Your Future and Computer Competency
COMPETENCIES
After you have read this chapter, you should be able to:
1. Explain the five parts of an information system: people, procedures , software , and data
2. Distinguish application software from system software.
3. Distinguish four kinds of computers-microcomputer, minicomputer, mainframe, and supercomputer--and describe hardware devices for input, processing, storage, output, and communication.
4. Describe document, worksheet, database, and presentation files.
5. Explain computer connectivity, the Internet, and the Web.
people, procedures, software, hardware, and data. Competent end users need to understand these basic parts and how connectivity through the Internet and the Web expands the role of information technology ( IT ) in our lives. In subsequent parts of information systems in detail.
Fifteen years ago, most people hard little to do with computers, at least directly. Of course, they filled out computerized forms, took computerized tests, and paid computerized bill. But the real work with computers was handled by specialists-- programmers, data-enter clerks, and computer operators.
Then microcomputer came along and changed everything. Now it is easy for nearly everybody to use a computer. People who use microcomputers are called end users. Today:
* Microcomputer are common tools in all areas of life, writers write, artists draw, engineers and scientists calculate ---all on microcomputers. Students and business-people do all this, and more.* New forms of learning have developed. People who are homebound, who work odd hours, or who travel frequently may take course needs not fit within the usual time of a quarter or a semester.
* New ways to communicate, to find people with similar interests, and to buy goods are available.
All kinds of people are using electronic mail, electronic commerce, and the Internet to meet and to share ideas and products.
What about you? How can microcomputers enhance your life?
IT Many interesting and practical uses of information technology have recently surfaced to make our personal lives richer and more entertaining. These applications range from recording video clips to creating personalized Web sites. ( See Making IT Work for You below. )
What about you? how can information technology and microcomputers enhance our life?
Competent end users need to Know the five parts of an information system made up of people, procedures, software, hardware, and data Additionally, they need to understand connectivity through the internet and the Web and to recognize the role of information technology in their professional and personal lives.
TV Tuner Cards and Video Clips
want to watch your favorite program while you work ? perhaps you would like to include a video clip from television in a class presentation. It's easy using a TV tuner card.
Voice Recognition systems and Dictating a Paper
Tired of using your keyboard to type term papers and to control programs? Voice recognition maybe just what you're looking for.
CD-R Drives and music from the Internet
Did you know that you could use the internet to locate music, download it to your computer, and create your own compact discs? All takes is the right software, hardware, and a connection to the internet.
Instant Messaging
Do you enjoy chatting with your friends? Are you working on a project and need to collaborate with others in your group ? perhaps instant messaging is just what you're looking for.
Personal Web Site
do you have anything to share with the world ? would you like a personal Web site. but don't want to deal with learning HTML and paying for server time ? Many services are available to get you started for FREE!
Information Systems
An information system has five parts: people, procedures, software, hardware, and data.
When you think of a microcomputer, perhaps you think of just the equipment itself. That is, you think of the monitor or the keyboard. There is more to it than that. The way to think about a microcomputer is as part of an information system. An information system has five parts: people, procedures, software, hardware, and data
1. People : It is easy to overlook people as one of the five parts of a microcomputer system. Yet that is what microcomputers are all about-- making people, end users like yourself, more productive.
2. Procedures : Procedures are rules or guidelines for people to follow when using software, hardware, and data. typically, these procedures are documented in manuals written by computer specialists. Software and hardware manufacturers provide manuals with their products.
3. Software : Software is another name for a program or programs. A program consists of the step-by -step instructions that tell the computer how to do its work. The purpose of software is to convert data ( unprocessed facts ) into information ( processed facts )
4. hardware : The hardware consists of the equipment ; keyboard, mouse, monitor, system unit, and other devices. Hardware is controlled by software. It actually processes the data to create information.
5. Data : Data consists of the raw, unprocessed facts, including text, numbers, images, and sounds. Examples of raw hours you worked and your pay rate. After data is processed through the computer, it is usually called information. An example of such information is the total wages owed you for a week's work.
In large computer systems, there are specialists who deal with writing procedures, developing software, and capturing data. In microcomputer systems, however, end users often perform these operations. To Be a competent end user, you must understand the essentials of information technology ( IT ), Including software, hardware, and data.
People
People are the most important part of an information system. Examples include people in entertainment, medicine, education, and business.
Although easy to overlook, people are surely the most important part of any information system. Our lives are touched every day by computers and information systems. Many times the contact and obvious such as when we create documents using a word processing or when we connect to the Internet.
