CSE 328: Computer Application II

Course Outline
 Data Base Management Packages (MS access)
 Overview of DBM: Introduction to Microsoft access, Opening MS access
Creating your first data base, data base tables (creating and populating),
Creating data base query(simple tables with query), creating a table joints (look
up)
 Desktop publishing, Explanation of the concept of DTP, Basic Desktop Publishing
Features, Advantages and problems of DTP, Equipment required for DTP,
Methods of design, composing and production, Use of DTP applications software
(Pagemaker, MS-Publisher etc)
 Communication Technology
o Describe LANs, WANs and the Internet vs Intranet
o Define the following terms and use the capabilities within the internet-
World wide web, Uniform Resource Locator, Domain Names , File transfer
protocol, ISPs Web Hosting
o Explain the operation of Web servers and browsers and compare various
browsers
o Discuss social media and their advantages and disadvantages
 File management on local, network and cloud-based storage media; as well as
navigation of web-based information, data security and personal information
assurance.

Introduction
Database technology is one of the most rapidly growing areas of computer and
information science today. In the beginning, data used by an information system was
stored on individual files. An organization keeps each file independent of the other
files that may exist within the organization. For instance, an organizations payroll fill
was created with all data required for payroll system and similarly the same that same
thing is done in the personnel and inventory files. This system of keeping files often
leads to the same data appearing in more than one file (redundancy).
Obviously, problems of redundancy would be eliminated if it was possible to
store data item once and still have it accessible to all applicable programs. Such set of

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data would provide a base for many applications. It was with these goals in mind that
database technology was developed.
Definition
A database is a structured collection of operational data together with a
description of such data. A database is the collection of related data or information
such as an address list, school payroll, records, students’ academic records, students’
admission records etc. In a more precise sense, database is a powerful menu-driven
data management programme or system, designed to help anyone to perform with
little effort, many data management tasks in computers.
It has also been described as a program that helps one collect and manage information
or data. As a data management tool, database is easy to use, complete filling and
record keeping system that allows the user to store, retrieve, sort and update amounts
of information
A database might be complex and demanding as an account tracking system
used by a bank to manage the constantly changing accounts of thousands of bank
customers, or it could be as simple as a collection of electronic business cards on your
laptop. The important thing is that a database allows you to store data and get it
modify it when you need to easily and efficiently regardless of the amount of data
being manipulated. Where the data is and how demanding you will be when retrieving
and modifying that data is simply a matter of scale.
Purpose of Database system
Database System=Database + DBMS
There are two approaches to data storage:-
 File based approach
 Database approach
File-Based Approaches
In early days, database applications were built on top of file system. File-based
approaches to data storage are based on relatively simple data structures, such as the
Indexed Sequential Access Method (ISAM), and are usually implemented for a single
application. Files are generally created on an as needed basis to service the data
needs of an application. The files are associated with an application. The same data
may be repeated on many files and stored under different names. For example, an
accounting application may refer to customer name while a purchasing application
may refer to buyer name. The physical storage characteristics of the same data may

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be different for different applications. For example, one application may allow 20
characters for name while another application allows 25 characters for the same
name. Different business units are responsible for different data.
Following are the drawback of using file system to store data which can be
overcome by database system.
Disadvantages of a File-Based Approach
 Data redundancy and inconsistency.
 Duplication of same information at several places are possible.
 All copies may not be updated properly.
 Difficulty in accessing data
 May have to write a new application program to satisfy an unusual
request.
 E.g. Find all students with same marks , could generate this data
manually, but a tedious job.
 Data Isolation
 Data in different files.
 Data in different formats.
 Difficult to write new application programs.
 Multiple users
 Want concurrency for faster response time
 Need protection for concurrent updates.
 E.g. two customers depositing funds in the same account at the same time.
 Security problems
 Every user of the system should be able to access only the data they are
permitted to see.
 Difficult to enforce this with application programs.
 Integrity problems
 Data may be required to satisfy constraints.
 E.g. No account balance should be below N5000
 Again difficult to enforce or to change constraints with the file processing
approach.
 Atomicity of updates
 Failures may leave database in an inconsistent state with partial update
carried out.

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  E.g. Transfer of funds from one account to another should either complete
or not happen at all.
In summary, Updates to files may result in inconsistent data across the
organization. For example, if an accounting application updates a customer name
without notifying other application areas that also maintain customer name, customer
name will be stored differently for different applications. A file-based data storage
approach makes it difficult for other applications to access data not owned by their
application. Data owned by other applications may be stored in a format not
consistent with the retrieval capabilities of another application.
File-based approaches to data storage are tied to applications rather than the entities
to which the files refer. File-based approaches do not recognize relationships between
entities until such information is needed by an application.
Database Approaches
Database approaches to data storage support the sharing of data across multiple
applications with multiple users. Databases are structured in a way that is meaningful
to an organization. For example, if an organization maintains information on suppliers
and the geographic areas they service, there would be a link in the database between
the suppliers and geographic areas. Databases reduce data redundancy.
A Database Management System (DBMS) is the software that handles all
database accesses. A DBMS presents a logical view of the data to the users. How this
data is stored and retrieved is hidden from the users. A DBMS ensures that the data is
consistent across the database and controls who can access what data.
Explain the components of Database System.
A complete database system in an organization consists of four components.
Hardware: The hardware is the set of physical devices on which a database resides. It
consists of one or more computers, disk drives, CRT terminals, printers, tape drivers,
connecting cables, etc. The computers used for processing the data in the database
may be mainframe, mini computers or personal computers. Mainframe and mini
computers have traditionally been used on a stand-alone basis to support multiple
users accessing a common database. Personal computers are often used with stand-
alone databases controlled and accessed by a single user. Disk drivers are the main
storage mechanism for databases. Desktop computers, CRT terminals and printers are
used for entering and retrieving information from the database. The success of the
database system has been heavily dependent on advances in hardware technology. A
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very large amount of main memory and disk storage is required to maintain and
control the huge quantity of data stored in a database.
Software: A database system includes two types of software:
a. General Purpose database management software usually called the database
management system (DBMS).
b. Application software that uses DBMS facilities to manipulate the database to
achieve a specific business functions.
Application software is generally written by programmers to solve a specific company
problem. It may be written in languages like COBOL or C or it may be written in a
language supplied by DBMS like SQL. Application software uses the facilities of the
DBMS to access and manipulate data in the database providing reports or documents
needed for the information and processing needs of the company. The DBMS is
software similar to an operating system. It provides a number of services to end users
and programmers. Examples of DBMS are Oracle, FileMaker Pro, Microsoft Access,
Microsoft SQL Server, SAP and MySQL etc
DBMS typically provides most of the following services.
1. A central data definition and data control facility known as a data
dictionary/directory or catalog.
2. Data security and integrity mechanisms.
3. Concurrent data access for multiple users.
4. User-oriented data query, manipulation and reporting capabilities.
5. Programmer-oriented application system development capabilities.
Data: No database system can exist without data. Data can be collected and entered
into the database according to the defined structure.
People: Two different types of people concerned with the database.
They are:
1. Users: Executives, Managers, Staff, Clerical personnel.
2. Practitioners: Database Administrators, Programmers.

What Type of Information is Stored in a Database?

