ICT KNOWLEDGE

ChatGPT

ChatGPT is an AI-powered language model developed by OpenAI. It’s capable of generating human-like text based on context and past conversations. It’s a version of the GPT model that’s been fine-tuned and optimized to generate human-like text based on the input it receives, making it ideal for chatbot applications.

ChatGPT can be used for a variety of tasks such as teaching negotiation, planning trips, drafting thank-you notes, explaining code, training for a marathon, translating recipes, ranking dog breeds for a small apartment, planning fun dinner parties, and much more.

You can now show ChatGPT images and start a chat. For example, you can troubleshoot why your grill won’t start, explore the contents of your fridge to plan a meal, or analyze a complex graph for work-related data. You can also create images simply by describing them in ChatGPT.

ChatGPT is available on the web, iOS, and Android. There are different plans available, including a free plan and a Plus plan for $20 per month that gives access to GPT-4 (their most capable model), chat with images, voice and create images. You can find more information on the OpenAI website.

Do’s and Don’ts of the Workplace Rules Everyone Should Follow

 

The Do’s

  1. Do arrive early. 
  2. Do be willing to help a co-worker.
  3. Do jump at the chance to complete a new task. 
  4. Do dress appropriately for the office.
  5. Do be flexible. 

 

The Don’ts

  1. Don’t have personal conversations at your desk. 
  2. Don’t bring your emotions into the office. 
  3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. 
  4. Don’t be nervous, but also don’t overstep your boundaries.
  5. Don’t forget that at work socials, you’re still at work. 

 

 

 

What is 5G

5G is the 5th generation mobile network. It is a new global wireless standard after
1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. 5G enables a new kind of network that is designed to
connect virtually everyone and everything together including machines, objects, and
devices.


5G wireless technology is meant to deliver higher multi-Gbps peak data speeds,  ultra
low latency , more reliability, massive network capacity, increased availability, and a
more uniform user experience to more users. Higher performance and improved
efficiency empower new user experiences and connects new industries.
What are the differences between the previous generations of
mobile networks and 5G?


The previous generations of mobile networks are 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G.
First generation - 1G
1980s: 1G delivered analogue voice.
Second generation - 2G


Early 1990s: 2G introduced digital voice (e.g. CDMA- Code Division Multiple
Access).


Third generation - 3G
Early 2000s: 3G brought mobile data (e.g. CDMA2000).
Fourth generation - 4G LTE


2010s: 4G LTE ushered in the era of mobile broadband.
1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G all led to 5G, which is designed to provide more connectivity
than was ever available before 5G is a unified, more capable air interface. It has
been designed with an extended capacity to enable next-generation user
experiences, empower new deployment models and deliver new services.
With high speeds, superior reliability and negligible latency, 5G will expand the
mobile ecosystem into new realms. 5G will impact every industry, making safer
transportation, remote healthcare, precision agriculture, digitized logistics — and
more — a reality.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

The meaning of Information Technology & Communication
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is the use of computing and
telecommunication technologies, systems and tools to facilitate the way information is
created, collected, processed, transmitted and stored. It includes computing technologies
like servers, laptop computers and software applications.

History and Evolution of ICT

The concept of ICT can be traced back to the 19th century with the development of the
telegraph and the telephone. These two inventions revolutionized the way people worked
and interacted socially by making it possible for one person to communicate with another
person in a different location in real or near-real time. 
Information and communication technology includes a wide range of information,
telecommunication and support tools and services that work together to facilitate.

This includes: 

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JAVA

What is Java?

It is owned by Oracle, and more than 3 billion devices run Java.

It is used for:

Why Use Java?

 

Java Install

Ref : www.w3schools.com/

Differences Between Macs and PCs

1. User

One thing that both Mac and Windows PC fans have in common is passion for the brands themselves. Get a diverse group of computer users together and introduce the subject of Macs versus PCs and watch the sparks fly! Mac users will bring up concepts like security, usability and design. PC owners will counter with price, software compatibility and choice. It can get really ugly really fast (but it's fun to watch).

