Areas of Computer Ethics

What is Computer Ethics?


The moral guidelines that govern the use of computers, mobile devices and information systems.

Areas of Computer Ethics

• Information accuracy
• Green computing
• Codes of conduct
• Intellectual property 
• Information privacy

1. Information Accuracy :

• One of the concern because many users access information maintained by other people or companies, such as on the Internet.
• Do not assume all the information on the Web is correct.
• Users should evaluate the value of a Web page before relying on its content.
• Be aware that the organization providing access to the information may not be the creator of the information.

2. Green Computing :

• Green computing is the environmentally responsible and eco-friendly use of computers and their resources. In broader terms, it is also defined as the study of designing, manufacturing/engineering, using and disposing of computing devices in a way that reduces their environmental impact.
• Involves reducing the electricity and environmental waste while using a computer.
• Society has become aware of this waste and is taking measures to combat it.
• Some of the actions that has been taken:
• Using energy- efficient devices that require little power when   they are not in use.
• Buy computers with low power consumption processors and power supplies
• When possible, use outside air to cool the data center.
• Average computer users can employ the following general tactics to make their computing usage more green:
• Use the hibernate or sleep mode when away from a computer for extended periods.
• Use flat-screen or LCD monitors, instead of conventional cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors.
• Buy energy efficient notebook computers, instead of desktop computers.
• Activate the power management features for controlling energy consumption.
• Turn off computers at the end of each day.
• Refill printer cartridges, rather than buying new ones.

3. Codes of Conduct :

• Written guideline that helps determine whether a specific action is ethical/unethical or allowed/not allowed.

4. Intellectual Property :

• Unique and original works such as ideas, inventions, literary and artistic works, processes, names and logos.
• Or, refers to creations of the mind: inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce.
• Intellectual property rights are the rights to which creators are entitled for their work.

5. Information Privacy :

• Definition : The right of individuals and companies to deny or restrict the collection, use, and dissemination of information about them.
• The privacy of personal information and usually relates to personal data stored on computer systems.
• The need to maintain information privacy is applicable to collected personal information such as medical records, financial data, criminal records, political records, business related information or website data.
• Information privacy is also known as data privacy.
• Today, huge databases store their data online.
• Much of the data is personal and confidential and should be accessible only to authorize users. 
• Many individuals and organizations, however, question whether this data really is private. 
• That is, some companies and individuals collect and use this information without your authorization.
• Web sites often collect data about you, so that they can customize advertisements and send you personalized e-mail messages.
• Some employers monitor your computer usage and e-mail messages

Rules of Netiquette

What is Netiquette? 

• Netiquette, or net etiquette, refers to etiquette on the Internet.  
• Is the code of acceptable behaviours users should follow while on the Internet or online or cyberspace.
• It is the conduct expected of individuals while online.
• Rules for all aspects of the:
• World Wide Web
• E-mail
• Instant Messaging
• Chat rooms
• Newsgroups & message board.
• Electronic communication lacks the facial expression, gestures and tone of voice to convey your meaning. It’s easy to misinterpret meaning of words.
• Remember, when you communicate through cyberspace your words are written. 
• Chances are they're stored somewhere and they can come back and haunt you.
• Any message you send could be saved or forwarded by its recipient. You have no control over where it goes.
• When you enter a domain of cyberspace that's new to you, take a look around and spend a while listening to the chat or reading the archives. 
• Get a sense of how the people who are already there act, then go ahead and participate. 
• Don’t expect instant responses to all your questions and don't assume that all readers will agree with or care about your passionate arguments.

When do these rules apply?

Anytime when you are using…

• Chatting online
• Using email
• Posting to a discussion
• Blogging
• Playing online games
• Social media
• Using web
• Internet messaging
• FTP

Netiquette Guidelines for Online Communications

Internet Service

Assalamualaikum wbt.
So, i'll continue my sharing about computer science as usually. :)
And today, the topic is about 'Internet Service and Type of Web Sites'.

Web Searching

What is Web Searching?

• A primary reason that people use the Web is to search for specific information, including text, pictures, music and video.
• The first step in successful searching is to identify the main idea or concept in the topic about which you are seeking information.

Types of Search Tool :

1. Search Engine :

• Helpful in locating information for which you do not know an exact Web address or are not seeking a particular Web site. 
• A search engine is helpful in locating items such as:
• Images
• Audio
• Videos
• Publications
• Maps
• People or Business
• Blog
• A program that searches documents for specified keywords and returns a list of the documents where the keywords were found.
• Requires the users to enter a word or phrase, called search text or search query.
• Each word of the search text is known as keyword. 
• Result of the search is called hits.
• Result  from the search engine can be in the form of:
• web pages
• articles
• Images
• Audio
• Video and etc.

