F451 - Implications of Computer Use

Ethics is a set of moral principles that govern the behaviour of a group or individual.
Computer ethics is a set of moral principles that regulate the use of computers.

Issues of computer ethics include:

• Intellectual property rights such as copyrighted electronic content. 
• Privacy concerns. 
• How computers affect society.

Intellectual:

• You have certainly heard the word property before: it is generally used to mean a possession, or more specifically, something to which the owner has legal rights.
• You might have also encountered the phrase intellectual property. This term has become more commonplace during the past few years, especially in the context of computer ethics. But what exactly does it refer to? 

Intellectual property: 

• Refers to creations of the intellect (hence, the name): inventions, library and artistic works, symbols, names, images and designs used in commerce are a part of it.
• Is usually divided into two branches, namely industrial property which broadly speaking protects inventions and copyrights, which protects literary and artistic works.

*came about with the invention of the printing press (Charles II was concerned)

Netiquette:

"Netiquette,^[1] a colloquial portmanteau of network etiquette or Internet etiquette, is a set of social conventions that facilitate interaction over networks, ranging from Usenet and mailing lists to blogs and forums." - copied straight from wikipedia

Avoid spamming:

• Spamming is sending unsolicited bulk and/or commercial messages over the internet. 

Creation of Worms and Computer Virus

• Morally bad when it is intended for malicious purposes like to steal information or destroying of data.
• However, it could be used like a vaccine - poison to kill another poison - fire to fight fire - robot tiger wizards to duel wizard tiger robots - italian plumbers to evade various flora and fauna.

Effect of Computers:

• Economic
• Businesses no longer lose work because of employees taking sick leave, or due to poor weather conditions, as they can work from home.
• Businesses can trade internationally with ease thanks to e-commerce and the internet.
• Work can be outsourced easily - it doesn't make a difference if a worker is connecting to the office from the same town or the other side of the world.
• Worker can be more easily distracted by other websites (such as facebook).
• Social
• Legal
• Ethical
• Environmental

//i will fill these in, don't worry