Transcript Impact of Computers on Society

Impact of Computers
on Society
06: INTRO
Quote of the Week
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Computers are useless. They can only give
you answers.
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(Pablo Picasso)
Web Sites of the Week
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Web sites page of the syllabus
This Week’s News
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US makes parts for China (Kali Ball)
Without warrants feds snoop on social networks
(Kali)
Death row inmate exonerated by DNA
Burglary suspect identified by cell phone
Driver tweets pic of hit-and-run victim
Myth of the Week
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Connecting to a web site is just like telephoning a
friend.
Analog vs. digital
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Phone calls are analog and require a dedicated circuit.
Internet connections are digital.
The Internet uses “stateless” protocols.
Fragmented messages are sent back and forth in
packets.
Packet Transmissions
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Messages are segmented
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Each packet has a from: and a to: address
Packets may take different routes to their destination
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Segments are numbered
Segments are put into packets
Reduces network congestion
Increases security
Message is “reassembled” when it is received
Missing packets may be re-transmitted
For Ex. Sending the Hood Catalog to Mt. Airy
Question of the Week
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STDCarriers.com Website
Criticisms of STDCarriers.com
Be prepared next class for a discussion of the
pros and cons of this web site. What are the
ethical, social, and legal ramifications of this
site?
Use utilitarian arguments.
Hint: click on “fully searchable database” and “HIV/AIDS Criminal
Records”