NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY KARNATAKA,

SURATHKAL
MANGALORE-575 025

COMPUTER APPLICATION USED IN SOCIETY

Submitted To: Submitted By:

Mr. Arun Kumar Shetty Anup Kumar Avinash

Dept. of HSM Roll No: 10HM06

NITK Surathkal Dept. of H.S.M.

 INTRODUCTION

Computer technology has brought about many changes in the way we live in this present society,
which has affected and reflected not only on the individual itself, but also organizations and
society. With the advancing growth in technology since the early computers made in 1946 we
have seen a quantum leap in changes made that has affected us both in our present lives and
future to come. Computers are wonderful machines. They are everywhere and society depends
on them to manage our world. It is no wonder that computers have almost unlimited applications
and that they are multiplying at a steady rate. Many of these applications are benefiting society
directly or indirectly. Society is dependent on rapid and reliable communications. Although these
forms in their own way were effective, some aspects, for example in (post and telegraph) proved
to be sometimes unreliable with time delays in receiving information or in the case of the
telephone, people were not able to see expressions or reactions of the individual they are talking
to or some cases were mislead to passing on information to individuals pretending to be persons
they wish to talk to. With introduction of network computers connected to phones as well as
technology upgrade of telephones to mobile phone used today. One communication method is
known as electronic mail (e-mail). We are able to send and receive messages by E- mails via the
internet which not only provides easier and quicker method of sending and receiving information
also provides with the aid of webcams and multimedia applications the ability to make video
calls and video commencing not only on computers but on our mobile phones as well. Another
popular method of communication making rapid headway is instant messaging.

CHANGING FACES OF THE COMPUTER

Computers weren't as technological and complex like the ones we know. Early computers didn't
use chips or monitors. They weren't as small or big like the ones today. Back in the early 1600 to
1800s, people had theories, plans or ideas of making a device that could do complex problems
and mathematics so that they wouldn't keep writing down problems and solve them manually.
They wanted a device that could add and subtract. Many inventors, through the course of time
have contributed to the invention of the computer. The abacus was the first "computer." The
abacus was the first portable counting mechanism, invented by the Babylonians. However, this
was not quite a computer because it could not be programmed. In the early 1800s, a man named
Charles Babbage created a device called the Difference Engine. It was a programmable steam
powered calculator. This was a huge step toward the modern-day computer. Some 50 years later,
the U.S. military y was in need of an easier way to determine how far their missiles would fire.
From this the Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC) was born. This was the first successful
electronic computer. For the next 50 years, the computer continued to be improved on and
evolved into what is now thought of as the computer.

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 COMPUTERS NOW:

With today’s standards, one would need a good computer that has speed, various capabilities,
and is protected from viruses. As the computer field continues to expand to keep track of
improving technology, so do other job opportunities. Once the only jobs heard of were that of IT
management, computer programmers, system managers, etc. Extending past those still popular
and important career s are the web page developers and designers, layout specialists, graphic
artists, 3D animators; and the list goes on. Cars and jets were designed on computers, traffic
signals are run by computers, most medical equipment use computer s and space exploration was
started with computers. Most of the jobs today require the use of computers.

ROLES OF COMPUTERS IN THE SOCIETY

Since the first computer was made in the late fifties, the technology has developed extremely.
Computers which took the place of a living room then are now being made in credit card
formats. More and more areas are being taken over by the computer. As computers are capable
of handling large amounts of data in every short time, they are well suited for word processing.
Computers have several important uses in the Information Society of the 21st century. Integrated
communication such as Intranets, Internet, Data (email, fax), Telephony routing. In office
organization and communication computers are used for text production, database management,
calculation.

AREAS OF IMPACT OF COMPUTERS ON SOCIETY

Personal Impact
_ Privacy and personal rights
_ Data banks, computer terminals, data security
_ Job opportunities, new careers, the need for retraining
_ Business transactions
_ automated billing, credit cards, consumer spending
Community Impact

_ urban planning
_ law enforcement

National Impact

_ Electronic funds transfer

_ stock-market transactions
_ defense

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_ Satellite broadcasting
_ the possibility of fraud or theft using computer based systems
_ Standards for computer hardware and software

Global Impact

_ reporting of current events

_ communications media
_ world government
_ World wide access to data

USES OF COMPUTERS
Word Processing

Word Processing software automatically corrects spelling and grammar mistakes. If the content
of a document repeats you don’t have to type it each time. You can use the copy and paste
features. You can printout documents and make several copies. It is easier to read a word-
processed document than a handwritten one. You can add images to your document.

