Is this really all that important to
know ?
Server Expansion Slots
Program MHz
Client Application Software
Network Upload
CPU FTP
Operating System
Introduction to Information Technology
IT
bit, byte, kilobyte, Network Drive
megabyte …
Memory
World Wide Web
Storage
Internet
etc.
1
Will there be computers in your
place of work?
Introduction to Information Technology
2
Will you have to communicate with
those you work with?
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3
Becoming Computer Savvy
Understand general computer terms.
Have a better sense of computers when
buying.
Know how to fix ordinary problems
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Efficiently use the Internet
Know how to learn new and different
programs
4
Using Information
Technology
Chapter 1
Introduction to Information Technology
Your Digital World
What is a computer?
A programmable machine
A machine that accepts input (raw
data), processes that input, and
produces output (information).
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6
What is a network?
Two or more computers connected
together using communications
equipment.
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7
Then along came …
Being “online” – using a computer to access information
from another computer through the use of a network.
The Internet
World Wide Web
E-mail
Introduction to Information Technology
Information technology (“infotech”):
IT - Technology that helps in the production, processing,
storing, communication and dissemination of information.
The E-World (E-business, E-commerce, E-government,
E-learning, E-pinions, E-tailing, E-waste)
8
The Internet, the World Wide Web, & the
“Plumbing of Cyberspace”
Cyberspace
encompasses the whole wired and wireless world
of communications.
Term created by William Gibson – author
Not a commonly used term in the field of
Computer Science.
Internet
Introduction to Information Technology
A global network of networks (tangible)
Do not confuse with WWW.
World Wide Web
Most common use of the Internet
Encompasses information that can be viewed
through a web browser (web pages).
Do not confuse with the Internet.
9
1.2 The “All-Purpose Machine”:
The Varieties of Computers
1. Supercomputers
2. Mainframes
Introduction to Information Technology
3. Workstations
4. Microcomputers
5. Microcontrollers
10
Supercomputers
Fastest computer
Can cost one million to 350
million dollars
looks like rows of refrigerator-
size boxes
Consists of thousands of
processors and can carry out
several trillion calculations per
Introduction to Information Technology
second.
Used for computer simulations
tracking hurricanes, biological
contamination, or
understanding ocean currents.
11
Mainframes
Small mainframes (mid-
size computers or
minicomputers).
5,000 to 5 million dollars
Used in large organizations
– banks, airlines, insurance
companies, colleges.
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Processes billions of
instructions per second.
Often used with a terminal.
12
Workstations
usually used for complex
scientific, mathematical,
and engineering
calculations and for
computer-aided design
Introduction to Information Technology
Example: designing
airplanes, special effects
in movies
13
Microcomputer
$500 - $5000
Personal Computer (PC)
Tower PC
Desktop PC
Laptop / Notebook
Personal digital assistants
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(PDAs), also called handheld
computers or palmtops
Mac
While a Mac is a PC, most
people relate the term, PC,
with systems that run the
Windows operating system.
14
Other types of microcomputers.
Introduction to Information Technology
Personal Digital Assistant
Laptop computer
15
Microcontrollers
tiny, specialized
microprocessors
installed in “smart”
appliances and
automobiles
Introduction to Information Technology
also called embedded
computers
16
Servers
The word “server” refers to how a computer is used.
Server - a central computer that holds collections of
data & programs for clients
Clients - PCs, workstations, & other devices
attached to a server
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Server + Clients linked together form a client/server
network
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How Computers Work
The purpose of a computer is to process
data into information.
Data (Input)
The raw facts and figures that are processed into
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information
Information (Output)
Datathat has been summarized or otherwise
manipulated for use in decision making
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Computers consist of hardware and
software.
Hardware
All the machinery and equipment in a
computer system
Tangible
Software
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All the instructions that tell the computer
how to perform a task
Intangible
19
All computers follow the same five
basic operations.
1. Input
2. Processing
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3. Storage
4. Output
5. Communications
20
Input
Mouse
Keyboard
21
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Processing
- Manipulating data into information
Case or system cabinet
the box that houses
the processor chip
(CPU – Central Processing Unit)
Introduction to Information Technology
memory chips (RAM)
motherboard with power supply
secondary storage devices
video card
Etc. …..
22
Motherboard
Motherboard - the main
circuit board in the
computer.
Everything else attaches
to the motherboard
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through connections
called ports.
Expansion slots - “plugs”
on the motherboard for
expanding the PC’s
capabilities via additional
circuit boards.
23
Processing
Front Back
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Processor chip
A tiny piece of silicon that contains millions of miniature
electronic circuits.
