Communication within ICT
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.
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;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14842691 ,which shows how email can cause problems.
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.
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