computing
ESSENTIALS
Information
Technology,
the Internet,
and You
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1
Computer competency
• Acquiring computer-related skills
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computing
ESSENTIALS
Components of Information Systems
1. People (End users ) Goal is to improve the
productivity of people)
2. Procedures ( rules or Guidelines to follow using
software, hardware, data)
3. Software
4. Hardware
5. Data (text, numbers, images, sounds);
Data :Raw unprocessed facts
information :is processed (useful )data.
6. Connectivity (Allows computers to connect and
share information
computing
ESSENTIALS
People
• People (End users their goal is to improve the
productivity of people)
• Most important part of an information system
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computing
ESSENTIALS
Software (Programs)
• Series of instructions that process data
• Two kinds
– System software (Used by the computer)
– Application software(Used by the user)
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computing
ESSENTIALS
System Software
• Enables application software to interact with computer
hardware
• System Software include 3 parts
1-Operating system software (ex. Windows XP, MacOS)
2- Utilities :programs perform specific tasks related to
managing computer resources (ex. Windows disk
defragmenter)
3- Device Drivers :specialized programs allow input or output
device to communicate with computer system .
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computing
ESSENTIALS
Application Software
• Used by the End-user
• Application Software has 2 parts :
1- Basic or General-purpose programs
– Internet Explorer, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint
2- Special-purpose programs
– Custom written for specialized tasks
– Ex. Adobe photo shop
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computing
ESSENTIALS
Hardware
• Physical electronic
devices
• Hardware functions
– Input/Output data
– Process data
– Storage
– Communication
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computing
ESSENTIALS
Types of Computers
1. Supercomputers, Most powerful type of computer with High
data capacity ,and used by large organization
2. Mainframe computers (Less powerful then supercomputers
but still Capable of great processing speed and Large data
storage capacity ,
3. Minicomputers(midrange computers), Desk-sized machines
4. Microcomputers(Least powerful but most popular)
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computing
ESSENTIALS
Microcomputers
• Least powerful but most popular
• Sizes range from desktop to handheld
• Includes:
1. Desktop - fit on desk tops, but not portable
2. Laptop(notebook) - portable
3. Tablet PC type of notebook that accept handwriting .
4. PDAs- Personal digital assistants, also called palmtop
computers, or handheld computers
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computing
ESSENTIALS
Microcomputer Hardware

Physical equipment consist of

System unit

I/O devices

Secondary storage(floppy ,hard drive,
optical disks)
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computing
ESSENTIALS
System Unit
• Container Contains most of the
electronic components
• Most Significant components:
1. Microprocessor(Controls and
manipulates data
2. Memory(random access memory
(RAM))
• Holds data and programs
during processing
• Memory is temporary because
it’s contents will be lost when
power is interrupted
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computing
ESSENTIALS
Input/Output Devices
• Translation devices that interface the computer with humans
• Input devices(that data and programs are translated from
human readable form into machine readable form.)
– Keyboard, mouse, scanner, digital camera
• Output devices(data and programs are translated from
machine readable form into human readable form.)
– Monitor, printer, speakers
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computing
ESSENTIALS
Secondary Storage Devices
• Store data and programs even after power is
shut off
• Most common types
– Floppy disks
– Hard disks
– Optical disks (CD-ROMs, DVDs)
– Magnetic tapes
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computing
ESSENTIALS
Data Files
• Electronic storage of raw or processed data and Used to
describe facts about something
• Common types
1. Document, usually created by word processors
2. Worksheet, electronic spreadsheet analysis of data such as
budgets, sales
3. Database, electronic database management programs,
data is stored in a highly structured and organized manner
4. Presentation, electronic slides
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computing
ESSENTIALS
Connectivity
• Computer’s ability to
communicate and
share information with
other computers
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computing
ESSENTIALS
Wireless Revolution
• Wireless Revolution: is the widespread and
increasing use of mobile communication devices
• Most dramatic change in connectivity
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computing
ESSENTIALS
The Internet
• The Internet: Largest network in the world (Global
connectivity)
• World Wide Web (WWW) --multimedia sites that contain the information and
resources online
OR Internet service providing multimedia interface
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End of Chapter 1