Tuesday, 18 December 2012

Crime and Crime Prevention

 Before the advance in technology, the detection of crime was mainly reliant on the general knowledge of the police, or the word of mouth of others, which made it alot more difficult to trace and detect crime. However now, technology has made many things possible in todays society, both good and bad. Technology has been used to be able to detect criminals, such as finger prints, and even using social networks to identify criminals. However, its also been a negative consequence in society, with computor hackers using technology to place virus' and trojans on other computors.
 Technology has advanced so considerably that now there has been many other ways of detecting crime and criminal behavour. This has been seen through things such as Facebook and Twitter, where police have been able to moniter behaviour, and detect crime. Also through things such as CCTV, which is a very popular way of detecting crime, and a very valuable peice of equipment to police and the safety of society. However, the rise in technology has created 'new age' crime. This can be seen through people using social networks to 'cyber bully' others, which has been seen in many high media profile cases with celebrities, some resulting in prison time.
  The advance in ICT and technology has meant that every aspect of recording a crime, or collection has been improved. This can be seen through police officers being able to word process all reports, communicating to other departments or police officers through radio, and even having a automatic vehicle recognition in police cars, allowing them to know if a particular cars speed, if its registered etc. There is also the benefit of a national crime database, where there is fingerprints, DNA evidence, and it also allows them to analyse patterns in criminal behaviour. All of this means police officers have to be trained to a high level in every aspect; however it has many big advantages to society.
 The negative consequence of advanced technology is the trojans and viruses placed on computors to receive information, or sometimes more seriously, for money. With no sense of guilt, they are able to faulsify the information they give, claiming to be a member of FBI, or some form of government. The hackers are able to get into your computor system and data base and take over your computor, where you are not able to use your system unless you hand over money.  To the hackers, this a simple yet very effective way of earning money, or gaining valuable information. For police and victims, this can be very devastating and hard to find out where the source comes from. Sometimes it can have devastating effects on companies, for example a hacking cost Paypal £3.5 million. Companies constantly try and warn the devastating effects not being protected on your computor can have, and to not give any money when prompted by the computor.
 From both sides, technology can be a positive and negative impact on society, with it now being easier to detect crime from many different ways, however due to technology there has also been an increase in new types of crime, and does this have any effect on the privacy that could possibly be overstepped?

Tuesday, 4 December 2012

iPhone - rotten to the core?

   Apple is a one of the biggest companies around, turning over $28.27billion in 2011. However, in the media they face alot of scrutiny and bad press, which may result in their profits being less this coming financial year. Articles have included threats to cut off support for a Chinese factory worker who suffered brain damage from an accident in the factory, and the problems they faced when the new update included a change in the maps, with much of the infomation being incorrect.
   This kind of negative press reporting is never good for a company, especially when some articles seem so inhumane - such as the money cut off for the brain damaged worker. This could mean they lose a proportion of customers, those who would prefer to buy a Kindle, or Blackberry.
   However, it seems that this negative press hasnt had a massive effect on the multi million pound company, with the demand for the iPhone 5 and the iPad mini being high. The iPhone had lines of people waiting for the 8am launch across Apple stores in London, and was sold out in most shops very quickly, with the company shifting 5 million phones in 3 days. This gives evidence that even though the company recieves lots of bad press, it still does not affect their sales.

Life in the information age - Education

Open University
Education and how people learn has changed dramatically over the years, with most only having the opportunity to participate in higher education straight out of leaving school at 16 or 18. However, now there is possibly more opportunity and resources available to those who want to study while being in a job, or at later point in life after they have had a change in career, or after they have a family of their own. Open university has made it more appealing for people to go forward in education, and persue careers they might not have been able to gain without the open university.
Open education has changed higher education dramatically; before it may have only been those who chose to go to university after a levels, or those who had financial stability to leave their jobs and persue a education. However, the open university has still had to change and adapt to modern society, with many courses being based on virtual learning sites, for example Bedford College's Moodle.
With many educational websites and courses being virtual, many may be subject to 'fake' websites; where the information is false and gives readers non factual information. Once subjected to this form of education, it can be hard for learners to find websites or information that they are certain is correct. An example of this is Wikipedia, where people have to take the information with caution, as its a website where the information put there can be changed or edited by anybody.

