Entertainment

In modern times online entertainment plays a major role in society. The internet provides us with a widely accessible and almost unlimited source of entertainment. The main factors of this entertainment are music, videos, art, gaming, reading and animation.

Videos -

On the internet there are huge amounts of locations in which people may view videos. Some of the more popular sites for doing so are Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/), BBC Iplayer (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/) and Netflix (http://movies.netflix.com/). Netflix is a site which allows subscription paying members to view their huge collection of television programs and films via digital distribution. It currently offers over 100,000 titles and has more than 10 million subscribers. Due to this it has 2000 plus employees and a revenue of 3.2 billion dollars (source of statistics – Wikipedia). BBC Iplayer on the other hand is a free service which allows users within the UK to watch the latest episodes of TV programmes broadcast on channels owned by the BBC. Youtube (a website which was bought by Google for 1.65 billion dollars) however is unique when compared to these two services as it provides seemingly free video service with which anybody in the world may share videos on.

YouTube’s Pros:

•     Anyone anywhere can upload videos to the website for free.
•     People are able to reach large audiences with their content (the current most popular video on Youtube, ‘Gangnam Style’, has over 835 million views).
•    Is localized in 43 countries and across 60 languages.
•    Seemingly endless amounts of content (72 hours of video are uploaded to Youtube every minute).
• Popular users are able to earn money from adverts on their videos due to the partnership programme and Google AdSense.
• The content ID system prevents copyrighted audio and footage from being uploaded.
• Youtube has a thriving community of active video makers.

YouTube’s Cons:

• Users may occasionally stumble upon inappropriate material (e.g. violence, pornography, drug  use, extremely offensive language).
• Adverts may ruin the experience for some.
• Content can be stolen from the websites via the use of third-party software and websites.

A final video service which is available online is live streaming. Live streaming allows people to broadcast their video footage directly to the internet as it happens. This can be useful in cases such as sporting events and natural disasters, both of which often require almost instant publicity so as to notify members of the public about current events. Two popular live streaming websites are USTREAM (http://www.ustream.tv/new) and livestream (http://new.livestream.com/).

Gaming -

Gaming is one of the major aspects of online entertainment. The types of games available to people ranges from simple flash games (such as Angry Birds), to huge interactive multiplayer environments such as those found in World of Warcraft and Second Life, and even gambling. Focusing on one area of online gaming, the MMO (meaning ‘Massively Multiplayer Online Game’) market is hugely appealing to many. It allows users to virtually interact with people from all across the globe and perform various activities such as questing, exploration and raids. ‘World of Warcraft’ is by far one of the most successful subscription based MMORPGs (‘massively multiplayer online role playing games’) on the planet. It has been around since 2004, has experienced constant updating and currently has four expansions (‘The burning crusade’, ‘Wrath of the Lich King’, ‘Cataclysm’ and ‘Mists of pandaria’) and had over 10.2 million players at its peak. The subscription cost of the game is currently $14.99 per month which means that Blizzard (the company responsible for World Of Warcraft) would have been making over 1800 million dollars in a year. The game itself is set in the fantasy world of ‘Azeroth’ and allows its players to battle for either the ‘Alliance’ (the stereotypical ‘good’ side consisting of humans, elves, gnomes and more) or the ‘Horde’ (the ‘evil’ side consisting of the living dead, orcs, trolls and so on). Once in the game, the player will be able to freely roam the world, attempt quests, slay bosses and team up with other people who own the game. The game provides a vast amount of tricks and psychology persuades the users to continue playing and paying. These tricks include the element of reward for levelling up (new areas, items and skills will become available as they do so), the desire to discover (the land is full of secret areas and places which are hard to find, thus making the player yearn to play more) and the likelihood that a bond will be formed between other players. These bonds make it extremely hard for some people to quit playing, as they do not wish to disappoint or abandon their new friends and ‘guilds’ (basically just large groups of players which work together to make the game more enjoyable for each other).

Download Services

Download services allow people to store files from the various online services on their hard drives. These services can include audio (often MP3 or WAV format), videos (Mp4, QuickTime, WMV and more), pictures (Gif, Jpg, Png, etc), apps, software, games and more. These files are then available for users to use without the use of the internet; this can be extremely useful in situations such as airplane and bus journeys, holidays and other such events in which the user would be unable to access the internet. To add to this, many programs are simply too large and complex to supported in a browser and therefore require distribution via download.

Apps -

Nowadays many mobile phones allow users to download ‘apps’ (such as games, gadgets and more) onto their devices. The two major online marketplaces for doing so are Apple’s ‘itunes store’ (http://www.apple.com/uk/) and ‘Google Play’ (https://play.google.com/store). These downloads have proved to be extremely popular that a hugely wealthy industry has been built up around them. An example of success in the app market is the game ‘Angry Birds’. ‘Angry Birds’ is a simple game in which the user must use a catapult to fire various birds into fortresses. Despite its simplicity, the game has made over $106 million in sales and has been downloaded more than 648 million times. Indeed its popularity is so great that ‘Angry Birds’ merchandise is now sold by many major retailers (including Toys R Us, Game, HMV and more).

