehicle that passes them regardless of speeding or not. The camera takes two pictures from two different locations and from the time and speed the computer can establish the speed at which the vehicle was travelling between the two points. These types of cameras are used mostly on motorways when vehicles are travelling at the highest speed and potenitally causing the most risk to other drivings if they are speeding.</span></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.speedcamerasuk.com/specs.htm">http://www.speedcamerasuk.com/specs.htm</a><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIj4mGWi43eExmf3e-LMIMqZnQHlutesVlBA1-1WQDJcXJOrVf3TTIVnUrezKDj8S7DsuWsiycsNsbcB9Sv4AepMYAVmlvj8mkS4YYG1lkYxaw7HyEwCviInS-EqxfYS21TGLZC8SaE2Y/s1600/scggatso.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIj4mGWi43eExmf3e-LMIMqZnQHlutesVlBA1-1WQDJcXJOrVf3TTIVnUrezKDj8S7DsuWsiycsNsbcB9Sv4AepMYAVmlvj8mkS4YYG1lkYxaw7HyEwCviInS-EqxfYS21TGLZC8SaE2Y/s1600/scggatso.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another type of speed camera are Gatsos; there are roughly 4000 of these in place around the UK and currently account for 90% of all fixed speed cameras. These cameras are expensive and can cost between £20,000 - £40,000 depending on the area in which they are placed and how busy the roads can be. In a particularly busy area a camera's film may run out in just a few hours, and with each speeding ticket costing £60 a time the cost is quickly covered. Each camera can take up to 400 photos, and using speedometers they can determine if a vehicle is exceeding the speed limit and takes a picture of the car. Police can then use the image to determine the number plate, trace the driver and send them a penalty notice in the post. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.speedcamerasuk.com/gatso.htm">http://www.speedcamerasuk.com/gatso.htm</a><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Advantages:</span></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Forces people to drive at a safe speed or face the risk of a ban or fine</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ensures the safety of other motorists and pedestrians</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keeps people focusing on the laws of the road</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reduces the amount of police needed to monitor the roads</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Good for the economy; the money the Government earn from fining speeders can go towards public works and improvements</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Disadvantages</span></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Makes people look at their dashboard to check they are not speeding which is dangerous in itself</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some studies, such as in Swindon, show they make no impact on the number of road deaths and since their removal statistics have actually decreased</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sneaky and often poorly placed to catch out unsuspecting drivers</span></span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CCTV</span></u></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In terms of statistics, the UK has the most CCTV cameras in the world; there are in excess of 400 million cameras all the over the island and there is roughly one camera per 14 heads, and about 40 times as many camcorders. London alone has over 200,000 CCTV cameras installed and the London Borough of Croyden has more CCTV cameras than the whole of New York! In the UK you are caught on CCTV cameras an average of 300 times a day, this may be through private cameras (schools, work) or public cameras that film you as you go about your daily business. In fact every bank machine in this country has a hidden camera that records you making your transaction to stop card thiefs and frauds; a shocking 89% of the population were unaware that they were being filmed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDzVYbCYaBe6xVDiUhl3GxuXgHpE4xIXy7WP8lPk19LmO1m8LI5JNMPMMlYtO3z-AElsVTwwX0KXuokSMNg0Sk4vCd5-P_UfnSnQnn9OLavlRSN0KXXFiJuofR3TPHppFCNmARuhOA7c/s1600/_38104097_bulger300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDzVYbCYaBe6xVDiUhl3GxuXgHpE4xIXy7WP8lPk19LmO1m8LI5JNMPMMlYtO3z-AElsVTwwX0KXuokSMNg0Sk4vCd5-P_UfnSnQnn9OLavlRSN0KXXFiJuofR3TPHppFCNmARuhOA7c/s1600/_38104097_bulger300.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well placed cameras have proved a breakthrough in prosecuting criminals at trials and provide undeniable evidence to either prosecute or prove the innocence of an individual's actions. For example the Bulgar case in 1993 in which a three year old child was taken from a busy shopping center and was the victim of terrible violence before being tied to a train track and killed. The CCTV images in the shopping center ruled out the possibilty of a paeodophile being involved in the case and led the police to look for two young boys who were clearly shown leading the young James Bulgar by the hand to his death. Faced with the clear evidence of their guilt the boys were unable to deny the charges and were eventually prosecuted for the murder of James Bulgar. It can also give police leads into missing persons cases; the last known movements of an individual can be viewed via CCTV images and piece together information that could lead to the person being found safe. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">However CCTVs are not always used for our benefit; people have argued that they are a violation of our privacy and by being watched almost 100% of the time we are not at home this does not give us the freedom to do whatever we want, within the rights of the law. CCTVs can also be manipulated easily; the lenses can be covered or broken without much effort and the angle of the coverage could be altered so the desired area will not be monitored. Also CCTV images are not always completely clear and persons may be wrongly identified or prosecuted due to the poor quality of images shown and confusion may arise when trying to establish the identity of somebody caught on the camera. </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Advantages:</span></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Can aid police in identifying criminals and prosecuting people they would never have suspected unless there was visual evidence</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gives the police clues in to searching for missing persons; they can trace their last movements to determine where they may be now or if foul play is involved</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ensures the safety of people; if security forces spot suspicious activity or violence they can report to the police who can arrest the suspect before anything dangerous occurs</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Added security to homes, buildings and offices</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Disadvantages</span></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Invasion of our privacy; we are caught unwillingly on average 300 times a day by various CCTV systems</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Images are not always completely clear and may give police a wrong lead, or lead to them prosecuting somebody who only looks like the vague image they have</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">CCTVs are easily damaged or altered to stop them recording the desired area</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Expensive, and if poorly placed can be extremely ineffective and non beneficial to the identification of people</span></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></div><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/4060443/Seven-of-ten-murders-solved-by-CCTV.html">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/4060443/Seven-of-ten-murders-solved-by-CCTV.html</a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2071496.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2071496.stm</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/big-brother-britain-2006-we-are-waking-up-to-a-surveillance-society-all-around-us-422561.html">http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/big-brother-britain-2006-we-are-waking-up-to-a-surveillance-society-all-around-us-422561.html</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tagging:</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknewaPCcitlKkhaFS7t-RJFMhWtfmcL90LRUWA-8DJBSjIl-ZekAuB34HFF7ZyNRk4bz0DBwPsDeZeOCRcQsQ_yeSNWu_HDZoiDNKH4I-Xal6I7yNECKv3l9K3Y6z42uhB1dWk0DUWlU/s1600/tagging_info_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknewaPCcitlKkhaFS7t-RJFMhWtfmcL90LRUWA-8DJBSjIl-ZekAuB34HFF7ZyNRk4bz0DBwPsDeZeOCRcQsQ_yeSNWu_HDZoiDNKH4I-Xal6I7yNECKv3l9K3Y6z42uhB1dWk0DUWlU/s320/tagging_info_300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Criminals who are released from prison, but do not pose an immediate threat to the society as a whole (such as sex offenderers) may be tagged. This involves an electronic GPS emmiting device to be attached the leg of the criminal and signals are continually sent to a montinoring centre which can track their exact location at all times. If the tag is forcebally removed or damaged the police are alerted and come within minutes to check the individual has not breached the agreed terms and that no crime has been commited. Sex offenders, for example, are often barred from going near parks, schools or other common areas when young people meet. They may also be confined to a certain perimeter ound their home and be restricted from even communicating with the outside world. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaKvjVIevGJrfLJqam58MT3mQQoTSVynuFPCklfbQIPsSK8_mkeuFCq71b-NJVZb6CL-NPsafJMtg5wpH-mtv6w8pSCmkwG0RshASRb_qlkpgYSJ7EnvYUHqrsF420RLZroNmGMNjqOE/s1600/_394507_1ankle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaKvjVIevGJrfLJqam58MT3mQQoTSVynuFPCklfbQIPsSK8_mkeuFCq71b-NJVZb6CL-NPsafJMtg5wpH-mtv6w8pSCmkwG0RshASRb_qlkpgYSJ7EnvYUHqrsF420RLZroNmGMNjqOE/s200/_394507_1ankle.jpg" width="166" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Tagging is often seen as an answer to rising prison populations and tries to encourage courts to allow minor offences to be punished using tagging rather than sending the guilty person to prison. Only 2% of people who were tagged have reoffended so it proves that the method is effective and offenders often learn a larger lesson being isolated from the society. These tags also protect the society as any breach of order is reported immediateto the police and forces are often present before any crime can even be commited- it also gives police an idea of offenders in an residential area and can prove positive for controlling crime. These tags are also beneficial for the economy as the money that would have been spent feeding and housing criminals in prison cells is much higher than the cost of providing and monitoring tags. If would cost roughly £24,000 to house criminal for a year however tagging only costs £2000 per year, a massive saving for each case. The individual would probably both benefit and be affected negatively by these tags; they would not have a prison stay on their records and would not have to be exposed to the more sever criminals that prisons harbour. However the individual's social skills would be affected badly as they are now unable to normally communicate with others as they leave the house and lose connections with people who they are now unable to see. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCJ6EQ0uU0yRd2Jt_WcTZ_cQNFuaf6SeEUuJHYJEGK2AZiLjmf0oVJpkXPgwlIHIx-pOIScrMy9a-fZKt4eDChDkEbiqa5cosXEDeSdpeiV8Ss8GiklDDUknQ430JyHLYwIBAKugHl0Q/s1600/crime_tagging4_171gra.bmp" /><--<span class="greyaudiotext"><b>Should non-violent offenders be tagged or sent, or kept in prison? </b></span> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">However many critics see tagging as the 'soft option'; opposed to a lifetime in prison for their crimes, they are allowed to stay in contact with the outside world and family ties be continued. This is of great appeal to offenders who may see this rise of tagging as a way out of serving their time in a cell and an easy way out for their actions. Also, tagging is often only active during the night to ensure they don't breach curfew, however this does not eradicate the option for crime to be commited during the day. And although the tag restricts the movement of the individual it does not stop them from associating with other crimes and organising criminal offences either over the phone or in person.The tagging system, like all computer based systems, is able to crash and fail leaving tagees unmonitored and free to move around freely.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Advantages:</span></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stops the overcrowding of prisons</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Allows minor criminals to suffer a punishment without mixing with larger criminals who may influence them negatively and persuade to continue to commit crime</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The location of the individual is available to be seen at all times, ensuring they are not where they are not supposed to be</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Police can reach the criminal within minutes, and constant watch is not needed</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saves the economy a lot of money in regards to not having to sustain them in prison</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Disadvantages</span></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">May have affects of the mental state of the subject; lack of socializing and confinement may adversely affect their social skills </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Considering the ‘easy way out’- if this is an alternative to prison then most would take it, as they are still allowed access to the outside world</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tags may malfunction and allow the criminal free range of movement for a period of time</span></span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.tgdaily.com/security-features/51953-sex-offenders-left-unmonitored-as-tagging-system-goes-down">http://www.tgdaily.com/security-features/51953-sex-offenders-left-unmonitored-as-tagging-system-goes-down</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2010/09/22/thug-who-stabbed-teenager-to-death-had-cut-off-electronic-tag-but-police-were-powerless-to-hold-him-86908-22579210/">http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2010/09/22/thug-who-stabbed-teenager-to-death-had-cut-off-electronic-tag-but-police-were-powerless-to-hold-him-86908-22579210/</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">DNA Databases</span></u></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyRdzzZ0-5eHFyAz2zS1-6BpacFn6pj6hYAXp1Q4YbjT3NnTPZKV9z29xKE90KESOa5BlBAyAGU9uhDC-njHNlSL7Bn6QaWoo2CEDXMfENPvtuOGDarJPpV3_Ju4Vx-LKhO8YeUx9G30/s1600/_45743100_dna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyRdzzZ0-5eHFyAz2zS1-6BpacFn6pj6hYAXp1Q4YbjT3NnTPZKV9z29xKE90KESOa5BlBAyAGU9uhDC-njHNlSL7Bn6QaWoo2CEDXMfENPvtuOGDarJPpV3_Ju4Vx-LKhO8YeUx9G30/s1600/_45743100_dna.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Police take the fingerprints of all offenders who walk through their doors; this allows police all over the country to track who has commited crimes and the record of anybody's past. This means criminals who lie or try to decieve police about any prior offences can be quickly proved wrong and punishments can be decided based on all accounts. The UK DNA Database contains roughly 3.1 million DNA on record; all those brought into and detained in a police station have their records taken; along with suspects, from crime scenes and the list grows by 30,000 each month. The UK's database is the foremost and largest database of it's kind in the world- containing 5.2% of the country's population compared to 0.5% in the USA.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Whenever a new profile is submitted the database's records are automatically searched for previous criminal records and compared to DNAs in unsolved crimes to determin if the offender is linked with any old crimes. This means that police forces all over the country can use this information to compare DNA and establish possible links between offenders and crimes no matter where they are commited; as criminals may have moved location to aviod prosecution for other crimes they have commited elsewhere. Police now also have portable fingerprint devices that record DNA information on the move so road police can submit roadside offender's for speeding or other minor crimes that do not require the individual's presence in the police station. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6R0FvqpTyaIechG5coVggrzXNkEC1yCQaT2LvB0e8g35qH6qZx4wd5leF4oeAVfXnjsKgUTg3-rQJjDjR1Jydvq1EdiSwqHmWe3WZZyC8J7HP0iNR1q3rj7-Fasuk4xX5g2Gas3RPsU/s1600/_46711361_dna_database_466.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6R0FvqpTyaIechG5coVggrzXNkEC1yCQaT2LvB0e8g35qH6qZx4wd5leF4oeAVfXnjsKgUTg3-rQJjDjR1Jydvq1EdiSwqHmWe3WZZyC8J7HP0iNR1q3rj7-Fasuk4xX5g2Gas3RPsU/s400/_46711361_dna_database_466.bmp" width="360" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">However although this database may ensure that the criminals are punished for all their wrongdoings and allows no criminals to lie about their records, it also has many disadvantages. For example, people who are waiting for trial are added to the system; however even if they are proved innocent and have not commited any crime they still remain present on the database and are still given the status as offenders to police around the country. The fact their DNA remains on this database can also affect their future aspirations; workplaces will often not accept any applicant who has any history of crime on their records and people may lose jobs due to this, even if they were cleared. Also, there are over 150,000 records of minor's DNA to be seen- these children are often innocent and is a major breach of privacy as they are not yet adults. DNA can also deteriorate over time and fingerprints become distorted; meaning close family members may be prosecuted wrongly. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Advantages:</span></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Allows police to make quick connections between new DNA and old cases; leading to the completion of thousands of unsolved cases every year</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stops people lying about their past criminal record and stores all crimes on one system</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Can be accessed all over the country by every police force in England and Wales so no matter where the crime occurs it can be added to the system</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Good for the environment; before this written records were required for each individual but now everything is stored on one system with minimal paper used</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Disadvantages</span></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Innocent people who were placed on the system due to conviction or awaiting trial but were cleared of charges are not allowed to be removed from the system; affecting job chances and future aspirations that will not accept anyone with a criminal record</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Invasion of privacy; there are roughly 120,000 records of children aged under 18 on the system who were cautioned but no action was taken against them</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6979138.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6979138.stm</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8523202.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8523202.stm</a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Breathalysers</span></u></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.edgarsnyder.com/images/news/general-breathalyzer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="http://www.edgarsnyder.com/images/news/general-breathalyzer.