reliabilities of wikipedia

The reliability of Wikipedia articles can be measured by the following criteria:

• Accuracy of information provided within articles
• Appropriateness of the images provided with the article
• Appropriateness of the style and focus of the articles
• Susceptibility to, and exclusion and removal of, false information
• Comprehensiveness, scope and coverage within articles and in the range of articles
• Identification of reputable third-party sources as citations
• Stability of the articles
• Susceptibility to editorial and systemic bias
• Quality of writing

The first four of these have been the subjects of various studies of the project, while the presence of bias is strongly disputed on both sides, and the prevalence and quality of citations can be tested within Wikipedia.

Comparative studies

On October 24, 2005, British newspaper The Guardian published a story titled "Can you trust Wikipedia?" in which a panel of experts was asked to review seven entries related to their fields, giving each article reviewed a number designation out of ten points. Scores ranged from 0 to 8, but most received marks between 5 and 8. The most common criticisms were:

1. Poor prose, or ease-of-reading issues (3 mentions)
2. Omissions or inaccuracies, often small but including key omissions in some articles (3 mentions)
3. Poor balance, with less important areas being given more attention and vice versa (1 mention)

The most common praises were:

1. Factually sound and correct, no glaring inaccuracies (4 mentions)
2. Much useful information, including well selected links, making it possible to "access much information quickly" (3 mentions)

The main negative impact of wikipedia on society is that:

• Anyone could edit the information, so it might not be 100% right all the time.
• People rely on sites such these so they don't bother with actualy learning anything.

The main positive impacts of wikipedia on society is that:

• It gives you information about anything in a matter of minutes. 
• Easy to find
• It's free

Impact of internet on society

The Impact of Internet on society

• No-one owns the Internet so anybody can post anything on it. 
• The Internet is a great source of information but it has also become the home of political propaganda, racism, pornography and other controversial or illegal material. 
• Apart from physically restricting access the only control is through some form of filtering software. 
• Increasingly individuals and authorities are recommending some sort of control. 

Arguments for control

• To prevent illegal material being readily available, e.g. political propaganda, racism and pornography. 
• To prevent young children accessing unsuitable material. 
• To make the Web more efficient - at present there is too much useless information. 
• To ensure copyright laws are maintained. 

Arguments against control

• The aim of the Internet is to be a free source of information. 
• Unsuitable material is easily available in other ways. 
• Control would cost money and users would have to pay. 
• Control would be very difficult to enforce.

Internet crime

New technology brings with it new crimes and as a result some governments are setting up special units to deal with Internet crime. Concerns surround:

• The interception of credit card details and transactions online. 
• Hacking into personal, private files with criminal intent. 
• Fraudulent web sites taking credit card details from customers. 
• The spreading of viruses thorugh the Internet. 

The main negative impacts of internet on society are:

• Young people could misuse the internet by going on adult sites etc...
• People could get bullied and it could end in something serious.

The main positive impacts of internet on society are:

• For you could use the internet for so many things such as:
• For getting informatiom,
• For talking to the people you know from all over the world
• For watching videos
• For listening to music
• For online banking
• For online shopping
• For sending emails
• For sharing information
• For social sites
• For sharing your ideas

          There's so much you can do on the internet that you can never list them all so above i have only listed
          a few of the positive thing you can do on the internet.

Impact of instant messenger programs on society

Although several years old, Instant Messaging (IM) remains fairly new to many student affairs professionals. Its implications in the workplace, for the supervision of employees, and communication with students have begun to emerge from experience and research. Policy recommendations based on the security, social, and productivity issues raised by IM use are included to help student affairs professionals safely and securely embrace this technology.

Instant Messaging (IM) has become firmly entrenched in the social lives of teenagers and computer enthusiasts. They have brought IM into higher education and the American workplace. They use it to enhance both their social lives and their productivity at work. Student affairs professionals must understand the impact this technology is having on not only their students but also their employees.

