The processes of informatization and computerization of society continue to be one of the most important social tasks aimed at the development of modern society and man. However, computerization and informatization - what is it? Why do some people confuse them? These two concepts are very similar, but continue to exist independently of each other.
Computerization
To understand the difference, let's start our consideration of the issue with a narrower concept. Indeed, the informatization of society is a process that includes a whole set of procedures and activities, including computerization.
So, computerization.
- Basically, this is the process of introducing and spreading electronic computers in all aspects of human life.
- The process that characterizes the spread of computer technology in all sectors of production and economy.
- The introduction of computers in the economic field.
As you can understand, this process is inextricably linked with IT-technologies and their distribution. Thus, it is clear that the computerization process is narrower and more specific than informatization. What is it - we will consider further.
History
Before introducing the definition of informatization, let's find out the origin of this word, or rather, what it means in the general sense. It is worth mentioning right away that informatization is a rather specific concept that is characteristic of countries such as Russia and China. Despite the fact that the process of computerization in them went quite fast steps, separate structures with working computers remained isolated, and only specialists could work with them. Informatization is also a concept that appeared as a result of the lack of a sufficient number of terms and definitions in the society’s dictionary. In this regard, the lack of communication between computerized nodes and society became a brake on the development of the community.
The concept
Informatization is a process, policy, organizational measures aimed at improving the telecommunication system, which combines independent, territorially fragmented information resources. This process is based on cybernetic methods and automated controls. Informatization is a consequence of the development of information technology and the technological method of production in the post-industrial. The need for this process is determined by the craving of any person for self-improvement and knowledge of the world.
Informatization of society
Informatization is not only and not so much a technical process as a social and cultural one. This is due to the development and growth of living standards of the population. As well as changing conditions, needs, aspects of the existence of a single individual. The process of informatization is aimed at facilitating the existence of each person, eliminating computer illiteracy, and improving skills in using information technologies. For example, installing a terminal to pay utility bills is a computerization. But its installation in conjunction with the conduct of courses (training seminars) on its use is already informatization.
Goals
Any social or cultural process should have a goal. In our case, the goal of informatization is to redirect the driving forces of society to the production of information products and services, rather than production ones. In the information society, knowledge and skills aimed at working with information technologies are of great value. Free time becomes an end in itself. To achieve the goals, the material and technical base is changing, control and automated information systems that are created and developed on the basis of computer technologies and networks go to key places. The most sought after by people is intelligence.
Computerization in Informatization
Since informatization is an aggregate and versatile process, some aspects can be highlighted in it. Computerization is a key component. On a computer base, the whole society and systems are developing. Since informatization remains the engine of progress in society, the need for computerization of society will always remain relevant.
To ensure the availability of computer technology, new multimedia tools are being developed every day, as well as simplified interfaces for interacting with the user.
The main sources of communication in modern society are public networks and the Internet. Programs are being implemented to ensure accessibility to a free connection, which allows each person to access the information system at any time.
In the information society, each person can be assessed by the level of information culture. The degree of development in this direction depends on the following parameters:
- The presence of knowledge about the information structure, as well as about the device of a personal computer and software.
- The ability to model and solve problems using a computer.
- Print speed and PC interaction.
- Work with office programs, not toys.
- Ability to work with databases.
- The ability to work with information on the network.
- The ability to observe decency, ethics when communicating on the Internet.
These parameters make it possible to evaluate a person how ready he is for the further process of informatization and the development of society.
And in conclusion, it must be mentioned that informatization is not only positive. Under the guise of "truthful" information, various "garbage" in the form of advertising is presented to the population. Politicians are fighting for power with the help of black PR, and international relations have reached a new level by waging a new type of war - information.