Tuesday 28 October 2014

Online Entertainment

The online world has taken off from entertainment. Online entertainment is the central point of films and videos; without them there would be a limited amount of entertainment that we use today. We are able to spend many hours a day using online entertainment and it can take over our lives. Entertainment influences our everyday lives as there are many choices available to you which do not involve leaving your home.

E-Books
E-Books have become a very popular type of entertainment and have out run paper books in the American market. E-Books allow you to store many books onto one device and not have to carry those heavy books around with you. Many people find it a much more efficient to be able to download books and have them all on the same device, meaning you can read book after book with no extra weight to carry. There are also apps you can download which act in the same way as E-Books however are available on your mobile phone for easier access. One of the most successful of internet entertainment is the kindle created by Amazon.

Advances in Music Technology
Music had been a huge part of entertainment for years. Music has changed in the genres from generation to generation and the way it is recorded for the public to hear. A CD records little bits of information in which each sector contains digital information. Digital information is when the movement is instant; it is either on or off. Therefore in a CD the digital information oscillates, meaning they are constantly turning on and off, however it happens so fast that it is very hard to detect. These days, it is more commonly used to download MP3’s. For an MP3, the sound is compressed even more which allows thousands of songs to be downloaded onto a device. This is where the iPod and MP3 players came in and they had changed peoples listening habits.

Online TV
Over the past few years online TV has become a bit part of people’s lives. It allows you to catch up on TV programmes you have missed out on; some of these websites include BBC iPlayer, 4oD and ITV Player. These websites also have apps which you can download onto your phone and watch programmes on the go. You can also pick from a variety of films to watch on websites such as Netflix. Netflix has many films from all genres to suit anyone’s needs, however it does come at a price, but it is very affordable. Online TV is one of the most used sources of entertainment and it is increasingly become more accessible. Many TV’s are now being sold which allow you to connect to the internet so that you have a wider selection of programmes and films to watch on your TV and not just on your computer.

Gaming
Games have become widely popular in particular with teenagers. There are many online games to play and also a wide variety of games to be used on devices which sometimes do not require to be connected to the internet. Many of these games can lead people to spend hours playing them.
One example of an online game is Second Life, where you create your own person and control them to be whoever you want them to be. Second Life was very popular with its debut in 2003; the average session time for a user was much greater than the session time with popular social networking sites. However now it has lost its popularity due to having a lot of competition.
Another example is Sims, which is a game you download onto your computer. In this game you are able to create a family and choose their lifestyle and what you do with each individual character. With this game you can buy expansion packs which add new items to buy and new areas to play in.



Scopes of Online Entertainment
The scopes of online entertainment are that it is useful to be able to catch up on programmes and also start watching series that the websites offer. Also it is extremely accessible for you to use wherever you are. Finally there are many different options you are able to pick from to suit your own personal choice of entertainment.

Limitations of Online Entertainment
The limitations of online entertainment include the quality of music being reduced as MP3’s are compressed. Another limitation is that not everyone can afford having those extra options for entertainment. Finally if you use online entertainment too much it can make you anti-social and not interact face to face with people.

My Person Experience
I frequently use online entertainment when I want to watch films and also catch up on the TV programmes I had missed out on. When I watch films I tend to use Netflix which I have on my TV as it is connected to the internet and it allows me to watch films whenever I want and it gives a wide range of films, organised into genres, most popular and new releases. I also download music online as it is much easier as I can move it from my computer onto my phone very effortlessly.

Wednesday 22 October 2014

Download Services

Download services is a new current way used by many people around the world. Before download services you used to have to go and buy a film or CD from the shop. It took quite a long time before it became possible to download things you would usually buy from shops. It had developed to simple things being downloaded such as forms and as broadband improved you were able to download many things being software and bigger files.

Broadband
Download services has become much more developed over the years due to the use of broadband. Broadband is a high powered communication method which uses a wide variety of frequencies and this then enables a numerous amount of messages to be communicated at the same time. Only with the introduction of broadband technology were you able to download films, music and software. Broadband is very highly developed and it is an essential to downloading services and it has become much more feasible.


Automatic Downloads
Download services can be controlled by you, however in some cases you may not recognise that something is being downloaded.  Sometimes you may have something downloading you do not know about or a case of downloading themselves without you even wanting them too.

