MySpace : Social and Ethical Issues

THE ROLE OF PEOPLE DEVELOPING SYSTEMS AND SYSTEM COMPLEXITY

MySpace System Programmers:
...plays an integral role in the analysis, development, and maintenance of the information systems.

• Creates and manages strategic marketing and promotional campaigns both online and offline - promotes MySpace on the World Wide Web and out of the digital world (posters, campaigns, announcements)
• Breaks new marketing ground to galvanise communities of fans aound musical artists
• Designs new applications - creates applications that interact with MySpace users, members and their social data
• Plans the implementation of messaging and communication services such as e-mail, news, blogs, announcements and instant messaging
• Installs, upgrades and customizes MySpace software applications
• Plans capacity and population
• Provides a rich social environment while protecting the users from spammers and hackers
• Provides greater flexibility for an expanded user experience

Microsoft Office Live

{Definition}

The main advantage of Microsoft Office Live is to be able to access your documents at any place with almost any computer with a web browser. Your account and files would be password-protected and you would be the one in control the publicity of you docouments (who views and edits your work). You can save Microsoft Office documents over 1,000 in one online place. It is also possible to synchronise data such as your contacts, events, and tasks on your outlook.

{Impacts}

Microsoft Office Live can be used for home, school, and work.

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Save up to 5 gigabytes (GB) of documents and files in one place. Access and preview them from almost any computer, whether or not it has Office installed. All you need is Web access and a compatible browser. Open files from your poolside laptop or your home office.

Share a single document or entire workspace in a few simple steps. All you need is a person’s email address to start sharing documents with them. By storing and sharing documents online, you can be sure everyone will be working with the most current version of the document. No more missed email documents and multiple versions that could delay or disrupt an important project.

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It works with the programs you already know – like Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Open and save files and documents directly from Microsoft Office XP, 2003, or 2007. Synchronize Contact, Tasks, and Event lists with Outlook 2003 and 2007. Export any workspace list to Excel.

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You can maintain the file structure you already use for your online document storage. Group documents by project, subject, client, family member, or any other method that makes sense to you.

MySpace: Social and Ethical Issues

COPYRIGHT LAWS

MySpace have had issues with copyright laws regarding to music and videos. Some MySpace music users were found that they have been uploading copyrighted songs, either with intent or otherwise.

Universal Music Group sued MySpace in 2006 due to this issue of copyright infringements. In their statement they had said:

"Businesses that seek to trade off on our content, and the hard work of our artists and songwriters, shouldn't be free to do so without permission and without fairly compensating the content creators.”
“The foundation of MySpace is its so-called 'user-generated content. However, much of that content is not 'user-generated' at all. Rather, it is the 'user-stolen' intellectual property of others, and MySpace is a willing partner in that theft."

Thus, because of threats of legal action to MySpace, they have been attempting to introduce applications that would prevent copyright infringements from occurring. One of which is a new feature called “Take down stay down” which is a content protection measure based on Audible Magic technology.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Due to the advancements in technology of the modernized world, not only that new software applications and programs are introduced, it is as well that invasions of privacy are becoming less complicated for hackers, and abusive menaces are being easily trusted by people unconsciously. Social networks, like MySpace, encounter dangers such as this largely by young adults.

It is common to young adults because of some factors, namely:

• MySpace users are predominantly under the age of 18
  
• They intend to heedlessly trust strangers and give them their personal details
  
• They likely to add more and more friends for popularity or irrational reasons
  
• They post information that are should not be seen publicly (exact address, contact details, inappropriate photos, and schedules and agendas)
  
• They sometimes post false information about their identity (age, gender, etc.)
  