Internet

As the World Wide Web grew, so did the need for better computers. It is a network of almost all
the computers in the world. You can browse through much more information than you could do
in a library. That is because computers can store enormous amounts of information. You also
have very fast and convenient access to information. Through E-Mail you can communicate with
a person sitting thousands of miles away in seconds. There is chat software that enables one to
chat with another person on a real-time basis. Video conferencing tools are becoming readily
available to the common man.

Digital video or audio composition

Audio or video composition and editing have been made much easier by computers. It no longer
costs thousands of dollars of equipment to compose music or make a film. Graphics engineers
can use computers to generate short or full-length films or even to create three-dimensional
models.

Computers in the field of Defense

There is software embedded in almost every weapon. Software is used for controlling the flight
and targeting in ballistic missiles. Software is used to control access to atomic bombs. Computers

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also are also capable of training military personal in a virtual reality environment.

Computers in Business

Shops and supermarkets use software, which calculate the bills. Taxes can be calculated and paid
online. Accounting is done using computers. One can predict future trends of business using
artificial intelligence software. Software is used in major stock markets. One can do trading
online. There are fully automated factories running on software.

Computers as the source of entertainment

One of the least important aspects of computers is that it provides entertainment and yet this is
the sole reason why many people buy computers. The gaming and entertainment industry has
become extremely large in the world, the products they sell range from shareware games to adult
blood and gore.
USES OF COMPUTERS IN ACADEMICS

With the advent of the Internet age, all aspects of society have been influenced, including
education. Computers and the Internet are used in all levels of education, excluding perhaps
preschool and grade school.
HIGHER EDUCATION:

All universities and colleges in the United States are furnished with computer labs. Because
many professors require their students to turn in typed documents, it is more convenient to have
computer labs on campus for student use.

FACULTY USAGE

Teachers at all levels use computers to administer assignments, keep track of grades or offer
online instruction. Many teachers use online resources in their daily lessons.

ONLINE EDUCATION

There is an entire "sub-industry" of education called "online education." Online education is

done primarily through the usage of computers and the Internet where the student does the class
work from home. The role of computer in teaching and learning is pivotal. You can get learning
material on the internet.
E-Learning :- Instead of a book it is easier to learn from E- learning software.
Examinations :-One can give online exams and get instant results. One can check one’s
examination results online.

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 SOCIAL NETWORKING

Popular networking sites like MySpace, Orkut and Face book can also be used for educational
purposes, as some instructors integrate aspects of those sites into their lessons.
Travel: - One can book air tickets or railway tickets and make hotel reservations online.

Telecommunications

Software is widely used here. Also all mobile phones have software embedded in them.

The role of computers in marketing:

Marketing is the process by which goods are sold and purchased. The aim of marketing is to
acquire, retain, and satisfy customers. Modern marketing has evolved into a complex and diverse
field. This field includes a wide variety of special functions such as advertising, mail-order
business, public relations, retailing and merchandising, sales, market research, and pricing of
goods. Businesses, and particularly the marketing aspect of businesses, rely a great deal on the
use of computers. Computers play a significant role in inventory control, processing and
handling orders, communication between satellite companies in an organization, design and
production of goods, manufacturing, product and market analysis, advertising, producing the
company newsletter, and in some cases, complete control of company operations. In today's
extremely competitive business environment businesses are searching for ways to improve
profitability and to maintain their position in the marketplace. Two particular things have greatly
aided companies in their quests to accomplish these goals.

ADVANCEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY
GREEN COMPUTING:

Green computing or green IT, refers to environmentally sustainable computing or IT. Green
computing is the environmentally responsible use of computers and related resources. Such
practices include the implementation of energy-efficient central processing units (CPUs), servers
and peripherals as well as r educed resource consumption and proper disposal of electronic
wastes (waste). One of the earliest initiatives toward green computing in the United States was
the voluntary labeling program known as Energy Star. It was conceived by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992 to promote energy efficiency in hardware of all kinds. The
Energy Star label became a common sight, especially in notebook computers and displays.
Similar programs have been adopted in Europe and Asia. Government regulation, however well-
intentioned, is only part of an overall green computing philosophy. The work habits of computer
users and businesses can be modified to minimize adverse impact on the global environment.
Here are some steps that can be taken:-