An example of an automatic download is the windows software. The windows software updates itself when you are turning off your computer; they tell you that they are downloading new updates but they do not ask for your permission. Another example is adobe which is constantly updating when you do not want it to whilst you are using your computer.

Streaming
Another download service that is not controlled by you is the use of streaming. Streaming is where you can watch something live on your computer as the data is being transferred while the video you are watching is in motion. When watching anything that is streaming it downloads while you are watching it, meaning it downloads itself when you may not want it to.

Apple
A more recent case of this happening is the U2 album being downloaded onto many people’s Apple devices automatically which had caused many problems with the company. It only happened to the people who had their music connected straight onto their iTunes account; however it made many people feel angry that Apple were able to control their download software with no authorisation.


Offline Downloads
Download services can involve downloading things and being able to use them offline. You can download games and films from your phone or any device and when you come to using them you do not need to be connected to the internet. This then means you are can download various things to be able to use on the go and it can be very useful, especially for those who are travelling a lot to keep entertained.


Technology Improvements

Sat Nav
Sat Nav are further with using download services to keep the software updated. This is because roads are changing all the time and for it to be aware for drivers, they need to allow them to update their Sat Nav’s software. It can be done very easily as you just plug your Sat Nav into your computer and it will automatically update for you. You can then use your Sat Nav in the car without needing to connect to the internet.

E-Books
E-Books are also a fairly new type of download service where you can simply download a book onto a device without needing to buy the book itself from the store. Amazon had made an E-Book called the kindle which became popular very fast because they are much more accessible. The books you download still require you to pay, however it takes up no space and can be used anywhere.



Scopes of Download Services
The scopes of download services consist of being able to save time as you do not need to go to a shop and buy a CD or film; you can just download it from your computer. Also it can be a lot cheaper as many things to download are free. It is very useful for people who do not have a disk ROM installed into their computer. Finally they allow you to listen to music and watch films even when you are not connected to the internet.

Limitations of Download Services
The limitations of download services include that some software do not ask for your approval for it to be downloaded such as windows updates and adobe. Similarly the automatic downloads can use up your data account and hard drive. Also some businesses are suffering or being closed down because downloading is more commonly used now.


My Personal Experience
My own experience using download services is downloading music. I use music converters which allow me to download music onto my computer for me to listen at any time. I also have previously downloaded windows onto my computer from the internet as it was cheaper and it was a very easy and a relatively quick process. However from downloading windows, I experienced the automatic windows updates which I had not authorised for and I then had to wait for the updates to finish before my computer had fully shut down.

Monday 20 October 2014

E-Government

E-Government is used to connect you to the government in a number of ways. Before E-Government citizens would interact with the government through elections for prime minister, this would be the only way citizens could make decisions within the government parliament. Citizens would then be able to experience government through their local council. Then the government quickly realised that you could communicate over the internet.

E-Government services

Voting
You are now able to vote online through E-Government. This makes it easier for people as a way of contacting the government and it is accessible for anyone to use, just by going online onto your government website. It allows people to vote without having to physically move and it can be a quick method to use. However physically voting can be useful for people who do not have access to the internet and also it is allows more of the public to vote.

Petitions
Petitions are used so that the government can listen to the problems which the public put forward to help make changes. The government have allowed citizens to post petitions where other people can sign them if they thoroughly agree to what is being said. A petition has to have over 500,000 people signing it within the given time period for the government to see it and start to solve the problems and discuss in parliament.

Car Tax
A recent way citizens have connected with E-Government is through paying taxes online. An example of this is now being able to pay for your road tax online. It used to consist of displaying your car tax discs inside the windscreen of your car to show police that your road tax had been paid. However now it is all done online and you do not need to display your tax disc and the police will already know if you have paid for your road tax. This new method can make it a lot easier for drivers as well as police because drivers do not have to wait for their road tax to come as it is now instant.

Businesses
E-Government can also connect to businesses in a way that they can license their business online, making it easier for the business as it is all online and no hassle for filling out masses of paper work. There is just a form that has to be filled in to notify the government about their financial state, this requires a fee, however it is much easier to pay and license online.

