DaBrook.orgLearning Resource for
Web Design and IB ITGS

Last Edited: 04 December 2008

Citation:
Greenemeier, Larry. "Who Needs a Doctor When There's a Robot in the House, er, Hospital?" Scientific American. 4 Dec. 2008. 4 Dec. 2008 <http://sciam.com>.

Article Summary:

This article is about the testing of RP-7, a robot made by InTouch Technologies, Inc. When medical specialists are not available in an urgent situation, these robots are supposed to make up for a doctor’s physical absence and help him or her monitor and diagnose the patient from far off. The robot has a camera, microscope, and other medical devices that a doctor can monitor from his or her laptop miles away. The doctor can also control the movement of the robot. The robot even has a monitor that displays the doctor’s face for the patient.

Social and Ethical Issues Explained:

One major issue with this technology is whether or not a doctor’s ability to treat a patient is impaired by the technology’s limitations. In order to determine its quality, the technology is now in the testing stage at The William Lehman Injury Research Center in Miami.

IT Systems Described:

The main IT system is the internet and/or telecommunication. Presently, it is based on broadband, but researchers are hoping to make it so doctors can treat distant patients from their cell phones. Another IT system involved is AI. The robot has to maneuver around hospitals without being a nuisance. It is true that doctors control their movement, but they are also programmed to use infrared and other detectors to help maneuver themselves.

Area of Impact Explained:

This technology impacts health. If it succeeds in testing, it will mean that patients in emergency cases will not lose their lives simply because the type of doctor they need cannot get to the hospital.

Last Edited: 04 December 2008

Citation:
Rosenblatt, Dana. "Behavioral screening -- the future of airport security?" CNN 2 Dec. 2008. 4 Dec. 2008 <http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/12/02/ airport.security/index.html>.

Article Summary:

This article is about new security measures that are beginning to be developed for airports.  This security measures involves behavioral profiling.  New technologies will scan the passengers and read their emotions and intentions to decide if they are a possible terrorist threat.  Possible security measures include “smart seats,” “smart carpets,” and voice analysis to detect stress and determine how risky a person may be.

Social and Ethical Issues Explained:

Privacy and Anonymity - With “smart carpets” to determine your intentions with your steps and “smart seats” to determine your intentions by measuring your body heat, these seem very intrusive.
People and machines - We will not know how effective these security measures will be.  There were already problems in the making of the voice analysis software because it considered people with speech impediments as threats.  Also, these detectors are searching for stress.  What if a person is having a bad day or they are nervous because it’s their first time flying?  Will they be considered a threat and be brought into questioning?

IT Systems Described:

Modeling and simulations - Faulty or hidden assumptions might be made with the new security methods.  People who are not threats could be picked up while an apathetic terrorist can slip through the cracks of the system.
Artificial intelligence and expert systems - It is up to the system to distinguish between whose intentions are good and whose are bad.  Super skilled terrorists might be able to beat the system.  It is just a machine, after all.

Area of Impact Explained:

Police: This relates to security and surveillance measures.  Firms, such as WeCU Technologies, that are working to develop these new sensors, want to make the security lines at the airports faster but at the same time, make the airport, and world, safe from terrorists and terrorist attacks.  These new security measures are not meant to be interrogative but detective of harmful intents because terrorists can easily get past the present system, metal detectors.

Last Edited: 04 December 2008

Citation:
Wax, Emily. "Gunmen Used Technology as A Tactical Tool." The Washington post 3 Dec. 2008: A01. 4 Dec. 2008 <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ content/article/2008/12/02/AR2008120203519.html>.

Article Summary:

Gunmen in the Mumbai attacks made a sophisticated use of technology in the 60-hour siege. They used Blackberries with switchable sim card to avoid detection, satellite telephones, images on cd’s like those from Google Earth, and language anomylizers to avoid ethnic or cultural identification. Investigators say the attack would not have been possible without the aid of technology

Social and Ethical Issues Explained:

People and Machines
Machines have made the lives of many people extremly easier. But, as is evident through the attacks on Mumbai, it does not only help people of society, it also helps those who would destroy it. Technology is allowing Terrorist and the like to become more efficient at what they do, and can give them an advantage in the planning of their attacks. This is especially noted when the victim nation is technologically inferior to the terrorists. it allows terrorist faster communication and better organization. If technology where to continue to facilitate terrorists under the regulations we have now, an alternative should be sought out.

