ICT: Communication Applications

Communication Applications

• ICT has revolutionized communication through various methods like newsletters, websites, multimedia presentations, music scores, cartoons, flyers, and posters.
• Communication can be categorized into personal, business, and paper-based or digital formats.

Paper-Based Communication

• Paper-based communication involves producing hard copy documents using desktop publishing.
• Advantages of paper-based communication include accessibility for disabled individuals via Braille or large print and portability.
• Disadvantages include distribution costs, the inability to include animations, and printing expenses.
• Examples of paper-based communication are newsletters, posters, and flyers.

Digital Communication

• Digital communication uses computers and screens to present documents.
• Advantages of digital communication include lower costs due to the absence of printing, the ability to include effects and animations, and interactivity through comments and likes.
• Disadvantages include the need for expensive software and the time-consuming nature of website development.

Interactive Communication Applications

• Websites are collections of texts, images, videos, and animations widely used by companies for accessibility.
• Blogs are websites dedicated to specific topics, allowing follower comments and regular updates.
• Social networking websites facilitate audio and video calls within groups (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).
• Instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and WeChat offer fast communication response times.

Data Handling Applications

• Various applications employ data handling techniques, such as surveys for small businesses.
• OMR (Optical Mark Reader) and OCR (Optical Character Reader) are used to read data from surveys.
• Address lists are stored on computers and phones.
• School reports are created using tools like Microsoft Excel.
• Mail merging automates report generation to reduce stress and time.

Measurement Applications

• Computers are used with sensors to measure physical quantities, known as data logging.
• Data logging is used in scientific experiments, electronic timing, and environmental monitoring.

Sensors for Data Logging

• Sensors automatically detect and measure physical quantities.
• Sensors are more reliable, accurate, and faster than manual readings and can operate 24/7.
• Using sensors provides consistent readings and is safer in dangerous environments.
• An example involves using a thermostat sensor, ADC (analog-to-digital converter), computer, and software to record and analyze temperature changes in water.

Environmental Monitoring

• Environmental monitoring involves collecting data for weather forecasting, water quality assessment, and air pollution level measurement.

Control Applications

• Sensors are used with computers to control devices like security lights, burglar alarms, central heating, greenhouses, automatic doors, washing machines, and microwave ovens.
• The process includes sensor data input, computer processing, and instruction of how to proceed.
• Common sensors measure temperature, light, sound, humidity, load/weight, proximity, and infrared radiation.
• Computer-controlled devices offer benefits such as lower costs, higher work rates, safety, accuracy, and speed.

Modeling Applications

• Several applications employ data techniques such as surveys, address lists, and school reports, with questionnaires and answer scripts often read by OCR and OMR.
• Robots can be programmed with instructions to complete tasks and are equipped with sensors to gather information.
• Robots offer advantages: operation in dangerous environments, 24/7 availability, cost-effectiveness, high productivity, consistency, and performance of repetitive tasks.
• Disadvantages of robots include potential job losses, high initial setup costs, expensive maintenance, and process disruption if malfunctions occur.

Booking Systems

• Booking systems involve users selecting options, database searches for availability, temporary space unavailability until payment, and confirmation after successful payment.
• Online booking provides advantages over manual booking: preventing double booking, immediate feedback on seat availability, 24/7 booking capability, easier email advertising, and reduced costs.
• Disadvantages of online booking: setup and maintenance costs, the need for a computer and internet connection, difficulty in canceling bookings, and the inability to build personal relationships with travel agents.

Banking Applications

• ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) allow users to withdraw cash and perform various banking tasks.
• Internet banking, requiring good security, facilitates money transfers, bill payments, and statement ordering.
• Advantages of internet banking include convenience, access to worldwide markets, ease of use for disabled and elderly individuals, 24/7 availability, and discretion when applying for loans.
• Disadvantages include potential isolation, health risks due to lack of exercise, security concerns, computer and internet access requirements, and the possibility of erroneous transfers.

Expert Systems

• Expert systems mimic the knowledge of experts in fields like medical diagnostics, fault finding in cars, mineral prospecting, financial calculations, and strategy games.

Expert System Components

• The knowledge base helps to store reliable information.
• The rule base stores rules on how to interpret the knowledge.
• The inference engine creates deductions and inferences from knowledge and rules.
• The user interface is what the end user interacts with to perform tasks.

Advantages of Expert Systems

• Expert systems provide consistent answers, unaffected by emotions.
• Expert systems never fail to answer a question.
• Expert systems can take less time to come to results.
• Expert systems save costs potentially due to no longer needing experts.

Disadvantages of Expert Systems

• Expert systems can lack the common sense associated with the task it is performing.
• Expert systems require specialist knowledge to implement.