this is the question we have for my software application class...
To explain why commonality is important, pcmag reminds us how the 2000 Presidential election was affected by apparently confusing punch cards in Florida. In that scenario, the interaction of humans with technology failed to prove consistent and resulted in a recount that cost time, effort, and money. A common user interface regarding ballots in all US polls might have been less stressful. Please describe other real-life situations where a lack of computer commonality can be detrimental or situations in which commonality could provide improvements. Be sure to comment on your peers postings as well.
One of the frustrations I have is the lack of commonality of automated ticket buying machines (airline, subway, etc).
One of the glaring problems is that many agencies charged with rescue and defense cannot communicate with each other. Check this site for more information and ideas to research farther.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/09/27/MNG99EUI3F1.DTL
The military is also working on this problem. In one example, U.S. soldiers were caught in "friendly fire," but couldn't communicate with the attackers. These soldiers had to contact Washington who in turn, contacted the attackers to tell them of the situation.
thanks for the link, will research:)
why is that bob?
Hey, Kelly do you go to Kaplan? I have the same home work do this week. Who do you have?
To answer the question about the importance of commonality in computer systems, let's start by understanding what commonality means. Commonality refers to a uniform or consistent design or interface across different systems, applications, or platforms. When there is commonality, users can easily transfer their knowledge and skills from one system to another, resulting in improved usability, efficiency, and effectiveness.
In the example of the 2000 Presidential election, the confusion caused by different punch card designs in Florida highlighted the negative consequences of a lack of commonality. Human interaction with the technology failed to be consistent, leading to a costly recount. If there had been a common user interface for ballots across all US polls, the potential for confusion and errors could have been reduced.
Another real-life situation where a lack of computer commonality can be detrimental is the case of automated ticket buying machines. As mentioned by the student, these machines are often inconsistent across different agencies or transportation systems. This lack of commonality can cause frustration for users who are familiar with one system but encounter a different interface when using another.
The communication issues faced by rescue and defense agencies, as highlighted in the provided article, is another example of the negative impact of a lack of commonality. In emergency situations, it is crucial for different agencies to be able to communicate and coordinate their efforts seamlessly. When systems or technologies used by these agencies are not interoperable, it can lead to delays, confusion, and potentially endanger lives.
In the military context, the problem of communication disruptions between soldiers and potential friendly fire incidents underscores the importance of commonality. If soldiers cannot communicate effectively with each other due to incompatible systems, it can result in dangerous situations where lives are at stake.
To provide a comprehensive answer to the question, it would be beneficial to research the provided link and explore additional examples or situations where commonality could provide improvements or where the lack of it has caused issues. Engaging in discussions with peers and commenting on their postings can also provide valuable insights and perspectives on the topic