Unit1-TheOnlineWorld Reading PDF

UNIT 1
The online world
Introduction
How do websites work? How do emails get to your computer? How does the use of computer applications
affect your daily life? This unit provides an introduction to the modern online world. Starting with your
own experiences, you will extend your knowledge of online services and investigate the technology and
software that support them. You will learn more about a range of services, including email, online data
storage, collaborative software, search engines and blogging.
You will also gain an understanding of the main technologies and processes behind the internet and
investigate how they come together to let you view websites and send information around the world.
Considering a range of devices, including smartphones and digital music players, you will investigate the
technology that enables digital devices to share and exchange information.
ft
This unit will help prepare you for the next phase of the internet revolution, the internet of objects or also
known as ubiquitous computing. By 2020, it is estimated that there will be 50 billion interconnected devices
(objects) on the planet. These will include everyday devices embedded into clothing and domestic appliances.
This technology has created new concerns regarding security and privacy. You will investigate these
concerns and consider how users should behave online to safeguard themselves and respect others.
Dr
a
Assessment: You will be assessed by an onscreen test lasting 1 hour.
Learning aims
In this unit you will:
A investigate online services and online communication
B investigate components of the internet and how digital devices exchange and store information
C investigate issues with operating online.
I use my laptop and smartphone all the time for keeping

in touch with friends, shopping, listening to music and
sometimes for schoolwork. I find it hard to imagine what the
world was like before life online. I love the technology and
would like to know more about it. I am not sure yet what I
want to do when I leave school, but knowing more about the
online world is bound to help me in the future.
Zoe, 15-year-old student
BTEC First in Information and Creative Technology
M01_FICT_SB_1878_U01.indd 2
27/09/2012 14:41
Dr
a
ft
The online world
1
3
27/09/2012 14:43
Learning aim A
Online services 1
Introduction
Get started
Every time that you connect to the internet, you are using online services. If you are passing
information to other people or exchanging information with them, then you are using online
communications. Online services and online communications can be used on any type of
equipment: desktop computer, laptop, palmtop, mobile telephone or tablet.
In this section you will look at the use of online services and investigate the use of online
document systems.
How online services can beused

Table 1.1 provides a summary of the different online services that are available.
Itlists some examples of everyday uses of these services and the advantages of
using theservice.
Table 1.1 Examples of online services
1. Communication
2. Real-time
information
Types
Example uses
Dr
a
Service
ft
Think about how you use

online services and online
communication in your daily
life. Over the course of a
day, monitor how often you
use the internet and write
down the different ways
youre using it (e.g. research
for college, communicating
with friends, shopping).
Compare your list with a
group of friends. List the top
five ways online services
are used within your group.
Email, messaging,
news groups,
social networks,
conferencing, blogs,
vlogs
Talking to friends on Skype
Using social networking

applications like Facebook
or Google+ to exchange
information
Benefits
Instant responses to someone who

is remote from you, at no additional
cost to your broadband fees.
Socialising.
Timetables, news,
sport updates,
weather reports,
travel news
Checking an airport website

for estimated arrival times of
flights
Provides up-to-date information when

picking people up from an airport.
3. Commerce
Banking, auctions,
online sales
and purchases,
publishing
Selling something through

a service such as ebay or
Amazon
Allows users to carry out transactions

seamlessly (without the need to use
physical money) and globally.
4. Government
Tax returns,
e-voting,
applications for
grants or benefits
Applying for your first

provisional driving licence
Saves time and is more convenient

saves you a visit to the Post Office
and means can take your time filling
in the form and can easily amend any
errors.
Companies can use real-time

information about customers reactions
to an advertisement to improve the
effectiveness of the advert.
Continued
27/09/2012 14:43
The online world

