Computer Impacts on Human Life - Research Proposal Example

Computer Impacts on Human Life Introduction A computer is an electronic that accepts data/ information as entered in the form of digitalized data and effectively manipulated for the purpose of attaining precise results based on a program or sequence of instructions depending on the manner in which that data is to be processed. Another definition of a computer is that it is any device that has the capabilities to aid human in performance of a number of computations and calculations. 1.1. Background information Computer history dates back to the year 1936 when Konrad Zuse invented Z1 computer which was the first freely programmable computer. This thereafter unfolded as depicted below (in 1.2). 1.2. Computers’ Scientific and technological innovation, and evolution The Scientific and technological innovation and evolution of computers date back from abacus which was technically the first computer, to the current electronic computers which are inventions of the last century (Lavington S., 2010). Below are the generation histories of computers: A. First Generation Computers (1940s – 1950s): were huge and used vacuum tubes (Hiskey D., 2010). B. Second Generation Computers (1955 - 1960): used transistors which used less power (Cooke-Yarborough E.H., 1998). C. Third Generation Computers (1960s): used integrated circuits (ICs)/ microchips. D. Fourth Generation Computers (1971 to present): used microchips-based central processors. Within this generation, the following evolutions occurred (Leonard D., 2008): a. First generation of Microcomputers (1971 - 1976): characterized by boxes with lights and switches only usable by engineers and hobbyists. b. Second generation Microcomputers (1977 - present): came with a keyboard and a monitor, and could be easily connected to a TV, and supported visual representation of text and numbers on its screen. c. Graphical User Interface: characterized by the development of GUIs and mouse developed by Doug Engelbart and his team in 1968. d. Portable computers: first developed at Xerox PARC by Alan Kay who called it Dynabook, intended for children. 2. Literature Review Computer as technology has transformed the behaviors of its users to a greater extent in this age of computer. Subsequent development of science and technology has also created direct effect on people’s daily lives and in the societal life at large. For instance, it has made communication quite possible and easy from one part of the world to the other between people. 2.1. Benefits of Computer innovation to the human society Computer benefits are so many. Besides the application importance in the various sectors as has been discussed above, it also has its advantages on its use. These advantages include; error free results, impartiality, easy data access, data multitasking and multiprocessing capabilities, larger storage capacities for all information processed in just a small space, and consistency in data processing, storage and retrieval. 2.2. Negative impacts of computer innovation to the human society Computers are highly expensive for the poor. This is by considering its initial purchasing costs and other external devices which may be necessary for a successful performance of tasks such as printing and faxing e.t.c. They have also led to increased data piracy (Mandelblit B., 2001). When computer devices are interconnected within a network structure that it not appropriately protected, hackers are likely to get access to the networking protocol and access any data that is either stored on the computers or being transmitted via the network links. Computer introduction and implementation in institutions have resulted into increased unemployment for those who are computer illiterate. Besides, computer introduction and use in any organization has led to retrenchment of quite another of organizational staff because of the drift from manual operations and information management to digital operations and data processing and storage. Huge data and information can at times be lost in case of negligence and lack of any backup and recovery systems for the information already stored in the computers. Fast changing computer technology within short duration of time do render initial innovations hard-to-work with in achieving certain goals hence becoming useless to the next generation of our society and a loose to the buyer. Computers have led to service distribution, making it quite hard to have any secretes within either an organization or institution. They have also led to discrimination and incompetency for those who have illiteracy of computing and computers. 2.3. Computer significance to the societal development Computer devices and their programs are used in a number of fields in aid of the development of our society and human operations as follows (Stiroh J. D., 1998): In the education systems, the invention of computers has impacted positively on the education systems and practices. For instance, it has effectively replaced the traditional system of tutors writing on boards by the introduction of PowerPoint programs; enabled easy online learning for distantly placed learners; it has also provided large storage spaces for the chronological/ systematic storage of learning materials; and has made learning easy for the disabled children (Peg L., 2001) e.t.c. Industrial Applications are run with computer programs which are used to plan, coordinate and control production all the processes involved. Road traffic control measures are also programmed on computers to be able to assist with the control of traffic lights on the major roads to avoid accidents and traffic jams within the cities and major towns. Medical Administration has become complex with time due to the rise of various types of diseases and large number of patients. Computers are therefore used in hospitals and other medical institutions for such functionalities as drugs, surgical equipments and linen maintenance; for payrolls processing, checkups and monitoring of the administration process, and treatment of diseases. Communication processes have been improved lately. Computerized telephone exchanges and transactions are handled effectively despite the ever increasing volumes of calls without any interruptions via the use of recommended computer applications and devices. An improvement in any one sector calls for a subsequent improvement on another. Managers have therefore resolved to the use of computers as management tools to aid in reaching solutions to business/ managerial problems by the appropriate use of management information systems and applications. 3. Proposal Technological innovation and inventions in the computing industry is evolutions so dynamically to attain a level where every human problem will have their solutions in the computers. In this respect every, everyone living in this period of computers and thereafter should have efficient knowledge on the operation of the computers and if possible ensure acquisition of a computer system (Levy, F. & Murnane, R., 1996). To achieve this, computer manufacturers should consider production of systems that can be affordable both the poor and the rich for the purpose of creating an information rich society. 