Articles..Employment

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4660244.stm

This article is about any workers are losing their jobs. India's technology and outsourcing industries are growing fast But if your job goes overseas it is difficult to be positive, Bill Gates warns.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/outreach/2006_review/business/outsourcing.shtml
The BBC Corporate Social Responsibility Report 2006. 14 September 2008 OUTSOURCING The BBC has set itself tough savings targets as part of its plans to provide better value for money.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/norfolk/5116658.stm
The hospital is to run a trial with the Oxford-based Alden Group where inhouse doctors' notes will be typed and compared to outsourced dictation.

http://www.economist.com/research/articlesBySubject/displaystory.cfm?subjectid=3282216&story_id=E1_JSNVGTQ

Digital communication v voice call:

*Emails can be sent rather than voice calling the person
*People treat texts messages as convenience, which is lazier to calling somebody. People think they are communicating but the messages are very brief. They usually miss out the meaning of communicating (the art of conversation) and it turns into brief chat.
*Texting is impersonal and it is unsocialising and you can say what you want over texts, without making any real commitments.
*Arrangements are not finalised over texts and people can get away with arranging to meet and not going because they have not finalised the plans.
*You can send pictures, documents and other media through email or text messaging, whereas you cannot do this when you are talking with someone.
*However, it is easier to explain something when you are talking to someone directly than sending them a message, especially if you are writing in short hand.

Employment:

Electronic banking has transformed the banking world. So many people are using it it has meant that jobs in banks have been cut, and online payments have risen

ATM's have also caused a reduction in bank staff as people simply need to go to a cash point to get money out and no longer need to go into the actual bank.

Because of the link system, people can withdraw money from any bank using there credit/debit card, therefore less banks are needed.

Touch type's and shorthand was used before computers

Word processing has meant that lots of typests and shorthand writes have lost their jobs

Secretaries today have now really become Personal Assistants, dealing with letters etc

ISP weren't around 15 years ago, but have grown massively since

ICT technicians have risen, as ICT systems are now vital for companies

Online shopping has been created due to the Internet

National level shop employing small amounts of people due to online shopping

Call centres have been moved to other countries as its cheep labour and they are well trained in computing

Call centres in other parts of the world can be a pain to call up as you don't always understand what they are saying.

Companies can send files across the world so that files can be worked on over our night time, and they will be sent back in our day time.

Need manufactured to design and make new gadgets and computers

Games are now even bigger than Hollywood films

Phones and pda's have become more part of everyday life

MP3 players have become very popular in the technology world

SCAREWARE:

Scareware is a pop up that appears on the screen that has the appearance of an anti virus check. It tells you to click to solve the problem, but actually it creates one and by clicking a virus is then on your system.

The Tool Man:

Laptop

If John purchased a laptop then it would make life a lot easier for him, he would be able to keep all his accounts and files on his laptop without having to go to his work or leaving his house. He can keep all his data on this and take it with him to the office and to travel round with. This can save him a lot of time, filing by hand or writing catalogue lists, so he would not have to carry around files and folders full of confusing data. By using a laptop he can organise himself efficiently using folders on his laptop that will make his data easier to carry around.
Of course, technology has the disadvantage of not being 100% reliable. If the computer crashed and lost his work then there is not much he can do if his data is not backed up. This could mean losing important files, data and contact lists.

SATNAV

For Johns work, he does a lot of travelling and can find himself lost or not know the route to take to get to the exact place where he needs to be. A SATNAV system which can be set up in his car is very simple. The address or postcode is typed in and the system can give John the quickest and easiest route to get to his destination, with step by step intrustions on how to get there to make Johns life easier. Although SATNAVs can fail to work or there can be more than one place with the address name and a SATNAV can get confused about addresses.

PDA

A pda could be another benefit to Johns life. As well as being a planner, it is also a phone which could help him with organisation. John can check his plans, appointments and emails and make his calls all on the move and on his phone.