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Drink driving in the UK is a commonly occuring offence and cause a huge risk to other motorists and pedestrians. On average 3,000 people per year are killed or seriously injured due to drunk drivers and if caught you face 6 months imprisonment, a £5000 fine and a minimum of a year driving ban; huge prices to pay for your decision to drive whilst over the limit. The limit in the UK is roughly 4 units for men and 3 units for women before driving becomes illegal. It is possilbe for this exact alcohol content to be measured in your blood (80mg alcohol/ 100ml blood), urine (107mg alcohol/ 100ml urine) or in your breath (30mg alcohol/ 100ml breath). To allow policemen to measure the alcohol content on the roadside; of motorist's they may have pulled over due to careless driving, they use breathalysers.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Breathalysers cannot give a completely accurate measure of alcohol content in your breath but they can give us a pretty good idea; and they are commonly used in the UK; 1 million tests were carried out last year and 300,000 tested positive to being over the limit. This method of condemning drivers is a great benefit to other motorists who are now safer on the roads and reduce the risk of accidents due to a driver's action being marred due to the effects of alcohol. It helps the police force as they no longer have to take the motorist all the way to the police station to check their alcohol limit, and if they are below they are freed immediately reducing the amount of unecessary paperwork. It also saves the economy alot of money due to less frequent crashes and less police are called out to the scenes of accidents. Individuals who are caught with these machines however will not believe they are for the greater good as there is more chance that drink drivers will be caught and prosecuted. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Advantages:</span></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reduces the number of drink drivers on our roads</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The high penalties for being caught deter drivers from taking to the road drunk</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ensures the safety of other drivers as they are less likely to be sharing the road with people over the limit</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They reduce the number of people the police need to take to the police station and test, it can be practically done on the roadside</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">People can’t pretend they are sober, the machine gives a good indication of their alcohol levels</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Disadvantages</span></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Expensive to buy and stock all police cars with one so they can be used everywhere</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Not always accurate so if there is a possibility of being over the limit and they are taken back to the Station and further tested to be discovered they are fine is a waste of money, time and effort</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sometimes the damage is already done before the police have time to test a subject of being over the limit</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/10/bars_debate_installing_breathalyzer_machine">http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/10/bars_debate_installing_breathalyzer_machine</a></span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.theprovince.com/news/Business+booming+breathalyzers/3616394/story.html">http://www.theprovince.com/news/Business+booming+breathalyzers/3616394/story.html</a></div></div>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-5391941740993467042010-10-08T11:01:00.004+01:002010-10-11T14:28:35.997+01:00The effect of ICT on how we entertain ourselves<div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><u>TV</u></strong></span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The television, invented in 1926, did not become household items until during the second world war where only the BBC broadcasted programmes and just 3 hours of footage a day could be viewed. By the early 1950s a colour television was developed and introduced however these were rarely seen in houses, and were more often used as public televisions where the public could gather and watch important events take place. However in modern society almost every house in the western world has one; infact 83% of houses in the USA have more than one television set and the average home has more TVs than people. The mass production and popularity of these items have enabled companies to sell sets fast and with varying features so that every family can afford to own one- they can appeal to everyone. Now television can not only be watched at home, but it can be downloaded and watched on your mobile phone, or via your computer; it's accessible everywhere.</span></div><div align="left"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lnYI96xv2TaN7_-nGF0d0kjSFAiEzQEVuX05WhgRffyDOOlFXNtO9Dodgl_9yoASQxb0tvAyXx7WgRA0MGAX1wNYpwOmODgQf5eT1DmvWRGVWWZIM5NVFEhyvkJDLDZBMOxGNUu9GFE/s1600/tv+evo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lnYI96xv2TaN7_-nGF0d0kjSFAiEzQEVuX05WhgRffyDOOlFXNtO9Dodgl_9yoASQxb0tvAyXx7WgRA0MGAX1wNYpwOmODgQf5eT1DmvWRGVWWZIM5NVFEhyvkJDLDZBMOxGNUu9GFE/s320/tv+evo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The Broadcasters have also benefitted from the growing popularity of Televisions; they charge TV licencing for every household that owns a TV, £145 is the average annual cost of owning one. This goes towards paying for the BBC and other broadcasters (depending on how many views they recieve) and helps the continuation of new programmes and 24 hour broadcasting. Also millions of companies have used this wide spread audience to advertise their products during the commercials between programmes; people pay a large sum of money for a Channel to show their goods, and during extremely popular events that are viewed by millions of people cost a lot more than those showed between less popular shows. For example the cost of advertising during the England vs Portugal European cup semi-final in 2004 that drew in viewers of 15 million of all genders, age and social class in the UK was roughly £100,000 per advert compared to £2000 for offpeak adverts the same day. Broadcasting huge events is a great money maker as companies want to advertise when the most amount of people will be watching to maximise popularity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/tv-licence-staff-get-complaints-guidance-2102915.html">http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/tv-licence-staff-get-complaints-guidance-2102915.html</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The television is a great way of connecting people from all around the world; for example large sporting events such as the football world cup and the Olympics can be shown to billions of people all around the world at the same time. Broadcasting has advanced so much that we can see events that are happening halfway across the world at the same time as they are actually occuring; we can see footage from wars we are fighting, images from space and live coverage of political debates. Before televisions were created people would have had to wait days of even weeks to hear of events that were happening in other countries, as the only way of gathering such information was by buying newspapers and by word of mouth. An good example of this was in 1969; when the Apollo mission to the man was conducted all around the way coverage over the eight day journey was shown to the public and the live footage of Neil Armstrong stepping on the moon (4am BST) was broadcasted; before TVs this would never have been possible and people would have required to use their imagination to envision the scene whilst listening possibly to the radio or reading the newspaper.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://news.oneindia.in/2010/10/07/restored-video-of-moon-landing-released.html">http://news.oneindia.in/2010/10/07/restored-video-of-moon-landing-released.html</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pV2JxwSks1EJXDETa2tHiMY39XuXt5DaHJqSBMVac4RCDxSzvzfxJNdgzGvkg6lJFZI7eq0TNVnlTBpFKnco6M3poWR6uEb2_oFIYKhayNUNJMmZuIY_LclY-E1x1QPTro1-QfSIiBA/s1600/tv+breakdown.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pV2JxwSks1EJXDETa2tHiMY39XuXt5DaHJqSBMVac4RCDxSzvzfxJNdgzGvkg6lJFZI7eq0TNVnlTBpFKnco6M3poWR6uEb2_oFIYKhayNUNJMmZuIY_LclY-E1x1QPTro1-QfSIiBA/s400/tv+breakdown.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Analog TVs have only 5 channels however there are now hundreds of Digital TV providers all over the UK that offer hundreds of other channels to their customers; these are sometimes foreign or company specific (EG Sky One). This has made viewing television a much more enjoyable experience than it used to be; it can now tailor to everybody's taste and broadcasts all through the day and night so it can be watched at any time. An example of a Digital TV package is Sky; they are the UK's leading digital broadcasters with almost 11 million monthly subscribers. They offer over 700 channels to their customers; a far cry from the 5 channels on analog televisions. Although the UK is currently going through a digital switch over; this means that every household in the UK by 2012 will be required to change to digital television.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.cable.co.uk/news/digital-tv-found-in-93-of-homes-800106386/">http://www.cable.co.uk/news/digital-tv-found-in-93-of-homes-800106386/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Some TVs also have extra features; such as connection to the internet, the ability to download movies, port for iPod connection and programme recording to name a few. TVs have advanced technologically a long way since their creation in the early 20th century and now they can offer things that make our lives a lot easier and more exciting. Sky Plus, for example, gives users the option to pause, play and rewind live TV and record any programmes they may miss or want to watch again, all for a small extra cost a month. This is a great change from when if you wanted to record a show you required a blank tape and a tape recorder, you can now store everything digitally and easily.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u>Advantages:</u></b></span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">As they are now so popular, TVs are cheap enough for everyone to own one.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">They offer hundreds of channels that suit to everyone's needs.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">They can broadcast events from across the world. If TVs were not here then we'd never be able to see them live.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">It is a huge source of knowledge and entertainment</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Connects people from across the globe</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Allows us to share news quickly and efficiently all around the world</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Allows you to see live action, such as sports, from the comfort of your own home</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u>Disadvantages:</u></b></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Wastes time; you could have spent time doing things more productive</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Children are often accused of watching too much television that could stunt their mental development</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Although it is a source of good information it can also be bad, children could watch things not appropriate for their age group</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Frequent viewing can lead to lack of exercise and mental stimulation</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">The cost of digital TV packages, such as Sky, can be enormous.</span></li>
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</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u>Games Consoles</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">In the market today there are a few leading games console brands that have taken the world by storm; millions of households today own a PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, DS or PSP- or maybe even more than just one. There are thousands of games that are available to purchase for the systems and the possibilities are endless; there are sports games, TV show games, children's educational games- there is enough choice to tailor for everyone. The RPG and graphics of games today is extremely advanced and is almost life like in some games; this is in comparison to the first home games console the Magnavox Odyssey. This console was released in 1972 and less than 30 extremely basic games were available- it sold 330,000 thousand units. The world's leading console today, the Nintendo Wii, in comparison has sold 74 million consoles worldwide.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://gamerant.com/nintend-wii-retail-sales-aaron-45274/">http://gamerant.com/nintend-wii-retail-sales-aaron-45274/</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGKKgWvp4HbUg7gTmAR2-tqye4Wy2SXsWo9j5WW-Ass7-tMvnqq_NefLnyGL_0gXLI960sgntqhakG0-gzkgItLLP1zViWmh8eg3bA3szloskKZ0da3tKHzH4CTWpxMrUos4jdhLjhnw/s1600/wii+remote.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGKKgWvp4HbUg7gTmAR2-tqye4Wy2SXsWo9j5WW-Ass7-tMvnqq_NefLnyGL_0gXLI960sgntqhakG0-gzkgItLLP1zViWmh8eg3bA3szloskKZ0da3tKHzH4CTWpxMrUos4jdhLjhnw/s320/wii+remote.JPG" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">The Nintendo Wii is the world's most popular recent games console for a good reason; it's release made it the most unique player interaction on the market. Instead of controllers dictating the player's actions, the user could now physically become involved in the game play. The Wii remote is linked to a sensor that detects movement and signals that imply that buttons have been pressed, this means that cables are not required to connect the remote to the console, and the user is free to move around as they like. The main role of the remotes is for kinetic movement, however there are some buttons that allow us to navigate menus or select images. There are other consoles that can be connected to the main Wii remote (such as the nunchuk) that let us complete different actions that involve both hands and make the games even more interactive. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">The Wii menu on the home page allows you to download channels and arrange them in a particular order in thumbnails that gives you instant access to their features. A popular Wii download in the UK is BBC iPlayer which allows you to access the internet based feature that allows you to watch programmes, podcasts and films that were recently aired on BBC broadcasting systems-effectively bringing TV to your Wii. The Wii also acts as an internet browser as users can connect to the internet and access all it's features once you've configured it to your broadband, allowing for films and music videos to be viewed via the Wii Console. You can also connect and chat with other Wii users around the world via this internet connection, from here you can talk to other gamers to share advice and discuss tactics on various games. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">A Wii package is roughly £150; this package has sold almost 75 million units so therefore the estimate revenue from the product was £12 billion. However this is only an estimate as console prices have wavered in the past and does not include money received through Wii extras; such as games, stands, controllers, cases and accessories. The combined profits through all these sales is extortionate and has been Nintendo's best selling item in history. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">All games consoles, not just the Wii, have improved the way we can entertain ourselves. It is now seen as a common pastime, by males in particular, to spend hours completing games and adventures on these consoles as a hobby- in particular; COD and Fifa. These games offer hours of game play and hundreds of levels that keep people entertained for hours; they're often seen as challenges to be the first among a group of friends to complete the game or get the best highscores. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u>Advantages:</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Can play on your own, with friends, or via the internet against people all over the world</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">There are a wide variety of the genre of games you can play; from action to educational</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">You can take your console to any TV and it will regain your data </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">A great way of entertainment- the Wii in particular can be played by several people at once</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Brings people together: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 20px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">“This Christmas, with the help of our celebrity friends, we will be helping the nation play together and have fun whatever their age" <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Nintendo UK marketing director</span></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d8d8d8; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 300; line-height: 20px;">”</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u>Disadvantages:</u></b></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">The latest consoles and games are extremely expensive. Also, to keep up to date with all the new accessories would cost a lot.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Can be addictive, and users may often spend too much time playing games and prioritizing gaming over school/work.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">When played on your own, it's an unsociable pastime</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Less exercise, however in the Wii some degree of physical activity takes place</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Damages eye sight through excessive use</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u>iPods</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">iPods are the revolutionary mp3s designed by Apple that are the most popular forms of music players in the world. They were first released in 2001 with a 5gb memory that allowed for "1,000 songs in your pocket". They were a lot smaller and better designed than other variables available on the market at that time and deemed extremely popular with the public; since 2004 they have sold over 70% of all types of music players worldwide. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6450_7-5020659-2.html?tag=subdir">http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6450_7-5020659-2.html?tag=subdir</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/10/14/apple_q4_04_results/">http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/10/14/apple_q4_04_results/</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">iPods have advanced entirely since their release in 2001; the Classic Range, Mini, Nano, Shuffle and Touch are all the versions available to the public. However in each section there are often three or four generations of the product, and with each upgrade new features are added and the interface is enhanced tenfold. Once a generation is replaced it's production is ended and it no longer becomes available to the public- this is often disputed by buyers who often wanted to purchase an older, cheaper model but were unable to. