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TODAY AND TOMORROW
11th Edition
CHAPTERCHAPTER1Chapter 16 Understanding Computers, 11th Edition
Intellectual Property Rights, Ethics, Health, Access, and the Environment
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Learning Objectives Understand the concept of intellectual property rights
and how they relate to computer use.
Explain what is meant by ethics and provide several examples of unethical behavior in computer-related matters.
Describe some possible physical and emotional health risks surrounding the use of computers.
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Learning Objectives, Cont’d Discuss the impact factors, such as nationality,
income, race, education, and physical disabilities, may have on computer access and use.
Suggest some ways computer users can practice “green computing” and properly dispose of obsolete computer equipment.
Discuss the current status of legislation related to intellectual property rights, ethics, access, and the environment in relation to computers
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Overview This chapter covers:
What intellectual property rights are
A discussion of ethics, including ethical use of materials, resources, and business practices
The impact of computers on our health
Issues related to access to technology
The impact of computers on our environment
A look at legislation related to these issues
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Intellectual Property Rights Intellectual property rights: rights to which creators of
original creative works are entitled
Copyrights: protect original artistic or literary works Last until 70 years after
creator’s death For corporate copyrights or
anonymous works, last 95 years from date of publication or 120 years from date of creation, whichever is shorter
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Intellectual Property Rights, Cont’d Copyrights, cont’d
To protect rights, can use Digital watermarks:
subtle alteration of digital content that is not noticeable but that can identify the copyright holder
Digital rights management (DRM) software: control the use of a copyrighted work
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Trademarks: protect identifying words, phrases, symbols, logos, and designs Includes protection for
domain names (cybersquatting)
Domain name disputes can be brought to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
Intellectual Property Rights, Cont’d
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Patents: protect inventions Lasts for 20 years Can also be a
business practice or procedure
Expensive to get but can be very lucrative
Intellectual Property Rights, Cont’d
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Ethics Ethics: overall standards of moral conduct
Can vary with individual, religious beliefs, country, race, or culture
Personal ethics
Computer ethics: moral conduct related to computer use
Business ethics: guide a business’s policies, decisions, and actions
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Ethical Use of Copyrighted Material Books and
Web-based articles Need to
properly credit sources to avoid plagiarism
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Ethical Use of Copyrighted Material, Cont’d
Music Began with Napster Still concerns P2P file sharing sites DRM controls are starting to impact downloaded
files, purchased CDs, etc. Movies
Movie piracy is high (illegal copies, camcording movies to create DVDs, etc.)
Proposed broadcast flag and other controls may become an issue
Legal video-on-demand services may help curb illegal movie downloads
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Ethical Use of Resources and Information
Code of conduct: Policy that specifies allowable use of resources by students or employees
Code of ethics: Policy, typically for an industry or organization, that specifies overall moral guidelines for individuals in that industry or organization
Business need to decide what is ethical use of employee and customer Information
Cheating at schools can be reduced by academic honor codes
Résumé padding is considered unethical by most companies
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Computer Hoaxes and Digital Manipulation
Computer hoax: inaccurate statement or story spread through the use of computers
Often sent via e-mail
Consider researching before passing on to others (Hoaxbusters site is a good source)
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Computer Hoaxes and Digital Manipulation
Digital manipulation: digitally altering text, images, photographs, music, and other digital content Some beneficial ethical
uses (aging photos of runaways, retouching personal photographs, etc.
Use by media is more controversial
Difficult to tell in the future if a historical photo was manipulated
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Ethical Business Practices and Decision Making
Businesses need to make ethical decisions regarding: Fraudulent reporting and
other scandalous activities Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 Ethically questionable
products or services Proof of age requirements
for selling liquor, tobacco, and other adult products via Internet
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Ethical Business Practices and Decision Making, Cont’d
Businesses need to make ethical decisions regarding: cont’d Vaporware Workplace monitoring Cultural considerations
Errors can cost business, embarrass company, etc.
