• UNIT 4: E COMMERCE, SOCIAL MEDIA AND ONLINE SERVICES

    4.0 INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY

    4.1. E- commerce


    4.1.1. Understanding E -Commerce
    a. History
    E-Commerce or Electronic Commerce also known as e-Business, Is the buying and
    selling of goods, products, or services over the internet using electronic means of
    payment like credit cards. This commerce provides to buying parties physical goods
    but also electronic materials (goods) where possible.
    The history of ecommerce dates back to the invention of the very old notion of “sell
    and buy”, electricity, cables, computers, modems, and the Internet. Ecommerce
    became possible in 1991 when the Internet was opened for commercial use
    At first, the term ecommerce meant the process of execution of commercial
    transactions electronically with the help of the leading technologies such as
    Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) which gave an
    opportunity for users to exchange business information and do electronic
    transactions. The ability to use these technologies appeared in the late 1970s and
    allowed business companies and organizations to send commercial documentation

    electronically.

    b. Some Ecommerce platforms
    With ecommerce the buying and selling parties don’t need to meet at the same
    location, the buyer does not go to the store but there is an electronic platform that is
    used as a market where the buyer and the seller meet. An example of such a platform

    is amazon.com.

    Figure 4.1. Amazon.com one of the most known Online shopping platforms

    To buy goods on amazon.com or any other online chopping platform (ecommerce

    website), the buyer must have an Amazon account, must log in using that account,
    choose among the list of provided goods, choose location where the goods are to be
    delivered and pay using acceptable payment means like Credit cards.

    As of September 2021, the online shopping platforms available in Rwanda are among
    others vubavuba.rw and kikuu.com. Through this platforms one can buy food (Vuba

    Vuba) or clothes (kikuu.com).

    c. Buying on an e-commerce platform case of kikuu.com
    As stated earlier kikuu.com is one of the platforms available in Rwanda with which one
    can buy available goods and have themdelivered to his/her preferred location in Kigali.
    To buy with Kikuu, as it is a principle for other e-commerce the buyer has to have an
    account. To create that account, go through these steps:
    1. In the address bar write kikuu.com and once the platform loads click on
    Register to create a login account. Fill in the provided form the requested
    details. Or

    2. If the user account is already created login


    1. Once the login is successful choose goods to buy.
    For most platforms goods have pictures and accompanying image and for
    selecting the goods just click on its image. Select the goods specifications
    carefully so as to get what is wanted. In the case of the shoes chosen like in the image
    below the customer has to choose the shoe’s color and the size.

    2. Pay the amount due by using the preferred payment method

    in the next two screens choose the payment method and click on PAY<Amount>. In
    the other screen as MTN Money has been chosen as payment method fill the account

    and click PAY <Amount>


    d. Advantages and disadvantages of e commerce
    There is no good thing without a bad side. Ecommerce presents to its users many

    advantages but has also disadvantages.

    a. Advantages of E-commerce
    • Does not require physical displacement of the buyer hence saving money and
    time
    • Products and services are easy to find on the platform rather than moving in so
    many stores, warehouses or supermarkets
    • Transactions can be done all the time of the day and the week (24/7).
    • No geographical limitations translate as a bigger customer reach.
    • Higher quality of services and lower operational costs. 
    b. Disadvantages of E-commerce
    • No guarantee of product quality as the product is not physically viewed
    • Customer loyalty becomes a bigger issue as there is a minimal direct
    customer-seller interaction.
    • Anyone can start an online business, which sometimes leads to scam and
    phishing sites.
    • Hackers target web shops which may lead to disruption of service.
    4.1.2. E-commerce models
    Electronic commerce can be classified into four main categories. The basis for this
    simple classification is the parties that are involved in the transactions. The four basic

    electronic commerce models are:

    a. Business to Business
    In a business to business model companies are doing business with each other. The
    final consumer is not involved. So the Online transactions only involve the
    manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, etc.
    b. Business to Consumer
    Here the company will sell their goods and/or services directly to the consumer. The
    consumer can browse their websites and look at products, pictures, read reviews.
    Then, they place their order and the company ships the goods directly to them.
    c. Consumer to Consumer
    Consumers are in direct contact with each other. No company is involved. It helps
    people sell their personal goods and assets directly to an interested person.
    d. Consumer to Business
    The consumer provides goods or services to the company.
    For example an IT freelancer who demos and sells his software to a company.


