Understanding Computers, 12 th Edition, Enhanced Chapter 16 1 Intellectual Property Rights, Ethics, Health, Access, and the Environment

Understanding Computers, 12th Edition, EnhancedChapter 16

1

Chapter 16

Intellectual Property Rights, Ethics, Health, Access, and

the Environment

Understanding Computers, 12th Edition, Enhanced 2

Overview This chapter covers:

Intellectual property rights

A discussion of ethics, including ethical use of materials, resources, business practices, etc.

The impact of computers on our health

Access issues

The impact of computers on our environment

A look at legislation related to these issues


Intellectual Property Rights

Copyrights—protect original artistic or literary works.

Trademarks—protect identifying words, symbols, or designs.

Patents—protect inventions.


Ethics

Ethics—standards of moral conducts. Computer ethics

Personal ethics

Business ethics

Ethical use of copyrighted material. Books and Web-based articles (plagiarism).

Music and movies (fair use vs. illegal file sharing).

Examples of What Is/Is Not Ethical


Ethics, Cont’d. Ethical use of resources and information.

Ethical use of school or company resources (codes of conduct, codes of ethics).

Ethical use of employee and customer information.

Cheating and falsifying information. Prevalence Academic honor codes


Ethics, Cont’d. Computer hoaxes and digital manipulation.

Computer hoax—an inaccurate statement or story spread through the use ofcomputers.

Digital manipulation—digitally modifying text, images, photographs, music, and other content.


Ethics, Cont’d.

Ethical business practices and decision making.

Fraudulent reporting and other scandalous activities.

Ethically questionable products or services.

Vaporware and other ethically questionable misinformation.

Workplace monitoring.

Cultural considerations.


Computers and Health: Physical Health

Common ailments:

Repetitive stress injuries (RSIs)—Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Computer vision syndrome (CVS)

Headaches, backaches, etc.

Ergonomics—fitting a work environment to the people who work there.


Computers and Health: Physical Health, Cont’d.

Workspace design: Permanent workspaces.



Workspace design: While on the go and docking stations.



Ergonomic hardware:

Ergonomic keyboards and mice

Keyboard drawers and wrist rests

Document holders and antiglare screens

Good user habits and precautions (frequent breaks, exercises, computer glasses, etc.).


Computer Health: Emotional Health

Stress of-ever-changing technology

Impact of our 24/7 society

Information overload

Burnout


Computer Health: Emotional Health, Cont’d.

Computer and Internet addiction

Computer addiction disorder (CAD)

Internet addiction disorder (IAD)

Symptoms and treatment


Access to Technology

Digital divide—the gap between those who have access to technology and those who don’t.

U.S. digital divide (differences by income, race, geographical area, education, etc.)

Global digital divide (differences between countries).


Access to Technology, Cont’d.

Assistive technology

Assistive input systems (Braille keyboards, one-handed keyboards, head-pointing systems, etc.)

Assistive output systems (screen reading software, Braille displays, Braille printers, etc.


Environmental Concerns

Green computing

Eco-labels and environmentally friendly hardware.

Alternate power

Electronic paper


Environmental Concerns

Recycling and disposal of computing equipment

E-trash

Recycling options

Other options (recharging toner cartridges, donating obsolete equipment, etc.)


Related Legislation

Family Entertainment and Copyright, 2005 Communications Decency Act (overturned) Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 Corporate Responsibility Act of 2002 Amendment to the Rehabilitation Act in 1998 National Computer Recycling Act, (under

consideration since 2005)

Documents

Understanding Computers, 12 th Edition, Enhanced Chapter 16 1 Intellectual Property Rights, Ethics, Health, Access, and the Environment