Technology

The  Bluefield  State  College  is  a  leading  educational  institution  with  more  than hundred  years  of  history  that  ensures  availability  of  affordable  and  accessible  education  for  students  who  want  to  build  their  career  in  private  or  public  sectors as  well  as  continue  their  education  and  pursue  a  career  in  academics.  The  college is  proud  for  a  valuable  role  played  by  their  graduates  in  community  and  state,  at national  and  global  level.  Historically,  being  a  black  institution,  the  College prepares  graduates  for  the  future  by  providing  Bachelors  degree  programs  and giving  opportunities  for  distant  studying.  Among  the  variety  of  the  offered programs  are  engineering  technologies,  business,  teacher  education,  arts  and sciences,  nursing  and  health  science  professions  and  a  variety  of  other  career fields.

The  core  values  of  the  College  are  Excellence,  Community,  Diversity,  and  Growth.  These  values  are  maintained  in  order  to  build  a  long-term  competitive advantage  for  the  College  and  its  graduates.

Therefore,  the  College  website  is  developed  for  the  promotion  of  the  college  on the  Internet  as  well  as  providing  important  information  for  students,  faculty,  and alumni.  The  information,  links  and  resources  presented  on  the  website  as  well  as the  design  of  the  website,  thus,  can  be  analyzed  in  terms  of  their  contribution  into  meeting  these  objectives.  According  to  the  website  counter,  it  had  more  than 1.5  million  visitors  during  the  period  between  the  site  setup  date  and  March  19, 2010.  This  fact  confirms  the  statement  that  the  website  is  rather  popular  among the  audience.  However,  there  is  some  evidence  described  below,  reflecting  that  the functionality  of  the  website  can  be  much  higher.  According  to  Bader (n.d.),  website  functionality  is  directly  influenced  by  its  design,  so  the  College  website appearance  should  be  a  point  of  thorough  analysis  aimed  at  improving  its  content, organization,  and  performance.

Problem  Statement
A  very  important  feature  is  the  website  design  which  could  be  a  good  way  of targeting  specific  audience (Shelly,  Napier,  and  Rivers,  2009,  p. 1).  The  College website  has  a  large  amount  of  structured  materials  about  the  College,  study programs,  administrations,  admissions,  distance  education,  library  and  technology services  as  well  as  students,  news,  popular  links,  etc.  It  is  very  important  that  the website  provide  visitors  with  information  on  diverse  topics.  The  site  stimulates contacts  between  students  and  graduates  while  being  useful  for  many  outsiders.

Also,  it  should  be  noted  that  the  variety  of  presented  information  is  striking.  In addition  to  plain  texts,  there  are  many  report  files,  photos,  and  even  videos  as well  as  class  schedules  in  the  form  of  tables.  They  are  very  important  sources  of information  for  the  website  visitors.  However,  not  only  information  is  important, but  also  its  arrangement  and  presentation.  If  a  visitor  cannot  find  a  document,  the effect  is  the  same  as  in  the  case  when  the  document  does  not  exist.  According  to Lawrence  and  Tavakol  (2007,  p.6), poorly  designed  websites,  lacking  focus  and purposeful  design,  are  at  best  of  minimal  use  and  time  wasting  and  at  worst damaging  and  financially  corrosive.

There  are  more  than  15  major  links  on  the  main  webpage  of  the  College excluding  News    Events  and  Popular  Links.  The  corresponding  names  are  written  in  different  fonts,  sizes  and  colors.  Moreover,  they  jump  across  the  page  in  such  a  way  that  their  places  are  unpredictable.  A  user,  who  enters  the  website for  the  first  time  can  experience  problems  in  identifying  the  key  and  secondary information  which  is  usually  distracting.

Other  pages  also  present  confusing  link  arrangement.  For  example,  the  Distance Education  menu  item  leads  to  a  page  where  two  additional  menu  sequences appear  one  on  the  left  hand  side  and  the  other  on  the  top.  Those  who  are interested  in  contact  details  can  easily  go  to  the corresponding  link  leading  to  the contact  information,  campus  map,  and  Contact  Us  form.  A  better  way  to  organize the  information  is  to  place  a  Contact  Us  link  that  will  redirect  to  a  page  with  the relevant  functionality  and  information  such  as  the  College  address  and  campus map.  Another  inconvenience  arises  when  users  try  to  see  Meet  BSC  Video  from the  main  page.  It  is  painstakingly  inconvenient  that  the  video  files  have  to  be downloaded  to  be  watched  on  the  users  computer  with  the  help  of  a  video player.  The  more  efficient  and  convenient  way  is  to  embed  video  into  the webpage  andor  upload  it  to  YouTube  and  stream  the  file  from  there.

Lawrence  and  Tavakol (2007, p.8)  argued  that  a  website  design  should  be clear,  stimulate  appropriate  visual  perceptions,  be  usable,  have  effective  navigation and  manner  as  well  as  be  structured.  Thus,  the  implementation  of  the  project Redesigning  the  College  website  will  make  the  site  more  user-friendly  and  easier  to  read.  So,  it  will  inevitably  attract  more  potential  students  and  other visitors  who  want  to  get  interesting  information  about  the  College  and opportunities  emerging  from  studying  there.