The Hacker Crackdown:

The Hacker Crackdown is a book written by Bruce Sterling in 1992. The book was actually online called an ebook which allowed any person that could access the internet to read it legally and for free.

The ebook is about the new technology in computers and telephones and the chapters take the reader through the problems that technology was faced with. The first chapter called 'crashing the system' tells the reader the story that occured on the 15th of January 1990, that 60,000 people lost their telephone connections and it took weeks to fix the problem at the telephone company AT&T. They then blamed themselves for the problems that occured, even though it was actually hackers that had got into the system.

Ambulances uses of ICT:

• They know where to go when they are called to a house because they have a satnav.


• Communication has been improved between the hospital and abulance drivers, so they can communicate directly with high quality audio signal.


• The communication in technology is clear and the abulances know how many paramedics to take with them.


• Abulances are tracked so the one nearest the area where they are needed is called.


• This is used by satelite tracking.

Teleworking at BT

*Staff can work from home which is good for their health and quality of life.

*Saves money on accomidation and recruitment costs.

*Staff are more unlikely to take sick days

*Staff are more proactive and motivated because there is less stress.

*Most people are motivated to have team meetings

*They describe their life as good and very good.

*People said that teleworking is a very important part of life.

*Staff can have lunch and breaks whenever they want, they do not have to dress up.

*It is harder to keep deadlines and to communicate with other people.

The information age

*The most useful tool is a database for people incompanys for connact details
*ICT is not just computers its phones aswell.
*Databases are used in shops to see if they have something in store.
*Information is stored in a database in schools and online
*Police use databases to update crimes
*Easy for data to get out of date. It is easier and quicker electronically.
*Gadgets are hard to take around because there are so many.
*Email is crutial for an organisation
*Type in the search criteria jobs would take longer and be harder without ict.
EPOS -using a credit card, easier and safer that carrying around money. It is a electronical funds transfer
*Doctors can do surgory over the internet which is made safe.
*Photographs can be sent in quickly to news and stories
*Organisations have IT staff that have to fix the computers effciently, otherwise the business could lose a lot of money. Which could miss deadline when newspapers are about to be published.
*Commuication is much quicker than before.

BBC iplayer

• You can chose a channel that the program you wish to view is on.
• Can chose to go to any part of the program and to play and stop it when you want.
• Can be viewed in high quality
• It is broken down into channels and added on there 24 hours afterwards and is kept on there for a week.
  

xbox

• A chat pad and headphone set can be used.
• Can play with people nationwide, and is able to be connected to the interent.
• People can be put in leagues, to tell you how high you are in the game.
• Lots of games that are available can be played live.
• Can download games and new characters and settings, movies.
• Films are available for 24 hours.

Online gaming:

• 97 percent play video games from the ages 12-17.
• Helps connect people to anyone in any country.
• It has an image of violence but 3/4 teenagers play games in teams and not by themselves.
• People meet up and fall in love or become good friends.
  

Online backup

• No need to have backup disc.

:(

• Someone could guess the password and hack in the your computer and files
• Can be slow and not work to upload online
• Chose the files that you want to be backed up

Social networking

1. Linked in
   It is for business people, not like a msn, it is formal for people searching for a new job, for professionals.

2. loopt

Send to friends a map where you are at the moment through iphone. People know where you are and this could lead to stalking if people can get hold of where you are to keep tabs on you.

Is there an illegal ivory trade on eBay?

Podcasting is a way to receive audio broadcasts through the Internet using an automatic "feed" in a process called "subscribing." You can listen to the podcast from your computer (using free software such as iTunes, QuickTime, or Windows Media Player). Or you can transfer the file to a portable media player (such as an iPod or any other mobile MP3 player). To first subscribe to the podcast, however, you need podcasting software.

