Download Services

You can now download digital files from the internet to your home computer or devices. Files that can be downloaded include software, music, books, apps and films. It can be done from internet pages or on programmes. Downloadable games such as Angry Birds have become really popular. Businesses can increase their sales and profits by providing these download services. They can also reduce their cost by providing their products digitally.

iTunes is a programme owned by Apple where you can download music, apps, films, books etc. I often use it to download music and gaming apps such as Angry Birds. The games I tend to download are normally free or very cheap. Some are less than £1 with the most expensive games I have bought, such as Space Invaders, costing £3. Afterwards I transfer the music to my iPod nano and games to my iPod touch. 



I love playing games such as Angry Birds and Nyan Cat: Lost in Space on my iPod touch. 

You can also download films from iTunes and other sites such HMV on Demand. My sister downloaded the film Johnny English Reborn from iTunes to watch on the iPad during long car journeys.

An advantage of downloading is that you don't have to go to the shops or wait for delivery because you can download any time you like. Another advantage for download music services is that you can buy individual tracks rather than having to buy the whole album. When in the iTunes store, you can quickly search for what you want, instead of having to browse through the entire store. You can also download music from other sites such as www.hmv.com.


You can also download books from iTunes and other sites such as www.amazon.co.uk. Dad reads digital books on his Amazon Kindle, but I prefer to read printed books such as Captain Underpants and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

However, there are also disadvantages of downloadable services. At peak times or where there is a poor connection, downloads can take a long time. Apps with very big files and films can take a very long time to download. When I downloaded Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of the War of the Worlds: Minigame Adventure, it took nearly 3 hours! Another disadvantage is that some people download illegally from file-sharing services in breach of copyright. This is a form of stealing and the creator loses money. If you use a file-sharing site, there can also be a risk of downloading malware.

You can also listen to the radio on computers and devices such as iPod touches, iPhones and iPads.

You can watch videos online using streaming technology. You can watch missed BBC programmes using their iPlayer. However, if you try to watch a video while you are downloading, slow internet connection can cause buffering.  Some apps crash once you update them. When I updated Angry Birds last month, it crashed! I had to  re-boot. Some games such as The Simpsons: Tapped Out require an internet connection to play.


Software updates are now often done using the internet. Some software is free to download such as OpenOffice. Some programmes including anti-virus software such as AVG can be set to automatic updates so that your computer updates without you having to do anything, keeping it safe.

The internet allows us to download a wide range of digital products instantly as long as the broadband speed is good enough. You can then use them on portable devices any time and anywhere you like!

Online Banking

Online banking is a service provided by banks that allows people to deal with their money online. It is an extension of the automated branch systems used by banks from the late '70s and is used by all main high-street banks such as www.barclays.co.uk and www.natwest.com.

Online banking allows you to manage your money when it suits you, 24/7, even when the banks are closed. You don't have to go to the bank anymore and wait in queues because you can manage your account using an internet connection rather than having to wait for a bank clerk to do it. It allows easy access to important information about your account.

Online banking will allow you to:



Source: openclipart.org



• View and check account balances;
• Make payments quickly and easily;
• View and check statements;
• View and search your transactions;
• Check savings accounts;
• Quickly transfer money between accounts;
• Manage your credit card and mortgage.

Some banks provide their customer services for online banking 24/7.

Some banks allow you to manage money on your mobile phone or iPad. They can also offer text message services. SMS banking services include www.firstdirect.com which is owned by HSBC (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation). You can even make contactless payments using your mobile phone using a service such as QuickTap.

My parents use online banking services to manage their money and my Dad uses contactless payment at McDonald's. Businesses can also use online banking and it makes their payments more efficient. Online banking is also useful for those who don't like or have problems going out.

However, start-up can take a long time because you have to set up an account before you use it for the first time. At first, online banking sites can be difficult to navigate, but once you use it more often, you will get used to it.