Scope  Statement
The  successful  implementation  of  this  project  will  have  a  positive  impact  on  the viewers  of  the  website.  Common  busy  viewers  like  businessman,  executives,  etc., who  might  skip  some  important  information  on  the  website  in  a  hurry  and students  inexperienced  to  site  surfing,  will  be  the  potential  beneficiary  of  this project  as  improving  the  design  of  the  website  will  enable  them  to  access  the critical  information  with  much  ease  and  in  lesser  time.  So,  many  of  such  visitors are  expected  to  increase  after  the  implementation  of  this  project.  Processes  like streaming  of  videos,  opening  of  sub  links,  etc.  are  going  to  be  greatly  improved by  this  project.  For  example,  after  clicking  on  certain  links  there  is  no  link  back to  the  sites  home  page.  Such  processes  will  become  more  user  friendly  after  this project.  Also,  the  headings  like  popular  links  or  News    Events  which  make  the site  look  clumsy,  will  be  removed  and  added  in  some  other  form,  viz.,  in  the form  of  pop-ups.  Overall,  the  implementation  of  this  project  will  not  only  attract more  potential  customers  for  the  college  but  also  will  facilitate  the  access  of information  vital  to  a  viewers  decision  of  availing  the  facilities  of  the  college.
Analyzing  the  website

I  took  the  help  of  standard  website  analysis  techniques  (Bader   J.,  N.d.)  and  then  build  my own  methodology  to  analyze  the  website.  The  methodology  for  defining  and addressing  the  problem  was  to  identify  the  target  viewers  of  the  college  website, the  information  relevant  in  attracting  the  viewers  and  the  ease  of  access  of  such information  on  the  website.  So,  the  website  was  to  be  analyzed  by  comparison with  websites  with  similar  purpose  which  are  proven  to  be  very  popular  among their  target  viewers.  My  chosen  website  was  Harvard  Universitys  website,  where  I  mainly  compared  the  design  of  the  college  website  with  that  of  Harvards and  identified  important  design  issues  with  the  colleges  website.  I  thoroughly studied  the  colleges  website  and  identified  certain  key  problems  myself,  like  the clumsiness  of  the  website,  irregularity  in  the  font  size  of  similar  links  and  the inconvenient  delay  caused  due  to  the  downloading  of  the  videos  on  viewers computer  terminal.

Artificial intelligence is the branch of computer science and engineering that aims in creating intelligent agents, particularly intelligent computer programs. It focuses itself to the task of using computer to comprehend human intelligence.  Stuart and Norvig (2009) explain that Efficient AI systems require knowledge of the problem domain which is subdivided into three categories corresponding to the global database, the rules, and the control subdivision of production system. (p. 125)

Different types of AI systems used include
Expert system
Expert systems are sets of programs that manipulate encoded knowledge to solve problem in a specialized domain that normally require human expertise. Usually expert systems provide solution to problem in real life and usually build for a specific application domain.  E.g. Mycin expert system is used to diagnose bacterial infection in blood and suggested treatments. The limitation facing expert systems is that its hard to represent all kinds of knowledge and knowledge is specific and cannot solve general problem.

Fuzzy Logic
This is an approach to the formal treatment of uncertainty through natural language using linguistic variables that may have a truth value with ranges. Fuzzy logic is widely used in game playing where knowledge about the problem space, their respective movements and effects of movements, initial states and final states of the solution of the process.

Neural Network
 This is the interconnection of artificial neurons that uses a mathematical or computation model for information processing based on a connectionist approach to computing. Neural networks can be used to extract patterns and detect trends that are complex.

Exhaustive search
AI systems are often used in systematically examining a number of possibilities by using either depth search which searches the nodes in every level before proceeding to the next level or breath search that explores the search from the top to bottom. Exhaustive search is used in chase game moves or inferencing.

Applications of artificial intelligence include speech recognition, computer vision, game playing, pattern recognition, heuristic classification and understanding natural language.

Introduction to Technology
Technology can be broadly defined as the process or mechanisms by which humans or other living organisms modify or re-arrange naturally existing materials or forces to facilitate easier execution of specific tasks or to meet specified objectives (Stobbe  Just, 2006). It is not only human beings that apply technology even though it is the human species that has achieved the most momentous milestones in applied technology. Most people would be deceived into acknowledging that technology is only or largely comprised of tangible wonder-pieces like computers, jet fighters and medicines but its definition includes the infrastructure and knowledge required to construct, maintain and advance these devices (Stobbe,  Just, 2006).

Even though the usage of the term technology gained momentum and redefined itself as the society evolves, it came to specifically refer to the technical application of knowledge and skills after the twentieth century during the course of the second industrial revolution (Hacklin,  Nystrom, 2005). The application of technical knowledge at the time was experiencing an exponential growth as research and inventiveness increased. Today, the human society is at its peak in terms of technological advancement. Technology has expanded from its application in manufacturing, transport and communication to find application in areas such as e-commerce and multi-play like in social networking, remote work processing and distributed entertainment.

Technological Convergence
Technological convergence is a term used to refer to the tentative accumulation of functional capacities of a collection of many technological devices into one device meaning that a new technological device will serve the function of multiple devices that preceded it (Hacklin,  Nystrom, 2005). For example, advances in telecommunications technology especially through the internet revolution has seen voice, data, and video merge into one. A good example is the voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Previously, voice in telecommunication was the preserve of telephony, data was the preserve of facsimile or telegraphy and video was not much part of long distance instantaneous communication (Stobbe,  Just, 2006).

This synergistic interaction and sharing of resources creates new efficiencies and conveniences technological convergences has been such a fast phenomenon that the human society is now surrounded by multi-level convergent multimedia and any new technological products have to be styled so that they are compatible with earlier existing devices, which are in themselves evolving (Stobbe,  Just, 2006). The world has become a very small village since information can spread from one corner of the globe to another in a matter of seconds.

According to experts, we are only beginning to experience technological convergence. Integral information systems and new technologies are going to revolutionize the society and take over the running of professional, institutional and personal lives (Hacklin  Nystrom, 2005). Governments, media houses, health and educational institutions are increasingly being executed in these virtual digital spaces across an exponentially growing network of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) devises and infrastructure.

