SOCIAL IMPACT OF COMPUTERS Cashless Society Computers & Employment Easier-to-use computer systems Presentation of Information Issues of Computer Ethics
Cashless Society where NO one pays with CASH all you need is a CARD one large database contains all accounts it is no totally cashless now, except credit cards autopay systems automatic teller machines payment express terminals
Advantages & Disadvantages reduces the risk of being robbed saves time (queuing) it is easy to spend more than you can afford fraud
Computers & Employment New jobs are created, for example: data processing manager systems analyst applications programmer systems programmer database administrator computer operator data entry operator
Computers & Employment However, it is expected that the no. of computer professionals will decline in future years computers are made easier to use unemployment will probably increase more computers are used
Easier-to-use Computer Systems hardware & software are being designed to meet the needs of a wider range of users computer user-interface becomes more ‘user-friendly’ special skills & training are not required Advantages cheaper computing saving time in training staff greater computer literacy
Presentation of Information in the past a design professional is needed now a presentation graphic software is enough
Issues of Computer Ethics about what is right & what is wrong many computer users adopt a code of ethics, for example do not violate the confidentially of your employer maintain system integrity at all times do not violate the rights or privacy of others do not break the law
Issues of Computer Ethics Privacy our personal information is store in many places, e.g., government departments it may be misused Confidentiality Easy transfer Accuracy
Issues of Computer Ethics Piracy the copyright law is broken when people copying copyrighted software and then even selling it except for the purpose of back up, any reproduction of software is prohibited Have you ever seen any pirated software for sale in Hong Kong?
Issues of Computer Ethics Computer crime is increasing every year for example a programmer change a program to transfer the money left in old accounts to his account an employee at the public examinations office change his daughter’s results its potential impact is huge more thorough laws & better system security
Issues of Computer Ethics Computer viruses a subversive computer program that can corrupt or erase data files replicates itself & spread to other systems can be imported to computer system through disks data transmission over networks have many types (act quickly, slowly or like a time bomb)
Issues of Computer Ethics Computer crimes cost of retrieving lost programs & data is huge to minimize the danger avoid using disks that contain software from a doubtful source scan the floppy disk with an anti-virus or ‘doctor’ program to prevent infection through networks, only allow authorized users access, e.g., using passwords