Antonio Dávila

Wireless connections via telephone and computer are enabling us to become increasingly mobile in our computing. The wireless world creates opportunities for a variety of new applications and information systems, one of which is locational computing. A global positioning system (GPS) gives your geographic position anywhere in the world. Integrate GPS with a cell phone, notebook computer, or handheld computer and you have some very interesting and controversial systems. Being geographically connected has obvious advantages, but it has its downside, mainly the threat to personal privacy. If you are equipped with an integrated GPS and wireless Internet connection and you access a Web site, that Web site has information on who you are and where you are. This opens up many possibilities. For example, your cell phone might beep you when you are near a particular restaurant and offer you a free dessert with any entrée. If you volunteer your whereabouts, you could create a locational “buddy list” such that each person on the list would know the whereabouts of the others. You could even ask the system to notify you if two or more of your friends are gathered at your favorite pub.
•    Discussion: Would you give up your locational privacy for the prospects of geographically targeted promotions, such as retail coupons or unsolicited information that might be applicable to a person with your interests?
•    Discussion: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a locational buddy list.
•    Discussion: Speculate on other applications of locational computing and discuss their impact on personal privacy.

Plagiarism, more specifically term-paper fraud, has been a problem in higher education throughout this century. However, only during the past few years have for-sale term papers on every common subject been showcased to the world, made readily available over the Internet, and spread over campus networks. Students purchase these papers hoping to pass them off as originals. Typically, they will use a variety of software tools to add a personal touch to these recycled papers.
Many sites on the Internet offer “term-paper assistance” in a variety of topic areas. One site has both off-the-shelf and custom term-paper services, inviting students to “Get a brand-new paper written from scratch according to your exact specifications. Click here.” Some states have passed laws prohibiting the sale of prefabricated term papers. However, term-paper mills circumvent these laws by stating that the intended purpose of their term papers is that they be used as models that students can use during the preparation of their own term papers.
•    Discussion: Is plagiarism a problem on your campus? If so, how big a problem?
•    Discussion: What can students do to help deter plagiarism and encourage academic honesty? What can college administrators do? What can professors do? What can government do?
•    Discussion: Do students who plagiarize the work of others rob themselves of the knowledge and experience they gain from writing a well-developed paper? Explain.

Many companies involved in e-commerce build and maintain user profiles so they can use their information systems to better target their marketing efforts. They gather information about you through your interaction with their site and, often, from other sources. A recent report concluded that profiling is becoming more extensive and marketing techniques are becoming more intrusive. Most major Web sites post their “Privacy Policy” but if you read it closely, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your personal information is safe; it just means that they have a policy.
•    Discussion: Generally, these privacy policy statements place no limit on the amount of information that can be gathered and maintained on you or anyone else. Should there be limitations? Justify your answer.
•    Discussion:  Some sites gather and sell information about you. If you have surfed pornography sites, done some online gambling, spent time at the Alcoholics Anonymous site, or requested information on HIV, then that interest may have been added to someone’s profile on you. Someone might even sell that information to others. Discuss the ethical considerations of selling personal information gathered over the Internet.

Legislation has been passed that is aimed at curtailing “cybersquatting.” Cybersquatters register Internet domain names that are similar to well-known trademarks, such as Ford, Sony, or Microsoft. In the past, many companies pursuing e-commerce have had to purchase registered domain names from someone who had the foresight to register enticing names that imply affiliation with an organization and/or include a company or product’s name within the domain name (for example, Microsoft-technology.com). The practice of cybersquatting has made many people millionaires.
•    Discussion:  Some would argue that cybersquatting plays on a company’s trademark name or that it is unethical. Others say that cybersquatters are simply imaginative entrepreneurs taking full advantage of business opportunities. Where do you stand on this issue and why?
•    Discussion:  Most common words in the dictionary are registered as Internet domain names. Cybersquatters are not interested in creating Web sites with these names. They simply register the names, then hope that someday, some company will pay them for the right to use its name. Discuss the ethics of wholesale domain name registration of common words.