Technological Convergence The Case of the PlayStation (Gaming and Entertainment)
PlayStation is a brand name belonging to Sony Computer Entertainment, a part of Sony Corporation, Japan. It has a series of popular video game consoles ranging from the original PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3, which is the latest, plus other portable video game consoles like the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and PlayStation X (PSX) (Tang, 2010).  When the original PlayStation was released, it was just a video game console and that was that. At the time, digital entertainment technology had not penetrated so much there only existed mainly analogue television, magnetic tapes and video cassettes, features which could not be implemented within the console since it would have become very bulky anyway. Furthermore, integrated chip processing was not at a very advanced stage, and the chips manufactured in the days were mainly used in office and home computing (Cnet, 2010).

In the year 2000, the PlayStation 2 was released. At the time, optical storage media had advanced as a form of entertainment, and so had other competitors to the PlayStation 2, the Dreamcast, Microsoft Corporations X-Box and Nintendo Corporations GameCube (Cnet, 2010). These were the Sixth Generation video game consoles and they had inbuilt multimedia capabilities even though they were limited. Internal storage was not that extensive as memory systems were still costly in the market. With the PlayStation 2, one could play music files like .wav and .mp3 audio tracks. Internet capacity was also increasing but the PlayStation 2 did not have any utilities for connecting to the internet.

The release of PlayStation 3 marked a revolutionary milestone in video gaming and video game console entertainment. First, it comes equipped with a 3.2 gigahertz Sony or IBM based on the PowerPC architecture that is very capable of supercomputing (Cnet, 2010). In fact, PlayStation 3s have been arranged in tandem to realize supercomputing tasks and have even been used by hackers to accomplish unbelievable task. The US military even bought a cluster of PlayStation 3s for research purposes.

In terms of multimedia, the Sony PlayStation 3 comes with features supporting digital photography, digital audio and digital video playback. It has a hard disk of up to 120 gigabytes in the most recent model, the PlayStation Slim (Cnet, 2010). Add to this a Blu-ray Digital Video Disc (DVD) recorder, Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports plus an internet port and the system is ultimate. Through the internet port and additional Bluetooth connectivity, the PlayStation 3 console can be connected to any other device like a Personal computer or a laptop, Bluetooth enabled devices like mobile phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and portable gaming consoles like the PSP and PSX (Cnet, 2010).

Technological convergence implemented in the PlayStation 3 console is perfected in the latest version of the Portable PlayStation (PSP) (Tang, 2010). It has all the computing and wireless networking capabilities of a high-end laptop, plus it supports the VAIO LocationFreeTM Base Station television technology where it synchronizes with online television through home entertainment systems and streams television broadcasts like sports, TV series and digital video recordings directly no matter where the user is (Cnet, 2010). With this technology, a user can also change TV channels, pause live television or record content on the home entertainment components from a very remote location.

Video Games and communications, jobs  business
When the original PlayStation was released in 1994, it was very well received and it went on to become the first video game console to ship over 100 million units, having sold over 103 million units by the end of March 2005 (Tang, 2010). PlayStation 2 was released in the year 2000 and it went on to become the most successful videogame console in the world, selling over 140 million units by July 2008, 5 years and 9 months after the day it was launched. It still remains the most popular console today Cnet, 2010). PlayStation 3 was launched on the 11th of November 2006 as the first Seventh Generation video game console in the PlayStation franchise and had sold over 33 million units worldwide as at the end of September 2009.

Those numbers are impressive, and bearing in mind that the PlayStation series has stiff competition from other brands like Nintendo Corporations Wii and Microsoft Corporations Xbox 360, the video game industry is providing millions of jobs directly and indirectly all over the world (Cnet, 20100. Many people are involved in physical development, assembly and marketing of video game consoles. Others get employment from the programming of video games, and a larger percentage of people are involved in the distribution and retail chain.

Seventh generation video game consoles have very powerful multimedia capabilities and are connectable to the World Wide Web. A phenomenon like online gaming is no different from social networking like twitter or facebook since it brings together people with similar interests from all over the world (Tang, 2010). Through consoles like PlayStation 3 and Xbox, online information about weather and other things the community is interested in are availed in real time, so it would be very correct to say that video games have had a positive influence on communication. With more emotional and physical dimension and virtual reality being added into the current video games, we remain to see what the industry holds for the human society with regard to video gaming and associated multimedia. The video gaming industry is a demonstration of how technologies can converge into one to provide users with multiple services from a single point, greatly increasing efficiency and convenience.

The computer is a simple machine that is programmed according to our needs and requirements. The user provides the input, which the machine stores and operates, and then gives an output. All these concepts, the way they are done, and the impacts they have on the overall machine are discussed below.

Data Input
Input is the information that is fed into the computer. The computer uses this data to perform different tasks. Input can be done by several different methods. The method of input that would best suit the following situations is explained as follows.

Printed questionnaires
The input data for printed questionnaires that will be most appropriate would be an optical marker reader. This type of device could directly scan and input the answers that the user is inserting through the questionnaire (Reynolds, 2006).

Telephone survey
A telephone survey is a way of gathering information from different people having different views. This type of survey requires a number of different sources and voices. The best way to input data would be a voice recognition device. This device interprets what the user is saying and converts it into a language that is usable by the computer application. (Reynolds, 2006).

Bank checks
The most appropriate method of inputting data in a check is by a scanning device that can interpret magnetic bar codes. Such a device is called MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition). Checks contain magnetic codes. The device scans the check and will perform the necessary changes required on the concerned accounts. The user can then easily attain account information, or perform any other transaction (Reynolds, 2006).

