1.7 - How to add url to favorites - Activity 6

1.4 - WLAN's - Activity 7

They are mainly located in the USA and UK in cities that are densely populated. These have been created to offer free WiFi to the community, as well as for for people interested in using equipment and developing software relating to wireless networks and technology. You can find these services everywhere including McDonalds, Costa Coffee etc. This is because these days a lot of people take their notebooks and laptops to these places so they can work and relax/eat.

Many of these are made to serve people on the so called "wrong side" of the Digital Divide - being that they are not getting home access to the internet. This is so they can access it for free. However this is not entirely true as many people without internet access don't have internet enabled phones or laptops to take to these hot spots. However these groups are helping to close the gap in the digital divide by providing ICT related services where they were not previously available which is a great help to many communities (especially rural villages.)

1.4 - ICT at my library - Activity 6

At the Gosport town library internet access is offered for free (broadband) which displays a fast transfer rate. You have 30 computers to choose from with a time limit of two hours to accomplish your ICT needs. As well as internet access it also has basic software such as a word processor, spreadsheet and computing/mathematic program. This service is open to everyone who is a member of the library which is great if your internet breaks down or you don't have a PC. Being in a well known area in Gosport (the town center), it is highly publicized and advertised. To entice people it has a modern feel to it and even a cafe'.

1.4 - Research into my local communities ICT access - Activity 5

In Gosport there are quite a few sources of ICT ranging from community centers to the library. There are various disadvantaged groups who could probably benefit from ICT, even if it just means learning a few basic skills. These groups being poor/homeless people and families who cannot afford a computer, plus the elderly, who (in most cases) do not have the knowledge to use digital equipment as it wasn't taught to them because they were already old when it was introduced.

One of the initiatives in Gosport offered for disadvantaged people is free internet access in the library (located at the town), i have used these services and must say they are very helpful. There are 30 computers with free internet, all you need is a library card. Plus because the digitally disadvantaged may get stuck; library assistants are always happy to help.

1.4 - Initiatives to fund the digital divide - Activity 4

The purpose of getting digital technology in the elderly community and teaching them how to use it is so that the whole community becomes more diverse and elderly get to explore deeper into the worlds compatibilities making their lives more exiting.

This article relates to the digital divide because the digital divide is not only about poorer countries or poor people, it is also about the elderly (basically anyone who isn't usually considered when discussing digital technologies.)

It's main target clients are anyone who is elderly and do not have access or knowledge of digital technology (especially elderly people in rural areas.) This is because when advanced digital technology came around they were already "too old" to be introduced to it - the main reason young people know what their doing on a computer is because basic techniques are taught at school starting from junior school ages.

It's strengths is that this way the whole community will know how to use computers even if that just means using very simple applications with very simple techniques. Another advantage is to the economy because this may mean that more people will be buying PC's and laptops. However there are some disadvantages, one being that because it is a no charge service it may go-bust because it cannot be funded anymore. Another reason is that some elderly people may think that they understand the material covered whereas they may getting it wrong, this is a problem because e.g. if in the classes they are taught on (for example) Windows XP but they buy a PC or laptop that uses Windows 7 they may get confused thus wasting their money and time.

In order to improve this service they could make a box for volunteer donations which will keep the service alive. Also if an elderly person is considering buying a PC or laptop a worker from the service should accompany them to the shop when purchasing a new unit so they know that the problems i discussed earlier do not occur.

1.4 - ICT and pensioners in rural England - Activity 3

From this article http://www.bayhouselearning.co.uk/mod/resource/view.php?inpopup=true&id=14021 i have found that digital technology had made a significant impact on the couple (in the article) because of things such as online shopping (to save them time and energy) and simple word processing techniques help Clive write letters.

I don't think that their lives would be much poorer without the internet at home but it would take away their new business and recreational means away. For instance Dorothy enjoys going on such sites as http://www.friendsreunited.com and if this was taken away her life may become (in search of a better phrase) slightly more dull.

The computer being three miles away rather than at home would not be as useful as having one at home as you are always guaranteed access at home and you can go on it for as long as you want.

1.4 - Who studies computing subjects - Activity 2

In my Applied ICT class there are 6 girls and 8 boys, this shows that more boys at Bay House are more interested in ICT than girls (backed up with the fact that ONLY boys do the Computing course.) There are more men in ICT jobs too which is why more boys take it at A level.