What is information technology?

• It is the design, development, and implementation of information systems

It deals with all aspects of:

• information storage,
• retrieval
• transformation
• communication
• security
• accessibility

computers can handle:

• information
• computer hardware
• software
• networking
(all these points are KEY components of the information technology field)

Computer Based Information System (CBIS)

• It is the information system that uses computer technology to perform some or all of it
intended tasks

The basic components of CBIS are:

• People (there are two types)
i) End users (also known as users/ clients): are people who USE an information system
(1) Example: managers, clerks, accountants, engineers, customers
ii) Specialists: people who develop and operate information systems
(2) Example: analysts, programmers, testers, computer operators, managerial,
technical, and clerical personnel.
• Hardware:
• is any tangible part of a computer system/ any physical material that makes a
computer work
• Example: Wires, circuits, microchips
• Software:
§ set of instructions that are executed on a computer
§ these instructions are them processed in the form of electrical signals by the computer
hardware to provide functionality to the computer systems
• Data:
§ Raw, unprocessed facts and figures (processed data becomes information)
• Example: text, numbers. Images, and sounds
• Connectivity:
§ Is the capability of your microcomputer to share information with other computers
§ Helps to connect computers by using telephone lines, cables, or it could be wireless.

What is a computer?
Ø It is an electronic device that manipulates information, or data
Ø Has the ability to:
§ Store
§ Retrieve
§ Process data
Ø Is used for:
§ Type documents
§ Send emails
§ Play games
§ Browse the web

Types of computers:
• Desktop computer
• Laptop computer
• Tablet computer
• Sever

How is a laptop different from a desktop?

• Laptops are designed for portability (you can take it anywhere you go)
• Laptops have a “all-in-one” design (built in monitor, keyboard, speakers, and touchpad)
• There are NO peripherals attached to it
• It is easier to set up a laptop
• Newer laptops have a touch screen

Styles of Computers:
• Personal computer come in two main styles:
§ PC and MAC
• They both are fully functional
• They both have different looks and feel
• Many people prefer one or the other
v Comparing PC and MAC

PC MAC
v Original IBM PC was introduced in 1981 v The Macintosh computer was introduced in
1984
v Other companies began creating similar v First widely sold personal computer with a
computers which were called IBM PC graphical user interface (GUI)
compatible
v Today, this is the most common type of personal v All macs are made by one company, Apple
computer, Microsoft operating system Inc. and they almost always use the MAC OS
X operating system

Cloud:
v “The cloud is the internet”
• you can access all things by just using the internet
• when something is the cloud, it means it is stored on servers on the internet instead of on your
computer
• it helps to access calendar, email, files

Examples of the use of cloud:

Google Drive OneDrive Office Online Drop Box

v a free service from v free online storage v free basic version v “it is a folder on
google that allows space that uses you of the most popular your computer that
you to store files own personal programs in the synchronizes your
online online hard drive Microsoft office files online and
suite across computers
v you can access v when you create a v it lets you create v files will be
them anywhere document with word documents, available on you
using the cloud/ the office online, it will excel spreadsheets other computers
internet be saved to your with DropBox, as
OneDrive well as the web
v most popular cloud v both office online v no need to install v updates the files
storage service and OneDrive are anything your within your
based in the cloud computer to use DropBox, they’ll
office online update across all
other computers
v it offers 15GB of v able to edit and v work with it online v it works on
free storage share without using a servicer Windows, MAC,
having to download called “Microsoft and Linux
them to your OneDrive”
computer
v it also gives free v Files can be
access to web- synchronized
based application
for creating
documents, and
spreadsheets
v eliminates the need
to email or save a
file to a USB drive
The types of files you
can create and share on
google drive:
v Documents: for
composing letters,
flyers, and other
text- based files
(similar to
Microsoft Word)
v Spreadsheets: for
storing and
organizing
information
(similar to
Microsoft Excel)
v Presentations: for
creating slideshows
(similar to
Microsoft
PowerPoint)

Basic Parts of Computers:

ü Computer case
• It is the metal and plastic box that contains the main components of the computer.
ü Monitor
• “It works with a video card, located inside the computer case, to display images
and text on the screen”
ü keyboard
• “It is one of the primary ways we communicate with the computer and enter data”
ü Mouse
• “It is a peripheral that is known as a pointing device. It lets you point to objects on
the screen, click on them, and move them”
ü Power cord
• “It is the link between the power outlet and the power supply unit in the computer
casing”
Peripherals Of Computers:
Plug many different types of devices into the extra ports on your
computer.
ü Printer
ü Scanner
ü Headphones/ Speakers
ü Microphones
ü Web Cameras
ü Joy Sticks and Game Controller
ü Digital Cameras
ü MP3 Player

Inside Parts Of Computers:

ü CPU (processor)
§ The central processing unit (CPU), also called a processor.
§ It is sometimes called the brain of the computer.
§ and its job is to carry out commands.
ü Motherboard
§ is the computer's main circuit board.
§ It's a thin plate that holds the CPU and memory.
§ Connectors for the hard drive and optical drives, expansion cards to control the video
and audio.
§ The motherboard connects directly or indirectly to every part of the computer.
ü Power Supply Unit
§ The power supply unit in a computer converts the power from the wall outlet to the
type of power needed by the computer.
§ It sends power through cables to the motherboard and other components.
ü RAM:
§ “RAM is your system's short-term memory”
§ Computer performs calculations, it temporarily stores the data in the RAM until it is
needed.
§ Short-Term Memory:
• This short-term memory disappears when the computer is turned off.
§ Long-Term Memory:
• Working on a document, spreadsheet, or other type of file, need to save it to avoid
losing it.
• save a file, data is written to the hard drive, which acts as long-term storage.
ü ROM:
§ “It refers to computer memory chips containing permanent or semi-permanent data”
§ ROM which is frequently used in computers.
§ Advantage:
• ROM memory has the advantage of being non-volatile.
• Data will not be erased when the power is shut off.
§ Disadvantage:
• It cannot be easily rewritten.
• A ROM chip will always provide the same data or instructions every time it is
accessed.

Storage:
v Hard Drive:
Ø The hard drive on computer is where the software is installed.
Ø It's also where documents and other files are stored.
Ø The hard drive is long-term storage.
Ø Working:
§ When run a program or open a file, the computer copies some of the data from the
hard drive onto the RAM.
§ When save a file, the data is copied back to the hard drive.
§ The faster the hard drive is, the faster the computer can start up and load programs.

v USB Flash Drive:

v CDs & DVDs:

Ø CDs (Compact Disks) and DVDs (Digital Versatile Disks) are two forms of optical
storage media.
Ø It is secondary storage media.
Ø Types of CDs & DVDs:
§ A CD-ROM disk is a disk that data can only be read from.
§ A CD-R disk is a disk that can be written to once and then read many times.
§ A CDRW disk can be written to, erased, and rewritten repeatedly
Ø Form Of Data Storage:
§ CDs and DVDs do not retain data in the form of electromagnetic signals on a
magnetic surface.
§ CDs and DVDs store data as physical features on the surface of a slim plastic disk.

Measuring Memory
Types of Cards:
ü Video Card
• The video card is responsible for what to see on the
monitor.
ü Network Card
• The network card allows computer to communicate over
a network and access the Internet.

Hardware Port
Review Questions