Music -

As a result of the popularity of smart phones, iPods and various other music playing devices there has been an enormous increase in music downloads. So much so that music industry seems to be increasingly more focused on downloads. In 2011 the amount of albums sold via download in the UK increased by a huge 24% rise on the previous year; whereas CD sales decreased by 13% (Source - BBC News, see link for more information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16382648). One of the huge advantages to downloading music is that users are often able to purchase songs without needing to own the full album; for example somebody could download ‘We Will Rock You’ by Queen by Queen without needing to ‘splash out’ on the entire album, thus saving money and adding to the overall customer satisfaction of buying music. Some popular sites for music downloads include bandcamp (http://bandcamp.com/), Soundcloud (http://soundcloud.com/dashboard), iTunes (http://www.apple.com/uk/itunes/), Napster (http://www.napster.co.uk/start), Spotify (http://www.spotify.com/) and Beatport (http://www.beatport.com/).   

Software -

It is now common for software to be distributed via download. One major company whom largely distribute their programs with downloads across the internet is Adobe (software developed by Adobe includes Photoshop, Flash, After Effects and more, website link: http://www.adobe.com/). To combat illegal downloading of their products they protect the majority of their software with serial keys (randomly generated numbers which allow user authentication). Despite this however, internet criminals are still able to obtain the software for free via the use of cracks and keygens (serial key generators).

Issues -

The major issue with download services is that some people are able to transfer copied files to others for free via programs and websites such as piratebay (http://tpb.pirateparty.org.uk/), Mediafire (http://www.mediafire.com/), BitTorrent (http://www.bittorrent.com/), Dropbox (https://www.dropbox.com/) and more. The vast amounts of these illegal downloads are have a large impact on a variety of industries, the main two being music and video both of whom are losing literally billions as a result of the downloads (news story giving information about piracy in the UK: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19599527). It can also be crippling to smaller businesses which rely of the successes of their products download sales.

Online Banking

Online banking allows bank account owners to transfer various amounts of money and manage their banks remotely via the use of the internet. Nowadays many of the major banking chains offer this service to their customers, this includes: Natwest (http://www.natwest.com/personal.ashx), Lloydes TSB (http://www.lloydstsb.com/), Halifax (http://www.halifax.co.uk/home/home.asp), Bank of Scotland (http://www.bankofscotland.co.uk/), HSBC (http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/) and more. This advancement in technology is largely what has allowed the internet to become the thriving source of commerce it is today. It has done so by enabling the public access to the seemingly endless supply of goods and services the internet has to offer. Due to its huge success, people have speculated that in the future high street banks shall shut down and become fully replaced by online banking.

Online Transfers -

Online banking allows people to transfer money to different bank accounts via the internet. This is extremely useful as it lessens the need to visit banks in person, therefore both saving time and money (travel costs, etc) and providing them with an easier and more enjoyable banking experience. It is often relatively easy to perform online bank transfers. The data normally required tends to be credit or debit card information (card number, card holders name, etc), personal information (address, first name and surname, telephone number, etc) and bank information. Once sites have the information needed, users may proceed to transfer various amounts of money to others. Sites which allow people to perform online transfers include: Paypal (https://www.paypal.com), Lloyds TSB (http://www.lloydstsb.com/), HSBC (http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/) and more.

Direct Debit -

Direct debit is a financial transaction in which funds are taken from a person’s bank account. Typically direct debits are used for recurring payments such as gas bills and credit card payments. Before the payments can take place, the account owner must notify their bank to inform them about the direct debit. However, once set up the amount of money being paid is able to change without notifying the bank.

Smart Phones -

Today people are able to make important bank transfers via the use of their mobile phones. A variety of ‘apps’ and websites are now available to make this possible. These include:

• Barclays Pingit (http://www.barclays.co.uk/PersonalBanking/P1242603570446?WT.mc_id=301RDpingit)
• NatWest App (http://www.natwest.com/personal/online-banking/g2/mobile-phone-banking.ashx)
• Lloyds Mobile Banking (http://www.lloydstsb.com/internet_banking/mobile_banking.asp)
• And many more (see article: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/saving/article-2148602/Best-banking-apps-Our-verdict-Pingit-First-Direct-HSBC-Lloyds-NatWest-Santander.html)

Due to these advancements, banking is now available at any time almost anywhere (provided that it has internet connection) to anybody with a new enough phone.

