[Week VII] Comparison Essay

The development of technology results in both rapid obsolescence of old inventions and modifications or discoveries of newer and more efficient automated facilities. The 'race' in exploring technologies that are better in terms of efficiency and effectiveness is growing significantly, especially in the domain of information research and production. However, the detection of new automations to fulfill the demands for information also cost some values in form of complacency and the readability of information. For an instance, a case comparing the books and the internet as the better information source could be taken. Taking consideration that for some people, the internet provides much wider scope of information and is also more efficient in terms of money cost, accessibility and time needed; on the other hand, a part of the population feels more 'content' and comfortable in using textbooks as they are able to give emphasize on some significant points and are allowed to write personal notes on the textbook. This essay would discuss in depth the advantages and disadvantages of both internet and text books, and will also analyze the possible discernments to conserve both technological means as information sources.

The internet, which bases on the concept of the connection of network fibres around the globe, was first introduced as the ARPANET by the US military forces in order to match the Russians in obtaining information during the Cold War. The ARPANET which was then renamed as the internet was published to the public and has created or even boosted several significant effects on the development of information transfer. Information exchange includes three types of process which are the production, the retrieval and the direct interchange of the data. As an information source, there are several apparent beneficial assets that internet possesses, for instance, internet is capable of providing broader domain of information, allowing the users to look for information from different sources and enabling them to compare the accuracy and the reliability of a source. This is an important benefactor as the users are encouraged to think critically, to analyze the raw data they have, decide which information is most suitable and to sip in personal ideas to their works. Internet, as an addition, is much efficient in terms of the amount of money, energy and time spent. It is very obvious to see the logic of these advantages as the users who have the access to the internet are not required to spend extra time travelling or to spend cash for the information they need. Unlike books, the internet users have the priviledge to access information from their houses with a continually decreasing internet service costs.

Despite the benefits of using the internet, however, there is one major issue which substantially reduces the reliability of internet as the main information source. The internet, has some extents as far as the credibility of the data is concerned, thus internet users are highly recommended to use the internet as secondary source. The vast number of articles uploaded to the internet produce inaccuracy and redundancy of materials, which unfortunately results in confusion when choosing the suitable info for the users.

Different from the internet, text books are much less 'capable' in handling efficiency issues as the users have to spend extra efforts and money to attain the books. Books are, nevertheless . very different as compared to the internet when it comes to the solidity or the credibility of information. The production of a single text book has gone through long processes including the collection of sources, a numerous edits and the publishing process, which supports and enhances the credibility of information stored in a textbook. Not only have textbooks provide rigid and accurate information, some people prefer the use of books as their main source of inputs as they are able to highlight on some important points and comment on those noted spots. This factor is considerably a big plus point for books as some people are very inflexible in terms of taking note on his or her information source.

The idea of combining the both sources and conserving the old technologies along with keeping track with the new ones is much preferred method according to some. The internet and the textbooks, as previously discussed, are the two examples of significant information sources that can be used together accordingly to the purpose of the research.