Some people don't like online banking because they are worried about the security. It is a problem  because if people can access your account, they can steal your money, so banks have to take extra care that their systems are secure. If you use online banking, you also have to make sure that your computer is secure and has anti-virus software because of spyware which can steal your identity, password and PIN number  An e-mail sent to you may link to a fake banking site by an illegal process known as phishing. People do this to steal your identity and your money.

You can now pay your bills and manage your money using the internet. People get cash from cash machines. This reduces the number of staff needed to work at bank branches which reduces their costs. Banks can offer more services to their customers than in high street branches and therefore increase their sales and profit. It would be better if strangers didn't set up fake banking accounts because stealing is illegal. I think that overall, online banking is good for everyone.

How Technology Improves Entertainment

Technology has allowed us to access many new forms of entertainment. People used to have to go to cinemas to watch films. To see sports, they had to be there in person. They also had to go to theatres for live shows. Nowadays, people can watch films, sports and live shows on TV and on their computers. They can play games on consoles such as Wiis, Xboxes, Playstations, and on computers.

Magic 105.4      The internet allows us to listen to live radio whenever we want using streaming technology. I often listen to Magic 105.4  on my computer so I can listen to "Magic's Mystery Voices". I can listen to the radio on my computer even when I'm using it for other things.



Source: Vellas, Andy planetrockradio
(wikimedia commons)

 There are many advantages to internet radio. It gives a wide range of radio stations to choose from. You can listen to radio stations at a very high quality from elsewhere in Britain such as Kerrang (based in Birmingham) or even another country such as the U.S.A. You can check the sports news even when you're abroad. Digital radio has allowed this. There are some new radio stations which are digital only such as Planet Rock. However, at peak internet times, the processes are slowed down and the reception is interrupted. Buffering can be a problem at these times and during a solar storm.

Some radio stations now also have websites. You can check their schedule, their playlist to find details about music you may have heard and competitions as well as listening live. Some radio webpages have links to iTunes so you can buy the tracks that you have heard. I love to check the list of wrong answers on www.magic.co.uk/mmv and what they recently played. 

Gaming has become really popular on electronic devices since Space Invaders came out in 1978. Multi-user Dungeon games were played 20 years before the world-wide web was invented, but the internet has made these games more widespread. Multi-player games, such as World of Warcraft have become really popular. There are networked multi-player gaming sites such as www.omgpop.com which includes sports, board and card games as well as video games. Football games can be played on home consoles where people can team up or play against each other. My uncle works for a company that writes software for online gambling sites. You can play card games such as poker against someone who lives anywhere in the world. I love playing games on www.coolmath-games.com.

BBC has an iPlayer where you can watch BBC programs on their website if you missed them. www.youtube.com is a website where you can watch videos. I enjoy watching individual clips from episodes of TV programmes such as Room 101. I often watch funny videos on YouTube. I have also used YouTube to watch revision clips. However, long videos use up a lot of broadband and buffering can be a problem during peak times.

Overall, technology has improved entertainment providing a lot more than before. New businesses have developed such as Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony which make a profit from electronic entertainment. Gaming has changed people's lives because people can enjoy playing video games. It can speed up your thought processes. It would be better if compatibility patches were installed on some games so they can run better on newer systems. However, some people become addicted and can't get off. This can be a major problem which has been reported is newspapers such as the daily mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2211710/Sign-times--Internet-addiction-added-list-mental-disorders-following-alarming-rise-children-log-off.html. According to Yahoo's today in technology blog of January 20th 2012, "Participants who were found to be "addicted" to the internet had significant differences in brain development than those who were not."

E-Commerce

E-Commerce is the buying or selling of products or services using electronic systems such as the internet. It includes, online shopping and  banking. It can be between different businesses, businesses and individuals or between individuals.

