16 Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, February 20th, 1997 ADVERTISING FEATURE Lets go
C o m m u n i c a t i o n i s s t i l l t h e k e y t o all o f o u r l i v e s . . .
FOR many of us, getting a grip on Information Technolgy (IT) is confusing. The lan guage frightens us and the
jargon sounds unfamiliar. But IT needn’t be like this. You may not realise it, but you are probably already using some form of IT, for it covers everything from an automat ic cash dispenser or barcode scan ner at the supermarket to teletext
on your TV. As home computers grow in popularity, so does the Internet, with its rapid access to a world-wide network of infor mation at the touch of a button. Its army of devotees is growing all the time and so are the number of fax and mobile
phone users. But IT isn’t just about accessing infor mation, it can help speed up a whole range of ordinary, everyday tasks such as ordering tickets and paying bills. Home computers can play music and video, help us budget for bills and expenses, make learning fun, keep us in touch and much, much more. Communication via e-mail allows us to exchange electronic messages like let ters with friends or family in another city or even in another country. But e-mail is faster, as messages nor mally arrive in a matter or minutes regardless of distance. They are also cheaper - usually only the cost of a brief local phone call. In short, IT is there to make our lives easier. Whether you are young or old, a parent or a student, at work or at home,
Information Society Initiative IT for All
job-hunting or retired, learning a little more about IT can not only enhance your quality of life, it can make it more enjoyable and rewarding too. A recent Government survey showed that 84 per cent of the population have heard of the phrase “Information Tech nology” but only 15 per cent claimed to have a good understanding of it. The survey showed that we can be divided into groups. Firstly there are the “enthusiasts”, those people who have computers at home and are most likely to use them
for work. Then there are the “acceptors”, who like to keep up with technology and are fairly confident with their skills but per haps feel there is a little too much hype
IT for All
about IT. The “concerned” have mixed feelings about the effects of computerisation on society but are keen to learn more. However, they are worried that they won’t be able to learn and are afraid of making themselves look foolish. The “unconvinced” aren’t currently interested in new technologies or their apparent benefits. For example, they wouldn’t think of using the telephone for anything other than talking. They are not convinced that IT will have much effect on their life, good or bad. If any of this sounds familiar and you think you fall into either the “concerned” or “uncon vinced” categories, then IT for ALL is there for you.
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IT isn’t just about computers. It cov ers everything from an automatic
cash dispenser or barcode scanner at the supermarket to teletext on your
TV. 3
TO save time many banks now let you pay bills, transfer funds or get a
balance by calling in to the automatic tone dialling telephone service.
allow consumers to get the most up- to-date information. For instance, when a fax number is called at a motoring organisation, the fax at the other end can send specific details on car models.
IF you have a fax, FAXBACK num bers, offered by many advertisers,
4
FOR A FREE COPY OF THE GUIDE AND HOW IT CAN HELP YOU’ CALL 0800 456 567
And soon satellite technology will allow hand-held mobiles to communi cate directly from anywhere on earth.
5
MODERN communication tech nologies already keep you in touch with your family via mobile phones.
JARGON BUSTER: CD ROMS are compact discs for computers that contain multimedia information - pic
tures, words, music, speech and video. Each disk holds vast amounts of information, opening up new and exciting ways to learn about and expe rience many different topics.
6 7
NEWLY developed filtering soft ware lets only you decide what sort
of information your family computer has access to on the Internet.
TALKING is just one of the things you can do on a mobile phone.
Many phones can send and receive information. Rather like a pager or fax machine, you can send a thank-you note or request a record of your bank
balance.
FEAR of technology is fast becoming a thing of the past as Britain comes to terms with the way we receive information, increasing people s confidence in using Information Technology. IT is central to the Government’s Information
Society Initiative, representing a partnership between central and local government, indus try and the voluntary sector.
IT for All is a major new campaign which is ,
designed to create a better understanding of the benefits of information and communica
tion technologies in our everyday lives. Launched last December, the campaign will
raise awareness of IT as well as providing direct access and hands-on opportunities. According to Government research, while the UK is well placed in the international league of IT use, there are still many people who remain “concerned" or “unconvinced” about its bene-
^fT for All is reaching out to these groups with special programmes designed to increase both understanding and confidence. Everyone will
be given the opportunity to try out IT and over-
to make "interactive” choices using a hand-held controller. And it will also allow shows to be viewed in a widescreen format.