Service
Types
Example uses
UNIT 1
Benefits
Online learning,
online training,
manufacturers
online tutorials
Using the Microsoft training

package for Windows 7
Allows you to do training

from the comfort of your own
computer and at your own pace.
6. Virtual learning
environment (VLE)
VLEs such as
Moodle
Your school or college

may use a VLE for you to
access lecture notes and
assignments, and for you to
submit assignment work
Cost effective for the school/college

and allows the school/college to track
the submission of learners work.
7. Business
(different types
of organisations)
Business networks,
collaborative
working, video
conferencing
Using a price comparison

website is an example where
you touch on business usage
Allows you to get the best price on

purchases.
8. Entertainment
Multi-user games,
radio and TV players,
video streaming
Playing a game with other

people over the internet
Enhances the gaming experience by

allowing you to play against people
you may not know.
9. Download
services
Music, films, new

software, software
upgrades, games
Downloading music from

a service such as iTunes or
Amazon
Makes purchasing easier and more

affordable.
Dr
a
ft
5. Education
You will notice in Table 1.1 that there are overlaps between many of the services; for
example, conferencing could appear in both the Communication and Business sections.
Activity
1.1
Think about how you use the internet and online services.
Working independently, list all the online services you use and provide examples
of how you use each service. Swap your list with a partner and compare them.
Discuss the different types of services you have both listed.
Working in small groups, discuss which services are most popular and why you
think this is. Decide on which services are most important for:
t businesses
t schools and colleges
t people wanting to communicate with friends and family.
Did you know?

Skype was bought by
Microsoft in 2011. Over 600
million people use Skype to
communicate with each other.
Take it further
Lots of industries use real-time
information to track services. For
example, train and bus companies
use real-time information to
inform passengers about arrival
and departure times. Find out
how real-time information is used
by different industries and what it
is used to track.
Assessment tip
The uses and benefits of different types of online services is an important topic.
Make sure you read Table 1.1 carefully and include it in your revision.
27/09/2012 14:43
Learning aim A
Online services 2
Introduction
Online advertising is a means of promoting products and services using the internet. It can
be used to spread marketing messages widely to customers. Online data storage is another
example of an online service.
Online advertising
Link
See section Worldwide web2
Search engines, pages 2223,
for more information on search
engines.
Online advertising uses a number of methods to promote products and services.

Themost commonly used methods include:
t Search engine results pages. Companies can register with the bigger search
engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo!) so that their websites appear high up in a list of
keyword searches or pay for links that appear when a user does a search.
t Banner and pop-up advertisements. These are advertisements that appear at the
ft
top of web pages or pop up on web pages. These are often animated to capture
attention.
Did you know?
Dr
a
47 per cent of consumers expect

an e-commerce page to load
in two seconds or less. This is
a key factor in user loyalty. For
more information about this, see
the press release from Akamai
Technologies. (You can access
this web page by going to
www.pearsonhotlinks.co.uk and
searching for this title.)
Google found that moving

from a page displaying 10 results
loading in 0.4 seconds to a page
displaying 30 results loading in
0.9 seconds decreased traffic and
ad revenues by 20 per cent.
An example of a banner
advertisement on a web page
Figure 1.1 Example banner advertisement
t Email marketing. Uses email to send advertisements to customers (both potential

customers and existing customers). However customers often see this type of
marketing as spam if it is sent as unsolicited bulk emails.
Discussion point
Discuss in a small group what
effect the increase in online
advertising is likely to have on
television.
Consider revenue, output,
quality of advertising, etc.
Online advertising is becoming a very popular means of promoting products and

events, but it isnt always effective. In order to ensure that online advertising is
effective, companies need to make sure that it:
1 Captures the attention of the target market through the use of design features
(colour, layout, graphics, animation, e.g. in banner advertisement) and is easily
accessible.
2 Retains consumers interest. For example, by directing consumers to additional
interactive information about a product, such as a video demonstration of a product.
The speed with which the information loads is also important to make sure that
consumers dont lose interest.
27/09/2012 14:43
The online world
UNIT 1
Pay-per-click advertising
Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is a form of online advertising. It involves websites or
web pages hosting ads for other companies. If a surfer clicks on an ad, they will be
re-directed through to the advertisers website. The website or web page provider will
receive a payment for every ad which is clicked on.
Pay-per-click advertising uses what is known as an affiliate model. Advertisements or
links to a companys website are placed on other websites (affiliates) and in return the
affiliate site receives a percentage of the income for any customer that clicks through.
Google AdWords, Yahoo! Search Marketing and Microsoft adCenter are all big
players in this field.
Online data storage

