E-commerce has allowed people to buy many things online. It allows you buy things throughout the world, whenever wherever. Electronic Commerce, which we usually call E-Commerce, is any commercial site that can be done online. They have become more popular in the recent years with Brick and Click becoming quite frequent within the web, most shops have now got websites, such as Topshop, they have stores located throughout the country but also have an online store as well. You can also have businesses which are purely online, i.e. Egg bank or Amazon. And finally you have auction sites such as Ebay which allows you to auction things to people throughout the world. E-Commerce is truly an innovation.
Online Shopping
Online shopping allows you to buy whatever you want, in the comfort of your own house. You can access your favourite stores at anytime of the day, and order it then too. Not only can you buy from these stores, but you are able to see about upcoming events within the store too. There are two main types of online stores; brick and click and general online stores.
Brick and click
-Brick and Click is when you have a literal premises, like a shop, and an online store, i.e. Topshop,Jack Wills and Sainsbury’s.
Brick and click allows people to access the shop and have literal contact with the product, and then view it online so they can access reviews too. Brick and Click is good for big businesses that are ever expanding as they’re able to have a physical presence in which the customer can try on the product, or have physical contact with their product. They can also have the chance to view it online where they can try different colours and it is easier to find online.
Brick and click is good because it allows you to have the choice of what you want to do which means that the customers have more of a choice. I like this because I have the choice to try it on or buy it online.
Online businesses
Online businesses have become huge in recent years, with top sellers like Amazon becoming one of the most commonly used websites. These websites are transactional websites which you can buy anything from. Online business do not have any stores, which would be extremely cost effective. Most people who maybe work late or don’t have the time to go out would find these extremely and convenient, therefore in their case these are convenient. For the businesses it can be good also as you do not have to pay for the shop or a lot of staff. However you have the problem of having to advertise yourself well enough to be established, or you could fail.
Online businesses are good for businesses who are willing to put in the time to ensure that they become well branded or they may flop. They are also good for customers who have no time to go shopping. I personally like the online stores like ASOS because they’re good and reliable, however some sites could be scams so you have to watch out.
Online banking
Online banking is a way of banking through the internet. People generally like it, however there are some reservations because some people think that it may not be secure and they face people scamming money out of them, this a prime reason why most banking is still done within a bank. However if you trust the provider banking can be a great way of saving yourself time and travel. I personally have never banked, but family members of mine do and they have never had a problem with it, so on one hand I think it is a great way to bank, however you do face a chance of being scammed if the website is not secure.
Online banking seems like a timeless way of banking.
Auctions
Auctions are a good way of bartering for your goods, you’re given the choice of if you would like to pay more, or leave the auctions. The main conductor of this kind of website is ‘Ebay’. Ebay means you can auction your products online and you can get different prices for it, however you can face problems of being scammed, but Ebay now use a software which is PayPal which means all payments go through PayPal so if the seller does not sell the item, they will lose the money received.
Real time information is a revelation, and an extremely convenient. Real time is instant data updated within the minutes you spend looking it up, i.e. News feeds, weather forecasts, plane tracking, train timetables. It allows you to get updates to you straight away with no delay. Examples of Real time information are; train times, weather, news feeds(RSS), Social feeds and ticket booking.
Train times
Train times are available to you any where, any when- instantly. It allows you to see the times of the trains, if they’re delayed. Most websites will give you the route of somewhere you’d like to go, say if you use the ‘Southeastern’ website, you type in where you’re going from and where you’re going to, you are then told the route you need to take, .i.e buses, tubes, taxis. It can also tell you the price of your travel, offer you what class and then total up your bill. I think that using the internet for ordering tickets is great, and from my personal experience, saves a lot of hassle and time! The advantages of having real times information for train timetables is that you will know when your train is coming and where to get it from, you would not have the hassle of waiting for the train, or potentially just missing one. However a disadvantage is that if you check them an hour or so before you leave to get the train, they can be delayed within this time and you could not know- unless you have the app.