The purpose of a database is to store different data in several ways. Some of the types
of data that can be stored in a database software are:

 Textual data
 Numerical data
 Binary data
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  Data and time

Most Popular Database Management Software (DBMS)

A database management software features data independence, as the storage

mechanism and formats can be changed without altering the entire application within
the database. The database software list includes MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server,
Microsoft Access DBMS, Oracle, IBM DB2, and FoxPro. A common DBMS tool,
MySQL, a free business database software, is a high-performing database software
that helps enterprise users build scalable database applications. Similarly, the features
of FoxPro include creating, adding, editing, and removing information from a
database.

Main Features of a DBMS

An efficient database management software should have the following features:

 Low Repetition and Redundancy: In a database, the chances of data
duplication are quite high as several users use one database. A DBMS reduces
data repetition and redundancy by creating a single data repository that can be
accessed by multiple users, even allowing easy data mapping while performing
ETL.
 Easy Maintenance of Large Databases: Most organizational data is stored in
large databases. A DBMS helps maintain these databases by enforcing user-
defined validation and integrity constraints, such as user-based access.
 Enhanced Security: When handling large amounts of data, security becomes
the top-most concern for all businesses. Database management software doesn’t
allow full access to anyone except the database administrator or the
departmental head. Only they can modify the database and control user access,
making the database more secure. All other users are restricted, depending on
their access level.
 Improved File Consistency: By implementing a database management system,
organizations can create a standardized way to use files and ensure consistency
of data with other systems and applications. Manipulating and streamlining
advanced data management systems is essential. The application of an advanced
database system allows using the same rules to all the data throughout the
organization.
 Multi-User Environment Support: A database management software features
and supports a multi-user environment, allowing several users to access and
work on data concurrently. Db software also supports several views of the data.
A view is a subsection of a database that’s distinct and dedicated to specific
operators of the system.

As a database is typically accessed by multiple operators simultaneously, these

operators may need different database views. For example, operator A may want to
print a bank statement, whereas Operator B would want to only check the bank

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balance. Although both are querying the same database, they will be presented with
different views. In addition to the features mentioned above, it is also essential to look
for certain qualities in a database system. For example, it should represent logical
structures of the problem, eliminate redundant data storage, and offer seamless data
access with DBMS tools. Astera offers one of the best data management systems that
users could try for free!

Types of Database Management Systems

There are different database management systems, which can be broadly classified
into four types. The most popular type of DBMS software includes:
1. Hierarchical: A hierarchical DBMS organizes data in a tree-like arrangement,
in the form of a hierarchy, either in a top-down or bottom-up design. The
hierarchy is defined by a parent-child relationship, where a parent may have
numerous children, but children can only have a single parent. This type of
DBMS commonly includes one-to-one and one-to-many relationships. A one-to-
one relationship exists when a parent has a single child. Whereas, in a one-to-
many relationship, a parent has multiple children. As data is hierarchical, it
becomes a complicated network, if one-to-many relationships are disrupted.
2. Network: A network DBMS is a slightly complex extension of hierarchical DBMS
in which data has many-to-many relationships that appear in the form of a
network. The advantages of the network database model are that records are
arranged in a graph that can be accessed via numerous data paths. In this
database structure, a child can have multiple parents. Therefore, it allows you to
model more intricate relationships. The ability to build more relationships among
different data types makes these databases more efficient.
3. Relational: A relational model is one of the most extensively used arrangements
for organizing databases. It normalizes data and organizes it as logically
independent tables. You can perform operations like “Select” and “Join” on these
tables. The data is stored in fixed structures and manipulated using SQL. Shared
data depicts relationships between different tables. As data in a table can
reference similar data in another table, it preserves the reliability of the
connections between them. This is called referential integrity, which is a critical
concept in this database model.
4. Object-Oriented: The object-oriented model describes a database as a group of
objects, which stores both values and operations/methods. Objects with similar
values and operations are grouped as classes. As this type of database integrates
with object-oriented programming languages and utilizes an identical
representation model, programmers can leverage the uniformity of a single
programming environment. Object-oriented databases are compatible with
various programming languages, such as Delphi, JavaScript, Python, Java, C++,
Perl, Scala, and Visual Basic .NET.

Advantages of DBMS

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 The database management system has a number of advantages as compared to
traditional computer file-based processing approach. The DBA must keep in mind
these benefits or capabilities during databases and monitoring the DBMS. The Main
advantages of DBMS are described below:-
a. Controlling Data Redundancy: In non-database systems each application
program has its own private files. In this case, the duplicated copies of the same
data is created in many places. In DBMS, all data of an organization is
integrated into a single database file. The data is recorded in only one place in
the database and it is not duplicated.
b. Sharing of Data: In DBMS, data can be shared by authorized users of the
organization. The database administrator manages the data and gives rights to
users to access the data. Many users can be authorized to access the same piece
of information simultaneously. The remote users can also share same data.
Similarly, the data of same database can be shared between different application
programs.
c. Data Consistency: By controlling the data redundancy, the data consistency is
obtained. If a data item appears only once, any update to its value has to be
performed only once and the updated value is immediately available to all users.
If the DBMS has controlled redundancy, the database system enforces
consistency.

d. Integration of Data: In Database management system, data in database is

stored in tables. A single database contains multiple tables and relationships can
be created between tables (or associated data entities). This makes easy to
retrieve and update data.
e. Integration Constraints: Integrity constraints or consistency rules can be
applied to database so that the correct data can be entered into database. The
constraints may be applied to data item within a single record or the may be
applied to relationships between records.
f. Data Security: Form is very important object of DBMS. You can create forms
very easily and quickly in DBMS. Once a form is created, it can be used many
times and it can be modified very easily. The created forms are also saved along
with database and behave like a software component. A form provides very easy
way (user-friendly) to enter data into database, edit data and display data from
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 database. The non-technical users can also perform various operations on
database through forms without going into technical details of a database.
g. Report Writers: Most of the DBMSs provide the report writer tools used to
create reports. The users can create very easily and quickly. Once a report is
created, it can be used may times and it can be modified very easily. The created
reports are also saved along with database and behave like a software
component.
h. Control over Concurrency: In a computer file-based system, if two users are
allowed to access data simultaneously, it is possible that they will interfere with
each other. For example, if both users attempt to perform update operation on
the same record, then one may overwrite the values recorded by the other. Most
database management systems have sub-systems to control the concurrency so
that transactions are always recorded with accuracy.
i. Backup and Recovery Procedures: In a computer file-based system, the user
creates the backup of data regularly to protect the valuable data from damage
due to failures to the computer system or application program. It is very time
consuming method, if amount of data is large. Most of the DBMSs provide the
'backup and recovery' sub-systems that automatically create the backup of data
and restore data if required.
j. Data Independence: The separation of data structure of database from the
application program that uses the data is called data independence. In DBMS,
you can easily change the structure of database without modifying the
application program
Disadvantages of DBMS
1. Complexity: The provision of the functionality that is expected of a good DBMS
makes the DBMS an extremely complex piece of software. Database designers,
developers, database administrators and end-users must understand this
functionality to take full advantage of it. Failure to understand the system can
lead to bad design decisions, which can have serious consequences for an
organization.
2. Size: The complexity and breadth of functionality makes the DBMS an extremely
large piece of software, occupying many megabytes of disk space and requiring
substantial amounts of memory to run efficiently.