Data storage is another type of online service. Many organisations are providing
facilities for you to store and back up your data on their computers, and to make files
available to share with others. The current term used for online data storage is cloud
storage (see page 15).
Dr
a
Assessment tips
ft
Data backup is a method of making copies of files. These copies can then be retrieved
if disaster recovery is needed.
Revise the features of online advertising, including the pay-per-click model.

Understand the features of online data storage.
Just checking
1 List three different ways of advertising online. Explain the differences between
eachtype.
2 What is pay-per-click advertising?
Key terms
Spam Junk email where
identical messages are sent to a
number of recipients.
Unsolicited bulk emails Emails
that are sent to a large number
of people who havent requested
them.
Affiliate model An affiliate
website is one that is attached to
another companys website via a
link. The affiliate website receives
a percentage of the revenue
for customers clicking through
from their website to the other
companys website.
Research
Find out more about per-per-click
advertising and how companies
use it. Produce a short leaflet
which describes the pay-perclick structure and gives reasons
for and against this form of
advertising. You can find helpful
information on sites including
Google AdWords and Per Per
Click Universe. (You can access
these websites by going to
3 What is another term for online data storage?
Link
Data backup is dealt with in more
detail in the Online documents
section (see pages 810).
File access, types of access and
sharing of files are also dealt in
the Online documents section
(see pages 810).
27/09/2012 14:43
Learning aim A
Online documents
Introduction
Online documents (such as text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics and
forms) are any documents that are held on a computer but can be accessed, edited and
shared from anywhere. Services which allow this include Live Documents, Microsoft Office
Live and Google Docs.
Compressing files
Uploaded When you upload a

file you move it from one system
to another system. For example,
you can upload files from your
computer to a web page.
Download This is when you
move files from a system to your
personal computer.
Zip files are basically stores of data files which may have been compressed. There
are many different algorithms for doing the compression with most compression
software supporting several of these. The last item in a zip file is an index, which shows
the placement of each of the data files and allows other files to be added. Quite often
the zip file will also contain some program code (a sequence of instructions) to allow
the files within the zip file to be unzipped (known as self-extracting files).
Dr
a
Algorithms A mathematical
step-by-step sequence used to
work out calculations or carry out
instructions.
Working with online documents means that local files frequently need to be uploaded
for sharing, or downloaded to be used for local processing. Files may be extremely
large, which can cause problems with transmission (delivery) in terms of speed and
network usage. To reduce this problem, files have to be compressed (i.e. reduced in
size) before transmission and then expanded after transmission. A common method of
doing this is to convert them to zip files (.zip format).
ft
Key terms
There is a wide range of software available for zipping files, with one of the most
popular being WinZip.
Link
Unit 2 Technology systems

provides an introduction
to computer systems. This
background knowledge will be
helpful in this section.
Activity
1.2
1 Practise zipping and unzipping files: first single files and then multiple files.
2 Write a short instruction guide on how to do this. The guide should be aimed
at people who are not particularly computer literate so be sure to explain
each step and what functions need to be carried out.
The advantages of using online software

