Unit 3 'ICT and society'

Unit 3: ICT and Society

Read and make notes on pages 293-300 of the GCSE Applied ICT textbook.

Public access to the Internet

In order for the members of the community to gain the benefits of the Internet, they need to have access to it. This might not be possible in some areas where few people can afford computer equipment.

In many of these communities, offering people free or very cheap access to the Internet has solved the problem. Access is obtainable at public places such as shopping centers, libraries, community centers, etc. This type of access is ideal for people who do not have access to the Internet at home or at work.

Cybercafés

Cybercafés are coffee shops that also offer computing facilities. You can access the Internet, scan in material, print out material (sometimes in colour) and have a coffee and a cake while you are doing it. Cybercafés are springing up in all the major towns and cities in the UK and they provide comfortable surroundings in which to use computers. You can find Cybercafés in many public places such as high streets, shopping centers, libraries, airports, train stations, etc. They provide a cheap way of accessing the Internet. Many Cybercafés, though, have quite old hardware and software, so it is not always possible to read the latest websites or even pick up all e-mail attachments.

Public transport and travel information

The Internet provides a huge store of information about public transport. For example, you can find out when you can find complete information about a particular flight. (When it took off, its current speeds, height and position, its expected landing time, etc.)

Taxis

If you want to hire a taxi, you usually have to ring a local taxi firm and the radio operator uses the radio to find out which taxi is nearest to you. The closest taxi driver then radios back to confirm that they want the job. The operator then gives the details of the job, including the address.

The problems with this system include:

Interference on the radio can sometimes make the instructions unclear
Taxis occasionally go to the wrong address or arrive at the wrong time
Taxis sometimes get lost and arrive late

Many taxi firms now have a new system, which make use of global positioning. This system enable the taxi office to pinpoint a taxi that is free and nearest to the caller. The details of the pick-up are displayed on a small screen on the taxi's dashboard so the driver no longer has to rely on voice messages. The system can also provide detailed instructions on how to get to both the pick-up and drop-off points.

Some of these new systems can be obtained from the manufacturers at:

Air traffic control

Information about National Air Traffic Services, the company who provide all the air traffic control in Britain and some other countries, can be found on:

Using ICT to find you way: using satellite positioning systems

This is a preview of the whole essay

Some of these new systems can be obtained from the manufacturers at:

Air traffic control

Information about National Air Traffic Services, the company who provide all the air traffic control in Britain and some other countries, can be found on:

Using ICT to find you way: using satellite positioning systems

Satellite positioning systems are able to locate the position of any object on the Earth's surface. Theses systems can be used to locate the position of an aircraft or ship or even a person. Some cars are equipped with a similar system so that the driver can locate their position on a map on a small screen inside the car. The driver can then use the system to obtain directions to their destination. Some systems give the directions (turn left, turn right, etc.) on a screen whereas others give the driver verbal direction as they approach junctions and turns.

Hand-held satellite positioning systems are available and are used by people walking in isolated regions such as mountains or deserts.

Satellite positioning systems use information from a host of satellites to determine where the driver is located, and a small computer is used to provide the maps. As well as giving details of roads, the system can also provide information on the locations of airports, banks, hotels, restaurants, etc.

Tracking stolen cars using satellite positioning systems

A more sophisticated version of a satellite positioning system can be used to track a stolen car. The car has a tracking device installed in it. When the owner reports the car as stolen, the tracking response center can see where the car is on a large road map on a large computer screen. They can them watch the position of the car as it travels along the roads. The response center can them send this information to the police who are then able to intercept the stolen vehicle.

Information services

Information kiosks

An information kiosk is a small structure, usually with a computer and monitor in it, that displays information for the public. They are often located near the entrances of shopping centers where they provide information about the shops in the center. Kiosks are also used to provide points where tourists can get information such as maps, places to visit and accommodation details.

Information kiosks often make use of touch screens.

Information on touch screen

Finding a venue

If you decide to go on a night out you might need to consult the local paper to find out what's on. If you don't have one, then you would access the Internet for details of concerts, plays, gigs, films, etc. You could find out where the events are and their start times. Many websites also allow you to book tickets on-line using your credit card.

Information services in libraries

Many libraries offer on-line access to a newspaper and journals database called INFOTRAC. This allows users to search and access 40 newspaper titles and over 6,000 journal titles. As well as the current issues, you can access past issues too, so this database is a very good source of information.

The National Health Service (NHS)

The National Health Service provides free healthcare of everyone in the UK. To provide a suitable level of care requires a lot of money. Any money the NHS saves can be used to employ more doctors and nurses and to take up the latest treatments.

NHS Direct online is a new website that provides information on non-serious conditions such as coughs, colds, sore throats, etc. Doctors spend a lot of time with patients who have non-serious conditions that would clear up by themselves after couple of days. Patients can now get advice on these conditions over the Internet, or over the telephone from qualifies nurses. This frees up GP's time for more serious cases.

The police

The police force is considered a community service. On of its tasks is to make links with local communities in the fight against crime.

The police force is not simply there to catch criminals; it is also there to prevent crime. Here are some ICT developments that have helped prevent crime:

Speed and red-light cameras deter drivers from committing offences and make the roads a safer place. Some of the latest digital cameras send an image of the car to the police and then looks up the registration number and sends the registered keeper a warning or a fine.
Computerized camera systems monitor the areas around shopping centers, bars and other areas where people congregate to deter would-be criminals.

Here are some ICT developments that have helped detect crime:

Police force websites where members of the public can inform anonymously on people they know who have committed an offence.
A national computer system called the Police National Computer (PNC), which all police forces can access.
National fingerprint collection on computer enables fingerprints found at the scene of a crime to be compared and matched with all those kept on the computer.
DNA profiling, where DNA samples are compared and matched with samples taken from suspects or criminals.

On-line discussion forums

There are many websites on the Internet where people with similar opinions and interests can discuss matters that are important to them, such as health or political issues.

After topical or controversial television programmes, websites are often advertised where you can find further information on the subject raised.

Pressure groups are groups of people who try to change legislation or public opinion over an issue they feel strongly about, such as fox hunting or testing drugs on animals. There are many pressure groups that promote environmental issues, such as a group called Greenpeace.

It is important that issues raised by pressure groups are actively debated. There are always two sides to an argument. On-line discussion forums enable people with both points of view to debate the matter.

What are the advantages of using this technology?

With the above Information and Communication Technology accessible to community, communication has become much easier. Community people can live in the global village irrespective of distance and boundaries. Communication is also much more quick and convenient.

As most of the data in the above technology stays in electronic format, it increases the accuracy and the speed of finding the information. It also greatly reduces the use of paper.

On-line discussion forums give people chances to express their ideas and opinions freely.

Are there any disadvantages to using this technology?

ICT facilities can be expensive for community as well. Some communities may not be able to afford them even if they could like to have certain facilities. What's more, in some public places, the hardware and software used can be quite old and slow.

Another disadvantage is that if the network link goes down, the two parties cannot send or receive data, communication can be stopped or delayed.

Staff working in community needs lots of training to catch up the development of the technology. Employers should also pay attention to the Health and Safety Regulation to make sure their employees work in a healthy environment.

All the legislations and Acts concerning with ICT should be followed.

Unit 3 'ICT and society'