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 3. Performance: Typically, a File Based system is written for a specific
application, such as invoicing. As result, performance is generally very good.
However, the DBMS is written to be more general, to cater for many
applications rather than just one. The effect is that some applications may not
run as fast as they used to.
4. Higher impact of a failure: The centralization of resources increases the
vulnerability of the system. Since all users and applications rely on the
~vailabi1ity of the DBMS, the failure of any component can bring operations to a
halt.
5. Cost of DBMS: The cost of DBMS varies significantly, depending on the
environment and functionality provided. There is also the recurrent annual
maintenance cost.
6. Additional Hardware costs: The disk storage requirements for the DBMS and
the database may necessitate the purchase of additional storage space.
Furthermore, to achieve the required performance it may be necessary to
purchase a larger machine, perhaps even a machine dedicated to running the
DBMS. The procurement of additional hardware results in further expenditure.
7. Cost of Conversion: In some situations, the cost offline DBMS and extra
hardware may be insignificant compared with the cost of converting existing
applications to run on the new DBMS and hardware. This cost also includes the
cost of training staff to use these new systems and possibly the employment of
specialist staff to help with conversion and running of the system. This cost is
one of the main reasons why some organizations feel tied to their current
systems and cannot switch to modern database technology.
When not to Use a DBMS
In spite of the advantages of using a DBMS, there are a few situations in which
such a system may involve unnecessary overhead costs, as that would not be incurred
in traditional file processing. The overhead costs of using a DBMS are due to the
following:
 High initial investment in hardware, software, and training.
 Generality that a DBMS provides for defining and processing data.
 Overhead for providing security, concurrency control, recovery, and integrity
functions.

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  Additional problems may arise, if the database designers and DBA do not
properly design the database or if the database systems applications are not
implemented properly.
Hence, it may be more desirable to use regular files under the following
circumstances:
 The database and applications are simple, well defined and not expected to
change.
 There are tight real-time requirements for some programs that may not be met
because of DBMS overhead.
 Multiple user access to data is not required.
 An application may need to manipulate the data in a way not supported by the
query language.

Requirement for a DBMS

The software responsible for the management data in computers i.e. DBMS (like
Oracle, Foxpro, SQL Server etc.) should meet the following requirements:
1. Provide data definition facilities: It should support Data Definition Language
(DDL) and provides user accessible catalog Known as Data Dictionary.
2. Provide facilities for storing, retrieving and updating data: It should
support Data Manipulation Language (DML), so that required data can be
inserted, updated, deleted and retrieved.
3. Supports multiple views of data: The end user should have the facility of
flexible query language so that required information can be accessed easily.
4. Provides facilities for specifying Integrity constraints: It should support the
constraints like Primary key, foreign key during creation of tables so that only
the valid information is stored in the database. As soon as, we try to insert any
incorrect information it should display the error message.
5. Provide security of data: It should have the facilities for controlling access to
data and prevent unauthorized access and update.
6. Provide concurrency control mechanism :It should allow simultaneous
access and update of data by multiple users
7. Support Transactions: It should support all the properties of transaction
known as ACID properties. It means a sequence of operations to be performed as
a whole. In other words all operations are performed or none.
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 8. Provide facilities for database recovery: It should bring database back to
consistent state after a failure such as disk failure, faulty program etc.
9. Provide facilities for database maintenance: It should support maintenance
operations like unload, reload, mass insertion, deletion and validation of data.
10. Master and transaction file: A master file stores relatively static data. It
changes occasionally and stores all the details of the object. For example, in case
of banking software the customer file which contain the data about the customer
like customer_id, account_no, account_type, name, address, phone_number etc.
is a master file, because it contain the static data and whole information about
the customer. The other file, which contains the data about the customer
transactions, is called as a Transaction file. The customer transaction file
contains the data about the account_no,\ transaction_)d, date, transaction_type
(e.g. deposit or withdrawal), amount, balance etc. It is dynamic file and updated
each time for any withdrawal and deposit on a given account number.

Desktop Publishing

Desktop publishing (DTP) is the creation of documents using page layout software
on a personal ("desktop") computer. Desktop publishing is the use of the computer and
software to create visual displays of ideas and information. Desktop publishing
documents may be for desktop or commercial printing or electronic distribution,
including PDF, slideshows, email newsletters, electronic books, and the Web.

Desktop publishing is a term coined after the development of a specific type of

software. It's about using that software to combine and rearrange text and images and
creating digital files for print, online viewing, or websites. Before the invention of
desktop publishing software, the tasks involved in desktop publishing were done
manually by people who specialized in graphic design, typesetting, and prepress tasks.

A typical desktop publishing system comprises a personal computer, a video monitor, a

high-resolution printer, and various input devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, or
digital scanner. Some systems also integrate advanced memory storage units,
communication devices, and other peripheral equipment. One of a number of different
combinations of software applications is necessary to operate the system. Text and
graphic elements are commonly created or manipulated with several separate
software programs and then combined with, or copied into, a page-makeup program
that allows the user to arrange them into a final composite. More powerful desktop
publishing software programs offer full-featured word processing and graphics
capabilities.

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It was first used almost exclusively for print publications, but now it also assists in the
creation of various forms of online content. Desktop publishing software can generate
layouts and produce typographic-quality text and images comparable to traditional
typography and printing. Desktop publishing is also the main reference for digital
typography. This technology allows individuals, businesses, and other organizations
to self-publish a wide variety of content, from menus to magazines to books, without
the expense of commercial printing.

Desktop publishing often requires the use of a personal computer and WYSIWYG page
layout software to create documents for either large-scale publishing or small-scale
local multifunction peripheral output and distribution – although a non-WYSIWYG
system such as LaTeX could also be used for the creation of highly structured and
technically demanding documents as well. Desktop publishing methods provide more
control over design, layout, and typography than word processing. However, word
processing software has evolved to include most, if not all, capabilities previously
available only with professional printing or desktop publishing.

The same DTP skills and software used for common paper and book publishing are
sometimes used to create graphics for point of sale displays, presentations,
infographics, brochures, business cards, promotional items, trade show exhibits, retail
package designs and outdoor signs.

Modern word processors have the basic features of DTP software but features such as
templates and frames make DTP software better for complex page layouts.
 Templates – examples to base your own document on. Templates provide an easy
way of making documents look professional. If you want something that stands
out, be aware that the same template can be used by many people.
 Frames - boxes that can contain text or graphics. These can be moved around
freely and resized to create the layout that you want.

Things You Can Do With Desktop Publishing

With desktop publishing software and hardware you can:

 Design print communications such as brochures, fliers, ads, and posters.

 Design print communications such as catalogs, directories, and annual reports.
 Design logos, business cards, and letterhead.
 Design and publish newsletters, magazines, and newspapers.
 Design books and booklets.
 Convert print communications to formats for the web and smart devices such as
tablets and phones.
 Create resumes and business forms including invoices, inventory sheets, memos,
and labels.
 Self-publish books, newsletters, and e-books.
 Design and publish blogs and websites.
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  Design slides shows, presentations, and handouts.
 Create and print greeting cards, banners, postcards, candy wrappers, and iron-
on transfers.
 Make digital scrapbooks and print or digital photo albums.
 Create decorative labels, envelopes, trading cards, calendars, and charts.
 Design packaging for retail merchandise from wrappers for bars of soap to
software boxes.
 Design store signs, highway signs, and billboards.
 Take work designed by others and putting it into the correct format for digital or
offset printing or for publishing online.
 Create more attractive, readable reports, posters, and print or on-screen
presentations for school or business.

How Desktop Publishing Has Changed

In the '80s and '90s, desktop publishing was for print almost exclusively. Today,
desktop publishing includes much more than just print publications. It is publishing as
PDF or an e-book. It is publishing to blogs and designing websites. It is designing
content for multiple platforms, including smartphones and tablets.