• The podcast suggests that people may be selling illegal ivory over ebay.
• A website has been created called worldofgood.com. It has been created for the environmentally conscious shopper on ebay and is aimed at socially responsible
  and ethical shopper.
• Ebay hasn’t done what it needs to do to pro ecological and stable trade
  because buyers and sellers trade illegal products.
• To see if the ivory is illegal or not, ivory listings are typed into eBay. A snap shot is taken of what is on ebay which is catalogued and they can provide evidence whether it is sold illegally or not.
• Ebay say they have tightened restrictions but they havn't gone far enough as they didn't stop selling across international bounderies, this has made ivory trade sky rocket. This means the seller doesn’t know rules. A message to customers that ivory comes from an animal that is cruelly killed for fuel trade.

Direct gov...

Direct Gov
The website makes it easier for the government to have these services quickly over the interenet. The services varies from health to applying for a driving lesson. The catorgories of the services that the governments have online are massive and it makes life easier for both the governement and the people using these services as the government can keep a log on the accounts of these people and what they are using on the direct gov website.

Online government:

What the website can be used for...

• Car tax
• Prescriptions
• Apply for NHS
• Car registration
• To pay bills and fines
• Employment

Advantages:

1. The bills are more likely to be paid back if it's online.
2. The goverment won't spend as much on postings, stamps and paper.
3. It is a lot faster to do it on a website than to do it by post.

Disadvantages:

1. There could be identity theft as people could get hold of credit card details sent over the interenet.
2. The digital divide can mean that some people cannot use the internet connection.

AQA:

AQA

AQA is a website designed to help people and guide them through their GCSE'S. The site is set up in a easy to understand way that any student taking their GCSE's can get information about upcoming exams and a bit about the site and what the AQA aims are. Their is information on what exams will be upcoming in the GCSE exams and what the previous exams are like, giving an insight into qualifications and the developments of GCSE results.

Teach-ICT

Teach ICT

Teach ict is an online interaction website that is for many different ages, giving them guidance on education taking them interactive onto tutorials which is a fun way of learning new things. The website is all about learning ict. The information on the site covers any ict related problems.

Think.com

Think.com

Think. com is a education website that we use at Southend High school for girls. Each student gets their own log in and password so they are only linked to that school to make it easier and more effcient to use. The teachers also have an account that they may use regulary. The website can be accessed from home aswell which is useful because a lot of homework is put onto the website for the students to look at. Each student can have their own webpage which is safe and secure, students can also add links and projects to their webpage. A lot of the work done is added onto the think.com site which is a efficient way for the students that have a computer to upload their work onto the site or onto a teachers webpage.

BBC Bitesize:

Bitesize

BBC Bitesize is an online education website that is up to ages 16 +. The website is spilt up into different age groups and then carries on to explain the different subjects that those age groups are studying. There are also pages for teachers and students and online chat to ask questions about the subject that you wish to know. The website is definatly factual because it is by the bbc and that would have to be facts. The subjects are then spilt up into topics that all schools would be studying. Students can take tests and do revision on this. The site is colourful and easy to get around for younger students.

Wikipedia:

Wikipedia

Wikipedia is a world wide used website; the contents of Wikipedia could be anything in any subject. There is a search engine used to type in the subject you wish to learn about and anybody of any age could use this information, as it is not directed at a certain audience but for people to get information and facts of the website. It is laid out in a complicated way so this could be a disadvantage to those that could find it boring and dull. There is a lot more writing that there are pictures and some people could be overwhelmed by the amount of information that Wikipedia gives, there is at least several paragraphs on the subject which includes hyperlinks to other subjects as well. It does not some up the information but gives a very detailed description of what it is and its history etc. Some people could find this a good way of learning though to help with education. But there is not always a certainty that the facts are true and the complication Wikipedia gives could make people very confused. Wikipedia is open to everybody and is a very popular site even though people can sign on and change some of the facts on Wikipedia. This makes information that you want to know very unreliable and even bizarre. There could also be inappropriate contents with the many pages and subjects involved in the site. Unreliability in an education website could be teaching facts that are actually not true

NET FROG:

Net frog is a website that takes the user through a step by step tutorial on how to disect a frog, without having to do it. There are images and bullet points on what to do and what steps to take next with a clear image of the frog in the current process. This can help someone that wants to disect a frog but does not know how to go about it, the website is easy to access and people can use it on any computer to get tips on how to disect a frog. The navigation system on this interactive website is easy to use. There is also sound on the simulater for a guide.

