INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, THE INTERNET, AND YOU

Do you KNOW???

Just a few years ago, the computer was a device you might have used seated at a desk for work or school. Today computers go with us, connecting us to a world of information, our friends, and even our work. The speed of technological developments makes it easy to imagine a world where we are always connected to the internet. Some experts predict the Web will become seamlessly integrated into our lives. Connectivity will mean connections to our documents data, our friends and family, and facts and figures gathered the world over. Imagine a world where the mobile device in your hand is like an expert personal assistant with access to all of these resources. Your calendar might remind you of a friend’s birthday, provide suggestions for a gift, and provide a map to store where you might want to shop on your way home from work.

HOW TO BECOME COMPETENT WITH COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY???

Computer competency refers to acquiring computer-related skills-indispensible tools for today, which include how to effectively use popular application packages and the Internet.

To be competent with computer technology, you need to know the five parts of an information system. Also, you need to understand connectivity, the wireless revolution, the Internet and Web and to recognize the role of information technology in your personal and professional life.

What is IT??

Information technology:

• Ø  People
• Ø  Procedures
• Ø  Software
• Ø  Hardware
• Ø  Data

PEOPLE are an essentials part of system. The purpose of information system is to make people, or end users like you, more productive.

PROCEDURES are rules or guidelines to follow when using software, hard ware, 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 is an additional part to today’s information systems. It allows computers to connect and share information. To be computer competent, end users need to understand information technology (IT).

WHAT IS DATA?

Data is raw,unprocessed facts,including text,numbers,images and sounds.

Four common types of data

Document files

Worksheet files

Database files

Presentation files

Document files  

• created by word processors to save the document

Worksheet files

• created by electronic spreadsheets to analyze things like budget.

Database files

• created by database management programs to contain highly structured and organized data.

Presentation files

• created by presentation graphics programmes to save presentation materials like Microsoft Power Point.

CONNECTIVITY,THE WIRELESS REVOLUTION AND THE INTERNET

What is connectivity??Connectivity is the capability of your microcomputer to share the information with other computers.Meanwhile wireless revolution, a revolution that is expected to dramatically affect the way we communicate and use computer technology.

wireless communication devices

Network is the central concept of connectivity.Network is a communication system connecting two or more computers. Internet is  the largest network in the world.

Its like 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.

HARDWARE 


Computers are electronic devices that can follow instructions to accept input, process that input, and produce information. 


Types of Computers 
There are 4 types of computers : supercomputers, mainframe computers, minicomputers and microcomputers.








SUPERCOMPUTERS
are the most powerful type of computer.
These machines are special high-capacity computers used by very large organizations.
IBM's Blue Gene is one of the fastest computers in the world.

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. 

MINICOMPUTERS
also known as midrange computers,
are refrigerator-sized machines.
Medium-sized companies or departments of large companies typically use them for specific purpose.

MICROCOMPUTERS
are the least powerful,
yet the most widely used and fastest-growing type of computer.


We focuses principally on microcomputers. There are 6 types of microcomputers :

• Desktop computers
• Media centers
• Notebook computers
• Netbooks
• Tablet PC
• Handheld computers
• Personal digital assistants ( PDAs ) & smartphones 

now, come look into the mict\rocomputers hardware. This physical equipment falls into four basic categories : system unit, input/output, secondary storage and communication.

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 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 electrical 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 understand. The most common output devices are monitors and printers. Can u list others?????????

Secondary storage ::: Unlike memory, secondary storage holds data and programs even after electrical power to the computer system has been turned off. The most important kinds of secondary storage media are hard disks, solid-state storage (solid-state drive , flash memory cards and USB drives ) and optical disks ( CD, DVD and hi def ).


Communication devices ::: a microcomputer can communicate with other computers systems located as near as the next office or as far away as halfway around the world using the Internet. Modems modify output for transmission across standard telephone lines.

Careers in IT

Webmaster : develops and maintains web sites and web resources

Computer support specialist :

Provides technical support to customers and other users.

Technical writer :

Prepares instruction manuals, technical reports, and other scientific or technical documents.

Software engineer :

Analyzes users’ needs and creates application software.

software engineer

Network administrator :

Create and maintains computer networks

Database administrator :

Uses database management software to determine the most efficient ways to organize and access data.

Systems analyst :

Plans, designs and maintains information systems.

Programmer :

Creates, tests, and troubleshoots computer programs.