Instant messaging is a very popular way of communicating and staying in contact with people from all over the world. This covers a range of networks, including; web based chat offered by ISP's, or portals such as Yahoo or MSN, website-based chat offered by anyone with a site - often used to solve problems on a specific topic, whether professional or leisure or chat rooms using SMS on mobile phones. Instant messaging allows you to interact with others in real time, being more private than chat rooms, with the users being able to determine who they want in the conversation. Simple forms of messenger allows just two participants, however more advanced allows multiple users, exchange of images, files and other forms of media. One popular service of this is MSN Messenger. Unlike email, chat and IM require the participants to be online in real time, probably why its so popular with young people, the symplicity of the messages sent, and the instant nature.
Instant messaging is more of a social tool, however there have been some attempts to use it in education. For example the LETTOL (LEarn To Teach Online) course run by Sheffield College has learning sessions where students are able to chat with other student and their tutor about topics, and keep these in their portfolio.
Monday, 11 March 2013
Employment Opportunities
Many jobs have been created/adapted through the use of ICT, everything through the way they are done, to where they are done. Examples of new jobs are web designers, IT consultants and database mangers. But also many jobs have been forced to dissapear, with new techniques being developed. Examples of those that have changed are music and film makers and bloggers, with those that have dissapeared nearly completely such as shorthand typists and chimney sweepers.
Many jobs that were replaced was those that could be completed by automated machines, rather than people. For employers this was a much cheaper, efficient labour force, with no extra costs on top of salaries, for example sick pay and holiday pay. An example of this automation system is in banks, just before 1970, when an automated clearing system for cheques and other payment systems was developed, (BACS). In 1970 it processed approximately 70 million cheques and 30 million direct debits. The development meant that a lot of jobs at the bank, especially administrative work, could be automated and replaced with computors. Skilled and well trained bank staff who performed all the clerical tasks could be replaced with computors, and less well trained staff to watch over the machines. This meant that highly paid courses, such as banking, insurance, and typing skills, what were once the most popular courses, now only make up a small percentage of college students. The introduction of ATM's has also meant that jobs have dissapeared. All this automation and use of ICT has resulted in the closing of many banks, as the number of them are now no longer needed. Clearly this system is much more cost effective than using other employees, with the chance of machines having as many problems as workers being low, (e.g. having a week off work sick).
Other jobs, such as shorthand and touch typing have dissapeared completely. Most employers, whether small or large, would employ at least 1 person for this role, with their main job being taking notes, type up memos, letters, reports, and generally any hand written information that needed to be typed up. Advances in technology, now employers are able to download office software, such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases and presentation software has meant that all staff are able to do this more quickly and efficiently themselves, no longer needing to employ someone else.
Many jobs that were replaced was those that could be completed by automated machines, rather than people. For employers this was a much cheaper, efficient labour force, with no extra costs on top of salaries, for example sick pay and holiday pay. An example of this automation system is in banks, just before 1970, when an automated clearing system for cheques and other payment systems was developed, (BACS). In 1970 it processed approximately 70 million cheques and 30 million direct debits. The development meant that a lot of jobs at the bank, especially administrative work, could be automated and replaced with computors. Skilled and well trained bank staff who performed all the clerical tasks could be replaced with computors, and less well trained staff to watch over the machines. This meant that highly paid courses, such as banking, insurance, and typing skills, what were once the most popular courses, now only make up a small percentage of college students. The introduction of ATM's has also meant that jobs have dissapeared. All this automation and use of ICT has resulted in the closing of many banks, as the number of them are now no longer needed. Clearly this system is much more cost effective than using other employees, with the chance of machines having as many problems as workers being low, (e.g. having a week off work sick).
Other jobs, such as shorthand and touch typing have dissapeared completely. Most employers, whether small or large, would employ at least 1 person for this role, with their main job being taking notes, type up memos, letters, reports, and generally any hand written information that needed to be typed up. Advances in technology, now employers are able to download office software, such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases and presentation software has meant that all staff are able to do this more quickly and efficiently themselves, no longer needing to employ someone else.
