Source: Introduction to Multimedia, copyright ©2004 by Glencoe/MaGraw-Hill Ethical Computer Use

Ethical Use Computers can be used to do wonderful things, but they can also be misused. Remember the purpose of a school computer is to 1.Help you get your work done 2.Help with research projects DO NOT 1.Play games 2.Check your personal 3.Look at offensive material

Ethical Use Many institutions are taking action to prevent misuse Hidden software applications watch everything users do while on a machineincluding which users do while on a machine, including which Web sites they visit, what s they send, even what keystrokes they type. If engaging in inappropriate activity on school computers, you could be suspended from school, or even prosecuted.

Ethical Use Misuse can be costly, according to the organization SurfControl, American businesses waste $54 billion every year due to personal use of company computers. Misuse can be costly, according to the organization SurfControl, American businesses waste $54 billion every year due to personal use of company computers. Do not download unauthorized files Do not download unauthorized files or applications, downloaded files are a chief source of viruses, which cause millions of dollars in damages to computer networks every year. to computer networks every year.

Plagiarism Plagiarism is the act of taking somebody else’s ideas or work and trying to pass it off as your own. It is acceptable to use somebody else’s work or ideas in your work as long as you give them credit. Christ, Carol T., et al. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Eighth Ed. New York: W. W Norton and Company, Garbett, Ann D. “Opened Ground: Selected Poems, ” Magill’s Literary Annual 1999 (1999). Literary Reference Center. EBSCO. Decatur Public Library, Decatur, AL 26 March 2008 <

Copyright Copyright laws protect someone who creates and original work. They become the owner of that original work. Copyrights were redefined by a federal statue; the Copyright Act of If you want to use a portion of a copyrighted work to use in your own work, you must get permission from the copyright holder.

Duration and Public Domain So once a copyright is in place, how long before it expires? For all works created after January 1, 1978, the copyright last until 70 years after the creator’s death. For works created before that date, the copyright would last anywhere from 28 to 67 years from the date of creation with possible options of renewal. Once the copyright has expired, that work becomes public domain.

Safe Surfing Know who you are giving the information to. Know who you are giving the information to. There should always be a good reason for all the information you provide. There should always be a good reason for all the information you provide. Never give out personal information to someone you meet in a chat room. Never give out personal information to someone you meet in a chat room.

On-line Resources One of the most useful aspect of the internet is the world wide web Also called the “WEB” Which allows documents to be viewed from around the world. This is useful when it comes to documents that are normally expensive and hard to find. Most families do not own encyclopedias, so a student who needs to do research would have to make a trip to the library. The Web makes it cheaper and more convenient

Good Computer Posture and Minimizes Physical Stress 1.Be sure to keep your back straight and your feet on the floor. 2.Keep your wrist straight while typing. 3.Position your monitor just below eye level and about two feet away. 4. Make sure there is enough light in the room to see the monitor without straining your eyes. 5. Keep your monitors resolution at a comfortable level.

Evaluating Web-Sites Authorship:Once you have found the name of the author, do a quick web search to see what else that author has written Authorship: Once you have found the name of the author, do a quick web search to see what else that author has written. Check to see if the author is published in print. Check to see if the author is published in print. Check reviews or criticism of the author’s work. Check reviews or criticism of the author’s work. Check their credentials– do they have knowledge on this topic. Check their credentials– do they have knowledge on this topic.

Evaluating Web-Sites Sponsorship or Publishing – ask why are they publishing this article. Are they trying to sell a product or service? Are they trying to sell a product or service? Are they impartial organization providing unbiased information? Are they impartial organization providing unbiased information?

Evaluating Web-Sites Accuracy Look for websites that provide source for their facts. Accuracy- Look for websites that provide source for their facts. Look for clues that the information was written by someone knowledgeable. Look for spelling and grammar errors they are warning signs that the information may not be accurate

Evaluating Web-Sites Timeliness – The more recently something has been written, the more likely it is to be accurate

The End