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnC0UPm3M6shEWspZj0aC5N5PCoOjVQCjtZM1qE1f6RN60riw_hBWfvm9tezboiEGMxtv2iCqzFdRjACGnHMFYacmy4DWFo90ctyY52hyphenhyphen-AqVOVDypZAUNS_y77pXiNVunESVdZ4_HkE/s1600/ipod+touch+screenshot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnC0UPm3M6shEWspZj0aC5N5PCoOjVQCjtZM1qE1f6RN60riw_hBWfvm9tezboiEGMxtv2iCqzFdRjACGnHMFYacmy4DWFo90ctyY52hyphenhyphen-AqVOVDypZAUNS_y77pXiNVunESVdZ4_HkE/s320/ipod+touch+screenshot.JPG" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">iPod touch, the latest Apple creation, allows the user to use their fingers to choose options and interact with the device. There is three buttons to feature on the iTouch; a lock, volume control and one button on the face of the device which acts mostly as a 'back' button. The iTouch is a great source of entertainment; you can listen to music, watch videos, access the internet, play games and download apps all on the same iPod. The games are a lot more advanced on the latest version of the iPod as the touch screen allows the user to interact a lot more with the gameplay and become more involved- Apple has made almost $45 million revenue in their app store. Users can buy Apple credit from many popular stores around the country or the debit can be charged directly to the credit card which is linked to your account on installation. There are a wide variety of free and paid apps to choose from; when accessing the store these are arranged in a best selling list and comments from past buyers can be viewed and help base your judgement on purchasing an app. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/techbeat/archives/2009/03/apples_app_store_how_much_is_it.html?chan=technology_technology+index+page_top+stories">http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/techbeat/archives/2009/03/apples_app_store_how_much_is_it.html?chan=technology_technology+index+page_top+stories</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Using the positive feedback from their iTouch users, Apple decided to combine this popular idea with that of a mobile phone; creating the iPhone. The latest model (iPhone 4) was released in June 2010 and sold 1.7 million units in the first three days making it the fastest selling mobile phone in the USA of that year so far. It features many extras that are not available on the iPod touch; for examples it has connectivity to the internet at all times, contains two cameras; one rear facing and one on the face of the device. It supports FaceTime- a video calling device in which images projected via either camera can be sent in conjunction with a voice call to another iPhone 4. However there was a lot of controversy regarding the new iPhone 4; and many customers complained of poor signal and how by touching the lower left corner of their phone they would often be disconnected from calls. This was due to an antenna manufacturing problem in the device and Apple, after threats of being sued by thousands of iPhone owners, released free cases for all owners and promised an update to rectify the problem. Despite their superior technological features iPhones are not included in many 'Top Mobile Phone' lists and only 72% of owners claim to be happy with their phone.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.techeye.net/mobile/iphone-4-now-cracking">http://www.techeye.net/mobile/iphone-4-now-cracking</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u>Advantages:</u></b></span><br />
<br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Enormous storage capacity</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Can play videos and music</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Light and small so can be easily carried</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Wi-fi on later versions allow connection to the internet and the ability to access iTunes from your device</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Nice design; including the click wheel on earlier versions and the touch screen on iPod touch's</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Long battery lives</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Great range of apps that can be downloaded for your entertainment</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u>Disadvantages:</u></b></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">iPods are known to break easily and offer suffer a lot of technological problems the longer you own them</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">iTunes is often unresponsive with your device and can lead to all your music being wiped or problems with the songs</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Battery life decreases over time</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Can only play mp3 file formats, not wma- the popular Windows file format</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">The cost can be extremely high, especially for iPhones and iTouch and all other latest versions</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">If it is not covered with a case quickly, it is scratched pretty badly within a day or two</span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><u><b>Internet Based Entertainment</b></u></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><u><b><br />
</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">On the Internet the possibilities are endless in regards to entertainment; there are millions of sites that can tailor to anybodies hobbies, needs or simply to cure boredom;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u>Gaming Sites</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">There are thousands of these sites on the Web, all hold host to original Flash games in which occupies gamers with hours of gameplay in total. You can play on your own, against friends and often versus players from all the way across the world via the internet connection. The most popular free RPG game on the web is called Runescape; it has 130 million accounts and 10 million active users and is recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's most popular MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game). Users create a character based on themselves and then go on quests and fight monsters to increase their experience and move up levels on the game. Players can also audio chat or type chat to other players for hints, and you can add users to a virtual friend list so you can see when they're online. The gameplay required to master this game would last you several weeks of non-stop playing and therefore provides the user with large amounts of substance to keep them occupied.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u>Online Movies:</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Almost every film ever created in the last decade or so is available to watch online, either legally or illegally. Legal options include downloading movies for a fee from trusted sites such as Amazon and iTunes which allow the user to virtually 'rent' the film and it is removed from your computer after the agreed number of nights for which it was purchased. You can also buy movies permanently via amazon or iTunes and other trusted sites for a higher price, but it is environmentally and economically better for suppliers who only need to sell the film content and not the packaging. However it is more popular among Internet users to watch movies illegally online; either filmed in the cinema and posted online or once released on DVD the content is streamed onto websites and watched in good condition; 80% of Americans admitted they would rather watch a film illegally than download it correctly. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.albanystudentpress.org/students-walk-the-plank-for-pirating-music-and-movies-1.1672089">http://www.albanystudentpress.org/students-walk-the-plank-for-pirating-music-and-movies-1.1672089</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u>File Sharing Sites:</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">These sites, such as FunnyJunk, I Am Bored and Ebaums World allow users to upload funny videos, pictures and other files to share with a whole community of users around the world. A free membership is required to upload content however everyone else can view it for no hassle; and these sites are so popular that they're uploaded frequently meaning that everyday there will always be hundreds of new things to look at. </span></div></div></div></div>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-43227914275910777892010-10-07T10:52:00.003+01:002010-10-11T14:27:59.427+01:00The effect of ICT on the way we communicate<div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1318049/1-10-couples-talk-email-text-mobile-phone-calls.html?ito=feeds-newsxml"><strong>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1318049/1-10-couples-talk-email-text-mobile-phone-calls.html?ito=feeds-newsxml</strong></a><strong><u> </u></strong>This link shows how technology has completely changed the way we communicate!</span></div><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Online Chat Services</span></u></strong></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><u>MSN: </u></strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRE6drXlgf5mFQcsF_KZGM7CvyGhaCc4BEP93H0os2x3dsJvkH8BMt4Z_MALn_c9trvACwoQ-UB9Fkzgd1_Q39mdGb2G2DSsOXZF7Gn1X-u8YfGe6HSk9MMuLcGyW-ssXgdoxGsua4m8/s1600/MSN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRE6drXlgf5mFQcsF_KZGM7CvyGhaCc4BEP93H0os2x3dsJvkH8BMt4Z_MALn_c9trvACwoQ-UB9Fkzgd1_Q39mdGb2G2DSsOXZF7Gn1X-u8YfGe6HSk9MMuLcGyW-ssXgdoxGsua4m8/s320/MSN.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Windows live messenger (MSN) is an online chat service that allows users to talk in real time via a conversation window. Users can talk with one specific contact or talk to a large group at once; this allows synchrous communication to occur. MSN is a free service that comes with hotmail; once you have a hotmail account you automatically have an MSN username and password- the fact that it is free would appeal to a wide range of people. This means that you could talk to anyone around the world for no cost at all; whether this is by written chat or the video call feature you could be talking to someone across the globe for no cost other than your internet subscription.</span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">MSN eradicates the need to talk via mobile phones or email; it's quick, instant and free of charge which eliminates use of minutes or long text messages to talk to someone. It's much more beneficial than talking via a mobile phone as you can talk as much as you like, and for however long you want. However for this type of communication to occur, all users must be online and at their computer for this to be utilized effectively- sometimes waiting for a person to sign online may be futile and it would have been much easier to just ring them. However agreed timings to appear online will make communicating possible via MSN.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/news/841558-father-poses-as-his-son-on-msn-messenger-to-get-groomer">http://www.metro.co.uk/news/841558-father-poses-as-his-son-on-msn-messenger-to-get-groomer</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Skype</span></u></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzVe00ymGr8OCVkwgj0Jq7Hk1AF-wCuuMDbHGiGgUq1iFxe6PmQW9onxpAy-qJ2wdq3SotJI43U2cwvSeSXyMyC0V3JBKFsTtq9g72935l0sJ8ji1jVu5ywyOUr8PygbPleHczYLA5JI/s1600/Skype+screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzVe00ymGr8OCVkwgj0Jq7Hk1AF-wCuuMDbHGiGgUq1iFxe6PmQW9onxpAy-qJ2wdq3SotJI43U2cwvSeSXyMyC0V3JBKFsTtq9g72935l0sJ8ji1jVu5ywyOUr8PygbPleHczYLA5JI/s400/Skype+screenshot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Skype is another example of online chat services; but much more emphasis is placed on verbal and visual communication via the use of microphones and webcams. There is also a written chat option but the majority of users choose to communicate via the video call which is the selling feature of the site. The sound and video quality may vary depending on broadband speed and computer system which can affect the speed at which information is shared but in general a good level of communication can be obtained. This type of communicating is extremely advanced and the popularity of using this free service is spreading widely across the globe; you can not only to talk to people in your country but also those in other countries, all for free.</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Skype is a good way of keeping in touch which people who live far away; not only can you hear their voice as you would via the telephone, but you can see them and show each other physical things on the webcam. Skype has been known to broadcast live events such as a baby's first steps and even the birth of a baby which was broadcasted to the father in Afghanistan. It can be used effectively by companies who need to talk to others for advice, meetings and important decision making- this is all possible using Skype in the boardroom to broadcast to another office and allows for verbal communication between the companies.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700071542/A-soldier-watches-the-birth-of-his-daughter-from-thousands-of-miles-away.html">http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700071542/A-soldier-watches-the-birth-of-his-daughter-from-thousands-of-miles-away.html</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Other examples of chatting online are chat rooms; here you can meet people of similar personalities who share interests and ideas. However chat rooms can also be a dangerous place where children are often stalked and groomed by older men- an example of this is the incident involving Holly and Jessica in 2002 who were targeted and lured to their death by an internet chat room pervert.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article150379.ece">http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article150379.ece</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><u>Advantages</u></strong></span></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The majority are free to use</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Connects people from all around the globe</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Visual communication is also available allowing people to see each other as they talk</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Increases the depth of how we can talk to others</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Can be accessed via any computer; not only accessible via your personal computer system</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Can meet and talk to new people, and speak with like minded individuals</span></div></li>
</ul><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Disadvantages</span></u></strong><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">For MSN and chat rooms, in particular, groomers can pose as children to talk to other young people in disguise.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Can be used for cyber bullying </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">People often give out their personal details after beginning to trust who they are talking to; these details can then be used to stalk, impersonate or hurt others</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">You can sometimes be unsure of who you are talking to, and say things personal that may be spread</span></li>
</ul><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Emails</span></u></strong></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPNdmNQqqlzNXVPE9qoWmRsaWX-AA_KPhd78ycZrAUgf-Ne-rRXFV68FciDnCYc-0s-Czamz9nOB5IGbFVGeR_dYNf5nl8MNP-WXjzA4X_8Yh6i5hMliQC49vnxAXzfBw_3ryn-FY3Qg/s1600/Email+screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPNdmNQqqlzNXVPE9qoWmRsaWX-AA_KPhd78ycZrAUgf-Ne-rRXFV68FciDnCYc-0s-Czamz9nOB5IGbFVGeR_dYNf5nl8MNP-WXjzA4X_8Yh6i5hMliQC49vnxAXzfBw_3ryn-FY3Qg/s640/Email+screenshot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Emailing is the most popular form of electronic communication in the world; roughly 247 billion are sent every single day all around the world, accounting to 2.8 million every second. People not only use them for personal purposes, but for work. Emails are a great way to communicate without giving away too much of your personal information; senders only know your email address, can't gather any personal information from that and if a user spams excessively to your account you can block them from contacting you. There are thousands of different email service providers; so you can have several email accounts- often one for personal purposes and another for work, letting you differentiate and prioritise correctly in each inbox. </span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Companies often have an email address set up for customers to use to contact them with complaints, queries and praise. Good customer services means that often someone will reply to these emails swiftly with relevant information; allowing the company to be connected better with the public. Within companies and offices workers are often given their own personal email account, sometimes ending with a URL relevant to their company; for example staff at Family Mosaic's emails end in @familymosaic.com. Staff can then use these emails to contact other companies regarding queries, order forms or general exchange of information that may be useful to them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Many deals and business agreements are often conducted via emails as they can be used to contact people all over the world in a matter of seconds; they can contain attachments so everything you need to share can be exchanged in one transaction. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">In fact businesses use emails so frequently now it's hard to imagine how they functioned before it; now information can be shared so quickly and to so many recipients it's almost as if you are talking face to face with them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Schools, like my own, also use their own generated school email system which is approved by the blocking systems and allows students to email teachers if they need help, email other students to share documents and if they do not own a USB they can access files from home that are sent to their account. Our email accounts are personal to us; using our school log on user name and password. Many schools utilize an email system as it connects the students and gives them a secure account on which they can share files and access the documents they need without the risk of viruses or spam.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Emails can also be accessed from anywhere; they can be logged on to any computer, any phone and any PDA. Some phones, such as Blackberries, are work phones that place a lot of emphasis on Emails. These phones are linked to one account only, and notifies the user when an email is received and allows them to reply from their phone. This is extremely useful to people who work in environments where instant communication (for free) is essential and information needs to often be shared with a wide range of people, such as social work. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><u>Advantages</u></strong></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Free and easy to use</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Can create many accounts to suit personal needs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Can be accessed anywhere; the inbox never changes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Allows for instant communication if both users are actively on their email accounts</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It's simple to use after installation</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It's efficient- files can be sent to a large group of people at once</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">A good way of keeping in touch</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Allows you communication with companies and groups</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><u>Disadvantages</u></strong></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Can be time consuming to keep up with all replies </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Can give you viruses and spam often fills up your inbox</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mannerisms can often not be portrayed in written emailing, it is socially more beneficial to communicate in person</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Emails can compromise the security of a business as personal information may be sent accidentally to an untrustworthy source and misused</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">People can be scammed for personal information, such as when people pretend to be Banks and ask for people's bank details.</span></li>