Retail tags
Retails tags are best read by a bar code reader. Such a device is called an optical scanning input device. This aids the shop keepers in inputting bar codes and retail tags on items. It also fastens the process of checkouts by avoiding to type in code numbers (Reynolds, 2006).

Long documents
Long documents are best input in a computer through a scanner. It enables the input of text as well as images. The user can then easily edit their documents.

Data Output
Output is the information that the computer provides after carrying out our instructions. There are many ways to display the result of an instruction. The method of output that would best suit the following situations is explained as follows.

Hand held computer
The output of a hand held computer is best viewed on a LCD display screen or a simple monitor. LCD displays use polarizers and back lit light to display text and images (Reynolds, 2006).

Color photograph
A color photograph can be viewed on a photo paper. The photo paper is printed by special color printers. It can also be best viewed on the monitor. By viewing the photograph on a monitor, the user may easily edit and enhance the picture according to his desire. (Reynolds, 2006)

Resume
A resume is also viewed best on a simple paper printed by any simple inkjet or laser printer. . It can also be viewed on the computer monitor. All the necessary changes can be done and viewed through the monitor (Reynolds, 2006).

Memorandum
A memorandum is a document that is used to point out the events or points of discussion. A memo is outputted and circulated around the organization through paper that can be printed by any inkjet or laser printer.  It can also be displayed on the bulletin board after it has been printed or through a computer screen by e-mail (Reynolds, 2006).

Statistical report
The statistical report of a company can be viewed on printed paper from an inkjet or laser printer. A statistical report is usually needed in a meeting. Therefore, it would be best to view it through a projector (Reynolds, 2006).

Company annual reports
Annual reports can also be displayed by a projector. This way all employees will be able to view and discuss reports together. Annual reports are also needed individually for analysis. To attain individual copies, annual reports are best displayed and understood on high quality paper. (Reynolds, 2006).

Storage Options
Storage devices are computer components that are used to store data. The following storage devices are most appropriate for the below mentioned purposes and situations.

Hard disk
Hard drive is best used for saving our daily work. Software and data that the user feels is needed regularly is saved on the hard disk. The hard disk makes access to data directly. Only frequently used programs should be stored on the hard disk because too much data will cause it to slow down the computer.

Floppy disk
Floppy disks are handy for storing data that needs to be transferred as well. The disadvantage is that they have a small capacity. They are only used to store small business documents and reports.

RAM
RAM is the abbreviation of Random Access Memory. It is a temporary storage place. It stores the programs and their data that are currently being used by the computer. The computer stores the data required by a certain program in RAM so that it does not need to go back to the hard disk each time a command or instruction is sent. The disadvantage of RAM is that its data cannot be accessed once the computer has been shut down. All its data is erased and lost.  

CD ROM
The usability and portability of CDs are the same as compared to floppy disks. The difference is that CD ROMs have a much greater capacity for storing programs. The drawback in this situation is that CD ROMs cannot be deleted or edited once they are created.

Tape
Tape disks are used generally for backup purposes. Tape is usually used to backup programs and files in case of a system crash.  They are cheaper than other disks and have slower access time. Another drawback of tape drives is that they are sequential. This means that to read a particular piece of data, the computer needs to scan through the whole drive (Media Storage Devices, 2009).

FlashJump Drive
Flash drives are smaller in size, bigger in capacity. They can hold up to 63GB of data. They are like a portable hard drive. They are most favorable in case of transporting large amounts of data. A flash drive can also be used as any normal hard drive (Media Storage Devices, 2009).

Computer Speed and Performance
The computer speed is measured in Mega-Hertz (MHz). Even though the speed of the computer is not necessarily the benchmark of measuring the performance of the computer, it does have an impact on it. The computer speed is itself dependent on various components. The role of each of the following components in determining the speed and performance of the computer are explained below.

RAM
RAM is the place where instructions are stored. The computer speed is influenced by the speed of the transfer of data between RAM and microprocessor. A larger RAM means that we can store more programs on it and the processor does not have to go back to the hard disk each time. This process is called caching. This speeds up the process. The idea behind having a cache memory is that frequently used data is stored on a faster memory (Panther Products, 2009). A faster RAM also ensures that we can compute more instructions and applications in a certain time (Computer Memory Upgrade, 2003).

Clock speed
The clock speed is the number of instructions executed per second. It is measured in Mega-Hertz. The computer requires a number of clock cycles to complete each request. The faster the clock speed of the computer, the more instructions will be performed per second. (KTC,2009)

Data on hard disk
The faster the data is accessed from the hard disk, the faster the computer speed and performance will be. This is calculated by how fast the disk is spinning. It is measured in milliseconds. The hard disks space is not a major factor affecting the CPU speed.

Data on CD ROM
The access time of the disk determines the speed of the computer. The lesser the access time, the faster the computer fetches data from the disk. The access time is the calculation of the time it takes to access a storage device until the time that another access can be made (Whatis.com, 2001).

Data on floppy disk
The floppy disk contains magnetic material disk which is similar to the tape drive. The data is stored on this magnetic disk. The data is accessed from the floppy by rotating it at a speed of 300 RPM. The faster the disk spins, the faster the data is fetched from the disk. This determines the speed of the computer (Media Storage Devices, 2009).

Conclusion
The computer has now become a necessity of life and is being used in every field. Each business and individual makes use of computers or its technology in some way or the other. It is therefore important to understand the importance of the different concepts of computer science and become familiarized with the various components used in the assembly of a single machine. The purpose of this paper is to understand how the hardware requirements are matched with the input and output.