Local Council
Citizens can now read about their local council to know what is going on around them. Also you are able to do any local voting to help the council improve your local area and you can sign petitions which other people have suggested and this can help the council to improve the problems which most people are affected by. Another thing citizens can do within their local council online is being able to pay or appeal for parking fines. There are also employment opportunities advertised which can allow citizens to search for employment or even just more experience to gain extra skills.


Scopes of E-Government
The scopes of E-Government are that it provides citizens with a lot of help and information about their local council and it allows them to be involved with the government through voting and petitions. It can also be very convenient for people to be able to pay their taxes online and not needing to fill out any paper work, therefore saving time. Finally the government can save money as less money is needed to inform citizens any information as they can just find it online and download leaflets to print off.

Limitations of E-Government
Limitations of E-Government include that there is always the worry of entering personal details online and having most things electronically, resulting in people preferring to do it in person to avoid problems. Similarly there is the trouble of scamming websites where they try to make people believe that it is the actual website and people can believe this and give personal information out. Also E-Government is not accessible for people who do not have the internet and it some people prefer to find out information in person rather than online and therefore will not use the online website.


My Personal Experience
My own experience I have had with E-Government is very limited due to my age and not using this service yet. Despite that, I have used it to research about my provision licence and how I can apply for it when I reach the required age. When I do apply I am then going to go into research about the rules and regulations regarding the licence so that I fully understand what I need to do. I believe that in the future when my knowledge is wider about the government and council then I will begin to involve myself with E-Government a lot more.

Monday 13 October 2014

Online Education

Education over the years has developed into online education. Students are now more involved with the idea of using a variety of online education sites. Younger kids have been coming more familiar with IT as they are taught to use computers at a young age so they become aware with the websites they can access. There are various types of websites to use for many ages according to their ability.


Online Education for Students

BBC Bitesize
One online website used for education is BBC Bitesize; it is widely available with all subjects offered to help you revise. They offer a range of videos and sometimes games to help students learn the main key points of information. It can be used with younger and older students from Key Stage 1 to GCSE. It is also easily accessible for students as it is now available on tablets and mobile phones. However it is limited as there are not many tests to do and the tests do not tend to link to the exam board, meaning it is not an accurate test and the information taken in can be irrelevant.

Sam Learning
Sam Learning is a further online education website which is most useful for those taking their GCSE’s. It is more interactive and can help in almost every subject and topic students cover at school, from languages to the basic maths, science and english. It is an effective way to learn as it has many activities to complete and they provide practice questions from exam boards. It is also useful for teachers as they can see your progress and how well you are doing.

                                                                                    My Maths
My Maths is similar to Sam Learning in a way that your teachers are able to see your progress and monitor your learning, however My Maths is just purely for improving your maths skills. Students find this useful as My Maths provides a step by step method on how to solve many problems and it makes it easier for students to be able to go through it with examples and they can keep at their own pace of learning. Many schools use My Maths, and teachers are able to set their students multiple tasks to complete for homework or just for extra work.

YouTube
Many students use YouTube as a source of online education. YouTube was first created for entertainment purposes but it has now developed into a wider range of videos, including educational videos. Students can now watch a variety of videos to help them revise, usually being teachers explaining the key points of the subject. A popular YouTube channel I have known to be very useful is ‘My GCSE Science’ which is a teacher going through everything you need to know within the AQA science course; he creates a visual image making it easier for students to understand.

Student Room
Another online website used is Student Room, which first started off as an old fashioned chat room. Now it is somewhere students can go and feel together with other people in the country who are sitting the same exams as them and they can get help on any subjects and topics they do not understand from others who also struggles the same as them. Students can get advice for future exams, improve exam techniques and also help others. On the other hand some websites provide you with help and you can speak to a teacher online to give you support if you are struggling. An example of this is a website called Tutor Hub.


Online Education for Teachers

Teaching Resources
Teachers can access a range of resources online to help them with preparing their students for exams. They are able to access exam papers, marking schemes and specifications for exam boards online. This is valuable source to have as it allows teachers to go through various past papers with students, so that they can improve their exam technique and also improve their knowledge of the subject. It is also a good indicator for the teacher to know which students understand and the areas where the majority are losing marks to be able to go over that section again.