2. Subject Directory :

• Subject directory – classifies Web pages in an organized set of categories such as sport or shopping and related subcategories. 
• Examples of search tools:
• AltaVista
• Yahoo!
• Google
• Excite
• A subject directory provides categorized lists of links arranged by subject.
• When click on the category link, the subject directory displays a list of subcategory links.
• The disadvantage – users have difficulty deciding which categories to choose as the menus of links presented.

Web Page Navigation

What is Tab Browsing?

• Most current web browsers support tabbed browsing
• Tabbed browsing allows you to open and view multiple Web pages in a single Web browser windows

Web Adress

What is Web Adress?

• A Web page has a unique address called a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or Web address. 
• A Web browser retrieves a Web page using its web address.
• If you know the Web address of a Web page, you can type it in the Address bar at the top of the browser window.

Web address consists of :

• Protocol 
• Domain name 
• Path 
• Web page name

• The last component of web address not only webpage name, it can be file name.
• Examples:
• http://www.bankislam.biz/promote/index.htm
• http://www.bankislam.biz/promote/image1.jpg

Web Browser

What is Web Browser?

• A Web browser, or browser, is application software that allows users to access and view Web pages.
• The purpose of a web browser is to bring information resources to the user.
• With an Internet connection established, you start a Web browser. 
• The browser retrieves and displays a starting Web page.

Type of Web Sites

Type of Website :

• Portal
• Business
• Blog
• Wiki
• Online Social Network

1. Portal :

• A web site that offers variety of internet services from single, convenient location.
• Web system that provides the functions and features to authenticate and identify the users
• Provide them with an easy, intuitive, personalized and user-customizable web-interface for facilitating access to information. 
• Most portals offers these free services:
• Search engine
• News
• Sports and weather
• Web publishing
• Reference tools such as yellow pages, maps, shopping, and e-mail and other communication services.
• In organization, it is a system that provides versatile functions to catalogue or organize collections of different and multiple sources of information.
• Have online communities.
• Online community – a web site that joins a specific group of people with similar interests or relationships.
• Examples– KMPh portal e-learning, AltaVista, AOL, Excite, GO.com, iGoogle, Lycos, MSN and Yahoo!
• A wireless portal – designed for Internet-enabled mobile devices.
• A Web site (WAP based) that supports a user with a Smartphone or alphanumeric pager.

2. Business :

• Contains content that promotes or sells products or services.
• Many of these enterprises also allow you to purchase their products or services online.
• Examples: Pearl Haya Gallery, Anakku brand, Walt Disney Company  and Kraft Brands .

3. Blog :

• A short for Weblog : An informal web site consisting of time-stamped articles, or posts in a diary or journal format, usually listed in reverse chronological order.
• Most blogs are interactive, allowing visitors to leave comments and even message each other via widgets on the blogs 
• Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries.
• A blog is basically a journal that is available on the web. 
• The activity of updating a blog is “blogging” and someone who keeps a blog is a “blogger.”‘
• Conclusion: a blog is a type of website that is usually arranged in chronological order from the most recent ‘post’ (or entry) at the top of the main page to the older entries towards the bottom.

4. Wiki :

• Definition : A collaborative web site that allows users to create, add to, modify, or delete the web site content via their web browser.
• Open to modification by the general public.
• The difference between a wiki and blog is that users cannot modify original posts made by the blogger.
• Visitors can also create new content and change the organization of existing content.
• The simplest wiki programs allow editing of text and hyperlinks only. 
• More advanced wikis make it possible to add or change images, tables, and certain interactive components such as games.

5. Online Social Network :

• Also called a social networking Web site
• Definition : Encourages members in its online community to share their interests, ideas, stories, photos, music and videos with other registered users
• Examples: Facebook, MySpace
• A media sharing web site
• A specific type of online social network that enables members to share media such as photos, music and videos.

Internet Adress

What is IP Address ?

• A number that uniquely identifies each computer or device connected to the Internet.
• IP addresses are also referred to as IP numbers and Internet addresses.
• IP address sometimes is called a dotted decimal number or dotted quad.

IP usage :

• A way to find specific server or computer on the internet or a network.
• Provide identity to a computer in a network.
• Identify for a particular device/machine on a particular network.
• Allows transfers of files and e-mail.