In 2011, an unscientific online study showed that the popular "Get a Mac" ads from the 2000s featuring John Hodgman and Justin Long as a PC and a Mac, respectively, were generally accurate representations of their stereotypes. Hodgman's PC was the boring, all-business machine, while Long's Mac was the more fun and creative computer.

Although Windows PC users often bring up the so-called "Apple tax" — Apple computers generally appear to cost more than PCs on store shelves, it appears that Apple computers, phones and tablets have become a sort of status symbol. Owning an iPhone or wearing AirPods says something about you.

For one reason or another, it looks like perception and politics will continue to play roles in the choice of devices to buy for years to come.

2. Operating System

The operating system has been a long-standing difference between Mac and PC; currently, Mac computers are preinstalled with the latest version of Mac OS, while most PCs come with the latest Microsoft Windows. In the 2000s and 2010s, Apple's computers used Intel's processors, which let consumers run both Mac OS and Windows on their machines. This was especially helpful for people who needed both operating systems for their daily work.

Apple upended that model in the 2020s, however, with the advent of its M1 processor. As of this writing, Windows will not run on these machines, forcing consumers to choose between the two — or buy one of each. But while Apple is moving away from Windows compatibility, it is moving toward compatibility with its own popular mobile devices running iOS and iPad OS. Apple's processor plans may make it possible to run the same apps on computers as it runs on higher-powered tablets and phones.

Windows, of course, runs on computers and tablets, but it dropped its dedicated phone OS in 2017 in favor of Windows Mobile. Microsoft is unlikely to let Google and Apple have all the fun, though, and will continue finding ways to operate between computers, tablets and phones. The Microsoft Surface, a PC with a slim, light and tablet-like form factor is proof of that.

3.Choice

Perhaps the most obvious difference between a Mac and a PC is the number of configurations available for each brand. Currently, Apple offers just five computer lines: the MacBook Air, the MacBook Pro, the Mac mini, the iMac and the Mac Pro. Even if each configuration of these models is counted individually, as of this writing Apple only offers 20 unique computers. This limited selection is not a sign of weakness, but a part of the company's "less is more" approach to marketing.

PCs, on the other hand, come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Consumer Reports reviews 12 distinct brands of Windows-based computers, including familiar names such as Acer, Asus, Dell, Gateway, HP, Hyundai, Lenovo and Samsung, each offering numerous configurations of desktop and laptop models. Many consumers see this large selection as a benefit because they're more likely to find a computer that meets their exact needs.

4.Price

One of the most frequently cited differences between Macs and PCs is price. Few Mac products sell for less than $1,000, while there are many PC models that fall within that price range. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that Macs are more expensive than PCs with similar specifications. Rather, in general, Apple has chosen to build its Mac line around higher-end computers with better — and more costly — components. The company has said on many occasions that it can make less-expensive computers, but that would affect the customer experience and Apple won't allow that.

The problem with comparing prices between Macs and PCs is that the computers are rarely comparable. Even if you did find two computers with the same processor speed, RAM, hard-drive capacity, graphics, memory, number of USB ports, and so on, each machine would be preinstalled with vastly different software packages. The user may have to purchase additional software for whatever computer he or she chooses, like a virus program for a PC or Microsoft Office for a Mac. The bottom line is this: The relative value of a Mac or PC really depends on the consumer's needs.

If you just need a computer to perform basic functions like web surfing or word processing, it might be hard to justify buying a Mac. There are plenty of PC choices out there that are less expensive. This is where Linux fans can chime in — even someone unfamiliar with the Linux operating system can buy a cheap computer, install a simple Linux distribution and access basic computer functions. And this also explains the jump in Chromebook sales, as they're inexpensive computers meant to handle everyday tasks.

 5. Design

One of the most frequently cited differences between Macs and PCs is price. Few Mac products sell for less than $1,000, while there are many PC models that fall within that price range. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that Macs are more expensive than PCs with similar specifications. Rather, in general, Apple has chosen to build its Mac line around higher-end computers with better — and more costly — components. The company has said on many occasions that it can make less-expensive computers, but that would affect the customer experience and Apple won't allow that.

