Electronic Computers – The Challenge to Management

The potentialities of computers have not been fully exploited in the U.S. because management has underestimated the task of putting them to proper use. Management has believed that computers themselves are automation. But automation places a premium on good management. Without careful management planning, business resources are wasted in terms of managerial and technical time and abilities. Since computers are capable of handling many tasks simultaneously, it is only by casting aside the departmental concept and substituting the integrated systems approach that the true value of these machines begins to be appreciated. Automatic data processing provides for the tighter control that is important in competitive markets. The key to the whole problem of putting automation to work is education of personnel. Knowledge of equipment and techniques is not enough. Automation, by permitting handling of many jobs simultaneously, is in direct conflict with the concept of division of labor. The businessman, faced with wholesale reorganization of work, must train more basically and broadly. Current training for this field is largely dependent upon specialized courses offered by the manufactures of computers. The responsibility for training these people is largely that of private business, and it is a larger task than most managers realize. If a businessman is to feel confident that his company’s data processing is not just a gamble, he must accept this new challenge to management. Reprint of a paper from elektronische datenverarbeitung 1(1)1959:20–23

E-Waste management -An overview

E-waste (short for "electronic waste") describes surplus, obsolete and broken electrical or electronic devices, including computers, monitors,  keyboards,  hard drives,  USB drives,  electronic media, electronics, mobile phones, television sets, and copiers. "E-waste" is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their "useful life."E-wastes” are considered dangerous, as certain components of some electronic products contain materials that are hazardous, depending on their condition and density. The hazardous content of these materials pose a threat to human health and environment. Many of these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled in an environmentally sound manner so that they are less harmful to the ecosystem. This paper highlights the hazards of e-wastes, the need for its appropriate management and options that can be implemented. Industrial revolution followed by the advances in information technology during the last century has radically changed people's lifestyle. Although this development has helped the human race, mismanagement has led to new problems of contamination and pollution. The technical prowess acquired during the last century has posed a new challenge in the management of wastes. For example, personal computers (PCs) contain certain components, which are highly toxic, such as chlorinated and brominate substances, toxic gases, toxic metals, biologically active materials, acids, plastics and plastic additives. The hazardous content of these materials pose an environmental and health threat. Thus proper management is necessary while disposing or recycling e¬-wastes.&nbsp

A pilot's subjective analysis of a Cockpit Display of Traffic Information (CDTI)

Both the advent of electronic displays for cockpit applications and the availability of high-capacity data transmission systems, linking aicraft with ATC ground computers, offer the opportunity of expanding the pilots' role in the distributive management process. A critical element in this process is believed to be the presentation to the pilot of his traffic situation. A representative cockpit display of traffic information (CDTI) system is presented as viewed from the pilot in the cockpit, and the research results from flight tests presented. The use of advanced controls and displays allows for presentation to the pilot, large quantities of information that he has not had before. The real challenge in the design of an operational CDTI system will be the satisfaction of needs for information and the presentation of all necessary information, only in a useable format in order to avoid clutter. Even though a reasonably large display was utilized in these tests, display clutter was the primary problem from the standpoint of information assimilation

Challenges of E-Waste pollution to soil environments in Nigeria - A Review

Hitherto Nigeria has been identified as a major dumping ground for e-waste from developed countries of the world arising from increasing demand for information computer technology (ITC) and other electronic gadgets by the populace especially with the relation of telecom sector since 2001. The term “e-waste” may be applied to electrical and electronic waste material of all  categories and includes but not limited to computers, refrigerators, television sets, mobile phones, office electronic devices, entertainment device electronics and electronic toys. Evidently, in addition to human health issues associated with e-waste management, e-waste constitutes a challenge to both developed and developing countries though markedly pronounced in the latter because of the dearth of appropriate technology in handling the menace posed by the discarded waste materials. There is paucity of information in quantitative terms regarding the effect of ewaste on the environment (including the soil fauna and flora) especially in Nigeria. However, e-waste has been implicated as being deleterious to soil quality, soil fauna and flora especially from studies outside Nigeria. In this paper this category of wastes will be assessed and in relation to its possible influence on soil environment in forms including heavy metal pollution. Possible e-waste management strategies will also be highlighted on soil environment with particular reference to Nigeria.Keywords: E-waste, Pollution, Soil, Environment, E-waste managemen

Becta review 2006. Evidence on the progress of ICT in education.

This is the review of the use and impact of ICT in the education system prior to the publication of the Government's e-Strategy for the education system, known as Harnessing Technology. The Review drew upon Becta's surveys of schools and FE colleges as well as other research to assess the impact of technology within the education system and the progress made in achieving Government policies in 2005-06

Structuring information work: Ferranti and Martins Bank, 1952-1968

The adoption of large-scale computers by the British retail banks in the 1960s required a first-time dislocation of customer accounting from its confines in the branches, where it had been dealt with by paper-based and mechanized information systems, to a new collective space: the bank computer center. While historians have rightly stressed the continuities between centralized office work, punched-card tabulation and computerization, the shift from decentralized to centralized information work by means of a computer has received little attention. In this article, I examine the case of Ferranti and Martins Bank and employ elements of Anthony Giddens’s structuration theory to highlight the difficulties of transposing old information practices directly onto new computerized information work

Electronic Anonymous Communications: Considerations for Higher Education Administrators

Communications via electronic technology have expanded to encompass daily life for most higher education students, faculty, staff, and administrators. The Pew Research Center reports that nearly 100% of undergraduate and graduate students access the Internet (Smith, Rainie, & Zikuhr, 2011). Computers, cell phones, and tablets are an integral part of university life and student communications using social media websites, text messaging, online chat, and websites are widespread. Electronic communications can be categorized as websites, application, or social media. A subset of these electronic communications, characterized as anonymous, may present a particular challenge to those working in higher education institutions. Created to provide students an opportunity for free speech and expression, anonymous electronic communications offer mockers, bullies, and other tormentors a nameless venue to critique, harass, and verbally abuse other students. The anonymous behavior has expanded and escalated to threats of rape, murder, campus bombing, and other acts of violence, some of which occurs among groups communicating in real time. The impact in the classroom and on student life is an important consideration for campus administrators today, especially with the proliferation of cyberbullying. Although there may be little that can be done to control participation, administrators can benefit from understanding the availability and nature of anonymous electronic communications and the influence they can have on all aspects of student life. Further, an appreciation of the modes and effects can inform policy and decision making to provide the most beneficial student services management

Getting the Right Mix: Developing a primary - secondary health provider IT interface in the Waikato District Health Board

The article presents a study on the electronic health record systems (EHR) developed by Waikato District Health Board (DHB) in New Zealand. The DHB develop EHR with the intention of integrating primary, secondary and tertiary provider information. The findings shows key issues like stability of a sound secondary health provider information technology (IT) infrastructure and basis of patient data on health industry standards

Harnessing technology review 2007. Progress and impact of technology in education. Full Report.

This is the first review of the use and impact of ICT in the education system following the publication of the Government's e-Strategy for the education system, known as Harnessing Technology. The Review drew upon Becta's surveys of schools and FE colleges as well as other research to assess the impact of technology within the education system and the progress made in achieving the system outcomes of the policy

Becta Review 2005. Evidence on the progress of ICT in education.

Drawing on Becta national surveys of ICT use and implementation within the education system, the Becta Review identified the ways in which ICT could be used to support the DfES 5 year strategy, to introduce greater efficiencies in educational provision and more choice/personalisation of content and delivery