Thursday, 7 March 2013
Types of Organisation and Their Use of ICT
Many companies are having to adapt new strategies to stay ahead in the market and make sure they evolve as the market is changing/adapting. While some have adopted strategies that are 'new and exciting', such as streaming films through your laptop/game console/tv with companies such as Netflix and LoveFilm, some have not adopted this and have been left in administration, or closing completely, such as Blockbuster and HMV. These websites what have moved to the 'online supermarket' of consumerism and have made the classic high street chains being forced to close are constantly growing and expanding, coming up with new ideas. In the past, companies such as HMV had the opportunity to embrace the digital revolution, but decided to instead, stick with their 'traditional' form of selling. Companies such as Amazon have also taken over, where you are able to buy everything and anything at a reasonable price - sometimes much cheaper than what you pay in the retail stores.
Organisations are able to be categorised in a number of ways, with three main types of organisation can be readily identified; commerical organisations, public organisations and non profit or charitable organisations.
Commercial organisations are what known typically as businesses. They trade in a highly competitive market, with their aim being to expand and grow the business with profit. The smallest of these businesses are single-person, sole traders, who usually own a small, local business such as window cleaners. The bigger end are giant multi national companies such as Coca-Cola. All these businesses thrive through selling products at a profit, allowing them to expand. Commercial organisations could use ICT for many reasons, for multi-national companies they would use it for nearly everything in their business, such as to promote new products on social networks or keep in touch with other directors/managers across the world through email.
Public organisations are those that are funded mainly through taxation, and are controlled directly or indirectly by the government. These include; direct government bodies such as the civil service, local governement such as schools, colleges and health service. These organisations are based on public service, not profit. Although these organisations are still given budgets, they are not expected to make a profit. Public organisations, such as schools, would use ICT by keeping a database on all current pupils, with all the personal information they gained from the families, however they would also use it for reasons such as the school website, and to 'register' pupils at certain times of the day.
Non-profitable/Charitable organisations raise their finances through donations or grant funding, and use these funds to go towards a particular issue or cause in society. They are regulated by the government commissions to ensure that funds are used properly. Some would argue that they are a privately owned organisation, with a form of public service objective. These organisations would use ICT to calculate their finances, and to delegate the money to certain areas/people who they are helping.
Organisations are able to be categorised in a number of ways, with three main types of organisation can be readily identified; commerical organisations, public organisations and non profit or charitable organisations.
Commercial organisations are what known typically as businesses. They trade in a highly competitive market, with their aim being to expand and grow the business with profit. The smallest of these businesses are single-person, sole traders, who usually own a small, local business such as window cleaners. The bigger end are giant multi national companies such as Coca-Cola. All these businesses thrive through selling products at a profit, allowing them to expand. Commercial organisations could use ICT for many reasons, for multi-national companies they would use it for nearly everything in their business, such as to promote new products on social networks or keep in touch with other directors/managers across the world through email.
Public organisations are those that are funded mainly through taxation, and are controlled directly or indirectly by the government. These include; direct government bodies such as the civil service, local governement such as schools, colleges and health service. These organisations are based on public service, not profit. Although these organisations are still given budgets, they are not expected to make a profit. Public organisations, such as schools, would use ICT by keeping a database on all current pupils, with all the personal information they gained from the families, however they would also use it for reasons such as the school website, and to 'register' pupils at certain times of the day.
Non-profitable/Charitable organisations raise their finances through donations or grant funding, and use these funds to go towards a particular issue or cause in society. They are regulated by the government commissions to ensure that funds are used properly. Some would argue that they are a privately owned organisation, with a form of public service objective. These organisations would use ICT to calculate their finances, and to delegate the money to certain areas/people who they are helping.
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
Civil Rights
Civil rights comes into play with the use of ICT as the more technology that is used to monitor society, the more peoples rights and privacy is compromised.
Monday, 4 March 2013
Digital Economy - Doing Business on The Web - Unit 2
In the last 10 years, internet availability and usage has grown enormously. Statistics in 2004 showed that over 50% of all UK households were able to access the internet from home, compared to less than 14% in 1999. Along with usage rising, companies have transferred their services online, and created an 'online market/supermarket', with internet sales constantly increasing.
Many services require fast, high quality internet access for many different reasons. For example, downloading music and videos can take a while, but people now have so many different options in the virtual economy that websites need to make sure theirs is the fastest, or they risk losing custom. The speed of downloads could also be affected by things such as memory space, how you are accessing your internet (dial up, cabel modem, etc), and what website you are using.