Online shopping was first made possible using systems developed in 1979 by the British inventor Michael Aldrich. The invention of the world-wide web by Tim Berners-Lee in 1990 meant that the internet became an everyday form of communication. A large number of people now have access to a computer and the internet meaning that e-commerce is becoming more popular and more widely used.



source: openclipart.org

The internet has allowed businesses, known as "brick and click", to expand to online stores.  Businesses who run online stores have access to a wider customer base than in stores and can increase their profits. You don't have to go to the supermarket anymore because you can buy food online and get it delivered to your home! Businesses can sell their goods 24/7. Businesses that sell traditional goods and services, but can only be found online include www.amazon.co.uk. New products have developed with the internet such as iTunes where I love buying digital music and games. Online stores include www.ebay.co.uk, an online market place where you can buy and sell goods. Some companies that went bust re-booted as online stores such as Woolworths, MFI and Zavvi.

E-Commerce is good for customers too. It is quicker, easier and more efficient than having to go to the shops. If you shop online, it is easier to find what you want because you can quickly search for the item. You can check prices to see where it is cheapest. You can buy items when the shops are closed, 24/7. You can buy items anywhere where you have internet connection even if you live far away from the shops. You don't have to leave your home to go shopping which is an advantage for those who don't like or have difficulty going out.  You can buy things from all around the world, although they can take a long time to be delivered. I have bought Pokemon toys from Japan and China. 

However, the item delivered might not be what you expected it to be because you have only seen a picture. Delivery can take a long time and can be expensive. If a large or expensive item is being delivered, you have to arrange a time and this can be difficult if you are at work. Clothes and shoes can't be tried on before being bought. Returns can be difficult so some people prefer to buy in shops.

Payment usually requires a credit card when shopping online which is a disadvantage to those who don't own them. I have to ask my parents to pay because I am too young to own a credit card.  Another disadvantage is that some people don't like giving their personal information because they worry about the security of their data.

Despite the disadvantages, I think that e-commerce is awesome! It has allowed me to buy music, games and individual Yu-Gi-Oh! cards. I couldn't have found these easily without it. The internet has improved shopping for customers. You can even shop or do your banking in your pyjamas! The internet has also allowed businesses to transform the way they sell their goods.

How Technology Improves Education

Technology has improved education in many ways for example, computers can be used to type up documents instead of having to write them by hand. This makes it easier for people who have trouble writing or injured hands. It can also allow people to produce spreadsheets, powerpoint presentations and databases more easily. This also makes it easier for people to share information and documents.

The internet can be used to research information rather than having to use books from the library or textbooks. This is because the internet has a vast amount of information. This is a huge advantage for students and teachers. However, some websites are unreliable so it is important to check the information on a website because it may be incorrect. For example, I like to use Wikipedia which contains a lot of information, but it can be unreliable.

MyMaths is a website which we use in school to revise maths. It contains virtual lessons and online homework on each topic and I find it helpful. However, subscription is needed and not every school subscribes. I often use the free site www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize which contains less information than Wikipedia, however, it is run by the BBC so the information is reliable. It is set in different key stages, so easy to navigate. When I studied chemistry, I used the internet to find information about elements and their properties. At school, we use a VLE (Virtual Learning Environment). I used YouTube for revising mirrors and lenses.

Source: created by virtualschooluk

distributed on youtube under creative commons license

Teachers can use iPads to check when the next lesson they are teaching is and for checking their e-mails. Teachers can also use the internet for research. There is also a website named 'TeachersPayTeachers' where they can buy, sell and share original content and lesson plans. Exam boards include information for teachers about their courses and past papers that students can use to practice for their upcoming exams.

There are many online learning courses set up for adults such as:

• BBC has online learning courses (http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/onlinecourses/);
• www.learndirect.co.uk which was originally set up by the government;
• Open University (http://www.open.ac.uk/);
• Other universites have online courses;
• Other training organisations;
• Some museums have online courses. The Science Museum includes a course on the making of the modern world.