The biggest advantage of using online document software is that you can allow many
people to share a version of a document and work on it at the same time as other
people (known as collaborative working). You can also access content:
t anywhere there is an available internet connection

t via different devices (e.g. PC, smartphone, tablet)
t on different operating devices (e.g. Windows and Mac).
27/09/2012 14:43
The online world
UNIT 1
Online documents can also have automatic backup. Backing up files means that you
save a copy of the file at a known point in time. This means that you can always go
back to that version if you lose or corrupt the present version.
Some software programs will automatically make a copy of the file you have open and
are working on at set time intervals. In Microsoft Word you can set how often you
would like the file to automatically backup (every 30 minutes, every 60 minutes, etc).
Automatic backup of online documents is just an extension of this concept.
Activity
1.3
Consider how file sharing can impact on collaborative working practices.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using:
t online document sharing software

t standalone software
when working on a collaborative project?
Version control
ft
Controls over online documents
Dr
a
Version control is important when users are sharing documents online, as all users
need to be working from the most up-to-date version of the same document. One of
the simplest ways of implementing version control is to allow just one user to open a
document, or part of the document, for update at any one time. When one user has
the document open and someone else tries to access it, the document will be locked.
It is only unlocked when the original user has completed updating the file and has
closed it again.
Other methods of version control include the software allocating the latest version
number showing the time and identity of the person making the changes. If, for any
reason, a document does become corrupt (damaged) or is missing important updates,
it is possible to roll back to a commonly agreed version number.
Levels of access and file permissions

The system administrator within an organisation can control the levels of access users
have to a particular document. They can allocate access to individuals or particular
groups of documents by using file permissions. Some users may only be able to
read documents but not edit them. Other users may be allowed to read and edit
documents some may be allowed to add new documents and some will be allowed to
delete documents.
File permissions can be used to restrict access to certain documents and to restrict
what can be done to them. An example within an accountancy business is shown in
Figure 1.3 on page 10.
Did you know?

The method of locking data
has many uses within online
documents and with database
systems. It is commonly used on
legal, engineering and medical
documents which must be
complete and up to date.
Key terms
Version control A way of
tracking changes to documents
and making sure that you are
working on the most up-to-date
version. Older versions of the
document are kept as backup in
case the most up-to-date version
is lost or becomes corrupt.
Locked When a document
is locked, you wont be able
to open it. It will only become
unlocked once no users are
accessing the document.
File permissions Are access
rights granted to specific users
and groups of users. These rights
control which users can view or
make changes to the contents of
the system.
27/09/2012 14:43
Online documents
CONTINUED
Senior partner: full access to all documents

To adjust data and produce analysis of the business
Levels of access to a
clients documents in an
accountancy business
Accounts clerk: read-only

access to certain documents
To enter the transactions from the
documents into the clients accounts
Junior accountant: read-only

access to all documents
To draw up the clients final accounts,
but not to make adjustments
Figure 1.2 Examples of different levels of access required
t Read-only access. This allows a user to look at and read a document but not to
ft
change it. A university lecturer could use a Word document to create a test for their
class, if the document was set as read-only then the class would not be able to
make any changes to the wording.
t Read/Write access. This allows a user to look at and read a document, but also to
make changes to it.
Dr
a
Take it further
Create a general knowledge quiz
consisting of ten questions. Save
the file as with read-only access.
Send the file to your friends.
t Full control. This allows users to retrieve a document, read it, edit it, add a new
document or delete or archive an existing document. Full control is usually given
to people who administer the system. They may be senior people within the
organisation or senior administrators who report directly to senior management.
Activity
1.4
Using the internet to help you, make some brief notes on the reasons why particular
protection levels need to be allocated to various users of an online document system.
Assessment tip
You will need to know about compressing files.