Scams and Hacking -

Despite the many advantages of online banking a fairly large amount of people are unwilling to use it as a service. A major reason for this is due to the existence of scams and hacking. Scams trick users into giving away their money to the maker of the scam or various misleading websites. One of the most popular scams is the ‘Nigerian Scam’ in which a supposed wealthy foreigner (whom tends not exist) who needs assistance moving a vast amount of money from his homeland and in return with reward the person with a percentage of the fortune. The scammer will then collect the victim’s bank and credit or debit information in order to steal their money. Here is an example of one of these scams:

(Source: http://www.snopes.com/fraud/advancefee/nigeria.asp)

Another form of scam that can be found online is the selling of false items. These scams will trick the victim into believing that they are legitimately purchasing an item online, however the scammer will take their money or bank/card information (which will later be used to steal from the victims bank account) and never send them the item which they believed they were buying. Here are some links to various scam stories which have appeared in the news:

• £4,000 lost in online Puppy scam (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-18968077)
• Woman duped out of £1,000 in online cat sale scam (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-16283527)
• Fans warned about online ticket scam (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12682515)
• Christmas tree farm website revealed as scam (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-20172672)

Hacking however is far more complicated than scamming. Instead of simply tricking you into parting with valuable bank, card and other such information they will hack into and steal it from your computer or the websites which you have given your information to (e.g. PayPal, eBay or Amazon). One way they are able to do this is by placing a keylogger (a program which tracks every key that is pressed) on the victim’s computer in order to steal passwords and other such information. This is commonly done by installing a keylogging Trojan via a virus or worm. However there are vast amounts of other ways in which computer hackers can acquire people’s information. The reason why all this information is so valuable is because online banking allows funds to be easily transferred by anybody with enough information (personal details of the account owner, card details, bank information, etc). For example if somebody were to find out a person’s PayPal information (email address and password) they could transfer hundreds or thousands of pounds to various different bank accounts.

Personal use of Online Banking -

Personally the only online banking service I use at the moment is PayPal. I use because it allows simple and easy money transfers to the majority of the larger online shopping sites such as Steam (a popular gaming service by a company named Valve) and Ebay (an online auctioning website). I use it to purchase various items and receive money from the online money making services I use, so far I have never been hacked or foolish enough to be tricked by a scam.

E-Government

Definition: ‘The employment of the Internet and the world-wide-web for delivering government information and services to the citizens.’ (United Nations, 2006; AOEMA, 2005) (Quote Source: Wikipedia).

E-Government provides internet users easy access to government information, aid and forms. People are now able to complete vital government documents such as vehicle licencing, censuses, tax and more, thus allowing for a more environmentally friendly (less tree shall need to be cut down to provide the vast amounts of government documents such as censuses therefore slightly less deforestation and pollution shall occur) and widely accessible form of government.

Gov.uk (https://www.gov.uk/) -

Gov.uk (a website which has replaced Directgov and Businesslink) is a website designed to provide the public with government information and services relevant to them and the areas in which they are living. The website bares the slogans ‘The new place to find government services and information’ and ‘Simple, clearer, faster’ thus indicating the apparent domination over its predecessors Directgov, Businesslink and other such sites. Its homepage directs users to various sections of the website via the use of links, these sections are as follows:

• Driving, transport and travel (Includes passports and car tax)

• Benefits (Includes tax credits and eligibility)

• Businesses and self-employed (Tools and guidance for businesses)

• Employing people (Includes pay, contracts and hiring)

• Education and learning (Includes student loans and admissions)

• Working, jobs and pensions (Includes holidays and finding a job)

• Housing and local services (Owning or renting and council services)

• Crime, justice and the law (Legal processes, courts and the police)

• Money and tax (Includes debt and Self Assessment)

• Births, deaths, marriages and care (Includes civil partnerships and Lasting Power of Attorney)

• Disabled people (Includes your rights, benefits and the Equality Act)

• Citizenship and life in the UK (Includes voting, how government works)

It is clear that this website makes full use of using the internet as a means to deploy large amounts of government information, services and more. Thus it is likely to strengthen the link between the government and the people of its country.

Police.uk (http://www.police.uk/) -

Police.uk is website created to inform English and Welsh civilians about crime in their local areas. Its homepage has a very simple layout, providing users with a search bar in which they can enter their address, postcode or place name in order to be provided with statistics about local crime found near to their location, police information and contact (local email and telephone number) and when and where the next public meeting is being held. Using this service I discovered that in September 2012, within 1 mile of my house there were 26 crimes reported which consisted of:

• 13 Anti-Social Behaviour Crimes

• 4 Burglaries

• 3 Criminal Damage And Arsons

• 2 Other Thefts

• 2 Vehicle Crimes

• 1 Violent Crime

•  1 Shoplifting

As well as this, the website provides links to external websites with information about police and crime commissioners, internet safety, fraud, preventing child abuse, domestic violence, business security, crimestoppers, neighbourhood watch, 101 (the police non-emergency number), volunteering in policing and links to individual UK police force websites. The information provided by Police.uk is extremely useful as it allows citizens to have a feel of what sort of crimes are expected to occur in their local area and may help when deciding where to buy new houses.

NHS Direct (http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/) -

The NHS is a UK based health care system (NHS stands for National Health Service). The website offers health advice, services and solutions to many of the problems. One of the most important sections on the website is ‘Check your symptoms’ which allows users to self-diagnose and establish what actions need to be taken. To make this possible it provides people with a choice of topic, A to Z and a body map with which to help find their problem, the topics are as follows:

• General Health

• Allergies

• Bleeding

• Children

• Dental

• Ear, Nose and Throat

• Head and Neck

• Injuries

• Mental Health

• Pains

• Pregnancy

• Sexual Health

• Skin

• Seasonal Health Advice