Lecture 4

IT in Everyday Life
Communications via the Internet
 E-mail
 Forums – websites for discussion
 Chat rooms – place to talk with friends online
 Instant Messaging – transfer of messages in
real time

 VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol)

 Voice communication via the Internet
 Examples: Skype, WhatsApp

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Electronic Mail (E-mail)
 Electronic messages sent over the Internet from one computer to
another (one network)

Sharing
 Web log (Blog) – websites for discussions and comments usually written
in diary-style posts
 Podcast – broadcasting of audio files over the Internet
 RSS feeds (Really Simple Syndication) – Website having updated
news/materials from different websites (news aggregator)
 Social Networking Sites (e.g., facebook)

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IT Applications in Everyday Life
The use of computers and Internet services has increased significantly
over the last years:

 e-Commerce

 e-Banking
 e-Government
 e-Learning
 Telemedicine
 Working from home
 Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
 Internet of Things (IoT)
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e-Commerce
 Online shopping (e.g., Amazon)
 Buy and sell via the Internet
 Payment using credit cards
 Online sales in the United States now total hundreds of billions of
dollars a year. The Web changed from a mostly academic community
to a world market in little more than a decade

e-Banking
 Operate bank accounts via the Internet
 Pay bills, transfer cash, check statements
 Cyber security challenges/solutions
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e-Government
 Most government offices have websites to provide
information and services in a fast and convenient way

e-Learning
 Dedicated software for learning (e.g., BlackBoard)

 Online courses
 Computer-based training CDs and
websites
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Telemedicine

 Telemedicine, or long-distance medicine, refers to remote

performance of medical exams, analyses, and procedures using
specialized equipment and computer networks
 On long airplane flights, telemedicine can help treat a sick passenger
and ascertain whether the plane needs to make an emergency
landing
 A variety of health-monitoring devices send their readings from a
patient’s home to a nurse over the Internet
 Some small-town hospitals use video systems to consult with
specialists at large medical centers—eliminating the expense, time,
and possible health risk of transporting the patient to the medical
center
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Teleworking/telecommuting
 Work from home via the Internet
 No need for offices and buildings (less expenses)

Advantages Disadvantages
Employees have flexible schedules Disturbances at home

Reduces wastage of time in Self-discipline is required

everyday commute
No need for space or equipment Lack of human interaction/teamwork

Focus on a specific task Feeling of isolation

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Artificial Intelligence (AI)
 Artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that makes
computers perform tasks we normally (or used to) think of as requiring
human intelligence such as:
 chess
 language translation
 making decisions based on large amounts of data such and understanding
speech and computer vision (the capture and interpretation of images by
cameras and software)

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Artificial Intelligence (AI)
 Learning is a characteristic of many AI programs. That is, the output of
the program improves over time as it “learns” by evaluating results of
its decisions on the inputs it encounters
 Many AI applications involve pattern recognition, that is, recognizing
similarities among different things. Applications include:
 reading handwriting (for automatic sorting of mail and input on tablet
computers, for example),

 matching fingerprints

 and matching faces in photos

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AI Applications

 A computer system called Watson (built by IBM) defeated human

Jeopardy! (TV show) champions by answering questions more quickly
than the humans. Watson processes language searches and analyzes
200 million pages of information in less than three seconds
 An underwater surveillance system, using cameras and sophisticated
software, distinguishes a swimmer in distress from normal swimming
 Search engines use AI techniques to select search results. They
figure out what the user meant if the search phrase contains typos,
and they use context to determine the intended meaning of words

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Robots
 Robots are mechanical devices that perform physical tasks
traditionally done by humans or tasks that we think of as human-like
activities
 Robotic machines have been assembling products in factories for
decades. They work faster and more accurately than people can.
Computer software with artificial intelligence controls most robotic
devices now. Examples:
 Robotic milking machines milk hundreds of thousands of cows at dairy
farms while the farmhands sleep or do other chores

 Some robots dance, and some make facial expressions to convey

emotions

 Fast-food sellers use robotic food preparation systems to reduce costs

and speed service

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 Internet of Things (IoT) Applications
Tweet-a-watt:
monitor energy use

bikes

IP picture frame

Amazon Echo
Pacemaker & Monitor
cars

sensorized,
bed scooters
mattress
AR devices

Security Camera
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Communication & Virtual Communities

Precautions
 Create a private profile to protect personal information
 Be careful when sending personal information

 Beware of strangers

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Health & Safety Measures

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Ergonomics
 Relationship between workers and their working environment

Healthy work environment:

 Proper connections of cables and joints
 Availability of suitable lighting
 Suitable ventilation
 Use of monitor filters (safety, privacy)
 Comfortable seating

 Suitable position of arms and legs

 Frequent breaks away from the computer

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Good Working Environment for PCs
 Efficient use of electricity in monitors
 Use of Sleep Mode and Screensaver (Control Panel> Personalization)
when not in use
 Switch off the PC when not in use for long time (power saving)
 Possibility to recycle waste paper

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