Chapter 1 Information Technology, the Internet, and You

Information Technology, the internet, and you. The information system has several parts: 1- people : - Most important part of any information system. - We are touched everyday by computers and information system directly or indirect,( direct :such as when you creat documents using a word processing program or when you connect to the internet ). 2- procedures : - the rules and guide lines for people to follow when using software, hardware, and data. -These procedures are typically documented in manuals written by computer specialists, and these manuals provided in either printed or electronic form. 3- software: (another name for programs) - it's step-by-step the instructions that tell the computer how to process data into the form you want.(it's main purpose is to convert data into information). Two major kinds of software: 1- system software (the kind the computer use ): - enables the application software to interact with the computer hardware. - it's a "background" software that helps the computer manage its own internal resources. - it's not a single program. It's a collection of programs including: A. operating systems: programs that coordinate computer resources, provide an interface between users and the computer, and run application. - smartphones, tablets: use embedded operating systems (also known as real-time operating systems (RTOS)) -desk computer : use stand-alone operating system like windows and Mac OS. Networks use network operating systems (NOS) B. Utilities: preforms tasks related to managing computer resources. -one of the most essential utility program is antivirus program. 1 2- Application software (the kind that end user use) : Three types : 1- General-purpose applications : used in all career area, the kind of programs that you have to know to be considered an efficient and effective end user. - Best known : Browsers, Word processors, Spreadsheets, Database management systems, Presentation graphics. 2- Specialized applications: more narrowly focused on specific disciplines and occupations. Best known: graphics and web authoring programs. 3-mobile apps: small programs primaly designed for mobile devices such as smartphones and for tablets computers. Most popular: apps for social networking, playing games, and downloading videos. 4- Hardware: -computers are electronic devices that can follow instructions to accept input, process that input and produce information. There are four types of computers : 1-supercomputers: most powerful type of computers. These machines are special, high-capacity computers used by very large organizations. - used to process massive amounts of data. - IBM's Blue Gene supercomputers is one of the fastest computers in the world. 2-mainframe computers: occupy specially wired,air-conditioned rooms. -not nearly as powerful as supercomputer. - capable of great processing speeds and data storage. 3- midrange computers (servers):are computers with processing capabilities less powerful than mainframe computer yet more powerful than a personal computer. - used by medium-size companies or departments of large companies to support their processing needs. 2 4-personal computers (PC's): the least powerful, most widely used and fastest growing type of computer. -Five types: 1) desktop :small enough to fit on top of or alongside a desk yet are too big to carry around. 2) laptop (notebook): portable and lightweight and fit into most briefcases. 3) tablet: smaller, lighter and generally less powerful than laptops, have a flat screen but typically do not have a standard keyboard, it use a visual keyboard 4) smartphones : most widely handheld computers. Cell phones with wirless conections to thr internet and processing capabilities. 5) wearable devices : like apple's watch. Personal computer hardware Physical equipments : 1- system unit : a container that houses most of the electronic components that make up a computer system. * Two important component of the system unit are: 1)microprocessor: controls and manipulates data to produce information. 2) memory: holding area for data, instruction, and information. One type, randomaccess memory (RAM) holds the program and data that is currently being processed, this referred to as temporary storage, because it content will typically be lost if the electric power to the computer is disrupted. 2- input/output: input devices translate data and programs that humans can understand into a form that the computer can process, like keyboard and mouse. Output devices translate the processed information from the computer into a form that humans can understand, like monitor. 3- secondary storage: holds data and programs even after electric power to the computer system has been turned off. Most important types : A- hard disk : used to store programs and very large data files. using rigid metallic platters and read/write heads ,data and information are stored using magnetic charges on the desk's surface. B- solid-storage: Relia le / does ’t ha e o i g pa ts/ e ui e less po e . Saves data and information electronically, but not volatile. C- optical discs: use laser technology to store data and programs. - three types : 1- compact discs (CD's). 2- digital versatile/video discs (DVD). 3-blu-ray discs (BD) 3 4- communication : using communication devices a personal computer routinely communicates with other computer systems located near or faraway , using internet. -Modem : is a widely used communication devices that modifies types of data into a form that can be transmitted across the internet. 5- Data: raw, unprocessed facts , including text ,numbers, images ,and sounds. -Processed data becomes information. Four types of files: 1)document files: word perocessor / to save documents such as memos, term paper,and letters. 2) worksheet files:electronic spreadsheets/ to analyze things like budgets and to predict sales. 3)database files: by database managment programs /to contain highly structured and organized data. 4) presentation files: by presentation graphics programs / to save presentation materials. 6- Connectivity and the mobile internet : - Connectivity : is the capability of your personal computer to share information with other computers. - network : is a communications system connecting two or more computers. - the largest network in the world is the internet , It is like a giant highway that connects you to millions of other people and organizations located throughout the world. - web: provides a multimedia interface to the numerous resources available on the Internet. -The Internet has driven the evolution of computers and their impact on our daily lives. Along with the Internet, three things that are driving the impact of technology on our lives are: 1- cloud computing: shift a o pute a ti ities f o a use ’s o pute to o pute s o the I te et. Rather than relying solely on their computer, users can now use the Internet to connect to the cloud and access more powerful computers, software, and storage. 2- wireless communication: The rapid development and widespread use of wireless communication devices like tablets, smartphones, and wearable devices has led many experts to predict that wireless applications are just the beginning of the wireless revolution 3- The Internet of Things: is the continuing development of the Internet that allows everyday objects embedded with electronic devices to send and receive data over the Internet. 4