Disadvantages of Information Technology

·       Implementation Expenses:  Small businesses fail to afford this expensive technology so they end up losing their clients to a business which has improved its technology and provides a better service or product.

·       Job Elimination: Technology has replaced most positions which humans used to occupy. Accounting is now being done by software, so accountants run out of opportunities.

·       Security Breaches:  Since businesses store their data on remote cloud servers which can be accessed with a user name and password, they risk losing that data to wrong minded knowledge works, hackers or viruses, which can harm he business.

·       Cyber-sickness: With the increased addiction to social networks and internet games, people are spending more time on computers and give up on their normal offline life.  This has resulted into relation breakups and increases loneliness.

·       Social implications – access to harmful information which corrupts people’s minds and drives them to commit crime. People use search engines to find information on how to create harmful weapons and how to commit wrong acts in society.

·       Over dependence on information  technology makes students less active and innovative.Students no longer take time to solve equation and tasks, all they do is query that task in a search engine and a solution will be provided.

·       Poor publications online: This exposes student’s t wrong information which results into failure of exams. Many online publishers post content for monetary purposes, so you find that most the content published online is not well detailed to help students and researchers.

Advantages of Information Technology

Advantages of IT 

• Globalization
True globalization has come about only via this automated system. The creation of one interdependent system helps us to share information and end linguistic barriers across the continents. The collapse of geographic boundaries has made the world a 'global village'. The technology has not only made communication cheaper, but also possible much quicker and round the clock. The wonders of text messages, email and auto-response, backed by computer security applications, have opened up scope for direct communication.

• Cost-effective
Computerized, internet business processes have made many businesses turn to the Internet for increased productivity, greater profitability, clutter free working conditions and global clientèle. It is mainly due to the IT industry that business have been able to make their processes more streamlined, thereby becoming more cost-effective and consequently more profitable. People are able to operate their businesses 24x7, even from remote locations only due to the advent of information technology.

• Communication
Quick and effective communication is vital to any business anywhere in the world. Information technology gives an entrepreneur or business the tools, like email, video conferencing, SMS, etc., essential to communicate efficiently and effectively. to the business world, and information technology gives your company the resources it needs to communicate quickly and effectively. Not only do people connect faster with the help of information technology, but they are also able to identiy like-minded individuals and extend help, while strengthening ties.

• Storing and Protecting Information
IT provides a low-cost business options to store and maintain information that may be important from a business or service point of view. Virtual vaults and other such security systems not only store vital data but also allow control over the access to such information. IT security systems will also protect virtual data from being hacked or wiped out in case of any technical failure.

• Creation of New Jobs
One of the biggest advantage of IT has been the creation of a whole new field of opportunity for skilled personnel leading to new and interesting jobs. Hardware and software developers, computer programmers, web designers, system analyst, the list of new jobs created could go on. IT has also been attributed to be the major cause of surge in the economies of certain Third World nations too.

PDAs/Handheld Computers

PDAs/Handheld Computers

• Handheld computers Can be connected to a PC which have superseded to synchronise data electronic organizers.

•  PDAs can also be used as Some use a stylus which mobile phones and can you use to write or draw on access the Web to send the screen and receive emails.

• Run very basic cut-down software such as calculator, address book and notepad functions.

Notebook/Laptop Computers

Notebook/Laptop Computers

Similar in specification to a personal computer

Monitor and keyboard are integrated into a single unit.

Can be used from the mains or with a built-in rechargeable battery.

More expensive than personal computers due to miniaturization of computer components

Ideal computer for businesspeople and ICT trainers who are constantly on the move.

Personal computers

Personal Computers

An indispensable tool for managers, humble office workers and home users.

 Two main types:

 Desktop model – the system unit sits horizontally on a desk and the monitor is placed on top.

 Tower model – the system unities vertical so can be placed on the floor to save desk space.

Hardware devices (screen, keyboard and mouse) attached to the system unit (by a cable)are called peripheral devices.