Other times, the contact is not as obvious. Nonetheless computers and information systems touch our lives hundreds of times every day. Consider just the Following four examples.
people just like you are making information technology work for them every day. Throughout this book you will find several features designed to make technology work for you. Three specific features are Making IT work for you topics, Tips and On the Web Explorations.
Software
Software is of two kinds: system software and application software
System Software
The user interacts with application 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.
The most important system software program is the operating system ,which interacts with the application software and the computer. The operating system handles such details as running ("executing") programs, storing data and programs, and processing data. Windows 2000 is one of the best-known operating systems for today's microcomputer users.
Application Software
Application software might be describes as "end-user" software. Application software performs useful work on general-purpose tasks such as word processing and data analysis.
There are certain general-purpose programs or basic applications. These programs are widely used in nearly all career areas. They are the kind of programs you have to know to be considered computer competent. One of these basic applications is a browser to navigate, explore, and find information on the Internet. The two most widely used browsers are Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape's Navigator. For a summary of the basic applications
There are many other applications that are more specialized and widely used within certain career areas. They are the of programs you should know to be truly computer competent in the future. One of the most exciting applications is multimedia, which allows users to integrate video, music, voice, and graphics to create interactive presentations. For a summary of these specialized applications
Hardware
Four types of computers are supercomputer, mainframe computer, minicomputer, and microcomputer. Microcomputer hardware consists of the system unit, input/ output , secondary storage, and communications devices.
Computes are electronic devices that can follow instructions to accept input, process that input, and produce information. This book focuses principally on microcomputers. However, it is almost certain that you will come in contact, at least indirectly, with other types of computers.
Types Of Computers
There are four types of computers: supercomputers, mainframe computers, minicomputers, and microcomputers.
* Supercomputers : The most powerful type of computer is the supercomputer. These machines are special, high-capacity computers used by very large organizations. For example, NASA uses supercomputer to track and control space explorations.
* Mainframe computers : These large 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.
* Minicomputers : Also knows as midrange computers, minicomputers are desk-sized machines. Medium-sized companies or department of large companies typically use them for specific purposes. For example, production departments use minicomputer to monitor certain manufacturing processes and assembly-line operations.
* Microcomputers : Although the least powerful, microcomputers are the most widely used and fastest-growing type of computer. Apple recently introduced their computers. Categories of microcomputer include desktop ,notebook, and personal digital assistants. Desktop computer are small enough to fit on top of or alongside a desk yet are too big to carry around. Notebook computers are portable, weigh between 4 and 10 pounds, and fit into most briefcases. personal digital assistants ( PDAs) are also knows as palmtop computers or handheld computers. They combine pen input, writing recognition, personal organizational tools, and communications capabilities in a very small package.
Microcomputer Hardware
Hardware for a microcomputer system consists of a variety of different devices. This physical equipment falls into four basic categories: system unit, input/ output, secondary storage, and communication devices. Because we discuss hardware in detail later in this book, we will present just a quick overview here.
* System unit : the system unit is electronic circuitry housed within the computer cabinet. Two important of the system unit are the microprocessor and memory. The microprocessor control and manipulates data to produce information. Memory, also known as primary storage or random access memory (RAM), holds data and program instructions for processing the data. It also holds the processed information before it is output. 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 devices : 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 or video display screens and printers
Data is stored in document, worksheet, database, and presentation files.
Data is used to describe facts about something. When stored electronically in files, data can be used directly as input for the information system.
* Document files : Created by word processors to save documents such as memos, term papers, and letters.
* Worksheet files : Created by electronic spreadsheet 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 title, and other related prices 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.
Connectivity and the internet
Connectivity is the microcomputer's ability to communicate with other computers and information sources. The internet is the largest network in the world.
Connectivity is the capability of your microcomputer to share information with other computers Data and information can be sent over telephone line or cable and through the air. Thus, your microcomputer can be connected to other computers. It can connect you to the Internet and to many computerized data banks and sources of information that lie well beyond your desk.
Connectivity is a very significant development, for it expands the uses of the microcomputer several fold . central to the concept of connectivity is the computer network. A network is a communications system connecting two or more computers. networks connect people as the next office and as far away as halfway around the world.
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 Internet is a huge computer network available to nearly everyone with a microcomputer and a means to connect to it. The Web, also known as the World Wide Web or WWW, is an Internet service that provides a multimedia interface to numerous resources available on the Internet.
