6.1.

Computers in the Home

Today the computer is as common a sight in the home as it is in business and industry.
The variety of uses that a home computer is put to is as wide as its use in business and
industry. Different members of the household will use a home computer in different
ways and it must be seen to be capable of satisfying each need. The home computer is
often used to enhance a hobby. It can be a tool for the garden enthusiast both as an
information source on plants and crops and for garden design. Many different designs
can be effortlessly tried along with a variety of plants. The more capable garden design
software can allow the user to view the design in various stages of its life cycle
displaying the projected plant growth as the garden matures. To people studying
genealogy the computer is an invaluable recording and research tool. Specialist
software exists to help record a family tree in a professional manner. The ability to
access documents via the Internet gives access to global information that until recently
would have been impossible for many individuals. The ability to communicate with
people via e-mail allows for contacts that can prove invaluable. Indeed for many the
computer has become a hobby in itself. The structure and the different possible
configurations of a computer system seem to fascinate many. A computer system must
be unique as a piece of electrical equipment that the user can take the top off and add
or remove components without invalidating the overall warranty. For some 'surfing' the
Internet holds enough fascination, whilst for many others a computer is the ultimate
entertainment tool.
For other family members the home computer can be seen as a tool for more serious
use. People with the responsibility for running a home can find a computer invaluable
in helping to manage household accounts. Many people are paid a monthly salary and
have bills and investments paid by such means as direct debit. Keeping track of income
and outgOings can be a daunting task. Seemingly gone are the days of cash in a pay
packet and queues to pay bills.
For the younger family member possibly studying a much wider curriculum than their
parents, a computer becomes a valuable homework tool. With a computer's production
capabilities and use of
multimedia CD-ROMs, research and presentation of projects can become a faScinating
endeavour rather than a laborious task. There are even specialist Web sites for that
vital examination revbion

The division between work and home has become ever so fine. The development in
computer technology for some can make this division indistinguishable. Teleworking, or
telecommuting as it is sometimes called, has given people the opportunity to work at
home via a computer linked to their office. The horne computer becomes just an
extended terminal on the company's network. This can be ideal for some. There is
flexibility of working time and no need to provide office space, lighting and heating. It
can mean the comfort of your own home to work in. There is no need, for example, for
a sales person to travel into a busy city centre office to pick up documentation and
then travel back the way they came to carry out their business. The documents can be
downloaded at home and the day's work begun immediately. At the end of the day the
documentation can be uploaded to the office without physically having to visit it.
Contact with colleagues can be made by telephone, fax, or e-mail. An employer can
recruit from a much wider geographical area.
For others teleworking can prove to be an unpleasant experience. The distractions of
the home can prove too much. The meter reader, a salesperson, lost courier, and
hungry pet can all seem larger than life distractions, (not to mention the young child
home from school)

There is the feeling of always being at work and not just because you work at horne. An
organised person who may be able to cope with the horne environment can corne up
against other difficulties. Colleagues do not know your working hours and will think
nothing of phoning, faxing or expecting e-mails to be read at all times of the day and
night, "Sorry didn't know you were on holiday" is no comfort when a week's work has
just downloaded. Teleworkers can feel pressured into over performing in an effort to
keep up with office based colleagues. Teleworkers can feel isolated from colleagues. In
fact some companies will insist that workers gather in the office at a specified time of
the week just to get over this feeling of isolation. This can also help to foster a sense of
corporate identity and instil a sense of loyalty.

6.2. Computers at Work or in

Education
Computers in the Office

The use of computer technology has changed dramatically the way in which many
businesses operate. The term 'office automation' is used to express the manner in
which most types of office functions are now performed using computers, or devices
that rely on an in-built dedicated microprocessor. The use of hardware such as
answering machines, fax machines, and photocopiers in addition to computers have
changed the way office work is now performed. The aim is to improve efficiency and
communication.
The introduction of such hardware at one time led people to believe that we were
heading towards a paperless office. Many believe we still may be heading that way, but
others believe the information processing capabilities of such devices actually create
even more paper!
Offices in fact use quite a small range of general application software packages. The
most commonly used are Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Databases and E-mail
applications. Database systems manage recorded details of, for example, customers,
suppliers, enrolments, catalogues, and appointments. The ability to interrogate such
records in a flexible manner is provided by such systems. They can be relatively small
with records shared between one or two workers in a small office, or, huge stores of
records accessed by many workers across a wide area network from remote locations.

Computers in Business
There are many other applications that are specially designed to help with the running
and decision-making processes within business. Some of these are of use generally,
others have a more specialist application:
Accounting packages to ease the burden of financial management.
Statistics Packages for carrying out statistical analysis of data. These can be used to
help detect and predict trends.
Management Information Systems (MIS). These systems are designed to provide the
right information to the right manager at the right time. Different levels of
management will require different information, perhaps in a different format, in order
to be effect
their job. This information would then be used to support a structured decision making
process influencing, for example, budgets or sales targets .
Decision Support Systems (DSS). These are integrated systems that use data from a
variety of different sources. They are primarily aimed at senior managers who make

strategic decisions. They utilise sophisticated data analysis techniques on an interactive

basis to aid the decision making. The information they provide may not routinely be
proVided by an MIS. For example, a company director
may wish to know the effect on profits if the sales increase by 10% and the costs increase
by 6%.