Technology has been changing very rapidly as time goes by. This makes it very hard to predict much about the future for example the kind of products which would be produced in a few years time. Every kind of technology impacts peoples lives in one way or another. It is not easy to know the specific kind of technology which is responsible for the numerous changes in peoples lives since the changes might come from other areas of life. This paper will in detail cover on how technology development has changed the world today both in positive and negative ways.

Introduction
Technology refers to the utilization of tools, techniques and crafts. Its advances in this case may refer to motor vehicles, mobile phones, computers, televisions, and other electronics. The developers of these electronics are open to the changes of their original products so as to ensure its continued survival. Furthermore, the inventors are not necessarily the ones to improve the product but encourage further creativity which results to invention and innovation. The continued changes carry along with them the advantages and disadvantages that have greatly had an impact today in the world Lee, Lee  Schumann, 2002).

Among the positive effects of technology includes better transport facilities. With the changes occurring daily to the transport sector, people are able to get to their intended destinations on time after traveling very long distances. For example, customers of various airlines are able to book their tickets online, pay their transport fares as well as reschedule in case of changes. The use of the electronic trains has equally enabled people to reach their destinations on time no matter the distance (Lee, Lee  Schumann, 2002).

Improved communication to give efficient and effective deliveries of information is another positive effect. After the development of the telephone booths to mobile phones, this has resulted to instant communication with the intended people. We are able to reach directly the people we want through their mobile phones. If they are not available, then the cell phone is designed in a way to enable the caller leave an invoice message unlike in earlier days when we had to leave messages with secretaries (Schmidt, 2002).

Business can now be conducted online as a result of technology. With the advanced technology of e-commerce, we are able to do online shopping. Enquiries on any product and their catalogues are enabled on the internet. This has also enabled the customers of the products to make orders and have their deliveries as requested without actual movement to the sellers premises (Lee, Lee  Schumann, 2002). Information has also become readily available. With the help of sites like Google among others, information search has been made a lot easier and readily available. This availability of information has also been enhanced by the global media groups which broadcast information and breaking news from and to all over the world.  For instance this helps potential investors to establish business opportunities as well as know which economies are best for investment.

Through technology, there is availability of better medical facilities. Hospitals have installed better machines in their hospitals thus enabling better treatment of patients. Diagnosis has also been made a lot easier and faster for instance patients with cancer undergo chemotherapy which involves the use of machines to eliminate the cancer causing cells in the body. Pregnant mothers also undergo tests like ultra sound so as to detect any problems with the developing fetus (Schmidt, 2002).

There are now greater employment opportunities.  Job seekers are able to advertise their skills as well as abilities over the internet. This makes it easy for employers looking for persons with those similar qualifications to connect irrespective of the distance between them. It has also created employment opportunities to entrepreneurs who advertise their products over the internet and once a potential customer identifies them, then he purchases the product thus creating employment (Lee, Lee  Schumann, 2002).

There is also enhancement of globalization. Upon advancement of technology, the world has proven to be a global market. Trading within nations has been made possible since transport is well improved and information on various markets, business opportunities, finance sources, human capital sources and any business related information, global media has also made it possible to critically analyze various economies which have helped organizations to go global (Schmidt, 2002).

Technology has availed education to most people. The internet has enabled people to obtain great learning opportunities with the introduction of online learning. This has ensured the education institutions are able to provide education to all who want it as long as they can afford the finances. This has also made it possible to access a variety of books online thus adding value to the education level and knowledge acquisition.

There is increased socialization all over the world. With the improvement of technology, people have used sites like face book, twitter and my gamma to meet new friends, re-unite with old friends as well as maintain the friendship irrespective of the distance, race, tribe or nationality. Couples have also met their spouses on these sites, established relationships and eventually get married (Schmidt, 2002).
It has also resulted to industrialization within nations. Increased technology has caused many nations to increase their production of various products. For example, Africa nations import various car parts and join them in their nations. This joining is enabled by various machines hence resulting to industrialization.

Advancement in technology has also become source of entertainment. With the use of technology like televisions people are able to view different programs and movies as aired by the broad casting stations. This is through the help of advances technology. People are also able to connect to other entertainment providers like various pay TVs around the world and get the desired entertainment (Schmidt, 2002).

There is also efficiency and effectiveness at work. With the help of the internet, people use technology such as laptops to perform their tasks. The employees do not necessarily have to report to their work stations but can work from anywhere as long as they are connected to the internet. This helps people to do things right as well as do many things.  Employees have been liberated from having to have their bosses around them for them to perform as expected (Behreandt, 2006)

On the other hand, advancement in technology has had negative effects as discussed below unemployment has resulted. With the advancement of technology, robots have resulted. These are able to multi task as well as work for long hours without getting tired. They have in return been used to replace the human capital hence resulting to great levels of unemployment. It has also affected us since there is increased production of counter feint products. Products like music have been greatly affected by piracy which is as a result of the improved technology which enables the copying of the original product and having it without necessarily having purchased the original product (Behreandt, 2006)

Moral decadence has also resulted.  With the increased technology, people have great and free access to the internet. This has increased and encouraged most people even those underage to access pornography sites which have resulted to increased sexual immorality especially among the youths. There are also increased wars amongst nations. Due to advanced technology, nations are able to manufacture and produce nuclear bombs. These are used to attack other nations even on slight misunderstandings which could be solved by simple talks among the involved leaders of the disagreeing nations (Behreandt, 2006). Increased crime levels have resulted. Due to the advanced technology, feudalism has resulted and is on the increase. Hacking has also resulted and the hackers may use their hacking techniques to fraud peoples accounts and access their bank accounts. Computer viruses have also been produced by people so as to make money after making the anti-viruses.
In conclusion, advanced technology has both positive and negative impacts. The challenge here is how to keep up with the increasingly advancement in technology as well as maintain minimal negative effect. It is technology which has moved the world and it will continue doing so. The companies and organizations which are lagging behind technology wise will also lag behind and may be rendered obsolete.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ITS IMPACT ON SPORTS
Information technology (IT) has an impact undeniably intense to almost all aspects of human life. Education, health and business are all geared to utilizing information technology for the purpose of improving the entire organization and systematic management of the work environment. Information technology primarily involves the use of computers to efficiently create designs, development and implementation programs in various fields. The ordinary home, for instance, cannot thrive without the use of information technology because almost everything happens through computer-based information systems. It is generally true how all fields of human existence have employed information technology for better and faster performance of duties and addressing of needs. It is in this light that we need to evaluate the use of IT and its impact in the world of sports. Indeed, researchers and other modern studies have proven that computer-based systems are useful in effecting a more systematic sports management.

