Dr Odedra cites a number of infrastructural reasons for the lack of effective ICT. What are these?
-The lack of a reliable power supply to operate computers
-The need of a well functioning telephone network to transmit data (For 1000 people the number of telephones range between 12 and 50 depending on the country)
-The lack of foreign currency to import the technology
-The lack of computer literate people
What is identified as the most pressing need for Africa (in terms of ICT)?
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How successful are computer-aid projects been? Why have they failed?
However, although the number of computers has increased rapidly in some places, the process of computerization has not been as successful as it should be in a majority of these countries. There is extensive under-utilization of equipment and major computer-based projects have failed (Odedra, 1990a). Examples abound of systems that are simply not used because of the lack of secondary equipment, suitable electric power, or training.
What computer skills are identified as lacking?
What lack of business skills are identified as a major problem?
A national identification card would be used to prove someone's identity to government officials. Each cardholder would have a unique card. The information stored on the card would be basic details and would be checked by and confirmed by the cardholder. Indentity theft would be reduced by using biometric information such as fingerprints in order to link the card to the cardholder. A large database called the "National Identity Register" would hold all the data.
Advantages
- Immigration control - Immgritation would become a lot easier to control and they would help border angents. Identifying individuals would be made much easier with the use of the identity cards as they would hold such information as height, weight, eye-colour, etc. Furthemore, border officials would be able to recieve much more control and would be able to find out the immigration status of individuals.
- Easy Identification – Many places ask for photographic proof of identification and for those without a driving license or another form of photo identification it would make proving your identity easy and hassle free. Also an easier form of identification would make check in times at airports less and also much easier to handle.
Disadvantages
- Feasibility – It would difficult to issue cards to citizens, permanent residents and legal immigrants. It would also mean staff would have to be trained to be able to issue cards. Also it would be difficult to ensure the population applied for cards. Homeless people may find it hard to produce identification in order to obtain a card as they may not birth certificates etc.
- Many people already have a form of identification such as a passport or drivers license. It would be pointless for people to carry around two forms of ID card. Also the costs of create national identity cards would outweigh the befits of having them
- Possible Invasion Of Privacy – By having the ID card the government would have to create a database in which personal information would have to be stored some people may see this as an invasion of privacy.
I think that the likelyhood of this happening and being a success is very small. It is too much trouble and will waste too much time and money to get every single person within the UK to change to this form of ID when we already have a perfectly decent identification system in place. Furthermore, the expense of changing the whole system, implementing it, training staff etc, would be better used in improving our country in somewhere that actually needed the help, like our healthcare system or something similar that is more likely to be much more beneficial.
http://www.ehow.com/about_5438693_pros-cons-national-id-cards.html
Spreadsheets
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spreadsheet
A spreadsheet is a computer application that simulates a paper worksheet. It displays a grid made up of rows and columns made of cells. Alphanumeric or numeric data is entered into these cells and calculations can be performed by entering certain formulae. Spreadsheets are frequently used for financial information because of their ability to re-calculate the entire sheet automatically after a change to a single cell is made. Spreadsheets are particularly useful when it comes to decision making as they have specific features that make viewing information easy, for example, conditional formatting. There is the opportunity to create charts and graphs simply and quickly so people can view information in a more user friendly way. Spreadsheets also allow information to be ordered into ascending or descending groups. Negative numbers are shown in red and comments can also be added to cells.
Simulation Software
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simulation_software
Simulation software is based on the process of imitating a real phenomenon with a set of mathematical formulas. Essentially, it is a program that allows the user to observe an operation through simulation without actually performing that operation. Simulation software is used widely to design equipment so that the final product will be as close to design specs as possible without expensive in process modification.Simulation software allows many scenarios to be tested this means time and money is saved. Simulation software is valuable as actions that are uncertain can be tested and the outcomes and consequences can be reported.
Data Mining Tools
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_mining
Data mining is the process of extracting patterns from data. As more data is being gathered (with the amount of data doubling every three years), data mining is becoming an increasingly important tool to transform these data into information. It is commonly used in a wide range of profiling practices such as; marketing, surveillance, fraud detection and scientific discovery. While data mining can be used to uncover patterns in data samples, it is important to be aware that the use of non-representative samples of data may produce results that are not indicative of the domain. Similarly, data mining will not find patterns that may be present in the domain, if those patterns are not present in the sample being "mined".
