CHAPTER 13 Computers in Society: Today
Internet Fraud at Online Auction Sites The Internet Fraud Complaint Center receives over 1000 complaints each day regards fraud stemming from online auctions. The online auction industry replies that only 1 in 40,000 bidders is a victim of fraud.
The Internet Creates New Jobs Andersen Consulting is projecting that about 10 million new jobs will be created by the Internet in United States and Europe during the ten year period since the introduction of the World Wide Web in 1993. That is almost 6 million in the United States alone by the year 2003. Internet applications have eliminated jobs for millions of people worldwide, but generally, the Internet economy has created more, and some say better, jobs than it has eliminated. However, further Internet growth is dependent on qualified workers and there remains a serious shortage of technology workers worldwide.
The Economic Digital Divide: An Update Politicians often speak of the digital divide, which is precluding low-income families from purchasing personal computers and gaining access to the Internet. A recent study by Media Metrix shows us a 50 percent increase in the number of households now on the Internet and earning less than $25,000 a year. Inexpensive computers and changing family priorities have helped narrow the divide.
Information Technology Certification in High Schools The shortage of information technology workers is a serious concern of employers who are unable to hire qualified technology workers. It is estimated that over 800,000 technology jobs will be unfilled next year. Microsoft and Cisco Systems, two the biggest names in the high-tech industry, are cooperating with high schools in Virginia to enable information technology certification to accompany a high school diploma. The companies are providing hardware, software and training, along with advice on curriculum development for this test program. The program is very popular and students are being turned away.
The Napster Campus Controversy According to a Gartner Group study 34 percent of those colleges surveyed do not permit students access to the Napster Web site. The Web site facilitates the exchange of MP3 music files. The exchange of music is so active on some campuses that up to 50 percent of a college's network communication capacity is devoted to servicing the downloading of MP3 files. Those colleges denying access to the music exchange site are also concerned about possible violations of copyright laws.