Desktop publishing is the technical assembly of digital files in the proper format for
printing or for electronic distribution. In practical use, much of the graphic design
process is also accomplished using desktop publishing, graphics software, and web
design software and is sometimes included in the definition of desktop publishing.

Comparison of desktop publishing, graphic design, and web design:

 Desktop publishing is the process of using the computer and specific types of
software to combine text and graphics to produce documents such as
newsletters, brochures, books, and web pages.
 Graphic design uses text and graphics to communicate an effective message in
the design of logos, graphics, brochures, newsletters, posters, signs, and other
types of visual communication.
 Web design is a spin-off of graphic design and desktop publishing that focuses
exclusively on visual communications for display on websites and mobile devices
– to include text, graphics, sound, animation, and video.

Someone who does print design may or may not also do web design. Some web
designers have never done any type of print design.

The Features of Desktop Publishing Apps

Below is a list and description of the most basic and essential features that any
desktop publishing software should have. Some of them may prove more crucial than

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others depending on the type of print project you are working with. Though these
features are important, the list surely does not end here.

 Support for Numerous Project Types: The ability to create a variety of

projects defines the flexibility of a desktop publishing application. The key to
delivering this is by supporting an abundance of paper layouts and the ability to
create custom page layouts without too many restrictions.
 Layout Tools: The term “layout tools” involves a range of tools that help to
place and align objects accurately. Such tools include but are not limited to
rulers, adjustable and automatic guides, multiple editing layers, object snapping,
and object grouping. The guides and snapping options offer a point of reference
when placing images and text in the document. Multiple editing layers keep the
workspace more or less uncluttered which helps to prevent selecting and moving
the unintended object. Object grouping helps in a similar way by making sure
that multiple objects remain positioned proportionate to one another. The
integration of so-called “master pages” in a desktop publishing application saves
you from having to create the same background multiple times for a multi-page
document. This option creates a type of template that can be applied to every
page of a document.
 Text Tools: Desktop publishing software should offer a wide range of text
editing tools extending beyond standard operations on text. Linked text boxes
are an absolute must in desktop publishing. Such text boxes allow text to flow
freely within a network of text boxes. This makes editing text content much
easier since the text boxes automatically adjust the contained text. Adjusting the
text properties of headers and other portions of text can be quite tedious.
Applications with style sheets make that process much quicker. One can think of
style sheets as customizable text templates that can be applied to any portion of
text by selecting it and choosing the corresponding style sheet.

Other important text tools include circle text and artistic text effects.

 Graphic Tools: The ability to edit images is also an absolute must for desktop
publishing software. Ideally, an application should allow you to do more than just
manipulate images (resize, angle, crop, or compress). It should give you a set of
built-in image effects and filters as well as other functions related to design.
Such functions may include adding shadows, controlling the transparency, and
so forth. Highly professional applications may offer advanced drawing tools.
 Printing and Sharing: Supporting a ton of paper layouts and printers is not
enough to make a desktop publishing application great. If you are running an
older printer, you will definitely need the ability print your project as a raster
image since many old printers cannot handle vector data. A person looking to
send his document to the printshop will find that a variety of export options and
the means to convert text to curves will turn out to be useful. Those who plan on
printing any kind of booklet should look for an imposition functionality.

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What Are the Main Benefits of Desktop Publishing?

1. Better Results with Page Layout Tools: The best thing about desktop
publishing (DTP) software deals is the functionality. Editing two pages side-by-
side, creating repeated content with a single button click, importing any of the
hundreds of clipart images and using the integration with specialized software
for more eye-catching lettering and typography—these features allow your brand
to complement their experience of designing numerous layouts.
2. Cost: The list of the most beneficial advantages of DTP is incomplete without a
price estimate. When you apply to professional services with a task to prepare a
certain layout, the fee is assessed per project. When companies decide to try
desktop publishing software for the Mac, they pay an established fee just once.
That is the case with Swift Publisher. More importantly, do not be afraid you are
going to invest your funds wrongly—the service provider offers a free trial. In
this regard, an organization’s employees can determine for themselves how fast
and intuitive the application is.
3. Smooth Customization and Adjustment: One of the rocking benefits is to
apply one of over 500 templates and fine-tune them in accordance with your
target audience’s needs. Designing business cards, brochures, menus, envelopes
or labels—these features are just a small number of the capabilities offered by
the considered software for the Mac.
4. Enhanced Creativity: Taking into account that advanced programs for DTP
offer access to different top-notch graphics, why not use this feature as a source
of inspiration and knowledge base? The same applies to templates. This is how
beginners can become masters without complicated learning curves—just with
the help of files and materials found within the tool. At the same time, if nothing
disturbs you from the creative process (e.g., technical issues or a stubborn menu
with a long route to the option you need), the results will turn out to be more
appealing and motivating.
5. Simplified Publishing: The DTP meaning in printing is not to be
underestimated. Instead of hoping that the results of your hard work will be
published as you envisioned, it is wiser to take responsibility into your own
hands. For instance, almost all DTP apps allow switching between RGB and
CMYK color palettes. That means that the vividness and brightness of your
layout will be preserved. In addition, with the ability to tune the bleeds, the
quantity and quality of objects present on the file before and after publishing will
coincide.
6. Handles far more graphical elements than a word processor: Word
processing software certainly has its place. But Desktop Publishing software has
taken over from it in almost any project where different fonts, pictures, layout
and graphics are going to be involved. In fact, the more elements that are going
to be included in a piece, the greater the advantages of using DTP software over
a word processor. Projects which include a large number of graphics and
pictures will particularly benefit.
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 7. Frame-based: A sizeable part of the advantages of Desktop Publishing
packages, even the basic Microsoft Publisher, is that they are frame-based. This
means that frames of text or images can be moved over, around and on top of
one another and rescaled with ease. The ability to easily move frames around to
view their impact when placed in a different layout or with different spacing
really comes into its own when DTP software is used to create projects like
magazines and newspapers.
8. WYSIWYG: WYSIWYG stands What You See Is What You Get. This acronym
refers to the fact that, with DTP software, what you see on the screen will be
what the final document looks like in printed form. If you have ever created a
project as a Word file and then printed it out only to discover a huge disparity
between what it looked like on the screen and what it looks like in your hand,
you’ll understand why this is so important for professionals. This means that a
page layout can be easily optimized and enhanced without needing to see it on
paper. The WYSIWYG aspect of DTP puts professionals who use it well ahead of
their counterparts struggling to cut and paste elements using a word processor.
9. Automatic restructuring: Many DTP software packages can be set to
automatically restructure other elements around a frame which has been moved.
Want to see if a snapshot looks better in the corner of a paragraph with the text
wrapped around it? No problem. Does not look good in the new position?
Reverse the change. You can also set text to flow under a frame or have it keep a
set space from a frame boundary, or have an image positioned uniquely within a
frame. This gives you a great deal of flexibility in the final appearance of a
document or page. Marketing materials such as brochures, flyers and
catalogues, in particular, hugely benefit from the use of DTP tools in their
creation. Because these tools offer an easy way to adjust the spacing, colours
and contrast of a document, its appeal can be edited or altered to meet the
preferences of any given audience.
10. Work in columns, frames and pages: Unlike most word processors, you
can also easily create columns as well as frames and pages. Text will
automatically snake (the technical term for flow) from one column to the next,
again making DTP ideal for creating newspapers and magazines. Kerning is the
technical term for editing the space between letters. Different fonts and even
different pairs of letters require different spacing for comfortable reading. The
best DTP software allows easy individual control over kerning so that larger
headings and titles, as well as other text elements, can be perfectly aligned and
adjusted for impact and readability.

