Chapter 1: Information Technology, the Internet, and You

Internet

(allows computers to connect to people and other computers.) Almost all information systems provide a way to connect to other people and computers, typically using the Internet. This connectivity greatly expands the capability and usefulness of information systems.

People:

(are end users who use computers to make themselves more productive.) It is easy to overlook people as one of the parts of an information system. Yet this is what personal computers are about--making people, end users like you, more productive.

Data

(consists of unprocessed facts, including text, numbers, images, and sounds.) The raw unprocessed facts, including text, numbers, images, and sounds, are called data. Processed data yields information. Using the previous example of a payroll program, the data (number of hours worked and pay rate) is processed (multiplied) to yield information (weekly pay).

Hardware

(includes keyboard, mouse, display, system unit, tablets, smartphones, and other devices.) The equipment that processes the data to create information is called hardware. It includes smartphones, tablets, keyboards, mice, displays, system units, and other devices. Hardware is controlled by software.

Software

(provides step-by-step instructions for computer hardware.) A program consists of the step-by-step instructions that tell the computer how to do its work. Software is another name for a program or programs. The purpose of software is to convert data (unprocessed facts) into information (processed facts). For example, a payroll program would take the number of hours you worked in a week (data) and multiply it by your pay rate (data) to determine how much you paid for the week (information).

Procedures

(specify rules or guidelines for computer operations.) The rules or guidelines for people to follow when using software, hardware, and data are procedures. These procedures are typically documented in manuals written by computer specialists. Software and hardware manufacturers provide manuals with their products. These manuals are provided in either printed or electronic form.

Communication

At one time, it was uncommon for a personal computer system to communicate with other computer systems. Now, using communication devices, a personal computer routinely communicates 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 into a form that can be transmitted across the Internet.

Hardware

Computers are electronic devices that can follow instructions to accept input, process that input, and produce information. This book focuses primarily on personal computers.

Connectivity and the Mobile Internet

Connectivity is the capability of your personal computer to share information with other computers. Central to the concept of connectivity is the network. A 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. The 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. The rate of technological change is accelerating at an even faster pace. Along with the Internet, three things that are driving the impact of technology on our lives are cloud computing, wireless communication, and the Internet of things.

Data

Data is raw, unprocessed facts, including text, numbers, images, and sounds. As we mentioned earlier, processed data becomes information. When stored electronically in files, data can be used directly as input for the system unit.

Four 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 systems 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 software to save presentation materials. For example, a file might contain audience handouts, speaker notes, and electronic slides.

Personal Computer Hardware

Hardware for a personal computer system consists of a variety of different devices. This physical equipment falls into four basic categories: system unit, input/output, secondary storage, and communication. Because we discuss hardware in detail later in this book, here we will present just a quick overview of the four basic categories.

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 understand. The most common output device is the display, also known as a monitor.

Cell Phones

Many people are not aware that their cell phone is a computer, and this computer has many of the same components as desktops, laptops, and tablets. At one time, cell phones had very limited power and were almost exclusively used for making telephone calls. Now, almost all cell phones are powerful smartphones capable of connecting to the Internet and running any number of apps. In fact, nearly every cell phone purchased today is more powerful than the computers used to land the first person on the moon. Today, over 99 percent of Americans under the age of 30 own a cell phone, and over 96 percent of those cell phones are smartphones. As a result, the two terms are becoming interchangeable. Reflecting this trend, we will use the term cell phone and smartphone interchangeably.

People

People are surely the most important part of any information system.

Software

Software, as we mentioned, is another name for programs. Programs are the instructions that tell the computer how to process data into the form you want. In most cases, the words software and programs are interchangeable. There are two major kinds of software: systems software and application software. You can think of application software as the kind you use. Think of system software as the kind the computer uses.

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 microprocessors 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 are 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.

System Software

The user interacts primarily with system software. System software enables the application software to interact with the computer hardware. System software is "background" software that helps the computer manage its own internal resources. System software is not a single program. Rather, it is a collection of programs, including the following: (see the next 2 terms).

