The impact of ICT in the local community

Mobile phones

A mobile phone is a portable electronic device for peer-to-peer telecommunications over long distances. Mobile phones are very widespread in Redbridge and have helped people telecommunicate in times of need. Whenever there is an emergency, people don't have to go to a phone booth to call someone because they can always reach into their pocket where they shall find a mobile phone. I can Mobile phones are found entertaining as well as useful because they have games, puzzles, video calling, movies, ring tones and some of them have access to the internet. All these things can fit into a mobile phone because of the large storage capacity it has. A mobile phone is a little like an organizer because it has a calendar to remind people of important dates like a meeting or special occasion and tells time. It also has an alarm clock to wake me up in the morning

The disadvantages of a mobile phone are that sometimes the network will not work properly and others will not be able to hear the caller on the other line, it also makes funny noises at times. Another problem is that the mobile phone may freeze or crash suddenly which is bad because if someone is in a bad situation, then they could be in great danger. Some times the phone does not have enough storage and will ask you to delete a few items. Mobile phones have brought great uses to the community as we can all now interact with each other and stay in touch.

Electronic article surveillance (EAS)

In Redbridge there are many places to shop the most common is the Exchange. To keep safety levels up security alarms are used like EAS.

"Electronic article surveillance is a technological method for preventing shoplifting from retail stores or pilferage of books from libraries. Special tags are fixed to merchandise or books. These tags are removed or deactivated by the clerks when the item is properly bought or checked out. At the exits of the store, a detection system sounds an alarm or otherwise alerts the staff when it senses active tags."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_article_surveillance#Types_of_EAS

Electronic tags are of 4 types

* Magnetic

* Acousto-magnetic

* Radio frequency

* Microwave

The advantages of EAS are that it prevents things from getting stolen and if a shoplifter tries to steal an item then they may be caught. This system will lower the levels of shoplifting in the community and will make people within Redbridge feel safe.

The disadvantages of EAS are that sometimes false alarms may go of which can be very embarrassing for the customer especially when they are honest. It is also embarrassing for the business as they now have a very upset customer. These false alarms usually go of because the tag has not been deactivated properly. Also some shoplifters may be able to take the tag of which can bring a loss to the company. These tags are also very expensive to buy and can result into being a loss for small businesses.

Automated teller machine (ATM

An automated teller machine (ATM) is an unmanned automated telecommunications device which provides a customer with financial transactions in public space. On most ATM's a customer is recognized when a plastic card with a metal strip or a smartcard with a chip is inserted in an ATM, the card contains a unique code which only belongs to the card holder. The cardholder then needs to enter a personal identification number (PIN) for security reasons.

The ATM gives customer's access to their bank account. Using the ATM customers can check out their bank balances, deposit cash or cheques, pay bills, transfer money between bank accounts and buy goods or services.

The advantages of ATM's are that instead of walking a long way to the bank we can access an ATM. In the Exchange mall there are many ATM's which is very useful because it is time efficient. Another great thing about ATM'S are that everybody has a unique code which means there won't be any mix up. To make sure that ATM's are reliable they undergo a very expensive test.

The disadvantages of ATM's are that thieves can use chemicals to break them apart and take all the money out. They can also cause damage to the ATM, this result into a loss for the company.

"The first known instance of a fake ATM was installed at a shopping mall in Manchester, Connecticut in 1993. By modifying the inner workings of a Fujitsu model 7020 ATM, a criminal gang known as The Bucklands Boys were able to steal information from cards inserted into the machine by customers."

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/1.05/atm_pr.html

This incident goes against the Computer Misuse Act (1998).

Overall I think that ICT has very much helped fulfill the needs of the community and has made Redbridge a much better borough to live in. It has benefited the community in many ways and has made Redbridge quite popular. Without ICT we would not have as many facilities we have now.

Farhana Rahman

ICT and the community

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