The website gives the user a better understanding of the subject working at their own pace. It also shows video that the viewer can watch that shows in simple steps the correct disection of a frog.

Making the modern world...

Screen shots and infomation:

The website takes the viewer through the history of computers, it is a useful website as it is aimed at many people to use and has the whole history from the first computer to the computers that we use today. The information is very vast and detailed which makes this a good learning education website as it uses images, text, videos and interactive applications. Which makes the website easy to navigate round and to understand to people of all ages.

The detail of the interactive guide, is not so overwhelming with information that it becomes dull and confusing, it is set out in an interesting way that someone that had never used the site would have to problem with. The interactive guide gets the user involved in learning which would make it easier for people to register the information on the history of computers.
The website is very factual and users can learn at their own pace on this easy to navigate website.

Online banking, example two...

These are the benefits of online banking:

Stay on top of your finances - check your balances, statements and account details; which are updated in real time
Know your limit - never lose track of your spending again. Check and pay your NatWest credit cards online
Manage your money – pay bills, transfer money and set up payments in seconds
Go back in time - check and print statements up to six months old
Move your money – transfer money instantly between most of your NatWest accounts
Easy being green – turn off your paper statements when you sign up online to cut down on waste.

Natwest has many different types of banking online, this includes personal, business, private and commercial depending on the person or business that will be using the account. It has a very simple layout and is easy to navigate around. There are a lot of new advertisments on the latest deals and offers going at natwest so people can decide wether it suits them or not. The deals are aimed to attract more people to sign up to online banking. It has a very simple layout and a lot of information about the branch.

Screen shots of a virtual classroom..How does it work?

These are screen shots of an online virtual classroom using the website teach-ict.com. Using this website there are many online tutorials as an introduction into th subject which you chose to learn about. Online classrooms are very effiecient and can be accessed at any time which makes it easy for people to access information. These are screen shots to the webinar introduction to the program dreamweaver, it uses easy steps for people to understand how the website works.

Virtual Classrooms:

Short for Web-based seminar, a webinar is a presentation, lecture, workshop or seminar that is transmitted over the Web. A key feature of a Webinar is its interactive elements -- the ability to give, receive and discuss information. Contrast with Webcast, in which the data transmission is one way and does not allow interaction between the presenter and the audience.

These online seminars use Webex to make them actual, live interactive learning experiences. Participants will be able to ask the instructor questions and get answers in real time. The instructor will be able to conduct polls and ask questions. Participants will receive course materials by e-mail to the seminar and will be able to view the instructor's PowerPoint slides during the seminar. These types of online courses have a much higher impact than simply reading material on the web. Webinars offer exceptional convenience and are very cost-effective.

Advantages:

You are able to access a lecture anytime and anyplace online.
You can’t miss a lecture or seminar which is easier to get to.
Reduces cost of going to lectures.
On demand training 24/7 which is useful for students.
Reduces the need to train employees to take lectures.
The system has been built into instant messenger for questions and answers

Disadvantages:

· You can’t ask questions directly.
· The contents of the website could be inappropriate
· It is visual and not verbal; this may not be good for some peoples learning skills.

What is phishing?

The act of sending an e-mail to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft. The e-mail directs the user to visit a Web site where they are asked to update personal information, such as passwords and credit card, social security, and bank account numbers, that the legitimate organization already has. The Web site, however, is crazy and set up only to steal the user’s information.

Online Banking: An example...

Barcleys bank:

This online banking site is split up into two sections business and personal which can be accsessed on the main page. It is very basic and simple to understand as it has to appeal and be easy to access by a large amount of people. On this site enable to see your current accounts, savings, investment, loans, credit cards, mortgages, insurance, travel. You are able to see the deals that the bank is offering, you are able to check your account via your mobile. The online bank is easier to access and is very safe and secure from hackers as it is watched and monitered.