IT Systems Described:

Internet and internet applications
The internet is a host of many services like google earth that provide satellite images of any area. This once seemingly harmless service was used to plan devastating attacks in Mumbai allowing terrorist to plan with great detail.
Personal and Public communication
Emails used in the attacks were able to be scrambled and coded which prevents authorities from being able to assuredly track down those responsible for the attacks.

Area of Impact Explained:

Terrorist use of It
Terrorist are able to access incredibly detailed information on their targets with services like Google earth. Terrorists can become more effective and deadly through technology. In this case, terrorists who were inexperienced sailors, were able to use GPS systems to navigate their ship, which was essential in the attack. Military bases are exposed in great detail through online services like Google Earth which is free to anyone.Technology allowed their communication to be both efficient and hard to trace. Technology is basically giving any person the ability to plan and attack anywhere on the Earth. This may cause world regulation on the types of services available online to become stricter in an attempt to prevent a repeats of Mumbai.

Last Edited: 04 December 2008

Citation:
Vance, Ashlee. "Amazon Starts Renting Out the Human Genome." New York Times 4 Dec. 2008. 4 Dec. 2008 <http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/04/ amazon-starts-renting-out-the-human-genome>.

Article Summary:

This article was about how Amazon web services are now offering access to data collections to businesses and scientists.  Information offered includes census databases and the human genome.  Businesses find this new service very beneficial because they don’t have to build their own computing infrastructure; they can spend more time on doing the actual work and research.

Social and Ethical Issues Explained:

Equality of Access - Consumers can access the database for free, but they have to pay for the computing horsepower needed to sort through the information or store it.  I assume that these costs are pretty expensive, so people who cannot afford to pay for the computing horsepower will not be able to sort through and store information easily, if at all.

IT Systems Described:

Systems Fundamentals - This relates to the economic value of information.  Since the data is accessible through a database, the businesses do not have to take the time to set up their own infrastructure; this web service is very efficient for businesses.  This shows the importance of digital data as well as the importance of being able to access digital data easily.
Networks - Through this network, businesses and researchers are able to look for the data that they need.
Databases and spreadsheets - The data is stored in and accessed from an Amazon database.
The Internet - The service is available online.

Area of Impact Explained:

E-commerce: This new service allows companies to search for information and research through databases.  The businesses then use the information as a basis for computing jobs.  Businesses benefit from this new service because it saves them the hassle of assembling and managing the data on their own.

Last Edited: 04 December 2008

Citation:
Krebs, Brian. "Theives Stole Identity to Tap Home Equity." The Washingtonpost 28 Nov. 2008: E10. 4 Dec. 2008 <http:///www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ content/article/2008/11/27/AR2008112702027.html>.

Article Summary:

An international fraud ring hijacked home equity lines of credit to steal 2.5 million dollars through wires.Online public and private databases were used to obtain to locate targets with relatively untapped home equity credit lines. The Databases also helped in finding information like social security numbers, mothers maiden names, and signatures. In order to verify the transfer, the thieves would transfer the victims phone number to an alternate number. In order to avoid detection public wireless networks and wireless PC cards, that were bought in other victims names, were used to mask location.

Social and Ethical Issues Explained:

Security:The level of security of credit lines and bank accounts has diminished due to the internet, online databases, and wireless networks. Any private information given for and online purchase or survey can be obtained and used against users to have their identity and money stolen. The perpetrators become almost impossible to find if they are clever in how technology is used to get the identity or money.This gives additional support to the idea that we are becoming to dependent on technology, and are exposing ourselves to malicious hackers.

IT Systems Described:

Internet
The internet is used to access the various networks and obtain information from them. In this case it was done so maliciously, to steal money.
Databases
Databases were used to obtain information that would aid the thieves in stealing money. Information that is commonly used as security answer’s: Mother’s maiden name, age, social security numbers,etc.
Networks
Networks, or in this case public access networks were used to mask the location of those who stole money.

Area of Impact Explained:

Banking and Finance
Online Banking is considered to be easy and convenient. however these recent identity and credit thefts show the high risk of having electronic access to money through a non-private network. This may cause banks to rethink the way in which they give access to customers, and they may increase security. Online credit reports may use this as a means to increase their profits by scaring people into being constantly worried about their credit.