Positive impacts of (IM):

• Quick and istant
• Helps to keep in touch with friends and family

Negative impacts of (IM):

• Waste of time
• Affects your spelling

Impact of Social networking websites on society

Web-based social networking services make it possible to connect people who share interests and activities across political, economic, and geographic borders. Through e-mail and instant messaging, online communities are created where a gift economy and reciprocal altruism are encouraged through cooperation. Information is particularly suited to gift economy, as information is a nonrival good and can be gifted at practically no cost.

Facebook and other social networking tools are increasingly the object of scholarly research. Scholars in many fields have begun to investigate the impact of social-networking sites, investigating how such sites may play into issues of identity, privacy, social capital, youth culture, and education.

Several websites are beginning to tap into the power of the social networking model for philanthropy. Such models provide a means for connecting otherwise fragmented industries and small organizations without the resources to reach a broader audience with interested users. Social networks are providing a different way for individuals to communicate digitally. These communities of hypertexts allow for the sharing of information and ideas, an old concept placed in a digital environment.

In 2011, HCL Technologies conducted research that showed that 50% of British employers had banned the use of social networking sites/services during office hours.

The main negative impacts of social network websites on society are:

• You could get distracted by it if you'r in school or at work.
• waste of time.
• You could get bullied.
• Your personal information could be displayed to others if the sites aren't safe.

The main positive impacts of social network websites on websites are:

• You can communicate to people instantly.
• You can share ideas.
• Get information. 

impact of mp3 players on society

We no longer drive long distances to purchase music. The availability of music comes at the push of a button on our personal computer. We can hear music anywhere we want.

Cultural Behaviors

• MP3 player users immediately transition into their own world as soon as they press play. Because users can select a specific music with a click of the dial, the MP3 player's interface allows people to rapidly build their own soundtrack to their life.

Positive Effects

• MP3 listeners control their own environment without intrusions from television and print advertisements, giving them the ability to express individuality.
• This technology also enables users to share files with their friends, creating a sense of community.

Negative Effects

• Communication has diminished within the public sphere because of MP3 players. Individuals isolate themselves. Users also illegally download songs. However, most people do not regard it as a crime, considering the easy access to MP3 files on various websites.

Marketing

• People listen to the radio less. Record labels have lost their footing in the music business. According to two music executives, David Kusek and Greg Leonhard, Internet radio and podcasting have replaced the DJ and the radio.

Conclusion

• The MP3 industry's success depends upon the choice of the consumer, whether this choice results in positive or negative consequences for other markets.

Impact of netbook computers on society

Netbook computers, the inexpensive, lightweight computers that are becoming so popular with the young because they come in so many colors and styles are also a great choice for the elderly. This is because they are so light and can go so long without needing to be plugged in.

The reason lightness is important for the elderly is because of the portability it allows. Many elderly people resent having to be stuck at a desk when using the computer, because it rather tethers them to one spot, when they’d more often prefer to sit somewhere more comfortable while using the computer for browsing the web or sending email to people. Because netbooks are so light, it’s easy and comfortable to put them on the lap while sitting in a barcalounger for example, or while sitting up in bed, they can simply rest it on their belly, or put it on a bed table if they prefer. In this way they can be in a place that is not only more comfortable, but less isolating.

Also, for those elderly that live in a facility of some sort where they may not have a desk to sit at, a netbook is clearly a great choice because it allows them to use their computer anywhere, so long as there is a wireless connection for them to use. The fact that netbooks last so long, up to six hours in some cases, makes them even more valuable for this particular group of elderly people because there may not be a place to plug into an outlet near the place where they want to sit.

Also, because so many elderly people live on a fixed income, netbooks are a great choice because they are so inexpensive compared to other choices such as laptops or notebooks. And then, if something should go wrong with their netbook, it’s not a catastrophe; it’s more of an annoyance because they will be more likely be able to afford a replacement.