E Commerce and Social Networking - UNIT 1

Social Networks have grown rapidly in recent years, and many companies have transferred information online to keep 'in touch' with their customer base, through popular networks such as Twitter and Facebook. Results have shown that customers would rather take advice from someone they know, rather than a complete stranger; allowing websites such as 'Snoox' to be created.
As well as being able to connect much more easily with their customers, there are also many other advantages, these include;
- A presence online constantly, and being able to update 'status' with relevant information
- Being on social networks does not cost the company a major amount of money, there may be a small marketing fee but nothing continuous
- Many of the social networks leave room for comments from their 'followers', this could help the company improve or fix occuring problems with customers
- You are also able to automate your postings, therefore you dont have to pay someone to be attached to the computer 24/7
- May put up special offers/deals which are only available online to the customers

All of these advantages to companies having an online presence means that (if they are not already) most companies will convert to having some kind of social network, through either Twitter, Facebook or something similar. Through the online social networks the companies will still face marketing competition with brands, trying to attract more 'Likes' or 'Followers' than the other. This could mean that more customers and a higher turnover for companies that are able to draw more numbers in.

Thursday, 15 November 2012

Kindle

The Kindle has been a major invention to replace the use of books, however this could be devastating to libraries and major book companies such as Waterstones and WHSmiths. Instead of going to public libararies and taking books out, or using book shops, instead, (with a Kindle) can download and pay for the book they want. However, Kindles are only available to people who can afford one, whereas libraries are free to the public.
Libraries may be able to reverse the consequences of Kindle's 'take over' by improving services in the library, or making them more appealing to a wide range of audiences.

Online Marketing

Many companies that publish catalogues for their products have recently decided to scrap the catalogues and move online instead, for example Argos. This could be because of the increase in online shopping and retailers providing more for the shopper online. It may also be to save money on printing and delivering the catalogues, when now it can all be put straight onto the companies website. Some companies have both a catalogue and a online shop, e.g Next. However many companies are still insisting on selling products through catalogues with companies doing well, for example Avon and Kleeneze

Thursday, 8 November 2012

Using Phone in Public Places

There are many advantages and disadvantages to using a mobile in public places, these include;
+fast and conveniant means of communication
+you are able to check and compare prices for different items using smartphones
+are able to get voucher codes for different shops

-can be a distraction to those around you
-might be seen as rude
-could be a danger to pedestrians and car drivers if not paying attention

Monday, 5 November 2012

Improving Work Style (Tool Man)

John currently takes a large diary, address book, a large road atlas, a calculator and a bulky sales catalogue. John could invest in a laptop, where the catalogue could be transferred to an online store, where it may also be easier as he wouldnt have to purchase a new catalogue every time there is a new product line, he could also complete the order form online. He could also save the 2 hours he spends every day completing his administration by inputting the information into the laptop after every client. Due to him investing in a laptop, he may be able to spend friday (usually spent in the office ensuring all administration and sales are handled) being more flexible and seeing more clients or working from home. 
   He would also benefit from buying a GPS, where he would be able to input the clients addresses, so could make sure he was on time, and wouldnt need a large diary. This would also be time saving, as would show the quickest route, and would make sure he was on time for new clients, and might be able to steer him away from the busiest route.
   John could buy a PDA (personal digital assistant), where John could input all his information and replace with his large diary. It is much smaller and more conveniant than a bulky diary, and he wouldnt have to take a calculator with him. He could also keep track on what clients are ordering, and when they are going to be in stock.
  John investing in a mobile phone means he would not need to carry an address book around with him and wouldnt have to make sure he had numerous small coins for pay phones. He could also give it to all clients as a business number for if they ever had any enquiries. If John wanted to upgrade to a smartphone, he could do numerous things on there to save him carrying around lots of technology, such as GPS, calculator, phone book, etc.
The possible disadvantages to John employing lots of technology is that it could be very costly, especially if he had to replace any of it, or if anything got damaged. Due to John not using technology along with his work for 20 years, he could have problems with setting up all the ICT, or understanding how to use it to its best ability and benefit his working style. If John does not have the right software on his laptop when inputting the clients personal infomation, he could be attacked by hackers, so to protect the clients he has to make sure he tries to prevent this, and use the apporopriate software.

