ICT Key Terms
The personal skills and qualities of an ICT professional.
...good oral communication skills, good written communication skills, team working skills, patience, flexible working hours, problem solving skills.
File Management Software
3 Functions of File Management Software: -Move files from one location to another. -Re-name files. -Duplicate files.
Utility Software
3 Functions of Utility Software: -De-fragment the disk. -Firewalls. -Disk clean up, remove unwanted files.
3 Types of User Interface
3 Types of User Interface: -GUI (Graphical User Interface) e.g. Windows, icons, toolbars, etc. -Command line, usually for more advanced users, advantages are that it takes very little memory and processing power. -Menu driven, many different menus and options for the user to choose from.
Network Interface Card (NIC)
A network interface card is a computer circuit board or card that is installed in a computer so that it can be connected to a network. Any computer that is connected to a network, needs to have a network interface card.
Client
A person with a problem or request that wants a solution for their problem. Usually the request is given to a development team to solve.
Intranet
A private internal network accessible to the members of an organisation. An Intranet uses Internet protocols and is accessible via a browser. An intranet is used for sharing resources and organisational information as well as sending messages.
Transaction Processing
A transaction is made up of data and processes that update (make a single change) to the data held on the system. Each transaction must be completed before the next transaction is begun. Examples of a single transaction include booking an airline ticket, transferring money between bank accounts, ordering. Usually there are multiple users of a transaction processing system.
Back pain
Back pain can occur when not sitting on your computer chair or any chair in general in the incorrect fashion. For example, slouching on the chair can cause back pain, as well as, your feet not being flat on the floor and other things that could cause spinal pain and damage such as the computer monitor not being at eye level.
Communication devices
Communication Devices are pieces of hardware that are needed to turn stand-alone computers in to networked computers. Network Interface Card (NIC), router, hub, switch.
Integrated software
Consists of software for several distinct applications. For example, office software.
Bespoke software
Custom or tailored software that is specifically made for a certain user or organisation. It is made to work exactly how the organisations wants. For example, payroll software.
Data
Data are raw facts and figures which are meaningless without context
ICT
Information and Communication Technology is the use of technology for the input, processing, storage and transfer of data and the output of information
Information
Information is data that has been processed and is output from an ICT system. Processing gives it context/meaning
Characteristics of effective teams.
Effective Leader - Appropriate allocation of tasks - Adherence to standards - Monitoring of progress / ability to meet deadlines - Monitoring of team budget - Control (over change) - Balance of team - Good internal communication skills - Good external communication skills
Headaches
Headaches can happen when you focus on a screen for too long, this could worsen if the user or worker feels under stress. To prevent it, try not to focus on the screen for long periods of time and take regular breaks from the screen.
Input
Input is where raw data are entered / captured into an ICT system
Interactive Processing
Interactive processing provides for a dialogue between the user and the system. There are immediate responses from the system. Example: Game playing involves a "dialogue" between the user and the computer so that the actions being carried out on the controller are instantly seen on the screen output
Commercial value of data
Its value might be determined by how much time and effort it takes to make it It's value might also be determined by its potential uses example: Medical research data that has taken many scientists a number of years to gather, analyse and experiment etc would be worth a lot of money to a competitor
Network
Linking two or more computer devices and other hardware (such as peripherals) together for the purpose of sharing and transferring data, communication, sharing software and devices.
LAN
Local Area Network - Usually covers a single building or site and could be linked by the use of cables The organisation owns all the communication equipment
Age
Older generation may be slower than younger people ie: speed of actions will be a consideration.
Privacy
Privacy is ensuring that data is only accessed or viewed by those who have permission/authorisation to do so and is not disclosed to anyone who is not entitled to see it The right of an individual to keep certain aspects of their life private
Process
Processing is where data are converted / changed into useful, meaningful information
Software
Programs that function within a computer, for example, Microsoft Word or Photoshop.
RSI
Repetitive Strain Injury happens when people perform the same task over and over again. For example, typing on a keyboard. RSI could lead to things like arthritis, pain and or damage to joints, sometime permanently. To prevent it take regular breaks from doing repetitive tasks.
Security
Security means the application of safeguards to an ICT system to protect data and keep it safe from accidental or malicious modifications, destruction or damage
Stress
Stress can happen to anyone when there is 1. too much work to do 2. not enough time to complete the tasks given and or 3. having to learn a new system that is difficult to use and is worse than the previous system. There are also other examples, but those are the most common in terms of ICT.
Internet
The internet is a series of interlinked networks which cover the globe/world, allowing the sending and retrieval of information from one computer to another, sometimes described as "a network of networks".
