Entertainment and leisure
There are a range of technologies available such as DVD players, CD ROM, Minidisk, MP3 players. How the development of ICT is affected by consumers’ changing needs and tastes – for example, more realistic computer games.
ICT at school is used for access opportunities for people from varied locations; the range of learning opportunities available; Access to up to date and comprehensive research materials.
Communication technologies include Internet technologies, e.g... World Wide Web, e-mail, multimedia, encryption. Internet connections, e.g. modem, ISDN, ASDL, broadband. Communication technologies also include mobile phone technologies, e.g... SMS, GPRS, WAP. Digital broadcasting; personal digital assistants (PDAs) and organisers; storage media, e.g. DVD, minidisk; touch screen technologies.
ICT is used in many community activities, including Cyber cafés and other public access points e.g. public libraries, on-line discussion forums, e.g. interest and pressure groups, lobbying Information services, e.g. museums, libraries. Finding a venue Public transport and travel information e.g. arranging itineraries Satellite positioning systems (GPRS) used in outdoor pursuits e.g. Sailing
ICT has affected the islands way of doing business including how all sectors of the economy do business using ICT. How in turn this affects/benefits customers, and how the effect of the speed with which transactions can be done benefits both businesses and customers
For example customers buying from home – online shopping and banking, comparing products and services such as travel, financial products, online auctions; technical services – customised databases, security; call centres and customer enquiries; Advertising and marketing.
ICT is also used for personal technologies such as mobile phone usage, MP3 players, navigation methods and entertainment and leisure methods. I use technology for almost everything I do. I use the internet for many different reasons such as, downloading music, web-site making, communication methods, on-line buying and selling and much more. I use my mobile phone a lot for contacting people on the move, personal security, including alerting emergency services, the use of WAP technology to access the internet and a lot more.
ICT can offer improved access to those with sensory impairment, physical disability, limited mobility, learning difficulties, language difficulties and multiple disabilities.
ICT can enable people in the case studies with special/particular needs to access and exchange information and carry out transactions using standard technology such as vibrate alert telephones and pagers, video conferencing, SMS (short message service) and online shopping.
Specially adapted ICT hardware and software is available such as incoming speech amplifiers and induction loops, speech synthesisers and voice recognition systems and environmental control systems.
The changes that ICT brings to this group in society mirrors changes that the industry brings to other user groups, such as schools and colleges, rural groups and official agencies.
ICT has changed work styles on the island and its visitors. For example, the places in which people work – where people work and how business practice has changed. People’s work patterns – use of e-mail, mobile phones, laptops has also changed. ICT skills and training employees require – specialist ICT packages, new technology. The way people interact at work – ICT affects communication between people, e.g. using e-mails instead of talking directly to each other. The types of jobs available – e.g. ICT has automated many traditional jobs from office work to manufacturing and has created other specialist jobs such as website designers, software and hardware engineers.
Despite many of the possibilities that ICT could offer, the changes are often less than predicted by ICT specialists.