    4.2. Online Payment Methods

    Is the way that a buyer chooses to compensate the seller of a good or service that is also acceptable to the seller. Typical payment methods used in a modern business context include cash, checks, credit or debit cards, money orders, bank transfers and online payment services such as PayPal.

    1. Cash Payment
    Buying online requires using electronic means which are acceptable by the selling
    companies for example as seen in previous sections buying with Kikuu requires using
    MTN Money. Other online platforms may require special cards known as debit or

    credit cards.

    a. Debit & credit cards

    A debit/credit card is a plastic card normally issued by a financial institution to allow
    its user to pay at Points of Sale in order to complete a purchase. They also allow the

    same purchase on online shopping platforms.

    Debit and credit cards look alike and it is not easy to identify them simply by liking at
    them except when it is written on them. The main difference is where money is got
    from: for the debit cards money is immediately got from the owner bank account while

    for the credit card money is charged to the customer’s credit line.

    The image below shows the front and back side of a credit/debit card


    The parts found on the front side of the credit card are:
    1. Bank branding which identifies the bank name that issued the card
    2. Card number which is unique and identifies the client with the bank.
    The card number are the ones provided while purchasing online.
    Note: Keep the card number a secret as that number can be used by ill intentioned people
    3. Card holder name is the name of person authorized to use that card
    4. Smart ship is the electronic circuit (processor) which stores some
    information. The smart ship feature makes cards more secure than the
    magnetic-stripe-card only
    5. Expiration date is the date after which the card is no longer usable. The reason
    for this is mainly for the purpose of providing new cards which are more
    technologically advanced. The expiry date is necessary while purchasing online
    as most platforms require this information and when it is wrong the
    transaction can’t be done

    6. Payment network logo is the type of card and this can be MasterCard, Visa and Discover. Services specify which types they accept for payments and knowing the card’s type is very essential.

    The parts found on the back side of the credit card are:
    1. Magnetic stripe: the black strip contains information about the card and its
    owner, and specialized devices known as card readers gather that information
    when the card is inserted
    2. Hologram: is a mirror-like area showing a three-dimensional image that seems
    to move as the viewing angle changes. Holograms are security features which help merchants identify valid cards
    3. Bank contact information
    4. Signature panel is the place where the user’s signature is put
    5. Security codes is an additional code to help ensure that anybody using the
    card number has a legitimate, original card
    6. Network logos
    An example of a typical debit card is found below:

    b. 1. Using a debit/credit card to purchase
    The following are the steps of using a Debit/Credit card in online shopping:
    1. Enter the address of the website where to purchase from in the
    address box of the browser’s window.
    2. Select items to purchase and click the appropriate button used
    for purchasing the item.
    3. Enter the shipping, billing and debit/credit card details.
    4. Click the appropriate button to complete the transaction.
    5. Print the confirmation screen or proof of purchase received
    upon completing the transaction, and keep it until the item arrives.

    For using debit cards at POS or ATMs insert the card and follow the prompts

    c. Mobile Phone based Money
    Also called Mobile money is a technology that allows people to receive, keep and
    spend money using a mobile phone. It’s sometimes referred to as a ‘Mobile Wallet’ or
    by the name of a specific service

    There are more different mobile money services around the world. Although they are
    most popular in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Mobile money is a popular alternative
    to both cash and banks because it’s easy to use, secure and can be used anywhere
    there is a mobile phone signal.

    Mobile money keeps funds in a secure electronic account linked to a mobile phone
    number. In some cases, the mobile money number will be the same as the phone
    number. Mobile money is often provided by the same companies that run the mobile
    phone services and it is available to both pre-pay and contract customers.

    4.3. Facebook
    Social media is the collective of online communications channels dedicated to
    community-based input, interaction, content-sharing and collaboration which enable
    users to create or share content or participate in social networking.

    Examples of social media are: Facebook, twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp

    Facebook is one of the most popular free social networking websites. It allows
    registered users to create profiles, upload photos and videos, send messages and stay
    in touch with friends, family and colleagues.
    • Creating a Facebook account
    For most social media before using them an account must be created. An account
    identifies the user as different from other users in the system.

    The following steps are followed to create a Facebook account:

    1. Open Facebook Home page by entering in the browser’s address bar the link
    www.Facebook.com
    2. The first page provides the option to login or sign up. Fill in the form the required
    information and click on sign up
    3. Enter personal information (First name, Last name, email or phone number,
    Birthday and gender)

    4. Enter the code provided through SMS or the provided email



    Open the verification email that is sent to the email provided while creating
    the account
    2. Edit the profile information by logging into the new account and clicking on Edit

    profile


    The following table will be appeared.



