1.
Computer of the Future
Think
about how mobile our computing devices have become and the convergence of
different devices such as cameras, phones, and computers. What do you think the
computer of the future will be like? What capabilities will it have that
computers currently don’t have? Do you see desktop computers becoming obsolete
in the near future?
2.
Table Monitors and PixelSense
Monitors
Table
monitors and PixelSense monitors are monitor-like devices built into tabletops
and work surfaces. Users “grab” and manipulate objects on the display using
touch commands. Like an iPod Touch or iPhone, the display is multitouch and can
accept simultaneous input from multiple users, so the table monitor can be
helpful with games or other products that require interactivity. Microsoft
launched a product called PixelSense in 2007, and although it never really took
off, you see similar devices featured on some TV crime-fighting shows as
detectives manipulate crime evidence and photos. Why do you think this device
never really captured the interest of the public? Would this be a useful object
to have in your home, classroom, or office? Why or why not?
3.
Ethics Violations
Review
the Ethics in IT section in this chapter. Which of the 10 Ethical Computing
Guidelines do you think students violate most often? Why do you think these
violations occur, and what do you think could be done to reduce or eliminate
such unethical behaviors?
4.
External Storage
Hard
drives are great for storing data on your computer, but there are many reasons
why you might want to have alternative storage devices. List various external
and mobile storage devices discussed in this chapter, and describe the purposes
and uses of each. Which device types do you currently use, and for what
purposes? What device(s) might you have a need to use in the next year or so?
5.
iPad
The
Apple iPad has been enthusiastically accepted because of its multitouch screen,
useful apps, two cameras, and small, light frame. If the CEO of Apple were to
ask you for your advice as to what to include in the next version of the iPad,
what would you suggest? What features would make tablets even more appealing to
students?
6.
Market Dominance
Microsoft and Apple are
large corporations and have control of most of the OS market. Although there
have been some innovative changes to both of their proprietary operating
systems, does their size and market dominance prevent more innovation? Why or
why not? Linux, as an open source environment, is poised for greater
innovation. Why do you think the Linux OS doesn’t have a greater market share?
7.
A Web-Based OS
OS interfaces have
evolved from a text-based console format to the current GUI. Modern operating
systems such as Windows and OS X are starting to include features that store
and retrieve data from the cloud (the Internet). Many believe the OS of the
future will be totally web-based and not require the installation of an OS on a
specific device. Discuss the implications of this type of OS. What are the
potential security issues of a totally web-based OS?
8.
To Hackintosh or Not: That Is the
Question
Using Mac’s Boot Camp,
or virtualization software such as VMware, it’s easy (and legal) to install
Windows on a Mac. It isn’t quite as easy to install Mac OS X on a PC, but it
can be done. A PC that has been modified so that Mac OS X can be run on it is called
a Hackintosh. What are the benefits of tweaking a PC to run Mac OS X? Is it
okay to violate Apple’s End User Licensing Agreement (EULA), which prohibits
installation of OS X on non–Apple-branded equipment? If Apple changed its EULA
to allow the installation of its software onto PCs, would that ultimately hurt
Apple-branded computers?
9.
What App Is Best for You?
There are plenty of
interesting apps available for Windows and Apple devices—some for fun, some to
aid in productivity, some with specific utilitarian roles. Design or describe
what the best app for you would be. What features must it have? Why would you
need it?
110. Living on the Cloud
Cloud computing is becoming more
popular, and many users are working from the cloud and not even realizing it.
What kinds of software applications are you using that are completely
Web-based? Why do you use them instead of installed software applications?
Envision a time when all software is Web-based and describe how being totally
on the cloud would be an advantage. Also list some of the disadvantages a
cloud-based environment might present.