</ul><a href="http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/loans/2010/09/students-warned-over-loan-email-scam?utm_source=mainsite&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_campaign=box">http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/loans/2010/09/students-warned-over-loan-email-scam?utm_source=mainsite&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_campaign=box</a><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mobile Phones</span></u></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mobile phones are the second most used mode of written communication, SMS is behind emails, and the most popular form of spoken communication. On average, in the UK alone, 132 million phone calls are made from mobile phones and 265 million texts sent. This is a phenomenal amount; the population of the UK is 62 million yet we manage to send four times this amount of texts every single day. Mobile phones have completed revolutionised the way we communicate; they can be carried anywhere and as long as they are credited they can connect to other landlines and mobiles all over the world. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Mobile phones are not only used for SMS, MMS and phone calls, but in recent years technology has become available that allows people to connect to the internet from their mobiles. This constant internet connection lets people access Emails, Facebook, Skype and MSN all via their mobile; it's basically every technological form of communication rolled into one. People can use Pay-As-You-Go tarriffs or choose from a wide variety of contracts that give people limits on the data they can send and minutes they use; those with unlimited texts can send however many texts they want, eliminating the old 10p per message rates and sending figures soaring regarding how many texts are sent.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIPF4eBtT3sMBxbw3heWpvoxVDhloV62V14-wcdkHC0Sduofr3UtWeB1CVqVJIy-zmFdHraSdDXGmVlVbSW5PYeWtMEMlBRjFAMPSVd2eA4plSiyXmWGlWy0WI1_tCUGw0jdt9aiXSUI/s1600/mobile_phone_evolution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIPF4eBtT3sMBxbw3heWpvoxVDhloV62V14-wcdkHC0Sduofr3UtWeB1CVqVJIy-zmFdHraSdDXGmVlVbSW5PYeWtMEMlBRjFAMPSVd2eA4plSiyXmWGlWy0WI1_tCUGw0jdt9aiXSUI/s320/mobile_phone_evolution.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana;">People can, for an extra cost, call and text people from abroad. This means that you can ring the USA from the UK for roughly 5p per minute on most contracts; this is 60% cheaper than the rates on Public Telephone Boxes that were used before mobiles were popular. This means that by a touch of a button we are connected in seconds to people thousands of miles away; a thing that 15 years ago would have seem extraordinary. The first mobile phones, invented in 1973, were a far cry from the versions we see today. They measured 15 inches in length, had a 6 inch aerial protruding from the top and only boasted one hour of talk time battery life. But these phones had poor signal, were extremely difficult to transport with you and were only available to the rich; costing roughly £2500 per phone. However now phones are small, light, mobile, have large memories and battery life and cost little enough that almost everyone can afford to own one. In 1984 there were 300,000 users worldwide- and now they're is almost 5 billion (that's 74% of the world's population owning a mobile phone). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The use of mobile phones has allowed us to connect in ways we never thought was possible; you're now able to deal with clients from home or even have a three way conversation on the train to work. It has given people a sense of security, they now have a means of communication with them wherever they are to ring home, friends or even the emergency services if the need should arise. In my opinion it has made a profound difference to the way the whole world talks to each other; it's now common practice to exchange mobile numbers rather than landlines and to text someone rather than to see them in person. Seeing as the average age in the UK for owning your first mobile phone is now 8 years it seems almost natural to use these devices as the most popular form of mobile communication. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u>Advantages:</u></b></span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">You are contactable/can contact others from wherever you are</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Stops you missing important calls</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">You can call somebody for help if you are in trouble or witness an accident</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Lets us keep in touch with people all over the world</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Breaks down the communication barrier</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">It's a phone, camera, pc, camcorder and games system all in one. It has so many features that cover all aspects of technology</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">There's a huge range of companies you can choose from, so you're more than likely to get a great deal</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Lets us talk to people simultaneously</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u>Disadvantages:</u></b></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Answering phone calls in public or when with others may be deemed as rude and socially unacceptable</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Excessive use of mobiles can impair our social skills in real life</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">There are possible health hazards associated with mobile phone radiation</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Rates to call abroad or to go over your contract limit can be pricey and once you've gone over you can't take the credit back</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Phones go in and out of fashion very quickly, and the most modern versions are extremely expensive</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Often experience 'no signal' in some areas, and the phone cannot be utilized fully</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Extra hidden charges can also be added without your knowledge (link 2)</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6339671.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6339671.stm</a></span></div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7141935.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7141935.stm</a></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u>Other uses of communication</u></b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u>Walkie Talkies:</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Walkie talkies are small portable hand held devices, similar to mobile phones, that can be carried around and communication between several linked devices can take place. Once the devices are purchased they are then free of charge and verbal communication can take place; but they are of a much more limited use than mobiles as they can only connect with people with other walkie talkies in a certain signal range. These are often used in jobs were a lot of people need to be updated on a certain situation; we see examples of this in the army where radio devices in aeroplanes and hand held versions are used to establish a secure communication link between a whole brigade of troops. We also see these used to a lesser scale in schools between caretakers when they are completing various tasks around school.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><u>Pagers</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">Before the usage of mobile phones became common pagers were used for instant, short messaging. These messages could only be very brief and often only consisted of a few words and a telephone number that they wished to be called on. These are mostly outdated ways of communicating now, however we still see some hospitals (especially in America) using pagers as a way to inform doctors where they are needed and if an emergency is taking place. They are used mainly due to the poor mobile signal in the large hospital complex and because the signal from mobiles can interfere with sensitive medical equipment. The lifeguards and firefighters in the UK are also required by law to carry pagers to ensure they have a means of communication in times of trouble.</span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><ul></ul></div></div>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-62677699260882200782010-10-01T11:24:00.043+01:002010-11-09T15:26:45.438+00:00The effects of ICT on school life<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><br />
Online Revision Sites</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are a variety of websites all over the world designed to help children who are studying for exams; they offer topic by topic explanations for each subject and use small quizzes and tests to determine the student's ability and to give them feedback about what's going wrong and on what section they may need to revise more thoroughly. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4yOA1oAHJsg8CpqMVv9XrERHTXlmK8m2BUxEFYGolPodPmuZ6XeUCL12xyjBpGs2Adn_Vw1P9V_6hjYKqj8yR72nkUOpLx9KSb0_2Sml_SzVd20PnYaYhOpB1dmXDFHG_vuGaH-GfOk/s1600/BitesizeLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4yOA1oAHJsg8CpqMVv9XrERHTXlmK8m2BUxEFYGolPodPmuZ6XeUCL12xyjBpGs2Adn_Vw1P9V_6hjYKqj8yR72nkUOpLx9KSb0_2Sml_SzVd20PnYaYhOpB1dmXDFHG_vuGaH-GfOk/s1600/BitesizeLogo.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The most popular revision site in the UK is BBC bitesize; it offers help to those children from KS1-GCSE level but does not extend to further education courses. It divides its sections by subject and then into exam board, this is useful as there are several different exam boards a student may be studying for and they are all slightly different in their specifications. Bitesize then further categorizes the subjects into topics which use language that is relevant to the audience it is aimed at; the KS1 section uses much more basic language and vocabulary than the GCSE section for example. It then rounds off each section with a small quiz to reinforce what the child has learnt in the previous section; this style of reinforcement allows the student to realise they mistakes they have made and provides the student with a reason for why they are wrong- allowing constructive criticism to enhance learning. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BFaePjvV07wjtrwTvaLNF-HaZRz2zqfRiRnjWTBMY3X1PPbaf8FvDZNGiWQiSbCvcUCzadjimRXEQ0-abQxohY5MhBgxErsfBXQ1yy_6NIMCcKeCYVxhq4OovO1nJ8FhuHFhGeIoXYo/s1600/bitesize+test.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BFaePjvV07wjtrwTvaLNF-HaZRz2zqfRiRnjWTBMY3X1PPbaf8FvDZNGiWQiSbCvcUCzadjimRXEQ0-abQxohY5MhBgxErsfBXQ1yy_6NIMCcKeCYVxhq4OovO1nJ8FhuHFhGeIoXYo/s1600/bitesize+test.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These types of online revision sites have made education a lot easier; not only can the student access a wide wealth of information at school but they can also learn at home. The depth of the explanations and mini tests at the end of each topic allow the students to have practice in exam style questions and to evaluate what they need to revise more thoroughly. The electronic aspect may also appeal more to youngsters; they may be more willing to work online as it means no handwriting and use of books. It can also be adapted into a teenager's routine after school; it can be administered as homework to revise online before they can participate in any other digital pastimes- therefore they can accomplish this quickly and easily and readily progress onto their free time activities by the click of a button.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BBC Bitesize is not the only online revision resource there is on the web; all around the world schools and universities have their own versions of online revision archives where students can access notes and presentation that will help them study in the period before exams. These can be put on sites such as Fronter; students and teachers alike can share files that can be accessed by everyone in your school via a secure log in. A collaboration of useful files can be placed online and can be used at home and at school, so revision can take place anywhere that is necessary. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Advantages:</u></b></span><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The majority are free to use</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Provide mostly all relevant information for the subjects you need, without the use of a textbook</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Provides free tests to help you learn</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can be done anywhere; at school or home</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are popular amongst youths due to their use of technology</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Disadvantages</u></b></span></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can occasionally contain errors in spelling and grammar</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The specifications are updated so frequently that information may quickly become dated and inaccurate </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">System may crash due to excess usage</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Does not cover AS/A Level </span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Online Learning Sites</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHv-7CsbRnp4UYYqzRt2ArXZweZZX6iXcriWzp2jDRab_m0gdv9aO4fplrQF0U16O467cegyQdNbHuTSLVqGDTCpSqirARg8N1l4K5TBWr9sXbkKggftm9M3AYoHrR7RTarfN9DAQ9j4/s1600/mymathsggg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHv-7CsbRnp4UYYqzRt2ArXZweZZX6iXcriWzp2jDRab_m0gdv9aO4fplrQF0U16O467cegyQdNbHuTSLVqGDTCpSqirARg8N1l4K5TBWr9sXbkKggftm9M3AYoHrR7RTarfN9DAQ9j4/s1600/mymathsggg.png" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Online learning sites are growing in popularity on the web; they are an effective method of tracking a student's ability and grading their effort and attainment via online tests. A good example of this that I'm familiar with is MyMaths; this online maths site provides digital presentations about each topic, using small tests and questions to reinforce the method. Anyone can use this site using their school's login however you are also given your own personal login information that allows you to take tests and do the 'online homework' that may be set by your teachers. All your marks can be seen by your teacher; you are given a traffic light colour that represents how comfortable you are with the topic. A green light implies you are fully confident, an amber light indicates you need some work on the topic and a red light means you are completely clueless about the work set. This traffic light feature is effective in providing the students with feedback about their results and it really highlights were they're going wrong and what they need to work on with their teachers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's also extremely useful for the teachers to see the marks that their class are achieving and can identify quickly where the problem areas may be for the individual or the group as a whole. This will enhance their teaching skills as they can understand where the children may not be as confident as they should be and make decisions on going back over units of work to ensure they are fully confident in all sections of the work. The tests and online homeworks that are used are also segregated into ability levels; this ensures that everyone from a year group can participate no matter if they're in the bottom set or top- it's tailored to everyone's needs. Using this method of homework may also decrease the number of forgotten homeworks as once it is completed digitally there is no need to bring in any pieces of paper; all the relevant information is available for the teacher to view online.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This option of learning is a great benefit for school children and positively effects their school life as it broadens the opportunities for studying they are given and provides more options to complete assignments and access important information that they might need online. It not only provides a digital environment that students can use to learn but tests their knowledge with exam styled questions and quizzes that will give them adequate experience and improve their confidence. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Advantages:</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gives students wide access to information needed for study</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Uses online tests and quizzes to reinforce knowledge</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can be used by all ages, no matter the ability level</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Improves confidence in work</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is good for the environment- cuts back on use of paper based resources</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can be accessed from home and school</span></li>
</ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Disadvantages </u></b></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can be slow on old browsers or computers, and need certain downloads to work</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May not cover all areas of specification, would need to refer to a textbook to ensure you cover all topics</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Does not give enough background information to help you if you are really stuck (MyMaths)- to improve this it could have a link that would direct students that did not understand to a basic guide that may help them grasp the theory better</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Interactive Whiteboards</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3Yq9UKxK3_p91mPyBzjY0hrPmAppwfHvlhMxo7tixjbZzxz7WsOY-j-UBqWFGP3vbQEyJx0yM1t0fePBjheu7IXj7jDv8P9fxu7C9iGFCFYKR2x9MLbI6oA4E6cPxwH-exE1WqD0DBo/s1600/interactive+whiteboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3Yq9UKxK3_p91mPyBzjY0hrPmAppwfHvlhMxo7tixjbZzxz7WsOY-j-UBqWFGP3vbQEyJx0yM1t0fePBjheu7IXj7jDv8P9fxu7C9iGFCFYKR2x9MLbI6oA4E6cPxwH-exE1WqD0DBo/s320/interactive+whiteboard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Replacing the old fashioned blackboards and whiteboards, new interactive whiteboards are gaining places in many classrooms across the UK. These electronic boards allow for connection to a computer and the touch sensitive screen lets the teacher utilize the board from the front of the class instead of having to operate the PC whilst teaching. This gives the teachers a greater sense of control over the rest of the class as it allows them to continue teaching in full view of the students and reduces the need to keep moving across the classroom to activate resources. This also allows the teacher to provide their full attention to the class and can project their voice and ideas more clearly across the room.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The touch sensitive screen is one of the best features about these whiteboards; they allow the pupils to become more active in their learning and participate more fully in the learning around them. They can be called to the front of the class and be asked to, for example, click or drag what they believe to be the correct answer. This would appeal to students who prefer a hands on style of learning as it involves them doing activities and harbouring knowledge from the experiments they do physically which tend to stick more in pupils minds. The use of these whiteboards also makes the lessons more exciting as it appeals more than textbook work to most students; and the technological aspect may make pupils more eager to learn and participate within the lesson. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are also several pens that can be utilized by the teacher that 'draw' on the board- this mimics the original use of whiteboards. This feature can be used for many purposes; such as drawing images that may needs to be copied by the class such as mind maps and can be used by the students to add their own ideas to the board. This feature of the interactive whiteboard is essentially a digitally adapted version of the initial purpose of blackboards and still play a big part in the use of learning today. The images drawn can be erased and edited at the touch of a button and eradicates the need for buying pens and erasers that were essential on the older version of the board.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There have also been some recent features added to these boards; such as a feature that allows teachers to record their lessons as digital video files and post the material online or in a school based system such as Fronter. These files can then be accessed at later dates and can be an extremely effective strategy for students who benefit from repetitive learning, want to review the content again, pupils who are not completely confident in a subject and pupils who were absent from lessons can watch the presentation that was given in class in its entirety and will ensure they do not fall completely behind in class. As this feature can also record voices the students will not only view what was presented on screen but can hear the instructing the teacher conducted during the lesson verbally; thus no information is left out.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Advantages:</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Allows students to actively participate in the lesson</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Makes learning more fun and exciting</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gives everyone the opportunity to take part</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is a DVD player, whiteboard and computer all in one; saving money and power</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Increases the opportunity of hands learning</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Disadvantages:</u></b></span></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The interactive pen is often out of alignment with the board, making it hard to write and draw intelligibly</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can slow down learning as frequent calling on individuals to come to the board breaks the flow of teaching</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lower ability students may react negatively to be called in front of the class when they are unsure of the answer</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>Other examples:</strong></span><br />
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<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><u>How does it effect the economy?</u></strong></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><u></u></strong></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<ul><li>Digital projectors which have eradicated the need for the old fashioned light projectors; these enable images from the computer to be projected onto a screen and videos and images to be seen without the need for a TV or printed images</li>
<li>Printers have allowed students to have useful images from the computer on a piece of paper so they can be used to study and create a deeper understanding of a subject</li>
<li>In most schools in the UK there is an electronic bell system that indicate the start and end of lessons/breaks and quickly tell the whole school population the timings of the day and where they are now required to be; this has caused the phasing out of the old 'bell' used in many primary schools</li>
</ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The development in ICT that aids school work has been discovered to be an extremely profitable business as rising standards in the Department of Education require all schools to be kitted out with the standard electronic equipment now available to ensure that all schools in the UK offer the same standard of teaching as others and all children have equal access to these types on technology to enhance their learning. In the UK 100% of primary and 98% of secondary schools have Interactive White Boards in their infrastructure meaning that every single child in the UK has access to them; this means that a profit of over $1 billion has been made since their development in the early noughties. There are over 20,000 schools in the UK, this means that any piece of technology deemed as required by the Department of Education will have to be bought using mainly Government funds and distributed to all 20,000 maintained schools in the nation providing manufacturers with plenty of opportunities to sell their units for a profitable price. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><u>How does it effect society?</u></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Society as a whole relys on the adequate education of our young people to ensure that a generation of capable children are produced and are able to replace the adults of today when their time comes to benefit society with their knowledge and skills. These developments in ICT that are now required by all schools in the UK enable the British youth to recieve one of the best educations in Europe with all the devices available to make learning a more enjoyable and satisfying matter; children are more encouraged by the interesting aspect of using technology to help them learn and are more enthusiastic about learning when using these items. Society also benefits from the assurance that all schools in the UK are using the same equipment as a standard so levels of computer interaction should not vary dramatically from area to area and it makes the UK a more balanced places in terms of education standards.</span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">How does it effect the individual?</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The benefits to the students of today in terms of education is huge thanks to the development and use of ICT in schools that mean we get to use resources from all over the world whenever we need them. Secondary school level students in particular </span></div>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-61654400773093491962010-09-29T10:59:00.144+01:002010-11-09T15:07:20.817+00:00The effects of ICT on our social and personal lives<div align="center"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></u></strong> <strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mobile Phones</span></u></strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTgCyRtkD9It2SFn-UKaYGXg4txIQ1rSMeZISxmX4vs_BJtZXSM9Sq9zmvndMMygi1tBKnBn5Z8Z7qPILZbQvsj8ImDOhI_Ko8KGQFtfJaFxy1gGQe8g8tr2L2Vt6nC5HZcYcGEaTXi0/s1600/evolution+of+mobiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="167" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTgCyRtkD9It2SFn-UKaYGXg4txIQ1rSMeZISxmX4vs_BJtZXSM9Sq9zmvndMMygi1tBKnBn5Z8Z7qPILZbQvsj8ImDOhI_Ko8KGQFtfJaFxy1gGQe8g8tr2L2Vt6nC5HZcYcGEaTXi0/s320/evolution+of+mobiles.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mobile phones are the most popular means of mobile communication in the world; there are more than 5 billion mobile subscriptions globally. This way of communicating is so vastly popular that there are estimated three times more mobile phones used in the world than personal computers. This is far higher than the first UK phone companies ever predicted; during their launch in 1987 an industry insider predicted a maximum of 10,000 phones sold. Now it seems that almost everyone owns a mobile phone; often more than one. The average age of a child receiving their first phone is now 8 in the UK, meaning that even younger children are believing that communicating this way is the norm and is quickly becoming part of children's lifestyles.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10569081"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10569081</span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjM1vk2ZJz-QzYdLSICFze5_c06fXJwiA-nFJZYiTlM6tX98N_Yys_8x90D2qPZ6vhH3qm_gV9zIJNYquQ6Ggi0qOipsIAk7oXecNCcyQVJdPrfueEY8RfMnlcFnhsJdFW1w13OsRKNo/s1600/tariffs.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjM1vk2ZJz-QzYdLSICFze5_c06fXJwiA-nFJZYiTlM6tX98N_Yys_8x90D2qPZ6vhH3qm_gV9zIJNYquQ6Ggi0qOipsIAk7oXecNCcyQVJdPrfueEY8RfMnlcFnhsJdFW1w13OsRKNo/s1600/tariffs.bmp" /></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A mobile phone has many functions; it eradicates the need to meet somebody to communicate with them as you can call them at the touch of a button from wherever you are, even across international borders. There are now thousands of mobile phone tariffs to choose from which offer a variety of different features such as minutes, texts, Internet usage allowance and voicemail. These tariffs are tailored to different people's needs and often unlimited options are available so young people especially can text thousands of times a months for one set price. However there are still pay-as-you-go options available, although these are becoming less popular as the value offered in monthly contracts becomes more worthwhile. We often see mobile phones used as the medium of communication between friends, often planning events via text messaging or voice calling, and this method of communication is by far the most popular in the world. In the UK alone in 2009 a total of 96.8 billion text messages were sent.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuVR31X_L-Ejoc4MIwIWGJlv-6e_qwkx4P3yoeUk6Tnh08TgcrZUOin80CPx_kry6e-ToT5lfr2nniYbVKOxKPnmJTbzV6WxVxmwbz6ojhaqaFxln-T6fw0P7dY6VsIi7c5HRaeO7_-0/s1600/save+sms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="248" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuVR31X_L-Ejoc4MIwIWGJlv-6e_qwkx4P3yoeUk6Tnh08TgcrZUOin80CPx_kry6e-ToT5lfr2nniYbVKOxKPnmJTbzV6WxVxmwbz6ojhaqaFxln-T6fw0P7dY6VsIi7c5HRaeO7_-0/s320/save+sms.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SMS allows the user to send short messages to another mobile phone user, this message can contain anything from information to a question. However there is also an option to send an MMS message- this is an extension of the SMS services allowing text and multimedia such as videos and pictures to be sent between a group of people. This feature often comes at an extra charge but allows large data sharing from across the globe; if you want to send your family or friends a picture of what you're doing on holiday for example all you require is a picture phone and the phone number of who you wish to send it to. This method of communication is not nearly as popular as SMSing, only 1.6 million sent per day in the UK compared to the 265 million texts, however the numbers are rapidly growing. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now mobile phone technology is so advanced that not only can we voice call others, but we can conduct video calls from the touch of a button. There is often a camera built in to the face of the phone that projects your image to the recipitant whilst you can see their face at the same time. You can also access the whole Internet via your phone; sites such as Facebook, Youtube and Google are among the most popular mobile sites accessed in the world. This feature not only eradicates the need for a computer to be connected to broadband to access the web, but now unlimited streams of information can be accessed whenever, and wherever you want.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Teenagers in particular have been affected by the growth of mobile phone usage; this study in America showed</span></div><ul><li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">47% of teens say their social life would be worsened without their mobile</span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">4/5 teens (17 million) owned and used a mobile phone</span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">57% see their phone as the key to their social life</span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">52% agree that mobile phones are a new source of entertainment</span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">80% say it provides a sense of security on the go, and if they forget or lose their mobile they feel a sense of incompleteness (they are so used to having the device on them they feel uncomfortable without it)</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">astonishingly 52% of teens can text blindfolded.</span></div></li>
</ul><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mediabuyerplanner.com/entry/33437/cell-phones-key-to-teens-social-lives-47-can-text-blindfolded/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.mediabuyerplanner.com/entry/33437/cell-phones-key-to-teens-social-lives-47-can-text-blindfolded/</span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This study shows how much mobile phones have affected our personal and social lives, they have rapidly become one of the most important items to own by the younger generations and they have become so dependant on this mobile form of communication that they feel 'lost' without it. The study indicates that as technology is advancing it is fast becoming an invaluable addition to the way we communicate; it is fast, on the go and private and is everything our society wants in modern times. Compared to the initial creation of mobile phones in the early 1980s nothing could have predicted the sheer popularity and dependence our society has formed on this mode of communication, allowing it to become one of the most important methods of social and personal organization in the world today.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Advantages:</span></u></strong></div><strong><u></u></strong><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quick and easy methods of communications </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It connects the whole world at the touch of a button</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cheap and effective</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Allows people to talk wherever they are</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eliminates the need for landlines</span></li>
</ul></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Disadvantages:</span></u></strong></span><br />
<br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Could have effects on the use of English language</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Makes people's social skills decrease as they are reducing the frequency of personal communication</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Scientists argue that the excessive use of mobile phones increases our exposure to radiation and increases the risks of cancer</span></li>
</ul><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1286665/Mobile-phone-users-times-likely-develop-brain-tumour.html">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1286665/Mobile-phone-users-times-likely-develop-brain-tumour.html</a><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>Social Networking</u></strong></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAmAJ3x-1mxmuStsqtYQXlYbk2q3dCqZgOxEBeJiD3qj1OeBB8F1l6lqz5WbsPpalkxcmClCax1V8h07jZZM-Oass65PmMCK2DwINlnBh3hqtcAAkmRQ2JQp8PLiCLW_s6UusyyHFZfs/s1600/social+networking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAmAJ3x-1mxmuStsqtYQXlYbk2q3dCqZgOxEBeJiD3qj1OeBB8F1l6lqz5WbsPpalkxcmClCax1V8h07jZZM-Oass65PmMCK2DwINlnBh3hqtcAAkmRQ2JQp8PLiCLW_s6UusyyHFZfs/s1600/social+networking.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Social networking sites such as Facebook, Myspace and Twitter are fast becoming the most subscribed and used sites on the Internet. A social network is described as a variety of people grouped together in a small virtual community; in this community you can talk to whoever you like from the web, talk to friends and meet new people. It is an online way of socialising both with old and new friends, and allows an easy method of communication to be established so people do not lose touch with each other. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Facebook is the most popular social networking site in the world; there are over 500 million subscribers over the globe amounting to roughly 1 in every 14 people (including young children) are subscribed to Facebook. This is a substantial number of our population that is part of this reveloution of social networking; and the cliche opinion that the majority of users are youths is not nessasserily correct as research shows that 3 in 4 parents are signed up to the site often to keep an eye on their children. This proves that Facebook is an personal site for all types of people, regardless of age and gender. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More than 50% of facebook acounts are used each day</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The average person has 130 friends.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Users spend more than 500 billion minutes per month on Facebook.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Average user is connected to over 60 pages, groups or events.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Average user create 70 prices of content each month.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More than 25 billion pieces of content (web links, news stories, blog posts, notes, photo albums, etc.) shared each month.</span></li>
</ul></div><br />
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1313014/Big-Mother-watching-Three-parents-use-Facebook-check-childrens-university-antics.html?ito=feeds-newsxml">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1313014/Big-Mother-watching-Three-parents-use-Facebook-check-childrens-university-antics.html?ito=feeds-newsxml</a><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxN7hEbwFG2VQfVRDEz9HT_6oBh1-j_J67mgSYtpteuyREPnst9UyjXxmDPJeBNeguZ4lzTg2x2DNXE-R11x_5Prc-7DYsq1s0DfumloWcIA510eVCqsdVvyesCr8JqHOneX7gSpl4HM/s1600/blogging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxN7hEbwFG2VQfVRDEz9HT_6oBh1-j_J67mgSYtpteuyREPnst9UyjXxmDPJeBNeguZ4lzTg2x2DNXE-R11x_5Prc-7DYsq1s0DfumloWcIA510eVCqsdVvyesCr8JqHOneX7gSpl4HM/s320/blogging.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blogging (Web logging) is also an extremely popular form of socialising online. It allows bloggers to post their thoughts and ideas on various blogging sites such as Blogger and Tumblr- you can also post pictures and videos about subjects of your choice. On these sites you can often add 'followers' and you can read recent blog posts and keep up to date with their personal lives via what the Blog; it's a fast and mobile way of updating people about what you're up to. By adding followers you are effectively building up a network of people who share similar ideas and values as you do, and you can begin building friendships with them. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Advantages:</span></u></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><ul><li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Allows you to meet a wide range of people</span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Enables you to join interest related groups which allows you to talk freely about the subjects you are interested in</span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The majority of sites are free</span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Allows you to keep in touch with friends and family who live a long distance away</span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Is easy to share photos and videos with hundreds of people all at the same time</span></div></li>
