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Knowledge/A Level/H446/01 Computer systems/Moral and Ethical Issues/Layout, colour paradigms and character sets

Layout, colour paradigms and character sets

1.5.2 Moral and Ethical Issues

Moral and Ethical Issues — Note 9 of 9

Candidates need to understand how different cultures impact the use and creation of computers and programs, for example languages that use different characters affect the choice of character set, and some languages read right to left. Candidates should understand how colours have different meanings in different cultures, for example red means danger in one culture and luck in another, and how this affects the creation of computer applications.

What you need to know

Different cultures read, interpret colours and write text in different ways. Software and websites used around the world must be designed with these differences in mind.

What to know

  • Layout: some languages are read left to right, others right to left (e.g. Arabic, Hebrew), so interfaces may need mirrored layouts.
  • Colour paradigms: colours carry different meanings in different cultures, e.g. red can mean danger in one culture and luck or celebration in another; white can be associated with weddings or with mourning.
  • Character sets: languages use different characters, so software must support Unicode to display them correctly.
  • Other cultural factors: date and number formats, currency symbols, icons and images that may be misunderstood or cause offence.
  • Designing for an international audience (localisation) increases development cost but widens the potential user base.

Exam technique

  • Tip:Explain how each factor affects the DESIGN of a computer application, with an example.

Moral and Ethical Issues

Note 9 of 9

  1. 1Computers in the workforce
  2. 2Automated decision making
  3. 3Artificial intelligence
  4. 4Environmental effects
  5. 5Censorship and the Internet
  6. 6Monitor behaviour
  7. 7Analyse personal information
  8. 8Piracy and offensive communications
  9. 9Layout, colour paradigms and character sets
Topic overview
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