Blog Entry No.8

Ethical Dilemma Chapter 11

Approximately one year ago an editor of this book carried out an informal survey among his academic colleagues who were members of the BCS. He approached each and asked if they could state two points contained within the BCS Code of Conduct. Two of these people responded by indicating that they did not know that the BCS had a professional code of conduct. Two indicated that while they knew the code of conduct existed, they had never look at it. The remaining two - who indicated their awareness of the code of conduct and recalled having looked at it - stated that they could not recall its contents.

These were clearly dismal results, particularly as the questions were asked of people who have been members for some time.

In this book we have discussed the BCS Code of Conduct in some detail - to what extent do you believe this code of conduct is important and/or relevant? Why would YOU join the BCS? If you are a student of a university department studying Computer Science or IT, have you been offered a BCS membership application form? Are you aware of the opportunities of networking, and for joining special interest groups? These are certainly good reasons to join the BCS - but on the other hand, during your professional career, do you believe that the framework defined within the BCS Code of Conduct is likely to be relevant and/or useful?

Incoming IT professional and the IT professional must know the BCS code of conduct. It is a must to every IT students and professionals, for them to be able to understand their role in the society. Possessing the code of conduct, you can absolutely exercise personal judgment as an individual. Follow its standard form and abide the requirements placed on all of the society’s member and everyone working on behalf of the society. Joining the BCS, has a great impact, this enhances our capabilities and knowledge and leads to change in the standing of the IT profession by understanding the requirements needed to have a successful project.

Blog Entry No.7

Ethical Dilemma Chapter 9

A couple years ago Patricia returned to the UK to take up an academic position at a British University. She had been out in UK for over 20 years working for universities at number of countries, and had a good professional employment record. She decided to open a bank account with one of the large banks that had branch on the campus.

She met the bank manager, was given the necessary forms, duly completed them. A few days later she returned to the bank to open her account. Much to her surprise, she was told that she could only have cash account, i.e., she not be given any bank cards, cheque book, or the like, nor could she have any overdraft facility.

Patricia again met with the bank manager as she naturally felt there must have been some misunderstanding. Key points here are that she already had a bank account in the UK since her student days (although this had been largely unused during her years away), she owed no money on credit cards or the like, was UK citizen, and had a good track record with bank overseas. In addition, her salary from the university was to be paid into her account each month.

Despite her explaining these points, the bank manager was adamant that she could only have cash accounts. When asked to explain this decision, the bank manager indicated that it was not in fact her decision, but a decision made by an expert system. The bank always used this computer technology when making decisions about opening accounts for new clients, and in fact the bank manager could not overrule the restrictions that the expert systems imposed. In short, the expert system was empowered in the decision-making process to such an extent that it actually replaced the human decision-making process. The bank manager went on to explain that the problem was that the expert system had not previously encountered a person with Patricia’s particular background. And the key point to the computer was the extensive years of residency outside the UK.

To what extent do you think it is appropriate to replace the human decision-making process with the computer technologies such as expert systems?

If the decisions to be made involve emotional feelings or considerations from the user then computer technologies such as expert systems are not appropriate to replace human decision-making process because unlike human expert systems cannot give or respond to any considerations to a user's request. Computer technologies such as the expert system give probabilistic results that came from expert persons. It gathers facts with the experts and result to a decision for a certain process. Once the expert system comes up with the result or decision, it then should be considered as final and be implemented. For a human decision making, a favorable decision can be given to the requester. So, computer technologies like expert system are not intended for transactions that will involve any emotional feelings or considerations from the user depending on the situation. Unlike human, expert system cannot give or respond to any considerations to your request.

During the conversation Patricia asked the bank manager whether she felt that it was appropriate for the expert system to be empowered in this way. The response she obtained was that it was a great idea because computers do not make mistakes. What do you think about this comment? Do computers make mistakes? Is any computerized system free from mistakes? Should we be educating people to believe that computers are infallible are computers infallible? What do you think are the ramifications of believing in infallible computerized systems?

Computer doesn't make any mistake and it was true, but in the consideration of the system's programmer that the said system is free from all bugs that might harm the entire functionality. In Patricia's case, it is an opportunity to inform the entire client, users and all the citizen of the web that computer reliability has its own limitations.

Blog Entry No.6

Ethical Dilemma Chapter 7

Computer Technologies: Accessibility Issues

*How do you perceive the ramifications of computer-based technologies, and the current pace of change impacting on older people?

For the new generation of humanity, the mainstream of this society has quickly adopted computer - based technology as part of everyday life. Computer based Technology are always at outside for instant access from simple things up to complicated bits and bytes of communication. Computer based Technology have changed the simple life of our grandpa and grandma's, most of the time computer technology helps older people to perform different task. However, some older people need some assistance regarding with this matter. There are still barriers that keep them from learning this new innovation. Most common barriers are the unfamiliarity and fear that leading them into lacking of skills, missing background knowledge for accessing devices may lead them into the inaccessible spot.

* To what extent are they becoming increasingly isolated?

Older people may be isolated in a way that they can't easily understand the complicated operation of computer based technology. Lacking confidence is one of the many factor why older people isolate there selves to become proficient and as a result they become incompetent with particular innovations.

*Is direct personal contact being gradually eroded?

As technology experience progress, various form of high - tech devices (phones, laptop, and iPhones) have definitively influenced the communication process in such a vital way. However this progress, the communication stream adopt the both positive and negative feedback.

Perhaps discuss these issues with an older person that you know, such as family members. Identify key issues.

My mother doesn't know how to use computer. She can't even search on Google by himself. Me and my sister always at her side, giving her a hand in whatever she ask regarding with the searching problem on Google.

Have these people gained as a consequence of the proliferation of and reliance we place upon computer-based technologies and the pace of change that has ensued?

Maybe yes, it depends on their own perspective to adopt technology.