San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom gathered with the leaders of the three partnership companies who have successfully helped better San Franciso’s low income communities by providing free broadband access to Sunnydale also which the San Francisco Chronicle calls one of the most depressed, dangerous and decrepit areas of the city.
Two Chicago McDonald's Bridge Digital Divide, Offer Free Wi-Fi
Chicago may get for-fee McDonald's wireless in August, but two franchised stores are offering it for free now, and incidentally bridging the digital divide: It's an attempt to provide a way to get people in underserved, underinterested communities to take a look at the Internet.
Thursday 3 December 2009
Combatting digital divide
UNESCO Outlines Strategy to Combat Digital Divide
11-09-2002 ()
Mindful both of the potentials of ICTs and of the dangers of increased marginalization these represent for those without access to them, UNESCO has developed a four-pronged strategy which it will urge States to adopt as their own at WSIS.
The free flow of information, made possible by the advent of ICTs, holds enormous promise of cultural dialogue and mutual understanding, of quality education available throughout our lifetimes and of more vigorous and participative democratic processes.
But the so-called “digital divide” – the enormous and growing inequalities between rich and poor nations in access to ICTs – threatens to deny this promise from entire regions.
UNESCO Director–General Koichïro Matsuura outlined this strategy on Wednesday, September 11 in Paris before representatives of UNESCO Members States.
First a set of common principles for the information society of the future must be defined. These, says UNESCO, should include:
· Freedom of expression and its corollary, freedom of the press.
· Free, compulsory and universal primary education.
· The recognition that education as well as cultural goods and services cannot be treated as mere commodities.
· The pre-eminence of public policy.
· The promotion of public domain information and public service broadcasting.
Point two concerns access by the greatest number to the learning opportunities offered by new information technologies. This implies that:
· Computer literacy be recognized as a basic skill in educational systems and free access to the internet be provided in schools and public libraries.
· Full advantage be taken of distance education and the life-long learning opportunities offered by ICTs.
Point three is to strengthen capacities for scientific research and information sharing. UNESCO wishes to see increased exchange and cooperation among specialists and interest groups working in the fields of education, science, culture and communication. To this end UNESCO:
· Encourages the use of new methods of content development and access to education and to scientific information, e.g. virtual universities, virtual laboratories, and research groups. Such methods can contribute to bridging the scientific divide, enabling researchers in developing countries to participate in research at the international level and to share its results.
· Promotes actions that focus on building linkages and synergies between science and local and indigenous knowledge, particularly in environmental management practices and in the transmission of local knowledge from one generation to the next.
Last but not least – point four– UNESCO encourages States to use ICTs to promote greater participation by citizens in democratic life. This can be achieved by:
· Using the internet and other ICTs as tools for dialogue between citizens and the authorities.
· Integrating new and “traditional” technologies, including library services and community media; the production, adaptation, translation and sharing of local contents; and the setting up of pilot projects corresponding to different cultural contexts.
· Giving high priority to the needs of those disadvantaged and marginalized groups that are presently excluded so that information societies be open and inclusive.
Improving access to the benefits of the information society for women and youth. Extending material assistance to countries at present unable to offer access to ICTs to large numbers of their citizens.
Learning to bridge the divide
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/philip.barker2/DL/BookReviews/Divide.doc
11-09-2002 ()
Mindful both of the potentials of ICTs and of the dangers of increased marginalization these represent for those without access to them, UNESCO has developed a four-pronged strategy which it will urge States to adopt as their own at WSIS.
The free flow of information, made possible by the advent of ICTs, holds enormous promise of cultural dialogue and mutual understanding, of quality education available throughout our lifetimes and of more vigorous and participative democratic processes.
But the so-called “digital divide” – the enormous and growing inequalities between rich and poor nations in access to ICTs – threatens to deny this promise from entire regions.
UNESCO Director–General Koichïro Matsuura outlined this strategy on Wednesday, September 11 in Paris before representatives of UNESCO Members States.
First a set of common principles for the information society of the future must be defined. These, says UNESCO, should include:
· Freedom of expression and its corollary, freedom of the press.
· Free, compulsory and universal primary education.
· The recognition that education as well as cultural goods and services cannot be treated as mere commodities.
· The pre-eminence of public policy.
· The promotion of public domain information and public service broadcasting.
Point two concerns access by the greatest number to the learning opportunities offered by new information technologies. This implies that:
· Computer literacy be recognized as a basic skill in educational systems and free access to the internet be provided in schools and public libraries.
· Full advantage be taken of distance education and the life-long learning opportunities offered by ICTs.
Point three is to strengthen capacities for scientific research and information sharing. UNESCO wishes to see increased exchange and cooperation among specialists and interest groups working in the fields of education, science, culture and communication. To this end UNESCO:
· Encourages the use of new methods of content development and access to education and to scientific information, e.g. virtual universities, virtual laboratories, and research groups. Such methods can contribute to bridging the scientific divide, enabling researchers in developing countries to participate in research at the international level and to share its results.
