Streaming is a term used to describe when audio or video data is fed in a continuous stream to a pc via the internet rather than being downloaded to a user’s hard drive. These servers are what are used by live radio on the internet radio as they don’t need to wait for the whole file to be downloaded. It is the user’s media player software which decodes the stream these includes windows media player, real player and QuickTime. Internet radio players can use two types of streaming these are live event streaming and continuous streaming.
Live event streaming is used the radio players as the audio can be fed through in real-time and distributed to the listener. Continuous streaming can be used as it allows internet radio stations to create programs as a play list can be prepared before hand and then streamed effectively.
Podcasting is a service that allows users to upload audio files from Podcasting websites onto their computers. Podcasting was developed in 2004 by Adam Curry he created a program that enabled him to automatically download internet radio broadcasts to his computer, developers then improved on his idea and Podcasting was created. This differs from internet radio as users don’t have to tune into a particular broadcast or program. Unlike radio stations Podcasters don’t need to buy a licence to broadcast their programming which is why it has become popular and the general public has started to get involved.
Below is a screenshot of a Podcasting website.
Podcasts can be listened to using the same software as with internet radio players.
You can also subscribe to an RSS feed this means the Podcasting software which you are using, automatically uploads content which matches your playlist.
Government service
E-Voting
E-voting which is short for electronic voting is a type of voting method.
This involves using electronic means to cast a vote in an election. It can involve the transfer of elections via telephones, private computer networks and of course the internet. Technology used in electronic voting includes punch cards, optical scan voting systems and direct recording electronic voting systems (DRE’s). Voting over the Internet uses a PC with an Internet-connection to cast the vote and send it to be stored in another remote computer. A DRE system involves a computer where voters can view ballots on the screen and can then make choices using an input device such as buttons or a touchscreen. Some DRE systems use a card swipe system where it must be activated before allowing you access to cast a vote. Votes are stored by some sort of memory device.
Below is an image of a DRE system taken from .
To test whether the internet could be used as a reliable and secure method to cast a vote the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) conducted a pilot in 2000. At the end of the pilot FVAP members concluded that the experiment was a success. Although they concluded that the experiment was a success they admitted that the pilot only involved less than 100 participants, and to implement on a national scale would require more consideration.
For e-voting to be any sort it must gain be able to gain the trust of the public as e-voting cannot be implemented if the public feel that it is open to fraud. Therefore this system must be seen as fair and reliable as other voting methods.
Systems involved with e-voting have come under scrutiny due to the potential of voting fraud. Below I have listed the benefits which e-voting can offer but also the potential risks involved with e-voting.
Advantages of e-voting:
- E-voting via the internet encourages more people to cast a vote as people will be able to cast a vote in a remote area. This can increase voter turnout which has been a problem in recent government elections especially among young people.
- It can reduce costs in the long run that which are used to control the election process currently.
- Using this method votes can be counted far more quickly so final election results are produces faster.
- E-Voting allows people with disabilities to cast a vote on their in a private and secure manner.
Risks in e-voting:
- E-voting using the internet is done by public networks meaning it is far more difficult to identify the caster of a vote this way than current methods.
- More difficult to identify any technical malfunctions.
- The system fails to record enough back ups of voting information therefore if the system would fail it would be very difficult to do a ‘recount’ of votes.
In May 2003, pilot schemes to test new methods of voting took place in 59 local authorities across England. In the experiment 6.4 million people were eligible to vote in these pilot areas. Schemes offered electors the chance to cast a vote electronically this was done in a variety of different of ways and included the Internet, by telephone, via text messaging and for the first time through interactive digital television. In its report on the 2003 pilot projects, the UK Electoral Commission recommended that technical requirements for future e-enabled elections should be further developed.