Schools and businesses are starting to teach global issues
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Computers and Health Computer use can cause physical injuries
Repetitive stress injury (RSI): Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)
Computer vision syndrome (CVS) Backaches, etc.
Ergonomics: fitting a work environment to the people who work there Using good workspace design principles can help
avoid physical problems
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Computers and Health, Cont’d Ergonomics, cont’d
Also apply to portable PC users Travel mice and travel keyboards can help while on
the go Docking stations or notebook stands can be used
with portable PC at home or in the office Docking station: connects the PC to permanent
hardware, such as a keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc.
Notebook stand: raises a notebook up to a better height
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Computers and Health, Cont’d Ergonomic hardware: hardware that is more
ergonomically correct than conventional hardware
Ergonomic keyboards
Ergonomic mice
Keyboard drawers
Document holders
Antiglare screens
Wrist rests
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Computers and Health, Cont’d Users
should also use good habits and other precautions
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Computer Health, Cont’d Computer use can also
be a problem for emotional health
Stress due to ever-changing technology
Many jobs require computer use now than didn’t in the past
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Computer Health, Cont’d Computer use can also be a
problem for emotional health, cont’d Stress due to our 24/7 society Information overload
Can use tools such as e-mail filters, RSS feeds, intelligent agents, etc.
Burnout: a state of fatigue or frustration brought on by overwork
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Computer Health, Cont’d Computer/Internet addiction: the problem of
overusing, or being unable to stop using, a computer or the Internet Growing problem in many countries Often related to e-mail, IM, shopping, gaming, and
pornography Can result in loss or relationships, job loss,
academic failure, obesity, RSIs, suicide, and more Can be treated similar to other addictions
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Access to Technology Digital divide: the gap between those who have
access to technology and those who don’t
U.S. digital divide (differences in technology use by income, race, geographical area, education, broadband Internet use, etc.) Reducing the U.S. digital divide is important to
ensure all citizens have an equal chance of being successful
Some people choose not to use technology
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Access to Technology, Cont’d Global digital divide (use varies by country)
Technology infrastructure varies Income vs. cost is important factor Can solve some problems, like telemedicine and
education to remote areas Devices designed to reduce the global digital
divide Simputer (community digital assistant or CDA) Personal Internet Communicator (PIC) $100 Laptop
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Assistive Technology Assistive technology: hardware and software
designed for use by individuals with physical disabilities Assistive input devices: Braille keyboards,
keyguards, one-handed keyboards, voice input systems, switches, feet mice, head pointing systems or head mice, brain-to-computer interfacing, etc.
Assistive output devices: screen readers, Braille displays, Braille printers, etc.
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Environmental Concerns Green computing: the use of computers in an
environmentally friendly manner
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Environmental Concerns, Cont’d Eco-label: A certification,
often by a government agency, that identifies a device as meeting minimum environmental performance specifications
ENERGY STAR: U.S. products that are energy efficient
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Environmental Concerns, Cont’d Alternate power can
be used with computers and other devices:
Solar power
Hand chargers
Fuel cells
E-paper and electronic documents can help
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Recycling and Disposal of Computing Equipment
E-trash (e-waste): electronic waste such as: Disposable products Discarded hardware Many elements found in
hardware are dangerous Much e-waste is shipped to
other countries
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Recycling and Disposal of Computing Equipment
To help avoid more pollution and e-trash: Recycling programs for old computers, discs, etc. Recharged toner cartridges can be used Obsolete equipment can be donated to schools
and other organizations Hardware manufacturers are reducing the amount
of toxic components used and otherwise making more environmental friendly PCs
Some states are implementing disposal fees for new hardware to ensure they are disposed of properly
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Related Legislation There is legislation to protect intellectual property
rights, such as: Family Entertainment and Copyright Act of 2005
(FECA) Copyright Term Extension Act U.S. Anticybersquatting Act Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)
Ethical legislation is more difficult to pass The amendment to the Rehabilitation Act in 1998
requires federal agency information be accessible