Computers:
Information Technology in Perspective, 11e
Larry Long and Nancy Long
Chapter 1
The Technology Revolution
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
1
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.
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
2
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
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
3
Our Information Society


Ask yourself what it
will be like in the year
2010
Most adults are
considered
knowledge workers


IT changes how we
work, learn, and
communicate
Knowing computers
will help you cope
with IT
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
4
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
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
5
The Technology Revolution: Tomorrow



Search for a home
around the country
Obtain a doctor’s
consultation via
telemedicine
Information
superhighway will
connect every facet of
our society
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
6
Looking Back a Few Years
ENAIC &
UNIVAC I
PCs
introduced!
Very
expensive
computers
for large
companies.
Computer
professionals
ran the show.
2008
2001
1960s
1950
Home
computers
& networks
2.5G
mid1970s
2003
Powerful PCs
on every
desktop.
Explosion of
applications.
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
High peed
Wireless
Internet,
Mobile
Computing,
Wi-Fi, 3G,
Laptop
Computers
7
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
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
8
Reasons to Become IT-Competent

Personal





Travel arrangements
Sports scores
Managing finances



Workplace





Educational
Strategic planning
Competitive advantage
Obtaining work
Day-to-day processes
Productivity
Societal



Any-time-any place
learning
Individual learning
Ethical issues
Harmful risks
Curiosity

Natural curiosity for IT
power
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
9
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…
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
10
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
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
11
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
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
12
The Basics: Hardware

A computer system:

Input


Processor


Monitor/Printer
Storage



Chip
Output


Keyboard/Mouse
Permanent (Hard Disk)
Temporary (RAM)
A processor is the heart
of the computer
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
13
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
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
14
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
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
15
Personal Computers



1981: IBM PC
Many manufacturers
followed with 100%
IBM PC compatibles
Other PCs:
 Apple
Power Mac
 Powerbook
 iMac
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
16
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
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
17
Desktop PCs

Typical Desktop PC:










Motherboard
Keyboard
Point and draw device
Monitor
Printer
Hard disk
Floppy
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
Microphone
Speakers
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
18
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
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
19
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
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
20
Thin Clients






Looks like a PC
Small
Less RAM
No internal hard disk
Less expensive
Depends on a central
network
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
21
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
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
22
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
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
23
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…
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
24
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
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
25
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
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
26
What Can a Computer Do?
Computation Operations

Computers can:
 Add
 Subtract
 Multiply
 Divide
 Do
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
exponentiation
27
What Can a Computer Do?
Logic Operations

Computers have the
logical capability to
compare between
numbers and
between words
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
28
The Computer’s Strengths







Speed
Accuracy
Consistency
Reliability
Communications
Memory capability
Human vs. computer
capabilities
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
29
How Do We Use Computers?

Enterprise Computing
 Information
systems
 Process/device control
 Science, research, &
engineering

Personal Computing
 Games
 Education
 Work
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
30
Computer Decisions


Purchasing decisions
Software decisions
 Word
processing
 Presentation
 Spreadsheet
 Database
 And more…
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
31
Summary

Our Information Society
 IT
competency
 Getting connected
 Knowing the hardware basics
 Personal computers to supercomputers
 Computer system capabilities
 Using computers
Copyright Prentice Hall, Inc.
32