Source: openclipart.org

Some basic courses are free but more advanced will be charged. Online learning sites allow students to work wherever they choose - in their own homes, workplace or at a library or study centre. They can plan their study around their other commitments such as work and family. Businesses can use online training for their staff.

However, there are also disadvantages of using technology for education. Computers can't be used if there is a power-cut and the internet can't be used if you aren't connected. Some websites can contain malicious software such as viruses, worms and trojans so you need to make sure that you use anti-virus software. Some websites contain inapproriate information or images.

Real-time Information



Source: Benku, Thomas, from Zurich
 (19 June 2007 wikimedia commons)

 Real-time information is data which is delivered instantly after collection. The internet has made it easier to find this kind of information because anyone with internet connection can look it up.

It can be used to check times for public transport such as trains, aeroplanes, ferries and buses. The National Rail website uses this to check when trains are expected to arrive at a station. You can check flight arrivals and departures if you need to meet someone or are travelling.

This reduces the demand for providing the information by phone or by asking a member of staff. If companies can provide this information on the internet, it is cheaper and they don't need as many staff. If they let people book tickets online, it is more efficient for businesses and easier for customers.

When I went to Drayton Manor with my family, we used real-time information to plan the day. First, we checked the weather forecast on www.bbc.co.uk/weather, then we booked the tickets on www.draytonmanor.co.uk. Before setting off, we checked for traffic on www.highways.gov.uk.

I also used real-time information when I was watching the Speedway Grand Prix, using the internet to check the riders and the draw for the starting gates. Dad checks the sports news all the time at www.skysports.com.

A disadvantage of real-time information is that at peak times the sites can be very slow. For example, when we were booking the Paralympic tickets, they were shown as available, but by the time they were booked, they were sold out. It took a very long time to find tickets.

Overall, real-time information is very useful, except if sites are really slow.

E-Government

E-Government is the electronic interaction between a government and its citizens, employees, businesses and departments. It can be used by government departments at any level including central and local governments.




Source: openclipart.org

 

The main advantage of e-government is that it can improve the availability and accessibility of information. Government documents can be viewed from anywhere in the world and at any time you like. Governments can give information about the services they provide and what they are planning to do in the future.

They can also provide services online to improve their efficiency. www.direct.gov.uk gives a list of services and links to them. For example, people can pay their car tax online and find out about student finance. According to Computer World UK, the UK Government is planning on providing access to their services through facebook accounts. Businesses can follow the link to www.businesslink.gov.uk which provides information and links to business services.

Local councils such as Kent provide information on their websites about services such as libraries and education. You can renew books online and I applied for sixth form online.

Providing services online requires fewer staff and reduces the cost of providing these services as well as making it easier for people to use them.

A disadvantage of e-government is that some people, such as the elderly, find it difficult to use online services. Some people prefer to do them in person. There are also people that are unable to use a computer or don't have access to the internet. The government needs to make sure that these services can still be provided in other ways.

Some people are worried about putting personal information online because they worry about the security of  their data.

It would be better if governments provided online services that are suitable for elderly people to use and they would find easy.

Online Communication services

Introduction

The internet has allowed us to communicate in new and different ways. Examples include blogs, e-mails, social networking sites and forums. However, there are also problems such as cyber-bullying. According to the Independent (www.independent.co.uk), "Cyber-bullying is as hurtful as face-to face bullying, and it needs to be taken seriously'.

Internet Pages

An internet page is a page on the worldwide web. It can be created by any person or business for anything they want. Businesses use them to advertise their products and services. People can use them to share information. 

An advantage of internet pages is that they can contain very useful information for school projects, homework etc. People use the internet to shop, work and for playing games. I like to use www.wikipedia.org, www.coolmath-games.com and www.youtube.com.

A disadvantage of internet pages is that some of them can contain malware such as viruses, worms and trojans.

Blogs

A blog is a website such as www.blogger.com which can be used to keep a diary such as blogspot. You can also add photos and links to websites that you find interesting.