Granted there may be some vision issues with the elderly and the small screens you’ll find on a netbook, but there are utilities that allow for expanding the character size on a screen, and also it is possible to use a large square magnifying glass with a netbook, which allows almost anyone to be able to make out what is being shown.

And finally, netbooks are great for the elderly because it allows them to join in on the fun that so many others are having, which is important because so often when new technology comes out, the elderly and complete ignored and passed by, which makes them feel disconnected, lonely and old.

Impact of laptop computers on society

Laptops, much like cell phones, have become a common sight in contemporary society. For all of their positive impacts upon our society, there are also some negative impacts as well. Below are a few of the pros and cons of laptop use.

Portability

• One of the main advantages laptops offer over desktop computer is their portability. Many laptops weigh under six pounds, making them easy to carry around on a regular basis. Laptops are particularly useful for businesspeople who are always on the go, and students who like to be able to take notes faster.

Accessibility

• Accessibility goes hand-in-hand with portability. Since a laptop can be taken anywhere, the user has access to Internet, documents, music, and more from wherever they may be. While a desktop computer and all the information stored on it are relegated to the home, the information on a laptop goes wherever the user takes it, without the hassle of having to save it or email it.

Bad Posture

• If a laptop is being held in the lap, the user will sometimes hunch or slouch while they are using it. While this is not harmful for short amounts of time, maintaining this position every time the laptop is used can lead to poor posture and back or neck injuries. To avoid this, laptops should be placed on a desk or a solid surface when possible, and the user should sit in a straight-back chair to prevent slouching.

Decreased Sperm Production

• Holding a laptop in one's lap for too long can affect male fertility. As the laptop heats up through continued use, it raises the temperature of the scrotum along with it, which can have a negative impact on sperm production. This can be avoided by using the laptop on a desk or a portable laptop table to keep the heat away from the genital area.

Impact of smart phones on society

Prroblem with distracting students

It’s been an issue in schools, colleges, and universities across the country for quite some time. In fact, cellular phones were an early problem when students were distracted by phone calls and texts messaging, but now smartphones can do just about anything your computer or laptop can, but in an easily concealable handheld device. According to an article posted in Trends in Ed, 50% of students own smartphones. The use of phones is usually discouraged on the first day of class by teachers and professors, or talked about in the class syllabus with consequences for even the first infraction.  After all, since smartphones pretty much allow you to do anything you want these days, having them in the classroom might be distracting students more than ever.

Wasting student's time

Smartphones allow students to text, check, and interact on social networking sites such as Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter, check their e-mails, play games online, and even watch TV. This is extremely distracting for not only the student (because they are obviously not paying attention), but can also become distracting for other students around them. If a professor or teacher has to stop their lecture or instruction to ask a student to turn off their phone, it is also distracting the entire class.

In addition, while it wouldn’t be particularly easy for students to make calls during exams to cheat on tests, it can be fairly easy for students in a packed or crowded classroom or lecture hall to use their phones to access information online to cheat on tests. In fact, an article posted in Phone Arena showed some startling statistics about the use of smartphones for cheating in the classroom. This could be through the use of text exchanges with other students, using the Internet to find answers, using advanced calculators and phone applications, taking snapshots of an exam, or reading notes that are saved on the phone to help on the test.

Most smartphones are also equipped with abilities to shoot video and take pictures. This means that anything that goes on in the classroom can easily be recorded by a student and immediately uploaded to Youtube, or any other site where video and filing sharing is allowed. This could be an invasion of a classmate’s or professor’s privacy, as they probably would not be notified that the video was shared on an online website.

Causing bullying

Finally, smartphones can encourage bullying and hazing. Bullying and hazing are very serious problems in schools across the U.S. As mentioned before, most smartphones do come equipped with camera and video technology, which can be used to videotape and photograph bullying and hazing. Because many of the students who encourage and enjoy bullying and hazing likely want to show what they have done to other students, they can use their smartphones to videotape incidents to ridicule the person they targeted.

