1.5 Contemporary Technology

 

1.5 Contemporary Technology

 

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud Computing means storing and accessing data and programs over the internet instead of computer’s hard drive.

Examples of Cloud Computing

a)     Drop box, Face book, Gmail

b)     Google Drive, Apple iCloud

c)     Google Photos, Online Photoshop

d)     YouTube

Uses of Cloud Computing

a)     Store, backup and recover data

b)     Host websites and blogs

c)     Make communication and send emails

d)     Deliver on demand software services

Advantages of Cloud Computing

a)     It allows to quickly and easily access, store information anywhere, anytime in the whole world, using an internet connection.

b)     It is easier to get back-up and restore the data.

c)      It reduces both hardware and software maintenance costs for organizations.

d)     Data is securely stored and handled.

Disadvantages of Cloud Computing

a)     If there is no good internet connectivity,  the data cannot be accessed.

b)     There may be a chance of organization's information being hacked by hackers while transmitting.

c)     The cloud providers may sometimes face technical problems such as loss of power, low Internet connectivity etc.

d)     Cloud computing companies fail to provide proper support to the customers.

Types of cloud computing services

 

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Customer can use processing, storage, networking, and other computing resources from cloud service providers to run their software system.

Software as a Service (SaaS): Customer subscribes the software services from a

vendor for an annual subscription fee or sometimes free and use it over Internet.

Services like Gmail, Google Drive, Office 365 are some of the examples of SaaS.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): Customer use infrastructure and programming tools and environment supported by the vendors to develop their own applications.

IBM provides Bluemix for software development and testing on its cloud.

 

Types of Cloud

Public cloud

Private cloud

Hybrid cloud

 

 Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an area of computer science that emphasizes the creation of intelligent machines that work and reacts like humans.

John McCarthy coined the term Artificial Intelligence in the year 1955.

 

 

 

 

Applications of AI

a)     Gaming − AI plays crucial role in strategic games such as chess, poker, tic-tac-toe, etc., where machine can think of large number of possible positions.

b)     Natural Language Processing − It is possible to interact with the computer that understands natural language spoken by humans.

c)     Expert Systems − There are some applications which integrate machine, software, and special information to impart reasoning and advising. They provide explanation and advice to the users. (for example, some expert systems help doctors diagnose diseases based on symptoms)

d)     Intelligent Robots − Robots are able to perform the tasks given by a human.

They are capable of learning from their mistakes and they can adapt to the new environment.

 

Examples of AI

a)     Siri / Alexa- both use AI to help you complete tasks or answer questions on your mobile devices.

b)     Netflix / Youtube  - uses advanced predictive technology to suggest shows based on your viewing preferences or rating.

c)     Facebook Feed - filter content that is most likely to be of interest to the particular Facebook user and predict what they will want to see.

 

 

 

 

Virtual Reality

An artificial environment created with computer hardware and software and presented to the user in such a way that it appears and feels like a real environment.

 

Application areas of VR

a)     It can be used in medical studies to enable students to know the human body structure.

b)     It can be used in scientific research laboratories so that scientist can easily research on a specific topic.

c)     It can be used in driving schools as it give a real look of roads and traffic.

d)     It can be used in military training for the soldiers to get familiar with different areas in the battlefield.

 

E-Governance

E-Governance is a set of services provided by

the government to public via electronic media

especially using Internet..

The basic purpose of e-governance is to simplify processes for all, i.e. government, citizens, businesses, etc. at National, State and local levels.

An ordinary citizen gets the government facility through the internet.

 

Models of E-Governance

a)     Government-to-Citizen(G2C)

b)     Government-to-business (G2B)

c)     Government-to-Government (G2G)

d)     Government-to-Employee (G2E)

 

 

Government-to-Citizen(G2C)

a)     G2C-is transaction between the government to citizens.

b)     It includes online registration of birth/ death/marriage certificates, filling of income taxes, electricity bills, license renewals etc.

 

Government-to-business (G2B)

a)     G2B it is the transaction between government to business.

b)     It includes online application forms, renewing licenses, registration etc.