</ul><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Disadvantages:</span></u></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><ul><li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Privacy is always an issue; people may find our personal things such as your address or phone number</span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Can often cause a lot of viruses that spread easily</span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Scientists argue it effects your 'social health' making you less adapted to social situations because of the time you spend socializing via a computer rather than in real life</span></div></li>
<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Social networking sites often take a lot of time and effort to keep interesting; it can be very time consuming keeping up to date with everything</span></div></li>
</ul><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7898510.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7898510.stm</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.everyday-wisdom.com/social-networking.html">http://www.everyday-wisdom.com/social-networking.html</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Laptops</span></u></strong></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz39GxlEKdJXT2GMFaJ6b9UBns0Bbab6HHVIAFtCj8qfIGGujkhN9NYQWre-bALOfhB5wG8aV5Ozz3F_3M_0b1DeLBIb6nvKu0KorMmnbfiZhMRolWFBHb-6o94TW0N3Hr36ybmH08ATs/s1600/computer+evol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz39GxlEKdJXT2GMFaJ6b9UBns0Bbab6HHVIAFtCj8qfIGGujkhN9NYQWre-bALOfhB5wG8aV5Ozz3F_3M_0b1DeLBIb6nvKu0KorMmnbfiZhMRolWFBHb-6o94TW0N3Hr36ybmH08ATs/s1600/computer+evol.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The very first computer was invented in the 1940s and were the size of a large room, each machine consuming the same amount of power equivalent to a few hundred modern laptops. However the first laptop wasn't invented until 1984; it weighed 30 pounds and had a memory of 64kb. It cost £1500 which is in stark contrast to the cost of laptops today where prices range from around £300. In the 1980s laptops seemed items of complete luxury; only the richest and most affluent people could own them due to their cost and complexity. However in this day and age owning three or more laptops in one household is considered the norm; 190 million were sold worldwide last year alone, showing just how popular they are today. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Owning a laptop opens a whole new world of possibilities; now you can take you computer to work or school with you and access all your files you've been working on at home wherever you are. It is especially popular amongst young people who have a larger sense of freedom as they can communicate with their friends online without having to be in the family room where the computer is often situated. Laptops are also wireless; they can connect to the internet via wifi wherever there are as long as there is a wifi hotspot near you, or you can purchase a USB stick that allows for permanent connection to the internet all over the country. This means you can take you laptop anywhere in the house and you can still access the web.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1OMkU8VqSjjpE0SSbKS8N8VfzUJmzbmixsXqves3ZgKUhg4tloWphYtGLRkxxLGGYAEUSvoukrlj7Pimu8RAw7gxaTuLIFr_JucPcWgaO8EF1LqtwtkSCHbKiEEF1IUviYYCLgKRg3s/s1600/graph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1OMkU8VqSjjpE0SSbKS8N8VfzUJmzbmixsXqves3ZgKUhg4tloWphYtGLRkxxLGGYAEUSvoukrlj7Pimu8RAw7gxaTuLIFr_JucPcWgaO8EF1LqtwtkSCHbKiEEF1IUviYYCLgKRg3s/s400/graph.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Laptops are a big part of the world's social life today; it's estimated that 43% of the UKs population own a laptop. Studies showed that in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1992 18.60% of households owned at least one computer and in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">2002 59.30% of households owned at least one computer. This shows how much laptops have become a part of our lives; they connect us in seconds to the world wide web and store immense amounts of data that can be accessed wherever you need it to be. It's allowed millions of </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;">Results </span><span style="color: blue;">of a survey I conducted asking people how many</span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">computers they had in their households.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">people to meet online via </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">chat rooms and online dating services and has started a social aspect of its own- online gaming and chatting. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Advantages:</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span><br />
<br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Allow for mobile connection to the internet and access to your personal files</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">can be used anywhere</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">battery life means they can be used without being plugged into the mains</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">more privacy</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lower power requirements</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can enhance learning opportunities and gives students their own space to work on </span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.itpro.co.uk/619459/teachers-claim-all-students-should-have-laptops">http://www.itpro.co.uk/619459/teachers-claim-all-students-should-have-laptops</a></span></div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Disadvantages </u></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Up to date models can be extremely expensive</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Difficult to repair and upgrade</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some software is incompatible with laptops</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As they are portable they are more likely to be stolen</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can have adverse affects on your health, for example your fertility in men (see link two)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hard to monitor your child's behaviour and what sites they are accessing (see link three)</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1.<a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Laptop+stolen+from+Burnaby+Hospital+held+private+medical+info/3483850/story.html">http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Laptop+stolen+from+Burnaby+Hospital+held+private+medical+info/3483850/story.html</a></span></div></div><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2.<a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article400872.ece">http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article400872.ece</a></span></div><div><br />
</div><div>3. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/20laptopsct.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/20laptopsct.html</a></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are millions of other examples of ICT in our daily lives that effect our personal and social lives; these can be in many forms;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Such as the self service ticket machine at train stations that allow us transport to go out to meet friends. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Those who go to the gym after work encounter all sorts of ICT; from the barriers in which they swipe their gym card, to the treadmills that record your calorie loss and the drinks machines they can purchase liquids from</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">iPods and other personal music players with in built speakers are good examples of technological advance in our society; music has evolved from the walkman, to the mp3 and now to the 3G which not only allows music, videos, files and games to be stored, but also connect to the internet</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Games consoles, in particular for young males, can be played so consistently they can be considered pastimes and shape someone's social life around the gameplay</span></li>
</ul></div><br />
<strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">How does it affect the economy?</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The development of all the new technology in the market today to ehance our social and personal lives has caused economy to boom and billions of pounds to be made in profit in companies all over the world. The mobile phone companies in particular have made revenue in excess of $500 billion since it's development in the 1990s; the fact that in developed countries such as the UK and the China there is more than one mobile phone perscription per person indicates that more phones that necessary have been bought and activated across the nation. The combination of all the various companies have caused extortianate amounts of profits to be developed worldwide due to their success; in particular the company Apple. The creators and reailers of iPods, Macs, iPads and several other advanced pieces of technology means they are one of the most economically rich companies in the technology market today behind the Giants such as Google and Microsoft who are involved in almost every coputer sold in the developed world. </span><br />
<br />
<strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">How does it affect society?</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">These advances have allowed us to arrange our social and personal lives around the developments such as mobile phones, laptops and iPods. People are now spending more time online meaning that more people are meeting over the Web; this is a far cry from society decades ago where friendships and relationships were initiated in person and there was no such technology to keep you occupied. The development of technology has also altered society's pastimes; many years ago young boy's would favour sports over any other form of entertainment however in a 2009 census young boys in the UK voted for video games as their favourite activity. In turn girl's have also put television as their favourite activity to participate in in their free time meaning that our society has become completely technology centered. No longer are we a society that relies on tradtional activites to pass the time as we are now relying on devices such as computers and televisions to create enjoyment in our spare time. There are millions of oppurtunites to find online activites to participate in such as games and online forums that allow people to form relationships and meet people they would never have had the chance to meet in real life, for example those from other countries. In some extreme cases the only social interaction people have may be through the computer to those on the other side of the web allowing technology to completely take over their social and personal lives.</span><br />
<br />
<strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">How does it affect the individual?</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">ICT can affect an individual in many ways depending on the attitudes of the person in question- for example there are some types of people who choose not to engage fully with technology and choose not to use it for entertainment purposes and only use it for work related purposes. However for the general population advances in ICT mean that people can now chat instantly with their friends over various programmes meaning that social events can be planned quickly and of little effort. For myself I believe that having such variations of technology available for my use means that my social life can be arranged quickly over text, facebook or email and is a much more efficient method of communication than word of mouth; this enables plans to be made quickly and made certain in minutes. It has also altered my personal life as when at home I have a computer which gives me access to endless amounts of information, a television with hundreds of channels, an iPod with hundreds of tracks and applications and various games consoles to keep me occupied and can shape my personal life as much as I wish them to. Although depending on what country someone lives in and what life chances they have can change the ways in which ICT affect an individual's personal and social life as those in developing countries will not have these items at their disposal to keep them entertained and as a means of communication to organise events with their friends.</span></div>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-8732977805958291412010-09-29T10:08:00.000+01:002010-09-29T10:08:51.556+01:005 chosen topics 1.2<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. The effect of ICT on personal and social life</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2. The effect of ICT on school life</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">3. The effect of ICT on the way we communicate</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">4. The effect of ICT on entertainment</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">5. The effect of ICT on the way people work</span>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-89699563309628851752010-09-24T10:27:00.001+01:002010-09-24T10:28:59.647+01:00News Update: Gmail and Google Voice integration allows users to make pho...<object height="295" style="background-image: url(http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/5bHJBtFLISY/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5bHJBtFLISY?fs=1&hl=en_GB"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5bHJBtFLISY?fs=1&hl=en_GB" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-81911618977283723992010-09-24T10:21:00.001+01:002010-09-24T10:29:30.079+01:00Features of Tumblr<object height="344" style="background-image: url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/70oNJnV7Jvo/hqdefault.jpg);" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/70oNJnV7Jvo?fs=1&hl=en_GB"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/70oNJnV7Jvo?fs=1&hl=en_GB" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-76476500019147082692010-09-23T15:29:00.002+01:002010-09-24T10:15:46.162+01:00Using Windows Live Messenger<object height="295" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bb-c6YIfs-o?fs=1&hl=en_GB"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bb-c6YIfs-o?fs=1&hl=en_GB" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-74844928286144370152010-09-23T15:27:00.001+01:002010-09-24T10:14:07.943+01:00Skype Explained Visually<object height="295" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/m1mflr-kQlk?fs=1&hl=en_GB"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/m1mflr-kQlk?fs=1&hl=en_GB" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-78974382968370242432010-09-23T15:21:00.001+01:002010-09-24T10:14:21.867+01:00e-commerce - evolution<object height="344" style="background-image: url(http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/LW4X3b_j0eE/hqdefault.jpg);" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LW4X3b_j0eE?fs=1&hl=en_GB"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LW4X3b_j0eE?fs=1&hl=en_GB" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-81948683436945798762010-09-23T15:20:00.001+01:002010-09-24T10:14:33.625+01:00E-Commerce- Amazon growth<object height="344" style="background-image: url(http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/Euc4QwtoFb0/hqdefault.jpg);" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Euc4QwtoFb0?fs=1&hl=en_GB"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Euc4QwtoFb0?fs=1&hl=en_GB" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-6755111455350829012010-09-23T15:16:00.001+01:002010-09-24T10:12:59.702+01:00Amazon.com May Unveil Revamps Kindle Reader - Bloomberg<object height="344" style="background-image: url(http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/fbGKWAWgbIE/hqdefault.jpg);" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fbGKWAWgbIE?fs=1&hl=en_GB"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fbGKWAWgbIE?fs=1&hl=en_GB" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-40408110778986096892010-09-16T18:27:00.004+01:002010-10-17T15:39:45.326+01:00Tesco Direct<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6ag6N0xQiUh5_OnA0e9ut_BWaeOFB6TU6NKNZk8C-7WoM6rKd3D5MGEJf6cApr2i8vVqrv7h_ID9kHnYZ9L2I-lPJGZbXFlHYurU8qYrbc9CznpvrNG2snehceL3iY3jnXSca9xmw0c/s1600/tesco+direct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6ag6N0xQiUh5_OnA0e9ut_BWaeOFB6TU6NKNZk8C-7WoM6rKd3D5MGEJf6cApr2i8vVqrv7h_ID9kHnYZ9L2I-lPJGZbXFlHYurU8qYrbc9CznpvrNG2snehceL3iY3jnXSca9xmw0c/s320/tesco+direct.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tesco direct is the online shopping service set up by Supermarket Giants Tesco- it was first available to the public via an offline download service from 1998-2005 however as broadband was now widely available they created Tesco Direct on the Net. Due to Tesco's 300 local stores all around the country, it's delivery services are able to serve 98% of the country and is currently the world's largest on line grocery delivery service.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMLsr_MKKNi-q4FHC9NJ9tX1aZgvPLCnYilEs9BGCoxnbp-p5pXBkdEU1HwyzGphZ2sXnUVnWm6oBgYhq0omeKifCQbgwPU1BRjg6nQGThioBKbqq_BcVppC0Q2yd1pqbVdN3B8_s1q4/s1600/tesco+direct+menu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMLsr_MKKNi-q4FHC9NJ9tX1aZgvPLCnYilEs9BGCoxnbp-p5pXBkdEU1HwyzGphZ2sXnUVnWm6oBgYhq0omeKifCQbgwPU1BRjg6nQGThioBKbqq_BcVppC0Q2yd1pqbVdN3B8_s1q4/s320/tesco+direct+menu.JPG" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The main site, Tesco.com, is solely dedicated to providing groceries and general day-to-day shopping that may be needed by members of the public. There are thousands of food produces to choose from, and also other home furnishings. There is a link at the side of the page that directs the user to Tesco Direct; the partner site that is compatible with the Tesco catalogue that is distributed to local houses and in-store. The Tesco Direct store is more focused on electrical items and does not sell groceries; it is more entertainment based. The items on the website are then split into twelve main categories depending on what genre they fit in to, this makes finding the item you need easier. The orders are depending on how many items can be found in each section; PC Photo & Gaming has the most products and therefore features first in the list. Clicking on these sections opens up a whole inventory of items that can purchased on the site; often at a reduced price than what can be found in store- also double Clubcard points are often offered to on line customers as an incentive to use the Net based facility. Clubcards can be held by frequent shoppers at both Tesco instore and Tesco Online; every time you make purchases points are added to your account; accumulating points allows you to transfer them for vouchers to be spent in many stores, restaurants and airlines nationally. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvAZb1OSJhwdPopcUaHUX7Veej-A6FAOeLXWYnTfF_SANV1wfabcr6c5UNXtpvQcRe6DM1Q9JWea9EgbKEjqRU1XXKkd5OHf3Qbfx89fJeS4EMYkc4rdI7qcMDuIWij_S03ex2w3i7qI/s1600/tesco+review.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvAZb1OSJhwdPopcUaHUX7Veej-A6FAOeLXWYnTfF_SANV1wfabcr6c5UNXtpvQcRe6DM1Q9JWea9EgbKEjqRU1XXKkd5OHf3Qbfx89fJeS4EMYkc4rdI7qcMDuIWij_S03ex2w3i7qI/s200/tesco+review.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYl_VqS9wKLkLnuJhFkA_igkvRE8d_q_kRGAmZ0XGGa7vxmDmn4b-bBJaIgsMchdDwv4Ab6dm74ad_k8C5Y3lu59QxNG4qLcq0XrW1AZpVarkkbejTfcPc_N7Fj1eoWteACF2CEbn4gQ/s1600/tesco+price.