Moreover, IT has taken its greatest slot in the global connection trade as it made use of the information highway also known as the World Wide Web or the internet. Some may find it hard to imagine how computers and the internet could affect the kicking of the ball or the sprinting in a marathon but in-depth analysis of information technology use could prove how IT and the internet has transformed the world of sports into a faster, more accurate and more accessible field of endeavor.

Yes, sports are undergoing such revolution in global technology. Year after year, technology per se has gradually transformed traditional sports facilities into more sophisticated equipment. For instance, video replay systems are used to evaluate if the referees or umpires were able to make fair calls. Basketball games make use of instant replay systems to be able to gauge if the players were able to shoot the ball within the allotment of the shot clock. On the other hand, disputed catches and other complaints in international cricket are reviewed and assessed through television replays. The International Football Association Board has made use of certain set of criteria before the so-called soccer goal line technology was used.

A promising prospect has been a smartball loaded with an computer chip, jointly developed by German companies Cairos Technologies and the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits, an engineering research and software development company, along with the Adidas athletic clothing and shoe company. The companies technology uses a network of receivers around the field designed to track the balls precise position in real time - including exactly when it has fully passed the goal line. That information would be relayed in less than a second to a watch-like device worn by the referee. (TopendSports)

But this kind of technology was said to have failed in responding to the set criteria which basically includes 100 percent accuracy, should only be applied to goal line decisions, must be able to create instantaneous signal sent to the referee, and must be able to communicate to the game officials. In its failure, this technology was further replaced by the hawk-eye technology. This is the name given to a system of computer and a camera that is able to trace the trajectory of the ball. International tennis and cricket games used this definitive decision-maker on whether the ball was able of all within the line or beyond it. High-end as it may sound, the hawk-eye is capable of taking 600 frames a second within the goal line. In the end, the shots are analyzed by the computer and the decision is then sent to the referee. If this proven accuracy of the hawk-eye will be consistent all through out the conduct of any games other than cricket and tennis, then one can say that bias and subjectivity in decision-making will fully be achieved, does winning will be more meaningful to savor.

Moreover, it is not only the goal line that could benefit from the advantages of information technology. The Australian Institute of Sports has acknowledged the use of IT and computer-based systems in furthering the performance of their athletes. Traditionally, athletes are prepared primarily by a training coach. The athletes then are required to complete several tests in order to gauge their fitness to play. In the past, a sports team is generally composed of a sport psychologist, a dietician, a conditioning coach, a biomechanics and a sports scientist. All of them are employed in order to make sure that the athletes are in good condition while training and playing. At present, these roles are no longer evident in a sports team and people employed are just substituted by the ability of information technology to do all these peoples responsibilities in just one single small chip.

Taking advantage of advancements in microelectronics and other micro technologies it is possible to build instrumentation that is small enough to be unobtrusive for a number of sporting and clinical applications. Pedometers, heart rate monitors and trip computers for bicycles today are common place and represent some of the earliest technological innovations popular with elite and recreation athletes alike. Today the humble pedometer is finding a new use for elite athletes, now able to measure one thousandth of force due to gravity in all three dimensions as well as rotational forces these devices can be attached all over an athlete to monitor the movement of individual limbs hundreds of times a second. A runner, swimmer or rower wearing these devices can have examined in detail their performance on the track or even on race day itself. (James 1)

There is a great difference in measuring the strength and the fitness of athletes from the past compared to the present. Long time ago, athletes need to spend so much time in laboratories for series of tests in order to detect system failures or weakening possibilities. But as James placed it, the micro electronics and micro technologies can definitely be reliable tools in making sure that athletes are physically sound. It is then proper to expect that if Australian players are making it to world championships given the traditional mode of physical fitness tests and training, what more could they achieve given the fact that they are using high-end gadgets that assists them more accurately and more efficiently The monitoring of runners, football players, skiers and rowing skulls has never been as accurate as how the Global Positioning Systems does it. Information technology has been greatly relied upon to trace fatigue levels, and measure blood sugar and lactate degrees. The Global positioning System is usually as thin as the human hair which is just inserted in the skin to act like a monitoring device.

Again, it is but helpful to understand that the primary embodiment of information technology is computers which utilize different tools like the micro chips in order to function as desired and planned. Dr. T.J. Rosandich once made a study on the importance of information technology in managing sports. He addressed how sports administration could be improved by technological revolution, how the World Wide Web could function for training and marketing and how electronic commerce could provide low-priced equipment, and the factors that could trigger an athlete to fully participate in the advantages of IT revolution. Rosandich made a clear and brief explanation of the impacts of computer and the internet in managing sports fields especially the administration of athletes. Considering the first task of proving how IT could help in managing sports, Rosandich clarified how the use of computers could organize data including the name of qualified athletes and referees. Event management software can be used in fixing training and games schedules and even setting up of equipment. By just keying the information in the computer and creating a distinct file, everything that needs to be put in order could be as easy as one click on the mouse. Moreover, it is not only the members of the team who could be monitored. The computer software could also be used in tracking active and inactive donors and what kinds of donations were shared. This could easily facilitate the sports organizations financial aspects. Another is the ability to organize the roster of support staff. Drivers, timekeepers, officials and other medical personnel could easily be traced as information like the addresses and birthdates could be filed in the database.

