Information Processes and Technology
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Ownership and control of data
This activity addresses aspects of the following syllabus outcome:
Outcome
H3.1 Evaluates and discusses the effects of information systems on the individual, society and the environment.
Extract from the Stage 6 Information Processes and Technology Syllabus, © Board of Studies, NSW, 2007.
Introduction
This unit presents a case study of the Napster information system and explores the effect of this system on the individual, society and the environment.
Napster relies on communication via “peer to peer” technology between the personal computers amongst registered Napster members. The company does not post, host or serve MP3 (digital music files). It is a protocol for sharing files. Napster combines a real time system for finding MP3's with chat rooms and instant messaging.
Visit Roger Clarke's
website (previously ANU) 
website to develop a concept about Napster as a
computer-based information system and then answer the following questions.
Questions
- Describe Napster.
- Identify the purpose, environment, participants, data/information and information technology.
- Describe “peer-to peer technology” or distributed computing and explain how the Napster file-sharing system works.
- Define the term copyright.
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the Napster system on:
- the individual
- society
- the environment
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