1. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, THE INTERNET, AND YOU1
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

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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)

20. 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)

21. 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)

22. 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)

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

24. 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?

25. 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?