· Promotes actions that focus on building linkages and synergies between science and local and indigenous knowledge, particularly in environmental management practices and in the transmission of local knowledge from one generation to the next.
Last but not least – point four– UNESCO encourages States to use ICTs to promote greater participation by citizens in democratic life. This can be achieved by:
· Using the internet and other ICTs as tools for dialogue between citizens and the authorities.
· Integrating new and “traditional” technologies, including library services and community media; the production, adaptation, translation and sharing of local contents; and the setting up of pilot projects corresponding to different cultural contexts.
· Giving high priority to the needs of those disadvantaged and marginalized groups that are presently excluded so that information societies be open and inclusive.
Improving access to the benefits of the information society for women and youth. Extending material assistance to countries at present unable to offer access to ICTs to large numbers of their citizens.
Learning to bridge the divide
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/philip.barker2/DL/BookReviews/Divide.doc
Combatting digital divide
UNESCO Outlines Strategy to Combat Digital Divide
11-09-2002 ()
Mindful both of the potentials of ICTs and of the dangers of increased marginalization these represent for those without access to them, UNESCO has developed a four-pronged strategy which it will urge States to adopt as their own at WSIS.
The free flow of information, made possible by the advent of ICTs, holds enormous promise of cultural dialogue and mutual understanding, of quality education available throughout our lifetimes and of more vigorous and participative democratic processes.
But the so-called “digital divide” – the enormous and growing inequalities between rich and poor nations in access to ICTs – threatens to deny this promise from entire regions.
UNESCO Director–General Koichïro Matsuura outlined this strategy on Wednesday, September 11 in Paris before representatives of UNESCO Members States.
First a set of common principles for the information society of the future must be defined. These, says UNESCO, should include:
· Freedom of expression and its corollary, freedom of the press.
· Free, compulsory and universal primary education.
· The recognition that education as well as cultural goods and services cannot be treated as mere commodities.
· The pre-eminence of public policy.
· The promotion of public domain information and public service broadcasting.
Point two concerns access by the greatest number to the learning opportunities offered by new information technologies. This implies that:
· Computer literacy be recognized as a basic skill in educational systems and free access to the internet be provided in schools and public libraries.
· Full advantage be taken of distance education and the life-long learning opportunities offered by ICTs.
Point three is to strengthen capacities for scientific research and information sharing. UNESCO wishes to see increased exchange and cooperation among specialists and interest groups working in the fields of education, science, culture and communication. To this end UNESCO:
· Encourages the use of new methods of content development and access to education and to scientific information, e.g. virtual universities, virtual laboratories, and research groups. Such methods can contribute to bridging the scientific divide, enabling researchers in developing countries to participate in research at the international level and to share its results.
· Promotes actions that focus on building linkages and synergies between science and local and indigenous knowledge, particularly in environmental management practices and in the transmission of local knowledge from one generation to the next.
Last but not least – point four– UNESCO encourages States to use ICTs to promote greater participation by citizens in democratic life. This can be achieved by:
· Using the internet and other ICTs as tools for dialogue between citizens and the authorities.
· Integrating new and “traditional” technologies, including library services and community media; the production, adaptation, translation and sharing of local contents; and the setting up of pilot projects corresponding to different cultural contexts.
· Giving high priority to the needs of those disadvantaged and marginalized groups that are presently excluded so that information societies be open and inclusive.
Improving access to the benefits of the information society for women and youth. Extending material assistance to countries at present unable to offer access to ICTs to large numbers of their citizens.
i @m g@y
11-09-2002 ()
Mindful both of the potentials of ICTs and of the dangers of increased marginalization these represent for those without access to them, UNESCO has developed a four-pronged strategy which it will urge States to adopt as their own at WSIS.
The free flow of information, made possible by the advent of ICTs, holds enormous promise of cultural dialogue and mutual understanding, of quality education available throughout our lifetimes and of more vigorous and participative democratic processes.
But the so-called “digital divide” – the enormous and growing inequalities between rich and poor nations in access to ICTs – threatens to deny this promise from entire regions.
UNESCO Director–General Koichïro Matsuura outlined this strategy on Wednesday, September 11 in Paris before representatives of UNESCO Members States.
First a set of common principles for the information society of the future must be defined. These, says UNESCO, should include:
· Freedom of expression and its corollary, freedom of the press.
· Free, compulsory and universal primary education.
· The recognition that education as well as cultural goods and services cannot be treated as mere commodities.
· The pre-eminence of public policy.
· The promotion of public domain information and public service broadcasting.
Point two concerns access by the greatest number to the learning opportunities offered by new information technologies. This implies that:
· Computer literacy be recognized as a basic skill in educational systems and free access to the internet be provided in schools and public libraries.
· Full advantage be taken of distance education and the life-long learning opportunities offered by ICTs.