Local governments have also transferred to online services, providing information about many different services. The major information supplied by Bedford Borough Council's Website is; housing, benefits advice, education, jobs and careers, the community, environment, transport and leisure. Each one of these is a sub section and has lots of different sections and information within the department. Each one is just as important as another as different people will go on the website for different information and at different parts of the year. For example, weather reports and alerts may be searched more during Winter than in Summer. One benefit to the consumer is all the information they want may not be available on a leaflet/pamphlet, or the information is watered down due to the space restrictions the council may have on the leaflet. One benefit to the council of not using leaflets is that they can save money by updating the information online. If the council were to use leaflets every time they needed to make Bedford citizens aware of what was happening, it would be very costly and time consuming, whereas having an online website means they can update with just a few clicks. There are many opportunities for people to interact online. On the Bedford Borough website you are able to pay; bills, such as Council Tax and Penalty Charge Notices, request forms which may improve living, for example Council Tax - Disabled Reduction and Assisted Waste Collection, report any faults, such as Dog Fouling and Potholes. All these different services the local government website offer means that their target audience is much wider.
Many services require fast, high quality internet access for many different reasons. For example, downloading music and videos can take a while, but people now have so many different options in the virtual economy that websites need to make sure theirs is the fastest, or they risk losing custom. The speed of downloads could also be affected by things such as memory space, how you are accessing your internet (dial up, cabel modem, etc), and what website you are using.
Local governments have also transferred to online services, providing information about many different services. The major information supplied by Bedford Borough Council's Website is; housing, benefits advice, education, jobs and careers, the community, environment, transport and leisure. Each one of these is a sub section and has lots of different sections and information within the department. Each one is just as important as another as different people will go on the website for different information and at different parts of the year. For example, weather reports and alerts may be searched more during Winter than in Summer. One benefit to the consumer is all the information they want may not be available on a leaflet/pamphlet, or the information is watered down due to the space restrictions the council may have on the leaflet. One benefit to the council of not using leaflets is that they can save money by updating the information online. If the council were to use leaflets every time they needed to make Bedford citizens aware of what was happening, it would be very costly and time consuming, whereas having an online website means they can update with just a few clicks. There are many opportunities for people to interact online. On the Bedford Borough website you are able to pay; bills, such as Council Tax and Penalty Charge Notices, request forms which may improve living, for example Council Tax - Disabled Reduction and Assisted Waste Collection, report any faults, such as Dog Fouling and Potholes. All these different services the local government website offer means that their target audience is much wider.
Thursday, 28 February 2013
1.5 Net Books - What are they? How have they developed?
An e-book is the epitome of the digital age; a e-book is simply an electronic version of a book, and are a way of distributing and selling books with very low costs, and can potentially be available to a much wider audience than a paper book. E-books are available in a variety of formats, each with its individual purpose, features and particular benefits. For many, a ideal e-book is one which resembles a paper book, the same size and weight, but contains a whole library of books. Some e-books include;
Text e-books, which are the simplest form of e-book, have been used extensively for computer manuels in the past, gaining wide acceptance. Its simplicity is also its greatest strength, being very easy to search, edit and portable, being used extensively for computer manuels in the past. This would be the most useful for someone that wasnt an expert on e books, and only wanted it for simple purposes.
Word e-books are created using simple word-processing software, usually stored in a single word processed document file that manages the content and layout using a file in the software. With this e-book it is possible to make hyperlinks within the document itself, which makes it possible to have multimedia content. However, when using a word e-book, the files can be large, particularly when using images. This is then more useful when everyone shares the same Microsoft Office software, and where a number of authors may be required to work on a project, but generally is not used as the finished format
Adobe PDF e-books are a successful hit, with nearly all computers and software manuels now being published and distributed in this format. This will include websites which allow downloading of reports, newsletters and articles will almost always use PDF for such documents. To create the files needed, a specialised writer program, such as Adobe Acrobat, or one of a range of similar PDF creators, may be required. However, some operating systems and software now allow you to transfer documents straight into PDF; usually this file is created using Word, HTML or another similar document creation package, then it is 'printed' onto PDF. PDF is useful for a number of reasons; the file is designed to store the text and layout in a device-independent manner, so the original full-colour print layout for text and graphics is maintained regardless of the platform being used to view the file.
Text e-books, which are the simplest form of e-book, have been used extensively for computer manuels in the past, gaining wide acceptance. Its simplicity is also its greatest strength, being very easy to search, edit and portable, being used extensively for computer manuels in the past. This would be the most useful for someone that wasnt an expert on e books, and only wanted it for simple purposes.