Challenges in Desktop Publishing

It is undoubtedly that experienced translators are a key factor for an accurate

translation. Unfortunately, to produce high-quality end-result, sometimes it goes
beyond linguistic matters. A lot of things can go wrong during the Desktop Publishing
process which has a detrimental effect on the layout of the final products. Font
17
conflicts, words expansion, or inappropriate graphics are some common challenges in
DTP.

1. Fonts: Font conflicts can be a headache for any desktop publishers, regardless
of their experiences. Your font might work perfectly well in English, but conflicts
occur when you translate your content into tonal languages such as Vietnamese,
or into a different writing system namely Japanese, Chinese, or Thai. In general,
your preferred font might not support all languages. That means a change in the
font used for the target language documents is unavoidable to guarantee easy-
to-see final documents.

To overcome this first challenge, experienced desktop publishers can provide

clients with a list of fonts that look similar to the original one or suitable for the
content. Or your company can pick some from the list or you can make your own
list and give it to the linguists. An agreement between the two sides in this step
will help the desktop publishing process runs smoothly.

Here are some font suggestions for some Asian languages:

Asian Languages Common fonts

MS Gothic, Meiryo, Hiragino Mincho, Yu Gothic, Yu Mincho,
Japanese
Google Noto Sans CJK, Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro
Kaiti, Songti, Heiti, SimSun, SimHei, Microsoft YaHei,
Chinese
SimKai, SimFang
Arial Unicode MS, Adobe Myungjo Std M, Batang, Baekmuk
Korean
Dotum, Gulim, Gungsuh
Angsana New, PSL Krittitada Pro, CS Prakas, TH Sarabun
Thai
New, DB Fongnam X, Cloud, SuperMarket
Myanmar 3, Paduak, Zawgyi-One, Ayar, UniBurma,
Burmese
Kannaka, FreeSans
Time New Roman, Arial, Calibri, Tahoma, Cambria, Source
Vietnamese
Sans, Adapter

2. Word Length: There is no such thing as one-to-one correspondence in

translating languages. The length of translated words can shrink or expand
significantly compared to the original text, leading to either a lack or an
abundance of white space. For example, Italian text might expand up to 3 times
longer than the same content in English while the word length in Chinese is
reduced by about 20% when translated from English.

English Words Italian Words Chinese Words

Views Visualizzazioni 次檢視
Consider Prendere in considerazione 考虑
So what is the solution? In most cases, desktop publishers will change the size of
words or fonts to make sure the text is in the right position.
3. The Nature of Languages: Sometimes the whole layout of a document is
changed due to the nature of the target language. For instance, most languages
are written from the left to the right side of the page. Meanwhile, languages
18
 such as Arabic are read and written in the opposite direction – from right to left.
As a result, the entire layout of the source document is no longer suitable for the
target language.

This dramatic change results in a heavier workload for desktop publishers. It will
take more time and effort for adjusting and perfecting the layout to remain the
consistency of the entire document. Thus, giving your desktop publishers enough
time is necessary if you want to have a ready-to-publish end-result.
4. Graphics & Background: Localizing graphics and background is another factor
that you should take into account when doing desktop publishing. Some images
or illustrations in the source file may not be culturally suitable for regional
audiences, especially in terms of colours. For instance, red is of favour in many
Asian countries while white and black are considered as bad luck or death.
Therefore, changing the colour or finding new images come highly
recommended.

The theme of images should also be changed to be more attractive to the locals.
Take “Fantastic beasts and where to find them” posters as an example. To
promote the movie in China, a series of posters portraiting each of the beasts in
the movie was created. They were painted in the style of illustrations that can be
found in Chinese mythical books, bringing a familiar feeling and connection to
Chinese audiences.

5. Expensive tools: One of the main disadvantages of Desktop Publishing is the

relative expense of the tools themselves. Many companies baulk at the costs of
purchasing specialist software such as QuarkXpress or Adobe InDesign,
Photoshop, FrameMaker or Illustrator. Outsourcing to professionals is frequently
the way that a company will choose to overcome this problem.
6. Lack of large scalability: Another disadvantage of DTP is that it sometimes
struggles with very large-scale, highly complex projects. That is because these
projects frequently require paying attention to more than just the presentation
and content of a project – the two areas which DTP software handles so well – in
order to cover:
 The overall structure of a project, including things like section levels and
connections between related documents in multiple projects
 Reusing content in other projects
 Keeping the different types of output a project requires consistent
 Online and offline storage and distribution
In recent years though, many of the market-leading DTP tools have started to
include these features in what they offer
Types of Desktop Publishing Software
DTP Software: Five General Categories
Essentially there are five types of desktop publishing software that are relied upon to
produce DTP material in any form. The five general categories include page layout
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software (generally referred to as DTP software), graphics software, image
editing software, Web publishing software, and some kind of word processing
application.

DTP software is becoming more integrated these days, meaning that some pull double-
duty or can handle a basic project from start to finish. The five essential groups listed
above are the main applications professionals, freelancers, and small office/home
office (SOHO) have to make anything that falls under the umbrella of DTP material
such as brochures, flyers, presentation kits, cards, and anything else you need for
business or personal reasons. Since the variety DTP projects possible is far and wide,
you can’t really be guaranteed that one set of software packages will cover you in
every situation. But after reading this article you will have a good idea of what you
might need and plenty of avenues to explore more relevant content on this channel.

 Page Layout Software (Generally Known as DTP Software)

Since page layout software is commonly known as DTP software, this can lead to some
confusion but now you know better. These software programs are the workhorses of
DTP and they do exactly what you might think they would in accordance with the
name. With this type of DTP software you have the capability to arrange and integrate
the text, images, and graphics on the page of whatever particular project you’re
working on (print, electronic, or Web).

Here is where you can inject creative flair to reflect the style and look to any
publications from pamphlets to books. The more expensive software versions in this
category that are the choice of professionals with a lot of know-how who want to
demonstrate some artistic skills in their work. Meaning there are more bells and
whistles that offer uses the ability to tweak and manipulate with a great degree of
detail. You will find in Top Page Layout Software for Professionals, that our dynamic
expert believes Adobe InDesign and QuarkXpress are the top-notch offerings in this
category of page layout software. Within that article you will find out what makes the
Adobe and Quark applications so stellar along with their features and pricing. With all
those advanced capabilities, the cost will be higher and the user interface will take
some time to learn.

Therefore, the choices for the SOHO folks who might not want to spend that much on
page layout software or do not anticipate needing the advanced features will be
different. There are less involved (and less expensive) programs that will give folks
with small or home businesses looking to create marketing or information material, for
instance, ample features to produce high-quality stuff. Microsoft Publisher 2007 and
Serif PagePlus X3 are recommended for the SOHO users
 Graphics Software
A majority of DTP projects are going to include the integration of graphics onto the
page, be it on paper or the web. Otherwise we did be stuck with nothing but
unexciting text. Both illustration software and image editing software can be
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categorized as graphics software but I broke them up here for convenience sake. So as
far as illustration software goes, users can have the freedom to draw and create
whatever they want within the confines of the program they are working. Therefore,
designs and logos can be unique as opposed to cheaper programs that use templates
which can only be tweaked so much. Adobe Illustrator is the prime example Adobe
Illustrator is the favorite choice for its features and the fact that it is compatible with
other software you might want to use on a project. Compatibility is a huge factor when
working with different applications for DTP. As you will note Page Layout software and
Graphics software are sometimes interchangeable which is why Adobe is so popular.