Entertainment and Conectivity

A smartphone is like a smaller version of a computer because it has nearly all the features that a computer has (unlike a normal nonsmartphone). So thats an advantage of having a smartphone because it has alot of features such as camera, internet, (IM) etc..... Therefore its easy to talk to other people and even chat instantly, share ideas, browse the web take pictures etc....

Impact of online banking on society

Some advantages of using online banking may include the following:

• Reducing cost - virtual banks pass the money they save on overhead like buildings and tellers along to you in the form of higher yields, lower fees and more generous account thresholds.
• Convenience - unlike your corner bank, online banking sites never close; they're available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and they're only a mouse click away.
• Ubiquity - if you're out of state or even out of the country when a money problem arises, you can log on instantly to your online bank and take care of business, 24/7.
• Transaction speed - online bank sites generally execute and confirm transactions at or quicker than ATM processing speeds.
• Efficiency - you can access and manage all of your bank accounts, including IRAs, CDs, even securities, from one secure site.
• Effectiveness - many online banking sites now offer sophisticated tools, including account aggregation, stock quotes, rate alerts and portfolio managing programs to help you manage all of your assets more effectively. Most are also compatible with money managing programs such as Quicken and Microsoft Money.

Some disadvantages of online banking may include the following:

• Start-up may take time - in order to register for your bank's online program, you will probably have to provide ID and sign a form at a bank branch. If you and your spouse wish to view and manage your assets together online, one of you may have to sign a durable power of attorney before the bank will display all of your holdings together.
• Learning curve - banking sites can be difficult to navigate at first. Plan to invest some time and/or read the tutorials in order to become comfortable in your virtual lobby.
• Bank site changes - even the largest banks periodically upgrade their online programs, adding new features in unfamiliar places. In some cases, you may have to re-enter account information.
• The trust thing - for many people, the biggest hurdle to online banking is learning to trust it. Did my transaction go through? Did I push the transfer button once or twice? Best bet: always print the transaction receipt and keep it with your bank records until it shows up on your personal site and/or your bank statement.

Impact of online shopping on society

Home shopping options are many and varied and changing all the time. Most major supermarkets are now on-line, offering home delivery of goods and increasingly, the major high street stores are also competing for on-line trading. The Internet lends itself to shops selling goods which are easily portable, such as CDs and books.

The benefits of home shopping to the customer include:

         .You can avoid long queues, save time and shop from the comfort of your own home.

         .You do not have to travel into city centres or pay for car parking costs.

         .You can shop around for the best prices and shop abroad for cheaper goods.

         .It can offer the customer a wider range of shopping, 24 hours a day all year round.

         .People who are house-bound have the ability to shop and have goods delivered.

The possible drawbacks of home shopping include:

         .Security worries about payment by credit card over the Internet.

         .You do not get to see the goods before purchase which may be defective.

         .You may worry that the goods will never arrive!

         .There may be concerns over retailers collecting details about the buying habits of customers.

Benefits to the company include:

        .It opens the market to customers nationally and internationally.

        .It enables smaller companies to compete with larger companies.

        .There may be a possible reduction in staffing and/or shopping outlets, thereby reducing costs.

        .You can offer 24 hour shopping at minimum cost.

Impact of e-mailing on society

Email has had a wonderful impact on the amount of information being sent world wide. It is now an important method of transmitting information previously sent by regular mail, telephone, courier, fax, television, or radio.

Email can also be abused by companies who think that they can use the internet as an advertisement opportunity. Many companies send unsolicited mail known as spam. The U.S. Congress passed a law in 2003 that was designed to curb spam. This law makes it illegal to send messages that use deceptive subject lines and false return addresses, proving fines for as much as 6$ million and possible prison terms for violators. The law states that all messages, solicited or unsolicited, must have a valid postal address and an opt-out mechanism so that recipients can prevent future email solicitations.