IT Homework for November 4th 2008

pg. 180-181 #1-2

1.) Write a 4-6 line summary (in your own words) for each of the 3 subheadings: Economic Effects, Social Effects, and Environmental Effects of IT.

Economic Effects:
Life in the Economic ways have definently been easier. It is faster, easier and more reliant. But the information systems have also led to an increase in other types of jobs. Since the technology is so advanced now in days people who try to get new jobs include packing boxes and sweeping floors. The government evidence would suggest that the use of information systems has created more jobs than have been lost by its introduction.

Social Effects:
The social affects has led to more efficient ways of working and also it decreased the hours that people have to work. Which leads to people spending time on leisure purisuits. There was an arguenment on how young people spend to much time on computers playing computer games. People argue that the long uses are decreasing the communication levels. Although others argue that playing video games online can help and develop problem-solving sills and encourage collaboration and team work.

Enviornmental Effects:
Enviornmental effects are a big part too. The computers have increased a level in electricity consumption while in the other hand electricity and other forms of energy has been reduced as computers carefully control the air conditioning and heating systems. Information systems have teleworking enabled from the house. Which means less travel to and from work and therefore a reduction in traffic polution.



2.) Answer 2 of the questions raised under the legal, ethical & moral effects section, giving your opinion on each.

How far should the law go in giving the police access to everyones personal data or emails in order to fight crime or to defend national security?
I think police should have some access to everyones personal data. But it shall be only to a certain extent. Giving away too much information might include private information so only to an extent where you can find for example where you are living name adress.

How far should established and new technologies, such as closed circuit television and microchip smart cards be used to monitor peoples activities?
Same as the answer above, i dont think that they need to know every little information. You can have small monitoring cameras just incase people steal things from stores. But other than that i dont think there is a particular reason for having microchip smart cards.