Point three is to strengthen capacities for scientific research and information sharing. UNESCO wishes to see increased exchange and cooperation among specialists and interest groups working in the fields of education, science, culture and communication. To this end UNESCO:
· Encourages the use of new methods of content development and access to education and to scientific information, e.g. virtual universities, virtual laboratories, and research groups. Such methods can contribute to bridging the scientific divide, enabling researchers in developing countries to participate in research at the international level and to share its results.
· Promotes actions that focus on building linkages and synergies between science and local and indigenous knowledge, particularly in environmental management practices and in the transmission of local knowledge from one generation to the next.
Last but not least – point four– UNESCO encourages States to use ICTs to promote greater participation by citizens in democratic life. This can be achieved by:
· Using the internet and other ICTs as tools for dialogue between citizens and the authorities.
· Integrating new and “traditional” technologies, including library services and community media; the production, adaptation, translation and sharing of local contents; and the setting up of pilot projects corresponding to different cultural contexts.
· Giving high priority to the needs of those disadvantaged and marginalized groups that are presently excluded so that information societies be open and inclusive.
Improving access to the benefits of the information society for women and youth. Extending material assistance to countries at present unable to offer access to ICTs to large numbers of their citizens.
i @m g@y
Internet Access
Internet Access
70% of households had access in 2009
(http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nugget.asp?ID=8&Pos=&ColRank=1&Rank=374)
Households with access to the Internet, UK
18.3 million households in the UK (70 per cent) had Internet access in 2009. This is an increase of just under 2 million households (11 per cent) over the last year and 4 million households (28 per cent) since 2006. UK estimates are not available prior to 2006.
The region with the highest level of access was London, with 80 per cent. The region with the lowest access level was Scotland, with 62 per cent.
Sixty-three per cent of all UK households had a broadband connection in 2009, up from 56 per cent in 2008. Of those households with Internet access, 90 per cent had a broadband connection in 2009, an increase from 69 per cent in 2006.
In 2009, 37.4 million adults (76 per cent of the UK adult population) accessed the Internet in the three months prior to interview. The number of adults who had never accessed the Internet fell to 10.2 million (21 per cent) in 2009.
Sixty four per cent of all adults who were recent Internet users (having accessed the Internet in the three months prior to interview) had ever purchased goods or services over the Internet in 2009. Of these, 83 per cent (26 million) had purchased within the last three months.
(http://www.websiteoptimization.com/bw/0909/)
(http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/iahi0809.pdf)
70% of households had access in 2009
(http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nugget.asp?ID=8&Pos=&ColRank=1&Rank=374)
Households with access to the Internet, UK
18.3 million households in the UK (70 per cent) had Internet access in 2009. This is an increase of just under 2 million households (11 per cent) over the last year and 4 million households (28 per cent) since 2006. UK estimates are not available prior to 2006.
The region with the highest level of access was London, with 80 per cent. The region with the lowest access level was Scotland, with 62 per cent.
Sixty-three per cent of all UK households had a broadband connection in 2009, up from 56 per cent in 2008. Of those households with Internet access, 90 per cent had a broadband connection in 2009, an increase from 69 per cent in 2006.
In 2009, 37.4 million adults (76 per cent of the UK adult population) accessed the Internet in the three months prior to interview. The number of adults who had never accessed the Internet fell to 10.2 million (21 per cent) in 2009.
Sixty four per cent of all adults who were recent Internet users (having accessed the Internet in the three months prior to interview) had ever purchased goods or services over the Internet in 2009. Of these, 83 per cent (26 million) had purchased within the last three months.
(http://www.websiteoptimization.com/bw/0909/)
(http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/iahi0809.pdf)
Internet Access
Internet Access
70% of households had access in 2009
(http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nugget.asp?ID=8&Pos=&ColRank=1&Rank=374)
Households with access to the Internet, UK
18.3 million households in the UK (70 per cent) had Internet access in 2009. This is an increase of just under 2 million households (11 per cent) over the last year and 4 million households (28 per cent) since 2006. UK estimates are not available prior to 2006.
The region with the highest level of access was London, with 80 per cent. The region with the lowest access level was Scotland, with 62 per cent.
Sixty-three per cent of all UK households had a broadband connection in 2009, up from 56 per cent in 2008. Of those households with Internet access, 90 per cent had a broadband connection in 2009, an increase from 69 per cent in 2006.
In 2009, 37.4 million adults (76 per cent of the UK adult population) accessed the Internet in the three months prior to interview. The number of adults who had never accessed the Internet fell to 10.2 million (21 per cent) in 2009.
Sixty four per cent of all adults who were recent Internet users (having accessed the Internet in the three months prior to interview) had ever purchased goods or services over the Internet in 2009. Of these, 83 per cent (26 million) had purchased within the last three months.
(http://www.websiteoptimization.com/bw/0909/)
(http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/iahi0809.pdf)
70% of households had access in 2009
(http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nugget.asp?ID=8&Pos=&ColRank=1&Rank=374)
Households with access to the Internet, UK
18.3 million households in the UK (70 per cent) had Internet access in 2009. This is an increase of just under 2 million households (11 per cent) over the last year and 4 million households (28 per cent) since 2006. UK estimates are not available prior to 2006.