The problem with comparing prices between Macs and PCs is that the computers are rarely comparable. Even if you did find two computers with the same processor speed, RAM, hard-drive capacity, graphics, memory, number of USB ports, and so on, each machine would be preinstalled with vastly different software packages. The user may have to purchase additional software for whatever computer he or she chooses, like a virus program for a PC or Microsoft Office for a Mac. The bottom line is this: The relative value of a Mac or PC really depends on the consumer's needs.

If you just need a computer to perform basic functions like web surfing or word processing, it might be hard to justify buying a Mac. There are plenty of PC choices out there that are less expensive. This is where Linux fans can chime in — even someone unfamiliar with the Linux operating system can buy a cheap computer, install a simple Linux distribution and access basic computer functions. And this also explains the jump in Chromebook sales, as they're inexpensive computers meant to handle everyday tasks.

What are Radio Frequency bands and its uses?

What are Radio Frequency bands and its uses?

What is Radio Frequency?
RF is the lowest portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, familiar as a
medium of analog and modern digital wireless communication systems. It
spreads in the range between 3 kHz and 300 GHz. All known transmission
systems work in the RF spectrum range, including analog radio, aircraft
navigation, marine radio, amateur radio, TV broadcasting, mobile networks,
and satellite systems. Let’s take a look at each of the Radio Frequency
bands and their uses.


Extremely Low Frequency (ELF)
Frequency starting from 3Hz to 3 kHz is known as Extremely Low
Frequency or ELF range in the electromagnetic spectrum. According to
IEEE band designation, these ranges are divided into three sub-bands:
ELF – Extremely Low Frequency, ranging from 3Hz to 30Hz.
SLF– Super Low Frequency, ranges from 30 to 300Hz.
ULF – Ultra Low Frequency, ranging from 300 to 3000Hz (3 KHz).
This range is highly vulnerable to disturbance and easily distorted by
atmospheric changes. Designing a system in this range is challenging
because the larger wavelengths require long antennas, which are
practically impossible to achieve.
Scientists use this frequency band in seismic studies to understand natural
activities in the Earth’s atmosphere and communication with submarines.

Very Low Frequency (VLF)

Very Low Frequency is the starting range of RF and practical radio
transmission systems which span from 3 kHz to 30 kHz. However, the
design and implementation of the antenna system are extremely
complicated due to the wavelength.
It has been used in submarines and still using in time radio stations which
synchronizes clock signals between two remote locations.


Low Frequency (LF)
Low frequency is in the range of 30 kHz to 300 kHz. One of the important
properties of LF signals is that they will get reflected by the earth’s
ionosphere and thus, it is suitable for long-distance communication. Since
it’s a long wavelength and less attenuation from big terrains like mountains,
it is generally called a ground wave.
Amateur radio operators use low-frequency signals; it is one of the most
important sources of information transfer when another kind of
communication source fails during some situations like natural disasters.
Other areas are military applications like submarines, RFID tags in near-
field communication, and some low-frequency radio broadcasting.


Medium Frequency (MF)
Medium frequency was one of the most popular frequency bands since the
beginning of wireless radio transmission in the early nineteenth century. MF
operates in the range of 300 kHz to 3 MHz.  The transmitters, receivers,
and antenna design is relatively less complex than other high-frequency
transmission bands.
Medium Frequency has been widely used in AM radio transmission,
navigation systems for ships and aircraft, emergency distress signals, coast
guards, and other experimental applications.

High Frequency (HF)

High-frequency signals range between 3 MHz and 30 MHz. This frequency
band is also known as a short wave. It also gets reflected by the earth’s
ionosphere, and it is one of the suitable bands for long-distance
communication.

