LESSON 21
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN THE SOCIETY
The computer has change the society today as much as industrial revolution changed society in 18th and 19th century. People interacts directly with computer in education, finance, government, health care, science, publishing, tourism, and industry.
Computers help them to do their work faster and more efficient by using the software application that consist of special program for specific task.
SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS
Software applications are used for many reasons. Such as to enhance the learning process, to help in business activities, to assist the graphics and multimedia project and to fasilitate communication.
HOME AND EDUCATION
COMPUTERS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
BUSINESS
COMPUTERS IN BANKING
In the banking sector, many financial institutions offer online banking. People can access their financial records from anywhere in the world. One example of online banking is Maybank2u. (www.maybank2u.com)
INDUSTRY
By using the CAM system, computers record actual labour, material, machine and computer time used to manufacture a particular product. Computers process this data and automatically update inventory, production, payroll and accounting records on the company’s network.
GRAPHICS AND MULTIMEDIA
Computers are crucial in publishing especially in the process of making works available to the public. These works include magazines, books, newspapers, music and film production.
Special software applications are used to assist graphic designers to develop graphics, texts, photographs and composing songs.
Computer-Aided Design, Desktop Publishing, Paint/Image Editing, Video and Audio Editing and Multimedia Authoring are among the popular applications software.
COMMUNICATION
A government provides society with direction by making and administering policies. Most government offices or agencies have websites in order to provide citizens with up-to-date or latest information.
People can access government websites to:
check information on taxes (www.hasil.org.my)
apply for permits and licenses (www.jpj.gov.my)
COMPUTERS IN TOURISM
Today, people will go online to get all related information about traveling. They can visit websites to get information on destinations, prices, hotels, flights and car rentals.
They can also purchase ticket online, all payments can be made by using credit card.
COMPUTERS IN THE HEALTHCARE
In the medical field, computers are very important in running the operations. Medical staffs use computers for various purposes, namely:
• maintaining patient records
• monitoring patients’ vital sign
• assisting doctors, nurses and technicians with medical tests by using computer and computerised devices .
• using medical software to help with researching and diagnosing health conditions.
SCIENCE
In the scientific world, computers are used in all fields of science from biology to astronomy to meteorology and others. These are things that
can be done by computers, namely:
collecting, analyzing and modelling data
serving as medium of communication with colleagues around the world
contributing to new inventions or breakthrough in surgery, medicine and treatment
