Computers Are Everywhere

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Computers Are Everywhere

• Who has used a computer today?Where are
  computers?

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The Pace of Change

• Electronic Computers 1940s
• Integrated circuits 1970s
• What about 1996 2006?
• Computer storage Disk drives Memory cards
• Computers Moores law
• Speed nanoseconds

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Benefits of Computers

• Science
• Communication
• Commerce
• ???

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A Gift of Fire

• The Prometheus myth

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Problems

• Automation and employment
• Customer service
• Crime
• Error
• Privacy

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Your Role as Professionals

• Can computers be used unethically?
• How can we assure that computers are used
  ethically? You, personally We, society

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Trade Offs
Security vs. freedom Privacy vs.
convenience Intellectual property vs. convenience
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Choices, Business and Law
Personal choice Values, situation Business
policy Maximization of profit Ethics and
value Law Basis in the notion of rights
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Liberties and Claim Rights
Two kinds of rights Liberties impose no
obligation, or an obligation to refrain from
something, on others. (negative
rights) Claim rights impose a positive
obligation on others (positive rights)
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Universal Access
How is universal access paid for? Roads The
Internet
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Benefits of Computers
Graphics and games Business data
processing Office automation Communication
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Communication and the Web
Electronic mail The World Wide Web More than
8 billion indexed by Google today How do you
glue teak? How much did it cost to find out?
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Using the Web
Availability of information Credibility of
information Electronic commerce Benefits P
roblems About market transparency
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Automobiles and Trucks
Improvements in processing power Moores
law Incremental improvements ABS Electroni
c injection Warning devices Innovations Aut
onomous cars CMU, GM
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Education and Training
Distance education Drills spelling, arithmetic,
reading Simulations
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Crime Fighting
Databases ARJIS NCIC Fingerprint
scanning DNA matching Recognition systems
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Health and Medicine
Computer-aided imaging Monitoring Computer-enhance
d instruments Drugs Designing Dispensing
Patient records Telemedicine
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Assistive Technology
Screen readers Speech controls, speech to
text Nerve or brain implants Aids in locating
things Locating people
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Automation
Automation of repetitive or dangerous
tasks Improvements in product quality Assembly
Inspection Automation and jobs
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Identifying, Sensing and Tracking
Scanners For checkers Self-scanning Smart
cards Sensors and active ID tags
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Reducing Paper Use and Waste
On-line storage Good points Less good
points Office automation increases paper use
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Observations
Imagining life without computers War and
Peace The Brooklyn Bridge Automobiles,
airplanes, ships
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About Assignment 1
Professionals must stay current This assignment
lets you learn about that Dont forget that I may
be asking for your reference list and article
summaries as we go along the course.