As great as databases are for effective sport program management, the real power of information technology comes when individual computers are tied together through the medium of a network. This is truly a case where there are synergies created as in 2  2  6. A computer network simply is the hardware and software required to connect two or more machines together so to allow the sharing of data and other resources. Larger enterprises use computer networks to link together their operatives in a common computing environment. All of the permeations and configurations available to the sports administrator are clearly beyond the scope of this presentation except to note that the most common configuration of these kinds of networks are of the client - server variety. (Rosandich)

The benefits of network sharing and establishing broader connections could be basically dependent on three important decisions whether to introduce IT system in the organization, what system will be introduced and how its configuration will be done, and finally, how will the software or technology be operated. The operation is the most crucial as this will include the entire affectivity of the employed technology. Proper use and implementation will maximize potential benefits. The sports administrator holds the biggest bulk of responsibility especially in choosing to write the organizations own software or adapting others which have been used in similar cases. Whichever way, this aspect of sports administration could greatly prove how information technology has a great influence on the world of sports.

Exploring and broadening horizons is what technology is geared up of doing. Each year, improvements and discoveries are flourishing in order to provide more ease and comfort to human existence. In information technology, the inclusion of the internet is really a big advantage not only to business and education environments but also in fields of sports. How could the internet affect sports First, understand how the Web works. The internet has this ability to bridge together people of the same interests and wants. This networking ability is very useful in sports because administrators can get in touch with each other no matter how physically distant they are.

For example, all of the regional offices of a national sports governing body such as the National Football Association can be linked together regardless of their geographic location. All of the operatives so linked can share administrative and programming information and communicate with each other cheaply and efficiently through the medium of e-mail.

The internet then could provide an opportunity for the members of a particular sports league to be part of forums and share their insights and thoughts. This makes the arena more conducive to
learning as athletes and administrators could share to their colleague some tips and other skills without having to be concretely connected. Thus, the internet now becomes an essential medium of communication and education in the world of sports. For instance, the Web acts as vessel for distributed learning when The US Sports Academy has opened its distance education program. The use of internet and the computer has helped sports enthusiasts to enroll in course studies for Master of Sports Science. The same case is true to those who are willing to finish an undergraduate degree in the International Sports Academy.

Finally, in Rosandichs argument, information technology especially the internet becomes a medium for commerce and advertising. Professional sports teams use the internet to broadcast games and announce victories.

For example, there are no English language radio broadcasts in Montreal for the Montreal Expos professional baseball team. Fans wanting hear the play-by-play in English can only do so by calling up the teams Website and listen to it coming across as an audio feed. Another example of how deeply the Internet has penetrated professional sports is how some pro hockey teams now require their players to have e-mail addresses as a means to interact with both the team administration and their fans. (Rosandich 3)

In this case, the internet acts as bridge in establishing not only administrator-athlete, athlete-athlete, or administrator-administrator connections. It has also paved the way for athletes to get in touch with their fans without the use of traditional mass media like the television and the radio. Indeed, the web has turned out to be the primary means of communications because people now opt for it as medium of interacting with the world. Television, radio and newspapers are indeed very helpful media but when regarding accessibility and availability, the internet takes the bigger edge. Webcasting is now the term used to refer to broadcasting of events through the use of the internet.

Aside from that, information technology has this great effect in the economic aspect of sports. The internet has been proven to increase sales and distribution of goods associated with sports. As Rosandich puts it the relative cost for sports equipment can be an issue for the profession, particularly in terms of trying to broaden the appeal of sport to the greatest number of participants. E-commerce through the Internet holds the potential for containing costs for sports equipment.

The advantages of information technology are really gargantuan in almost all aspects of sports. From managing athletes, administrating games and trainings, and even marketing and exposure strategies, information technology is an indispensable ally for the sports enthusiasts. But the need to see the ill effects of this modernization should also be weighed over the advantages. What could micro technology, for instance, do in the lives of those whose responsibilities are taken and assumed What happens to the so-called sports medical staffs who examine the athletes blood pressure and sugar stability What will happen to employed umpires and soon, referees Would this mean that information technology will soon leave more and more people jobless In any aspect of human life, technology is a boon when used in moderation. Moreover, the sports world should not be limited in employing the benefits of information technology as long as fairness, accuracy, honesty and sportsmanship like any other universal values are not sacrificed.

Summary of Findings
Information technology could improve the performance of athletes by the use of modern medical gadgets that could test their fitness and health.
Information technology could help in putting into order the information of the sports organization members, athletes and staff.
Information technology could help in broadening exposure of athletes and other local sports by webcasting.
Information technology could be used in advertising sports equipment.
Information technology can enhance sports education through distance-learning programs via the internet.
Information technology can help in making accurate decisions for the goal line.

Three Suggested Questions for Examination
How could information technology help in maintaining the health and fitness of athletes
Answer The use of micro electronics that detect the heartbeat and monitor blood and sugar levels could detect whether an athlete is fit to train or to play in the game.

How could information technology help in enhancing athlete exposure to fans
Answer Fans who do not have radio or television could opt for the internet to watch uploaded games and get information about their favorite athlete local or international. They could send feedbacks and admirations to electronic mail where their sports icons could respond in return.