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_ Power-down the CPU and all peripherals during extended periods of inactivity.
_ Power-up and power-down energy-intensive peripherals such as laser printer according to the
need.
_ Use the power-management features to turn off hard drives and displays after several minutes
of inactivity.
VIRTUAL REALITY

Another new area, called "virtual reality" is currently being tested. This is a way to simulate
reality on a monitor. In order to feel this so-called reality you have to wear special electronic
glasses and an electronic suit. Fastened to the suit are sensors, which send information to the
main computer. This computer works with the data and displays them on the electronic
spectacles. This is a technique which uses three-dimensional views; therefore the scenery seems
incredibly realistic. A "computer" can also called as physical device. However, one can create a
computer program which describes how to run a different computer, i.e. "simulating a computer
in a computer". Some programming languages use something called an interpreter, which is a
simulated computer built on top of the basic computer; this allows programmer s to write code
(computer input) in a different language than the one understood by the base computer (the alter
native is to use a compiler). Additionally, virtual machines are simulated computers which
virtually replicate a physical computer in software, and are very commonly used by I T. Virtual
machines are also a common technique used to create emulator s, such game console emulators.

CASE STUDY OF ITC- E-CHOUPAL

E-Choupal is an initiative of ITC Limited, a large multi business conglomerate in India, to

link directly with rural farmers via the Internet for procurement of agriculture and aquaculture
products like soybeans, wheat, coffee, and prawns. E- Choupal was conceived to tackle the
challenges posed by the unique features of Indian agriculture, characterized by fragmented
farms, weak infrastructure and the involvement of numerous intermediaries. The program
involves the installation of computers with Internet access in rural areas of India to offer farmers
up-to-date marketing and agricultural information. Problems addressed. Traditionally,
commodities were procured in MANDIS (major agricultural marketing centers in rural areas of
India), where the middleman used to make most of the profit. These middlemen used unscientific
and sometimes outright unfair means to judge the quality of the product to set the pr ice. The
difference in pr ice between good quality and inferior quality was little, and therefore there was
no incentive for the farmers to invest and produce good quality output. With E-Choupal, the
farmers have a choice and the exploitative power of the middleman is neutralized. Therefore
there was no incentive for the farmers to invest and produce good quality output. With e-Chou
pal, the farmers have a choice and the exploitative power of the middleman is neutralized.

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 Effects of e-Choupal

ITC Limited has now provided computers and Internet access in rural areas across several
agricultural regions of the country, where the farmers can directly negotiate the sale of their
produce with ITC Limited. This online access enables farmers to obtain information on MANDI
prices, and good farming practices, and to place orders for agricultural inputs like seeds and
fertilizers. This helps farmers improve the quality of their products, and helps in obtaining a
better price. Each ITC Limited kiosk having Internet access is run by a SANCHALAK a trained
farmer. The computer is housed in the SANCHALAK 's house and is linked to the Internet via
phone lines or by a VSAT connection. Each installation serves an average of 600 farmers in the
surrounding ten villages within about a 5 km radius. The SANCHALAK bears some operating
cost but in return earns a service fee for the e-transactions done through his e-Choupal. The
warehouse hub is managed by the same traditional middle-men, now called SAMYOZAKS, but
with no exploitative power due to the reorganization. Indeed these middlemen make up for the
lack of infrastructure and fulfill critical jobs like cash disbursement, quantity aggregation and
transportation.
Since the introduction of e-Choupal services, farmers have seen a rise in their income levels
because of a rise in yields, improvement in quality of output, and a fall in transaction costs. Even
small farmers have gained from the initiative. Customized and relevant knowledge is offered to
the farmers despite heterogeneous cultures, climates and scales of production. Farmers can get
real-time information despite their physical distance from the MANDIS. The system saves
procurement costs for ITC Limited. The farmers do not pay for the information and knowledge
they get from e-Choupals; the principle is to inform, empower and compete. At the same time
ITC Limited has obtained benefits from the program:
_ elimination of non value added activities
_ differentiated product through identity preserved supply chains
_ value added products traceable to farm practices
_ e- market place for spot transactions and support services to futures exchange
There are presently 6,500 e-Choupals in operation. ITC Limited plans to scale up to 20,000 e-
Choupals by 2012 covering 100,000 villages in 15 states, servicing 15 million farmers.

