Ethics for the Information Age Chapter 1
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Questions and Answers

What was a significant catalyst for change in the Information Age?

  • Slow communication networks
  • High-cost computer manufacturing
  • Limited access to information
  • Low-cost computers (correct)

    • Which of the following is NOT considered a product of the Information Age?

  • Low-cost drones
  • Voice-activated digital assistants
  • Self-driving cars
  • Typewriters (correct)

    • What role do high-speed communication networks play in the Information Age?

  • They enable the accessibility of emerging technologies. (correct)
  • They increase the cost of computer usage.
  • They limit access to information.
  • They decrease the efficiency of information retrieval.

    • Which smartphone is mentioned as an example of a product of the Information Age?

    <p>Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a current trend or technology associated with the Information Age?

    <p>Video streaming services</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes a key feature of devices in the Information Age?

    <p>Convergence of multiple technologies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What technological advancement has NOT emerged from the catalysts of the Information Age?

    <p>Telegraph systems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of access to information characterizes the Information Age?

    <p>Unprecedented ease and speed of information access</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant change occurred in bookkeeping as a result of mechanical calculators?

    <p>Deskilling of bookkeeping tasks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor contributed to the need for reliable information in large corporations during the Gilded Age?

    <p>Concentration of corporate power</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did technology misuse by the Nazis relate to IBM's actions during WWII?

    <p>IBM expanded its German operations despite anti-Semitic policies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role did punched card tabulation play in the early 20th century industries?

    <p>Sorting and categorizing data for various sectors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a key psychological impact of technology use mentioned in the content?

    <p>Increased desire to seek additional information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What negative social issue arose from the convenience of automobiles?

    <p>Increased traffic jams</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What technological milestone did the Arithmometer of de Colmar achieve in the 19th century?

    <p>It was the first mechanical calculator for whole numbers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one of the primary functions of the cash register developed in the late 1800s?

    <p>To prevent embezzlement and keep sales records</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which computing device is recognized as the precursor to commercial computers?

    <p>Atanasoff-Berry Computer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What unintended consequence did new technologies pose for child safety with the advent of the web?

    <p>Exposure to inappropriate content</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect of Google's PageRank contributes to its search engine's high precision?

    <p>It assesses the importance and quality of web pages based on linking pages.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the significant benefits of using cloud storage?

    <p>It simplifies file sharing and provides low-cost massive storage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about copyright issues related to information technology is true?

    <p>Illegal downloading is facilitated by the Internet's fast and inexpensive distribution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does telecommuting potentially affect employees in terms of career advancement?

    <p>Telecommuting can lead to less visible contributions and missed promotion opportunities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does social media play in modern society, according to the information provided?

    <p>It can promote democratic ideas as well as support totalitarian regimes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one of the early challenges faced by N S F NET after the establishment of private networks?

    <p>Increased commercial traffic on the backbone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about cloud computing is true?

    <p>Cloud computing utilizes high-performance, low-cost microprocessors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic of the codex contributed to its advantage over papyrus scrolls?

    <p>Quicker access to specific passages</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did newspapers affect public sentiment during the American Revolution?

    <p>They helped unify the colonies and sway public opinion toward independence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which company released the first widely used graphical user interface called Microsoft Windows?

    <p>Microsoft</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant attribute of the hypertext system known as HyperCard?

    <p>It was based on stacks of cards with graphical links.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which individual is credited with coining the term 'hypertext'?

    <p>Ted Nelson</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the main purpose of the National Science Foundation's involvement in the creation of N S F NET?

    <p>To encourage access and development of regional networks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What technological advancement was significant for the proliferation of internet-based file-swapping?

    <p>High-speed broadband integration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary impact of Gutenberg's printing press on society?

    <p>It allowed for mass production of texts for the first time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary advantage of the IBM System/360 over earlier IBM mainframes?

    <p>All computers in the series could run the same programs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a key feature of time-sharing systems in computing?

    <p>They allowed multiple users to connect to a computer via terminals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did the microprocessor significantly impact personal computers?

    <p>It enabled computers to become smaller and more affordable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true about the development of BASIC programming language?

    <p>It was created at Dartmouth College and aimed at beginners.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary purpose of the Whole Earth Catalog in relation to personal computing?

    <p>To educate individuals on the uses of technology.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which invention allowed for the seamless connection of typewriters and telegraph lines?

    <p>Teletype</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following was a significant outcome of the advent of the telegraph?

    <p>It eliminated the need for the Pony Express.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one of the prominent uses of early radio technology?