Conclusion
RF is a broad spectrum, and many of its characteristics have not been
experimented with yet. It has a lot of possibilities in medical applications
like MRI technology (even up to 12 Tesla for medical research),
seismography, and oceanic studies. RF transceivers are significant
components in interplanetary missions such as the Mars exploration. Our
future digital communication systems may rely on high-frequency bands of
the RF spectrum since they can support higher bandwidth

VoIP Advantages and Disadvantages (IP phone)

VoIP Advantages
Being VoIP providers ourselves at Nextiva, it would be fair to say we know a thing or
two about VoIP. Here’s a detailed guide to its pros and cons:
 Lower costs
 Increased accessibility
 Complete portability
 Higher scalability
 Advanced features for small and large teams
 Clearer voice quality
 Supports multitasking
 More flexibility with softphones
VoIP Disadvantages
Here are the downsides associated with the VoIP service you need to be aware of:
 Needs a reliable internet connection
 Susceptible to network jitter
 Limited location tracking for emergency calls
 Compatibility issues with some traditional alarm systems
 Security concerns

E-Waste & its Negative Effects on the Environment

Electronic waste, also known as e-waste, is any electronic product, or product containing
electronic components, that has reached the end of its usable life cycle. Unbeknownst to
many consumers, electronics actually contain toxic substances - therefore they must be
handled with care when no longer wanted or needed. If a product is outdated, consumers
can donate it to someone who might still find it valuable. Many retailers also offer trade-in
programs or incentives for people looking to upgrade electronics that require the surrender
of an older model; the retailers are able to reuse or repurpose the older models. However, if
a product is totally unusable or broken, instead of just being thrown in the garbage, it must
be thrown away by a certified e-waste hauler or recycler, or taken to a designated drop-off at
a government building, school or organization as e-waste can potentially cause harm to
humans, animals and the global environment if disposed of improperly.
The consequences of improper e-waste disposal in landfills or other non-dumping sites pose
serious threats to current public health and can pollute ecosystems for generations to come.
When electronics are improperly disposed and end up in landfills, toxic chemicals are
released, impacting the earth’s air, soil, water and ultimately, human health.
The Negative Effects on Air
Contamination in the air occurs when e-waste is informally disposed by dismantling,
shredding or melting the materials, releasing dust particles or toxins, such as dioxins, into
the environment that cause air pollution and damage respiratory health. E-waste of little
value is often burned, but burning also serves a way to get valuable metal from electronics,
like copper. Chronic diseases and cancers are at a higher risk to occur when burning e-
waste because it also releases fine particles, which can travel thousands of miles, creating
numerous negative health risks to humans and animals. Higher value materials, such as
gold and silver, are often removed from highly integrated electronics by using acids,
desoldering, and other chemicals, which also release fumes in areas where recycling is not
regulated properly. The negative effects on air from informal e-waste recycling are most
dangerous for those who handle this waste, but the pollution can extend thousands of miles
away from recycling sites
The air pollution caused by e-waste impacts some animal species more than others, which
may be endangering these species and the biodiversity of certain regions that are chronically
polluted. Over time, air pollution can hurt water quality, soil and plant species, creating
irreversible damage in ecosystems. For instance, an informal recycling hub in Guiyu, China
that was formed by parties interesting in extracting valuable metals from e-waste, and
subsequently has caused the region to have extremely high lead levels in the air, which are
inhaled and then ingested when returned to water and soil. This can cause disproportionate
neurological damage to larger animals, wildlife and humans in the area.
The Negative Effects on Soil
When improper disposal of e-waste in regular landfills or in places where it is dumped
illegally, both heavy metals and flame retardants can seep directly from the e-waste into the
soil, causing contamination of underlying groundwater or contamination of crops that may be
planted near by or in the area in the future. When the soil is contaminated by heavy metals,
the crops become vulnerable to absorbing these toxins, which can cause many illnesses and
doesn’t allow the farmland to be as productive as possible.
When large particles are released from burning, shredding or dismantling e-waste, they
quickly re-deposit to the ground and contaminate the soil as well, due to their size and
weight. The amount of soil contaminated depends on a range of factors including
temperature, soil type, pH levels and soil composition. These pollutants can remain in the
soil for a long period of time and can be harmful to microorganisms in the soil and plants.
Ultimately, animals and wildlife relying on nature for survival will end up consuming affected
plants, causing internal health problems.
The Negative Effects on Water
After soil contamination, heavy metals from e-waste, such as mercury, lithium, lead and
barium, then leak through the earth even further to reach groundwater. When these heavy
metals reach groundwater, they eventually make their way into ponds, streams, rivers and
lakes. Through these pathways, acidification and toxification are created in the water, which
is unsafe for animals, plants and communities even if they are miles away from a recycling
site. Clean drinking water becomes problematic to find.
Acidification can kill marine and freshwater organisms, disturb biodiversity and harm
ecosystems. If acidification is present in water supplies, it can damage ecosystems to the
point where recovery is questionable, if not impossible.
The Negative Effects on Humans
As mentioned, electronic waste contains toxic components that are dangerous to human
health, such as mercury, lead, cadmium, polybrominated flame retardants, barium and
lithium. The negative health effects of these toxins on humans include brain, heart, liver,
kidney and skeletal system damage. It can also considerably affect the nervous and
reproductive systems of the human body, leading to disease and birth defects. Improper
disposal of e-waste is unbelievably dangerous to the global environment, which is why it is
so important to spread awareness on this growing problem and the threatening aftermath. To
avoid these toxic effects of e-waste, it is crucial to properly e-cycle, so that items can be
recycled, refurbished, resold, or reused. The growing stream of e-waste will only worsen if
not educated on the correct measures of disposal.
Ref : https://elytus.com/

