The Digital Divide.

The Digital Divide: The gap between people who have acces to digital technology and those who have no or very limited access, also the oppertunities which come from access to ICT. It includes having actual access to ICT and having skills needed to participate .


Global digital divide: This is more or less like the original 'digital divide' however, it is based on a geographical division between developed and developing countries. The global divide includes economic, educational and social aspects of technology.
The following are some factors of global divide:

• Economic prosperity - Most people in undeveloped and developing countries would not feel the need to use or introduce ICT as basic survival is the main concern.  Many developeding countries cannot afford to introduce ICT into their countries, many developed countries to not even have electricity. Also, money cannot be spent on education to learn the skill needed to used ICT properly.
• Technological infrastructure - Most developing and undeveloped countries do not have the right equipment and cannot afford to get it. If there is not a good internet supply it is not easy to use the digital technology. Many countries do not even have electricity for basic technology, for example, a Africa Renewal states "in no African country outside of  Egypt and South Africa  does more than 20% of the population have direct access to electricity".

- “In the twenty-first century, the capacity to communicate will almost certainly be a key human right. Eliminating the distinction between the information-rich and information-poor is also critical to eliminating economic and other inequalities between North and South, and to improve the life of all humanity.” -Nelson Mandela

Local digital divide: This again is more or less like the original "digital divide" however, this is based on a more local area such as the UK. It is the gap between people with having access and knowledge of how to use technology.
Factors:

• Occupation: Peoples's jobs in the UK are usually based around learning and understanding ICT for example, secretaries need a basic understanding of recent technology, builders however, need no real understanding of technology as it is not a necessity in the job.   
• Age: Many of the younger generations were brought up around technology, for example, ICT lessons at schools meant that every child attending school had a basic knowledge of ICT. Elderly people however are new to the advance of technology and are scared to use it.
• Expense: Some people in the UK cannot afford to constantly replace technology which has advanced. This makes some people lack the knowledge and know how of using newer technology.

Narrowing down the divide: Some of the things that could eventually narrow down the divide.

• Teach people how to use technology. For example, DakNet uses local transport to carry mobile local access points. This gives local people the chance to be able to be taught how to use basic technology without having to travel or pay for lessons.
• Allow people to have access to ICT. Having local IT station or IT kiosk in a central point of an undeveloped village would allow villagers to be able to experience how to use basic technology.
• Wireless internet. Wireless internet allows people to connect to the internet without having to pay for line installment. Villagers could research about new crops, or new legislations that apply to them. Children could use the internet to research for school to improve education, even adults could improve education to hopefully find a stable job.
• One Laptop per Child Association, Inc. The OLPC-XO1 is a cheap laptop intended to be given to children in developing countries to allow them to personally use ICT. It also allows them access to education via the internet.
• World Information Societ Day:  Is meant to raise awareness of changes brought to the society because of the internet and new technologies. It is also aiming to reduce the digital divide.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_divide
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_digital_divide
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_divide#Overcoming_the_digital_divide
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Information_Society_Day
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Laptop_per_Child

Legislation and ICT

Computer Misuse act 1990.
This act makes it illegal to gain unauthorised access to a computers data.
It was made to prevent:

• Viruses being planted into peoples computers.
• Copy software and data illegally.
• Hacking.

Offenders can be punishable from little of 6months imprisonment and fine to 5 years imprisonment or fine.

Data protection act 1998
An act of UK parliament - Organisations that store personal information but register and state the purpose that they need the information. The individual can change and view data about him.


Source: http://www.theteacher99.btinternet.co.uk/theteacher/gcse/newgcse/module8/task9.htm        
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_Misuse_Act_1990  

How does ICT affect working style?

p.21 Activity 1
John could improve his working style by using ICT.
GPS - John could make sure he has no delays because of finding new customers, he would always be able to find the best route to take. It would also mean that he would not have to carry around a large road atlas.
PDA - This could help John in many ways. He could do some office work during working hours instead of having to spend 2 hours a day completing administration work. He could use reminders and send emails while on the job to his collegues to send information there and then to save time after his long journeys.
Software - Office software would help John save and arrange his work properly (Microsoft Access/Excel). After each day he could change and input information from that day, this would also decrease his time spent on making sure his administration is handled properly.
Having a mobile phone could also stop any delays that John might encounter, he could call customers for directions and he could inform his collegues of any problems he could have.
Disadvantages?
Having PDA's and mobile phones could mean that John can be contacted whenever he is needed for work, which could be interruptive for him.

Entertainment online.

Entertainment can be found online on various websites which are accessible to everyone. Entertainment in general is seen as any activity which provides amusement to people.
There are various types of entertainment that can be found online, such as:

• Games.
• Videos.
• eRadio.
• Television.
• Images.

- eRadio provides an online service in which you can listen to radio stations online. Many radio stations provide live streaming. To be able to experience eRadio, internet connection and certain software is needed.
An advantage of eRadio is that you can listen to any radio station anywhere you are. For example, www.e-radio.gr allows you to listen to radio from Greece in any other country (there is also e-radio UK and e-radio cyprus).
A disadvantage of eRadio is that the radio company must invest in much more expensive receiving equipment.

- Watching video's online is a quick and easy task, as long as internet connection, and the correct media software is installed, websites such as www.youTube.com allow users to upload and watch video's online for free. If a video has been uploaded, it is avaliable for anyone to watch if they have access to it.
An advantage of watching video's online is that it is quick and easy and can be very entertaining.
A disadvantage of watching video's online is that a viewer can never be completely sure as to what the video is about.

Source: http://www.google.com/search?sclient=psy&hl=en&q=define3Aentertainment&aq=f&aqi=g4g-o1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&pbx=1
http://www.e-radio.gr/locations/athens.asp
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_disadvantages_of_online_radio

Online (Internet) Banking.

Online banking allows customers use their banking accounts online.
Many things can be done online:

• Funds transfer (between two personal accounts or to another persons accounts).
• Investment (Buying or selling).
• Bank statements.
• Support and help from bank services.

For security: A PIN number is required, the PIN number represents a password. Also TAN numbers are required to provide an identity to each transaction.
Some advantages of  online banking are:

• Very convenient - All the services needed are provided.
• Very fast - It is much quicker than  going to a local bank to make transactions.
• Very easy - There is usually a step by step process.

Some disadvantages of online banking are:

• Lack of trust - some people believe they have done the wrong things.
• New technology - some people may not know how to properly use the internet and use it safely.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_banking
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-online-banking-services.html

First Post

Tuesday 14th September :).