How ICT has changed communication and collaborationOnline document editors
Computers and the internet have changed how people work, communicate and share information but we need to understand the advantages and disadvantages of sharing online.
It is now possible to create and edit a range of documents and media online including text, spreadsheets, presentations, images, audio and video.
Advantages of working online
Your documents are available anywhere with an internet connection.
You don’t need to buy the software or keep it up to date.
People you’re sharing a document with always have access to the latest version.
Two or more people can edit a document at the same time, this is called collaborative working. As one user changes something, the other person’s screen will show the changes.
Disadvantages of working online
Without an internet connection your documents are inaccessible.
The editing options are less advanced.
Backups may not be done and even if they are, there’s no way to know how frequently.
The service may close or go bankrupt, taking your documents with it.
hackerA person who tries to gain unauthorised access to a computer. may gain access to your documents.
If you’re working collaboratively, managing many people editing single document at once can be time-consuming.