Hardware is defined in the computer world as "the physical components that make up a computer system" (Fisher, n.d.). There are lots of different kinds of hardware that can be both installed inside a computer and connected to the outside of a computer (Fisher, n.d.).
Some examples of hardware that I am familiar with and use myself include:
- The computer moniter itself (screen)
- Mouse
- Keyboard
- Computer Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- Wireless router
- Printer
- Flash drive
Fisher, T. (n.d.). Hardware. Retrieved March 25, 2011 from http://pcsupport.about.com/od/termshm/g/hardware.htm
Software is a general term for the various kinds of programs and data used to operate computers and related devices (reference). In simple terms computer software tells the hardware what to do and how to do it (wisegeek).
Some examples of software that I am familiar with and use myself include:
- Microsoft Office
- Adobe Photoshop
- Internet Explorer
- Safari
Cole, B. (2011). What is computer software. Retrieved April 19, 2011 from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-computer-software.htm
Doig, M. (1997). Software. Retrieved March 25, 2011 from http://searchsoa.techtarget.com/definition/software
- Capturing images with digital cameras is one way that information can be provided through digital imaging! By taking photos and either showing them to others, printing them out for an album or posting them online you are sharing your experiences and what you have been doing/where you have been with all those who see the images!
- Photoblogs are another way that people use digital images to provide information and recording. Below are two links that will take you to two seperate photo blogs. The first is a blog that uses images to provide information to its viewers, the images are taken from The Wall Street Journal and they depict the leading stories in current world news. Each image has a small caption beneath it but you get most of the information from the picture itself. The second blog is a collection of images that a photographer has captured throughout their travels and posted online for others to see. By doing this he is both recording his travels and providing information about where he has been to all those who see his photos.
http://stoptheroc.shutterchance.com/photoblog/Collioure_village_/
- YouTube videos use slideshows of images to show information to its viewers. Here is an example of one. This video shows images of Christchurch before and after the February quake. The images give people a little bit of perspective and information as to the damage the quake caused.
In this post we were also asked to discuss the following sentence:
"A new technology is rarely superior to an old one in every feature"
In relation to digital technology, this statement is saying that new digital cameras are rarely superior to old film cameras in every feature. I do agree with this statement as I think that digital cameras have many advantages over film cameras but i know that they do not in every way produce better photos. With digital cameras you have the ability to take numerous amounts of photos without the added cost of buying new rolls of film, you don't have to wait long for photos to be developed, you can delete bad photos immediately as you can see what they look like on an LCD screen. You can also zoom in and out and upload photos straight to a computer. Another advantage is that prices of digital cameras have dropped so low that you can get a top of the line digital camera for less than the cost of a quality film camera. All this being said, I do think that digital cameras lack the authentic feel of the images that traditional film cameras produce. Digital cameras also don't capture the light like film cameras do and film photos are often better quality than digital ones. So, in conclusion I think it is fair to say that new technologies often have many advantages over old technologies but they are not better in every single way.
Ethical issues that could arise when it comes to digital imaging are privacy and copying:
Digital imaging is being used in a number of ways in occupational therapy practice. One example is that in some settings OT's take photos of clients to show family members and friends how they are progressing and what they have been up to. Another example was that on one of my fieldwork placements the clients used their own digital images to create a monthly newsletter to document the activities they had been doing and also what is coming up! Digital imaging can also be used as therapy itself. Here is a link to a website that tells you all about a man who discovered digital image manipulaion while in rehab from a spinal cord injury. He explains that in the OT department of the unit that he was in they had computers which were set up with headsets that enabled people with no hand movement to control the systems. Through using these computers that the OT's had set up he was able to learn how to use photoshop and manipulate digital images.
http://www.ryuneo.com/042_051_Gallery_Ryuneo1.pdf
"A new technology is rarely superior to an old one in every feature"
In relation to digital technology, this statement is saying that new digital cameras are rarely superior to old film cameras in every feature. I do agree with this statement as I think that digital cameras have many advantages over film cameras but i know that they do not in every way produce better photos. With digital cameras you have the ability to take numerous amounts of photos without the added cost of buying new rolls of film, you don't have to wait long for photos to be developed, you can delete bad photos immediately as you can see what they look like on an LCD screen. You can also zoom in and out and upload photos straight to a computer. Another advantage is that prices of digital cameras have dropped so low that you can get a top of the line digital camera for less than the cost of a quality film camera. All this being said, I do think that digital cameras lack the authentic feel of the images that traditional film cameras produce. Digital cameras also don't capture the light like film cameras do and film photos are often better quality than digital ones. So, in conclusion I think it is fair to say that new technologies often have many advantages over old technologies but they are not better in every single way.
Ethical issues that could arise when it comes to digital imaging are privacy and copying:
- Privacy is often thrown out of the water when it comes to digital images. Photos can be posted online without the permission of those in the images. This is often the case in social network situations e.g. Facebook. This could technically be a breech of privacy so people need to be careful when they are taking photos that they take into consideration what they are taking photos of and what they are being used for.
- Copying is another ethical issue as people often take photos that they haven't taken themselves and use them as their own or for their own benefit in some way.
Digital imaging is being used in a number of ways in occupational therapy practice. One example is that in some settings OT's take photos of clients to show family members and friends how they are progressing and what they have been up to. Another example was that on one of my fieldwork placements the clients used their own digital images to create a monthly newsletter to document the activities they had been doing and also what is coming up! Digital imaging can also be used as therapy itself. Here is a link to a website that tells you all about a man who discovered digital image manipulaion while in rehab from a spinal cord injury. He explains that in the OT department of the unit that he was in they had computers which were set up with headsets that enabled people with no hand movement to control the systems. Through using these computers that the OT's had set up he was able to learn how to use photoshop and manipulate digital images.
http://www.ryuneo.com/042_051_Gallery_Ryuneo1.pdf
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