Weather forecasts
Weather forecasts are a great innovation to real time, they allow you to view the weather up to date through your computer. This allows you to prepare for you day, as you’ll know the weather. The weather forecasts on the websites are continuously changed throughout the day, and they can change from sunny to rainy within a matter of hours. They’re good because you are able to approach them at ease and it is less time consuming than looking through a paper. I personally have had great experience with weather forecasts as they allowed me to prepare for my day as I had them the weather at the beginning of the day. The advantages of weather forecasting using real time are that you’re able to pre-plan your day and you can see what the weather will be like, it is also reasonably accurate as it is constantly changing,and it is excellent for planning your day trips. Disadvantages are that some weather forecasts online can be unreliable and you may not specify where you are correctly and get some where else, also you must have access to the internet which for some people is a problem and sometimes the satellites can be broken and give you an inaccurate weather forecast.
Overall using real time information for the weather is a great innovation as it allows you to get the information you need quickly.
News feed(RSS)
RSS, ‘Rich site Summary’ , is a place where you can get regular updates about the changing web content, i.e.blog posts, media updates, news headlines. It is a continuously updating website which allows you to view all the posts that are coming through, you do not have to be a member to participate in some, however others you do. It is useful for those who like to be tapped in constantly to the world of the web, as they’re able to be constantly updated. I personally have not used RSS knowingly, so I am not a fan of it. The advantages of RSS are that you get constant updates and you do not have to search different website for them,they’re easy to access from you computer and you do not have to give information about yourself, you just gain the information if you want. The disadvantages ofRSS are that some of the graphics are distorted or not even there throughout RSS which could make it dull for the reader, they create lagging throughoutthe website due to the high numbers using the service and finally you’re not able to see the amount of people who are reading RSS which could make it a risk on what you’re posting.
Social feeds with Real time
Social feeds are well liked throughout the world, with younger and older people using them. Blackberry messenger and Facebook are in my opinion the best ones. Both of them allow you to tap into what your friends are doing and you’re able to be updated constantly which makes it easier for you to get hold of your friends. The social feeds are constantly updating with your friends whereabouts, what they’re doing, status updates and upcoming events. They’re, in my opinion, a revelation. I am a huge fan of them as it makes it easier to see what my friends and family are doing who don’t live close to me so I can keep in touch. The advantages of social feeds are that you can keep in touch with your friends, receive invites online to upcoming events, see where your friends are and update your friends about what you have been doing. The disadvantage of the social feeds are that you do not have much privacy as throughout the feed people can see what you’re doing,you could post an event accidentally and it could go viral which could cause a lot of problems. However, generally, social feeds are good and allow you to keep up to date with things going on near you, or friends you don’t see much.
Ticket booking
Using real time for ticket booking is great because you can book your tickets from the comfort of your home and know that you have them. It allows you to see where you would like to sit, the price and what time. The service really is generally great for convenience, as it is really convenient. I personally think that it is great as it allowed me to get tickets and I didn’t have to worry about the place being sold out, which was great. The advantages of online ticket booking are that you do not have the worry of double booking because of real time it updates every time someone books something, you can see which seats are available and it is extremely convenient to book. Disadvantages are that you do run the risk of being scammed, you can sometimes be charged a booking fee on top of your booking price, and the system could be expensive which the cost is most likely to be passed onto the customers.
The technology age has changed a lot within the past few year and this is partially down to the phenomenon we call IT . Socialnomics has developed continuously over the past few years, with Facebook being one of the most popular sites for people to go on. E-mail has developed from normal email, into things like instant messaging and facebook chat. We have developed programs and sites which make talking online easier and more convenient than talking face to face.
Email
I personally am a huge fan of email, as is the majority of the working world- it essentially has changed lives. Email gives you the opportunity to send your information free of cost and a lot faster than sending a normal letter. The first original email was sent in 1971, and emails have become so well used that there are nearly 300 billion emails sent everyday! Emails are often used within the business world more frequently than out of it to communicate with the staff and employees. It is also used in the world of school in which you can send your work to your teachers or receive it from your pupils. Email is an amazing innovation which has changed people’s lives. The main advantages of using email is that it is reasonably fast, quick, cheap to send your information, useful for working environments, global and many more. It allows you to do things which up until recently people thought were unknown. However, there are obviously disadvantages of email which are that some people misuse email other than what it should be used for, i.e. sending round viruses, spam. This can cause issues from a small scale to a huge scale, and sometimes it cannot be prevented. Emails can also be in-efficient as they can be slow if the recipient does not check their emails. Also when sending emails you have to send to the exact recipient as this has caused problems, this articles from ‘www.bbc.co.uk/news’ shows this;
However, overall Email is a world wide necessity in which it allow you to contact people from all over the world at a simple click of a button. It is a cheap, efficient way of communicating with more advantages weighing out the disadvantages.
