Chapter Overview

Ethics is a philosophy concerning what’s right and what’s wrong.
Computer ethics contains of the followings:

• Netiquette
• Plagiarism and intellectual property rights
• Legal implications

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Netiquette

(Well of course you know what it is! If you don’t, go downstairs and find Mr. Mobsbee; he would teach you a personal lesson.) 

• Contributes to social well-being
• Avoids harm to others (i.e. SaCyber Bullying)
• Is fair and prevents discrimination
• Honers property rights
  …

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Intellectual property rights

Different softwares have different policies. Here are some main categories:

	Free software	Open source software	Freeware	Trialware
Free of charge?				Only the evaluation period
Copyrighted?
Source code available?

An example of open-source software is @Raymond-Wu ‘s past paper crawler.

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NOT COPYRIGHTED SOFTWARE:

• Free softwareNot to mistaken with “Freeware”.Users are free to do whatever they want — run, copy, change or modify.

COPYRIGHTED SOFTWARE:

• Open source softwareSource code is open to the users — but under a copyright.
• FreewareCan be downloaded free of charge.
• Shareware / Trial wareSoftware that could be used without license for a period of time.
  License would be needed after the evaluation period.

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Offenses:

For users:

• Hacking — Gaining unauthorized access to a computer’s software or data
  (Which includes cracking softwares, planting viruses and spying)
• Offense to software policy
  • Using trial ware beyond evaluation period
  • Violating the terms and conditions of the software, for example
    • Using site-license programs for personal use
    • Selling commercial software to others

For developers:

Developers must ensure that:

• Data Gathering
  • Gather data fairly and lawfully
  • Only used as stated purpose
  • Make sure is secure
  • Individuals have the right to view data stored about him.

An offense to the software could bring you a lawsuit — unless it’s under national security, crime or taxation..