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Ownership and control of data
Answers:
- Describe the Napster Systems as an
information system
Napster is a file-swapping program that allows subscribers to locate and exchange free downloadable MP3 files over the internet.
- Identify the purpose, environment,
participants, data/information and information technology.
Purpose - To create a system where users can view and down load the contents of MP3 directories from other Napster users' hard drives.
Environment - the number of users willing to participate in the Napster computer system.
Participants - people who carry out the information processes within the information system. Creator - Shawn Fanning, Napster Company, CEO, employees and Internet users
Data/Information - MP3 files
Information Technology
Software - that facilitates “file sharing”. Napster software allows users to connect with each other via the Internet so that they may share MP3 files stored on their hard drives
Hardware - PC's, hard drive and modems.
- Describe “peer-to peer
technology” or distributed computing and explain how the Napster
file-sharing system works.
File sharing refers to the sharing of information between two or more computers. It utilises removable media, sending files over a network or by sending files as an attachment to e-mails.
- Define the term copyright.
Copyright - the sole legal right to produce or reproduce a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work, which is now extended to include software.
- Discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of Napster on:
(i) the individual
(ii) society
(iii) the environment
Individual
Advantages
- Napster may help boost record sales
because users can sample the artist's latest CD's.
- Individuals may choose to participate in an on-line music community. Napster functions include chat rooms, instant messaging and hotlists.
- Users share MP3 files through Napster's use of peer to peer technology.
- Users are able to discuss many different genres of music.
- Artists can promote their music through the Napster site.
Disadvantages
- Copyright infringement of individual artist's creative work, their music.
- Artists are not giving permission to ‘give away' their music to user over the Internet. Artists are not being acknowledged for their work and are losing on sales income.
- Individual artists are annoyed their music is being offered for free. Madonna recently sent out fake tracks prior to the release of her new CD.
- Legal ramifications such as lawsuits by
individual artists.
Society
Advantages
- Napster is providing for future
marketing and online distribution of CD's.
- Fastest growing business ever (one
million new users per week in 2000)
- MP3 files have changed the way people
sample music in their own homes.
- Parents can screen the music their children are listening to at home.
Disadvantages
- Music sales could significantly decline and have an adverse effect on the music industry.
- Great confusion within society and
- Legal conflict concerning intellectual property rights.
- Fee- based digital distribution is
competing with Napster's free service.
Environment
Advantages
- Napster provides the tools but has no ability to impose limitations or exercise control. It is up to the individual to exercise control.
- “Peer to Peer Technology” can be used to create a pool of resources in aggregate to solve a range of complex storage, processing and bandwidth problems. This technology makes the Internet faster and more efficient because you are not connecting to a central server every time you click on a website, your computer finds the source that house the information nearest to you.
Disadvantages
Napster is building a business based on
piracy.
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