3.1. Computer sections with prior research Computer motherboards, processors, storage systems, graphical user interface, and the external shape and feel have undergone a number of research processes to ensure high usability of the systems by the targeted market population. All these sections were discussed in the evolution background of computers from generation one to four. 3.2. Computer sections with little research The current storage technique devised is the used of cloud computing that has received much criticisms, hence calling to the re-address of the technique to set solutions to the problems. Examples of these hitches are on privacy insufficiency, lack of enough property rights e.t.c., (Singh K., Kharbanda I., & Kaur N., 2012) 3.3. Area of my further research work On the negative impacts of computing, I identified hacking as one of the problems. Measures on how they loop into the network system and obtain crucial information without being detected immediately, but rather after performing their fraud still remains an issue for most institutions that are networked (Huang, X., Radkowski, P. & Roman, P., 2007). 3.4. Research questions i. How effective will iCloud- an improvement of cloud computing- be in relation to the protection of its uses from internet hackers seeking for important information stored? ii. Are there permanent measures that can be used to faceguard against such unauthorized attacks into computer systems? 3.5. Hypothesis Computers have revolutionized every aspect of the human and societal life styles. This has cropped even into the transport industry where locomotives have been devised to be partially under the control of computers and human beings. Examples of such cases are the computerized aviation controls, road traffic controls, electric train controls e.t.c., and I feel that this is just the beginning. I therefore predict (copying with the advancement trends) that either the present generation or the future generation will be able to device mechanisms by which people will be able to go everywhere through computer, just as they made it possible for documents to be sent via the internet. During the time of parcel delivery via postal service, who thought that one time all that could be done electronically? I am therefore certain that my prediction may come true. 4. Annotated bibliography Broad M., Mathews M., & Shepherd K. (2003). Audit and control of the use of internet. Managerial Auditing Journal, 3, 244-248 The authors issue the academic benefit for young people of having computer. They found out that the application of computers in the performances of duties has been increasing in many institutions. This, they envisioned that, will increase the young people’s skills. For example, a category people like to learn by visualization whereas another category likes to learn by writing. These types of applications are always available online to ensure satisfaction by all. Farrell, A. (1989). Impact of computers on professional practice: A survey of current practices and attitudes. The American Psychological Association, 20, 172-178 Farrell explains on issues of how computers have profound impact on such everyday life activities of its users. He explains that with its continued use, people become addicted to it and can never avoid it. To him computers are user friendly, faster and easily accepted by people. That can help us to get our daily life needs in a shorten time. Huang X., Radkowski P. & Roman P. (2007). Computers crime. The American Criminal Law Review, 44, 285. They discussed the variety of crimes that can occur on the internet. They found out that there are some many crimes in the internet, but the most common crimes in the internet are hacking, illegal trading and fraud. In their opinions, it is never very easy to stop these kinds of crimes. However, they identify the necessity of educating people no know to deal with these crimes whenever they occur. Levy F. & Murnane R. (1996). With What Skills Are Computers a Complement, The American. Economic Review, 86(2): 258-262. This research work demonstrates that current analysis is based on the investigation of workplace as measured directly by the task-composition of occupants. The computer technology is to workers in executing analytical and interactive tasks. This is by substituting employees in attending to the manual and cognitive routine work. It is identified that this relationship is within occupations, occupation-education groups and occupation-age groups. Mandelblit B. (2001). Clicks & crime: The inside story of internet fraud. Security, 38, 31. The author of this journal issues the many types of internet fraud. He thinks that the computer provides the most perfect environment for criminals because of the unique capability of the internet. He found out that the most common way of computers fraud is known as pump and dump. Peg, L. (2001). Parents of children with disabilities evaluate the importance of the computer of child development. Journal of Special Education Technology: 16, 43. The author of this article discussed the help that computers can offer to children with disabilities. The author found out children with disabilities that limit their mobility can connect with people by using the computers. Also, there are some programs that can help children who are blind to learn how to read. Skinner, D. (1997). Computers: Good for education. Public Interest, 128, 98 The author studied the effect of having computers in the classroom. In this studied, he investigated two kinds of schools. The first groups of schools that use computers in their classroom and the other group which computers play an extremely small part or none at all. He found out that the students usually learn more and in less time in comparison with students who do not have computers in the classroom. Watt, D. & White, J. (1999). Computers and the family life: A family development perspective. Journal of comparative Family Studies, 30, 1. They discussed how computers dispersion the family member. They found out that the family member will spend most their time surfing in the internet instead of staying together. That will increase the life of individual which will effect badly on the society because people will not have the socialization skills. References Cooke-Yarborough E.H. (June 1998). "Some early transistor applications in the UK." Engineering and Science Education Journal (London, UK: IEE) 7 (3): 100–106. Hiskey D. (2010). First Computer Program. The American society. 20, 34-36. Doi: 20.10387/2341-1452.24.5.254. Huang, X., Radkowski, P. & Roman, P. (2007). Computers crime. The American Criminal Law Review, 44, 285. Levy, F. & Murnane, R. (1996). With what skills are computers a complement? The American Economic Review, 8, 258. Mandelblit, B. (2001). Clicks & crime: The inside story of internet fraud. Security, 38, 31. Peg, L. (2001). Parents of children with disabilities evaluate the importance of the computer of Child development. Journal of Special Education Technology, 16, 43. Skinner, D. (1997). Computers: Good for education. Public Interest, 128, 98. Watt, D. & White, J. (1999). Computers and the family life: A family development perspective. Journal of comparative Family Studies, 30, 1. Lavington S. (2010). "A brief history of British computers: the first 25 years (1948–1973)." British Computer Society Leonard D. (2008). Information Revolution in the History of the West. Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 266, ISBN 978-1-84720-790-6 Stiroh J. D. (1998). Computers, productivity, and input substitution. Economic Inquiry, 36, 175 Singh K., Kharbanda I., & Kaur N. (2012). Security issues occur in Cloud Computing and there Solutions. International Journal on Computer Science and Engineering, 4(5), 945-949. Read More