AI in Education Benefits, Challenges, and Best Practices

Benefits of AI in Education

Artificial intelligence brings with it a wealth of opportunities in online course design
and delivery, among them:
Efficiency in Content Creation: AI can produce and update educational content
quickly, freeing educators from laborious tasks. This not only saves time but also
ensures that content remains current and relevant.
 Task Automation
 Enhanced Student Engagement
 Visual Learning Aids
 Support for Special Needs
 Virtual Tutors
Challenges of AI in Education


 Technical Expertise
 Some educators may struggle with a lack of technical expertise, spending an
excessive amount of time and effort trying to adapt AI tools to their needs.


 Cost
 Implementing AI-powered solutions can be financially demanding, making it a
challenge for institutions with budget constraints.


 Ethical Concerns
 Privacy, security, plagiarism, inequity, and the potential disruption of the job
market are among the ethical concerns that need careful consideration when
integrating AI in education.


 Quality Concerns
 Maintaining high standards and ensuring AI-generated content aligns with
educational objectives is critical. An over-reliance on AI tools may lead to a
decline in quality and richness of educational content, with the risk of
perpetuating inaccuracies or biases present in the training data of the AI
model.


 Human-AI Collaboration
 There may be resistance to adopting AI in education due to concerns about
job displacement. However, AI is not a replacement for human creativity.
Educators and learners contribute unique perspectives and creative thinking
that AI cannot replicate. Instead, AI serves as a valuable tool to augment
human capabilities.

The Importance of Data Back-Up

The Importance of Data Back-Up

Backing up collected data is an important part of data management. Backups protect against
human error, hardware failure, virus attacks, power outages and natural disasters. When
these errors occur, backups save time and money. 

What is Data Backup?
Data backup is making copies of scanned data and other business information in case the
data becomes corrupted, deleted or lost. You can then use the backup copy to restore or
recover your data for business continuity and disaster recovery.
Many IT departments create multiple backup copies, keeping one copy on site for quick
recovery and a second copy off-site, or in the cloud. This typically occurs if the onsite copy is
damaged due to a natural or man-made disaster.
Early common methods of backing up data involved downloading data from the computer’s
hard drive onto a set of small diskettes, which were stored in physical containers.
Since then, the emergence of technology has made it possible to back up data remotely and
download huge amounts of data to small portable devices. Cloud services and related
options facilitate remote data storage, so that data is secure if an entire facility or site is
compromised, while RAID, or mirroring technologies provide automated backup options.