Exception Reporting Tools
Exception Reporting Tools are able to find abnormalities in data. This saves money in the long term and makes information more reliable.
http://blog.activehome.co.uk/2007/03/mobile_phone_fo.html
A mobile phone has been designed for use by older people by an Austrian firm. The "Life" phone from Emporia Telecom is aimed at the '40+ generation' but has features designed specifically for those in their 50s and 60s and 70s who find modern day mobiles too complicated, too small and too difficult to use. It has many functions that elderly people may find useful;
· Large keys
· Large display
· Easy menu navigation
· Hearing aid suitability
· Emergency call key function
This phone assumes that many elderly people have hearing and eyesight problems and find technology hard to use. It has kept the complexity of calling and texting to a minimum as they understand that many old people tend not to buy a mobile as they find it complicated to use.
Why are computer games popular?
Computer games are extremely popular as it is a way of people being able to live a story without particular risk - they can act through characters and experience what they like through the game. Much like movies, computer games offer people the chance to be able to experience something out of their normal routine. For example, many people don't race cars in real life (as much as they'd like to) and even fewer are formula one racing drivers - however, gaming allows these people who enjoy such an activity to gain entertainment and an experience of what it might feel like to do so. Not only are they good for this, but they allow people to communicate with others and develop team work skills. As computer games are starting to incorporate internet access it means people from all over the world can come together and play their favourite game. Many games are now trying to appeal to the younger market and are incorporating educational features which allow people to develop important skills alongside teamwork.
Do computer games make you more violent?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,372684,00.html
Computer games have a huge impact on many people's lives - I think that they are a key influence and do actually encourage the violent nature someone has. Computer games manage to detensensitise a lot of people (especially young children as the are going through the learning processes at a young age and learn from the game) from real life and how society is actually meant to be; Because people see that killing and shooting is fine on a game, they become desensitised that this would normally be percieved as wrong and dangerous. Generally, games are harmless and I don't think that it is intentional to bring out the violent side of someone - however, as stated I think that if they play these games as they are learning or are people who are easily influenced, it does bring out a violent side.
Do computer games make you more isolated?
In the long run, computer games are liable to make most more socially isolated. Most people enjoy computer games with their friends and family as they find it is a good way to relieve stress, ease boredom and also bond - but, there are many more games in which only one player is needed. This means people will start missing out on social events to complete the games. People will then find that they would rather stay at home and play on a game than go out and meet their friends. Also as computer games are a way of people to live fantasy lives they will soon start to like their fantasy life rather than their real life - it can be used as an effective escape method for someone who doesn't particularly like their life. Furthermore, if their social life deteriorates because of game playing, they are only likely to do moreso, and hence a cycle is created.
Do networked computer games make you more or less social?
Networked games are more likely to make you less social. Although you work within a team and communicate via this, it's not "real" communication - it's a fantasy world. Furthermore, it doesn't actually involve talking to someone and getting to know them, it's working with them in order to further yourself in a game. Also, by talking over a computer you aren’t developing any social skills. This, in turn, will make physical communication more difficult as they will find it harder to approach people they don’t have a common interest in. On the other hand networked games are a good way to find people with a common interest and friendships could be formed as a result.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Signs-of-a-Reliable-Web-Site&id=308686
There are many features people need access to make sure that the information they are viewing on websites are reliable;
1. Domain Name – if you recognise the URL you are more likely to trust the information it is displaying. There are no restrictions on who may apply for a; .com, .net, or .org domain for their website. However, the .edu and .gov domains are restricted to government agencies and educational institutions. Generally, information collected from these sites are considered to be more reliable.
2. Site Layout And Design – Poor design and clear lack of knowledge of how to design a successful website suggests the extent of reliability and validity of the information it is displaying. Broken image links, poor spelling and poor grammar may also question the site's reliability. On the other hand, a factor that must be taken into consideration is that all sites and all web-developers experience issues and technical difficulties within the website at one point or another.
3. Contact Information – A website displaying contact information or information about the author is a strong indictor about the website's quality and therefore reliability and validity. An author displaying contact information indicates to the public that they are proud of the quality of the work and are wanting people to ask questions about it this symbolises that the information the website is displaying is valid and reliable.