Friday, 30 September 2011

RIOTS

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Thursday, 22 September 2011

DIGITAL BRITAIN REPORT





1. Cleaning up politics and reforming our democracy; Moving from recession to recovery and planning for a strong economy in the future; and Reforming Britain's public services.



2.  Modernising and upgrading our wired, wireless and broadcasting
infrastructure to sustain Britain’s position as a leading digital economy;

Providing a favourable climate for investment and innovation in digital
content, applications and services;

Securing a range of high quality public service content, particularly in
news;

Developing the nation’s digital skills at all levels; and

Securing universal access to broadband, increasing its take-up and using
broadband to deliver more public services more effectively and more
efficiently.



3.  An analysis of the levels of digital participation, skills and access needed for the digital future, with a plan for increasing participation, and more coherent public
structures to deal with it.
An analysis of our communications infrastructure capabilities, an identification of the gaps and recommendations on how to fill them.
A statement of ambition for the future growth of our creative industries,
proposals for a legal and regulatory framework for intellectual property in a
digital world, proposals on skills and a recognition of the need for investment
support and innovation.
A restatement of the need for specific market intervention in the UK content market, and what that will demand of the BBC and its role in Digital Britain. What that means for the future of the C4 Corporation. 
An analysis of the importance of other forms of independent and suitably funded news, and what clarification and changes are needed to the existing framework.
An analysis of the skills, research and training markets, and what supply side issues need addressing for a fully functioning digital economy.
A framework for digital security and digital safety at international and national levels and recognition that in a world of high speed connectivity we need a digital framework not an analogue one.
A review of what all of this means for the Government and how digital governance in the information age demands new structures, new safeguards, and new data management, access and transparency rules.



4. "To ensure all can access and benefit from the network of today, we confirm our intention to deliver the Universal Service Broadband Commitment at 2Mbps by 2012"



5. Health Services
– Because Internet based health services can offer greater detail and
information about healthy eating, dieting, exercise, diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
Online Shopping
– There are significant benefits, both financial and social, that
come from being able to shop online, getting the cheapest deal and saving time
especially when using price comparison websites. Further important benefits are
emerging for people with disabilities or those unable to venture out allowing
them greater independence in their daily life.
Online Banking
– Including paying bills, allowing quick and easy payment
methods, greater control over finances, a wider choice of savings products and
access to international markets and share trading.
 Job Applications
– Using the Internet allows job seekers to search effectively
for employment, some of which is advertised only online. Web-based application
systems have become much more simple and easy to use.
Self Publishing
– New content creation systems have enabled millions of people
to distribute their work – the written word, audio, photo sharing and video
material – to a global online audience.
Communication
– The Internet offers access to a huge range of communication
devices to us. These range from the very simple applications such as email in
which we can communicate with people anywhere to instant messaging and
VOIP which allow us to communicate with people around the world instantly
and for free. All these systems have been augmented by social networking sites
that allow us to keep in contact with old friends and new.



6. The changes we propose in this Report are intended to improve social mobility, promote UK business competitiveness and to improve our everyday lives from our education system to the businesses we run, from careers to how we participate in a modern democratic society.



7. The global scale of the digital communications sector is aptly illustrated by the ranking of the sector among global brands: six of the top 10 global brands by value this year are in the digital sector, one Chinese, one British and four American. That scale and importance is reflected in the focus that governments are giving to it: Australia is creating a entirely new nation-wide high-speed communications network. Other countries around the Pacific Rim from Japan and Korea to Singapore and New Zealand are all adopting next generation networks. High speed broadband and smart-grid technology formed an important part of the USA administration’s recent stimulus programme. Elsewhere in Europe, Germany, Finland and France have all adopted national broadband or wider digital strategies.



8. People who do not have it are expected to be at a significant disadvantage. This is because people expect that more vital services will be delivered solely online in the future, or be provided offline in a way that penalises people who access them in this way, perhaps at a higher cost or lower quality. It is expected that people could lose access to a wide range of services and activities: shopping, banking, school work, public services, and downloading TV content.
Those not using the Internet also risk missing out on the full benefits of digitally delivered public services, which can provide greater flexibility and personalisation for the user.



9. In the workplace, 90% of new jobs now require digital skills.



10. For most people, the technology revolution we have seen in the last 10 years has brought enormous benefits. Yet, today, over 15 million adults in the UK still do not use the Internet. If we are going to maximise the benefits across society, we must also ensure that we address the needs of those 15 million. When asked what the main reason for not having the Internet was, self exclusion (‘there’s no need’ or ‘I’m not bothered’) accounted for 42% of those without Internet access at home.



11. Social Mobility:
1) through providing additional educational and vocational opportunities.
Financial Savings:
2) through competitive pricing, lower utility bills, price comparison websites and many other ways.
Educational Attainment:
3) through online learning, information provision and research and remote and virtual learning.
Improved Salary Prospects:
4) because already computer skills carry a wage premium.
Democratic Engagement:
5) through increased opportunities to participate in and discuss the democratic process.
Increased Satisfaction with Public Services:
6) because online delivery of public services brings greater choice, flexibility and personalisation of service delivery.



12. SEE ABOVE!



13. dunno.

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Friday, 9 September 2011

Are Social Networking Sites A Force For Good Or Evil In Contemporary Society?

For our class debate our group will be looking at the negative effects of social networking sites have on youth and the effect they had on the recent London riots.
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