Revise the advantages of using online software as compared to standalone software.
Understand the controls which are used with online documents.
Just checking
1 Name a common format for compressing files.
2 What is the main advantage of using online software?
3 List two different methods of controlling online documents.
10
27/09/2012 14:43
Learning aim A
Online communication 1
Introduction
Technology has changed

the ways people
communicate with each
other. Find out what the
most common forms of
communication were
50years ago, 100 years
ago, and 150 years ago.
How do these methods
compare with modern
forms of communication?
Discussion point
Research
Contemporary social media

People with common interests tend to gather together to exchange views and put
forward ideas. Often this takes the form of a club such as a sports club, or a society
such as an historical society. However, the internet has had a dramatic impact on the
way people communicate and share information.
Online communities
People who are computer literate, and have the equipment, can form groups or
societies online. These groups are known as online communities, and they provide
a place for people with similar interests to come together and exchange views. Where
the community involves a group of people who keep in up-to-date contact with each
other, they may be referred to as a network of friends.
Sometimes the communities exist in a virtual world online. This is an unreal world
created by the computer. Popular examples include SecondLife, Twinity and Habbo.
The World of Warcraft virtual world is another popular example of a large interactive
gaming virtual world which supports multi-player gaming.
Dr
a
Find examples of online

communities. What do you
think is the purpose of these
communities? What do you see
as being the advantages and
disadvantages of these?
One of the most common reasons for using the internet is to communicate. In this section
you will find out about some of the different ways people communicate online.
ft
Get started
Find examples of netiquette

from different sectors. As a
starting point you could look at
the Core Rules of Netiquette
on the Albion website. (You can
access this website by going to
Create a set of netiquette rules

for your college. There should be
at least ten.
Communicating online requires a special behaviour or etiquette, known as netiquette.

This is a set of rules designed to prevent abusive behaviour online. If a user breaks
netiquette then other users can report them.
Information exchanges
Online communities make use of contemporary social media to publish, access and
exchange information. They use several online tools to do this:
t Web logs (blogs). These are frequently updated online journals with diary-like
entries which allow people to express their thoughts and feelings and give details of
their daily activities. Typically, a blog includes text, photos and sometimes video.
t Microblogging sites. These are sites which allows users to create and exchange
Key terms
Online communities A virtual
community which exists only
online. It may be open to
anyone (e.g. a bulletin board) or
restricted by interest (e.g. various
scientific communities).
really short text entries. A popular example of this type of site is Twitter.
t Wikis. These are websites that provide information that visitors to the site can
extend and edit. They allow users to share information and are useful for research.
The best-known example of a wiki is Wikipedia, the online encyclopaedia which can
be updated by contributors.
t Chatrooms. Online communication within communities is sometimes referred to as

chat. Some of the large interactive communities where people take part in the same
conversation or type of chat at the same time are known as chatrooms.
11
27/09/2012 14:43
CONTINUED
Podcasts
Blogs are a popular way for

people to record what is
happening on a daily basis. Using
the Internet, find examples of
three or four different blogs.
Why do you think people write
blogs? What sort of information
do people include in their blogs?
Who do you think is the target
audience for each of the blogs
youve found?
Remember
One of the problems with wikis
is that it is sometimes difficult to
know how reliable and accurate
contributions are. The sites are
open to abuse from malicious
contributors.
Podcasts are a series of audio or video files that can be downloaded from the internet.
If video is published in episodes like a blog, then this process is known as a vlog (video
blogging). YouTube is an example of a video-sharing website where individuals can
share vlogs.
Virtual learning environments

A school community may make use of a virtual learning environment (VLE) to distribute
resources, support learning and assess progress online. A VLE is an education system
based on web facilities. The system is a virtual world which mirrors the real world
of education it contains learning materials, tests, projects, lectures/lessons and
allows interaction between teachers and learners. The system also records and tracks
learners progress and performs other class management functions.
Sometimes the system can work in real time. Learners can communicate using
microphones and speakers, or by text exchanges. At other times learners can be left to
work at their own pace to meet specified deadlines. Lectures and lesson notes, as well
as exercises are all held on the system and can be accessed by the learner.
ft
Research
Learners hand in their work to their teacher electronically using the VLE. Teachers
assess the work online and give feedback electronically via the VLE.
Key terms
Social networking websites
Dr
a
Network of friends A collection

