Module 2: Ethics and Law

Question:

      1. This is about the student handbook on computing for the students of Virginia University (Please surf for it). Read and understand their handbook .

     If you are to become a part of the VSU team who will formulate a handbook like that of Virginia University, give at least 2 policies that you want to be implemented in VSU or even just for CS students like you, regarding computing . Also include sanction or sort of punishment to those who will violate the said policy.

Answer:

        If I become a part of the VSU team who will formulate a handbook. The policies which i want to implement together with its sanctions are the following:

    Browsing or watching pornographic sites using the computing facilities of the University is strictly prohibited - the sanctions of this policy are oral warning to the student that he or she is engaging in misconduct by violating policies if first caught. Second caught, suspension on using computing equipments.

    Using computing facilities to harass others - the sanction of this policy is suspension which may lead on terminating the student status at the University for a specified period of time.

Question:

     2. According to the definition of ethics, it can be connected to the norms or custom of the society. What could be ethical to one could be unethical to another. If this is the case, in which ethics seem to be subjective in nature, why is there a need to study computer ethics at all? Support your opinion with facts.

Answer:

          There is a need to study computer ethics in order to avoid computer abuse. We tend to use computers in order to manage our important data in an organized way, to work on and execute various projects related to our respective fields, to access internet for its numerous uses, for example instant and vast information on almost any possible topic. However, because of the advancement of the said technology, some uses it in a wrong way, such as posting pornographic images and videos and harassing other people. Just like on the social networking site facebook, thus,  a vast of nude pix flooded on the said website which may lead on looking down their dignity.

Question:

      3. There are 4 types of non-jural law. Divine, natural, moral and physical. If you are to practice just one type of the non-jural law for the entire existence of your life, what would it be and why?

Answer:

           The non-jural law that I must to practice for the entire existence on my life is the Divine Law. Why? Because for me this law acts as the most important law in life among the rest. It is said that all other laws would fall under the divine law as it encompasses and governs not only human action but the whole universe as well.

          Thus, if we have to practice this law in our in life, this law gives idea on how we respect other people, knowing on what is right or wrong, and of course if we follow this we will be guided to the right way.

Type of Machine I want to be

           If I am a machine, I want to be a computer. As we all know a computer is a device that accepts information (in the form of digitalized data) and manipulates it for some result based on a program or sequence of instructions on how the data is to be processed.

          So why? It is because, for me computer is like human being in which it has major organs like heart and brain, and that is the CPU or the Central Processing Unit that acts like brain in the sense of storing information and manipulating it. It also acts like heart, thus, it has a so-called CPU clock that pumps instructions and data through the system every time it ticks.

        So if I relate this definition in my existence I can say that being a computer I can accept information, process it, giving information and of course storing it. For me, it is a powerful machine, thus I can help people on giving information based on what they want, they can trust me on sharing problems, caring their things, and if they don't mind they can trust me on saving their money. Same is true on storing data or information.

      

          Moreover, if I can be a computer machine. I say, it is fun. Thus, I can surf the whole world easily via internet. I can find a problem solution immediately. But, there is only one reason that I really love most, being a computer machine I don't have emotions to figure out. I can simply shut down every time I feel bad. And restart if I am now fine.

A program to promote moral values

          

          Being a computer science student is not so easy, because we need to follow the rampant growing of technology, and by that moral values must be also promoted. So as a Com Sci, I want to develop an information system program. And this information system program is all about on how to boost your moral values. It has featured techniques on developing their moral values, such as videos, exercises, and many more. This program has mission to build the courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit to every human beings.

          So, in favor on the course which I have taken right now. This program should tackle about morality behind the technology. Thus, software piracy, hacking, cyber sex, and posting pornography is ethically wrong. Why I am saying that those are precisely wrong? It is because that software piracy is the form of unauthorized copying of software. And it is defined that retail programs are licensed for use at just one computer site or for use by only one user at any time, you are allowed to make copies of the program for backup purposes, but it is against the law to give copies to friends and colleagues. Another thing also is hacking, we can say that hackers are clever programmer and it is someone who tries to break into computer systems. But we don't know that doing this such activity is morally wrong that is invading another's privacy and affairs without permission, and it could be the same as expertise to use, manipulate, and or steal. Thus, it is a form of theft to say the least. Cybersex and pornography are merely the same, it is because, for me it is the act of loosing dignity of anybody.

          In promoting the moral values, this program would have a lot of options in contrary to that unethical doings. So, in software piracy we have free to use software,by that we don't need to pay for a certain license, and a good example for that is using of Open Office instead of cracking a license of the Microsoft.Office. Next is hacking, why we have to use our knowledge in a wrong way? Thus, we should have to be more thankful to God that he gave that knowledge to us. Why we don't use that knowledge to spread more good information to the others, so that we can help such as problem solving, creating a web page, and many more. And on regards to the pornography and cybersex, the program would be featured a different kinds of entertainment such as educational entertainment, so that their knowledge, skills, and talent will be more developed.

Five years from now

          In regards to my standing today, I am hoping that I can finish my study on time. So that I can find a job to help my family from the crisis we've embraced. I hope to find a good partner for a longtime relationship, so I can feel on what love truly is. And also I am hoping that my future will be secured, and it should be in a right way.

         As a student I have different aspirations for my life it could be personal, professional, and financial. So, my personal aspiration is to have freedom for me to scan the world, having a travel to a different tourists spot in my beloved country. Treating myself to a different high class hotels, resorts and many more. A life full of learning and knowledge which i have used to makes others life better. And of course, I want to achieve most of my dreams while simultaneously earn the respect of the people around me. Next is the professional aspiration, thus I'd like to see myself wearing a nice and clean uniform, not in the sense of being a student still, but wearing a uniform which represent for a well known company, thus it also represent of having a stable work with the enjoyment for a big salary. By that, it should be related on what my degree course is. And lastly for the financial aspiration, for me this is the most ambitious aspiration that I may have, so, I just want to be honest with you guys, I want to be very rich, maybe you can say that I am so confident on saying that impossible thing. However, because of my situation today I just want to achieve it, cause I am tired on playing the life of poor, thinking on how to solve a different problems, and of course I would like my parents and family to have a comfortable life in the future.

         In regards to my hopes and aspirations five years from now, I wish that, it would be happened.