Computer Science 125 Final Exam Parts I & II Spring 2014

Computer Ethics

Due Friday, May 2nd, 11:59 PM

Type up your answers to each of the following. Cite all sources used at the end and use quotations
where appropriate. This is an individual assignment. All answers should be in your own words.

Part I. Computer Ethics Short Answer. Use 2 3 complete sentences for each answer. (10 points each)

1. When describing a software license, what does the phrase open source mean?
2. What is Linux and how has Linux affected the market for other operating systems?
3. Why are patents considered an unreliable way of protecting intellectual property rights in
software?
4. Suppose your band has recorded a song and posted it as an MP3 file on your web site. How can
you allow people to download your music for noncommercial purposes while retaining your
copyright on the song?
5. Benjamin Franklin created many useful inventions without any desire to receive financial
reward. Is intellectual property protection needed in order to promote innovation?
6. An original piece of intellectual property you have created, such as a poem, term paper, or
photograph, is automatically copyrighted, even if you did not label it with copyright notice.
Think about your most valuable piece of intellectual property. Describe in detail the ownership
rights you would like to claim on it.

Part II. Open-Source Alternatives . For each of the ten pieces of commercial application software listed
below, describe what it is used for, the operating systems it is available for, and its current price. Also,
find an alternative piece of open-source software that we could use. Next, find open-source alternatives
for MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and another piece of commercial software you like. (40 points)
 Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics

1. Thou Shalt Not Use A Computer To Harm Other People.

2. Thou Shalt Not Interfere With Other Peoples Computer Work.

3. Thou Shalt Not Snoop Around In Other Peoples Computer Files.

4. Thou Shalt Not Use A Computer To Steal.

5. Thou Shalt Not Use A Computer To Bear False Witness.

6. Thou Shalt Not Copy Or Use Proprietary Software For Which You have Not Paid.

7. Thou Shalt Not Use Other Peoples Computer Resources Without Authorization
Or Proper Compensation.

8. Thou Shalt Not Appropriate Other Peoples Intellectual Output.

9. Thou Shalt Think About The Social Consequences Of The Program You Are
Writing Or The System You Are Designing.

10. Thou Shalt Always Use A Computer In Ways That Insure Consideration And
Respect For Your Fellow Humans.