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Chapter One

Introduction To Information Technology1.1 Overview of Information Technology

a) Explain Information Technology

b) Discuss the applications of Information Technology

c) Explain different categories of computers

At the end of this topic, students should be able to:

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Information Technology (IT)• Information technology or IT can be defined briefly

as the use of computer hardware and software to store, retrieve, and manipulate information.

computer hardware and software

manage

information

a) Explain Information Technology

Advantages and Disadvantages of Information Technology

Advantages

SpeedReliability

Consistency

StorageCommunica

tions

Disadvantages

Health Risks

Violation of Privacy

Public Safety

Impact on Labor Force

Impact on Environment

Discovering Computers : Chapter 13Pages 9 - 10

Advantages• Speed: When data, instructions, and information flow along electronic circuits

in a computer, they travel at incredibly fast speeds. Many computers process billions or trillions of operations in a single second.

• Reliability: The electronic components in modern computers are dependable and reliable because they rarely break or fail.

• Consistency: Given the same input and processes, a computer will produce the same results — consistently. Computers generate error-free results, provided the input is correct and the instructions work.

• Storage: Computers store enormous amounts of data and make this data available for processing anytime it is needed.

• Communications: Most computers today can communicate with other computers, often wirelessly. Computers allow users to communicate with one another.

4Page 10 Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

Disadvantages• Violation of Privacy: In many instances, where personal and confidential

records stored on computers were not protected properly, individuals have found their privacy violated and identities stolen.

• Public Safety: Adults, teens, and children around the world are using computers to share publicly their photos, videos, journals, music, and other personal information. Some of these unsuspecting, innocent computer users have fallen victim to crimes committed by dangerous strangers.

• Impact on Labor Force: Although computers have improved productivity and created an entire industry with hundreds of thousands of new jobs, the skills of millions of employees have been replaced by computers. Thus, it is crucial that workers keep their education up-to-date. A separate impact on the labor force is that some companies are outsourcing jobs to foreign countries instead of keeping their homeland labor force employed.

5Page 10 Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

Disadvantages (continue)• Health Risks: Prolonged or improper computer use can lead to health injuries

or disorders. Computer users can protect themselves from health risks through proper workplace design, good posture while at the computer, and appropriately spaced work breaks. Two behavioral health risks are computer addiction and technology overload. Computer addiction occurs when someone becomes obsessed with using a computer. Individuals suffering from technology overload feel distressed when deprived of computers and mobile devices.

• Impact on Environment: Computer manufacturing processes and computer waste are depleting natural resources and polluting the environment. Green computing involves reducing the electricity consumed and environmental waste generated when using a computer. Strategies that support green computing include recycling, regulating manufacturing processes, extending the life of computers, and immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced computers.

6Page 10 Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

7Pages 34 - 36 Figures 1-36 – 1-39

b) Discuss the applications of Information Technology

Finance• Loan processing system• Finance Investment system• Online banking services• Electronic payment system

Education• Learning Management System (LMS)• Computer Based Training (CBT)• Courseware• E-Learning Portal• Instructional Video

8Pages 34 - 36 Figures 1-36 – 1-39

Government• E-Filing – Online system for declaring tax.• HRMIS – Online system for updating government employee information• E-syariah - The portal will serve as a gateway for providing information to

the public and members of the Syariah Court to get the latest information about the rules and procedures of the court. Public could also send online queries to the court via this portal.

Health Care• Counter registration System• Telemedicine: Health care professionals in separate locations conduct

live conferences on the computer.• Tele-surgery : Remote surgery , a surgeon performs an operation on a

patient who is not located in the same physical room as the surgeon Medline :

provides product and clinical solutions Provides consulting and management services.Chat room that allow patient to talk/chat to others diagnosed with similar condition.