Last Edited: 04 December 2008

Citation:
Montalbano, Elizabeth. "VMware Releases Revamped Desktop Software." ITWorld 2 Dec. 2008. 4 Dec. 2008 <http://itworld.com/virtualization/58671/ vmware-releases-revamped-desktop-software>.

Article Summary:

VMware, one of the world’s leaders in virutlaization, released VMware View 3 and it’s main goal is desktop virtualization and application virtualization.

Social and Ethical Issues Explained:

Reliability- How well will this software work? Will it be easy to follow or complicated? If people are going to be paying this much for the software, hopefully it will be reliable and the problem of application and desktop virtualization will be conquered slowly but surely.

IT Systems Described:

Software Fundamentals- It comes in two editions, Premiere($250) and Enterprise($150). VMware is the leader in virtualization so it’s expected to be well made.

Area of Impact Explained:

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Last Edited: 04 December 2008

Citation:
Hansell, Saul. "How YouTube Broadcasts Your Taste in Videos." New York Times 4 Dec. 2008. 4 Dec. 2008 <http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/04/ how-youtube-broadcasts-your-tastes-in-videos>.

Article Summary:

Youtubers subscribe to their favorite video channels. Thier subscribtions can be veiwed by anyone on the site and that may be too much information out in the open for some, especially if the channel is controversial or something private. Youtube, since being confronted about it, is looking into changing the setup so a choice can be made, either let others see or not.

Social and Ethical Issues Explained:

Privacy and Anonymity- Subcribers don’t have a choice when it comes to who views thier subscribed channels.

IT Systems Described:

The Internet- Of course, Youtube is hugely popular around the world. One of the most used websites to upload and view videos.

Area of Impact Explained:

Broadcast media- Youtube’s slogan is “Broadcast Yourself” and many people connect through common interests in which channels they like. With privacy that may interfere with peoples’ interactions over the videos and media.

Last Edited: 04 December 2008

Citation:
Jowitt, Jom. ITWORLD. 3 Dec. 2008. 4 Dec. 2008 <http://www.itworld.com/ server-and-data-center/58697/recycle-data-centers-preaches-dell>.

Article Summary:

Dell claims to have helped the environment with there data centers. They can continue to help by making more building for data centers. They want to make money to build these buildings not build buildings to make money. Since their computers operate at lower levels of heat they require less energy.

Social and Ethical Issues Explained:

Policies and Standards
The design of the dell computers allow them to operate in cooler temperatures than most computers. They use of less energy i are lees money out of your pocket for the electric bill.

IT Systems Described:

Personal and Public Communications
Overall the users save money because if the computers work with less heat which means ir requires less energy which is a smaller bill to pay.

Area of Impact Explained:

Dell is trying to spread the word on to other companies to do the same as they do. There computers can run at 25 degrees Celsius which in the long run help save energy. They can help increase te percent of computing for other companies using the same power and same foot print using less hardware.

Last Edited: 16 October 2008

Citation:
Keizer, Gregg. "Microsoft issues patch to crush 20 bugs". http://www.ITWorld.com. 15 October, 2008. <http://www.itworld.com/security/56155/microsoft-issues-patch-crush-20-bugs>.

Article Summary:

The article talks about how Microsoft has made a patch 20 vulnerabilities in 11 seperate security softwares for windows office

Social and Ethical Issues Explained:

Reliability, Security

IT Systems Described:

Communication systems, Application

Area of Impact Explained:

.

Last Edited: 16 October 2008

Citation:
Keizer, Gregg. "Microsoft sticks with 'Windows 7' for next OS". http://www.itworld.com. 15 October, 2008. <http://www.itworld.com/windows/56072/microsoft-sticks-windows-7-next-os.>

Article Summary:

The article talks about how the next windows operating system that is supposed to come out in late 2009 or early 2010 is going to be called just Windows 7, as compared to Windows Vista and Windows XP. The article also goes on to talk about some specs of the new Windows Operating System.

Social and Ethical Issues Explained:

The Social and Ethical Issues explained are Reliability and Intellectual Property. Reliability is an issue explained, because the article talks about the new Windows Operating System that is coming out soon. Intellectual Property is an issue explained because Windows 7 is software which Microsoft is going to create.

IT Systems Described:

Application - The article deals with an Operating System so that includes all of the programs that is run on it like Excel, Explorer, Word, etc..

Area of Impact Explained:

The Area of Impact is Business & Employment, because the new Windows 7 should help Microsoft out by bring it new customers and more income.