Monday, 21 September 2009
Digital Entertainment
An example of online video is www.youtube.com, it allows users to upload videos and view other people's videos. The benefits of online media are that it is really accessible and you can share your own content. The drawbacks of it are that some of the content could be copyrighted such as music videos.
Music can also be listened to online. An example is www.spotify.com, this allows you to listen to music online is the form of a music library. The benefits of it are that it is legal and free. The problem with it is that you cannot transfer music to your portable music device.
Games are also popular online. An example is www.miniclip.com. This contains hundreds of games which you can play online and download to your computer for free. Many of the games are quite good and are in good detail. Those are the benefits. The problem is that with some of the games, you cannot save and return later but then again, most games only let you have 3 lives-5 lives.
Another example of digital entertainment is www.Ebooks.com. It means you can set up an account and you can read virtual books online. The problem with it is that people like to read out of books anyway because is it so much quicker and easier. The advantage is that you cannot lose your books because they are all in one place.
Friday, 18 September 2009
Downloadable Services
People can also buy books online in the form of EBooks (electronic books). People can read books how they would in real life but on their home computer. The URL for the website is http://www.ebooks.com/.
People can also download software from the internet and then have it installed on their system. This saves walking to a retailer such as "PCworld". The URL for downloading software such as Microsoft Word and Powerpoint is http://www.microsoft.com/en/us/default.aspx.
Finally people have the ability to download games off the internet via a purchase. This, again, saves the effort of walking to a local shop with the risk that they might be sold out. An example is people being able to download World of Warcraft at http://www.direct2drive.com/.
Of course, people can do all of the above illegally on websites such as www.limewire.com but there is a risk of viruses and hackers. Purchasing a service online is becoming increasingly popular and is a good idea because it saves time. The only disadvantage is security issues and being hacked, but passwords can prevent this from happening.
Thursday, 17 September 2009
E Government
The website for the national goverment is http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm?cids=Google_PPC&cre=Store_Front. Services that this provides are taxing your vehicle, applying for driving lessons, self assessment taxing and chacking an MOT record. This saves time as people don't have to go to the post office and can do important work at home.
The website for, in this example, local goverment is http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/sccwebsite/sccwspages.nsf/LookupWebPagesByTITLE_RTF/Renew+it+online?opendocument. Services that this provides are the ability to re-new library books online, re-new you marriage vows, paying council tax and applying for jobs online. With the local government, you can apply to be a foster parent online. The URL is http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/sccwebsite/sccwspages.nsf/LookupWebPagesByTITLE_RTF/Becoming+a+foster+carer?opendocument. The benefits are that it is quick and easy to do. The drawbacks of it are you don't know exactly who you are sponsoring because you have not seen them in real life.
Both are very useful because it saves time going to the post office because you can do it on your own computer. The drawbacks are that you could get hacked but on the other hand there is'nt much that somebody could do. Local government website is probably better because you can use services easily without having to go to the places in real life.
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
E Commerce
Types of Goods:
- Amazon
- Ebay
- Argos
- Woolworths
Types of Services:
- Price Comparison
- Insurance
- Music Downloads
- Banking Websites
Amazon is a "goods" website where the user can purchase, look up reviews and sell products. It sells a variety of different types of products including books, clothes and electronics. Many of the products are cheaper on Amazon than they would be in the high street. The Advantages of Amazon is that it is user friendly, safe and secure, sells a range of products and mainly because the items are cheap. The disadvantages of it are that it can cause hassle if you need to return an item, delivery is often expensive and it can be difficult to choose, for example, clothing measurements.
Itunes is a service which allows users to download music, films, televisions programmes and podcasts. It is a transaction online so the music etc is stored in a simple library which means users can then listen to it or transfer it on to an mp3 player. The advantages of Itunes is that it is convenient and easy to use. Also it is good value for money. The disadvantages are that compared to a CD, you cannot play your music on a stereo or in a car. It has to be on your computer unless you purchase extra components.
Another type of service online is banking. This allows users to log in, check their statements, make payments, set up standing orders, check insurance etc. The benefits are that it is convenient, quick and easy to use. The drawbacks are that there is a risk of hacking which could be terrible for someones account and also you cannot pay cash in. Banking can be useful for simple banking operations but could be dangerous.
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Augmented Reality
Augmented reality research explores the application of computer-generated imagery in live-video streams as a way to expand the real-world. A typical example of augmented reality is a video of a car whose part names are displayed with graphical labels.
A type of AR application uses projectors and screens to insert objects into the real environment, enhancing museum exhibitions for example. The difference to a simple TV screen for example, is that these objects are related to the environment of the screen or display, and that they often are interactive as well.
AR can augment the effectiveness of navigation devices for a variety of applications. For example, building navigation can be enhanced for the purpose of maintaining industrial plants. Outdoor navigation can be augmented for military operations or disaster management. Head up displays or personal display glasses in automobiles can be used to provide navigation hints and traffic information. These types of displays can be useful for airplane pilots, too. Head-up displays are currently used in fighter jets as one of the first AR applications. These include full interactivity, including eye pointing.