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYl_VqS9wKLkLnuJhFkA_igkvRE8d_q_kRGAmZ0XGGa7vxmDmn4b-bBJaIgsMchdDwv4Ab6dm74ad_k8C5Y3lu59QxNG4qLcq0XrW1AZpVarkkbejTfcPc_N7Fj1eoWteACF2CEbn4gQ/s320/tesco+price.JPG" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you are viewing the list of iPods for example, you have to option to change in which order you view them- for example by price or title. The price option is especially handy to those who may be shopping in a price range and can't afford the more pricier versions of a product. To expand on this point, there is also a feature on the side that allows you to select your price range so nothing that is more expensive than your selected top price is shown. Also, you can read reviews that have been left by other buyers; this may influence your purchase as you would not wish to buy something that has been faulty or not worth the price tag. Reviewers also score the product on a series of tests which varies for each product that is reviewed; for iPod features such as battery life and sound quality are evaluated and the average results are posted on the website.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8Bu_e_Pp1hWq4bx8i2MroYSx2jt7h-23wdEPuSMivLk_EzJ7TQErpKX9YPgPeOyjIdboSpmhiRDrjcRYHE9ATdPGK0l5OZ5Xboxyp3ezPkW-4wJfYxRNgidnWhqM1zJIH0LCTAjFskI/s1600/tesco+review.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8Bu_e_Pp1hWq4bx8i2MroYSx2jt7h-23wdEPuSMivLk_EzJ7TQErpKX9YPgPeOyjIdboSpmhiRDrjcRYHE9ATdPGK0l5OZ5Xboxyp3ezPkW-4wJfYxRNgidnWhqM1zJIH0LCTAjFskI/s200/tesco+review.JPG" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tesco also relies on their customers opinions and constructive criticism to enhance their site and to make it more suited to the people that use it most. At the top of the page there is a link that says 'Rate This Page'; clicking on this causes a short quiz to appear. Customers are here able to rate things about the site such as content, design and ease of use- they can also add their own personal comments to make sure their opinion is heard. Getting reliable feedback from the customers allows Tesco to improve their features based on the demands of the public, making it more user friendly and popular. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DIWvykg7zJXQoQCsQzVPWvivjt0lWWQkFH6d0aVN-XLP6cisvzUU-TMDOrRbNIvDcjaUOIfPVsPIibgjsQF66GqeR3SQVLpFfTcUOsUSNa4QbH4oOIRgttIwG29u0kdeS2PDWSUpMpw/s1600/tesco+delivery.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DIWvykg7zJXQoQCsQzVPWvivjt0lWWQkFH6d0aVN-XLP6cisvzUU-TMDOrRbNIvDcjaUOIfPVsPIibgjsQF66GqeR3SQVLpFfTcUOsUSNa4QbH4oOIRgttIwG29u0kdeS2PDWSUpMpw/s200/tesco+delivery.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the goods are purchased by the buyer can either collect them in store for free or choose the option of door to door delivery. The cost of delivery varies from £5.00 (small package next day delivery) to £19.50 (large kitchen appliance purchase under £200, pre-selected delivery time). Next to the prices list is a comparison to Tesco Direct's main competitors Argos; all the prices are reduced which would be a selling point of the company- they're cheaper than the other main brand. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Advantages:</u></b></span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can save a lot of money though offers that are often only available for online customers</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have a reward card, you can get double the amounts of points for buying online</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Organised and sorted in terms of price so you can see all the items in your price range</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saves you having to go all the way to the store to purchase items</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can be fitted in to a busy daily schedule</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Disadvantages:</u></b></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It takes days for delivery to occur; it would be more practical to go out and purchase the item so you can take it home with you</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Doesn't necessarily save you money; added card handling fees and delivery costs could rack up your price</span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>News Stories:</u></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Tesco is trialling the UKs first Drive Through store</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://topnews.net.nz/content/27562-uk-s-first-drive-thru-store-be-opened-baldock">http://topnews.net.nz/content/27562-uk-s-first-drive-thru-store-be-opened-baldock</a></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Tesco has designed an iPhone app that allows you to do your weekly grocery shopping and send it off to be ordered</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://topnews.net.nz/content/27562-uk-s-first-drive-thru-store-be-opened-baldock">http://topnews.net.nz/content/27562-uk-s-first-drive-thru-store-be-opened-baldock</a></b></span>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-12318278610954166932010-09-16T14:25:00.005+01:002010-10-17T15:18:24.541+01:00Amazon.com<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NIQ5d30BZ4TM3Vw5yYv4MS-xvazKezcS3_npEcMU3oTGsPnnCOIobYEek0K5yVqkaktIu-TSqRVeuTm5p5MRsJhqQiAnRnRc6IcvPFsTuLw7Ld__IF7rxTOU3XttcbpvhmWp0aoy5Ew/s1600/amazon+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NIQ5d30BZ4TM3Vw5yYv4MS-xvazKezcS3_npEcMU3oTGsPnnCOIobYEek0K5yVqkaktIu-TSqRVeuTm5p5MRsJhqQiAnRnRc6IcvPFsTuLw7Ld__IF7rxTOU3XttcbpvhmWp0aoy5Ew/s200/amazon+logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWymEjW0W4vbepMzPP5BVNLpVUUlY6v0dUGBN_HDykvCRh5-uo10M_K5r3ed9UO9-j1nLm1CKhtVLd4NcJV_fT11M0wYZJitGMuPuqmgWDCTP2Yk9Tft3PDMl9ZZTU5W6tN6jFnZTuok/s1600/amazon+screenshot+homepage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWymEjW0W4vbepMzPP5BVNLpVUUlY6v0dUGBN_HDykvCRh5-uo10M_K5r3ed9UO9-j1nLm1CKhtVLd4NcJV_fT11M0wYZJitGMuPuqmgWDCTP2Yk9Tft3PDMl9ZZTU5W6tN6jFnZTuok/s400/amazon+screenshot+homepage.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Amazon.com is an American based online shopping site that allows users to buy products from various retailers all around the country; versions that are adapted to the individual countries have been created, such as amazon.co.uk. It was launched in 1994 and originally sold only books; however due to popular demand it branched out it's stock and sold DVDs, music, games and other electronic goods. A 2009 survey stated that Amazon was the UK's top retailer for music and video purchases and third top overall. </span></div></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmuLLlcFe6bfjX_9bZ7fmOSarGy8Zjk_VNgLpgh_NzRMdjzN6APH0Cn7ByHAq4qV77TGNKMllinpagjvpJvAM8YH3vJw1AexhR0WxQyHyMgAgVoNlVs-sZun2bMfmRxoWgFZZptWBOKs/s1600/amazon+whats+hot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmuLLlcFe6bfjX_9bZ7fmOSarGy8Zjk_VNgLpgh_NzRMdjzN6APH0Cn7ByHAq4qV77TGNKMllinpagjvpJvAM8YH3vJw1AexhR0WxQyHyMgAgVoNlVs-sZun2bMfmRxoWgFZZptWBOKs/s400/amazon+whats+hot.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The layout of the website is very user friendly, the main screen holds host to many advertisements that help fund the running of the site. The main focus of the homepage is the 'What other customers are looking at right now' section; it shows various items that are popular and what other online users were searching for at the time. Also, once you set up an account with Amazon, it tailors this section based on previous transactions. This is a good way of advertising their goods as they know what the user will want to purchase and may promote sales. All the items in this section also show price cuts; these may be exaggerated or possibly made up to try and influence people to buy their products at a good value price.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgdtb8tiHTeOyfNAfciB9twJMHQENB61MhtxH1y2x9Jp3H1KsjdWrkxz0EqSsXuyb3ciV87xHGp4LcN0YQNmiwS6ITEYvjzxnyp5K85opUAhNDWejXSQHHuR-56iYebDqu2Wg_VEeIB4/s1600/amazon+rfwetg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgdtb8tiHTeOyfNAfciB9twJMHQENB61MhtxH1y2x9Jp3H1KsjdWrkxz0EqSsXuyb3ciV87xHGp4LcN0YQNmiwS6ITEYvjzxnyp5K85opUAhNDWejXSQHHuR-56iYebDqu2Wg_VEeIB4/s320/amazon+rfwetg.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">There are hundreds of thousands of items that are sold on Amazon, so a good categorization method is needed so that users will know where to find them if they do not know the name of the product they are looking for. The search bar at the top of the screen is 'live'; this means that as you are typing what you want, a list of suggestions pop up asking if that product is what you're looking for. This can be useful to those who do not know the exact name of the product they want and saves time when searching. There are eleven sections that the site is split into; most of these are electronics or accessories however there is now a small section devoted to toys and furniture- this greater diversity of goods will attract a wider range of buyers. When you hover your mouse over each section a pop up menu appears showing examples of what you could expect to find in the section which is useful if you are not one hundred percent certain as to which item you are looking for is in which section.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXo-W7DkNLipb6MIlYhWiCg0l8xEstm8LUYL6RIwLZ3VqjrM3512JYXTStGLlZzDfQqCkpEqGuk5ijB3OHDiPdMN3zgP6t_P5yW2VCwEZa6PBUnWrRElG9DjW8q0W0xVMYOUpAKUjdfd4/s1600/amzon+basket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXo-W7DkNLipb6MIlYhWiCg0l8xEstm8LUYL6RIwLZ3VqjrM3512JYXTStGLlZzDfQqCkpEqGuk5ijB3OHDiPdMN3zgP6t_P5yW2VCwEZa6PBUnWrRElG9DjW8q0W0xVMYOUpAKUjdfd4/s320/amzon+basket.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">When searching for you goods you can use a 'basket'; this hypothetical basket allows you to store items that you intend to buy without you having to individually purchase each thing you want. You can add as many items into this basket as needed, and when you come to the end of your purchase you are asked to pay for all items simultaneously. There is also a feature called 'Wish List'; this allows a user (who is signed in) to make a list of products that they want to purchase in the future so they don't forget. These may also be a list of expensive products that one wishes to save for- these wishes can also be seen by other users so it's useful if you have a birthday coming up; this ensures that you get gifts you really want. This feature is also really flexible; you don't have to add only amazon products into the list, items from any website you like can be added. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0fzPyGw9fGq5yd807mezKQBfdyjjW5_Kqsejp4zrpcu2gqPNsmLMRY0gwwAIfoIdhsPcBH2WkjQckGpuGK_ki3aibe9OeK5Hg2Lr0ybbSXMm8Z0rH_XAtsdFxioOGsgqu9B_e__PmBs/s1600/amazon+mp3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0fzPyGw9fGq5yd807mezKQBfdyjjW5_Kqsejp4zrpcu2gqPNsmLMRY0gwwAIfoIdhsPcBH2WkjQckGpuGK_ki3aibe9OeK5Hg2Lr0ybbSXMm8Z0rH_XAtsdFxioOGsgqu9B_e__PmBs/s320/amazon+mp3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Amazon also has a section devoted to Mp3 downloads; they have almost 15 million songs on record- almost as many as iTunes. These songs are often priced at either 89p or 69p however there are a large number of free tracks that can be downloaded- these may be older songs, or songs that have been requested to be downloaded free by the artist to raise the popularity of the song and to allow it to be heard by lots of people. There is also the option to purchase whole albums; these may appeal to people who are too busy to actively go and purchase an album from the store or for those who only wish to use the CD on their music device or computer. Songs can be arranged in order of price, time, bestselling, letter or length so it is easy to find any song you want. This feature of downloading songs may also appeal to those who do not have an iPod or another Apple product and therefore do not use iTunes or have an iTunes store account. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8GSgdazH9aRFQsouN4j_FZBG0xs5daLGe4GZRhyphenhyphenR2AQsTAy2cN6pDZJ6ygXHaK8YEhX6_zuoibzLBVYv-vHUg2wlespIGWyt7S0ATOQuZgVbtOekJ53SsJuY1bU3eL3xMkGqNznGD30/s1600/amazon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8GSgdazH9aRFQsouN4j_FZBG0xs5daLGe4GZRhyphenhyphenR2AQsTAy2cN6pDZJ6ygXHaK8YEhX6_zuoibzLBVYv-vHUg2wlespIGWyt7S0ATOQuZgVbtOekJ53SsJuY1bU3eL3xMkGqNznGD30/s640/amazon.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Advantages:</span></u></b><br />
<br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Offer millions of products for cheaper prices</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Secure buying- if you do not receive what you were under the impression you were buying you can contact the sender and receive a full refund</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fast delivery- you can often choose for free (or at a small cost) next day delivery</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Allows you to create a basket and pay for all your items together at the end of you purchases instead of one by one</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can create a wish list so others can see what you want to buy and perhaps use this information to buy you gifts, and also for you to know what you want to buy in the future</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not only can you purchase physical items, but Amazon now offer almost the same number of songs as iTunes and often for lower prices</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Disadvantages:</u></b></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Users can be sold dodgy items and the sellers can provide false contact information so it is easy to scam</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is such a wide variety of items and qualities that you may be unsure of which is the best value of money</span></li>
</ul></div><br />
<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></u></b></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong><u>News Stories:</u></strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Amazon removes all Macmillan ebooks from their site over a row involving prices</span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jan/31/amazon-shelves-macmillan-titles">http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jan/31/amazon-shelves-macmillan-titles</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tens of thousands of books fell drastically in the ranks on Amazon after an error; in particular many books themed around gay romances and causing outrage online, particularly on Twitter.</span></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><u><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/14/technology/internet/14amazon.html?ref=technology">http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/14/technology/internet/14amazon.html?ref=technology</a></span></u><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jan/31/amazon-shelves-macmillan-titles"></a></div>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-7882389640030249212010-09-15T17:20:00.001+01:002010-09-15T17:21:05.298+01:00Yahoo Mail vs. GMail<object height="344" style="background-image: url(http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/nUwiVCakfO4/hqdefault.jpg);" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nUwiVCakfO4?fs=1&hl=en_GB"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nUwiVCakfO4?fs=1&hl=en_GB" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-74923503040683058192010-09-15T17:18:00.004+01:002010-10-17T13:39:30.746+01:00Miniclip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRDHiqF2Imw25ct-tPw-ySB04Af7NxToXjtLi82LAuTV1yf1sz2jZNMxFYhwy66NV6BhLikwaE48p4RRGN5qDSo4uox8G6vBqx9TQTdcsZj-dRWvAzqKV1GOBTfbL1C9e-TKvkYN4p_k/s1600/miniclip.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRDHiqF2Imw25ct-tPw-ySB04Af7NxToXjtLi82LAuTV1yf1sz2jZNMxFYhwy66NV6BhLikwaE48p4RRGN5qDSo4uox8G6vBqx9TQTdcsZj-dRWvAzqKV1GOBTfbL1C9e-TKvkYN4p_k/s320/miniclip.png" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Miniclip was founded in 2001 on a budget of only £400,000; it's headquarters are situated in Switzerland and has had turnovers of £20,000,000 for the last two years. The first game that was added was called 'Dancing Bush' which enabled gamers to make then current President Bush perform certain dance moves, the character was created by the face of Bush being superimposed onto a pre-recorded dancer; this game created a lot of traffic and put the website on the world stage encouraging further games to be added over time.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8nTTEeJ5qKinOq-BAUERiTlXkN7feKHi8rcX43xY-YZPA33RCOdVr91QmfyBtzorvm2YYrxkfKK3l43GCiGHupQfMujHT_SSZuc53RqMKTJcdVSsB6DHDgeAfT1Z3fHCxQotIINtRs8/s1600/miniclip+layout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8nTTEeJ5qKinOq-BAUERiTlXkN7feKHi8rcX43xY-YZPA33RCOdVr91QmfyBtzorvm2YYrxkfKK3l43GCiGHupQfMujHT_SSZuc53RqMKTJcdVSsB6DHDgeAfT1Z3fHCxQotIINtRs8/s320/miniclip+layout.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The layout of Miniclip is very user friendly and categorises games into sections depending on their genre, popularity and release date. The main focus of the page is on the 'Latest Games' section; this shows latest popular releases that are new to Miniclip, and by advertising them it raises their Play Hits and ensures they are given a chance to be reviewed. Next to this there is also a 'Hot Games' list; this provides the 6 most played games at that time, showing the gamer what games are popular at the moment and are worth playing. Underneath this feature there is a Top Ten Games list showing the ten most popular games on Miniclip; this shows quickly and effectively what games are well rated. Under each genre the top played/rated games are shown in quick-links; however to view all lower rated games in that section you must click a link and are redirected to an inventory of games. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwHjSmho2kP7xnrTta2X89KUjX4WiQIALWQtvNLNgvOgd6YjaME9XAoz3cgFsXB_qQCyLs7m0ZRH83Z05j9WwGpX-jxgk2LwwH67L-kvJ4kziYZiXHBBIVdPDQZr18JuEZvBJ_XHqAmY/s1600/miniclip+ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwHjSmho2kP7xnrTta2X89KUjX4WiQIALWQtvNLNgvOgd6YjaME9XAoz3cgFsXB_qQCyLs7m0ZRH83Z05j9WwGpX-jxgk2LwwH67L-kvJ4kziYZiXHBBIVdPDQZr18JuEZvBJ_XHqAmY/s320/miniclip+ad.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Miniclip is a free website; all games that are played here do not cost the user anything. However as Miniclip needs funding to keep the site running they advertise companies to generate revenue; companies will be eager to advertise there as Miniclip is a popular site that gets millions of views each day. The adverts are chosen based on your location (only UK companies will be advertised in the UK) and are often directed at the younger generation who are most likely to use the site; such as phone companies and computer games. Advertisements are situated on the home page, all game inventories and on the actual game page itself; by placing ads everywhere this enables more people to see them.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4pVRNP2nv5SoCgAxfNggaZFp8978ivNZOCPhru7mLhtsPsG82kaWCpsYa6DjjacjXpr5GPK9gvCH-XBSJFkfwQOKOH2uS8t8t0Iu_IJKlsOL9UWgSo7YEutnnuOWrilTTl1yvXOQIyo/s1600/ClubPenguin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4pVRNP2nv5SoCgAxfNggaZFp8978ivNZOCPhru7mLhtsPsG82kaWCpsYa6DjjacjXpr5GPK9gvCH-XBSJFkfwQOKOH2uS8t8t0Iu_IJKlsOL9UWgSo7YEutnnuOWrilTTl1yvXOQIyo/s320/ClubPenguin.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Users can sign up for a free account if they are regular users; this allows them to save their high scores and earn rewards- this process is also free and only requires a User name and password to be entered. Some games, such as Club Penguin, require a user name and password. This service is also restricted for younger children, not allowing them to converse freely (only using set phrases pre-built into the game); this is to ensure Internet safety. Club Penguin has become extremely popular since it's debut on Miniclip in 2005; it has now been bought by Disney and cakes and toys dedicated to the series have been produced and sold all over the world. It generates a lot of traffic on the Miniclip website and pushes almost one million plays every day worldwide.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGv0wawFMYHVlQcTRv2btWLnEq-clIkgbjCSte8uw2vmu3cDf_2lg61Nhs4ttJmvCyFVA1QvrWtnQ3NtKanA7zwH6iyv9smLghr9U32eZ2wUQTJf-wp11nzD07fT4EsxQlPq6nxWwk0k/s1600/miniclip.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGv0wawFMYHVlQcTRv2btWLnEq-clIkgbjCSte8uw2vmu3cDf_2lg61Nhs4ttJmvCyFVA1QvrWtnQ3NtKanA7zwH6iyv9smLghr9U32eZ2wUQTJf-wp11nzD07fT4EsxQlPq6nxWwk0k/s640/miniclip.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u><b>Advantages:</b></u></span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Free to play</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are a wide variety of games available, not only on Miniclip, but on hundreds of other gaming sites that can keep you entertained for hours</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Appeals to a wide range of people and suits for lots of interests</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now available via the iPhone</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Disadvantages:</u></b></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frequent ads all over the sites</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Addictive to play and can become time consuming</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May slow down your computer with various add ons needed to play the games</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Viruses are sometimes disguised as games and infect unsuspecting users' laptops</span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>News Stories:</u></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Miniclip is now playable on mobile phones and on the iPod touch via an app;</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://whatisthetrend.net/miniclip-enters-mobile-gaming-industry-20103179.html">http://whatisthetrend.net/miniclip-enters-mobile-gaming-industry-20103179.html</a></b></span><br />