Thursday, 11 October 2012

Online Education

MyMaths
I think MyMaths is a very useful website, not only can it be used by individual students to learn, but teachers can also use it to set work, and enhance learning. There are also ready made lessons, which would be useful if there was someone who missed a lesson, or needed to go over a particular topic. The website is also divided by age and ability, with primary, secondary and post16. I think that maths students would be able to learn from this website very easily. I therefore think that this is the most useful website.

Lynda.com
This website is more about informing people on how to use certain services/products. It could be helpful if you didnt want to pay a fee on hiring a proffessional, and didnt need a one to one, face to face service. However, they are limiting themselves on just telling you about stuff you may not know, therefore you may chose other options, for example a family member or friend.

e-lfh.org.uk
This e learning website is specifically focused towards giving proffessional, online training for the healthcare proffession. Its main focus is to enhance the traditional learning, support exhisting teaching methods and provide a valuable reference point which can be accessed at any time. Its also partnered with the NHS and Proffessional Bodies, making the information

Monday, 8 October 2012

Digital Timeline

Digital Timeline
The world of entertainment has changed dramatically over the centuries. People used to entertain themselves using board games and theatre, but now there is 3D cinemas, and advanced technology such as iPads and Kindles. There was also advances in things such as music records, to music cds and now you're able to digitally download them.

1916- Harold Power and his radio company became the first to continuously broadcast (which lasted 3 hours)
1920- the television becomes commercially available
1933- the first drive through cinema was opened in New Jersey
1947- the first computer was financed by the US army
1982- the first CD becomes commercially available

Monday, 1 October 2012

E Government

On the Bedford Borough Council website you are able to find information relating to the town. It tells you whats happening in your local area, and how it could affect you. Their 'report it' section allows you to fill in a form where you can describe whats happened and submit it. This saves the person time, as they do not have to go direct to the council, or try and get through to the person needed through a customer service help line. You are also able to make online payments through the website, which may be useful to people who are in need of a quick and easy way to pay. The website also allows you to view links where you can 'book' places in Bedford; this includes various events in the corn exchange, where you can see up coming events and buy tickets, a MOT form where you can book a test, and where you can get contact numbers for community centres across Bedford. They are all useful links, however if you wanted to book a date over the computer for a community centre, that is not available as you have to ring the number provided.


The Bedfordshire Police website allows you to read about all the latest news in the area, including information about the Bedfordshire police. This information is useful for anyone who wants to get to know their local police more, and you are even able to read about the Bedfordshire dog unit. There are many links for advice, including frequently asked questions, support for victims and how to reduce/prevent a crime happening to you. You are also able to report crime on the website, or make formal complaints. I think this is useful for people who may not want to go to the police direct or want advice on something minor. 


 The NHS website is focused around giving people advice on their health. You are able to look at conditions and treatments, different advice on things such as stopping smoking and living a healthier lifestyle, also including health services near and available to you, and health in the news. I think that the health service advice is really useful for people who may not have time to go to the doctors, or their doctors cannot fit them in an appointment for a while. Also you are able to search for nearest NHS services near you using your postcode, and tells you different information, including car parking services, and the quality and safety of the practice. I couldnt find anywhere on the website where you could make/alter bookings, or pay for any treatment/prescriptions. This may not be very useful for people who need to change their bookings quickly and easily, rather than being transfered on the phone to different people.


The government are planning to save £1.3 thousand million by migarating its services online. This is useful for those who have access to the internet and saves people time by using the telephone, or by person, however, this could in turn ostracise those people who dont have access to the internet.

Thursday, 27 September 2012

Planning a journey

Car
www.transportdirect.info




www.google.co.uk



Weather




Thursdays forecast
todays weather has been cloudy all day, with no rain showers, therefore the forecast for both Met Office and BBC weather was correct.

Wednesday, 26 September 2012

Email


Email

 
To be able to send emails you first need a mail server and a mail client. An email client is a program run by a user to send and receive emails. It retrieves all email for its user from the mail server to what it’s connected to. All mail is then sent from its user to the same mail server, which distributes to other email users on different servers.