    Note: The account has been created you are able to login into your Facebook
    account:
    Go to Facebook.com and in the top right form fill in the email and the password

    then click on:

    Connecting with friends
    Facebook has millions of users, all users are in the public and appear like anonymous
    to you. As a Facebook user you are allowed to search for other users, viewing their
    profiles, friends, and photos. You can immediately message them inbox but once the
    account owner sets some restrictions on his/her account a non-friend user may view
    nothing among these.
    In order to be able to fully communicate with another Facebook user, you just need to
    be a Facebook friend.
    To have a friend on Facebook go through this process:
    • In the Facebook search box enter the account of the friend to be

    Once the account is entered in the search box choose the correct Facebook
    account among the many options and click Add Friend. In the image above
    the account chosen is Shyaka Emmanuel

    Sharing pictures

    A Facebook account holder can upload pictures on his/her Facebook account, share
    them or share pictures uploaded by others.
    Steps to upload a picture in your account are:

    • In the menu click on Photo then on Add Photos/Video


    In the new window that will appear browse for the picture to upload and open

    it so that it gets uploaded.

    Comment the picture, set who has rights to view it and click on Post like
    illustrated in the image above
    The uploaded image can then be viewed by anyone (if right to view the image has

    been set to Public) and they can like, share and comment this image.

    d. Chatting
    Facebook provides the option to converse with friends by using the chat option whose
    window is available in the far down right zone of a Facebook page.

    The content of the chat is text but can be also attachments in form of text files,

    images, GIF files, videos or a laptop camera taken picture/video

    Twitter is a free microblogging service that allows registered members to broadcast
    short posts called tweets. Twitter members can broadcast tweets and follow other

    users’ tweets by using multiple platforms and devices.

    a. Creating an account
    • For creating a twitter account first go enter in the browser’s address bar
    twitter.com
    • In the first page that will appear click on Sign up. This same page is used for

    sign in when the user has already a twitter account


    In the next screen that will appear also click on Next. Confirm the

    telephone number so and use the sent code to continue to the next stage

    In the next screen enter the password for your twitter account and click on Next.
    The screen that will thereafter appear will allow you to edit the twitter account profile
    picture by clicking on the human head-and-body silhouette but this can be skipped to

    be done later.

    In the next screens that will appear follow the prompts. Those screens will allow
    describing yourself, setting your interests, suggestions of accounts to follow, turning

    on notifications

    In the steps given above the account creator may decide to go into additional steps
    depending on which features to activate. Here most of the options have been skipped
    or the default provided option was chosen. After going through all the steps the
    account is created and is ready to be used. However the steps are subject to change
    and screens may not look like the ones provided here depending on changes brought

    in by Twitter.

    b. Following a twitter account
    All social media provide better experience when one is acquainted with other
    user in the same social media network. For a twitter user to have better experience

    he/she has to follow other accounts.

    Following an account permits one to receive immediately prompts when the followed
    account posts a tweet in form of text, image or video; updates the profiles

    immediately after they are posted.

    Following a twitter account is done in these steps:

    1. Search for the account to follow using the twitter search box
    2. Next to the searched account click on Follow. The Follow

    immediately change into Following


    Figure 4. 21. Window to use to search for twitter accounts

    c. Tweeting
    Also known as tweeting is posting making a post on the social media Twitter. The
    post can be just text, images and videos.

    To post a tweet go through this process:
    1. In the Twitter Home page click on the twitter icon
    2. In the text area that will appear write the tweet text. If images and videos are to be
    used in the tweet click on the corresponding icons below the text area
    3. Once the tweet isready click on Tweet. The tweet is now posted and can be viewed

    by the account followers and anyone who searches for it

                                                       Figure 4. 22. Screen used to post a tweet

    Note:
    • Twitter provides the option to delete the created tweet by clicking on the drop
    down icon next to the tweet and clicking on Delete
    • As one tweet is only of 280 character while tweeting choose properly the words
    to use. For this reason tweets contain more shortened words
    • Twitter users can create hashtags which are keywords preceded by the hash sign

    and are easily searchable on twitter

    d. Twitter menu icons
    In the previous sections some of the available twitter options have been elaborated.
    Those options can however be easily accessed by using the icons located at the left
    side of a twitter account page. The table below represents those icons and their roles

    4.5 Instagram 


    Instagram is a free social networking service built around sharing photos and
    videos. It launched in October 2010 on iOS (iPhone Operating Systems) first, and
    became available on Android in April 2012 and can be accessed via computer internet

    browsers.