The region with the highest level of access was London, with 80 per cent. The region with the lowest access level was Scotland, with 62 per cent.
Sixty-three per cent of all UK households had a broadband connection in 2009, up from 56 per cent in 2008. Of those households with Internet access, 90 per cent had a broadband connection in 2009, an increase from 69 per cent in 2006.
In 2009, 37.4 million adults (76 per cent of the UK adult population) accessed the Internet in the three months prior to interview. The number of adults who had never accessed the Internet fell to 10.2 million (21 per cent) in 2009.
Sixty four per cent of all adults who were recent Internet users (having accessed the Internet in the three months prior to interview) had ever purchased goods or services over the Internet in 2009. Of these, 83 per cent (26 million) had purchased within the last three months.
(http://www.websiteoptimization.com/bw/0909/)
(http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/iahi0809.pdf)
Wednesday 2 December 2009
Quotes on bridging digital divide
Kofi Annan
Annan calls on business leaders to bridge the 'digital divide' in poor countries
18 June 2003 – Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called on business leaders to give their full support to ongoing United Nations efforts to bridge the "digital divide" threatening to exacerbate already-wide gaps between rich and poor countries.
"Information technology is not a magic formula or panacea. But it is a powerful force that can and must be harnessed to our global mission of peace and development," Mr. Annan said in a message to "The Net World Order: bridging the Global Digital Divide" conference in New York hosted by the Business Council for the UN.
The two-day conference, which kicked off today, seeks to link technology innovation with UN efforts to expand information technology access in developing countries. It is being held at the first United States trade show that emphasizes the entire spectrum – systems, applications, networking and telecommunications – of information and communications technology products and services.
The swift emergence of a global "information society" is changing the way people live, learn, work and relate - creating new choices and opportunities in some of the most vital realms of human endeavour - yet too many of the world's people remain untouched by this revolution, Mr. Annan said in a message delivered by Amire Dossal, Executive Director UN Fund for International Partnerships.
"Timely access to news and information can promote trade, education, employment, health and wealth," Mr. Annan said. "One of the hallmarks of the information society - openness - is a crucial ingredient of democracy and good governance. Information and knowledge are also at the heart of efforts to strengthen tolerance, mutual understanding and respect for diversity."
He urged the business leaders to get involved in the World Summit on the Information Society in December, saying it "offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of the information society so that all people can enjoy these benefits."
PRESIDENT CLINTON AND VICE PRESIDENT GORE:
WORKING TO BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
"Together we have the power to determine exactly what we want the Internet to become... to be an instrument of empowerment, education, enlightenment, economic advance and community-building all across America, regardless of the race, the income, the geography of our citizens."
President Bill Clinton
Thursday, December 9, 1999
Today, at the White House, President Clinton addressed high-tech CEOs and civil rights, education, and non-profit leaders on the digital divide - the growing division in the U.S.between information “haves” and “have-nots.” The President announced that he will lead a trip next spring to focus attention on the digital divide, and will issue a directive to his Cabinet to take specific actions to address this challenge. He also announced several commitments from non-profit organizations and the private sector to help close the divide.
The Importance of Bridging the Digital Divide. Access to computers and the Internet and the ability to effectively use this technology are becoming increasingly important for full participation in America's economic, political and social life. Access to computers and the Internet has exploded during the Clinton-Gore Administration. Unfortunately, there is strong evidence of a “digital divide” – a gap between those individuals and communities that have access to these Information Age tools and those who do not.
From Digital Divide to Digital Opportunity. Today, Secretary of Commerce William Daley convened the first Digital Divide Summit, a roundtable with high-technology CEOs and civil rights, education, and non-profit leaders on ways to bridge the divide. In remarks to summit participants, President Clinton announced actions that will help create digital opportunity for more Americans:
A trip next spring by the President and top CEOs to disadvantaged urban and rural communities to focus national attention on the digital divide and help mobilize private and public efforts;
A directive to members of the Cabinet to take specific actions to close the digital divide, such as expanding Community Technology Centers in low-income urban and rural neighborhoods, continuing to measure the extent of the digital divide, and helping low-income workers gain the skills they need to compete for high-paying information technology jobs;
The launch of the Digital Divide Network, an Internet-based clearinghouse of information on public and private efforts to bring technology to underserved communities;
The formation of the Digital Opportunity Partnership, an alliance between the private sector and civil and human rights organizations to bring high technology to the doorstep of nonprofit organizations; and
A commitment by the Congress of National Black Churches to make the digital divide a top civil rights priority.
A Strong Record on Closing the Digital Divide. President Clinton and Vice President Gore have worked hard to close the digital divide, including:
Working to connect every classroom and library to the Internet by the year 2000;
Providing discounted Internet access to libraries and classrooms through the e-rate program;
Expanding the network of Community Technology Centers to provide access to those who can't afford it;
Improving access to technology for people with disabilities; and
Encouraging the development of information technology applications for low-income Americans.