 Image Editing Software

Image editing software gives you all those great tools to manipulate, change, edit, and
stylize your photos and images in a thousand different ways. Photoshop makes one of
the most popular of these applications has everything you need to know.

This software may also be referred to as photo editors, or paint programs, because
these tools are in the bag of tricks. Photo imaging software is especially good when
working on the Web, but you’ll need some form of image editor for most DTP projects
in print also. Keep in mind that there are also some very competent free image editing
applications as well.

 Web Publishing Software

Plenty of DTP projects might never see the light of day on paper but rather stay locked
within the auspices of the virtual world and that is a good thing in many ways. Web
publishing can still be done with some of the programs we have already discussed
because they have adapted to changing trends and technology. Sometimes, all you
need do is buy additional features for them if you’re going to be working in Web
design a lot.

 Word Processing Application

The need for text in DTP, with all those thousands of different fonts and styles
possible, is going to require that you have a word processing program. Of course,
you’ll want it for its ability to spell check and arrange text appropriately as well. You
can also import and export for convenience sake into the more DTP-dedicated software
highlighted above. But actually you can do a lot of basic DTP projects with just a word
processor, because they have gotten so much more advanced and integrated.

Templates make this possible and are extremely easy for novices to figure out how to
quickly manufacture material of their choosing. For instance, with Microsoft Word,
you can easily make a newsletter to inform customers of what is going on with a small
business. Check our site here for quick and easy directions to make any marketing
material you can think of or even the mundane documents like invoices and fax cover
sheets you might need. Just type it in our search engine.

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So there is your comprehensive list on the types of desktop publishing software
available to work with for DTP projects. Some are way more advanced than others so
you’ll have to make a determination as to what you will need it for. I wish you the best
of luck with all your DTP endeavors

List of desktop publishing software

 Adobe FrameMaker
 Adobe InDesign
 Adobe PageMaker
 CorelDRAW
 Corel Ventura
 iStudio Publisher
 Microsoft Office Publisher
 OpenOffice.org
 PageStream (used to be "Publishing Partner")
 QuarkXPress
 Ready,Set,Go
 Scribus

Communication technology

Communication technology refers to all the tools used to send, receive, and process
information. In today’s fast climate, efficiency and convenience are the keys to
successful communication technology. Each communication technology device has
impacted the way information is circulated, and they continue to improve the
communication experience.

Types of communication technology

Technology has reinvented the way people communicate. Originally simple devices
have evolved into communication channels that create connections worldwide. There
are four main types of communication technology that have contributed to the ease of
sending messages: telephone, radio, television, and internet.

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  Telephone

The telephone revolutionized verbal communication. People can talk to each other
from any place in the world, strengthening relationships and eliminating the worries of
long-distance communication. Speaking with someone across the country can be done
just as easily as speaking with someone down the street. As technology advanced, the
device upgraded from “telephone” to “mobile phone.” What used to be a heavy piece
of equipment can now easily fit in your pocket. Not only is the modern telephone
portable, but the features and capabilities are also advanced.

As the telephone progressed, it adopted new types of visual and written

communication. Today, text messages and electronic versions of photos are regularly
sent using mobile phones, increasing the possible amount of information being shared
using phones. The telephone introduced a brand new approach to verbal, written, and
visual communication, and exciting new features continue to change the
communication technology game.

 Radio

About twenty years after the telephone, communicating using the radio came into
play. Another innovation in the realm of verbal communication, radio is used to reach
sizable audiences, as opposed to just one person on the other end of a phone. The
radio’s ability to reach a large audience at a low cost continues to motivate a lot of
communicators to take full advantage of the tool. Information providers, such as
advertisers and newscasters, spend substantial amounts of time communicating with
their massive audiences using radio technology. Radio technology transformed the
way information is delivered to large audiences and continues to strengthen mass
communication.

 Television

Television is another way to reach extensive audiences, but it brought a new perk to
the table: visual communication. Some information is hard to describe using just
words. Television provides audiences with the best of both worlds: information and
visuals to accompany it. This advantage caused the television to replace the radio as
the leading tool for mass communication. Today, there are thousands of television
channels that communicate information on almost any topic: history, sports, news,
science, fiction, and so on. Whether it be for entertainment or cold hard facts, people
are constantly turning to television for information.

 Internet

The internet removes the need for communicators to have a separate device for each
different type of communication technology. With the Internet, you can do it all in one
place. As the queen bee of interaction, the internet successfully combines all types of
communication technology and houses them in one place. It provides the largest array
of information and communication sources known to man. The tools available on the
internet make any type of communication effortless. Verbal and nonverbal
communication can be accomplished with video conferencing software. Written
messages can be sent through email. Electronic versions of pictures can be sent to and
23
from any internet device. Customer communication software is another example of one
of these tools. While other gadgets help make communication between a business and
their consumers easy, certain tools can often be considered hybrid – bringing together
different types of communication.

Live chat is a rare hybrid tool that combines all types of communication – verbal,
nonverbal, written, and rich media – through audio and video conferencing software,
instant messaging, and file sharing capabilities. Customers can place orders, ask
questions, or troubleshoot issues through live chat, all on a single customer
communication platform. This gives them access to a business and allows them to
connect with an agent whenever they have a query. With live chat software, it’s never
been easier to connect. Communication technology has made connections among
people stronger than ever. But in order for those networks to run smoothly, the
collection of interactive devices being used also need to be connected. This is known
as information and communication technology.

21st Century Communication Technologies

Below are 13 examples of communication technology that are used regularly in the
21st Century:

1. Social Media Platforms: Social media platforms allow people to create personal
pages, post profile images and updates on their lives, and create a friend list of
people who can see your updates.

The first social media platform was 6 Degrees, which was launched in 1997.
MySpace was launched in 2003 and became the first mainstream social media
platform. It was the most popular social media platform in the world between
2005 to 2008. Facebook took over from MySpace as the most used social media
platform and remains used by billions around the world today. Twitter is
another large social media site used to quickly share short thoughts to people
around the web. Major corporations, public figures and governments use Twitter
to quickly share updates and in-the-moment responses to sensitive issues of
public importance.

2. Blogs: Blogs are personal websites where people can publish or ‘log’
information for others with an internet connection to read – all around the globe.
A blog is usually a personal website where someone shares regular long-form
posts about their lives or hobbies. More professional or commercialized blogs
are run by media organizations, companies seeking publicity, or professional
bloggers who monetize through advertising or affiliate marketing. Blogs
revolutionized mass communication. Before blogs you needed to get a
publishing company to print and market your writing around the world at great
expense. Now, with the click of a button your writing can be seen around the
world.

The first blog was written in 1994 on the website links.net by Justin Hall.
Justin didn’t call it a blog at the time, but it had all the features of a blog. The
term ‘weblog’ was invented in 1997 by Jorn Barger. The word was a shortening
24
 of the phrase “logging the web”. In 1999, weblog was shortened to ‘blog’ by
Peter Merholz. Then, by 2004, ‘blog’ became the Merriam-Webster word of the
year!

