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Information Technology, the Internet,

and You

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Computer competency

• Acquiring computer-related skills

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Components of Information Systems

1. People (End users ) Goal is to improve the productivity of people)

2. Procedures ( rules or Guidelines to follow using software, hardware, data)

3. Software4. Hardware5. Data (text, numbers, images, sounds);

Data :Raw unprocessed factsinformation :is processed (useful )data.

6. Connectivity (Allows computers to connect and share information

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People

• People (End users their goal is to improve the

productivity of people)

• Most important part of an information system

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Software (Programs)

• Series of instructions that process data • Two kinds

– System software (Used by the computer)– Application software(Used by the user)

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System Software

• Enables application software to interact with computer hardware

• System Software include 3 parts

1-Operating system software (ex. Windows XP, MacOS)

2- Utilities :programs perform specific tasks related to managing computer resources (ex. Windows disk defragmenter)

3- Device Drivers :specialized programs allow input or output device to communicate with computer system .

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Application Software

• Used by the End-user

• Application Software has 2 parts :

1- Basic or General-purpose programs

– Internet Explorer, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint

2- Special-purpose programs

– Custom written for specialized tasks

– Ex. Adobe photo shop

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Hardware

• Physical electronic devices

• Hardware functions

– Input/Output data

– Process data

– Storage

– Communication

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Types of Computers

1. Supercomputers, Most powerful type of computer with High

data capacity ,and used by large organization

2. Mainframe computers (Less powerful then supercomputers

but still Capable of great processing speed and Large data

storage capacity ,

3. Minicomputers(midrange computers), Desk-sized machines

4. Microcomputers(Least powerful but most popular)

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Microcomputers

• Least powerful but most popular

• Sizes range from desktop to handheld

• Includes:

1. Desktop - fit on desk tops, but not portable

2. Laptop(notebook) - portable

3. Tablet PC type of notebook that accept handwriting .

4. PDAs- Personal digital assistants, also called palmtop computers, or handheld computers

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Microcomputer Hardware

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Physical equipment consist of

System unit

I/O devices

Secondary storage(floppy ,hard drive, optical disks)

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System Unit

• Container Contains most of the electronic components

• Most Significant components:1. Microprocessor(Controls and

manipulates data2. Memory(random access memory

(RAM)) • Holds data and programs

during processing• Memory is temporary because

it’s contents will be lost when power is interrupted

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Input/Output Devices

• Translation devices that interface the computer with humans

• Input devices(that data and programs are translated from

human readable form into machine readable form.)

– Keyboard, mouse, scanner, digital camera

• Output devices(data and programs are translated from

machine readable form into human readable form.)

– Monitor, printer, speakers

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Secondary Storage Devices

• Store data and programs even after power is shut off

• Most common types– Floppy disks– Hard disks– Optical disks (CD-ROMs, DVDs)– Magnetic tapes

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Data Files• Electronic storage of raw or processed data and Used to

describe facts about something

• Common types

1. Document, usually created by word processors

2. Worksheet, electronic spreadsheet analysis of data such as budgets, sales

3. Database, electronic database management programs, data is stored in a highly structured and organized manner

4. Presentation, electronic slides

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Connectivity

• Computer’s ability to communicate and share information with other computers

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Wireless Revolution

• Wireless Revolution: is the widespread and

increasing use of mobile communication devices

• Most dramatic change in connectivity

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The Internet

• The Internet: Largest network in the world (Global

connectivity)

• World Wide Web (WWW) ---

multimedia sites that contain the information and

resources online

OR Internet service providing multimedia interface

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End of Chapter 1