Online services By Mollie Preston

What is an online service? An online service are services given via the internet. There are 9 examples of these online services these are…..

Real time information. This service provides information that is happening. This could be done from a website, an app download or by an electronic signage. Examples. Opening times for airports via a website. Flight arrival times ect. Looking online to see when a bus is due to arrive. Opening times for any retail shops or hotels. Benefits. this will be a benefit to drivers and travellers because traffic updates and such like are available via the internet. Companies can use systems for advertising. Companies can charge for access to systems.

Communication. Communication is an online service because of all the social networking sights such as Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, MSM and instant messages. Benefits. This could be a benefit to people because it doesn’t cost anything to sign up. You can also share pictures with the people you are conversing with, with no cost. You have to have internet connection though so this could be a disadvantage for people without internet connection all the time.

Entertainment This online service provides fun such as online gaming, TV catch up and movies and films also listening to the radio. Benefits. This is beneficial because this provides something to do and it is fun. Also this could be a cheaper alternative than buying games and films and such like. For people without Xbox and internet this isnt much entertainment.

Business. This online service is all to do with businesses. The services provided can be video conferencing e.g. Skype, face time. Other things are like and business networks e.g. Gmail. Benefits. This will benefit businesses that are overseas that need to converse face to face but can’t get to the country. This is where businesses like Skype and face time come in handy.

Virtual learning Virtual learning is for teachers to set up for students. The sight has a personal login and user area for students. Benefits. This can is so that teachers can see there personal homework. This is so that they can see if they have even bothered to do there homework or not even attempted it. Homework cant be lost this way unless they don’t save their work. Examples of this are Moodle and My Maths.

Education Educational sites are sites that are open to any student wanting to do revision or learn something new. Benefits This is beneficial for students to go on just to revise or maybe do some work that has been set. But the teacher would not be able to see if they have completed the work as there is no login. Examples are BBC Bitesize. This could be negative because of the non personal settings. Teachers are unable to see if the students have completed work.

Downloads. This is a service that allows you to download things or apps. You are able to download songs, games, films and books. Benefits. This is beneficial because it is easier to download things. Otherwise you would have to do it via the internet and this can be time consuming and confusing where as downloads are simple to use. This could be a disadvantage to people without internet access of for people without a smart phone.

Government. This government provides an online service by putting things like tax returns online so it is easier for people to get to. Benefits. This will benefit people that prefer to use the internet for filling out forms. In my opinion this is also easier to follow because the internet sets everything out in order for you to follow easily. e.g.

Commerce. Commerce is selling and buying things online. Examples of this are eBay, amazon, and online banking. Shopping on well known shops are also classed as commerce as well. Benefits. This can benefit people who have busy lives and don’t have time to go out shopping. They can do it online instead. And for people who would like to sell things this could be an easy alternative. This could be a disadvantage to people that prefer to go out and shop or don’t have internet access.