Types of Computers

There are four types of computers: supercomputers, mainframe computers, midrange computers, and personal computers.

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 disks. 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. Optical disks use laser technology to store data and programs. Three types of optical disks are compact disks (CDs), digital versatile (or video) disks (DVDs), and Blu-ray disks (BD).

Careers+Descriptions

Webmaster: Develops and maintains websites and web resources. Software engineer: Analyzes users' needs and creates application software. Computer support specialist: Provides technical support to customers and other users. Computer technician: Repairs and installs computer components and systems. Technical writer: Prepares instruction manuals, technical reports, and other scientific or technical documents. Network administrator: Creates and maintains computer networks.

Figure 1-7 General Purpose Applications

Word processors: Prepare written documents Spreadsheets: Analyze and summarize numerical data Database management systems: Organize and manage data and information Presentation software: Communicate a message or persuade other people

Personal computers

also known as PC's, are the least powerful, yet the most widely used and fastest-growing type of computer. There are five types of personal computers: desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and wearables. Desktop computers are small enough to fit on top of or alongside a desk yet too big to carry around. Laptop computers, also known as notebook computers, are portable and lightweight and fit into most briefcases. Tablets, also known as tablet computers, are smaller, lighter, and generally less powerful than laptops. Like a laptop, 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. Smartphones are the most widely used personal computer. Smartphones are cell phones with wireless connections to the Internet and processing capabilities. Other mobile computers include wearable devices like Apple's watch.

Mobile apps

also known as mobile applications or simply apps, are small programs primarily designed for mobile devices such as smartphones and for tablets. There are over 5 million apps. The most popular mobile apps are for social networking, playing games, and downloading music and videos.

Midrange computers

also referred to as servers, are computers with processing capabilities less powerful than a mainframe computer yet more powerful than a personal computer. Originally used by medium-sized 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 specific needs as retrieving data from a a database or supplying access to application software.

Operating systems

are programs that coordinate computer resources, provide an interface between users and the computer, and run applications. Smartphones, tablets, and many other mobile devices use embedded operating systems, also known as real-time operating systems (RTOS). Desktop computers use stand-alone operating systems like Windows 10 or macOS. Networks use network operating systems (NOS).

Supercomputers

are the most powerful type of computer. These machines are special, high-capacity computers used by very large organizations. Supercomputers are typically used to process massive amounts of data. For example, they are used to analyze and predict world weather patterns. IBM's Blue Gene is one of the fastest computers in the world.

General-purpose applications

are wisely used in nearly all career areas. They are the kinds of programs you have to know to be considered an efficient and effective end user. Some of the best known are presented in Figure 1-7.

Wireless communication

has changed the way we communicate with one another. The rapid development and widespread use of wireless communication devices like tablets, cell phones, and wearable devices have led many experts to predict that wireless applications are just the beginning of the wireless revolution, a revolution that will dramatically affect the way we communicate and use computer technology.

Information System

has several parts: people, procedures, software, hardware, data, and the Internet

Specialized applications

include thousands of other programs that are narrowly focused on specific disciplines and occupations. Two of the best known are graphics and web authoring programs.

The Internet of Things (IoT)

is the continuing development of the Internet that allows everyday objects embedded with electronic devices to send and receive data over the Internet. It promises to connect all types of devices, from computers to cell phones, to any number of everyday devices.

Application software

might be described as end-user software. Three types of application software are general-purpose, specialized, and apps.

Mainframe computers

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.

Utilities

perform specific tasks related to managing computer resources. One of the most essential utility programs that every computer system should have an antivirus program. These programs protect your computer system from viruses or malicious programs that are all too often deposited onto your computer from the Internet. These programs can damage software and hardware, as well as compromise the security and privacy of your personal data. If your computer does not have an antivirus program installed on it, you need to get one.

Cloud computing

uses the Internet and the web to shift many computer activities from a user's computer to computers on the Internet. 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.