Hannan Hashmi 10N

Report D: How do ICT systems affect everyday life in your local community?

The Area - Brent

In investigating how ICT systems affect everyday life in my local community I will be studying the London borough of Brent. Brent is located in North West London and has an estimated population of 263,464 people. This area’s population is the second most culturally diverse in all of London, around 54.7 percent of Brent inhabitants are from ethnic groups. There are approximately 60 primary schools and about 15 secondary schools and also roughly 4 separate nursery schools. There are 12 libraries in Brent, the largest of which is Willesden Green Library Centre. There is also a mobile library and a home library service, as well as Brent Museum and Brent Archive.

Needs of the Local Community

The community has a need for a method which will allow them to access all of their available cash for when they travel abroad; without having to carry all of their cash around with them, which would be a huge inconvenience not to mention tremendously hazardous. They would need the method to be efficient and relatively easy to transport with them while travelling abroad. The community also needs a method of carrying money around with them if they want to buy a moderately expensive item without the risk of being mugged and potentially assaulted while travelling to the store. The money that they would use would also need to be theirs and not borrowed, to prevent them having to pay interest, which would be a nuisance.

New immigrants accumulating towards Brent’s amazing multicultural society may have not been as lucky as to have the internet or even a computer in their native countries. So they require a method to take part in the wonders of the internet without having to pay extreme costs (to new immigrants costs of computers equipped with the internet can seem daunting) for the required technologies.

The population of Brent has been in decline over the past few years as the community continues to fail to find many excursion possibilities. The local community needs somewhere local to venture out and enjoy themselves. Since this need is shared by the entire community is also needed to be able to be appreciated by all ages. It needs to be simple and accessible and of course very pleasurable. However this area should be mainly aimed towards under 19s as it keeps them occupied instead of forcing them to resort to committing crimes.

Crime in London has risen by 19% from the previous year. Anyone under 18 is thought to be responsible for three quarters of the crimes held and that represents 30% of victims which are under 18. The following areas need close attention to as they are said to be the worst areas: Kilburn, St Raphael’s, Wembley Central, and Harlesden. By looking at the statistics we can blame the lack of facilities for under 19s. Additionally, the community needs some assurance that their vehicles are safe whilst walking the streets of Brent after sunset; especially since a recent survey has shown Brent to have rather high rates of robbery and theft and handling. They would also need to be assured that they themselves would be safe on the streets at night due to a fairly high level of violence against the person in the area. Also if a store gets robbed, the shop owner would need some solid evidence as to how the perpetrator(s) looked like (assuming that they have unreliable memories). The police would also need a way to track the suspect(s) as they travel around Brent: in restaurants, stores or in public transport.  

Automated Teller Machine

Description of Technology

An automated teller machine (ATM) is a computerised telecommunications device that provides a bank customers’ a method of depositing and withdrawing cash in a public space without the need for a human clerk or bank teller. On most modern ATMs, the customer identifies him or herself by inserting a plastic ATM card with a magnetic strip or a plastic smartcard with a chip, which contains his or her card number and some security information, such as an expiration date or Card Verification Code. Security is provided by the customer entering a personal identification number (PIN).

Using an ATM, customers can access their bank accounts in order to make cash withdrawals (or credit card cash advances) and check their account balances. Many ATMs also allow people to deposit cash or checks, transfer money between their bank accounts, pay bills, or purchase goods and services.

However ATMs can only perform the transactions if they can interpret the credit/debit card. Most ATMs can read Switch or Visa cards but those in the United Kingdom may not be able to perform the transactions with the ATM cards of overseas banks.

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Explanation of its Use

If someone needs to swiftly pick up some money without the sluggishness of entering a bank and queuing, they can go to their local Automated Teller Machine and can almost instantly leave with a required quantity of cash. If someone travels abroad and needs to access their bank account to withdraw some cash they can simply use an ATM with compatible card. They merely have to insert their card into the machine, enter their PIN and then request the amount of cash which they desire to be withdrawn. Also if someone wants to buy a relatively ...

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