social impact of computers

1. 1
SOCIAL IMPACT OF COMPUTERS
Cashless Society
Computers & Employment
Easier-to-use computer systems
Presentation of Information
Issues of Computer Ethics

2. 2
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

3. 3
Advantages & Disadvantages
 reduces the risk
of being robbed
 saves time
(queuing)
 it is easy to spend
more than you
can afford
 fraud

4. 4
Computers & Employment
 New jobs are created, for example:
– data processing manager
– systems analyst
– applications programmer
– systems programmer
– database administrator
– computer operator
– data entry operator

5. 5
 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
Computers & Employment

6. 6
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

7. 7
Presentation of Information
in the past
–a design professional is needed
now
–a presentation graphic software is
enough

8. 8
Issues of Computer Ethics
 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

9. 9
 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

10. 10
 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

11. 11
 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

12. 12
 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

13. 13
 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
Issues of Computer Ethics