Unit 8

Model Answer

Task 1 - Bluetooth

• Bluetooth equipped devices can exchange information. Bluetooth is most commonly used to connect mobile telephones with headsets so that people can talk while driving. It is also used to transfer files between devices e.g. music, phone numbers, images.

Advantages

• It is very easy to use

• It is relatively cheap

• It is wireless

Limitations

• It has a limited range

• It is susceptible to interference, sharing frequencies with devices such as microwaves, cordless phones, and most Wi-Fi-enabled equipment

Task 2

• A recent innovation in IT is GPS.

• The purpose of this is to enable people to find their way to destinations without getting lost

How Sat Nav works

• GPS satellites circle the earth twice a day in a very precise orbit and transmit signal information to earth. GPS receivers take this information and use triangulation to calculate the user's exact location. Essentially, the GPS receiver compares the time a signal was transmitted by a satellite with the time it was received. The time difference tells the GPS receiver how far away the satellite is. Now, with distance measurements from a few more satellites, the receiver can determine the user's position and display it on the unit's electronic map.

• A GPS receiver must be locked on to the signal of at least three satellites to calculate a 2D position (latitude and longitude) and track movement. With four or more satellites in view, the receiver can determine the user's 3D position (latitude, longitude and altitude). Once the user's position has been determined, the GPS unit can calculate other information, such as speed, bearing, track, trip distance, distance to destination, sunrise and sunset time and more.

• A computer then uses this to give directions to the driver.

Benefits

• It helps people get to their destinations more quickly by stopping them getting lost.

• They are now relatively cheap

Limitations

• The maps are not 100% accurate so users sometimes get bad directions.

• The maps need regular updates.

Task 3 – Impact of e-commerce

• Definition of e-commerce:

E-commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services on the world wide web.

Benefits of e-commerce

• Consumers have a far greater choice than ever before because it is easy to compare products from different sites. It also gives people access to many more sellers than is the case on the high street.

• It is more convenient than conventional shopping. It can all be done from the home/office, at any time, and the goods are delivered to your door.

• The number of sellers on the internet has led to strong competition and this has driven prices down

Task 4 – Investigating an e-commerce website

I have chosen EBay as the topic of this study.

The purpose of EBay is to buy and sell things. Its audience mainly is 18 and over but younger people can ask their parents to purchase items for them. Its for males and females.

Shows what you can buy and sell

You can search for certain items

Different categories to chose from

Here you can see what you have sold or purchased

You can register

Seller’s details and feedback

Bid here!

Highest bid

Enter your bid here

Item description

Task 5 – Moral Issues

As the use of computer databases became more widespread, there was increasing concern over the possible/actual misuse of personal information.  • Could it be copied? • Could it be changed? • Who could see it? • How accurate was it? • Could detailed files be kept on people without their knowledge or permission?

These concerns led the UK government to pass the 1998 Data Protection Act. The man principles of the Act are on the next slide.

• Principle 1

• Principle 2

• Principle 3

• Etc

You will also need to discuss the job of the Information Commissioner.

This would get a grade C.