The audience would be for people that belong to this bank. You have to be over 16 to have a bank account, so the online banking would only apply to these people. A lot of things are done online, like shopping of surfer the net, online banking is another suitable replacement for going out to the bank as is online shopping. People that are ill or that are older would find this most suitable or even people that cannot drive to a bank because you don't have to leave the house to find out how much money is in your bank account. It is also full of updates to keep clients on track with their bank.

Online Banking:

Advantages:

• People can sign in and check their bacnk account everyday, unlike travelling to a bank to check.
• There is no paper being used when online banking as everything is done on as computer.
• Logging in is easy and safe because it had to be as a banking site as it holds personal information.
• Allows you to do your banking from the office or home computer which is easier and more effiecient and which can be applied instantly.
• If you're out of state or even out of the country when a money problem arises, you can log on instantly to your online bank and take care of business, 24/7.
• You can access and manage all of your bank accounts, including IRAs, CDs, even securities, from one secure site.
• Online bank sites generally execute and confirm transactions at or quicker than ATM processing speeds.
• Many online banking sites now offer sophisticated tools, including account aggregation, stock quotes, rate alerts and portfolio managing programs to help you manage all of your assets more effectively. Most are also compatible with money managing programs such as Quicken and Microsoft Money.

Disadvantages:

• Can be hacked by interent users who can get hold of personal information.
• Even the largest banks periodically upgrade their online programs, adding new features in unfamiliar places. In some cases, you may have to re-enter account information.
• Banking sites can be difficult to navigate at first. Plan to invest some time and/or read the tutorials in order to become comfortable in your virtual lobby.

About eBay:

eBay is an online auction and shopping website in which people can buy and sale goods nationwide. This can include any person, a business or even somebody that wants to sell something 2nd hand. Many people use the website to buy cheaper versions of more expensive objects such as designer clothes and collectables. Anybody can use this website, to bid on an object or to sale something that they no longer want. It is a multi million pound auction site which enables goods to be transfered from seller to buying in a relatively safe and controlled environment. eBay is watched and is secure pay pal unless a cheque is used where people can get ripped off.

The target audience is very wide because it appeals to all sorts of people for all interests. Some people use it proffesionally to make money by buying goods and selling them cheaply. Some businesses use eBay to promote items. It can also be used as a hobby, many people go to eBay to find something they can't in shops and too see how cheap it is going on eBay. Or even for a one off item that a buying wants.

People can type in what they are looking for. When they have found the item they want to bid on, the auction takes place over a couple of days which could last for more than a week. Anyone can bid and the highest bidder wins as in any aution. There is a reserve put on the item which means that the item has a minimum to what it can be sold for.

The benefits of eBay is that its the largest online aution which is commercial and worldwide. Anything can be sold on eBay that appeal all audiences and ages. A website that does this attracts a lot of people and the items are of such a large range. The object on auction is more likely to be sold. eBay does have some limitations, there are only pictures of the item being sold so it is unlike a shop so the item could be it worse condition than given away. It is not always safe and secure with the money, there have been a lot of concerns and cheques can not be sent due to security reasons.

eBay are the oldest auction site and is very established as one of these. There are many auction sites but this is one of the well known ones. eBay is easy to use and is found in every country. People go straight to eBay as one of these well known sites.

Digital divide:

I went on Google groups and typed in the advance search digital divide.

The lack of access to information and communications technologies by segments of the community. The digital divide is a generic term used to describe this lack of access due to linguistic, economic, educational, social and geographic reasons.

A train journey to Tottenham Court road including timetables and prices - step 1

A map and weather of the journey

Instant message conversation about the lesson:

Annotation of Blogger - step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Email annotation, step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Research about different chats.

Research for...

