ICS 309 Computers and Society Introduction

What if our world was without computers

The Ubiquity of Computers and the Rapid Pace of Change Have you used a computer today? You have if you used… an ATM, a CD-player, a cell phone, a modern appliance, or an electronic device.

Some Positive Impacts of New Technology Convenience. Time-saving. Cost-saving. Less effort than older technologies. New types of jobs. More options for transactions. Improvements in crime-fighting. Small error rate.

Group discussions Benefits Computers Bring to Communications Transportation Education and training Crime fighting Medicine and health Disabled Office automation Environment

Benefits Computers Bring to Communication Non-invasive; read at recipient’s convenience. Time-saving. Access to vast amounts of information. Text, graphics, and sound can be combined. Much information on WWW is free. Public forums not limited to geographic boundaries. More independence. More options for communicating. Remote access available. Traditional boundaries are no obstacle. Reliability

Benefits Computers Bring to Transportation Navigation. Diagnostics. Safety. Hybrid engines. Efficiency of fuel-burning. Traffic pattern studies. E-ticketing Itinerary (trip planning) Databases on driving license Weather forecasting

Benefits Computers Bring to Education and Training Language acquisition. Spelling. Literacy. Distance/e- learning. Modeling. Simulations. Speech recognition. Speech synthesis. Virtual training Management E-books & Huge resources on the net

Benefits of Computers in Fighting Crime Improved crime reporting. Reliable and accurate identification Faster search of arrest records and fingerprint files. Remote access to records and reports, e.g. from patrol cars. Enhancement of records (fingerprints and photos). Access to numerous databases. Polygraph Digital certification Improved monitoring, and surveillance equipment.

Benefits Computers Bring to Medicine Sophisticated imaging and diagnosis. Reduced surgery time. Patient monitoring and timely medicine taking. Early ambulation. Improved treatments. Better organization of patient records Better administration (Appointments and billing) Telemedicine Fewer errors.

Benefits Computers Bring to the Disabled Disability-specific computer applications (e.g., a braille printer). Control of household and workplace appliances. Mobility and access to many facilities. Control of artificial limbs. Improved vision. Access to adaptive educational equipment. Improved communication. Opportunity to return to work.

Benefits Computers Bring to Office Automation Organize and access large inventories. Better scheduling Better communication Group mailing Better presentation Improved customer satisfaction. Save cost/time/effort. Decision making systems Paperless Tedious, monotonous work done by machine. Improved workplace safety.

Benefits Computers Bring to Environment Saving natural resources (paperless) Effective use of natural resources Decrease pollution Moisture. Acidity. More environment-friendly machines Stress in materials. Reducing Paper Use and Trash Send/receive digital documents instead of hardcopy. Read, write, and edit online. Reduced cost, storage, toxic wastes.

Some Negative Impacts of New Technology Unemployment. Alienation. Poor Customer Service. Crime. Loss of Privacy. Errors.

Social Problems!!!!!!

Alienation