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Who studies computing subjects?

Generally, the trend of genders studying computing subjects is dominated by boys. The website "Computer Weekly" illustrates this from last years figures in England; 3.697 boys took A-level computing and only 302 girls.  The article continues to say explain that "The ICT A-level was less stark, but there were 7,339 boys on the ICT course, compared to 4,609 girls so the difference is still pretty huge". An obvious factor of this is the stereotyping of the computing subjects - they are considered by society as male subjects. Huge outcomes of this for both society overall and the female gender. The numbers of people taking computer subjects are falling, which is worry for our society today - technology is a huge part and falling numbers studying this will result in less going into that profession and hence a huge slow down in the advancedment of technology and a major fall in our economics.

http://www.computerweekly.com/blogs/witsend/2009/08/ten-times-more-boys-took-computing-a-level---why-this-matters-for-the-it-industry.html

What is the impact of internet access for the homeless?

Things needed more than internet;
1. Shelter
2. Food/Water
3. Money
4. Clothes
5. Warmth

Ways access to the internet could improve their life;
1. Search for jobs
2. Find maps
3.
4.
5.

Google subject directory

Use and compare a subject directories and search engines

Using subject directories proves to be more useful for an e-book than using a simple search engine as search engines require a specific phrase - subject directories allow the user to scroll through certain chapters or sections. Also, subject directories display more specifically related results.

What leads to being on the wrong side of the divide?

- Economic Prosperity
More economically developed countries such as America and England, have more disposable income and can therefore afford advancements in things such as technology- causing the lesser economically developed countries (such as Chad, Mali, Niger etc) to fall even further behind as they do not have the money to begin or develop their technology.
- Political
Some countries have political leaders that invest more into developing other areas such as weaponary etc rather than technology.
- Educational
Educational factors play a huge part in the digital divide - countries that do not have the advancement in education services that other countries have cannot educate people on how to use technology. This therefore leads to less people in that country using it.
- Geographical
Issues regarding geographical locations can cause a further divide for countries - places in the desert, in the mountains etc. Furthermore, some countries lack the power and distribution factors that are needed to set up a computer network. In addition, the demand for computer related jobs in some countries is much less and therefore computer systems are less likely to be implemented and education for computing is not neccessarily needed.

Pirated Entertainment

What are the advantages of paying a supplier such as Apple for a legal music download?
- The quality is usually better than music downloaded from an illegal source
- The artist will recieve money for their work
- Ensured that viruses etc will not be downloaded along with the song

What are the disadvantages of purchasing a pirate DVD from a market song?
- Lesser quality
- Illegal

What are the disadvantages of getting a pirate download of the latest Hollywood blockbuster before its UK release?
- Already seen it by the time everyone else goes to see it - the novelty and excitement of the film will have worn off for you
 - Illegal
- Lesser quality - impression of the film different

What are the disadvantages to you of visiting an illicit download site?
- Viruses

Does widespread illicit downloading discourage the funding of new talent?
- Yes, artist Lily Allen was reported to have said that she would not produce any more records due to the fact that too many people illegally download music;
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/lily-allen-quits-music-after-abuse-over-filesharing-fight-20090925-g5ie.html
- Less money is generated for new artists to further themselves properly e.g. create records etc.
- Illegal downloads of music don't allow the song downloaded to be counted within the charts - this reduces a lot of publicity for up-coming artists.