of people who jointly keep up-todate contact online. Sometimes
this may be a specific network,
such as The National Youth Science
Forum, or it may be more general,
like a group of friends keeping in
touch through Facebook.
Social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and MySpace,
allow members of the online community to interact and communicate by setting up
a profile. Users can then add links to friends profiles and post personal information,
including photographs, videos, favourite music and blog entries.
Netiquette Short for internet

etiquette or network etiquette. It
is a set of conventions covering the
use of networks used to interact
with other people. The conventions
are designed to prevent people
causing annoyance or offence to
others.
SOCIALNET
Status updates (4)
Events
Update your status
Status updates
Jules leaving do
10 April
Crash n Burn Club Night
25 April
Mel Flowers Queuing for tickets to see her

fav band!
Boat party
30 April
Chatroom Large-scale interactive

conferencing with many people
involved in the same conversation
at the same time.
Austin Greene Getting ready for the

weekend. Going to be AWESOME!
Online chat
Virtual world An online

community which meets in a
computer-generated world; for
example, the large multi-player
online games.
12
Events (4)
Neelas birthday bash!

5 April
Chat In this context, refers

to any kind of online real-time
communication over the internet.
Profile A user profile is a

collection of personal data about
a specific person. This may include
biographical information, lists of
interests and photographs.
Messages (2)
Simon Andrews
Nims Hackling
Susie Peace
Karen Gray
online
online
online
online
Raj Patel Nervously waiting for my driving

instructor its my first lesson today!!!!!
Neela Chandry Meeting the girls in town for

lunch and shopping!
Figure 1.3 Social networking sites are a popular way of sharing personal information with friends
27/09/2012 14:43
Learning aim A
Introduction
Online technology has radically impacted on the way people communicate. Not only has it
changed the speed with which people communicate, but it has also had a positive impact on
peoples finances, as instant messaging and internet telephone services like Skype are
often cheaper than telephone calls.
Implications of online communication
Some of the first social

networking sites included
Friendster, MySpace and Bebo.
How do these sites compare
with Facebook and Google+?
What features are different? Are
people using social networking
sites differently from when they
first started?
Did you know?
Social networking websites have changed the way that we communicate. They allow
people to communicate interactively in real time anywhere in the world. Groups of likeminded people can share information, opinions and interests cheaply, normally for the
cost of a broadband connection. Social networking provides a great way of staying in
touch with friends and business contacts.
Instant messaging
Instant messaging provides a way to exchange textual messages as an alternative

to the telephone and at a fraction of the cost. As messages are sent in real time,
responses can be received instantaneously.
Dr
a
Instant messages can also include

basic images, the most common
of which are faces which show
different expressions. These are
referred to emoticons. Smiley
faces are represented as :) and
sad faces are represented as :( .
You can also use emoticons
to express a range of other
expressions, such as laughing,
crying, winking, happiness and
anger.
Social networking
ft
Research
However, instant messaging does have its disadvantages:
t emotions are better expressed in person and can sometimes be miscommunicated

within an instant message that is sent quickly
t viruses can be spread by instant messaging.
Take it further
In pairs, create a series of
instant messages to each other.
You should use both text and
emoticons in your messages.
Figure 1.5 Instant messaging is used by businesses as well as

between people socially
13
27/09/2012 14:43
CONTINUED
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) allows people to interact in real time using voice
and/or video messaging, and is available between any two points in the world. For
internet-only conversations, there is no additional cost at either end. Skype is an
example of a service that uses VoIP.
Being able to contact relatives and business colleagues on the other side of the world
at relatively low cost is the biggest benefit. VoIP software is often used by businesses
for online conferences and meetings. This reduces travel costs, travel time (and
therefore loss of productivity during this time) and the cost of hiring a venue.
As with all new technology, VoIP has its limitations:
t Reliability. VoIP service is dependent on the quality and reliability of your
Link
broadband service and may not work if there is a power cut.
t Voice quality. Voices can sometimes be distorted or there may be long pauses
between questions and answers.
t Security. As with all internet technologies, identity theft, viruses, spamming and
phishing are all potential threats.
Activity
1.5
ft
See section Data exchange 1,

page 27, for more information
on Voice over Internet Protocol
(VoIP).
Dr
a
1 Set up a wiki web page with content about online communities and explaining
what a social networking site involves.
2 Invite a partner to join your wiki and ask them to add information about instant
messaging.
3 Update the content of the wiki, making any changes or corrections that you
think are necessary.
4 Review your wiki. Consider how useful it has been for sharing information and
note any limitations or difficulties you have experienced.
Just checking
1 Give three examples of social media used online.

