computer technology and its advantages and disadvantages in the context of Nepal

Nepal does not have long history with the computer technology usage. The first use of computer dates back to 2028 BS which was rented by the Nepal Government at Rs. 1 lakhs and 25 thousand per month for the purpose of processing census data. After four decades of the first use the computer technology, today Nepal has wide areas where computers are used. But, still there many parts of Nepal where people are unknown to the computer stuff or familiar to the term computer but never seen one of them. There are many rural areas where computer knowledge is given just on theoretical basis. However, computer has occupied a lot of sectors where the daily activities get obstructed without its use. Some of them are communication, education, security and business.

  Educational sector is totally supported by the use of technology. Today most of the students surf internet for the process of collecting information and researching on various topics that are destined to be their assignments and class projects. It has given them wide range of choices and materials in less amount of time and less cost which would be wasted on reading books. The distance education has helped many Nepalese students get the international degree studying online from their home itself. It has been possible through the computer technology.

Communication has been assisted through the technology. The telephone call charge to call from Nepal to United States is very high if we use Nepal Telecom service. But the use of internet websites such as Facebook, Skype, Magic jack has reduced the cost to minimum helping most of the Nepalese family to get connected with their loved ones all around the world at nominal cost. These sites have even helped most Nepalese to get socialized with the people all around the world and understand their cultures and the traditions. Today, officers at Jumla can talk to their donor organizations at Germany at zero cost through use of Skype,

These days many Nepalese businesses have turned themselves online and computer operated. Most of the businesses have started taking the orders online and advertising their products through use of emails and social sites. This has helped them for the brand creation and sales of the products. Some of the businesses adopting this method are QFX movies which sales the movie tickets online, Harilo.com it takes the online order of any product that you want to buy from international sellers. Thus, this has helped us to go shopping just staying at home and being connected through computers. So the Nepalese businesses have been enhanced through use of computer technologies.

These days, most of the top Nepalese industrial sectors are automated and controlled by the computer. Most of the activities are carried out by the machineries and manual process has become obsolete. The manufacturing of irons in Jagadamba Steels is totally automated; Chaudhary Group has all of its product checking, packing and creation controlled by the computers. Hence, the computer technologies are playing a crucial role in the development process of Nepal.

However, the computer technology has not just advantages. Today we can find cyber crime cell present in Nepal Police to control the cyber crimes being conducted. Cyber crimes such as hacking of private information, sending spam files, fraud have increased with the rise in use of computer technology. Many people face challenge of identity theft leading to serious problems in the social life. Last year, my dad got an email from one of his friend requesting for the help in monetary ways. But later it was found that his friends account had been hacked by other guys.

Secondly, pornography has become the major issue that has to be considered as major disadvantage for using computer. Many people get indulge into pornographic sites which can lead to mental distress and social unrest. The indulgement of people in child pornography has become the major issue to be considered. The rising surfing of the pornographic sites has said to be risen in current year.

Plagiarism or copying others ideas and presenting as ones has become a major issue that needs to be dealt with. Today, many Nepalese students copy their assignment from the internet through various sites and present them without presenting the sources. This has degraded the ability of the students to be better off through practice and self knowledge. They are being lazy and have stopped thinking and analyzing the situations presented. Moreover, even though computers have made students better off through resources but unethical violation of copyrights and plagiarism has become serious issues to be considered today.  

Furthermore, involvement of children in their computers to play games for long period of time is considered to be a total waste of time because most of them do not value their time once they are in front of the computer. People have stopped reading books. Rather they enjoy movies, games and other entertainment stuffs compared to increasing their knowledge and information. So, Computer technology has been having a major impact on the lives of Nepalese people.

However, the computer has become the basic necessity for the Nepalese people. If used properly it can outrun the disadvantages and help in the process of development. As it has the potential to change the nations state so the use of device should be encouraged and there should be various support for the import and development by the side of the government. The proper methods should be implemented to control the demerits of the use of the computer technology.