Digital Divide

Technology plays a substantial part in the way we live, whether it is for work and education purposes, or social based. However, as this technology develops, so does the divide globally, making the world we live in have different technological features wherever you go.

Global

·         Over the years in the internet has grown enormously, and had attended to go to people more active which is generally in the west.

·         Computers are a lot cheaper than they used to be, with cheaper material becoming available and the demand forever growing.

·         People have taken to use computers because their available all around them. E.g.-work, school etc. A number of people require a need to use the internet.

·         However a big proportion of the world will be cut off by that.

·         In some countries, there isn’t infrastructure to have good internet communication, or consistent use of computers.

·         Some countries internet is only on for a few hours a day, and his consistently unreliable, and this can be based for complete different reasons. E.g.- power cuts or strikes.

·         Some countries don’t think it worth it due to money issues, and don’t realise the positive implications of the internet.

·         Some countries are suspicious of the internet and its uses. Some countries like china don’t support it and don’t feel the idea of human rights and free speech is appropriate.

·         South Korea internet speeds are a lot quicker than UK. Some people can regards Britain as a ‘3^rd world country’ for our broadband speed.

With this information in mind, people within LEDC countries are unaware of the benefits ICT has, and lack the ability to function is affectively. As well as this skill to function the ICT, specific infrastructure and WIFI connection has to be in place, otherwise nothing will be able to run.

However, MEDC’s don’t lack this infrastructure and are constantly developing, allowing them to induce the rewards that ICT brings. Unlike LEDC’s, MEDC’s can constantly access ICT and the internet 24/7 365 days of the year.  This constant access has led to ICT being a basic skill when applying for a job, with many schools making computers available to students from a young age.

In conclusion to global divide, it demonstrates that there a number of points that need to be addressed. If these aren’t addressed and effectively dealt with, the global divide will only grow and become bigger than ever before.

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Local divide contracts the same problems the global divide brings, however this is on a much smaller scale. This happens within communities, and like global divide has problems between the people who can access and are able to use it, and the people who cant use it.

·         Not everyone has access to computers. This can be due to location in country which has a lack of WIFI, or just don’t have the funds to afford to have one.

·         People are missing out on jobs prospects because they don’t have basic computer skills.

·         Online shopping is growing and becoming an attractive alternative to high street shopping.

·         People are trying to introduce computers to older generation to bridge the digital divide between the generations.

·         Email, facebook and Skype are ways to keep in touch with people socially, and are growing on a daily basis. 100 million people have joined in the last 9 months on facebook.

·         ‘Click on’, government scheme to get people to use computers and learn more basic skills as well as keep up to date with computer development.

Local divide has the same barriers of global divide but on a much smaller scale. Its problems are based around communication between other countries where technology of ICT is already in place. Furthermore a split is developed which gaps between people able and people who aren’t.

More reasons for the split is also due to money. Many people, who are struggling financially, don’t feel the need for a computer and will spend their money on objects more useful to their personal requirements. As well as this, age is another factor within the local divide. Having people from year 65+, announces people who have not have the technology that young people now days are available to. These older people feel that they’ve come their whole life without it, and don’t need it to finish it. These problems need to be revisited when attempting to bridge the divide.

To conclude the local divide, it demonstrates that there are a number of key issues that need to be addressed. It shows that funding local communities for digital equipment will only be a plus, as it will allow them to learn basic knowledge surrounding computers. This is the same for older generations, finally signifying how important financial backing is with regards to ICT as a whole.

ICT in Entertainment

The impact technology has had on the entertainment world has transformed the way it’s seen today. With up to date programs and technological products always being updated and released, people are forever surrounded by its entertainment values. ICT can display itself into a number of different industries, which it affects greatly.

The first example that demonstrates ICT in education is music. All aspects of music have been developed including the way in which we listen, and how we purchase our music. The introduction of MP3 has massively transformed people’s musical lives, with a number of MP3 players and generation of Ipod’s being introduced to the general public. This allows them to purchase their means of music through downloading, rather than having to go out and buy manually. An example of a MP3 downloading source would be I-Tunes, where with the exchanging of some personal details, creates a personal account which allows you to download from any WIFI destination and place onto your Ipod/MP3 player.

However with the expansion of them, applications have been added which allows you to do more than just listen to music. Videos, pictures and games are examples and work on the same basis, with downloading having to be used to transfer onto said player. These add different value to the technology and expand this market to a mark broader area of buyers.

Gaming like Music, has transformed with the introduction and continuous expansion of ICT.  With gaming sales increasing in all departments on a yearly basis, this demonstrates more and more peoples desire to attain these games. With many associating games as an unsociable way of leisure, Nintendo Wii started a new type of gaming. Its motion censored design requires physical movement to be successful, which means that exercise is a key feature to it. This allows the socialising aspect to be a means of tackling a target audience of friends and family, hopefully bringing them closer to enjoy the product.

With DVD replacing video cassettes, like music and gaming, technology surrounding it has changed as well. The introduction of DVD’ s obviously influences the creation of a DVD player which in turn allows you to watch said DVD. As well as players that need a plug connection, portable players are now available which allows consumers to watch DVD’s wherever they are in the world

Through constant development of the DVD surrounding its picture and quality, Blu-ray players have now been developed, which allows customers to watch in HD quality. However, with better quality comes a higher price tag which in turn provides a negative for many with regards to the product. As well as this, special Blu-ray discs have to be purchased to require the HD quality, with normal DVD’s being played like any other player.

Radios have been around for over 50 years and have become a necessity for some people’s everyday life. It allows people to listen to a range of different station, with a  range of different topics, whether this be music, comedy or news. Its up to date information service provides people with the latest news information and songs that gets them through the day.

Now with the introduction of CD players, some double with many home-cinema systems and docking station having radio setup. It gives the same purpose of a television but on a smaller scale, and at the fraction of the price.

To conclude ICT in entertainment, it shows that there are a number of different industries that benefit from ICT development. As ICT continues to expand through the year, so will these industries, not taking long before all these are changed and renewed.