2 What does the term netiquette mean?
3 What are the benefits and limitations of using VoIP?
14
27/09/2012 14:43
Learning aim A
Cloud computing and ubiquitous

computing systems
Introduction
Exciting and relatively new technologies allow computing to be a seamless part of our
everyday lives. Cloud computing allows users to save their files to the cloud rather than
their own computer so they can access their files anywhere, even on the move.
Ubiquitous or the internet of objects, describes how computers are embedded into all sorts
of objects we use in our daily lives, such as cars, kitchen appliances and even clothes.
Cloud computing and cloud storage

Cloud computing means using computer services on another organisations
computers, which are known as hosts. The services are provided by organisations
known as hosting companies.
Dr
a
The term cloud is often used

as a metaphor for the internet.
The exact origin of where the
term cloud computing comes
from is unclear but many believe
it relates to drawings which
used clouds to denote networks
in diagrams of computing and
communications systems.
Some well-known hosting companies for cloud computing include Amazon,

Microsoft, Google and RackSpace. Cloud users can access software, data and
storage on the host computers, which will be at a remote location. Users do this
through a web browser or mobile app, without ever directly accessing the servers that
the information is stored on.
ft
Did you know?
Cloud storage is related to cloud computing it is where only the storage, access and
retrieval facilities are provided by the host provider, often via the internet.
The benefits to the customer and some concerns about cloud computing and storage
are shown in Figure 1.5.
Cost and convenience (B)

You only pay for the storage that you
have used. You dont have to provide
and maintain the hardware locally.
Research
Research how cloud computing
and storage work and what
they are used for. You could
start by looking at the How
Stuff Works website. (You can
access this website by going to
Then produce a poster which
provides details about cloud
computing and storage, and
their uses.
Reliability of the network (C)

You need to be able to get
through to the host to access
and process data.
Software (C)
The host might not be using
the latest, fastest and most
secure version.
Availability (B)
Data and files may be available
anywhere in the world where there
is an internet connection.
Cloud computing
and cloud storage
Security of data (C)

As the files are being stored by
the host, you have no control
over them. You need to be aware
of their security terms and policies.
Potentially lower performance (C)

The speed of retrieval of data may
be slower than it would be on
a local database held in-house.
Key
B = Benefit
C = Concern
Figure 1.5 Benefits of, and concerns about, cloud computing and storage
15
27/09/2012 14:44
Cloud computing and ubiquitous computing systems

CONTINUED
Ubiquitous computing systems
Take it further
The term the internet of objects
is credited as first being used
by Kevin Ashton in 1999. Find
out about the context in which
Ashton used the term. Is it still
relevant today?
Discussion point
If, in the future, all stock could
be monitored using systems and
products containing RFIDs, what
would the impact be?
Ubiquitous means existing everywhere. Processors can be embedded in any device,

including clothing, appliances, vehicles, buildings and people, to connect them to the
internet so that the data generated by the processors will be readily available.
Radio frequency identification (RFID)