    Instagram is a free social networking service built around sharing photos and
    videos. It launched in October 2010 on iOS (iPhone Operating Systems) first, and
    became available on Android in April 2012 and can be accessed via computer internet

    browsers.

    Just like other social networks, an account can interact with others on Instagram by

    following them, being followed by them, commenting, liking, tagging.

    a. Creating an Account on Instagram
    Like other social media one cannot use Instagram without having an account created
    and for that go through these steps:
    1. Enter in the browser’s address bar the URL of the application (www.instagram.

    com)

    2. In the form that appear to the right of the new page fill in the required details

    and click on Sign up


    3. in the next screen click on Turn on (to turn on notification) or Not so as to be

    directed to the Instagram first page

    b. Instagram main icons
    Instagram has got icons which help carry out the basic functions. Those icons are

    shown in the image below:

                                    Figure 4.25. Instagram page with its icons

    4.6. WhatsApp


    WhatsApp is a popular messaging app with end-to-end encrypted instant messaging that can
    be used on various platforms, including Android, iPhone and Windows smartphones, and Mac

    or Windows PCs.

    For WhatsApp to be installed on PCs an auxiliary application is needed in order to create a
    virtual environment resembling a Mobile Operating System in which WhatsApp will be

    installed. Such auxiliary applications are NOx Player and Blue Stack.

    A. Installing WhatsApp
    Installing WhatsApp first requires downloading it through the phone application for
    downloading applications. For android that application is Play Store. Download WhatsApp by

    searching for it in Play Store and install it by going through the prompts

    In the next screen that will appear touch on Accept and let the application download. When
    there is not enough space for downloading the application, it will be necessary to delete some

    files to liberate some space.

    Downloading and installing WhatsApp will go through these steps shown in the screenshots

    below

    Interpretation of the screens:
    a. Screen One: The choosing of the application to download and install has already been
    done now the person has to agree that WhatsApp will have rights to have access to
    some of the resources in the telephone.
    b. Screen Two: WhatsApp is now being downloaded and is at 26%. Once downloading is
    over the application will install itself and when finished the user will touch on Open to
    do further configurations.
    c. Screen Three: Once the Open option is touched in the next screen touch on Agree and
    Continue to agree to the terms of service.
    d. Screen Four: In this screen fill in the phone number to use on WhatsApp and touch on
    Next. A WhatsApp code message will be sent to your telephone. Enter it in the next
    screen and continue
    e. Screen Five: Configure WhatsApp by uploading an image that will be used as a profile
    picture to your account and set the account name.
    f. Screen Six: WhatsApp is now installed. Start chatting by touching on the icon shown by
    an arrow.
    B. Adding a Status in WhatsApp for Android
    Similar to apps like Snapchat and Instagram, WhatsApp Status is a place for snapping pictures
    of whatever you’re doing and then uploading them to your profile where they’re available for
    your contacts to see for 24 hours. To get started with Status:
    • Tap the Status bar on the home screen.
    • Tap the camera icon at the bottom-right.
    • Take a picture or video.
    Add any filters, stickers, text, or whatever else you’d like.

    • Tap the green circle at the bottom-right to add the post to your Status


    4.7. E-Banking and E-Payment 

    4.7.1 Online Services
    An online service refers to any information and services provided over the Internet. These
    services not only allow subscribers to communicate with each other, but they also provide

    unlimited access to information. Online services may include E Banking, E payment, etc

    4.7.1 Online Services
    An online service refers to any information and services provided over the Internet. These
    services not only allow subscribers to communicate with each other, but they also provide

    unlimited access to information. Online services may include E Banking, E payment, etc

    4.7.2 E-Banking and E-Payment
    It is an electronic transfer of money from bank account, usually checking account without the
    use of the paper check. E-cash is a form of an Electronic payment system where a certain

    amount of money is stored on client’s device and made accessible for online transaction.

    a. E Banking
    Electronic banking is a form of banking in which funds are transferred through an exchange of
    electronic signals rather than through an exchange of cash, checks, or other types of paper

    documents

    It is also a method of banking in which the customer conducts transactions electronically via
    the Internet.