Annan calls on business leaders to bridge the 'digital divide' in poor countries
18 June 2003 – Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called on business leaders to give their full support to ongoing United Nations efforts to bridge the "digital divide" threatening to exacerbate already-wide gaps between rich and poor countries.
"Information technology is not a magic formula or panacea. But it is a powerful force that can and must be harnessed to our global mission of peace and development," Mr. Annan said in a message to "The Net World Order: bridging the Global Digital Divide" conference in New York hosted by the Business Council for the UN.
The two-day conference, which kicked off today, seeks to link technology innovation with UN efforts to expand information technology access in developing countries. It is being held at the first United States trade show that emphasizes the entire spectrum – systems, applications, networking and telecommunications – of information and communications technology products and services.
The swift emergence of a global "information society" is changing the way people live, learn, work and relate - creating new choices and opportunities in some of the most vital realms of human endeavour - yet too many of the world's people remain untouched by this revolution, Mr. Annan said in a message delivered by Amire Dossal, Executive Director UN Fund for International Partnerships.
"Timely access to news and information can promote trade, education, employment, health and wealth," Mr. Annan said. "One of the hallmarks of the information society - openness - is a crucial ingredient of democracy and good governance. Information and knowledge are also at the heart of efforts to strengthen tolerance, mutual understanding and respect for diversity."
He urged the business leaders to get involved in the World Summit on the Information Society in December, saying it "offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of the information society so that all people can enjoy these benefits."
PRESIDENT CLINTON AND VICE PRESIDENT GORE:
WORKING TO BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
"Together we have the power to determine exactly what we want the Internet to become... to be an instrument of empowerment, education, enlightenment, economic advance and community-building all across America, regardless of the race, the income, the geography of our citizens."
President Bill Clinton
Thursday, December 9, 1999
Today, at the White House, President Clinton addressed high-tech CEOs and civil rights, education, and non-profit leaders on the digital divide - the growing division in the U.S.between information “haves” and “have-nots.” The President announced that he will lead a trip next spring to focus attention on the digital divide, and will issue a directive to his Cabinet to take specific actions to address this challenge. He also announced several commitments from non-profit organizations and the private sector to help close the divide.
The Importance of Bridging the Digital Divide. Access to computers and the Internet and the ability to effectively use this technology are becoming increasingly important for full participation in America's economic, political and social life. Access to computers and the Internet has exploded during the Clinton-Gore Administration. Unfortunately, there is strong evidence of a “digital divide” – a gap between those individuals and communities that have access to these Information Age tools and those who do not.
From Digital Divide to Digital Opportunity. Today, Secretary of Commerce William Daley convened the first Digital Divide Summit, a roundtable with high-technology CEOs and civil rights, education, and non-profit leaders on ways to bridge the divide. In remarks to summit participants, President Clinton announced actions that will help create digital opportunity for more Americans:
A trip next spring by the President and top CEOs to disadvantaged urban and rural communities to focus national attention on the digital divide and help mobilize private and public efforts;
A directive to members of the Cabinet to take specific actions to close the digital divide, such as expanding Community Technology Centers in low-income urban and rural neighborhoods, continuing to measure the extent of the digital divide, and helping low-income workers gain the skills they need to compete for high-paying information technology jobs;
The launch of the Digital Divide Network, an Internet-based clearinghouse of information on public and private efforts to bring technology to underserved communities;
The formation of the Digital Opportunity Partnership, an alliance between the private sector and civil and human rights organizations to bring high technology to the doorstep of nonprofit organizations; and
A commitment by the Congress of National Black Churches to make the digital divide a top civil rights priority.
A Strong Record on Closing the Digital Divide. President Clinton and Vice President Gore have worked hard to close the digital divide, including:
Working to connect every classroom and library to the Internet by the year 2000;
Providing discounted Internet access to libraries and classrooms through the e-rate program;
Expanding the network of Community Technology Centers to provide access to those who can't afford it;
Improving access to technology for people with disabilities; and
Encouraging the development of information technology applications for low-income Americans.
Wednesday 18 November 2009
Download Services
Download Services
Download services have become extremely popular in the past few years. When most media is changed into a digital form it removes any need to travel to the shop to buy anything you need. Goods can be transferred immediately over the internet saving time and effort to buy whatever you need. Internet downloads have become ever popular are people have realised that most of the things they usually go out to buy can easily be bought over the internet. This has spread and made people even more reluctant to be going out and buying their goods. The three main download services used over the World Wide Web is computer software, Music + video and books. Main companies for such services are itunes, Ebooks and specific company product software. Internet downloads save many people time and effort, and in modern times this is a key thing for people who do not have the time to be going out and about to buy their things. This is one of the main reasons for online download services brilliant success. However a down point to modern download services is that multiple sites are offering free shared software. These sites offer illegal torrents were people can download music, videos, games and just about anything for free. This has decreased the amount of legitimate bought downloads over the internet.
