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.

1.4 - What is the impact of internet access for the homeless - Activity 1

The ways that access to the internet would change a homeless persons life are:

1)They could go on a job website to make it easier to find a job.
2)They could go on the government website and sign up for benefits.
3)They could use a map/search service to find a local free hostel or shelter.
4)They could use a very cheap website service to buy goods or food.
5)They could contact friends or family

Not having internet is not that much of a big deal. Many people get by without it, however if you think about what they are missing it becomes apparent that the internet is important but not essential. People are missing out on easier communication (via instant messenger and email)they are also missing out on tons of valid information.

The things that are more important to a person than the internet could be:

1)Food
2)Shelter
3)Family
4)Pets
5)Lifestyle

1.7 - Compare Subject Directories and Search Engines - Activity 2

In order to compare subject directories and search engines i have used the services of Google for both. In the subject directory i have created a path going from "Computers: Education: Internet: FAQ's, help, and tutorials."



The purpose of this is to find important information to do with my e-book. Here i have looked into HTML and CSS making - an important part of the e-book creating.




I then did the same search in the search engine service from Google.



I came up with similar results as those that were displayed within the directory search. To conclude - i think that the directory search is best for a detailed search such as the one used here. A search engine is better for quick searches for snippets of information or websites.

1.7 - Use a Subject Directory - Activity 1

Subject directory sites such as the "Open Directory Project" allow people to find what their looking for without scrolling through page after page in a search engine. I have used a subject directory on the site rather than searching to find internet world statistics for this year. The process is as follows:

1.3 - Data Response - Activity 2

"Women and information technology in Sub-Saharan Africa" is an eBook which describes the current state of ICT in Sub-Saharan Africa as-well as the situation involving, in particular, women.

A reason for the lack of ICT in this area is because of something such as telephones (and the shortage of them), Which is near enough the first thing you need if you want to connect to the internet, especially dial-up which is probably all they can afford. Furthermore, Africa is seriously lacking in fully ICT trained people so no-one can repair anything - let alone teach it. This is why people are not learning how to use it...because they're not being taught.

The project to develop ICT have been successful as it has not only trained people to use it, but it also has brought in a lot more computers which is steadily pushing Sub-Saharan Africa on the right side of the Digital Divide. However this (in some senses) has also failed because there are still a lot of untrained people. What's the point of having resources when you can't use them? Furthermore, the skills needed are not necessarily simple...by which i mean that it will take a lot more than simple skills to repair and program these machines.

One more problem is the lack of complex business skills because people can be hired with poor understanding of ICT, meaning bad decisions can be made and poorly designed systems are used which can create many problems, especially for people who have only just been trained to use it.

1.3 - What leads to being on the wrong side of the divide? - Activity 1

Guinea Biseau, Chad, Mali, Burkino Fasso, and Niger are on the wrong side of the digital divide. This is due to these countries being poor or their goverment spending money in the wrong way e.g on weapons rather than technology, relating to this is how the government is a major problem. Other factors include educational and knowledge.

1.2 - Access to Original Entertainment - Activity 10

Publishing original entertainment has never been easier because of websites like http://www.youtube.com videos can be posted displaying your form of original entertainment. However this form of original entertainment could never be harder to find (specific videos) as there are so many different types of it.
The most popular website for publishing original entertainment is http://www.youtube.com, the only way .....to b continued

1.2 - Business Communications - Activity 8

>>>>see presentation shown in class<<<<<