TES Connect
TES Connect is the world’s largest online network of teachers. Teachers can connect to other teachers worldwide as they can share their resources and lesson places, giving them a range of methods to show their students, to see which one best suits them. TES Connect also advertises recruitment for any new jobs that are available to them and it allows them to find the best job which they are suited to.

                                                                                Socrative

Socrative is an online website that allows teachers to connect to their students by giving them questions to answer online. It is easy for teachers to set up a questionnaire as they just type in their question and the option in which they would like their students to answer them; then they simply have to give the students the room code so that everyone can connect. The students can answer the questions and then vote and choose the best option which a peer in the class may have suggested.



The Scopes of Online Education:
The scopes of online education include teachers and students being able to access the specification for exam boards on the internet, also along with mark schemes and past papers which can help improve exam technique. It is a straightforward way for teachers to see students progress and understanding of the subject. Finally it is accessible at any time on the internet so students can use various ways for revision.

The Limitations of Online Education:
The limitations of online education are that students rely on online websites such as BBC Bitesize which actually do not help with exam style questions and therefore can cause struggle for the student. Also not all information can be found online and teachers and students do not depend on textbooks as much anymore and this can affect the way in which student’s process their information as it is usually found much more summarised on the internet.

My Own Experience:
My own experience with online education is using My Maths as I have previously had teachers set work on there that I needed to complete and I also have used it when I did not understand some work and I wanted to go over a topic in my own time. Similarly I have used Sam Learning also when teachers have set me work, but also for revision as it could be challenging to help me improve.

Monday 6 October 2014

Online Banking

Banking has changed a lot through the years. It used to consist of paying in your money yourself and then it developed into cheques that would be read as a note. However now it has changed as you can do everything you need to on the internet, without having to physically go into your bank. Furthermore money does not exist in that state, gold and oil is used as the currency because they are more valuable and tradable. Less money is kept in the banks as it is usually kept in central banks.

                                                    How Online Banking works:
Online banking works so that you can do everything directly without having to physically go to the bank, this including, transferring money and viewing your bank statements. Your employer sends your money to a clearing house which then gets distributed to various different banks and directly ends up in your account, therefore making it easier for you to receive your payment. You can also view your personal statements to see where you have spent your money and where your money has come from. There are also apps which tend to be easier to use and it is quicker to access on your phone wherever you are.

Security
Many people do not like to use online banking as it is perceived to be unsecure. This is because scams can happen online and it makes you vulnerable and it is much easier for hackers to get hold of your details online. An example of this is when you receive an email from someone who you think is your bank when really they just want you to give them your details. However over the years the security of online banking has improved, one improvement is the card readers which some banks provide their customers where you put your card in and enter your pin and it will create a random number in which you type in online and this allows you to access your online account.

Online Banks
There are a few banks that do not have the actual bank buildings but are just online. This can benefit the bank as there would be no spending cost of running the banks itself, only the spending costs of operating online. It would also benefit the customers as it means there could be no fees or higher interests. Furthermore the customer can receive many more services which other banks may not offer and personal statements could be a lot easier to read online without having to look through numerous papers. An example of a current online bank is First Direct which is also linked with HSBC direct banking and it is convenient to use all its services online. Another example is a former bank called Egg which had problems with being online so its credit card business was sold to Barclaycard and the business is now owned by Yorkshire building society.

Scopes of Online Banking:
The scopes of online banking are that you can move your money around in your account by yourself and you can make a payment to someone online without the hassle of physically doing it. Similarly money can be transferred very easily because it is now increasingly in the form of data. Also the card reader makes online banking more secure as it reads your card online so there is no fraud with your personal banking. It is much more convenient for banks as they find it cheaper to work online.

Limitations of Online Banking:
The limitations of online banking include that the reason it has happened very slowly is because it can be unsecure as it makes you more vulnerable to hackers. The security of online banking can be dangerous because of phishing and not being aware of whom you are giving your banking details to. Also if there are any problems with your bank account, it can be hard to sort out online and this can cause difficulties.

Personal Experience:
My own experience I have with online banking is having an app on my phone that connects to my own online banking account in which I can check my statements. I find this useful as it is very easy to access when I am out and about. On the other hand, I also have a card reader at home to use when transferring money and I found that it takes a while to get used to as I didn’t understand how to use it at first.

