INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, THE INTERNET, AND YOU 1 CHAPTER INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, THE INTERNET, AND YOU The purpose of this book is to help the student become computer literate Competent in computer–related skills The goal is to be valuable immediately to a potential employer Chapter one gives an overview of an information system This system consists of the following: People Procedures Software Hardware Data

Competencies Explain the five parts of an information system Distinguish between application and system software Distinguish between special purpose and general purpose application software Identify the types of computers and microcomputers Describe the different types of hardware

Competencies cont. Define data and describe files Explain connectivity and the wireless revolution Describe the Internet and the Web

Five Parts of an Information System People Procedures Software Hardware Data Define an information system Some students may think of a system as pertaining to just the hardware Remind them that a microcomputer is part of an information system To be competent end user, one must understand the essentials of IT Note that IT stands for information technology

People Most important part of any system Contact is … Computer uses Direct Indirect Computer uses Business & Entertainment Education & Medicine People are the most important part of an information system Our lives are touched everyday by computers Have students give examples of how they use computer applications throughout the day Some examples are: instant messaging Web-based applications personal website virus protection TV tuners and video clips digital photography music home networking spyware job opportunities

Software Programs Instructions Two major kinds of software System Software Application Software Emphasize differences between application and systems software System software operating system utilities device drivers Application software general purpose special purpose

System Software A collection of programs Enables the application software to interact with the hardware Background software that helps the computer manage its own resources Software is another name for programs Programs are instructions that tell the computer how to process data into the form you want Two major kinds of software System Not a single program a collection of programs Operating systems Windows XP Mac OS X Utilities Service programs Performs tasks related to managing computer resources Device drivers Application

Application Software “End-user” software Two major categories General purpose Special purpose “End-user” software -- people who use microcomputer or have access to larger computers Nearly everyone in today’s workforce and general public have access These people enter commands and typically interact with application programs. Two major categories General - purpose or basic programs; off-the-shelf Specialized - written for an organization’s or business type’s specific purpose; specially written

Hardware Equipment that processes the data Controlled by software Physical devices Keyboard Mouse Monitor Other devices Examples of hardware: Disk drive, keyboard, printer and modem are different types of computer hardware

Types of Computers Supercomputers Mainframe computers Minicomputers Microcomputers There are four types of computers Supercomputers Mainframe computers Minicomputers Microcomputers desktop laptop or notebook tablet PC Handheld computers Palm computers Persona digital assistants

Used by large organizations Supercomputers High capacity Used by large organizations Tracking space Tracking weather Above is an example of a Cray supercomputer, which, unlike the illustration, is always in an air conditioned box This is required because of the heat generated during processing A major reason for its processing speed is shorted connection wires throughout the interior Of course, shorter wires means faster byte transfer times Supercomputers are the most powerful type of computer NASA uses supercomputers to track and control space exploration

Mainframe Computers Occupies specially wired, air-conditioned rooms Capable of great processing speeds and data storage Not as powerful as supercomputers Mainframes occupy specially wired, air-conditioned rooms Not as powerful as supercomputers Insurance, financial and equity industries, as well as governments all process large amounts of information on mainframes

Minicomputers Known as midrange computers Medium-size companies Used by departments of large companies These are refrigerator sized machines Production departments use minicomputers to monitor certain manufacturing processes and assembly line operation s Problem is most current desktops have capacity of many minicomputers.

Microcomputers Least powerful Widely used Four types Desktop Notebook or laptop Tablet PC Handheld Lease powerful computers, but most widely used Fastest growing computer Have students begin discussing the microcomputer and wireless connectivity

Microcomputer Hardware System unit Input/output devices Secondary storage Communications System Unit Memory CPU I/O Devices Monitors Printers Secondary Storage Floppy Hard drive Optical disks Monitors include LCD panels and traditional CRTs. Current trends regarding monitors; sizes depending upon use of system Communications Modems - equipment that translates data from the CPU to a form humans can understand

Data Raw, unprocessed facts Processing creates information Stored electronically in files Document files Worksheet files Database files Presentation files Used to describe facts about something Contained in files for documents, worksheets and databases Document files - usually created by word processors Worksheet files - electronic spreadsheets Database files - electronic database management programs Presentation Files - electronic slides shows

Connectivity, the Wireless Revolution, and the Internet Sharing of information Wireless communication is becoming popular Computer networks Connected communication system of computers Largest network is the Internet Connectivity is the capability of your microcomputer to share information with other computers Wireless /mobile communication devices are more popular than ever A network is central to the concept of connectivity Ask students questions about the Internet. Here are some facts: No one owns the Internet There is no Internet, Inc. The Internet is a network of networks The WWW provides multimedia interface to resources on the Internet

A Look to the Future Computer Competent The Internet & the Web Powerful software & hardware Privacy & security Organizations Changing Times Using information technology means being computer competent The Internet and the Web are the two most important technologies of the 21st century Software can now do extraordinary tasks Microcomputers are more powerful Society must be careful about protecting their privacy Almost all organizations rely on information systems

Key Terms application software (9) basic application (9) chassis (12) communication device (14) compact disc (CD) (14) computer competency (3) computer network (16) Computing Essentials CD (8) connectivity (16) Data (5) database file (15) desktop computer (11) device driver (9) digital versatile disk (DVD) (14) digital video disc (DVD) (14) document file (15)

Key Terms end user (4) floppy disk (14) general-purpose (9) application handheld computer (11) hard disk (14) hardware (5) information (4) information system (4) information technology (IT) (5) input device (12) Internet (16) keyboard (12) laptop computer (11) mainframe computer (11) memory ( 12) microcomputer (11)

Key Terms microprocessor (12) midrange computer (11) minicomputer (11) modem (14) monitor (12) mouse (12) network (16) notebook computer (11) operating system (9) optical disk ( 14) output device (12) palm computer (11) people (4) personal digital assistant (PDA) (11) presentation file (15) primary storage (12) printer (12)

Key Terms procedures (4) program (4) random access memory (RAM) (12) secondary storage device (14) service program (9) software (4) specialized application (10) special-purpose application (10) supercomputer (11) SimNet Concepts (8) system cabinet (12) system software (9) system unit (12) tablet PC (11)

Key Terms temporary storage (12) utility (9) video display screen (12) Web (16) wireless revolution (16) worksheet file (15) World Wide Web (WWW) (16)

FAQs What is an information system? What is IT? How does raw data become information? What is an operating system? What are specialized applications? Please give some examples. Is the Internet the same as the World Wide Web?

Discussion Questions How are you using information technology? Explain the difference between system and application software. Describe some of the uses for handheld computers. Why is the wireless revolution so important?