Word e-books are created using simple word-processing software, usually stored in a single word processed document file that manages the content and layout using a file in the software. With this e-book it is possible to make hyperlinks within the document itself, which makes it possible to have multimedia content. However, when using a word e-book, the files can be large, particularly when using images. This is then more useful when everyone shares the same Microsoft Office software, and where a number of authors may be required to work on a project, but generally is not used as the finished format
Adobe PDF e-books are a successful hit, with nearly all computers and software manuels now being published and distributed in this format. This will include websites which allow downloading of reports, newsletters and articles will almost always use PDF for such documents. To create the files needed, a specialised writer program, such as Adobe Acrobat, or one of a range of similar PDF creators, may be required. However, some operating systems and software now allow you to transfer documents straight into PDF; usually this file is created using Word, HTML or another similar document creation package, then it is 'printed' onto PDF. PDF is useful for a number of reasons; the file is designed to store the text and layout in a device-independent manner, so the original full-colour print layout for text and graphics is maintained regardless of the platform being used to view the file.
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
E-Commerce Online Shopping - Unit 2
Many companies have moved their services online, especially in the digital economy, which is especially used by supermarket chains, including Sainsburys, Tesco and Waitrose. Below shows a step by step process of how to make purchases online at Sainsburys;
Initially to shop online you need to enter personal information, which includes your name, address and phone number. This then means you are going to be stored in Sainsburys data base, and the information will be used to send emails/letters on products. Sometimes companies even sell their information of customers to other companies, without the consumer being fully aware.
Once you've entered the information Sainsburys needs to create an account, you will get a registration email, to confirm its the correct email, and 'welcome' you to Sainsburys online. This is for security reasons to make sure your email matches, and it makes it easier for the company to keep in contact with you. You can then begin shopping and exploring the website.
Once you have created an account, you are able to change/modify personal details, review your orders, add your own preferences, and even look at recipes and tips. This makes it feel more personal to the individual, and allows them to use the website not just as an online shopping account.
When shopping online you have your groceries on one side, and your 'trolley' on the other. This allows the customer to be aware of how much they are spending, and how much they are saving. The minimum order for delivery is £25.
Once you have completed your shopping order, and proceed to the 'checkout', you are shown any offers/deals that you have missed what you can add to your shopping basket. This is more likely to make people spend more money, as they think they are getting more for their money if they spend out on the deals.
When completing your checkout you need to also book a delivery time. You are able to choose any of the slots available. This is more efficient than an open delivery slot, as the customer can work the time around their schedule.
Once you have booked your delivery slot, you can continue on to placing your order, or go back to shopping.
Once you have chosen your delivery slot, and proceeded to the checkout, you then need to enter your address. This includes the delivery address, the billing address and a contact number. This is to ensure that your ordered shopping arrives to the correct address.
Initially to shop online you need to enter personal information, which includes your name, address and phone number. This then means you are going to be stored in Sainsburys data base, and the information will be used to send emails/letters on products. Sometimes companies even sell their information of customers to other companies, without the consumer being fully aware.
Once you've entered the information Sainsburys needs to create an account, you will get a registration email, to confirm its the correct email, and 'welcome' you to Sainsburys online. This is for security reasons to make sure your email matches, and it makes it easier for the company to keep in contact with you. You can then begin shopping and exploring the website.
Once you have created an account, you are able to change/modify personal details, review your orders, add your own preferences, and even look at recipes and tips. This makes it feel more personal to the individual, and allows them to use the website not just as an online shopping account.
Once you have completed your shopping order, and proceed to the 'checkout', you are shown any offers/deals that you have missed what you can add to your shopping basket. This is more likely to make people spend more money, as they think they are getting more for their money if they spend out on the deals.
When completing your checkout you need to also book a delivery time. You are able to choose any of the slots available. This is more efficient than an open delivery slot, as the customer can work the time around their schedule.
Once you have booked your delivery slot, you can continue on to placing your order, or go back to shopping.
Once you have entered your address, you continue to an order summary. This is where you can review your order, payment details, and billing address. This is where Sainsburys can make sure any
errors can be finalised before the order is processed and sent.
Before the order can be finalised Sainsburys needs to know the payment information, which is usually through credit/debit card. This is a simple payment method for both Sainsburys and customer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)