Ch.11 RQs

2. What are the major components of the modern automated company?
-Robots
-Computers
-Web Cameras
-Web Displays


3. How has the evolution of the automated office paralleled the evolution of the computer?
As the evolution of computers developed to a point where there were personal computers, the automated office grew to include these computers, thereby making it more efficient.


4.What are the advantages and disadvantages of telecommuting from the point of view of the worker and management?


Worker
Advantage
-More flexible schedule
-Saving time in commuting
-Saving commuting costs
-Increase of productivity


Disadvantage
-Distractions
-Lack of communications between co-workers
-Lack of proper office equipment


Management
Advantage
-Can hire a wider range of suitable employees
-Don't have to worry about being sued for office injuries 
-Don't have to pay as much for office equipment


Disadvantage
-Hard to manage the output of a worker
-Hard to hold meetings
-Hard to give deserving personnel promotions if they are not visible to them


6. What is de-skilling? Up-skilling?
De-Skilling is when a job is transformed so that it requires less skill.
Ex: Cash registers in fast-food restaurants placing labeled buttons that automatically calculate price of desired item.


Up-Skilling is when a job is transformed so that it requires more skill.
Ex: Clerics who have to become more technical as offices adopt spreadsheets, databases, email systems, etc.


7. List several controversies surrounding the electronic sweatshop.
- Workers experience health problems 
- Wages are low
- Poor working conditions
- Female Minorities are taken advantage of as they make up the largest employee base in sweatshops


8. Why is education critical to our future as we automate more jobs?
In today's jobs nearly always require computer education, and computer use is further increasing. If the future workers don't have any computer education, the country will be surpassed by all other countries who have workers who do have the education, as they will be more productive.


15. List several ways people us home computers.
-Research for school essays
-Running home businesses
-Home Management
-Entertainment


16. What are Smart-Cards? How are they used?
A smart card is a plastic card with a built-in microprocessor, used typically for electronic processes such as financial transactions and personal identification.