IP structure :

• IP addresses usually consists of four groups of number each separated by a period.
• The number in each group is between 0 and 255.
• It is 32 bit long ,each group is 8 bits long
• Commonly written in decimal.
• Written, for example, 128.35.0.72
• These four sections represent the machine itself and the network it is on.
• The network portion is assigned.
• The host section is determined by the network administrator.
• 5 Classes of IP address A,B,C,D, and E :
• Class A : reserved for governments/ large companies
• Class B : reserved for medium companies
• Class C : reserved for small companies
• Class D : are reserved for multicasting
• Class E : are reserved for future use

• IP address classified in which of bits are used to identify network, network ID, host ID, host computer
• You can determine which class any IP address is in by examining the first 4 bits of the IP address. 

IP Addresses :

• IP addresses are:
• Unique
• Global and Standardised
• Essential

IP versions :

• Two versions of the Internet Protocol (IP) are in use:
• IP Version 4 (IPv4)
• IP Version 6 (IPv6)

a. IP Version 4 (IPv4) :

• IPv4 an address consists of 32 bits which limits the address space to 4294967296 (232) possible unique addresses.

b. IP Version 6 (IPv6) :

• The address size was increased from 32 to 128 bits or 16 octets.
• Provides the potential for a maximum of 2128, or about 3.403×1038 unique addresses.

Domain names and IP addresses :

• People prefer to use easy-to-remember names instead of IP addresses 
• Domain names (a part of the URL) are alphanumeric names for IP addresses.
• e.g., neon.ece.utoronto.ca, www.google.com, ietf.org
• The domain name system (DNS) is an Internet-wide distributed database that translates between domain names and  IP addresses

How important is DNS? 

• Imagine what happens when the local DNS server is down.

Internet Address

• Domain name : The text version of an IP address
• Generally,
• First portion of each IP address identifies the network.
• Last portion identifies the specific computer.

Domain Name System (DNS) :

• IP address and domain name allocation requires central administration to avoid duplication.
• Previously administered by U.S. government contract (NSI)
• In 1998, technical coordination assigned to ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers).

ICANN is the official organization that coordinates domain names on the World Wide Web. ICANN is also responsible for approving or denying new domain extensions.

Top-Level Domains (TLDs) :

• The first-level set of domain names are the top-level domains (TLDs).
• Three types of top-level domains : Organizational, Geographical, and Reverse Domains.
• There are more than 200 top-level domains.

Generic Top-level Domains (gTLD) :

• A generic top-level domain (gTLD) is one of the categories of top-level domains (TLDs) maintained by the internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) for use in the Domain Name System of the Internet.

Internet Service Provider

Assalamualaikum wbt.

Have a nice day guys.

Today, I would like to continue my post, and the topic is about Internet Service Provider. :)

Different types of Internet Connection

Two types of Internet Connection ;

• Dial-up Connection 
• Broadband Internet Connection / Direct Connection 

1. Dial-up Connection :

a. Conventional Dial-up :
- (to connect to the Internet, your computer dials its modem and connects to a modem attached to a computer belonging to your ISP.)
- PC has to dial via a phone line to connect.
- Characteristics of Conventional dial-up:

• Slower, but cheaper 
• Ties up phone lines 
• Relatively secure from hackers 
• Example : TMNet 

Advantage and Disadvantages of Conventional Dial-up :





b. ISDN ( Integrated Services Digital Network) :
- Also transfer data over ordinary telephone lines
- Typically uses two phone lines to transfer data
- ISDN requires a special ISDN modem
- Characteristics of ISDN:

• Faster, but pricey 
• Doesn’t tie up phone line 
• Used by businesses and individuals 

- (always on connections) :

• Many home and small business users connect to the Internet via high-speed broadband Internet service. 
• PC is continually connected to the Internet. 
• Direct connections are typically broadband. 
• Used in the home and office. 
• Because you are always connected, it is important to protect your computer from hackers. 

2. Broadband Internet Connection :






a. DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) :

- Broadband delivered over telephone lines :

• Must be less than 3 miles from a switching station. 
• Transmits over telephone lines but does not tie up the line. 

