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I have a term paper to write.. I would like some suggestions please..

raystorm

raystorm

Diamond Member
Hello folks.. I have a 3000 word term paper that I have to write up within 3 weeks. Doing the research for it such as reading articles, going to websites..etc.. should be simple, but the hard part of this paper is choosing the software that I will write about. Here's what my term paper is supposed to be about:



Choose a currently used computer application or system for which malfunctions could have serious human or social consequences. Examples of such systems include those supporting medical diagnonsis, railroad or air traffic control...etc. Write a paper of 3000 words analyzing the chosen application or system in its social context. Describe the system or application and its intended uses and users. Examine the possible consequences of malfunction and the respective responsibility of software designers and programmers, on the one hand, and users (individual or organizational) together with public authorities, on the other hand. You should base your examination on recorded experience.


or


Write a paper of 3000 words on the side effects (unintended human or social consequences) of a currently used computer application or system. Describe the system or application and its intended uses and users. Characterized the unintended consequences and explain how they come about. You should base your examination on recorded experience.


I have to choosed one of them. Doing the required research and writing isn't a problem.. choosing the application or system is. Can anyone offer some suggestions?? I mean.. can you name some programs, applications or systems I can write about? Stuff that is widely used and important and also has broken down or glitched causing major problems??

Thanks for any who offer suggestions!

...and don't say Windows!! 🙂
 
ATMs, credit cards and the like might be good - I know that if Commerce's ATMs went down I'd be SOL. I only use cash like once in a blue moon sometimes. This subject could work in either of your choices, too. Just look at the debts some people carry because they use so many credit cards - soething that probably wouldn't have happened had they not been around.

Nate
 
The banking system in general. Should the computers that control that go down, and there are no backups, hell will come to earth.
 
Originally posted by: MacBaine
Air traffic control software.
Click to expand...

ohhhhh. That does sound very interesting. Could talk about both civilian and military as well.
 
Choose a currently used computer application or system for which malfunctions could have serious human or social consequences. Examples of such systems include those supporting medical diagnonsis, railroad or air traffic control...etc. Write a paper of 3000 words analyzing the chosen application or system in its social context. Describe the system or application and its intended uses and users. Examine the possible consequences of malfunction and the respective responsibility of software designers and programmers, on the one hand, and users (individual or organizational) together with public authorities, on the other hand. You should base your examination on recorded experience.
Click to expand...

How about SETI? Imagine what would happen if something went wrong and they found a signal from an alien world which actually wasn't? Crazy.

Write a paper of 3000 words on the side effects (unintended human or social consequences) of a currently used computer application or system. Describe the system or application and its intended uses and users. Characterized the unintended consequences and explain how they come about. You should base your examination on recorded experience.
Click to expand...

Evercrack? Do a whole computer addiction thing...



I'm trying to give you unique ideas. Chances are 40% of the class will do some kind of medical software, 25% will do financial stuff, and 25% will do some kind of air traffic thing.
 
oooohh... air traffic control software and banking software... mmm.. any of you know of a name of a specific ATC or banking software??

Thanks for suggestions!! keep them coming!! I would like to give my professor a list of software programs and make a final choice by wednesday.. I very much appreciate the comments!
 
You know Silverpig... you are the second person to say Everquest!! I am very seriously thinking about this!!! It would be a very unique thing to write about!!! Should earn some nice extra points just for originality!!
 
It's definitely a good idea IMO. I've never played the game, nor do I know anyone who has gotten addicted, but there are stories upon stories of people losing their jobs, failing school, probably even of losing their husband/wife because of that game.
 
Originally posted by: silverpig
It's definitely a good idea IMO. I've never played the game, nor do I know anyone who has gotten addicted, but there are stories upon stories of people losing their jobs, failing school, probably even of losing their husband/wife because of that game.
Click to expand...


I'm gonna gather up some info on some of these incidents regarding Everquest and present them to my professor and hopefully he'll approve it. If he approves, this could be the first term paper I am actually looking forward to write! 🙂
 
20/20 or 60 minutes, one of those shows had a big thing not long ago on Everquest and how it ruins lives. You could get the transcript for that i'm sure or find info from their sites.
 
Write a paper of 3000 words on the side effects (unintended human or social consequences) of a currently used computer application or system. Describe the system or application and its intended uses and users. Characterized the unintended consequences and explain how they come about. You should base your examination on recorded experience.
Click to expand...

everquest
 
Originally posted by: raystorm
Originally posted by: silverpig
It's definitely a good idea IMO. I've never played the game, nor do I know anyone who has gotten addicted, but there are stories upon stories of people losing their jobs, failing school, probably even of losing their husband/wife because of that game.
Click to expand...


I'm gonna gather up some info on some of these incidents regarding Everquest and present them to my professor and hopefully he'll approve it. If he approves, this could be the first term paper I am actually looking forward to write! 🙂
Click to expand...
Only problem is that you'll start playing the game -- for research of course! -- then get addicted and never finish the paper.

It's why I never started that term paper on shooting heroin.
 
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