Impact of Current Information Technology on Our Lives
Uploaded by snwboarder on Oct 27, 2011
This essay discusses several ways in which IT has impacted our lives.
Impact of Current Information Technology - Outline
I Introduction
II Business Trends
III Education
IV Personal IT Usage
V Conclusion
Impact of Current Information Technology
I Introduction
Information technology (IT) ins probably one of the most significant developments in human history since the printing press. It has given rise to one of the most fascinating communications devices ever created, the Internet. It has come into our homes, our schools and our offices, tying us together in unprecedented ways. It is one of the most important developments in recent memory.
This paper takes a brief look at the impact IT has had on society, and what it might bring us in the future.
II Business Trends
Just a few decades ago, businesses had little in the way of office machinery except typewriters. Fax machines were new; only Xerox made copiers, and the computer was a monster that took up an entire room. These behemoths were housed almost exclusively on college campuses or in government laboratories.
With the development of the personal computer, the situation changed; it was so quick it sometimes seems like it was overnight. At first, businesses were happy to use computers because their word processing programs made typing projects much easier. But using a computer like a high-powered typewriter defeats the purpose of having the machine in the first place. Companies soon discovered that their PCs could do a great deal more.
Companies began to network offices together so that they could share files and work on the same projects from distant locations. They connected to the Internet and put out advertisements to draw new customers. And perhaps one of the most significant business developments to come with IT is the creation of the electronic marketplace.
Companies that sell their products over the Internet greatly increase the number of potential consumers who see their offerings. Even if the company is not actively selling goods, a website is a tremendously helpful tool. A well-designed, easy to navigate site can stimulate interest so that a potential customer calls or writes for further information. We have gotten used to hearing “our check our website, at www.whatever.com” for details.
Other business applications of IT include “data mining,” “knowledge management,” and “modeling and simulation.” (Kalil, PG). This last is particularly interesting, as it allows companies to build prototypes in the computer. These prototypes perform...