A client is a program such as Outlook Express, on a computer connected to the internet, or an online client such as email services provided by Hotmail or Yahoo. Email has now progressed to technology such as mobile phones or even game stations, using GPRS, WAP or even SMS. Messages are sent using an SMPT server (simple mail transfer protocol-port 25) and received using a POP3 (post office protocol-port 110)or an IMAP (internet mail access protocol-port 143) server.
There are many advantages to email, due to its simplicity. Not only is it easy to use but it’s a fast method of providing permanent record of communication, unlike using a phone. Being able to send attachments means you’re able to deliver almost any message and file type to almost any recipient or group.
There are however, disadvantages to email. Its simplicity means that is often misused, ranging from inappropriate messages, to viruses, worms and Trojans which can be attached very easily. Spam mail can block up mailboxes and whole areas of the internet itself.


Spoofing and spamming
It is easy for users to write a program that will give a fake address in the ‘From’ section of an email, which misleads the user into thinking it’s from a reliable source. It’s very popular from virus emails. Many individuals also find it funny to convince email users that they are different people, normally significant figures of the general public. This is known as spoofing. Spamming is using email to conduct a junk mail campaign, which is so easy to do it can lead to flooding email users inbox.
Virus
A virus is a harmful piece of code that attaches itself to programs or files. Once opened the virus is capable of replicating itself.
Worm
This is a specific type of virus, when once installed, it is capable of replicating itself in great volumes without any further files being opened. Due to this virus being capable of ‘burrowing’ into a system without human assistance, some worms allow their ‘creator’ to take control of the computer systems remotely.
Trojan
This is another virus in the form of a code, named after the Trojan horse. It is usually covered up by a attachment or download but may harbour an unwelcomed payload. Once installed on a user’s machine it can do damage to the users system and possibly take control of the user’s machine.






Online Bank

Online Banking
  The purpose of online banking is to give customers fast, easy access to their account, where they are able to manage payments, transfer money, view statements and much more all on a secure site, all in the comfort of their home/office. 
  Major advantages of online accounts are they are very convenient and available 24/7, unlike customers' nearest banks which have a time constraint, and can all be done just by a few clicks of a mouse. Online banking can also be a easy way of payment, bill payments or transfer of money can be all done on the computor, this can be set up monthly for conveniance to the individual. Transactions are processed much quicker than traditional methods such as ATM, and works faster. This could be benefitial to anyone who is buying online, or for business purposes. Online accounts have a higher interest rate than traditional banking, this could benefit those who like the conveniance of online banking however dont need to have a traditional bank account.
  However, there are some disadvantages to online banking, due to it being run from the internet, you may be targeted by online frauds, and could face your account being hacked. Therefore people must make sure their connection is secure. Some banks, for example Lloyds TSB, have put in place security implications, such as a automatic log off after 10 minutes, and fraud detection systems. They also aim to refund any money if your account were to be hacked. Starting up a online account can also be quite a slow lengthy process, first you have to input personal information online, then to confirm its you there is written documents sent out with individual codes and user numbers. These have to be inputted every time you want to access your account, and if lost there is more lengthy process to go through to regain your account. Users also have to adjust to using an online account, which for some may seem more trouble than actually going to your local bank, therefore you have to be patient.

Tuesday, 25 September 2012

John Lewis

John Lewis
John Lewis is a popular department store which runs 36 stores throughout the UK. Its main online purpose is to be available to those people who are not able to visit their stores, or want to shop for different products which are only available exclusively online. As well as ordering online to your home, you are able to 'click and collect', where you can collect your order from a selected store of your choice.
I think the John Lewis online website serves it's purpose well, as it has made it's products available to lots of different people, and has widened its target audience. They are now competing with major online retailers such as Amazon and Ebay.
 

Wednesday, 19 September 2012

Internet Statistics

Internet Access in the UK

  • 45 per cent of Internet users used a mobile phone to connect to the Internet

  • 6 million people accessed the Internet over their mobile phone for the first time in the previous 12 months

  • The use of wireless hotspots almost doubled in the last 12 months to 4.9 million users

  • 21 per cent of Internet users did not believe their skills were sufficient to protect their   personal data
  •  
  • 77 per cent of households had Internet access
  • Monday, 17 September 2012

    First I.C.T lesson

    September 17th, 9:00: first lesson at the new college 6th form site. Introduction to 3 units and created a blog.

    Searched the main search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo, Msn and Ask Jeeves). Found that Google came up with the highest number of results, therefore more useful. Msn uses Bing as its search engine, therefore the least useful.