Instant messaging
Instant messaging is a service which allows you to send messages to people instantly so they do not have to wait around, however you can only do this when the recipient is online. MSN, the Microsoft network, allows you to download a special service which specialises in instant messaging to your PC or Mac. Instant messaging can allow you to add a range of people and have quick conversations with them at anytime, however the person you wish to talk to MUST be logged on at this given time which can make it more complicated due to people having difficult schedules, this is where Emails may be as a better option to people are more ‘on the go’. I personally am a fan of instant messaging when the person is online, however you normally have to ask them to be or you may not get hold of them, but when they are online, it is a very good service which I’d recommend. It shows how technology has adapted to our modern day society in which near on everyone seems to be tapping away to their friends throughout the country or even world! Within some services like Skype you can even have a video call whilst instant messaging, this means having near on a face to face conversation with someone maybe half way across the world. Instant messaging has become so popular that over 47 billion messages are sent every day using an instant messaging service.
This here shows how the instant messaging service is used mainly for pleasure by people throughout the world. Instant messaging also has disadvantages; Instant messaging does require two people to be online at the exact same time, or the conversation cannot take place. Also instant messaging has been known to be targeted with virus transfers which can cause a lot of damage. In some cases some of the services cost a reasonably amount to install them which can be an issue to some people. In worst case scenario instant messaging has been used as a way to spread harmful images and vicious gossip, and this cannot be stopped due to a privacy policy that is inflicted to most programs. However, in general, many people find that these services are good and reasonably efficient, however they are yet to be in the same league as emails.
Message boards
Message boards are essentially internet forum, and they allow people from wherever in the world to discuss various topics that they may have intentions to discuss. They can discuss their favourite pet to something they may be doing the next day, the internet will most likely have a blog about anything you want. Message boards can allow you to gain information about near enough anything you need, they have a vast range of information that people can gain. The advantages of message boards/internet forums are that the information you’re gaining is the specific information you’re looking for, so at any given time you’re most likely to find information on your topic/query. It is a good way to gain information, as you’re always able to find it. They’re also a great way to advertise and promote your business throughout the internet and getting reviews on your service or business. The disadvantages of internet forums and message boards sometimes you may have to have an account to contribute to the forums for security issues. Also people that have bad intention can enter your forum, which you created, and ruin it, and if it is successful, which is very hard to do, this can cause many problems.
Online conferencing
Online conferencing has made office meetings more interesting and in some cases made it more convenient. Companies pay for a specific system in which they can conference call other employees during a conference, even if they’re in a different country. This has been made into a less business like program as well as you can use either Skype or MSN to contact people, using webcam and microphones, you can talk and see them like you would in a conference call. The main advantage are that with the larger scale it is extremely convenient within the business and can reduce travel costs. It also allows you to talk to other franchises within different countries. In the smaller scale it allows you to contact people you’re friends with throughout the world and have a phone call/video call without cost if you use MSN or Skype. They are extremely useful for this. They do have disadvantages though like the fact that in some cases, your computer may not co-operate with the conference program, and in some cases it is possible for people to hack into conferences which could cause people large problems. However, many people enjoy this service and it can bring people convenience which is good.
Blogs and blogging
Well as you can tell, I use blogging for my A-Level ICT course and I have found it really helpful to present my work to my teachers. Blogging offers you the chance to tell people your thoughts in your own personal blog, you can blog about anything you like from fashion to the latest football score, the possibilities really are endless with blogging. Your blogs can contain clips, pictures, etc and anyone can read them. You can have followers and even follow other friends/people you may know who have blogs. I think that blogs are a fantastic way to give your views on things you want to. This video explain the advantages and disadvantages of blogging..
