Exploring Information Systems and IT Basics

1. Information Technology, the Internet, and You 1

2. Learning Objectives • Explain the parts of an information system: people, procedures, software, hardware, data, and the Internet. • Distinguish between system software and application software. • Differentiate between the kinds of system software programs. • Define and compare general purpose, specialized, and mobile applications. • Identify the four types of computers and the four types of personal computers. • Describe the different types of computer hardware, including the system unit, input, output, storage, and communication devices. • Define data and describe document, worksheet, database, and presentation files. • Explain computer connectivity, the wireless revolution, the Internet, and cloud computing.

3. Introduction • Personal computers are common tools in all areas of life • New forms of learning have developed • College course does not have to be a quarter or semester any longer • Computers offer many new ways to communicate

4. Parts of an Information System • People • Procedures • Software • Hardware • Data • The Internet

5. People • Most important part of any system • Computer uses • Business • Medicine • Education • Entertainment

6. Software • There are two major kinds of software: • System Software • Application Software • The purpose of application software is to convert raw data into information.

7. System Software • Enables application software to interact with computer hardware • Provides an interface so computer users can interact with application programs • Background software helps manage resources • Collection of programs • Operating System • Utilities • Device Drivers

8. System Software (continued) • Operating System • Coordinates computer resources • Provides the user interface • Runs applications

9. System Software (cont.) • Utilities • Perform specific tasks related to managing computer resources • Housekeeping tasks • Antivirus Program • Device Drivers • Programs designed to enable the computer to communicate with input or output devices

10. Application Software • End-user software • Types • General-Purpose applications • Specialized applications • Mobile apps

11. Hardware – Types of Computers • Personal computers • Midrange computers (servers) • Mainframe computers • Supercomputers

12. Personal Computer Types • Desktop • Laptop (Notebook, Netbook) • Tablet PC • Handheld

13. Personal Computer Hardware • Four basic categories of equipment • System Unit • Input/Output Devices • Secondary Storage • Communications

14. System Unit • Most important components • Microprocessor (Processor) • Central Processing Unit (CPU) • Memory (RAM) • Random Access Memory (Main memory) • Holds programs and data currentlybeing processed • Holds processed information beforeit is output • Temporary storage; contents are lost when power is off (volatile)

15. Input/Output Devices

16. Secondary Storage • Holds data and programs even if power is off (non-volatile) • Hard disk (magnetic storage) • Solid-state storage • No moving parts • More reliable • Requires less power • Optical disc • Laser technology • Greater capacity • CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs

17. Communications • Communication devices, such as modems, provide personal computers with the ability to communicate with other computer systems • Modems modify audio, video and other types of data into a form that can be transmitted across telephone lines

18. Data • Raw, unprocessed characters (letters, numbers, symbols) • Processed data becomes information • Digital data is stored electronically in files • Types of files • Documents • Spreadsheets • Databases • Presentations

19. Document Files • Created by word processing programs • Memos • Letters • Term papers

20. Spreadsheet Files • Created by electronic spreadsheets to analyze things like budgets and to predict sales

21. Database Files • Typically created by database management systems to contain highly structured and organized data

22. Presentation Files • Created by presentation graphics programs to prepare presentation materials.

23. Connectivity and the Mobile Internet • Connectivity • Sharing of information • Mobile/Wireless devices • Cloud computing and the Wireless Revolution • Computer networks • Computers connected by a communication system • Largest network is the Internet • Cloud Computing • Uses the Internet and the Web to shift many computer activities from a user’s computer to computers on the Internet

24. Careers in Information Technology • For a complete listing of careers, visit http://www.mhhe.com/ce2015/ • Select Student Edition and then Careers

25. A Look to the Future Using and Understanding Information Technology • The Internet and the Web • Powerful Software • Powerful Hardware • Security, Privacy and Ethics • Organizations • Changing Times

26. Open-Ended Questions (Page 1 of 2) • Explain the parts of an information system. What part do people play in this system? • What is system software? What kinds of programs are included in system software? • Define and compare general-purpose applications, specialized, applications and apps. Describe some different types of general-purpose applications. Describe some types of specialized applications.

27. Open-Ended Questions (Page 2 of 2) • Describe the different types of computers. What is the most common type? What are the types of personal computers? • What is connectivity? What are wireless devices and the wireless revolution? What is a computer network? What are the Internet and the Web? What is cloud computing?