ICTs make telecommuting possible.
Explain what this statement means by referring to the concept of telecommuting.
- Workers now communicate with one another and their employees and customers electronically, simply by connecting to the network or internet. ‘Teleworkers’ or ‘telecommuters’ are workers who do not have to be in one central venue to conduct their work.
- Give two benefits of telecommuting.
- Any two benefits:
• No need for a company to have as much office space, which decreases their overhead costs.
• Studies have shown that many workers are more productive in this mode of working.
• They might only need to meet face-to-face once in a while, and of course, even for this they need
not travel – they can ‘meet’ through video conferences using webcams.
• Some countries offer tax incentives to companies who use telecommuting, as it reduces traffic
congestion and pollution.
- Fraud has been around forever.
Give two reasons why computer fraud is that much more of a problem.
- Any two reasons:
• Computer fraud is easier to commit.
• It is more difficult to detect.
• Can occur across international boundaries/be difficult to prosecute, etc.
Briefly explain what information overload is.
a) Information overload refers to the situation where people can’t cope with the amount of information they are exposed to every day.
Give five strategies that can help you to prevent becoming a victim of information overload, besides learning to read more quickly and accurately,.
b) Any five strategies:
• Learn to analyse and compare sources.
• Create a routine which limits the time you spend dealing with information.
• When working, remove distractions by disconnecting yourself from the internet so that your
workflow is not disturbed.
• Filter your email by creating categories such as ‘work’, ‘friends’ and ‘family’, etc.
• Use RSS feeds and readers to structure the news you read rather than simply browsing the
web randomly.
• Use features of your browser that can help you save time when using the web – Favorites,
History, tabbed browsing, etc.
• Learn to use search tools properly, etc.
Twitter is a microblogging service. Briefly explain why ‘micro’ is used to describe the service.
- Because messages in Twitter can’t be longer than 280 characters.
Explain what a virtual community is, and give a few examples of this.
- A virtual community is a group of people who gather online to share ideas and interests, e.g. WhatsApp and Facebook groups, Pinterest, as well as forums such as Quora and Reddit.
- What is the ‘Digital Divide’?
- The Digital Divide refers to the gap between communities and people who have access to and can use information technology, and those who do not have access to such technologies or the skills to use them.