NEGATIVE IMPACT OF COMPUTERS

Over the millennia, Man has come up with countless inventions, each more ingenious than the
last. The computer has already begun to hold sway over so many of the vital functions that man
has prided himself upon before. Our lives are now dependent upon the computer and what it tells
you. It has been commonly said that the computer can never replace the human brain, for it is
humans that created them.

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 COMPUTERS IMPACT THE YOUNGER GENERATION

Most of us know the pros of having a computer. Some of the negative things about the
computerized world. A disorder in which the individual turns to the Internet or plays computer
games in an attempt to change moods, overcome anxiety, deal with depression, r educe isolation
or loneliness, or distract themselves from overwhelming problems. They get distracted so much
that they lose contact with the reality around them such as taking time with family. A high
percentage of people sit at their computer far too long and some people lose reality as far as
social activities and learning social skills. It's impossible to know someone well over the
Internet.

CYBER CRIMES

Cyber crimes are any illegal activities committed using computer target of the criminal activity
can be either a computer, network operations. Cyber crimes are genus of crimes, which use
computers and networks for criminal activities. The difference between traditional crimes and
cyber crimes is the cyber crimes can be transnational in nature. Cyber crime is a crime that is
committed online in many areas using e-commerce. A computer can be the target of an offence
when unauthorized access of computer network occurs and on other hand it affects E-
COMMERCE. Cyber crimes can be of various types such as Telecommunications Piracy,
Electronic Money Laundering and Tax Evasion, Sales and Investment Fraud, Electronic Funds
Transfer Fraud and so on.

IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT COMPUTERS: -It is amazing that, even though our
current level of technology only bloomed into the levels that cause us to have such a dependency
on computers during the last twenty years or so, most of us who lived when everything was done
manually cannot seem to remember the details! To imagine what the world would be like
without our level of accessibility to computers. Let's visualize for a minute. Let's visualize a
world without computers. People in the medical field wouldn't have found a lot of cures to
diseases, since most cures were found with the help of computers. Movies like Jurassic Park, Toy
Story, A Bug's Life or Godzilla would never have been made without computers because they
used computer graphics and animation in them. Pharmacies would have a hard time keeping
track with what medications to give to patience. Counting votes would be impossible without
computers and most importantly, space exploration wouldn't be possible without the help of
computers. It's a pretty tough life without computers. Some may not agree and say, "Well, we
don't need computers to live on." They may be right but mostly, they are wrong. Computers help
in curing diseases, make entertainment a lot better, keep track of important records, etc. Without
computers, all this wouldn't be possible.

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 Conclusion:

Some people say that computers have made life easier and more convenient. Other people say
that computers have made life more complex and stressful. In the 1980s, computer s began to
take up new roles in various forms. A simple computer could be a cash machine in a super
market, which does not look like a traditional one. In the past two decades, the price of
components used for computers steadily fell due to higher technological advancement, reduced
cost of manufacturing, stiffer competition, entrance of more manufacturers, new usage that
simplified many processes, greater market demand and inevitability to higher productivity. And
the trend of the usage of computer is changing rapidly, from governmental to civilian. Till now,
the beginning of the 21st century, computers are becoming more powerful and functional and
much closer to our daily life. In today's world computers are necessary. Without computers our
modern world would fall apart. Humans could not cope with the workloads that would be
excreted on them. Without computers we would lose half of our modern world. People do not
realize the amount of work computers do for us in everyday life. Say the checkouts in
supermarkets did not use computers you would be standing in the checkout for a long time as the
cashier would have to write down all of your items and work out your total in their head.
Computers become very useful for the presentation of schoolwork, it makes the creating of long
pieces of writing quicker and easier they are more presentable and readable. Pictures or
animations can be added with only a few clicks of the mouse, instead of having to draw them out
by hand. In a nutshell, it can be concluded that though there some negative impacts of computer
and now that we are almost completely dependent upon computers, a sudden inability to use or
to access them would cause a massive disaster with very little chance of restoring society to a
functioning state. The world without computers that many are imagining is a world in complete
panic, disarray and social disorder. So, there is always a positive impact of computers in our
society if used in a good way.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:-

Journals:
Websites:
_ WWW.Google.Com
_ WWW.Wikipedia.Com
_ WWW.echoupal.com
_ WWW.itcportal.com

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