    <p>Wireless telegraph communications.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the main focus of the ARPANET's design?

    <p>To improve survivability through decentralized design.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which development contributed significantly to the transition from large mainframes to personal computers?

    <p>The invention of the transistor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Introduction to the Information Age

    • Characterized by unprecedented access to information due to low-cost computers and high-speed communication networks.
    • Emerging technologies include smartphones, video streaming, voice-activated assistants, drones, and self-driving cars.
    • Example: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus integrates phone, text, email, web, camera, and navigation features.

    Evolution of Computing

    • 1950: Very few electronic digital computers existed; the internet was non-existent.
    • Today: Networked devices filled with embedded microprocessors; heavy usage in daily life.
    • People create and adopt technology, which then alters social structures and individual behavior.

    Social-Technological Cycle

    • New information technologies emerge from social conditions and vice versa.
    • Adoption of technology can lead to social changes, such as increased mobility due to automobiles or job outsourcing due to global communications.

    Milestones in Computing

    • Aids to Manual Calculating: Early tools like clay tablets, abaci, and mathematical tables that laid the groundwork for digitized calculations.
    • Mechanical Calculators: Innovations by Pascal, Leibniz, and de Colmar transitioned calculations from manual methods to machine assistance, influencing bookkeeping.
    • Cash Registers: Emerged in department stores to manage sales accurately and prevent embezzlement.
    • Punched Card Tabulation: Allowed sorting and computation of vast data; utilized by organizations like the U.S. Bureau of the Census.

    Historical Impact of IBM and Computing

    • IBM's ENIAC was the first commercial computer, later becoming a dominant force in the mainframe market with its System/360.
    • Programming advancements: Assembly language, FORTRAN, and COBOL defined early programming standards.

    Networking Innovations

    • Early telecommunication developments include the telegraph and telephone, which transformed communication and social structures.
    • ARPANET, developed by the Department of Defense, marked the beginning of the modern internet era with its decentralized design and packet-switching technology.
    • Email emerged as a significant communication technology with software created by Tomlinson and Roberts, leading to its widespread use.

    Advancements in Cloud Computing

    • Enabled by high-speed networks and virtualization, cloud computing offers remote resource utilization with services like SaaS and IaaS.
    • Provides advantages such as economies of scale, flexibility, and simplified access to computing resources.

    Information Storage and Retrieval Milestones

    • Greek alphabet innovation allowed effective transformation of spoken language into written form, shifting cultures from oral to written.
    • Gutenberg’s printing press revolutionized mass communication, facilitating the spread of ideas during the Reformation.
    • Hypertext and the World Wide Web emerged as new forms of information organization and retrieval.
    • Search engines like Google index and retrieve information from billions of web pages, using algorithms like PageRank to ensure relevance.

    Current Information Technology Issues

    • Increasing use of IT devices due to falling costs and rising capabilities.
    • Intellectual property concerns arise from digitization enabling easy copying and distribution leading to piracy.
    • Cloud storage raises questions about data security and ownership of personal information.
    • The convenience of credit cards increases the risk of identity theft and poses questions regarding information ownership in transactions.### Loan Applications
    • Determined primarily by credit history rather than personal interviews, streamlining the process.
    • Offers lower interest rates but with reduced flexibility for borrowers.

    Computers in Embedded Devices

    • Raises questions of liability when system failures result in harm to individuals, highlighting ethical and legal implications.

    Telecommuting

    • Provides significant time savings and promotes flexible working hours.
    • Potential concern regarding career advancement, as teleworkers may be overlooked for promotions compared to in-office employees.

    Improved Global Communication Network

    • Enables companies to reach a global market, expanding their potential customer base.
    • Facilitates job relocation from the U.S. to other regions, which may lead to ethical concerns about working conditions in factories in developing countries.

    Social Media

    • Functions as a platform for promoting democratic ideas, enhancing public discourse.
    • At the same time, can be exploited as a tool by totalitarian governments to control and manipulate public opinion.

    Information Age Overview

    • The modern era is identified as the Information Age, yet information technology has evolved through a rich history.
    • Current technological advancements are the result of centuries of gradual innovations.
    • Societal conditions influence the emergence and adoption of new technologies.
    • The adoption of these technologies has the potential to significantly alter social structures and norms.
    • Computing professionals are urged to consider their responsibility in shaping technology's impact on the future.

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    Description

    Explore the first chapter of 'Ethics for the Information Age' which discusses catalysts for change and milestones in computing, networking, and information storage. Understand the issues surrounding information technology that have emerged in the modern era.

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