Computers: Information Technology in Perspective, 11e Larry Long and Nancy Long Chapter 1 The Technology Revolution

Prof. Antonio Jose D. Celis, MM Faculty of Business, CBA Wesleyan University-Philippines antoncelis@yahoo.com

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Objectives

Once you have read and studied this chapter, you will have learned:

How information technology influences our society and you at work, at home, and at play. What it means to achieve IT competency and become an active participant in our information society. How local and worldwide computer networks impact businesses and society. Essential hardware, software, and computer system terminology that will enable you to begin your information technology learning adventure with confidence. The relative size, scope, uses, and variety of available computer systems. The fundamental components and capabilities of an IT system. A variety of enterprise computing and personal computing applications.
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Why this chapter is important to you!

Computers and technology are a part of everything we do Computers and new technologies will continue to play an even greater role in the future Computers help make work tasks easier The more you know about computers the more money you are capable of earning

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Our Information Society

Ask yourself what it will be like in the year 2020 Most adults are considered knowledge workers

IT changes how we work, learn, and communicate Knowing computers will help you cope with IT

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The Technology Revolution: Today

At Work

The mobile worker Productivity Communication Access

At Home

Communication Personal correspondence Homework Connection

At Play

Leisure activities Communication Gaming Connection

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The Technology Revolution: Tomorrow

Search for a home around the country Obtain a doctors consultation via telemedicine Information superhighway will connect every facet of our society

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Looking Back a Few Years

ENAIC & UNIVAC I PCs introduced! Home computers & networks 2.5G

2011
4G, NextGen

1960s 1950
Very expensive computers for large companies. Computer professionals ran the show.

2001 mid1970s
Powerful PCs on every desktop. Explosion of applications.

2008

2003

High speed Wireless Internet, Mobile Computing, Wi-Fi, 3G, Laptop Computers
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Rx for Cyberphobia: Information Technology Competency

Feeling comfortable Making the computer work for you Interacting with the computer Comfortable in cyberspace Understanding the impact of computers on society Making intelligent decisions Knowing the lingo

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Reasons to Become IT-Competent

Personal

Educational

Travel arrangements Sports scores Managing finances

Any-time-any place learning Individual learning Ethical issues Harmful risks

Workplace

Societal

Strategic planning Competitive advantage Obtaining work Day-to-day processes Productivity

Curiosity

Natural curiosity for IT power

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The Computer Proficiency Digital Divide

250 million people are considered knowledge workers 200 million are not considered IT competent Most think they are IT competent

Questions to ask:

Can you list five critical IT issues? Which port is faster, USB or 1394? When should you use your defragmenter? What type of wiring do you need for a home network? The list goes on and on

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The NET Connection:

Our Global Village

Over 80% of classrooms and libraries in the US are linked to the Internet Most computers in the workplace are part of a network Worldwide networks coordinate services and consumer goods Global economy is changing
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The Net Connection:

The Internet

The Internet connects millions of computers in every country all over the world All colleges and most businesses have access to the Internet Most subscribe to an ISP to gain Internet access Others subscribe to an information service, such as AOL A modem permits access via phone and/or cable Individuals can access Web sites, music, products and lots more
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The Basics: Hardware

A computer system:

Input

Keyboard/Mouse Chip Monitor/Printer Permanent (Hard Disk) Temporary (RAM)

Processor

Output

Storage

A processor is the heart of the computer

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The Basics: Software

Software tells the computer what to do System software takes control of the computer upon start up

Windows DOS

Application software performs specific task

Word Excel

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The Basics: Computer Systems

Low end $500 desktop High end very expensive supercomputer High/low end all have same four system components:

Input Processing Output Storage

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Personal Computers

1981: IBM PC Many manufacturers followed with 100% IBM PC compatibles Other PCs:
Apple

Power Mac Powerbook iMac

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Notebook PCs

Early notebook PCs did not have the power of a desktop PC Now notebooks offer the same level of performance Notebook PCs:

Light Compact Portable A docking station is used to configure the notebook to act like a larger desktop Ports allow devices to be connected, such as a printer

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Desktop PCs

Typical Desktop PC:

Motherboard Keyboard Point and draw device Monitor Printer Hard disk Floppy CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Microphone Speakers

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Wearable PCs

Cable connected modules that fit into headsets, drape on shoulders, hang around the neck, or more TLC PC for paramedics is a good example As time goes on vendors will be concerned with fashion, as well as function The Body Net is a great example

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Handhelds

Specifically designed to be held in the hand Example:

Palmtop PDA Organizer

Some have wireless capability Use an electronic pen to work with most

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Thin Clients

Looks like a PC Small Less RAM No internal hard disk Less expensive Depends on a central network

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Workstations

For power users Faster at crunching numbers Typically has a largescreen color monitor Point and draw devices can be combined Add-on keypads can expand functions

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Server Computers

Center of networks Can be a PC or a supercomputer A client computer requests resources for the server computer Server runs back-end applications Client runs front-end applications

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Supercomputers

Supercomputers address processor-bound applications 100 times faster than a corporate server Today use:

Airplane simulation Auto accident simulation Advanced graphics for movies And lots more

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Computer System Capabilities

Processing Data and Producing Information

Information used to be only collected, sorted, summarized, exchanged and processed Now information communicates, makes money available via ATMs, teaches, and lots more

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Computers in Action:
A Payroll System

Most organizations use a payroll system The system enables input and processes the checks The system also processes reports and stores information

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What Can a Computer Do?

Computation Operations

Computers can:
Add Subtract Multiply Divide Do

exponentiation

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What Can a Computer Do?

Logic Operations

Computers have the logical capability to compare between numbers and between words

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The Computers Strengths

Speed Accuracy Consistency Reliability Communications Memory capability Human vs. computer capabilities

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How Do We Use Computers?

Enterprise Computing
Information

systems Process/device control Science, research, & engineering

Personal Computing
Games Education Work

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Computer Decisions

Purchasing decisions Software decisions

Word

processing Presentation Spreadsheet Database And more

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Summary

Our Information Society

IT

competency Getting connected Knowing the hardware basics Personal computers to supercomputers Computer system capabilities Using computers

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