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EUP 1501 SEMESTER 2 PORTFOLIO 2022
- Institution
- University Of South Africa
EUP 1501 SEMESTER 2 PORTFOLIO 2022
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EUP 1501SEMESTER 2
PORTFOLIO
2022
,63174219 EUP 1501 SEM 2 PORTFOLIO GINO LEE SWANEPOEL
Section A
Digital Divide in South Africa
The digital divide is a gap growing in our country. Technology is improving and guiding us into a fully digital society, replacing previous
ways of life. This change has divided the country into those who have access to technology and information and those who do not.
Below is my descending list of factors that contribute to the Digital Divide in South Africa.
1. Poverty
Most of South Africa lives in poverty and has a lack of basic needs, so the thought of having access to the internet or even a cell phone is a
luxury. The restriction to this access inhibits people from acquiring the skills needed to apply for employment so, they become stuck in their
impoverished low income bracket.
Solution:
Roll out free accessible Wi-Fi in rural areas. Especially at schools. The majority of rural schools are left behind, unable to cross the digital divide,
resulting in thousands of children not having the opportunity to experience enhanced learning. More low cost cellular devices should be made
available. This reduced cost of a mobile phone will make them less prone to be stolen.
2. Infrastructure
South Africa’s infrastructure lacks in comparison to the majority of our population who need access to the internet. A lot of the infrastructure that
gets laid down is also stolen. In our urban areas, network infrastructure like telecommunication towers, copper, optic and wireless networks are
available for people to easily access information from the internet.
Solution:
According to Telkom, ADSL access is only available over a copper line and the cost of this line is covered by the telephone rental line. ADSL
should be the most cost effective connection to the internet, but becomes a redundant system as most people do not use home telephones
anymore. We need to replace these copper lines with fibre optic cables. They are less likely to be stolen because they are made of plastic. Wi-Fi
spots can also be built where a lot of people gather. One Communications tower in a rural area will be better for the global community and more
effective to build than 10 towers in an urban area.
3. Cost
South Africa’s data and internet prices are high compared to other developing countries. The fact that most South Africans access the web
through their cell is a large contributing factor to this.
Solution:
Cellular data normally favours the higher income group. If you buy a larger data bundle, the cost per megabyte is cheaper than a smaller data
bundle. South Africa also pays way more for data, compared to other parts of the world. Cellular data is mostly one of the only options of internet
connection that is available to people who live in rural areas. A lack of infrastructure, cabling, and towers in rural areas means that cellular data is
the only option as opposed to fibre optic cable or ADSL. Cellular data providers need to lower their rates or come up with better reduced plans
and bundles for students, pensioners and people who fall into a low income bracket.
4. Illiteracy
The majority of websites on the internet are in English, this creates a divide as over half of South Africa’s populations mother tongue is not
English. This inhibits those users from using and/or accessing the internet properly.
Solution:
Translate.org.za (www.translate.org.za) is a website that has been set up to translate computer software into various official languages of South
Africa. This is the first project of The Zuza Software Foundation, a non-profit organisation aiming to promote development and open-source
software in Africa. A bigger effort should also be made in schools to teach basic computer skills and literacy especially in rural areas.
After reviewing the discussion board on the myunisa site, I did not get many replies on my submission but I analysed the replies made on a few of
the submissions I thought were similar to mine. I incorporated replies to these submissions by modifying my original post. I found that many
people listed infrastructure and education as their top priority. I viewed a lack of education as stemming from the devastating effects of poverty.
That is why I have kept Poverty as number one in my list. A lot of people had Age on their list but I still think it is of less importance than the points
I’ve mentioned so I did not include it.
References:
Bridging the digital divide in Africa | IT News Africa – Africa's Technology News Leader. 2018. Bridging the digital divide in Africa | IT News Africa –
Africa's Technology News Leader. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.itnewsafrica.com/2017/05/bridging-the-digital-divide-in-africa/. [Accessed 04
August 2018].
Bridging the Digital Divide in South Africa | Linux Journal. 2018. Bridging the Digital Divide in South Africa | Linux Journal. [ONLINE] Available
at: https://www.linuxjournal.com/article/5966. [Accessed 04 August 2018].