9Pages 36 - 38Figures 1-40 – 1-43

ScienceHawk-Eye Officiating System – Ball tracking technology, advance simulator and coaching system for the sporting world.Virtual Reality – Use of computer to simulate a real or imagined environment that appears as 3D space Neural networkA system that attempt to imitate the behavior of human brain.Implant devices –e.g:A cochlear implant allow a deaf person to listen

Publishing• Digital Newspaper – Use of IT that allows people to read newspaper online• Digital Magazine – Use IT that allows people to read magazine online• Online Photo Printing• Online card printing

10Pages 36 - 38Figures 1-40 – 1-43

TravelGlobal Positioning System (GPS) – IT application that helps users to track routes for specific location

Automatic Roaming System – Telecommunication companies provide automatic roaming for travelers to travel abroadOnline Reservation System – Transportation & accommodation

reservation can be done through website

Manufacturing• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) • Computer –Aided Manufacturing (CAM) CAD and CAM are IT application used to speed up and improve accuracy of the process for tasks

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A World of Computers• Computers are everywhere

Pages 4 - 5 Figure 1-1

c) Explain different categories of computers

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Categories of Computers

Embedded computers

Supercomputers

Mainframes

Servers

Game consoles

Mobile computers and mobile devices

Personal computers

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Supercomputers

• A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful computer– Fastest supercomputers are capable of processing

more than one quadrillion instructions in a single second

Page 25 Figure 1-27

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Mainframes

• A mainframe is a large, expensive, powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously

Page 25 Figure 1-26

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Personal Computer

• A personal computer can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by itself

• Two popular architectures are the PC and the Apple– Desktop computer

Pages 19 - 20 Figures 1-15 - 1-16

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Mobile ComputersPersonal computer you can carry from place to place

Examples include notebook computers, laptop computers, netbooks, ultra-thins, and Tablet PCs

Mobile Computer

Pages 20 - 23

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Mobile DevicesComputing device small enough to hold in your hand

Examples include smart phones and PDAs, e-book readers, handheld computers, portable media players, and digital cameras

Mobile Device

Pages 20 - 23

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Embedded Computers

• An embedded computer is a special-purpose computer that functions as a component in a larger product

Consumer Electronics

•Mobile and digital telephones•Digital televisions•Cameras•Video recorders•DVD players and recorders•Answering machines

Home Automation Devices

•Thermostats•Sprinkling systems•Security monitoring systems•Appliances•Lights

Automobiles

•Antilock brakes•Engine control modules•Airbag controller•Cruise control

Process Controllers and Robotics

•Remote monitoring systems•Power monitors•Machine controllers•Medical devices

Computer Devices and Office Machines

•Keyboards•Printers•Faxes•Copiers

19Page 26 Figure 1-28

Figure shows some of the many embedded computer in cars.

Characteristics & capabilities for different categories of computers :

computers:Physical size Speed Storage (referring to

memory)

Supercomputer A big room of connected processors Tens of thousands of processors at clock speed 3.83 GHz, delivering 33.86 PetaFLOPS

Extremely large storage. Example: 3.1 PB

Mainframe Multiple racks, each the size of a fridge Dozens of processors Very large & addable storage. Example:4.6 TB

Personal computer

DesktopFits on a desk, on a lap, or in a hand.

Single processor (1.5-2.5 Ghz) Large. Example: 500 GB

Mobile computer

Mobile computer is small enough to fit easily in a briefcase or hold in your hand

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Mobile devices Mobile Devices such as smart phone size is fits in the palm of your hand or a pocket size

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Embedded computer

Size is very small. It is mounted on a circuit board and then installed in a machine or appliance using wires to carry input and output signals

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ReferencesLeary, T. J., & Leary, L. I. (2012).Computing essentials

2012 (Complete ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Ismail Shaari (2008). Score A information and communication technology

Shelly, G. B., & Vermaat, M. (2012).Discovering computers: your interactive guide to the digital world (Complete ed.). Boston, Mass.: Course Technology/Cengage Learning.

Hooi, Y. K., & Jung, L.T. (2014).Computer science for matriculation semester 1. Kuala Lumpur: Oxford Fajar SB.