E-Commerce

E-Commerce is performing a transaction online. It is the buying and selling of products over the internet. This service is used by millions of people across the whole world. There are many different retail shops and now supermarkets that offer an online service so that you can order food straight to your door. These online sites include; Amazon, EBay and Sainsbury’s.

Click and Collect
Most stores now offer a click and collect system. This allows the customer to order items online and have it delivered to the store so they can collect it from a store near them, usually within a week. This is a convenient and popular way for customers to shop as it can cut costs of delivery and sometimes it may be quicker. Also stores are able to offer products they do not have stocked in store online, for customers to be satisfied.

Online Transactions
Performing a transaction online can come with some difficulties. Delivery is an essential part of online shopping as you are paying for your items and therefore expect them to be delivered within the time period they tell you. This is why stores had come up with the ‘click and collect’ idea, to give the customers another option which suits them best. Also when online shopping you need to be able to pay using either a credit card or debit card and this is where security can become a problem. Credit cards are seen to be a better way of paying a transaction online as if any details are stolen and money has been lost from your account then the company you are buying from repays you. Whereas if the same problem happens with your debit card you cannot be repaid as your money is instantly been lost and there is no help through insurance companies.

Amazon
Amazon is a popular transactional website used by people all around the world. They are purely online and offer customers fast and reliable delivery. Amazon started off as a book seller but has now developed further, now selling a range of products. They have a number of warehouses across the world, storing all the merchandise you are able to purchase online. Amazon delivers worldwide and tend to send your order all at once, under some circumstances if you order multiple items and one of them items is out of stock at the nearest warehouse then Amazon will split the order into two separate packages and ship them from different warehouses.

EBay
Another popular online website used by many is EBay, which allows the user to be the seller. The seller can put on items and people can bid on it if they like it, however it is not guaranteed to sell as it may not come in interest to anyone. EBay itself does not have their own delivery service, it is the seller’s responsibility, and therefore the feedback does not affect EBay. Sellers can also have their own ‘click and collect’ where the buyer would have to travel to collect the delivery. EBay uses PayPal as the paying system for the buyer which is very secure as PayPal knows the information of the seller and buyer but will never allow them to know each other’s details. PayPal also makes the paying process much simpler and quicker for the buyer. 
Many other companies also use PayPal for the same online buying security, however Amazon does not. EBay is also different to Amazon in the way where feedback from the buyer will not affect EBay itself as it is the seller’s problem for their products, whereas the blame for Amazon would go straight to them. The feedback EBay sellers get shows other buyers whether they are reliable and can be trustworthy, meaning that the buyer would feel trusted with a seller with a better feedback.


Advantages

Business
The business would get more customers as it is widely available around the world. Also they do not have to pay extra costs of rental for the store and they would not need to pay employers to keep the stores running.

Employees
The employees would receive more qualifications as it is a different style of job; therefore they are gaining new experiences and skills from working online.

Suppliers
Suppliers would earn more money as the cost of storage for the products would decrease as they would not need an outlet, they would just need a warehouse which is a lot cheaper.

Customer
It is a very quick and easy process for the customers. It is also very accessible and they do not need to travel to search for a particular product, they can simply go online. There tends to be a lot more options online as there is a wider range of products.


Disadvantages

Business
Businesses would still need to cater for people who cannot access the internet, therefore they would still need to keep stores open to provide somewhere for those who need it. This could also mean that the online service is not as developed as the store itself and it could cause problems for the business.

Employees
The employees would lose out on their jobs as there is not as much work they need to do and the business would not need to employ many workers as there less stores are being run.

Suppliers
It can be more costly for the suppliers to ship the products and to be able to send them to the store or the customer as it would cost more to individually ship than to the store where they can distribute them.

Customer
For the customer it is not as convenient because if you are buying a piece of clothing you cannot see the actual product in person and you are unable to try it on yourself. Also you have to wait for the item to be delivered to you, rather than being able to purchase it and have it with you straight away if you are in store. Similarly it is not suitable for people who do not have access to the internet and they may not feel safe giving their details online. 

Sunday 5 October 2014

Real Time

Real time services are online services that allow us to see instant updates on the newsfeeds. This includes: daily weather reports, bus and train timetables, live webcams, traffic reports and GPS instead of using maps. Real time is used by many people on a daily basis as it is an instant update to provide us with the information we need when heading out on our day.