Why is backing up computer data important?
1. To protect against cyber attacks
Cyber-attacks have become more common in recent years, so having a data backup and
recovery solution is paramount.
2. To save money
Missing data can be costly, especially if you must recreate the lost data from scratch. In
addition, the downtime caused by lost data can also negatively impact your business
efficiency and customer trust.
3. To reduce outages or downtime
Data loss can be very disruptive to your business. However, with data backups, you
can easily restore recent copies of your data, so there’s no need to interrupt
operations to redo lost work. High-end data backup solutions ensure fast recovery
times for critical data to maximize uptime. 

The Most Common Data Backup Methods

Cloud
Cloud storage is a great way to create online backups. This service can store files, photos or
any other type of data. The Cloud can be used as a primary or secondary backup for a
monthly fee. You can then use this space to store your backups. Most providers
offer encryption services so that your data is secure when stored in the Cloud.
You can access your backups in from any computer or mobile device with an internet
connection.  You can use cloud storage providers such as Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox,
Back blaze, iDrive and Microsoft OneDrive.

Network Attached Storage (NAS)
If your data is valuable, invest in a network attached storage (NAS) device. NAS is a
dedicated server that provides storage and file sharing for your home or small business
network. Unlike an external hard drive plugged into your router, a NAS is designed to
be always on and connected so you can access your data anytime and from anywhere.

Online Backup Service
You can back up your data using an online backup service 
 Encrypting your files.
 Scheduling regular backups.
 Storing backup files in a secure location.
They offer security features such as file encryption and password protection. Most online
backup services also allow you to store your backup files in a secure location to ensure your
data is safe and protected.

5 Example How AI Is Already Used in Our Everyday Life

1.   Open your phone with face ID
One of the first things many people do each morning is to reach for their smartphones. And,
when your device gets unlocked using biometrics such as with face ID, it's using artificial
intelligence to enable that functionality. Apple’s FaceID can see in 3D. It lights up your face
and places 30,000 invisible infrared dots on it and captures an image. It then uses machine
learning algorithms to compare the scan of your face with what it has stored about your face
to determine if the person trying to unlock the phone is you or not. Apple states the chance
of fooling FaceID is one in a million.  


2.   Social media
After unlocking their phones, what's next? Many people check out their social media
accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more, to get updated on what
happened overnight. Not only is artificial intelligence working behind the scenes to
personalize what you see on your feeds (because it's learned what types of posts most
resonate with you based on past history), it's figuring out friend suggestions, identifying and
filtering out fake news and machine learning is working to prevent cyberbullying.  


3. Send an email or message
Every day most of us will send an email (or several). Tools such as Grammarly and spell
check activate when you compose your email to help you draft messages free from errors.
These tools use artificial intelligence and natural language processing. On the receiving end
of your messages, spam filters use artificial intelligence to either block emails that are
suspected as spam or identify an email as something your recipient would like to receive in
their inbox. Anti-virus software uses machine learning as well to protect your email account.


4.   Google search
Most of us can’t go a day without searching Google for an answer or a product we can’t live
without. Search engines couldn’t scan the entire internet and deliver what you want without
the assistance of artificial intelligence. Those ads that seem to follow you around? Yep,
those are enabled by AI, are based on your search history and are personalized to you with
the goal of getting items in front of you that the algorithms believe you will value.


5.   Digital voice assistants
From getting directions to your lunch spot to inquiring about the weather for your weekend
getaway, digital voice assistants are quickly becoming our can’t-live-without co-pilots through
life. These tools from Siri and Alexa to Google Home and Cortana, use natural language
processing and generators driven by AI to return answers to you.

Things you should do before get our service at ICT Services Help Desk

What is the Difference Between Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV) and Traditional Antivirus?

Q: How does Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV) differ from traditional antivirus?
A: NGAV goes beyond traditional signature-based detection by incorporating advanced technologies such as behavioral analysis, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI). These allow NGAV to detect and prevent both known and unknown threats in real time.

🔒 Key Differences:

🛡️ Benefits of NGAV:

Reference : https://jamcyber.com/blog/cyber-insights/next-generation-antivirus-vs-traditional-antivirus/