Week 2

Compare the topics and methods of the computing disciplines.

There are five types of computer disciplines under the main heading Information Technology, ICT or Computing. They are as follows;

CS - computer science

SE - software engineering

IS - information system

CS - cognitive science

CE - computer engineering

Computer science is known as the mother of computational disciplines. It teaches about theory of computing. With the mathematical concepts of computation and information, computer science is specialized in developing new ideas and designing of computing systems. Some of the mathematical concepts are logic, algorithm and functions. A good example that shows computer science has been used is the chip that we use in our modern technology.

Software engineering is a software aspect. It applies the principles of computer science. Its basically about process, system required engineering, software validations, software testing and maintenance of software.

Information system, concentrates on two wide areas which are the information systems function and systems development. It support management processes and has the responsibility to track new information technology. It deals with all aspects of organizations. Eg: Texco promotion system

Cognitive science mainly involves many disciplines. It’s the study of intelligence, what it does and how it works. Cognitive science translates into computer procedure. Eg: Robots.

Computer engineering is the study of the combination of hardware, software, communication and the interaction among them. It mainly concentrates on the design and the constructions of computers and computer based systems. 

“Most CS people laugh at MIS/IT people,” and “MIS/IT people make more money and manage the CS folks.”

I agree with this statement. According to my opinion and from what I’ve heard is that most of the IT people are the ones who are the CEOs and head managers of big companies. The CS people are under these CEOs working hard for them by playing the main roles in the company’s work. But that does not mean that they get paid more. IT people have the knowledge of a wider area in computing, but the CS people are knowledgeable only in a specific field like programing. And that is why IT people are the head people in organizations and CS people work under them.

On the statement that CS people laugh at IT people, I think this is because CS people think that their job or field in programing is more important than what the IT people are doing. To a certain extent this can be true, because computer programing is a really difficult task to do and only experts or people with great knowledge and practice can do this. They do not realize that IT people too have the knowledge in general, both hardware and software. The only difference is CS is more specific and IT is more general; the basic of everything.

Therefore I think it’s wrong for CS people to underestimate IT people. Both play important roles in their own fields. And people should accept the fact that IT people make more money than CS people. This, people don’t realize because their main focus is on what CS people do, their difficult tasks and the results of them.

Week 1

How has the development of information technology influenced the common traditions of a society?

I think technology has changed our lives giving us the freedom to do activities from the comfort of our homes. For an example; places far away have come closer, the pace of life has increased, communication is quick, travel is fast, movement is easy, etc. Things that once took hours to complete, can be done in seconds. The world is smaller and life is fast.

"Technological progress is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal"

- Albert Einstein -

The impact of technology on society is deep. It is both positive and negative. Technology has largely influenced every aspect of living. It has made life easy. One can cherish an accomplishment only if it comes after effort. But everything has become so easily available due to technology that it has lost its value. With the developments in technology, we may be able to enjoy all the pricey luxuries in life but at the cost of losing its priceless joys. Another example whould be, the days when there were no online messengers, no emails and no cell phones. Indeed cellular technology made it possible for us to communicate over wireless media. Web communication facilities have worked wonders in speeding long-distance communication. Emails replaced handwritten letters and communication lost its personal touch. With the means of communication so easily accessible, that magic in waiting to reach someone and the excitement that followed have vanished.

Moreover, we have become excessively dependent on technology. Is so much of dependency good? Is it right to rely on machines to such an extent? Computer technology and robotics are trying to substitute for human intelligence. With the fast advancing technology, we have started connecting artificial intelligence in many fields. 'Machines replacing human beings' does not portray a rosy picture, does it? It can lead to serious issues like unemployment and crime. An excessive use of machines in every field can result in an under-utilization of human brains. Over time, we may even lose our intellectual abilities.

The vision of one laptop per child, what is your opinion on this?

According to my opinion, one laptop per child is a very good idea that has been suggested for children's educational developmental purposes. There are many children who have the talent and interest in studying but the only thing they lack is insufficient money. In the present days only the privileged children get the opportunities to have a balanced educational system together with the use of modern technology. But the under privileged children do not get the chance to continue their studies and explore the world to the maximum. For an example: children from developing countries are in lack of a good educational background whereas most developed countries like the USA, the children are very advanced due to good educational backgrounds that have been provided to them. The differences between these children are clearly to be seen to our naked eyes.

Providing one laptop per child could change this difference. By this, children would get more encouraged to do their studies in a convenient way. The world is changing day by day and technology makes things easier for people in their day to day activities. Internet is one of the most important tools that is been used by people for development of their knowledge. There is a tendency for children with the interest in studying to even learn individually by themselves when they are been provided with laptops. As the internet includes everything that could enlarge one’s knowledge, laptops given to the most deserving children would easily help them in their studies and make life easier for them.

Therefore considering all these facts, I think every deserving child should be provided with a laptop for a better life. These children could be the ones that would change the world one day.

How does the Internet affect my life as a student?

As mentioned before, internet is one of the most important tools that is been used by everyone from child to adult. This tool makes people’s lives easier. The internet provides knowledge on everything. It is so convenient and addictive that people just cannot live without internet. People now days totally depend on the internet for everything. The internet has affected them in both good and bad ways.

For me as a student it makes no difference. The internet has affected me in good and bad ways. Speaking first about the good, it provides much useful information that helps me in enriching my education. I find assignments and homework much easier with the help of the internet specially because of being an IT student.  Not only in educational wise but also in other areas like communication, entertainment, shopping, networking and many more ways. I find life much easier with the internet tool. One of the examples that I could give is when communicating with my family back at home. I don’t have to call my mother which is very expensive, whereas communicating through Skype is much easier and cheap.  There is also an ugly side of the internet that has affected me. The internet has made me a lazy person. I don’t give an effort to find information from other resources other than the internet. The various types of applications that the internet provides have made me an addict by using them. A famous addictive application among all youth would be FACEBOOK.

Therefore in conclusion, the internet is something that I would never live without. It helps me in many areas but it is up to me to know how to use it for better purposes.  

Can I live without Internet connection for a day, a week, a month, a year?

I have already mentioned that internet is something that I would never live without. If internet was not around me, I could bare for a day or a week, but not more than that. A month or a year will be too much for me. I would somehow find a way to access the internet. This is because I’m so dependent on it and life would be so inconvenient for me if there was no internet. I will have to find new ways to communicate with my family and friends, I will have to forget about Fcebooking and socializing, I will have to read books, watch news and listen to the radio to gather information if there was no internet around me. I will have to totally change my living style and work more hard to achieve what I want. Most of all it is not practical for an IT student like me to live with no internet.

Due to all these reasons, my final conclusion would be that I cannot live without internet for more than a month.