Newsfeeds
Newsfeeds are a popular and instant way to connect to the world. Some of the popular newsfeeds include Facebook and Twitter, you can find out what your friends and family are up to and even your favourite celebrities. You can let others know what you are doing by uploading pictures and videos to Facebook. Other newsfeeds like the BBC are used to find out about the latest news worldwide.

The scopes of newsfeeds are that they are instant to find out the information you want to know from around the world. They are a great way to connect to family and friends, as you can be able to see what they are doing and vice versa. It is also useful to find out about the latest news about the world just by quickly looking online on or an app.

The limitations of newsfeeds include that sometimes people use them in the wrong way and victimise others. Also it can allow some people to access your personal information if they know where you are and what you are doing.

My own experience I have with newsfeeds is regularly checking on Facebook and Twitter on my phone to check what others are doing and where they are. However I never usually update on myself unless I am doing something interesting which others may want to know.

Live Webcams
Live webcams are used online to check what it the traffic is like on the main roads without having to be there yourself. This can be used when travelling to a destination to see if another route should be used. They can also be used to look at some holiday locations, to be able to look around the resort themselves and to check on the weather to see if the particular place appeals to them.

The scopes of live webcams are that they show a live view of various places at that specific time. It can be very useful for families when travelling to choose the best route and location to stay. It is a much more efficient way to check live updates because when listening to the traffic updates on the radio sometimes it does not tell you what you want to know, so to see for yourself can be very useful.

The limitations of live webcams are that as they are live sometimes the weather may limit you to what you see, for example, in heavy rain you may not be able to see anything clearly.

The only experience I have had using live webcams is when I was on holiday and I was the one who had to check on live updates on certain roads and I had come across a live webcam which was very useful.

Timetables
Timetables for public transport are used to when your bus or train is arriving so that you can get there before it departs. Timetables can be found online and are helpful as they are easily accessible and are updated whenever the times are changed. They can be used anywhere at any time and you can find any timetable whether it is local or for travelling around.

The scopes of timetables are being able to check any timetable you need at any point in the day. Also some timetables give you information on the ticket price and tell you the best deals if you are using multiple public transport routes.

The limitations of timetables can be that sometimes they do not update the timetable straight away, resulting in you finding out false information which can affect you if you need to get somewhere at a particular time. Similarly they do not tell you live updates, this can cause annoyance especially with buses as you do not know the traffic. Furthermore timetables can be hard to read and can cause you confusion.

My personal experience with timetables is using them to find which bus to catch. They allow me to manage my time before leaving the house so that I can get to the bus stop just before the bus should arrive.

GPS
GPS is used to know where your global positioning is. GPS is used in satellite navigation, this is commonly used while driving and it tells you the best routes to take in order to get to your chosen destination and also the time of arrival. They update automatically and can identify where there are speed cameras so that they can warn you in advance.

The scopes of GPS include that is it easy to navigate as it tells you to the direction for each turn you take. It can help you search the nearest restaurants, hotels and more if you need for your journey. Also it is much more practical than using a map. It is very useful when it can estimate the time of arrival because it means you can plan your route and make it easier for you.

The limitations of GPS are that it could fail due to certain reasons and it could cause difficulties for you, in particular if you are on a route you do not know. Another limitation is that sometimes GPS’ are not updated quickly and it will not notify you where there are road works or any sort of problem, therefore it can cause delay.

My own experience using GPS is when on long journeys with my family and needing to use a Sat Nav to know where the best route to take is. I found it helpful as it gave the quickest route for us to take.

Thursday 2 October 2014

Communication

Communication as one online service has become very popular over the years. The most used ways of communicating are through e-mail, text and calls. In the UK there are many mobile phone services to choose from which allow you to communicate with people all over the world. Each year there are improvements to texting and calling as new phones are constantly being released to compete for the best phone with the fastest internet connection and easy access to all apps.

Email
Emails are often used as a form of communicating as it is an instant way to get digital messages through to people using the internet or computing networks using any devise. There are also apps available on android and smart phones that will connect to your emails and give you notifications when a new email has been received. It allows people to stay connected throughout the day no matter where you are.
 