Software
Many Companies will release their product software on the internet to save their customers time and effort to upgrade their product. This is both efficient and faster for the customers and sellers to get their product to the customer. Software downloads could be brand new products such and Microsoft office or it could be an upgrade to an existing product. Software downloads have proven successful because updates can be applied immediately as required and eve sometimes automatically and updates can often be free as the cost of providing them is so low. In theory all software could be delivered in this manner, not just upgrades. However there are two main reasons why it is not. If the software is big in size, it could take a very long time to install over the internet. Even with smaller applications the user will often want a physical copy of the software and manuals. Even though most online software comes with a manual in a pdf, if any software crashes and needs to be re-installed, a physical copy of the manual would allow you to re-install properly. I will evaluate Microsoft’s website for downloading bigger actual programmes and Apple Mac’s software updates.
Microsoft
Obviously, it goes without saying that Microsoft will have a good website to download software from. From having one of the largest markets for personal computers and being one of the most well known names in the computer business, a simple and good looking website is expected. Their software website isn’t exactly the prettiest of websites however it seems fairly user friendly and easy to use. Users pay via paypal and then download the software via and internet stream. Download times depend on the users internet connection speed. However downloading software over the internet can save a lot of time, even if it takes a while to download, by the time you’ve downloaded it and left if it for a day, it would have been a lot faster than going out, buying the product and then installing. Windows have been developing since 1985 so decent software should come as standard.
Advantages
• Much faster and more efficient to download online than to go and buy product
• Easy to use website
• Wider variety and promised stock online
• Easier to find the actual product that you want
• Online software is easily installed
• Downloads A-Z makes it easy to find exactly what you need
Disadvantages
• Downloads can take very long, depending on users internet speed
• Virtual software downloads come with no physical manual, so un-installing/re-installing is made harder.
• Often if installing software over the internet goes wrong, and the user has so manual, this results in the user not being able to use the software or having to hire someone to fix it for them.
• Doesn’t have a good feel and user interface to the website, as the Mac website does
Summary
Overall the Microsoft software website is good for those who can’t be bothered to go and buy their product. Their online service allows you to buy and install any of their products. This saves you travelling to the shops to find that they either don’t have your item in stock or don’t sell it at all. The overall time of the download can depend on the users experience, knowing where to save and download files can often be the difference between a programme working and not working. Linked to the last point, when you go and buy the software from the shop, it will come with a physical manual to guide you through your download, however by installing it online, manuals often only come in PDF form, and for a more inexperienced user, this could be inaccessible.
Apple Mac
Apple is renowned for having simple and basic user interface to create a much easier and stress-free experience on a computer. This is their basis idea, to make everything much simpler and more user friendly, to create a nicer to look at interface and generally more stress free computer environment. From personal experience I can say that makes deliver exactly this, everything is laid out on a plate for you, and there is not confusion with any programmes. The Apple Mac software download section of their website is very simple. You click ‘downloads’ at the top bar of the page, then on the side of the page there is a bar with all the different downloads available. Once all your programmes are installed, software upgrades are searched for every time you turn your computer on, if there is one available, a box will pop up allowing you to click accept or deny. It is the simplest design ever, purely because you don’t have to do anything to update!
Advantages:
• Extremely easy to use
• Basic web page layout
• Automatic updates once programmes are installed
• Fast downloads from the Apple website
• Huge variety of different downloads
• Search engine to find any specific applications you want
Overall the Apple Mac software system is an absolutely outstanding piece of work. The way the website works is so easy for any new user of a Mac that needs to software. The fact that once you have your programmes it automatically updates your software makes it so much easier for people to keep up with everybody else’s technology. This is just a taste of what is to come of the future’s automated technology with getting software off the internet.
Music
Music downloading is one of the most common downloads for modern internet. Thousands of mp3 tracks are downloaded from the internet every day. When the likes of itunes and itunes music store came about, people were buying thousands of tracks for cheap from the internet and sales were high. Apple had sold over 500 million tracks for download on its iTunes service by July 2005. However music downloads from the internet were eventually damaged from internet piracy. This is where hosts share and allow other people to download music for free over the internet. This harshly effected legal music downloads and is getting worst.
Itunes Music Store
Version 4 of iTunes introduced the iTunes Music Store (later renamed to the iTunes Store) from which iTunes users can buy and download songs for use on a limited number of computers and an unlimited number of iPods. Apple’s prices vary between $0.69 - $1.29. Generally they make newer hits more expensive and older songs cheaper. Itunes is a massive hit and was proven when Apple CEO Steve Jobs stated that the service had set a new single day record of 20 million songs on December 25, 2007. Apple have sold over 6 billion songs over the internet, this proving that internet piracy doesn’t always ruin legitimate sales, although it effects it. In order to buy anything in the Itunes Music Store you need to set up an account which takes about 5 minute and just requires some typical information, this also means if you’re buying songs all the time, you don’t have to enter your credit card details more than once.