Blogs use a data management system to make it easy for people to put information into their site. web pages are written in HTML (Hyper-Text Mark-Up Language) but you don't need to understand this because the management system constructs the blogs from what you add. It also manages website links and archives old information.

An advantage of blogs is that they can be easily shared with your friends and family. Celebrities can share them with their fans. Fans can also set up blogs about celebrities. This project is the first time that I have created a blog.

A disadvantage of blogs is that people can set up blogs to write unpleasant things.

Social Networking Sites

Another popular internet activity is creating an account on a social networking site, such as www.facebook.com. The user registers and creates a personal page called a 'profile' on the site. They can post pictures, personal information, blogs, videos, music and anything they like. My sister has a facebook account and she uses it to chat with her friends. She also uses it to contact our cousins who live on the Isle of Man and shares photos with them.

On these sites, you can search for friends' profiles and for people who have similar interests to you. Once you have found them, you can request them to be 'friends' with you. If they accept, a link is created which allows you to chat, leave messages and visit their pages. Facebook can also be used by companies such as HMV and to start campaigns such as the campaign that got "Killing in the Name" by Rage Against the Machine to Christmas number 1.

However, you have to be careful with personal information. You should set your account to private so that only people you have agreed to make links with can view your profile. You have to be careful with who your choose to make links with because there are some fake accounts which can be used by predators. Social networking sites have resulted in attacks over the years. You have to make sure that what you have posted is appropriate because once it has been posted, it stays there forever.

Social networking sites would be better if strangers didn't set up fake accounts.

E-Mails

E-mails allow you to send messages and attachments directly to another person or group of people. They were invented in 1971 and the use of them has increased as technology has developed.

An e-mail is a message sent online to an individual post box on a mail server where it is stored until a client picks it up. An e-mail client is a program such as Outlook Express on a computer connected to the internet which sends and receives e-mails. E-mails can also be sent on mobile phones which are connected to the internet. Websites such as www.hotmail.com can be used to check e-mails.

Messages are usually sent using an SMTP server (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) and received using a POP server (Post Office Protocol).

The advantages of e-mails are that:

• They are quick and easy to use;
• The messages are stored so they provide a permanent record of communications;
• They are capable of being formal as well as informal so they can be used at work or school;
• Almost any type of message can be delivered as attachments to recipients that are connected to the internet.

However, there are disadvantages of e-mails. E-mails from people that you don't know can contain malicious software such as viruses, worms and trojans. Too many messages stored in the inbox can slow down the computer. Also, there are people that send rude messages. Spam can block up inboxes and the internet itself. E-mails would be better if you could block those sent by people you don't know.

SMS

A popular way of sending short messages is SMS (Short Message Service) or text messaging. It allows you to send messages quickly, easily and cheaply from your phone, to the phones of people you know. People use abbreviations such as LOL to keep messages short. Unfortunately, some people use this to send nasty messages and bully.

Forums

An internet forum is a discussion area on a website. An example of a forum forums.macrumors.com which is related to Apple products. Website members can post discussions and respond to other members. Formus allow all members to post new topics and messages to be read by others. Separate topics are called threads and are usually monitored by administrators or moderators to make sure that the posts are appropriate.

Newsgroups

A newsgroup is a discussion area dedicated to a particular topic of interest. They are organised in the form of major subjects, separated into subcategories. To access newsgroups, you need a newsreader and to register. They can be useful because they can contain interesting material.

Conferences

A conference is a meeting which often lasts for a few days organised on a particular subject. Web conferencing allows people to view and submit questions on their computer instead of having to attend in person. Businesses will use this because it is cheaper, easier and more efficient than having to attend in person.

Conclusion

The internet has allowed people to communicate quickly and easily without actually meeting each other. It also allows information to be found more easily because information is stored on websites. People can use the information and discuss it with others which makes life easier for people and businesses. It would be better if unwanted information such as those from strangers could be blocked to prevent malware and cyber-bullying.