Specialist Use of Computers in Industry

Computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacturing (CAM) are two terms often
linked with the use of computers in industry. CAD is a general term used to refer to software
packages that
are used to design an artefact. Computers can be used to design the smallest mechanical
component, a circuit board layout, or a shopping complex. Detailed drawings, including
accurate measurements, can be
produced to a fine scale in a large format.
CAM is the use of computers and other automated equipment to control the production of an
artefact. Such automated production lines may not have the flexibility of skilled manual
labour, but once set up
they will consistently produce accurate, high quality products with little maintenance for
long periods of time. CAD/CAM refers to the linking of the software design tool to the
automatic production. From conception to artefact in one fell SWOOpl Computers can also
he used to test products and monitor the
production line. These are referred to as computers, but they look very ditlerent to the one
on the office desk. They are in the main microprocessor controlled systems rather than a Pc.

Computers in Government
Government agencies use computers to store and interrogate vast numbers of personal
records. The actual details stored will vary depending upon which country a person is living
in. The minimum
information a person might reasonably expect that a government agency has stored on
them would be their name and address together with their social security number or a
national identification number.
Each time someone is involved in an activity such as paying tax or voting, details will be
added to many different registers. Personal details may be stored by public

administration information systems which collect information on births, deaths,

marriages, criminal records, driving licence records, examination records, population
census, and passport records, to name but a few.

Computers in Education
Computers are used widely in many schools, colleges and training institutions. They
are used
not only for common administration, recording and production purposes, but also playa
role in
the process of education itself. Many tutoring packages enable the student to obtain
information, ask questions and even obtain a marked score on a test. Computer Aided
Learning, CAL, has many advantages. The learning material can be enriched with
sound, images and video to provide a more stimulating environment. Students can
work at their own pace, perhaps taking a
different route through the material according to their ability. If difficulties are
encountered an exercise can be repeated as many times as the user wishes without
the computer getting tired or irritable. Some find the instant feedback gained from
computer marked tests encouraging.
There are disadvantages of CAL and over use can serve to highlight some of these. It
can be laborious reading large amounts of information from a screen. The valuable
interaction between teacher and student is missing. A student cannot ask for
something to be explained from a different viewpoint. A lesson cannot therefore be
easily changed to suit a certain group of individuals. Some students need the discipline
and motivational skills of a human teacher as well as the constraints of a set timetable.

Appropriate Use Of Computers

When we consider the vast array of activities that computers are involved in one might
ask, "Is there nothing a computer cannot do?" Computers undoubtedly have many
advantages; they never get tired, frustrated, hungry or angry; they can produce an
extensive range of documents that can be easily re-called and edited; they can
crossreference facts derived from many different sources.
Computers also have many disadvantages. They breakdown, (usually at the most
inopportune moment), training and recruiting people to use computers can be difficult
and expensive, some information systems need to be set-up and maintained by highly
trained st'lff, and some people are fearful of computers which can cause undue stress
in the workplace. So what makes computers good for some tasks? To answer this
question we need to consider the desirable attributes of a computer system. The first
attribute that usually comes to mind is speed. Computers can carry out tasks at
lighting speed that would take an age manually. Consider sorting a list of thousands of
names alphabetically. A computer can merge the names and addresses of hundreds of
people
into a standard letter in an instant. To do this manually would possible negate the job
being performed at all. Computers are very consistent in their actions. Once
information is
entered correctly, a computer will be process these consistently. If we consider the
merged letter above, a different letter could be merged with the same names and
addresses that would be sent exactly to the same names and addresses. Computers
are also very accurate. Calculations are performed with great precision in a consistent
manner. A computer and associated peripherals can hold vast amounts of information
in a very small space.
Computers can carry out dangerous tasks or enter dangerous environments where
humans
cannot, or would prefer not to enter. They can also help provide round-the-clock service
with
minimal human resources performing boring and arduous tasks.

Computers are not always the answer. It can be a surprise to some people that humans
are considered superior in many situations. A human is better when the situation calls
for particularly
'human' touches. Humans are better when creativity is required, where judgement and
experience are needed and where human feelings need to be taken into account.
Humans are also adaptable and better in situations where the tasks to be performed
are different each time. Could a robot
cuddle a baby when it cries? Computers - fast, accurate, stupid.Man - slow, slovenly,
smart.

Computers in Daily Life.

Computers have already had a great effect on society, an effect that is likely to
increase as computers get faster and more capable. Whilst advances in computer
technology are made, the price of a computer tends to remain quite static. People
today are purchasing a much more technologically advanced and capable computer for
about the same price as they were ten years ago. The use of computers can be seen in
many walks of daily life.