8 9
WITH high-quality digital broad casts TV viewers will soon be able
NEW technology being introduced in supermarkets is changing the
way we shop. As items are put in your
; trolley you scan them, recording the price with a hand-held device. At the checkout your scanner already holds
the bill. J
JARGON BUSTER: A modem is I U a small box or plug-in card that
lets your computer connect and “talk” to other computers over a phone line. This is how people access e-mail and the internet, which are set to revolu tionise the way we live our lives.
IT for All Is part of the Government’s Information Society Initiative, the strategy to build the Information Soci ety in the UK. It Is a new Initiative In which the Government is working in partnership with businesses and other organisations to take the mystery out of understanding and using informa tion and communication. ■ Full details can be found on. the IT
For All website at http//
www.ltfor-
all.gov.uk
come their “technophobia.” Information and communication technologies can be used to improve the quality of everyday
life.You only have to look at the way TV and telephones are used these days, It also speeds up and simpli fies the communication process, through home computers and the Internet, Over the next four years and into the millennium, Britain is set to become one of the world’s most technologically advanced and IT-literate nations.
partnership
THE range of partners supporting IT for All is broad - from building societies to high street retailers, from media and voluntary organisations to communica tion companies and software produc
ers. But they all have one thing in common
- their commitment to the growth of the Information Society. BT, for example, is making available Touchpoint kiosks that give you access to a range of interactive multimedia information and services. You can get the latest information on sport, news, weather and leisure facili ties, or the entertainment guide com plete with video clips of current top films. At Thomas Cook customers can now
laKing i n u i m u i n . w u i . . , . . - areessenuai iuiidi winU«.,u™.». . . 'knows exactly where she stands ; ; ; "I feel I need to go and learn about s'- |
o.'.'akM *
; when It comes to being a part of the . . . computers because they are every-, Information Society. The fact Is, she ~1J where,” says Pushvlnder, whose hue- * „ Pn«» office:"
,depends completely on the * - - akhatMA 0\9 InfAf*nt£ltlnn
M
enabling her to transmit pictures of T v have overcome their fear of turning' • : her young son to his grandparents in . . 0n the machine and started to experl- ■:
Canada at the click of a button. So • ‘ m0nt it’s not long before they realise j simple, It’s like they were Just. r - . . . .
around the corner!.(,/ -
;.v - y y ..u . wasabout.
t h e computer can actually help them ‘ . ; "end are wondering what all the fuss ;
find out everything at the touch of a but ton, thanks to state-the-art reservation
In partnership with Habitech, 1
Microsoft is visiting schools, demon- : strating the benefits of home computers and giving parents, teachers and chil dren the opportunity to ask the ques tions that most worry them. The Dixons Computer Bus takes the
ON TOUR: The computer bus
systems. Customers can also buy prod ucts and access important travel infor mation via touch-screen kiosks which the company has available in selected branches.
latest home computers out to schools and special events throughout the UK. Equipped with state-of-the-art comput ers, printers and educational software, the bus provides a hands-on technology forum. Dixons representatives are normally
on hand to provide expert advice and assistance. Introducing technology in such a fun
way proved popular throughout 1996 and the programme goes on this year.
Here's w h y the UK le a d s the w a y
ALREADY a world leader in telecom munications, broadcasting and multi-
media, the UK is set to become even more competitive in the marketplace through the Governments Information
Society Initiative. The Government’s Information Soci
ety Initiative Programme for Business r+Hnre ourarrl crhomoQ fnr innovative
business and creative applications of IT.
A national network of support centres
offers independent advice to local firms and provides opportunities for hands-on experience. Full details of the pro gramme are available from the info line (tel. 0345-15-2000) or web site (
http://www.isi.gov.uk) With more than
one computer for every 10 secondary school pupils, UK schools have among the world’s highest pupil-to-computer ratios anywhere in the world. The Edu
cation Departments’ Superhighways Ini tiative, which aims to raise the level of IT capability in schools, further education and teacher training is another important part of the Government strategy.
■ MARTINE McCUTCHE
alias barmaid Tiffany In EastEnders, helped laur the IT For All campaign, ing her hand at the Inter and looking for an EastE ders web site during t ceremony. “Too many people are afraid of technology because they are unawi of what Is out there,” sai Martine. “When you realise that; already use a great deai technology In everyday it seems to take the anx
Clither•oe A223U ( tia ito n a v ,
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