24
Storage
Primary storage
Computer circuitry that temporarily holds data
waiting to be processed and after it has been
processed
Also called:
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Memory or primary memory
RAM – Random Access Memory
Temporary storage
25
RAM
Memory chips
26
Introduction to Information Technology
Secondary storage
The area in the computer where data or
information is held permanently
Also simply called:
Storage
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27
Storage capacity is measured in:
1 byte - 1 character is represented using 1 byte.
= 8 bits (a bit is a 0 or a 1)
1 kilobyte - 1,024 characters.
= 210 bytes (approx. 103 bytes)
1 megabyte - 1,048,576 characters.
Introduction to Information Technology
= 220 bytes (approx. 106 bytes)
1 gigabyte - more than 1 billion characters.
= 230 bytes (approx. 109 bytes)
1 terabyte - more than 1 trillion characters.
= 240 bytes (approx. 1012 bytes)
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Storage
Floppy disk
Zip disk
29
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Storage
Hard-disk drive
30
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Storage
CD drive
31
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Storage
Flash Memory Sticks
32
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Output
Speakers
33
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Speaker output requires a sound
card.
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Sound card
34
Output
Monitor
35
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A video card controls the video
display of your monitor.
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36
Output
Printer
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Communications
38
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Put all the hardware together and…
39
Introduction to Information Technology
You still need the software!
System software
Helps the computer
perform essential
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operating tasks and
enables the
application software
to run
40
You still need the software!
Application software
Enables you to
perform specific
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tasks--solve
problems, perform
work, or entertain
yourself
41
The slides that follow will not
be covered in class.
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42
1.4 Where Is Information
Technology Headed?
Three Directions of Computer
Development
Miniaturization
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Speed
Then (1946) Now
Affordability
43
Three Directions of
Communications Development
Connectivity
Interactivity
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Multimedia
44
When Computers &
Communications Combine:
Convergence, Portability, &
Personalization
Convergence
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Portability
Personalization
45
“E” Also Stands for Ethics
Speed and scale
Unpredictability
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Complexity
46
Onward: Handling Information in
the Era of Pervasive Computing
Learn to deal with information overload
Have a strategy to memorize information:
reduce dependence on technology
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Learn how to make your “multitasking”
efficient
47
Onward: Handling Information in
the Era of Pervasive Computing
Be aware that “smart mobs” could also be
dumb mobs: Know when technology is
being used against you.
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48
Concept Check
What are the two key components of information
technology?
Introduction to Information Technology
Computers and communications
49
Concept Check
What are the two key aspects of cyberspace?
Introduction to Information Technology
The Internet and the World Wide Web
50
Concept Check
What are the five sizes of computers from
largest to smallest?
Introduction to Information Technology
Supercomputer, mainframe, workstation,
microcomputer, microcontroller
51
Concept Check
What is a LAN?
Introduction to Information Technology
A local area network is a connected group of
desktop PCs and other devices such as printers,
normally located in an office or building.
52
Concept Check
Which size of computer is also called an
“embedded computer?”
Introduction to Information Technology
Microcontroller
53
Concept Check
What is the term for a computer used to hold
collections of data and programs for connecting
PCs, workstations, and other devices?
Introduction to Information Technology
Server
54
Concept Check
What are the five basic operations that
computers have in common?
Introduction to Information Technology
Input, processing, storage, output, and
communications
55
Concept Check
Which type of storage is composed of computer
circuitry that temporarily holds data waiting to be
processed?
Introduction to Information Technology
Primary storage (memory)
56
Concept Check
What computer device consists of electronic
circuitry that executes instructions to process
data?
Introduction to Information Technology
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
57
Concept Check
Are RAM chips used for primary or secondary
storage?
Introduction to Information Technology
Primary - they’re also called memory chips.
58
Concept Check
What is the name of the main circuit board in the
computer, to which everything else is attached
via connections called ports?
Introduction to Information Technology
Motherboard
59
Concept Check
How many characters can be represented by a
byte? A kilobyte?
Introduction to Information Technology
A byte represents a single character; 1, 024
characters make a kilobyte
60
Concept Check
What is the name for the unit of storage capacity
representing one billion characters?
Introduction to Information Technology
One gigabyte
61
Concept Check
What is the name for any component or piece of
equipment that expands a computer’s input,
storage, and/or output capabilities? A zip-disk
drive is an example of this type of component.
Introduction to Information Technology
Peripheral device
62
Concept Check
What type of software includes the operating
system and the master control program that runs
the computer?
Introduction to Information Technology
System software
63