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</span></div>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-80567024187880249662010-09-14T17:37:00.001+01:002010-09-15T10:31:42.574+01:00Youtube work- Charlie bit meCharlie Bit Me- with over 230 million views it is the most viewed non-music video on Youtube.<object height="344" style="background-image: url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/_OBlgSz8sSM/hqdefault.jpg);" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_OBlgSz8sSM?fs=1&hl=en_GB"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_OBlgSz8sSM?fs=1&hl=en_GB" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-63788677078792687862010-09-14T17:21:00.005+01:002010-10-17T13:33:48.593+01:00Youtube<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.visualknights.com/images/images/youtube-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" qx="true" src="http://www.visualknights.com/images/images/youtube-logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Youtube was founded in 2005 by three former PayPal employees and is based in San Bruno, California. The website allows users to sign up for a free account and post videos they have created themselves for the world to see, they can also rate, like and comment on other's videos. Youtube is now the third most visited site on the web, trailing behind Yahoo and Google respectively. It accumulates over 500,000,000 hits per day and there are over 20 billion videos uploaded; it would take over 1000 years for a person to watch each video on Youtube (but by the time you'd finish they'd be a billion new ones).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-l-0HpvSlaZj1I_UwzhXvQ6OYB9BXECepLeygENhnXJ91Y1KBYSRzDNNfh_D0UQm73-cUJwX0iJ05yROY_afvLJ4trh6rwfD9yrAio7R2cUm_jmvmSCnQuoUHJDZ-UhJdrZpzjeUNE8/s1600/youtube+sign+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-l-0HpvSlaZj1I_UwzhXvQ6OYB9BXECepLeygENhnXJ91Y1KBYSRzDNNfh_D0UQm73-cUJwX0iJ05yROY_afvLJ4trh6rwfD9yrAio7R2cUm_jmvmSCnQuoUHJDZ-UhJdrZpzjeUNE8/s320/youtube+sign+up.JPG" width="264" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Signing up to Youtube takes only a few minutes; registration is necessary to view videos online however it gives the user extra privileges such as uploading videos, commenting and if they are over 18 they can watch restricted content videos; signing up is also free. When Google took over Youtube in 2006, and as Google accounts became more popular, users were required in 2010 to use their Google password if they were signed up to both Youtube and Google with the same email address. Once connected to your Youtube account you can update your profile with information such as '<i>interests', 'music preferences' </i>and <i>'about me'. </i>This makes your profile seem a little more personal and allows you to find and subscribe to people with similar interests as you. There are over 500,000,000 registered accounts on Youtube today.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWP4YvZDzGmQYYE5lOex-P8ys44I0f0L0whSRwS0-UfV6WW6khkHSO0xCLCbTnGSYgp0_Ub3bmHEUpK0G-N7KRa2wrTwOvzdryfIvXFZAyAXoLzL6VYJ77ClflliQVstmbZU_2zd7llQ/s1600/jb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWP4YvZDzGmQYYE5lOex-P8ys44I0f0L0whSRwS0-UfV6WW6khkHSO0xCLCbTnGSYgp0_Ub3bmHEUpK0G-N7KRa2wrTwOvzdryfIvXFZAyAXoLzL6VYJ77ClflliQVstmbZU_2zd7llQ/s320/jb.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Youtube is the biggest and most used entertainment site in the world; it is worth over 315 billion pounds and uses the same amount of bandwidth as the whole Internet did in 2000. It has the biggest collection of videos on the net, and allows people to become famous in their own right via posting videos on there; for example <i>Charlie bit me, The evolution of dance </i>and <i>The laughing baby (aka hahahaha) </i>are all well known videos all around the globe, accumulating over 500,000,000 views. Youtube is also a good place to start for aspiring musicians and recording artists who want to be seen online, and the comments section allows for constructive criticism and praise, and is also a good place for music companies to look for fresh talent that's already proved popular with the public. A good example of a Youtube celebrity is Justin Bieber; only 12 years old when he began posting videos of himself singing so that his family could see him perform. He was later signed by Usher and given a recording deal, all thanks to his videos on Youtube becoming huge. Now the 16 year old pop star is not only one of the most recognised faces in the music industry, but holds the record for the most views of a video on Youtube, ever. An astounding 323,497,084</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><b> </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">views (as of 14/09/10). </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Youtube is by far the most popular video sharing site in the world; this popularity means that you are almost certain to find any video you need somewhere on the site. If you are interested in a particular hobby or want to keep up to date with the latest news then you can find everything you need on this one site. Often 'channels' can be created; these can be for a band or a News station, if you subscribe to this channel then you can be notified every time they post a new video so you are also kept up to date with the latest videos. Video news is one of the fastest growing examples of video viewing online as the most popular news stories are released on to the site to ensure the widest audience possible can view them. Not only are news stories available on Youtube now, but popular TV stations have created channels on the site (such as Channel 4) that allow people to watch TV shows legally and for free via Youtube; this minimises the risk of people breaching copyright to post the show on the site. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIY8dEBAowlbqVTUFMpme5Tt2fNV2LqkooepCw3DQHkVHfNupBHq3n0YiYXlCi673N726UlxpLulYnM-zp9ca9lCQC5NIaUTxzY69cJWt467QaMxVNIlWZIVNBPEoqin-KO4sspVYlaiA/s1600/youtube+copyright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIY8dEBAowlbqVTUFMpme5Tt2fNV2LqkooepCw3DQHkVHfNupBHq3n0YiYXlCi673N726UlxpLulYnM-zp9ca9lCQC5NIaUTxzY69cJWt467QaMxVNIlWZIVNBPEoqin-KO4sspVYlaiA/s320/youtube+copyright.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">However Youtube has had issues in the past with it's copyright policy, although when uploading a video you are prompted to agree that the video contains no footage of music concerts, companies, TV shows or films etc, almost 16% of all videos on Youtube are violating copyright terms. Youtube does not check each video before it is uploaded so the footage may not be found (unless reported by many users) or it may take a while for the Youtube team to take down the offending videos. As Youtube videos can generally not exceed 10 minutes in length, movies that are illegally posted on the site are often split into many parts; allowing viewers to watch for free, something which they should have purchased. Also, songs that are used in videos must be mentioned by the poster, and often a link to purchasing the song on iTunes appears to ensure the artist receives full recognition for their song and to encourage legal music downloading.</span> <span style="font-size: small;">As you are watching the video advertisements often appear; these are featured and often relate either to the subject of the video or similar content that may appeal to the general audience. These advertisements are one of the main reasons that the website remains free; Youtube would prove popular with companies wishing to advertise as their popularity worldwide would place them top of the list due to page views and the variety of users found there. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Advantages:</u></b></span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Good chances of finding the video you want due to the variety available</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quick streaming</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Makes it easy to see things such as music videos whenever you want and new videos</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">News stories and TV shows are now available to be viewed legally via Youtube</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Allows you to comment and like to spread your opinion on the videos</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Allows people to connect from all over the world</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Disadvantages:</u></b></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Copyright is frequently breached in millions of videos posted on the site</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Traffic is extremely high, sometimes causing the site to crash or take a long time to load videos</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If watching on a bad connection it can take a long time for a video to buffer, or else the video is constantly stopped and started</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Excessive advertisements </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a 10.59 time limit on videos unless you're an official partner of Youtube</span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>News Stories:</u></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>19 year old American college student creates 'Youtube Instant' which allows users to search Youtube in real time, getting immediate results.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/web/09/14/cnet.youtube.instant.creator/">http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/web/09/14/cnet.youtube.instant.creator/</a></u></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>17 year old Finnish student posted threatening videos saying: </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Grande', 'Bitstream Vera Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">"I am prepared to fight and die for my cause. I, as a natural selector, will eliminate all who I see unfit, disgraces of the human race and failures of natural selection,"</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Grande', 'Bitstream Vera Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>He went on to massacre 7 students and the headmistress of a school in Helsinki.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Grande', 'Bitstream Vera Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/08/2084826.htm?section=justin">http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/08/2084826.htm?section=justin</a></b></span>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2203563809546744454.post-64306592133524642752010-09-13T14:24:00.004+01:002010-10-17T13:19:04.925+01:00Skype<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipz0pAZ3Kys0VqQBLP71LG1ceueiQ_Hrrpyn3D_pNISy-Wcmw3C572do2IuUEeCW_X2HOBFrMyYMoOeKPZFE4LpJWpxklzrDFSjKp4geGnER07njSKPNniG17GttDeBqUF9plmRu9taZo/s1600/skype.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipz0pAZ3Kys0VqQBLP71LG1ceueiQ_Hrrpyn3D_pNISy-Wcmw3C572do2IuUEeCW_X2HOBFrMyYMoOeKPZFE4LpJWpxklzrDFSjKp4geGnER07njSKPNniG17GttDeBqUF9plmRu9taZo/s320/skype.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Skype was founded in 2003 initially as an instant messaging site; was bought by Ebay in 2005 and video chat was added by the end of that year. By the April of 2006 Skype had already accumulated 100 million registered users; the unique selling point of Skype being the ability to make free calls to other Skype users, all around the world. This meant that even international calls were free, as long as both users were using Skype.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uzI0KEUcw47VFsOcrRsY3G4-GNfWl4KbpG4vlIw09tyLAxjbyqNtbVcidYY2kSxu_Kuxl40szlo4kXhDbx5EVj5_7nmcZChyMJG99ttCzUCSHX1rk3sRUla8dQUq7ivpOUr9s_Zd8II/s1600/skype+video+chat.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uzI0KEUcw47VFsOcrRsY3G4-GNfWl4KbpG4vlIw09tyLAxjbyqNtbVcidYY2kSxu_Kuxl40szlo4kXhDbx5EVj5_7nmcZChyMJG99ttCzUCSHX1rk3sRUla8dQUq7ivpOUr9s_Zd8II/s320/skype+video+chat.png" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the most appealing features of Skype is the video chat; users can use webcam or the camera on their mobile phone to project images to each other, accompanying live audio chat via microphones. Video calling is also free, no matter where you are in the world, and enables you to talk with loved ones from the comfort of your own home, without having to pay a penny. Also the clarity of the picture when using video chat is very high, images are not blurred and lagging is very uncommon, making Skype a reliable choice for regular users. This video feature is extremely popular among all users as it not only allows them to talk face to face with people far away but it's also available wherever you are via Skype Mobile.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJbLJXf5PyQfeIivFFMpXyDT65oivcOfF_nqlbQCgmvoBt2YuZ4HAj3SC8Vq4dgNWw0fInvhzTezT5n3RjcrzvzvBbOkUKbKED3qM3N6JSy5OCHAeHidZJKZTH0sm7LPOIC29ZQlWMXE/s1600/skype+to+skype.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJbLJXf5PyQfeIivFFMpXyDT65oivcOfF_nqlbQCgmvoBt2YuZ4HAj3SC8Vq4dgNWw0fInvhzTezT5n3RjcrzvzvBbOkUKbKED3qM3N6JSy5OCHAeHidZJKZTH0sm7LPOIC29ZQlWMXE/s320/skype+to+skype.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Skype offers extremely reasonable rates for your mobile for overseas calling; for under £10 a month you can make unlimited calls to landlines and/or mobiles all over the world. And for only £5 a month you can make calls to all of Europe. Also you can send SMSs at a much lower rate- texting as far as the USA will cost you less than a penny, whilst using other mobile tariffs can cost up to 50p per text. You can also buy 'Skype Credit', this credit can be used to call landlines and mobiles, send text messages or even to purchase a Skype mobile number so that non Skype users can ring your Skype number. This credit remains in your account for 180 days after the last action on your account, then it is wiped- therefore you should ensure to send an SMS or make a phone call at least every 6 months to keep their balance untouched.</span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkx7XtKbQShWOmtCpaB_szFqRQ4kxxQNUuprlD55D_7OG5VbuRefuG4-CqEVnZ4kD69f7X9jf-F9nBGqehXbuhB6mnhLhDxchdwgHwBFsK_gzgYMXjRbZeafb7oL1Da-D08QiRrwP3oeI/s1600/skype+instand+messaging.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkx7XtKbQShWOmtCpaB_szFqRQ4kxxQNUuprlD55D_7OG5VbuRefuG4-CqEVnZ4kD69f7X9jf-F9nBGqehXbuhB6mnhLhDxchdwgHwBFsK_gzgYMXjRbZeafb7oL1Da-D08QiRrwP3oeI/s320/skype+instand+messaging.png" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The text instant messaging system that accompanies the video chat feature is also very useful bother on it's own and in conjunction with the video calling. It is especially useful when you want to share things such as a URL or send files to the person you are talking to. There is also a tool that shows you when the other person is typing to ensure you don't both speak at the same time and end up in a confusing conversation. The text IM feature is useful in situations where it just isn't convenient to talk out loud; such as on public transport or in a quiet office; the use of text only chat eradicates the need for noise, and allows silent communication. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">However there have been some negative comments a</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">bout Skype on the Internet; the main source of a problem seems to be Skype's lack of a contact telephone number, or any other means of official direct communication, to report any malfunctions with the site or any personal problems that may occur. For example many errors with billing have been mentioned, customers have been overcharged or charged for incorrect transactions and have had no means of reporting the problem and to receive refunds. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzVe00ymGr8OCVkwgj0Jq7Hk1AF-wCuuMDbHGiGgUq1iFxe6PmQW9onxpAy-qJ2wdq3SotJI43U2cwvSeSXyMyC0V3JBKFsTtq9g72935l0sJ8ji1jVu5ywyOUr8PygbPleHczYLA5JI/s1600/Skype+screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzVe00ymGr8OCVkwgj0Jq7Hk1AF-wCuuMDbHGiGgUq1iFxe6PmQW9onxpAy-qJ2wdq3SotJI43U2cwvSeSXyMyC0V3JBKFsTtq9g72935l0sJ8ji1jVu5ywyOUr8PygbPleHczYLA5JI/s640/Skype+screenshot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Advantages:</span></u></b><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Calls are free from Skype to Skype and extremely less expensive from Skype to phone</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can hold conference calls with up to five people all across the world</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can send files and photos whilst conducting a video call at the same time</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Allows you to purchase credit so you can use this when calling phones</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Skype has made communication easier breaking down the usual problems as time, distance and money.</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Disadvantages:</u></b></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If using Skype on a bad connection, the images sent are often slow and out of sync with the voice call</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Need equipment; such as a web cam and microphone, to use the programme</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No good Skype customer service</span></li>
</ul></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Skype news stories:</span></u></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.jconline.com/article/20100831/LIFE03/8310301">http://www.jconline.com/article/20100831/LIFE03/8310301</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Man sees the birth of his first child in the USA all the way from the army barracks where he is stationed in Iraq via Skype.</span></strong></div></div></div>Rosieleavy7http://www.blogger.com/profile/09945261540732357980noreply@blogger.com1