Instant messaging

Advantages:
Can chat to friends and arrange to meet.
The messages are sent straight away, ‘instant’.
Can add and block people, if you want them, or don’t want them on your contacts.
Customise style of writing and send emotions, writing can be shorten and slang can be used instead of writing things out correctly.
Can control who adds you and whether you want them to be a part of your contact list.

Disadvantages
Cyber bullying and arguments can start which can effect social life and depress or sadden people.
Can ruin social life and can be addictive to people making them stay in and not leave home.
It can be time consuming and distracting from homework and social life.
People can add you and create arguments which can be upsetting.

IRC

Advantages
Communicating in a group, or able to have private messages to another contact that people cannot see.
Allows everyone to talk together all across the globe in virtual rooms.
You can join a chat group called a channel or create one.
You can have a profile, picture and personal home page.
You can ban or kick out unwanted members.

Disadvantages
IRC, a live activity, has some of the same problems encountered with live radio or live television. Technical problems can cause sessions to be lost.
Channels on an IRC can be taken over and looked at without people knowing, this can cause problems and be insecure.
There is a high chance of spam mail which can be very adult and horrible to receive, especially to a younger audience.

Website-based chat

Advantages
Access is available anytime and anyplace.
Having a computer with internet access is affordable and easy to set up.
You are able to chat to more than one person at a time in the same conversation.
You can meet new people and make new friends by sharing interests.

Disadvantages
People can start inappropriate conversations that can be offence to people.
People can lie about who they are and try to get details about you that can be harmlessly given away but can lead to problems.
You don’t know the kind of people that are in chat rooms and you have to be careful about what is said.

Online Role play

Advantages
They can be fun and interesting, relating to a hobby which can be relaxing and a switch off from reality.
There is not an ending to the game and can be played as much as you want.
Can meet new people that also share the interest of the game, you are able to communicate with them on here, by headphones or a chat box.
Online games are always developing and is easy accessible unlike play station and x box.

Disadvantages
Can be expensive and addictive, this can be a big build up of money.
The graphics are not always as good as what can be developed on play station etc.
Games are more expensive, as you have to pay monthly instead of for the game at once; this works out more expensive if the game becomes addictive.
Can take up a lot of time when things need to be done.

SMS chat rooms

Advantages
This is free online and is able to have several conversations at once.
You can multi task using this, by minimising the conversations.
Get to know new people and to have a chat with friends to communicate.
You can set your status to busy or away if you want to stay online.

Disadvantages
Can be time consuming and distracting away from work.
Can create conflicts with other people which can be upsetting.
Arguments can start easily and people can say more on there, than they would to someone’s face.

BBS

Advantages
Anyone (registered) can make comments/answers - and these are visible to every (registered) user immediately. This can result in a very fast response to a question compared with a formal support process/helpline.

Disadvantages
Anyone can make comments/answers - they could be wrong. Because there's no formal support process, answers may be slow/non-existent as you rely on the community instead of paid support personnel.
Anyone can make a comment, which can cause conflicts and arguments.

What i have updated...

1. I added the number of steps taken in my screen shots to make it easier to understand the annotaion.
2. I expanded the advantages and disadvantages about emails and blogs to make it clearer to the people that read it so it is less note like.

History of Blogs

History of Blogs

A blog (web log) is a website created by an individual and started around 1997.

Peter Merholz coins the term blog after announcing he was going to pronounce web blogs as "wee-blog". This was then shortened to blog. It was then referred to as a blogger.

The web log became very popular in 1999 and they became hard to track and keep up with.

Cameron published a list of blogs on Camworld, and others maintaining similar sites began sending their URLs to him.

It became able for individuals to publish their own web logs that could have links, commentary, and personal thoughts and essays. Weblogs could only be created by people who already knew how to make a website, and then in 1999 this changed so anybody could.

At the end of 1999, the total number of blogs was estimated to be around fifty; five years later, the estimates range from 2.4 million to 4.1 million.

There are now over 5 million blogs and more are added everyday.

Google groups screen shots with annotation - 1st step

2nd step

3rd step

4th step