• They are innocent and oblivious in their actions and what it could cause

Possible risks that could happen if not being careful:

• Stolen personal details may be used for phishing and hacking bank accounts and online accounts (instant messaging, social networking, email).
  - Could lead to loss of information and money in bank (theft); changes in accounts and
• would lose ability to log in; imitation of the victim (could affect friends, relatives, criminal cases of the suspect)
  
• Kidnap
  
• Verbal and sexual abuse
  
• Endangering one’s image (uploaded photos may be used in unknown web pages or videos or impersonation)
  
• Jeopardizing oneself if mentioned false identity (persecution by authorities)
  

Safety precautions to avoid these endangering probabilities:

• Don’t post personally identifiable information (address, contact numbers)
  
• Don’t trust strangers you only met on MySpace or online
  
• If any form of harassment, abuse, or inappropriate behaviour had been expressed, react. Report it to MySpace or any trusted adult
  
• Suspicious MySpace communications should be immediately reported to the authorities. Save the message for evidence and so to be able to trace the sender if necessary
  
• Mindfully think about what you post up on MySpace. Don’t put up any photos and information that you think would cause you trouble or embarrassment
  
• Don’t mislead people with your age or gender
  

IPT

INFORMATION SYSTEMS.
An information system is a collection of methods, practices, algorithms and methodologies that transforms data into information and knowledge desired by, and useful for, individual and group users in organizations and other entities. This system can involve a combination of work practices, information, people, and technologies organized to accomplish goals in an organization.

It is an integrated set of components for collecting, storing, processing, and communicating information. Business firms, other organizations, and individuals in contemporary society rely on information systems to manage their operations, compete in the marketplace, supply services, and augment personal lives. For instance, modern corporations rely on computerized information systems to process financial accounts and manage human resources; municipal governments rely on information systems to provide basic services to its citizens; and individuals use information systems to study, shop, bank, and invest.

As information systems have enabled more diverse human activities, they have exerted a profound influence over society. These systems have quickened the pace of daily activities, affected the structure and mix of organizations, changed the type of products bought, and influenced the nature of work. Information and knowledge have become vital economic resources. Yet, along with opportunities, information systems have exposed new threats.

The main kinds of information systems in business are described briefly below:

• Executive Support Systems
  An Executive Support System ("ESS") is designed to help senior management make strategic decisions. It gathers, analyses and summarises the key internal and external information used in the business.
  A good way to think about an ESS is to imagine the senior management team in an aircraft cockpit - with the instrument panel showing them the status of all the key business activities. ESS typically involve lots of data analysis and modelling tools such as "what-if" analysis to help strategic decision-making.

• Management Information Systems
  A management information system ("MIS") is mainly concerned with internal sources of information. MIS usually take data from the transaction processing systems (see below) and summarise it into a series of management reports.
  MIS reports tend to be used by middle management and operational supervisors.
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  Decision-Support Systems
  Decision-support systems ("DSS") are specifically designed to help management make decisions in situations where there is uncertainty about the possible outcomes of those decisions. DSS comprise tools and techniques to help gather relevant information and analyse the options and alternatives. DSS often involves use of complex spreadsheet and databases to create "what-if" models.
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  Knowledge Management Systems
  Knowledge Management Systems ("KMS") exist to help businesses create and share information. These are typically used in a business where employees create new knowledge and expertise - which can then be shared by other people in the organisation to create further commercial opportunities. Good examples include firms of lawyers, accountants and management consultants.
  KMS are built around systems which allow efficient categorisation and distribution of knowledge. For example, the knowledge itself might be contained in word processing documents, spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations. internet pages or whatever. To share the knowledge, a KMS would use group collaboration systems such as an intranet.
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  Transaction Processing Systems
  As the name implies, Transaction Processing Systems ("TPS") are designed to process routine transactions efficiently and accurately. A business will have several (sometimes many) TPS; for example:
  - Billing systems to send invoices to customers- Systems to calculate the weekly and monthly payroll and tax payments- Production and purchasing systems to calculate raw material requirements- Stock control systems to process all movements into, within and out of the business
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  Office Automation Systems
  Office Automation Systems are systems that try to improve the productivity of employees who need to process data and information. Perhaps the best example is the wide range of software systems that exist to improve the productivity of employees working in an office (e.g. Microsoft Office XP) or systems that allow employees to work from home or whilst on the move.