The scopes of emails are they are fast and easily accessible way to communicate. Similarly they are very useful for businesses to keep in contact with co-workers and be able to forward emails to each other. Also it can be a way of promoting the business because customers could receive emails from a business to receive special promotions or inform them on any new products on the market.
 
 
The limitations of using emails are that they can be hard to access as you have to be connected to the internet to receive or send emails; this could affect businesses in a way that they could have a problem with the internet and it creates a lack in communication.
An experience I have had with emails is being able to keep in contact with relatives I have in different countries as it is instant and an easy way to send and receive pictures as well as videos. I tend to receive emails from clothing websites that I have accounts for which send me frequent updates on new stock.

Text
The use of text messaging is a global and common way of communicating, being able to instantly send and receive messages without physically talking to the person. Shortened and slang words can be used during texting due to being known as an informal and quick way of communicating.
The scopes of text messaging are that it is very quick and easy to access on your mobile phone as it gives you a notification on your screen or a sound when someone send you a message. Texting is simple to use and can benefit those with hearing difficulties. Also you do not need to be connected to the internet to use text messaging.
 
The limitations of text messaging are often the communication is not always instant as the receiver may not be aware of a new text or they are busy and do not have enough time to reply. Another limitation is that on many mobile devices it costs more to send pictures and videos and therefore could become more expensive to use. Thirdly, signal can become an issue a lot of the time because you need signal to send and receive messages and without it, it can become a problem when contacting others.
 
 
A personal experience I have had using text messaging is on a day to day basis. I usually find that with texting people it is the quickest communication method to use. I can keep in contact with family while I am out of the house to know what they are up to.

Phones
Mobile phones are used to talk to one another more personally so you can hear their actual voice. They can be used in a variety of ways such as keeping in contact with family and friends; business calls and emergency calls. Phone calls are commonly used when texting becomes slow from typing a long message and conversations tend to last longer.
 
 
The scopes of phones are that you can call anyone as long as you have their number and it becomes a key way of communicating instead of using a landline, especially in an emergency but also contacting family and friends when you are out and about. It can be much more personal and direct to the person you are contacting with. It grabs your attention more as the sound is alarming, therefore the receiver would become aware of it.
 
 
The limitations of phones are that if you have no signal you cannot use your phone to make a call to anyone. Also depending on how long you are on a call for, it can become expensive as your provider usually charges a certain amount per minute. Finally the receiver may not answer their phone and it can limit the amount of communication you have with them.

My own experience I have with my phone is that I frequently make calls to people as it alerts them more than it would with texting; therefore I can contact them much more easily than I would with texting. I also find that it is easier to call someone and explain a situation rather than texting them because it is quicker.

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Online Services Introduction

Online services over the years have changed in the way we can now do many things online without having to physically do it. We can access these services through the internet on our phones, laptops and computers whenever we need to. The internet changes the way we think in our day to day lives from how we communicate to how we chose to manage and spend our money. The online services are divided into different categories:

Communication
The way in which we communicate has change significantly, as now we can communicate with others around the world through many ways, for example, texting and Skype, allowing us to talk to others and even use live webcam viewing. There are many more social networking sites in which we can show anyone where we are and what we are doing.

Real Time
Real time information can provide us with the current weather for now and the next few days, inform us on the latest news stories and check when your bus or train will arrive even when there are any delays involved.

E-Commerce
E-Commerce includes the way we shop online and deal with different payments and banking situations. There are many ways in which we can check on our banking and make payments just from an app on your phone. E-Commerce also includes the government gateway which allows us to be able to pay our car insurance and tax online.

Business
Businesses can connect worldwide to take part in conferences without having to travel and also having a network to connect to others.
Education
We are now able to be included in different online education lessons for multiple subjects. Similarly we can submit our UCAS applications and have access to our schools W: Drive and personal accounts.

Entertainment
There are many different ways to access entertainment through different websites and apps like YouTube and spotify which is an efficient way to listen to the music when connected to the internet.

Download services
Download services allows us to download software onto our devices in which we can watch videos or movies and listen to music wherever you are. This also includes updates such as Microsoft downloads.

Cloud Archiving
Cloud Archiving is when we have data that is stored and backed up onto a cloud storage service provider.