3. Vlogs: Vlogs are “video logs”. They emerged as an extension of blogging after
increased bandwidths enabled regular people to post video online. The typical
vlog style involves the vlogger using a handheld camera or camera on their
computer monitor to record themselves speaking. Some vlogs, however, are high
production with complex graphics and recording teams.

The first vlog was published in 2000 when Adam Kontras posted a video on his
blog for his family and friends to view. With the emergence of YouTube in 2005,
blogging became increasingly popular. YouTube gave everyday people the ability
to upload and embed videos online. Another facilitating factor was the
emergence of cheap smartphone cameras.

4. Live Video Stream: Live video is an extension of vlogging that has responded to
online content consumers’ needs for immediacy and authenticity. Live video was
integrated onto the YouTube video sharing platform in April 2011. Competitor
network Facebook introduced Facebook Live in August 2015. Live video has the
benefit of synchronicity in communication. On YouTube, for example, the live
vlogger can read live community comments appearing on-screen in real time and
respond to their comments or questions mid-stream.

An important element of live video stream is the capacity for video to be played,
paused and rewound in real time. A video is not uploaded as a standalone packet
of data that can only be viewed once it has been completely downloaded on the
receiver’s end. Instead, the data is downloaded, buffered and played in real time.

5. Conferencing and Live Lecture Technology: Sophisticated conferencing

technology helps workplaces communicate across long distances. Today, live
conferencing technology tends to use live video alongside complex speaker
systems. Examples of common affordances of conferencing technology include:

 360 degree cameras. Cameras automatically detect who is speaking then

display the current speaker’s face.
 Microphone and speaker capacities to allow anyone in a room to speak
clearly to people on the other end of the conference call.

Some of my favorite online collaboration tools also allow users to interact by

sharing computer screens. A conference can have a brainstorming screen on
which all members of the conference can write from their computers.

6. Group Wikis: A wiki is a website where anyone can edit and add content. The
most famous wiki is, of course, Wikipedia. Wikis allow collaborative crowd
sourcing of information. This can help members of the wikis to amass a lot of
information in a short period of time. The collective knowledge that is stored on
Wikis can be accessed at ease by all users, allowing the creation of a ‘hive mind’.
25
 Hive minds are knowledge or information stored and accessed by a community
of people.
7. Group Forums: A group forum allows people to post questions and answers for
others to respond to. Many forums are sorted by topics, such as Reddit, which
allows people with shared interests to communicate with one another. Group
forums are also commonly used in education where online schools have students
respond to a stimulus question each week. Another benefit of forums is that
people can reply to each others’ comments to create a long-form conversation
between individuals online. The full conversation is recorded in comments and
replies, leaving a paper trail of conversations which can be great for tracking the
progress of the group’s thinking.
8. Tablet computers: The sleek, modern tablet computers that we enjoy today
emerged around 2008-2010 with the emergence of big players like Android and
Apple into the tablet computer market. The emergence of tablet computers was
made possible by technological advances that saw the requisite technologies
both compact and cheap enough for the mass market.

Key challenges included creating small and affordable touch screen technology
and compact long life battery packs. Tablets are now widely used as a portable
device that fits in the market between a smartphone that’s carried in the pocket
and a laptop that usually requires its own bag. Tablets easily fit into carry bags,
are sufficiently lightweight for carefree travel, and are powerful enough to make
video phone calls, take photos, and carry out light personal computing tasks.

9. Podcasts: Podcasts are packets of audio information that can be uploaded and
stored on cloud technology ready for anyone to download and listen to at-will. A
podcast can be automatically downloaded onto a smartphone through RSS feeds
so that fans of a podcast series can get the latest episodes at-will. Podcasts
emerged out of radio technology. Whereas radio is transmitted through radio
waves, podcasts are transmitted through the more agile and feature-rich
internet. This has provided features such as downloads at-will rather than
forcing people to tune in at a specific point in time.

Podcasting has also given people the chance to access audio of their favorite
topics from around the globe. Whereas radio tends to appeal to the widest
possible audience in a specific geographical location (where it is transmitted),
podcasts tend to appeal to a dispersed community of people interested in
specific topics, such as ‘true crime’, ‘politics’, or ‘comedy’. Publication of
podcasts is also available to anyone with a computer and microphone. It is
therefore very similar to other examples of communication technologies in this
list (see for example: blogs). While once communicating messages to large
audiences was restricted to the powerful, now we can all share our message
from behind our computer screens.

10. Wearable Technology: Wearable technologies help make communication

easier than ever. A wearable technology is any information technology that is
carried on the body. Examples include:

o Smart Watches allow people to use voice commands to control them.

With internet connections, wearable technology can provide quick answers

26
 to questions that we ask them, make hands-free phone calls, and help you
keep spoken-word memos and notes throughout the day.
o Exercise bracelets and other wearable health trackers tap into people’s
bodies to measure vital signs and sleep rhythms. These bracelets can
automatically send data to exercise trainers and medical professionals to
provide quick and accurate updates on the health profile of the wearer.
o Smart Glasses can integrate augmented reality into a person’s everyday
life. When a user is wearing smart glasses, they can have the glasses
project data like their travel speed or internet search data directly onto
their retina. They usually also allow people to make phone calls through
voice commands. Most smart glasses technologies also allow users to
communicate with them through eye movements, blinks or hand
movements.

11. Smart Speakers: Smart speakers are computerized personal assistants

placed around offices and homes in order to help people complete tasks hands-
free. They are usually activated using a hot word, like ‘Hey Computer’ or ‘OK
Google’. Smart speakers can hear people from distances, allowing people to use
the speakers while still going about their business. Once activated by a hot
word, the user asks the device questions or provides voice commands such as
‘turn out the lights’, ‘add this to the shopping list’ or ‘play a song’. Furthermore,
smart speakers can be hooked into phone lines and internet lines to allow people
to ask search engine questions via voice command or make phone calls while
going about their daily lives.
12. Web Chat: While web chat has been around since the early days of the
internet, it has experienced a resurgence in recent years for business to
consumer (B2C) communication. Early web chat software included MSN
messenger which was embraced by adolescents and young adults as a way of
chatting with friends during the early 2000s. With the rise of Facebook and
Facebook messenger, MSN messenger declined and was disbanded in 2012.

Smartphone apps have made webchat an increasingly popular form of instant

communication between friends. However, it has also recently been used by
companies as a means of offering “web chat support” to customers seeking help
with their products. Web chat support for business to consumer interactions is a
viable alternative to phone helpline support. It enables customers to go about
their daily lives and get a notification whenever the support team has a new
piece of information, rather than waiting on hold on the phone.

13. Email: While email has been around since at least the 1970s, it makes this
list because of its continuing relevance in the 21st Century. Email in fact
outdates the internet by several decades. Early emails were sent via closed-
circuit LAN networks in government and university databases. The first email
using the ‘@’ symbol to direct the message to the correct servers was used in
1971! Perhaps most emblematic of email’s increased relevance to our lives is the
growing rate of ‘paperless billing’. Whereas once we would have received bills
via post, most business to consumer (B2C) billing and invoicing is done via email
today. Email has also rendered alternatives like Fax almost irrelevant in the 21st
Century.