3. Give three disadvantages of information technologys impact to sports

1. People will be left jobless as computers are made substitutes.
2. Privacy of athletes can be invaded as webcasting is popularized.
3. Technology might distort the natural performance level of an athlete as in some cases where information technology will be used to keep track of opponent strategies.

Technological advances in the world we are today are of utmost importance knowing how things have changed from its old nature to its new knowledge based and scientific approach to modernization. Technology is moving at a very high speed, and it seems as though every day a new invention can lead to changes in the life of humans. No one would have been able to know that a few years ago so much of these technological explosions will be a reality.

 According to data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) other nations shares are changing as they seek to increase their economic performance.

The late twentieth century film, End of Days by Arnold Schwarzenegger depicts the impact of technological advances in it. The ability of the director, Peter Hyams to be able to bring into use high quality graphics is all about technology.

Advances in technology have done much to change the way we live and communicate over the past twenty five years, but no success rate has revolutionized life as much as the arrival of the wireless communication.


COMPUTER SYSTEM ADVANCES
One of the most visible successes of the computer science research community is the recent outburst of the Internet onto the worlds consciousness. The impact of the Internet in the exchange of goods and services has, allowed people to communicate with each other, and is connecting us to vast stores of information and the fun it brings cannot be denied. What most people who now take the internet for granted fail to understand is that the underlying structure that is behind the growth of the internet to its current scale was defined over 25 years ago, (Peterson, 2004). Millions of ordinary people today make use of entirely new capabilities as a result of the emergent of the Computer science research. Using computers to type documents was probably foreseeable, but it was difficult to envision that anyone can become a small-scale publisher by using the Web. Computers now perform most of the tasks that used to be handled by secretaries some of which include typing drafts, correcting drafts, positioning figures, formatting final copy, and the like.

Technically, the first touch screen was invented in the 1970s.  Progress is now spontaneous, and what has been a difficult commodity to come by is now everywhere for example personal computers systems, MP4 players, mobile phones, and more. Technology has been improving significantly as well  not too long ago it was unusual for a touch screen to have multi-touch functions, this means that touch screens will soon be placed on a higher collection of items. It wont be long before we all start playing the role of the Zion Control Operator in the Matrix with the use of machines, (Daniel, 2009).

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM ADVANCES
Major positive technological changes have happened in the field of communication over the past years. Today, when we are talking of human communication, we are thinking of communications through technological innovations like the Internet, cable television, the telephone, etc. Technological advances in Communication system have been great in recent years. The key technology underlying all modern communication technology is electronics. Before paper was invented, talking about the ancient times, people wrote on molded blocks. For a long time, too, documents were reproduced by copying them by hand, (Hutchinson, 2000). After the introduction of so many technologies, devices such as BlackBerry are been introduced, which push e-mails to mobile phones. Line-of-business applications are also beginning to combine services. This brings us to the present day where we see the result of different communications technologies creating streams of communication that do not work together as well as they could. This means that a lot of effort has been put into technology to make communication easy but little thought has been applied to making systems work together, (Francis, 2005).

30 years ago, people with so much computer interest talked about an era where communication will be without the use of paper. Even with the trend of wireless communication, not everyone still want to do without the use of paper but the recent technological advances in the world are a sign to show that wireless communication is changing the way business is managed. In the recent global economy technological advances is changing the way jobs are done such that people no longer restrict themselves to cubicles in different places (Michael, 2008).

ATOMIC AND NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY
Nanotechnology is an aspect of atomic technology that deals with the use of advanced technological methods to make desired products smaller in size and better. Nano is a greek word meaning dwarf that refers to a reduction of size, or time, by 10-9, which is one thousand times smaller than a micron. There has been an argument that through nanotechnology, it has become possible to create useful devices, materials and systems on length scales between 1 to 100 nanometer. Some recent inventions of nanotechnology include diamondoid, carbon nanotubes, buckyballs etc. The substance adamantane was isolated and named from the Greek word for diamond. Diamondoids can be applied in nanotechnology because it has diamond fused-like structures (Dahl, H.E. 2003). The application of diamondoids can be used for the production of antiviral drugs, nanorobots, molecular machines, drug targeting etc. These biological structures have many applications which includes drug delivery and drug targeting. Just as chemists, materials scientists and physicists were experimenting with structures like carbon nanotubes, buckyballs and diamondoids, biologists were also making their own advances with other nanoscale structures like cyclodextrins, liposomes (Feng, S. 2004) and monoclonal antibodies, (Thompson, N.E . 2004).

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES AND PSYCHOLOGICAL THINKING
Development in science and technology is moving so fast that society is finding it difficult to close the gap that the complexities these new developments bring. Technologies associated with the human reproductive system have increased over the last three decades, (Kirkman, 2001 Roberts, 1998 Williamson, 1999b).  Genetic engineering and human cloning which are the new advanced technologies are bringing challenges in respect to the implications it has on behavior, politics, and ethics of the people. If these implications are not addressed on time, the consequences of an uncontrolled future are likely to be what the society will face.  (Resnik, 1998 Satava, 2002). Many scholars in different fields of learning have pointed out the need for debate (Breyer, 2000) and discussed various concerns pertaining to different aspects of human cloning that include the psychological aspects and the attitudes of the public towards human cloning. There are different oppositions to human cloning because of the effect it will have on the well-being of the child (Burley and Harris, 1999 Yanagimachi, 2001).

CONCLUSION
Advances in technology running through all forms of life are developments that have come to stay. One might say that things were a lot better in the last decade where we all had to sweat ourselves out to get what we wanted but the advent of technology has helped us so far to reduce the long term effect of such tedious jobs. No one can really say what the next generation is up to but it seems as though there will be further advances as on one can tell what the future holds.