Information Technology, the Internet, and You
Describe the two major kinds of software?
1-System Software System software enables application software to interact with computer hardware. 2-Application Software Application software includes general- purpose, specialized, and mobile applications.
Define connectivity and the wireless revolution?
Connectivity is the capability of your microcomputer to share information with other computers. Wireless revolution a revolution that will dramatically affect the way we communicate and use computer technology.
Define data. List four common types of files?
Data is raw, unprocessed facts. The common types of files are: • Document files, created by word processors to save documents such as memos, term papers, and letters. • Worksheet files, created by electronic spreadsheets to analyze things like budgets and to predict sales. • Database files, typically created by database management programs to contain highly structured and organized data. For example, an employee database file might contain all the workers' names, Social Security numbers, job titles, and other related pieces of information. • Presentation files, created by presentation graphics programs to save presentation materials. For example, a file might contain audience handouts, speaker notes, and electronic slides.
What is the difference between data and information?
Data is the raw unprocessed facts about something but the information is a processed data.
What is a network? Describe the Internet, web, and cloud computing?
Network is a communications system connecting two or more computers. The Internet is the largest network in the world. It is like a giant highway that connects you to millions of other people and organizations located throughout the world. The web provides a multimedia interface to the numerous resources available on the Internet. Cloud computing uses the Internet and the web to shift many computer activities from a user's computer to computers on the Internet.
Which part of an information system is the most important?
People because the purpose of information systems is to make people, or end users more productive.
What is a program?
Provides step- by- step instructions to control the computer to convert data into information
What are the four types of computers?
a. Supercomputer b. mainframe c. midrange ( server ) d. microcomputer
Describe the four types of microcomputers.
a. Supercomputers are the most powerful type of computer. These machines are special high- capacity computers used by very large organizations. IBM's Blue Gene supercomputer is one of the fastest computers in the world. b. Mainframes occupy specially wired, air- conditioned rooms. Although not nearly as powerful as supercomputers, mainframe computers are capable of great processing speeds and data storage. For example, insurance companies use mainframes to process information about millions of policyholders. c. Midranges (server) are computers with processing capabilities less powerful than a mainframe computer yet more powerful than a microcomputer. Originally used by medium- size companies or departments of large companies to support their processing needs, today midrange computers are most widely used to support or serve end users for such specific needs as retrieving data from a database or supplying access to application software. d. Microcomputers are the least powerful, yet the most widely used and fastest- growing type of computer. There are four types of microcomputers: desktop, notebook, tablet, and handheld computers.
what is Notebook computers?
also known as laptop computers, are portable and lightweight and fit into most briefcases. Tablets, also known as tablet computers, are the newest type of computer. They are smaller, lighter, and generally less powerful than notebooks. Like a notebook, tablets have a flat screen but typically do not have a standard keyboard. Instead tablets typically use a virtual keyboard that appears on the screen and is touch- sensitive. The best known tablet is Apple's iPad.
what is Desktop-computers ?
are small enough to fit on top of or alongside a desk yet are too big to carry around
what is Handheld computers ?
are the smallest and are designed to fit into the palm of one hand. These systems contain an entire computer system, including the electronic components, secondary storage, and input and output devices. Personal digital assistants ( PDAs) and smartphones are the most widely used hand-held computers. Smartphones are cell phones with wireless connections to the Internet and processing capabilities. Their growth has been explosive in the past few years.
Describe the Environment, the Careers in IT, and the Computing Essentials website features?
• Environment discusses important and relevant environmental issues. The impact of computers and other technologies is more critical today than ever before. • Careers in IT presents job descriptions, employment demands, educational requirements, salary ranges, and advancement opportunities. • Computing Essentials website integrates the textbook with information on the web, including animations, career information, tips, test review materials, and much more.
Define and compare general- purpose, specialized, and mobile applications.
• General purpose — widely used in nearly all career areas; programs include browsers, word processors, spreadsheets, database management systems, and presentation graphics. • Specialized — focus more on specific disciplines and occupations; programs include graphics and web authoring. • Mobile apps — designed for mobile devices; most popular are for text messaging, Internet browsing, and connecting to social networks.
Describe the Making IT Work for You, Tips, Explorations, and Ethics features?
• Making IT Work for You presents several interesting and practical applications. Topics include using digital video editing and locating job opportunities. • Tips offer a variety of suggestions on such practical matters as how to improve slow computer performance and how to protect your privacy while on the web. • Explorations direct you to important information and websites that relate to computers and technology. • Ethics boxes pose a variety of different ethical/ unethical situations for your consideration.
Describe three types of system software programs.
• Operating systems coordinate resources, provide an interface, and run applications. • Utilities perform specific tasks to manage computer resources. • Device drivers are specialized programs to allow input and output devices to communicate with the rest of the computer system.
What are the parts of an information system?
• People are an essential part of the system. The purpose of information systems is to make people, or end users like you, more productive. • Procedures are rules or guidelines to follow when using software, hardware, and data. They are typically documented in manuals written by computer professionals. • Software (programs) provides step- by- step instructions to control the computer to convert data into information. • Hardware consists of the physical equipment. It is controlled by software and processes data to create information. • Data consists of unprocessed facts including text, numbers, images, and sound. Information is data that has been processed by the computer. • Connectivity allows computers to connect and share information.
Describe the four basic categories of microcomputer hardware?
• System unit: The system unit is a container that houses most of the electronic components that make up a computer system. Two important components of the system unit are the microprocessor and memory. The microprocessor controls and manipulates data to produce information. Memory is a holding area for data, instructions, and information. One type, random- access memory (RAM), holds the program and data that is currently being processed. This type of memory is sometimes referred to as temporary storage because its contents will typically be lost if the electric power to the computer is disrupted. • Input/ output: Input devices translate data and programs that humans can understand into a form that the computer can process. The most common input devices are the keyboard and the mouse. Output devices translate the processed information from the computer into a form that humans can under-stand. The most common output devices are monitors and printers. • Secondary storage: Unlike memory, secondary storage holds data and programs even after electric power to the computer system has been turned off. The most important kinds of secondary media are hard disks, solid- state storage, and optical discs. Hard disks are typically used to store programs and very large data files. Using rigid metallic platters and read/ write heads that move across the platters, data and information are stored using magnetic charges on the disk's surface. In contrast, solid- state storage does not have any moving parts, is more reliable, and requires less power. It saves data and information electronically similar to RAM except that it is not volatile. Three types are solid- state drives (SSDs) that are used much the same way as an internal hard disk, flash memory cards that are widely used in portable devices and USB drives that are a widely used compact storage medium for trans-porting data and information between computers and a variety of specialty devices. Optical discs use laser technology to store data and programs. Three types of optical discs are compact discs (CDs) , digital versatile (or video) discs (DVDs) , and Blu-ray discs. • Communication: At one time, it was uncommon for a microcomputer system to communicate with other computer systems. Now, using communication devices, a microcomputer can communicate with other computer systems located as near as the next office or as far away as halfway around the world, using the Internet. A modem is a widely used communication device that modifies audio, video, and other types of data communications into a form that can be processed by a computer. Modems also modify computer output into a form that can be transmitted across standard cable and telephone lines.