- Fast, direct Internet access via standard telephone line.
- ADSL is one of the more popular types of DSLs.
- Requires DSL modem.
- Available in urban areas.
- Half or less of cable speeds.
- Example :- Streamyx without WiFi


b. Cable Internet Service/ Cable Modem :

- Cable modem: Most widely used home broadband connection 

- Provides high-speed Internet access through the cable television network via a cable modem.

c. Fixed wireless :

- Uses radio transmission towers rather than satellites.
- Not available in all areas.
- Expected to use WiMAX.
- Provides high-speed Internet connections using a dish-shaped antenna to communicate via radio signals.

d. Wi-Fi ( Wireless Fidelity) :

- Data is transmitted through radio waves.
- Public wireless networks :

• Both free and fee-based are available.
• Currently Wi-Fi for short range, but WiMAX may soon be an option.

- Wi-Fi Hotspot :

• Places that provide a user with free or paid internet service.
• Example : Airport, Cafe, Hotel, Hostel, Offices, and other public buildings.

e. Satellite Internet service :

  

- Broadband option for rural areas.

• More expensive than cable or DSL.
• Available in many areas other broadband options are not.

- Provides high-speed Internet connections via satellite.

- A satellite dish communicates with a satellite modem.

f. Cellular Radio Network :

- Also known as Mobile wireless 

- Access via mobile phone or device

- Offers high-speed Internet connections to devices with built-in compatible technology or computers with wireless modems.

- Example provider:- Celcom, Maxis, DiGi

Advantages of Broadband :

1. Connection speed is up to 100 times faster than dial-up connection. Online gaming is only possible using a broadband internet access.

2. It does not affect the phone line.  For DSL internet access, you can use the same phone line for both voice/fax and data transmission.

3. It is convenient because the internet connection is always on.

4. You don't need to dial an access number and risk getting a busy signal. 

5. Broadband internet offers unlimited access and you won't be charged based on the connection duration.

6. Broadband internet not only gives you high speed internet access, it can also provide cheap phone services via VoIP technology.

Disadvantages of Broadband :

1. High monthly fee compared to dialup internet access.

2. Higher security risk than dial up connection.  A personal firewall is needed to protect your computer.
3. Not all phone wires are equipped for DSL service.  May not be available in rural or remote areas.

4. Not all cable TV networks are equipped for cable internet access.  May not be available in rural or remote.

Common Types of Internet Connections :

Factors to consider to help you  choose the right internet connection :

- Availability :

•  not all services are available on all locations.

- Speed/Performance :

• people in the neighbourhood who use the same  service simultaneously time may draw on your  service and slow the speed of the cable connection.
• Wi-Fi is only recommended for personal use because of limited speed.

- Security Levels :

• Different connection have different security level.

- Price :

• The most affordable one is WiFi, (low cost), you  can get an unlimited connection but not for  business purposes because of speed limitation  and stability. 

- Support Services :

• One of the top priorities when choosing a Internet Service Provider/Internet Connection is their  ability to offer the best customer service and  technical support.

BROADBAND VS. DIAL-UP

• Broadband — or high-speed — Internet service has seen a rise in popularity over the last decade, becoming a standard communication service over its slower counter-part, dial-up Internet. You can use the broadband vs. dial-up chart on this page to learn the differences between each type of Internet connectivity and decide whether or not to move into the high-speed era.

Overview of the Internet

What is Internet?
- The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that links millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals.

Evolution of Internet :

ARPANET :
- ARPA – Advance Research Project Agency created by US Department of Defense
- The network is called ARPANET
- The network became functional in September 1969
- The Internet originated as ARPANET and had two main goals:

• Allow scientist at different physical locations to share information and work together.
• Function even if part of the network were disabled or destroyed by a disaster.

- The original ARPANET consisted of 4 main computers located at:

• University of California at Los Angeles
• University of California at Santa Barbara
• The Stanford Research Institute
• University of Utah

- Each computers served as a host on the network (today known as server).


INTERNET2 :
- Internet2 is not a new network (especially to replace the Internet)
- It is a Research and Development (R&D) project
- In developing technology to ensure that the Internet in the future can handle tomorrow’s applications.
- Not-for-profit R&D project
- Connects more than 200 universities and 115 companies via a high-speed private network.

Who controls the Internet?
- No one - it is a public, cooperative and independent network
- Several organizations set standards
- Example of organization:

Advantages & Disadvantages of Internet  :

INTRANET :
- An intranet (intra means within) is an internal network that uses internet technologies.
- Network which only available inside an organization or a company.
- Allow scientist at different physical locations to share information and work together
- Function even if part of the network were disabled or destroyed by a disaster.

EXTRANET :- An extranet is the portion of a company’s network that allows customers or suppliers of a company to access parts of an enterprise’s intranet.
- An extranet provides a secure, physical connection to the company’s network.