Currently, objects within a ubiquitous computing environment usually contain radio
frequency identification (RFID) chips. RFID is a technology that uses radio waves
to transfer data to a tag on a person or an object so that the person/object can be
identified and tracked. These tags contain information that is stored electronically and
which can be transmitted. It is similar to the bar code systems used in supermarkets,
but unlike a bar code, RFID does not need to be scanned. An example of a use of RFID
is the cat flaps that only open for the animal that has the correct chip in its collar.
Applications of ubiquitous computing
Cloud computing This

is when a computer uses
services provided by another
organisations computer systems.
Dr
a
Servers A computer hardware

system which acts as a host for
other computers on the same
network.
Currently, there are computing systems in place which monitor the shelf and
warehouse stock. This technology is used by many industries (supermarkets, book
and DVD suppliers, car part manufacturers, etc). When the stock reaches a certain
minimum level, an order is automatically placed with the appropriate supplier
electronically. Mainly this is done by a process where the tills feed product sales to a
central computer, which then calculates the present stock. Currently manual checks still
have to be made to allow for shrinkage (i.e. loss due to theft or damage).
ft
Key terms
Cloud storage This is when a

computers storage, access and
retrieval facilities are hosted by
another computer system.
Radio frequency identification

(RFID) The use of a wireless
non-contact system which uses
radio waves to transfer data
from a tag attached to an object
or person. The technology is
mainly used for the purposes
of automatic identification and
tracking.
However, there are now experimental systems involving products which contain RFID.
The RFIDs register when any product leaves the premises.
Some futuristic examples of ubiquitous computing include:
t a car that can inform the owner when it needs servicing, book itself into the garage
and place orders for any parts needed
t a refrigerator that can monitor its contents, compile an order as food is used and
add the items to the users online shopping account.
Assessment tip
Ensure that you understand the terms cloud computing and cloud storage.
Research
See what other applications
of RFID you can find on the
internet.
In a small group discuss the
possibility of RFID replacing bar
codes.
Understand the concept of ubiquitous computing.
Just checking
1 What do the terms cloud computing and cloud storage mean?
2 Give three advantages and three disadvantages of cloud computing/storage?
3 What does the acronym RFID stand for? What is it used for?
16
27/09/2012 14:44

Unit1-TheOnlineWorld Reading PDF

Caricato da

Informazioni sul documento

Descrizione originale:

Titolo originale

Copyright

Formati disponibili

Condividi questo documento

Condividi o incorpora il documento

Opzioni di condivisione

Hai trovato utile questo documento?

Questo contenuto è inappropriato?

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

Unit1-TheOnlineWorld Reading PDF

Caricato da

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

UNIT 1

The online world

Assessment: You will be assessed by an onscreen test lasting 1 hour.

A investigate online services and online communication

I use my laptop and smartphone all the time for keeping

BTEC First in Information and Creative Technology

The online world

How online services can beused

Table 1.1 Examples of online services

Think about how you use

Talking to friends on Skype

Using social networking

Instant responses to someone who

Checking an airport website

Provides up-to-date information when

Selling something through

Allows users to carry out transactions

Applying for your first

Saves time and is more convenient

Companies can use real-time

BTEC First in Information and Creative Technology

The online world

Using the Microsoft training

Allows you to do training

Your school or college

Cost effective for the school/college

Using a price comparison

Allows you to get the best price on

Playing a game with other

Enhances the gaming experience by

Music, films, new

Downloading music from

Makes purchasing easier and more

Did you know?

Online advertising uses a number of methods to promote products and services.

Did you know?

47 per cent of consumers expect

Google found that moving

Figure 1.1 Example banner advertisement

t Email marketing. Uses email to send advertisements to customers (both potential

Online advertising is becoming a very popular means of promoting products and

BTEC First in Information and Creative Technology

The online world

Online data storage

Revise the features of online advertising, including the pay-per-click model.

3 What is another term for online data storage?

Uploaded When you upload a

Unit 2 Technology systems

The advantages of using online software

t anywhere there is an available internet connection

BTEC First in Information and Creative Technology

The online world

Consider how file sharing can impact on collaborative working practices.

t online document sharing software

Controls over online documents

Levels of access and file permissions

Did you know?

Senior partner: full access to all documents

Accounts clerk: read-only

Junior accountant: read-only

Figure 1.2 Examples of different levels of access required

You will need to know about compressing files.