 

Government-to-Government (G2G)

a)     G2G it is the transaction between government to government.

b)     It provides safe and secure inter-relationship between domestic or foreign government.

 

Government-to-Employee (G2E)

a)     G2E it is the transaction between government to employee.

b)     G2E aims to bring employees together and improvise knowledge sharing.

 

Advantages of E-Governance

a)     Increased convenience for public and businesses to services of government.

b)     High transparency

c)     Corruption will be reduced.

d)     Expanded reach of government to all public

 

Disadvantages of  E-Governance

a)     Loss of Interpersonal Communication

b)     The setup cost is very high and the machines have to be regularly maintained.

c)     People who doesn’t know how to operate computers and smart phones will be very difficult for them to access and understand.

d)     There is always the risk of private data of citizens stored in government serves being stolen.

 

Mobile Computing

Mobile computing refers to a variety of devices that allow people to access data and information from wherever they are.

 

Benefits of Mobile Computing

a)     We can stay connected to all sources at all times.

b)     We can interact with a variety of users via the Internet.

c)     We can modify your mobile computing to your individual needs.

Features of Mobile Computing

a)     Easy to handle and carry these small devices.

b)     Ability to share data and collaboration between users.

c)     Data can be transferred easily between users.

d)     People can work from the comfort of any location they wish to as long as the connection and the security concerns are properly factored.

 

The Internet of Things (IoT)

—  A technology that connects all electronic devices together and prompts them to exchange information without any human intervention.

—  The term "The Internet of Things" was coined by Kevin Ashton in a presentation to Proctor & Gamble in 1999.

Components of IoT

a)     Sensors/Devices - Sensors/Devices collect data from their environment.

b)     Connectivity to Cloud - The sensors/devices can be connected through Bluetooth, WiFi, Cellular etc.

c)     Data Processing  - Software perform data processing on cloud data to get a analyzed or computed data.

d)     User Interface - The analyzed or computed data is made useful to the end user via and alert(email, text, notification).

 

Applications of Internet of Things (IoT)

a)     Smart home

b)     Smart City

c)     Parking Sensors

d)     Connected Cars

e)     Activity Trackers

Advantage of IOT

a)     Accessing information is easy.

b)     Communication becomes more transparent and easier.

c)     Transferring data packets over a network reduces both time and money.

d)     It reduces human intervention and efficiency of services

Disadvantage of IOT

a)     There is a huge risk of leakage of confidential data, when sent over a network.

b)     A single loophole can put the entire system down, affecting everyone.

c)     With automation, the need of human labor reduces drastically.

d)     We depend on the technology for the tiniest of tasks.

E-learning

E-learning is a new concept of delivering digital contents in learner oriented environment using information and communication technology (ICT).

Advantages of e-learning:

a)     There is no any geographical limitation for learning.

b)     It is quite favorable for learner as it can happen at any time and anywhere.

c)     It reduces or eliminates travel costs to attend learning events.

d)     It reduces or eliminates need for classroom/instructor infrastructure.

 

Disadvantages of e-learning:

a)     Learners with low motivation or bad study habits may fall behind

b)     Students may feel isolated from the instructor and classmates

c)     Instructor may not always be available when students are studying or need help

d)     Slow Internet connections or older computers may make accessing course materials frustrating

Internet Banking

—  a facility offered by banks and financial institutions that allow customers to use banking services over the internet.

—  Customers need not visit their bank’s branch office to avail each and every small service. 

—  Use PC or laptop and internet connection to use this facility.

—  Kumari Bank was the initiator of internet banking in Nepal. It started its e-banking services in 2002. 

Features of Internet Banking

a)     The customer can check the history of the transactions for a given period by the concerned bank.

b)     Bank, statements, various types of forms, applications can be downloaded.

c)     The customer can transfer funds, pay any kind of bill, recharge mobiles, DTH connections, etc.

 

Mobile Banking

a)     Mobile banking is the act of making financial transactions on a mobile device (cell phone, tablet, etc.).

b)     Download Mobile App or SMS system

c)     Inquiry based transactions such as balance inquiry, transaction history, and transaction alert.

“Take the attitude of a student, never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new.”