Criterion B

IT systems involved with music piracy are components such as the Internet, P2P networking, and programs. The Internet is a very important component when it comes to music piracy, because it’s the root method to illegal file and music sharing. Another important component, which is dependent of the Internet, is P2P (peer-to-peer) networks, this work by making use of the diverse connectivity between the people using the Internet, rather than using the traditional resources, where very little servers provide the core value to a service or application. These networks are useful for sharing purposes, which makes it easier for people to share music on the Internet. The programs, which are the gateway to accessing P2P networks, are very simple applications, which anyone can download for free from the Internet. All they do is just work with P2P networks and allow people to download and upload files on them.

There have been many technological developments that have lead to this IT system. For example, high speed Internet has helped a lot in developing file sharing, because people can now share their files from home at very high speeds, instead of waiting long periods of time like they used to with dial-up Internet! Also, the programs now are much safer to use, since they have much less viruses than you used to, so they are much more trusted now.

In the future, they will probably develop even faster Internet, where people can share their files and music at even faster rates. They will also probably develop better, safer, and more user friendly programs for people to share their files on P2P networks.

Criterion A

This portfolio addresses the widely spreading issue of music piracy and its effect on the music industry. An example of this issue in society today is that some universities are not allowing students from illegally downloading music.

The IT system involved with issue is the abuse of the Internet, and the file sharing programs that are open to everyone who has access to the Internet. This IT system is important to society because a great majority of the world’s population depends on the Internet for a lot of things, whether its business, school work, entertainment, communication, and a lot of other things.

Society is affected by this IT system in positive and negative ways. A positive social effect related to this is that people don’t have to pay money for their music, especially if they don’t agree with how they are priced. However, a negative ethical effect related to this issue is that musicians and record companies don’t get the money that they deserve for the work they have accomplished.

The future direction of people in society will be determined by the choices made about this issue, for example; if file-sharing programs such as torrent programs will be completely banned and blocked, it will be much harder for the average person to steal music.

Portofolio 1