Advantages:
• Largest variety of music to choose from out of different music sites
• Easy to use
• Cheap to buy songs
• Buying songs is fast once you’ve set up an account
• Songs go straight to your itunes
• Allows you to use on multiple iPods’/computers
• Simple user interface
Overall Itunes Music Store is the best thing out there music wise. Until you get into internet piracy, Itunes Music Store is by far the cheapest, easiest and best music store to download from the internet. Pretty much anyone who has a computer and knows basically how to use it will easily be able to work their way around Apple Itunes Music Store. Also, if you get bored of simply music downloads, Itunes have brought out videos, podcasts and audio books for the iPod. These are great for when you are out and about with your video iPod and bored.
Amazon
This is another digital music store owned and operated by Amazon .com . Launched in public beta on September 25th 2007, in January it became the first music store to sell music without digital rights management from all four major music labels (EMI, Universal, Warner Music and Sony BMG). After the US, it was launched in the UK December 2008, in Germany April 2009 and in France June 2009. At launch Amazon offered over 2 million songs from more than 180,000 artists and over 20,000 labels. In February 2008, Pepsi introduced Pepsi Stuff promotion in partnership with Amazon MP3. Customers can exchange points offered on 4 million Pepsi bottles for, among other things, MP3 downloads.
Advantages:
• Cheaper than Itunes
• Music deals at certain times in the year
• Higher quality music (256kbps)
• No restrictions to how many computers the music is passed to
• Customer reviews
Disadvantages:
• Not as easy to use UI at Itunes
• Amazon downloader application needed
• Not as good search results and Itunes
While iTunes currently offers a greater depth of music - as well as movies and TV shows - Amazon MP3 is pretty certain to catch up. Its prices are erratic but I couldn't find one album there that was cheaper in iTunes (UPDATE: there are a few out there). Now that Apple has followed suit with higher quality and no DRM restrictions there's not much in it apart from price and convenience - unless you want to play the music via something other than an iPod or iPhone. As some of the savings are dramatic, even on new releases, Amazon MP3 must be a compelling alternative even for long-term, heavy iTunes users like me. iTunes works more seamlessly and is nicer to navigate but the price difference of Amazon MP3 had me converted almost immediately.
Download services have become extremely popular in the past few years. When most media is changed into a digital form it removes any need to travel to the shop to buy anything you need. Goods can be transferred immediately over the internet saving time and effort to buy whatever you need. Internet downloads have become ever popular are people have realised that most of the things they usually go out to buy can easily be bought over the internet. This has spread and made people even more reluctant to be going out and buying their goods. The three main download services used over the World Wide Web is computer software, Music + video and books. Main companies for such services are itunes, Ebooks and specific company product software. Internet downloads save many people time and effort, and in modern times this is a key thing for people who do not have the time to be going out and about to buy their things. This is one of the main reasons for online download services brilliant success. However a down point to modern download services is that multiple sites are offering free shared software. These sites offer illegal torrents were people can download music, videos, games and just about anything for free. This has decreased the amount of legitimate bought downloads over the internet.
Software
Many Companies will release their product software on the internet to save their customers time and effort to upgrade their product. This is both efficient and faster for the customers and sellers to get their product to the customer. Software downloads could be brand new products such and Microsoft office or it could be an upgrade to an existing product. Software downloads have proven successful because updates can be applied immediately as required and eve sometimes automatically and updates can often be free as the cost of providing them is so low. In theory all software could be delivered in this manner, not just upgrades. However there are two main reasons why it is not. If the software is big in size, it could take a very long time to install over the internet. Even with smaller applications the user will often want a physical copy of the software and manuals. Even though most online software comes with a manual in a pdf, if any software crashes and needs to be re-installed, a physical copy of the manual would allow you to re-install properly. I will evaluate Microsoft’s website for downloading bigger actual programmes and Apple Mac’s software updates.
Microsoft
Obviously, it goes without saying that Microsoft will have a good website to download software from. From having one of the largest markets for personal computers and being one of the most well known names in the computer business, a simple and good looking website is expected. Their software website isn’t exactly the prettiest of websites however it seems fairly user friendly and easy to use. Users pay via paypal and then download the software via and internet stream. Download times depend on the users internet connection speed. However downloading software over the internet can save a lot of time, even if it takes a while to download, by the time you’ve downloaded it and left if it for a day, it would have been a lot faster than going out, buying the product and then installing. Windows have been developing since 1985 so decent software should come as standard.
Advantages
• Much faster and more efficient to download online than to go and buy product
• Easy to use website
• Wider variety and promised stock online
• Easier to find the actual product that you want
• Online software is easily installed
• Downloads A-Z makes it easy to find exactly what you need
Disadvantages
• Downloads can take very long, depending on users internet speed
• Virtual software downloads come with no physical manual, so un-installing/re-installing is made harder.
• Often if installing software over the internet goes wrong, and the user has so manual, this results in the user not being able to use the software or having to hire someone to fix it for them.