    Transfer of funds occur between financial institutions such as banks and credit unions.
    They also occur between financial institutions and commercial institutions such as stores.
    Whenever someone withdraws cash from an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) or pays

    for services using a debit card, the funds are transferred via electronic banking.

    E-banking is a safe, fast, easy and efficient electronic service that enables an access to a bank
    account and to carry out online banking services, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week.
    With this service you save your time by carrying out banking transactions at
    any place and at any time, from home or office provided there isinternet access.
    E-banking enables the following:
    • Accurate statement of all means available in your bank account
    • Statement of current account, credits, overdrafts and your deposits
    • Execution of national and international transfers in various currencies
    • Execution of all types of utility bill payments (electricity, water supply, telephone bills,
    and many others)
    • Carrying out customs payments
    • Electronic confirmation for all transactions executed by E-banking

    • Management of your credit cards

    Disadvantages
    The disadvantages presented by E-banking are linked to the fact that it is a new technology
    which is not usable by anyone especially in countries where ICT literacy is still a problem.
    Other disadvantages are also linked to weaknesses in the system that may be exploited by

    hackers who may steel money using weaknesses found in the system

    b. E payment
    An e-payment system is a way of making transactions or paying for goods and servicesthrough
    an electronic medium, without the use of checks or cash. It’s also called an electronic payment
    system or online payment system. E-payment includes the use of Debit/credit card, Mobile

    Money

    Services done by mobile money

    Services provided by Mobile Money include money transactions whereby money can be sent
    from one telephone user to another who can then withdraw the money as cash or keep it and

    use to pay for different goods and services.

    Example
    In Rwanda mobile money services are provided by TIGO Cash, MTN Mobile Money and Airtel
    Money. They include money transfer and withdrawal from a mobile money account and from

    even a bank account, payment of different bills like water and electricity

    Example
    In Rwanda mobile money services are provided by TIGO Cash, MTN Mobile Money and Airtel
    Money. They include money transfer and withdrawal from a mobile money account and from

    even a bank account, payment of different bills like water and electricity

    4.8. Irembo Local Online Services


    Irembo is an initiative by the Government of Rwanda aiming at improving its service delivery
    to the citizens and businesses. Irembo is the one-stop portal for e-Government services.
    Irembo as a platform has the role of the provision of Government services online with ease,

    efficiency and reliability.

    How to create account from irembo

    • Type www.irembo.gov.rw in the address bar of your browser

    Fill in dialogue box black space

    a. Password place
    b. Confirm Password
    c. Emaild. Captcha Text


    These services are subject to changes as some services can be added but the ultimate

    goals is to have all services offered through this platform.

    a. Requesting for Irembo service
    Requesting for services on Irembo requires first to have a username which is

    the identity card number without the last three digits and a password

                 Figure 4. 31. Signing into an Irembo account

    b. Current Irembo services
    Currently, Irembo services are into these categories:
    1. Immigration and emigration
    2. Land
    3. Local government
    4. National ID
    5. Notarization and Gazette services
    6. Police
    7. Rwandans living abroad
    8. Media
    9. Education
    10. Health
    11. Ubudehe and mutuelle
    12. Institutions of national meseum of Rwanda
    13. Transportation

    14. Tourism

    b. Current Irembo services
    Currently, Irembo services are into these categories:
    1. Immigration and emigration
    2. Land
    3. Local government
    4. National ID
    5. Notarization and Gazette services
    6. Police
    7. Rwandans living abroad
    8. Media
    9. Education
    10. Health
    11. Ubudehe and mutuelle
    12. Institutions of national meseum of Rwanda
    13. Transportation
    14. Tourism
    Requesting for a criminal records clearance
    1. Open irembo website
    2. Enter your ID and Password
    3. Payment using VISA, MasterCard , MTN Mobile money(*182#), airtel (*182#),
    Tigo(*310#) Mobicash or BK
    4. After paying you send sms/email confirming that you have requested a service and
    service paid

    5. Feedback of certificate must be sent to you after 3 days

    Advantages of using irembo

    1. Helps citizens to save a time
    2. Save transport
    3. People can request a service when he or she is at home
    4. Reducing corruption malpractices
    5. It creates jobs
    6. It simplifies access to the Government services

    7. Avoiding friendship

    UNIT 3: COMPUTER GRAPHICS TOOLSUNIT 5: DATABASE Basics