The Internet, with everything from e-commerce to gaming, has emerged as the centerpiece in the lives of many people; but is it addictive? People who study this issue believe that Internet addiction is as real as alcoholism. People will spend time on anything that is fun to do, but many in the medical community have observed that some people have moved past fun to clinical addiction.

These people are said to have Internet addiction disorder (IAD). People with this disorder often lose control and crave surfing the Internet, much as a smoker craves a cigarette. Numerous cases have been reported where the Internet was blamed for broken marriages, students dropping out of school, and even illnesses that result in hospital stays. Although most are addicted to the Internet in general, many are addicted to a particular facet of the Net, such as C2C auctions, multiplayer gaming, pornography, or instant messaging.  It’s ironic, but people with IAD often use the Internet to help them cope with their disorder. Some seek out online IAD support groups. Addicts routinely confess their addiction on the Internet.
•    Discussion: Have you seen any evidence of Internet addiction disorder (IAD)? If so, describe what you perceive to be the symptoms.
•    Discussion: Is it possible for someone to become addicted to the Internet in a clinical sense? If so, what, if anything, can you do to help someone who has IAD? How can a college help? An employer?

Internet usage monitoring at the workplace has revealed what many workers already know, at least some of the Internet surfing is not job related (more than half at the U.S. Internal Revenue Service). Most of this surfing is treated much like nonbusiness telephone calls, such as a call home or to confirm a doctor’s appointment. However, management is getting involved when abuse is extensive or “inappropriate” material is viewed or downloaded on company PCs. Although corporate policy on such actions may be nonexistent or unclear, some people are losing their jobs.
•    Discussion:  What would be appropriate punishment, if any, for an employee who, against company policy, downloaded and kept “inappropriate” material on his or her PC?
•    Discussion: What punishment is appropriate for an employee who abuses his or her Internet connection by doing non-job-related surfing at least one hour per day?

Much has been made in the news about ever-growing digital divide that heretofore has been described primarily along racial lines. The divide refers to the disparity between groups of people who have computers and access to the Internet and those who do not. Politicians have presented the digital divide as a disparity between races generally white and African American.  A comprehensive study, however reveals that the digital divide is not so much an issue of race, but of economics. A very high percentage of those with the money to buy PCs and be online make the cyber investment. Those without funds do not have that option.
•    Discussion: What can be done about the digital divide? Explain.
•    Discussion: Universal access to the Internet is stated as a goal of many politicians, what are the approaches to achieve this universal access given that only 70% of the population can afford PCs or Internet appliances in their homes.

There has been considerable debate in the cyber community among organizations that set policy for the Internet about whether these organizations should provide some level of moral filtering of Web site content and applications. For example, one site published the names of British Intelligence agents, thus putting their lives at risk. Another lists doctors who perform abortions, then crosses them off as they are killed. Then, of course, there is the issue of easily accessible pornography, which currently comprises 1.5% of Internet content.
•    Discussion: What role, if any, should be played by Internet policy-making organizations regarding the assessment of the Internet content and applications?
•    Discussion: If possible, should cooperative international legislation be enacted to better control access to pornographic content on the Internet?

Marketers continue to search for better ways to reach customers via Internet advertising. One company has introduced a technology that marketers can use to advertise their products and services within your personal e-mail messages. It works like this: your mails are intercepted at the mail server and then wrapped with advertising content. In theory, the advertising will be tailored to the individual receiving the e-mail based on his/her demographic profile. Marketers are hoping that e-mail recipients will continue to open personal mail and, whether they like it or not, read the advertisements, as well.
•    Discussion: Internet companies have found it necessary to integrate advertising within their services.  Is this approach to Net advertising justified given the current economic climate of Internet commerce?
•    Discussion: Is this approach more or less pleasant that spam to the e-mail community? Why?