• Doesn’t have a good feel and user interface to the website, as the Mac website does
Summary
Overall the Microsoft software website is good for those who can’t be bothered to go and buy their product. Their online service allows you to buy and install any of their products. This saves you travelling to the shops to find that they either don’t have your item in stock or don’t sell it at all. The overall time of the download can depend on the users experience, knowing where to save and download files can often be the difference between a programme working and not working. Linked to the last point, when you go and buy the software from the shop, it will come with a physical manual to guide you through your download, however by installing it online, manuals often only come in PDF form, and for a more inexperienced user, this could be inaccessible.
Apple Mac
Apple is renowned for having simple and basic user interface to create a much easier and stress-free experience on a computer. This is their basis idea, to make everything much simpler and more user friendly, to create a nicer to look at interface and generally more stress free computer environment. From personal experience I can say that makes deliver exactly this, everything is laid out on a plate for you, and there is not confusion with any programmes. The Apple Mac software download section of their website is very simple. You click ‘downloads’ at the top bar of the page, then on the side of the page there is a bar with all the different downloads available. Once all your programmes are installed, software upgrades are searched for every time you turn your computer on, if there is one available, a box will pop up allowing you to click accept or deny. It is the simplest design ever, purely because you don’t have to do anything to update!
Advantages:
• Extremely easy to use
• Basic web page layout
• Automatic updates once programmes are installed
• Fast downloads from the Apple website
• Huge variety of different downloads
• Search engine to find any specific applications you want
Overall the Apple Mac software system is an absolutely outstanding piece of work. The way the website works is so easy for any new user of a Mac that needs to software. The fact that once you have your programmes it automatically updates your software makes it so much easier for people to keep up with everybody else’s technology. This is just a taste of what is to come of the future’s automated technology with getting software off the internet.
Music
Music downloading is one of the most common downloads for modern internet. Thousands of mp3 tracks are downloaded from the internet every day. When the likes of itunes and itunes music store came about, people were buying thousands of tracks for cheap from the internet and sales were high. Apple had sold over 500 million tracks for download on its iTunes service by July 2005. However music downloads from the internet were eventually damaged from internet piracy. This is where hosts share and allow other people to download music for free over the internet. This harshly effected legal music downloads and is getting worst.
Itunes Music Store
Version 4 of iTunes introduced the iTunes Music Store (later renamed to the iTunes Store) from which iTunes users can buy and download songs for use on a limited number of computers and an unlimited number of iPods. Apple’s prices vary between $0.69 - $1.29. Generally they make newer hits more expensive and older songs cheaper. Itunes is a massive hit and was proven when Apple CEO Steve Jobs stated that the service had set a new single day record of 20 million songs on December 25, 2007. Apple have sold over 6 billion songs over the internet, this proving that internet piracy doesn’t always ruin legitimate sales, although it effects it. In order to buy anything in the Itunes Music Store you need to set up an account which takes about 5 minute and just requires some typical information, this also means if you’re buying songs all the time, you don’t have to enter your credit card details more than once.
Advantages:
• Largest variety of music to choose from out of different music sites
• Easy to use
• Cheap to buy songs
• Buying songs is fast once you’ve set up an account
• Songs go straight to your itunes
• Allows you to use on multiple iPods’/computers
• Simple user interface
Overall Itunes Music Store is the best thing out there music wise. Until you get into internet piracy, Itunes Music Store is by far the cheapest, easiest and best music store to download from the internet. Pretty much anyone who has a computer and knows basically how to use it will easily be able to work their way around Apple Itunes Music Store. Also, if you get bored of simply music downloads, Itunes have brought out videos, podcasts and audio books for the iPod. These are great for when you are out and about with your video iPod and bored.
Amazon
This is another digital music store owned and operated by Amazon .com . Launched in public beta on September 25th 2007, in January it became the first music store to sell music without digital rights management from all four major music labels (EMI, Universal, Warner Music and Sony BMG). After the US, it was launched in the UK December 2008, in Germany April 2009 and in France June 2009. At launch Amazon offered over 2 million songs from more than 180,000 artists and over 20,000 labels. In February 2008, Pepsi introduced Pepsi Stuff promotion in partnership with Amazon MP3. Customers can exchange points offered on 4 million Pepsi bottles for, among other things, MP3 downloads.
Advantages:
• Cheaper than Itunes
• Music deals at certain times in the year
• Higher quality music (256kbps)
• No restrictions to how many computers the music is passed to
• Customer reviews
Disadvantages:
• Not as easy to use UI at Itunes
• Amazon downloader application needed
• Not as good search results and Itunes
While iTunes currently offers a greater depth of music - as well as movies and TV shows - Amazon MP3 is pretty certain to catch up. Its prices are erratic but I couldn't find one album there that was cheaper in iTunes (UPDATE: there are a few out there). Now that Apple has followed suit with higher quality and no DRM restrictions there's not much in it apart from price and convenience - unless you want to play the music via something other than an iPod or iPhone. As some of the savings are dramatic, even on new releases, Amazon MP3 must be a compelling alternative even for long-term, heavy iTunes users like me. iTunes works more seamlessly and is nicer to navigate but the price difference of Amazon MP3 had me converted almost immediately.
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