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ADVANTAGES OF COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

CT has brought us many advantages, it lets people around the world communicate
freely with each other. CT has advanced dramatically over the years and we can now
not only communicate to other people but we can share videos or photographs and
information to one another.
 Communication: Communication has become quicker and more efficient to
contact both either a business contact or a family member. We can now get in
contact with anyone around the world by SMS which stands for short messaging
service which is a text messaging component on a mobile phone or sending them
an e-mail for nearly an instant response. With the development of the internet it
has also opened up face to face communication from almost anywhere in the
world. This is with the help of video chatting which is supplied by different
applications such as snapchat, facebook and skype. Skype was first of video-
chatting/ calling networking site to be founded in 2003 by Niklas Zennstrom
from Switzerland and Janus Friis from Denmark. To this day there is now
“74,000,000 users” just on skype alone. All of the applications listed can be
used on most devices such as laptops, ipads and even smartphones. This has
made it a lot cheaper for people to stay in contact compare to the past. This
online communication can help bring families and friends closer together across
long distance.
 Globalization: CT has not only brought countries and people closer together
but it has brought the world’s economy together to form a single interdependent
system. We can now share not only information quickly but we can now bring
down barriers of different languages and global distances. The world has
developed itself into a global village because of the development of information
and communication technology. This has allowed countries like Ireland and
China to link up together and allow Chinese companies to set up in Ireland.
Although there is no language barrier between America and Ireland there is
between China and Ireland but because of translation apps and web services
who can translate other languages into their own language this gives business
opportunities globally as a result of CT.
 Cost Effectiveness: For companies who have expanded globally in the last few
years it is now more cost efficient for their CT systems. People can now simply
send an email to each other if they require information or a document to be
transferred over from one side of the world to the other. The reason for this
being so cost efficient is standard postal charges are can be significant if there
are large heavy documents involved as the postal charge will be calculated
based on the weight of the package.

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DISADVANTAGES OF COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

 Privacy: Although CT has made communication simpler, faster and more user-
friendly , it has also brought with it privacy issues. A major factor that has
affected the privacy of people while using CT is email hacking, people now have
to worry about there personal details being leaked by hackers. A prime example
of this is yahoo which has recently been hacked “ Yahoo exec estimated the
number of accounts that could have potentially been stolen could be
anywhere between 1 billion and 3 billion.” (Business Insider UK)
 Unemployment : As technology is growing at a rapid pace everyday it is
putting a major pressure on jobs in certain industries such as the motor
industry. While CT has had a very positive influence on business process it has
also created job redundancies as companies are forced to cut down on their
workforce as they need less people to complete certain jobs as robots can now
replace them. The robot will work faster, longer and will not miss any days and
will have less human error. There is no longer a car manufacturing plant in
Ireland following the closure of the Ford company in 1984.
 Lack of job security : As technology keeps on changing nearly every day, this
has made job security a big issue. This means that people within the workforce
of technology need to be constantly studying and keeping up to date with the
changes within their job role.

IMPACT OF COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY ON PRIVATE AND PUBLIC

LIFE

In case you want to know how technology has affected our society then you just need
to think about the olden days when we had no modern means of food appliances, no
computer, or transport. A person had to spend a lot of time on traveling. Women would
cook bread and mill flour by hand. There was more physical activity required in old
days. Our routine life has dramatically changed with the arrival of high tech machines,
different modern modes of communication and transport. Life has become easier and
more comfortable than before. It seems that world is at our fingertips.

I think the Internet has had a huge impact on private and public life of people.
Through social networking sites family and friends can keep in touch for almost no
cost. Instead of paying lots of money on phone calls while travelling abroad you can
now Skype your loved ones for free. By using the search engine ‘Google’ you will find
an answer for any question. You can save digital photos to your phone and send them
to family or friends using multiple sharing applications such as ‘Facebook’.
The arrival of broadband has meant people can now shop for groceries, fashion or
homeware without leaving their homes. Many people now are able to work from home
instead of commuting to the office. In my opinion communications technology has had
a major impact on people’s everyday lives.

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Private:
 Education- Online courses: Online learning has to be the greatest revolution
in modern education and opened great opportunities for everyone who wants to
learn. With elearning you can take any course available in traditional four-year
universities. The great variety of online courses is a huge advantage of this type
of learning. No matter where you live or what you want to study you can always
find a suitable programme that you can follow from home. All lectures and
required materials are provided via online resources. Online learning allows
users to use ‘self-paced learning’. Self paced learning allows students to
complete modules based on their own personal targets and available time. This
type of learning prevents students having to incur the additional cost of
attending colleges in person, therefore providing a cheaper education option.
 Tracking your location through social media networking sites and apps:
Social media networks such as Google, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook also
bring us some disadvantages of the CT era. One aspect each of these social
networking sites have in common is location tracking of every single piece of
information exchanged between users. Websites such as Google then use this
information to send targeted location advertisements to the users. This is a high
invasion on your privacy of your public life style. “Google's location history,
or timeline page, serves up a Google Map and allows you to select
specific dates and times and see where you were.”(Wired)

Public:
 Business opening up their market to a wider range of customers: Most
retail business now have online shopping facilities available for consumers. This
gives all internet users the opportunity to browse, choose and purchase a wide
variety of products, stretching from everyday groceries to luxury once off items.
Online shopping now allow users to access these store twenty four hours a day,
seven days a week, three hundred and sixty five days a year. Most of these
companies now provide home delivery right to your door step.
 Information is not safe: Since most information is been stored under one
database, it can be exposed to people within an organization with bad intentions
of leaking or selling information to the media. This information can also be easily
hacked or have a virus or worm injected into the information system. If this
occurs information can be lost within minutes. So companies and governments
need to backup databases and information systems regularly to remote
locations.

CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN CT

 5G: 5G is the name being given to the next generation of wireless networks (this
is the fifth generation, hence 5G), but beyond that, it’s hard to define. During a

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 keynote address at MWC, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler compared 5G to a
Picasso painting. “I see something different than you see,” he said. “I think that’s
where 5G is right now. It’s all in the eye of the beholder. There is currently not
an official definition for 5G yet although it is widely believed it will be trying to
provide:
o Significantly faster data speeds - 4G networks are capable of achieving
peak download speeds of one gigabit per second. Mobile companies are
hoping with 5G, this would increase to 10Gbps.
o Ultra-low latency: “Latency” is the lag between selecting an internet link
and the page being displayed. Currently with 4G, the latency rate is
around 50 milliseconds, but 5G this will be reduced down to about one
millisecond.
A more “joined world”: The “Internet of Things” will mean everyday objects will
be connected to the internet such as smart fridges ordering from supermarkets.
This will require a network which is capable of having billions of connected
devices. Part of the goal behind 5G is to enable the progression to the internet of
things.
 Project Loon: Project Loon is a Google vision to provide internet access to
billions of people who live in rural areas where telecommunications companies
haven’t found it worthwhile to build cell towers or other network frameworks.
Google plan to place helium balloons at an altitude of around 20 kilometers
above remote areas where internet access in not available. Each balloon will be
filled with solar powered electronics which will then make a radio link to the
telecom network on the surface below. The idea is to beam down high-speed
internet connections to smartphones and other network devices.
 E-textiles: E-textiles are also known as smart clothing, electronic or smart
textiles are fabrics which allow digital components and electronics to be
embedded in them. Smart fabrics have developed with new technologies that
help users get information from the clothes they are wearing. Companies like
Globe in the US are using smart fabrics to measure the extreme stresses for
specific job roles such as firefighters or soldiers. “Using smart fabrics
technology, the company has developed a Wearable Advanced Sensor
Platform (WASP) that is being deployed to track a firefighter’s heart rate,
core body temperature, respiration rate, activity levels, posture and
other factors, as well as provide tracking and improve overall situational
awareness” (newelectronics)

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