Data Transfer Medium
The material which forms the connection between the computers in a network e.g. copper wire, fibre optic cable, radio waves in the case of wireless connection.
User (end user)
The person or people that the software is developed for, the people that will use the solution and be able to change it if they need to.
Output
The production of meaningful information in a format that is useful for its purpose
WWW - World Wide Web
The www connects information in the form of hypertext documents (HTML). it is a collection of multimedia resources accessed through a browser and hosted by the internet.
Types of Data
Types of data are: Text/Alphanumeric - Image - Video - Audio - Numeric
Experience
What is their experience in using this system ie: novice.
Malpractice
When an employee does not follow an organisation's ICT code of practice e.g. leaving a workstation logged on creating an opportunity for an unauthorised individual to access their account
Crime
When an individual or organisation break the law through using computers to illegally access a computer system e.g.to break in and change the payroll figures on the internal database
Eye strain
When looking at a computer screen or any screen in general people can be affected by eye strain. Symptoms of this include tired eyes, headaches, sore eyes and nausea. To prevent this try to cut down the amount of time spent looking at a screen, also be at least 16 inches away from any screen and every once in a while focus on something far away and then back onto the computer screen.
Environment of Use
Where will the system be used, what can be affected ie: not hear instructions because warehouse is very noisy..
Audience
Who the software/program is developed for, the target audience can be any group of people, for example, children ages 2-4 or adults between the age of 20 to 40. The people that will view the solution, but not change it.
WAN
Wide Area Network - A computer network that covers a large geographical area and could be linked by cables, radio waves/microwaves and leased lines. The hardware is situated in many other sites renting the services from third party telecommunication suppliers.
Tasks to be Undertaken
Will affect the user interface ie: a busy restaurant would benefit more from a concept keyboard.
Operating System
7 Functions of an Operating System: -Managing Memory, when a computer is carrying out more than one task . -Allocating processor time between various processes being carried out. -Controlling where data is stored on the disk. -Communicating with input and output devices. -Handling errors and displaying error messages. -System security, user and file permissions. -Provides a user interface where the user can easily use a computer with windows, icons, etc. (Graphical User Interface) (Extra ones: Boot strapping / booting up the computer.)
Extranet
An Extranet is an external network that can be used by the customers, suppliers and partners of an organisation to see a limited area of the organisation's intranet. Extranets are not accessible by the general public, users must be authorised to access an extranet with a username and password
ICT Systems
An ICT system consists of hardware and software being used to input data and output information for use by people who use procedures
Intrinsic value of data
An example would be a flight company having seats booked on a flight which is lost It is unlikely that anyone would want to buy this information but... This could cause customer dissatisfaction Reputation might be damaged
Batch Processing
Data to be input to a batch processing system is collected together (over a set period of time or until a certain batch size is reached. And then processed as a single operation. Batch processing systems don't require any human interaction whilst a batch is being processed. Example: of batch processing include payroll systems where many staff are paid at the same time, utility billing whre many bills are produced in a single operation.
Peripheral Drivers
Each peripheral device (e.g. printer, scanner, digital camera, webcam etc) needs some software to work with the hardware. This software is generally called peripheral drivers. This is part of systems software Peripheral drivers provide communication between the operating system / application software and the peripheral device They convert instructions from the software into a form that the peripheral device can understand
The six components of an ICT System
People, Data, Information, Software, Hardware, Procedures
Standards and protocols
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) - send emails between accounts Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) - Browsing the web ie: click on page which appears in browser Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) - Transfer money online from your bank, protocol ensures that information is encrypted and is secure. Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) - It defines how electronic devices (like computers) should be connected over the Internet, and how data should be transmitted between them. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) - Is a method for taking analog audio signals, like the kind you hear when you talk on the phone, and turning them into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3) - POP3 is the most recent version of a standard protocol for receiving e-mail. POP3 is a client/server protocol in which e-mail is received and held for you by your Internet server. Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) - Is a protocol for e-mail retrieval and storage developed by Mark Crispin in 1986 at Stanford University as an alternative to POP.
SDLC
Software Development Life Cycle, it is a structure followed by development teams to develop software, it contains a detailed structure of how it should be made.
Application software
Software that includes databases, word processing, spreadsheets and other related software within it. Application software can be grouped together along with system software.
Systems software
Software that is designed to control the computer's hardware and to provide a platform for it to communicate with each other, such as an operating system or a computers BIOS.
Specific software
Software that performs one particular task, such as garden design software.
Physical Characteristics
Some users may have particular needs due to physical impairments this should be taken into consideration by the system analyst.