However overall I think that it is an innovative, modern and up to date thing to do!
Newsgroups
Newsgroups are sites in which you can share media and applications online, you can communicate these to people throughout the world. They are more commonly known as bit torrent sites nowadays and often they’re illegal. However you can have legal ones in which people exchange information and other things that they want to. The advantages of these are that you can gain free media coverage and other things, and some people can be very giving with the videos, software etc that they put on there. However the disadvantages are that you are potentially doing something illegal, you may have to be invited and it is unlikely you will be. Personally I have never experienced a newsgroups, and I don’ t think that in the near future I will do so.
Chat rooms and E- communities
Chat rooms and E-Communities are a way in which you can communicate about topics of your choice with a group of other people, you can converse with them and find out their opinions on things. I personally have never experienced a chat room, but have heard both good and bad things. They have, unfortunately, gained a reputation for people to hide their identity and lure people into things they don’t want to, however people are trying to stop this. Chat rooms can be enjoyable for many people if they are used in the right way. The advantages are that you more or less can find the exact information you’re looking for as there are chat rooms about almost anything. They can also benefit your knowledge as you will be sure to find out new things. However the disadvantages are quite hefty; people may not want to do what they say and you can often hear about people being molested, some people may try and steal your identity and finally there are most likely going to be some cases in which people discuss inappropriate topics.
Social networking sites
I can almost guarantee that the majority of the world have a social networking site, to be exact, 1 in 13 people are most likely to have a social networking account. Social networking sites are a revelation, they have changed many peoples lives as they know it. I personally have a Facebook and Twitter account, and my facebook account is close to me at all times, I am extremely dependant on it. They have revolutionised people communicating and it is so easy to talk to someone half way across the world, or “write on their wall”. Social networking can also be a reason for people getting together as 1 in 5 people met on a social networking site. It can also be very good for people who want to market their business with 93% of businesses using social media to advertise their business! The advantages of using social networking are that you have the chance to view what is going on in your friends or families life which you couldn’t see them normally, so seeing what they have been up to can be a great way to keep in touch! You can also meet new people through social networks because you can get to know them through it! You also have your own place to update statuses, tell your friends and family what you’ve been up to and what ever else you want! Disadvantages are that some minors have been abused via social networking sites, however they normally offer a report abuse button, but this has caused problems, people can steal your identity with the details you put on your social networks and you don’t have a lot of privacy.
As you may know, ICThas a huge impact on many people and can affect peoples lives with or without it, within the next few months I am going to blog to you about my ICT experiences.
ICT can allow you to quickly search something as simple as the weather to where someone is located. It can allow you write up documents to sorting out things on a spreadsheet tosending emails from anywhere you are, as long as you have internet access. ICT also has a fun aspect and allows you to play games, watch ‘funny’ videos on YouTube and interact with friends all over the world on social networks like FaceBook, Twitter and Bebo. One of the main things that makes ICT so essential is the internet which is a contributing factor to the way everyone is more dependant on it. It is essentially international and allows you to view things all over the world.
ICThas now been developed into things such as iPhone, iPads, Tablets and laptops, in which all of these can do the majority of the ICT applications however at ease with their easier sizes, faster hard drives and emails to your hands. Within the age we live in technology and ICTis developing at a rapid speed, almost unstoppable.
ICT traditionally is associated with E-Mails, databases, etc. However, due to new developments they have come up with instant messaging in which if the two people participating in the conversation are online they can instantly chat instead of waiting around for an email. You can also pay bills, get tax return, apply for jobs and other things that previously you’ve only been able to do face to face online/via a computer.
I personally have a huge dependency on IT and technology, as the owner of an iPhone, I have a huge dependency on the internet and email on my phone. Most android and iPhone’s have computer like technology built in and you can do so much on it.
ICT can also allow you to download songs, videos, pictures, etc from the internet, and then use a music player, i.e. iTunes, Windows media player to play your songs, videos.
In my blog I will tell you about all the ICT developments, findings, discoveries, experiences I have had! Hope you enjoy reading.