Computers in Shops

Computers are used in shops and supermarkets to help provide a better service to the
customer. Some of their uses are obvious to the customer some are not so apparent.
The use of barcodes has many advantages for the customer and the retailer.
Barcodes enable the cost to the customer to be quickly entered and therefore help
reduce queuing in addition to providing a much more detailed receipt. However on the
occasions when the barcode and associated number is damaged or is not recognised,
delays can occur .
For the retailer, prices of goods can be more easily changed. The price code is changed
at the central computer eliminating the need to replace many conventional printed
tags on individual products. This can be a little frustrating for the customer as it is not
always made clear exactly what they will be charged.
Today credit cards, plastic cards with a magnetic strip containing the users PIN or
Personal Identification Number together with their account number, are widely used
instead of cash to purchase goods and services. A credit card is 'swiped', or passed
through a special reader, using a communications link to automatically dial up and
check the cards credit status and verify that it has not expired or been reported as lost
or stolen. Credit cards are considered safer than carrying large amounts of cash
around. People use them as they are more widely accepted than personal cheques and
often carry a level of basic insurance on the goods purchased. However, not all
retailers accept them. as many smaller operations do not have the means to process
them. Retailers prefer them as they can check a customer's credit rating rather then
take a chance on a cheque. Many types of credit cards can be used in different
countries eliminating the need to carry foreign cash. This convenience must be
balanced against the temptation to overspend and the high interest rates charged on
outstanding balances. In order to improve the security and flexibility of cards that carry
a magnetic strip holding the information, smart cards have been developed. These
cards are the same size as credit cards but have a microprocessor sealed inside them
to replace the magnetic strip. As well as holding much more data they can also encrypt
this data making it unintelligible to an unauthorised person. They are widely used
today in satellite television decoders to ensure the user has paid the necessary
subscription for the channels received.

Computers and Banking

Computers are an integral part of banking. Some people only encounter a bank's
computer when using the automatic cash machines. These are referred to as ATMs or
Automatic Teller Machines
and can be used for viewing statements and withdrawing cash. In fact the use of a
bank's computer system is far more Widespread.
All the transactions that take place in relation to a particular account are recorded by
the use of a computer. Keeping up-to-date with currency rates and share prices that
constantly change is important to financial houses.
It is also possible to bank from home directly via the telephone or the Internet. It is
possible to arrange to pay your bills, order chequebooks, and view your balance. This
can be done at any time of the day or night and is not dependent on banking hours.
Security is obviously a worry, but banks use software that is very sophisticated and the
way that the data is encrypted during transmission makes on-line banking arguably
more secure than any other type of banking.

Computers in Libraries
Library services make extensive use of computers for both library administration and
presentation of information. Library books can be given a bar code that incorporates an
ISBN. The ISBN is an International Standard Book Number that enables the title, author
and where and when the book was printed to be established. Library cards now contain
bar codes that can be read by a scanner. Combining the book's bar code and the
borrower's library card code enables easy tracking of loans. Information on who has
borrowed the book, when the book will be returned, and whether or not it has been
reserved for another borrower, can all be retrieved. Many libraries are linked to a
national network enabling inter-library loans. Books can have a magnetic security tag
that has to be deactivated before the book can be borrowed preventing books from
being stolen.

Computers in the Doctor's Surgery

Today a doctor who is a general practitioner may practice from within a medical centre
along with a number of other doctors. Such large practices cater for the needs of a
large number of patients. Computers are being used to help medical centres manage
their information. Even the smallest practice finds a computer system invaluable.
Computers can be used to store, retrieve and update patient records, Many medical
records updated in this fashion do not allow for deletion of details removing any
suspicion of malpractice. Computers can prove an invaluable source of information for
the doctor themselves. Access to drug databases, reference materials, and current
medical advances can all help in keeping a doctor informed of global developments.
Computers can be used to store, retrieve and update patient records, Many medical
records updated in this fashion do not allow for deletion of details removing any
suspicion of malpractice. Computers can prove an invaluable source of information for
the doctor themselves. Access to drug databases, reference materials, and current
medical advances can all help in keeping a doctor informed of global developments.
Summary
Today the computer is a common sight in the home and is put to a variety of uses.
Different members of the household will use a home computer in different ways. The
computer is often used to enhance a hobby.
For other family members the home computer can be seen as a tool for more serious
use. People with the responsibility for running a home can find a computer invaluable
in helping to manage household accounts. For the younger family member a computer
becomes a valuable homework, revision and research tool. Teleworking has given
people the opportunity to work at home via a
computer linked to their office. There is flexibility of working time, less need to
physically commute between home and work, no need to provide office space, lighting
and heating. An employer can recruit from a much wider geographical area.
For others teleworking can prove to be an unpleasant experience. There is the feeling
of always being at work, being unable to cope with the distractions of the home
environment, and a feeling of
isolation. The use of computer technology has changed dramatically the way in which
businesses and industry operate. The term 'office automation' is used to express the
manner in which most types of office functions are now performed using computers.
There are many other applications that are specially deSigned to help with the running
and decision-making processes in business. These include Accounting Packages,
Statistics Packages, Management Information Systems, and Decision Support Systems.