IOA. 2018. The digital divide in South Africa’s higher education sector: why public internet access is important in the context of tertiary education |
IOA. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.inonafrica.com/2017/08/07/digital-divide-south-africas-higher-education-sector-public-internet-access-
important-context-tertiary-education/. [Accessed 04 August 2018].
TechFinancials. 2018. Open Access Fibre Infrastructure: Can Help South Africa to Bridge the Digital Divide. [ONLINE] Available
at: https://techfinancials.co.za/2017/07/26/open-access-fibre-infrastructure-can-help-south-africa-to-bridge-the-digital-divide/. [Accessed 04
August 2018].
, 63174219 EUP 1501 SEM 2 PORTFOLIO GINO LEE SWANEPOEL
Section B
MY DEVICE:Notebook
REASON FOR DEVICE
Portability is the biggest reason for my choice of the Notebook. It allows me to do my work anywhere and makes for a more streamlined working
experience because of the lack of the need for essential external devices. Notebooks and laptops also use less energy than desktop PC’s..
FEATURES
• CPU - Preferably Core i9 but at least Core i5 • Built in quality webcam and microphone
• Minimum 8GB RAM • SSD Storage
• LED Back lit display • 10 hour battery life minimum
• Bluetooth • Wireless connectivity
• Lightweight & Thin • 15” screen
• USB Type-C Port • 2 in 1 with Touch Screen
APPLICATIONS
• Web Browsers: Chrome/Safari/Firefox • Office Suite: Word/Pages
• Operating system: Windows/MacOS • Music Streaming: Spotify/Apple Music
• Cloud Storage: Dropbox/Google Drive • Video Streaming: Netflix/Hulu
• Messaging: Skype/Facetime, Facebook • Email
Messenger/WhatsApp • Photo Editor: Photoshop
• Security: Norton Antivirus/McAfee • Adobe PDF reader
• Media Player: VLC/QuickTime/iTunes
FACTORS
Adaptability
High RAM will mean that I will be able to run multiple applications at the same time with a high level of performance. The 2 in 1 feature will also
let me use the notebook as a tablet at any moment, which gives more adaptability.
The use of cloud storage applications adapts the Notebook to have online storage which helps with the small disk space that most notebooks
have.
Leverage
Applications like Microsoft Word / Pages help create word documents very easily.
Most computer applications are very user friendly so it makes working on a computer a much more pleasant experience, which speeds up
productivity.
The portability of the notebook will mean that if wireless internet signal in your area is low, you will be able to move to an area that has better
signal.
Ease of mastery
With access to the internet through a web browser it is possible to master any aspect of your personal computer. Customisation of applications
and your user interface also makes the computer more personal and easier for your use. Almost all computers offer accessibility options to help
people with disabilities.
Accessibility
Notebooks are very affordable nowadays and are available for purchase at many different stores and online. The portability of notebooks with a
long battery life means that it will be easy to use the computer and access the internet from anywhere at any time. With cloud storage, all of my
files are also available on all of my devices at all times, even my mobile devices.
Affordability
The price of a new notebook starts at an average of R4000. Lightweight & thin notebooks are often more affordable. As performances features,
design and capability improves, so does the price. It is worth it to invest in a good quality computer, as it will last you much longer.
Participatory
User interfaces are very sophisticated now. They adapt to your every need and make the computing experience very streamlined and comfortable.
Great design compels users to interact more with the device and explore features of the computer they may not have tried/discovered previously.
There is almost always a “Help” tab or button in every application used on a computer. Participation has also become further engrained into the
security of the computer with fingerprint /retina scanning through a webcam becoming more common as a means of access.
Transferability
The USB Type-C port on a notebook is a great for transferring files at high speed and this type of port also supports electrical current so it can be
used to charge your notebook as well.
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Email can be used to easily and quickly transfer files and information from person to person.
The portability of the notebook means that information is more easily accessible though close range transfers like Bluetooth. It is also easier to
physically bring your laptop to your friend for instance, if they wanted to copy some information off of it.
Generative Capacity
Notebook hardware like RAM or Hard Disk/ SSD space is generally not as DIY upgradeable as Desktop hardware, but they can still be upgraded
easily at a store. The software (Windows/MacOS) however can be updated and upgraded from home and most of the time, for free. Applications
are also able to be purchased/installed or uninstalled/deleted by the user and they can be upgraded too, most of the times, automatically.
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