Chapter Two Introduction to Information Technology Prepared by: Eman Amer

Prepared by: Eman A. Amer Computer Performance Factors that affect the performance of the Processor or (CPU): 1. CPU clock speed 2. RAM size 3. Hard disk speed 4. Hard disk storage 5. Hard disk space (free space) 6. Multitasking

Prepared by: Eman A. Amer Computer Performance 1) CPU clock speed:  Clock speed means how many instructions the processor can execute in one second.  It is measured in megahertz or gigahertz.  One megahertz equals to one million cycles per second,  One gigahertz equals one billion cycles per second.  if you have a higher clock speed, your computer will work more faster.

Prepared by: Eman A. Amer Computer Performance 2) RAM size if you use more of RAM size, system speed will drop down. 3) Hard disk speed Disk access time, is measured in milliseconds. if this access time is smaller, then the hard disk will store, or retrieve data more faster. 4) Hard disk storage The disk storage capacity is measured in Gigabytes.

Prepared by: Eman A. Amer Computer Performance 5) Hard disk space (free space) More hard disk space, the computer will be more faster. 6) Multitasking - Means run more than one program at a time. - The more programs that are running at the same time, the system will be more slower. Examples: a) Playing racing games such as Need for Speed. b) Editing a large high definition video for instance can take up a lot of CPU time.

Prepared by: Eman A. Amer Workgroup Computing Workgroup: groups of people working together so they can share their resources with each other. People within the workgroup can: - Share information on their hard disks. - Sharing printers, modems and scanners.

Prepared by: Eman A. Amer Workgroup Computing Workgroup can consist of: - a few computers at a single location connected physically to each other via a network cable. OR - it may be a workgroup of computers connected globally via the Internet.

Prepared by: Eman A. Amer Workgroup Computing Advantages of workgroup computing: 1. There is no reliance on a central computer. 2. No need for a network administrator as long as the members of the workgroup have the authority and access right to share data with other members. 3. Cost savings

Prepared by: Eman A. Amer Workgroup Computing Disadvantages of workgroup computing: 1. Sharing files on your PC with other people, can slow down the running of your PC. 2. The security of the computer network may not be that good. 3. You may give total access to the files on your PC, which may then be damaged or even deleted, by other members of the workgroup.

Prepared by: Eman A. Amer Internet, Intranet and Extranet InternetExtranetintranet The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) to serve billions of users worldwide. An extranet is a private network that uses Internet protocols, network connectivity. An extranet can be viewed as part of a company's intranet that is extended to users outside the company, usually via the Internet. An intranet is a private computer network that uses Internet Protocol technologies to securely share any part of an organization's information or operational systems within that organization.

Prepared by: Eman A. Amer Internet, Intranet and Extranet

Prepared by: Eman A. Amer Broadband vs. Dial-up Internet connection services Dial-upBroadband You need to dial up your ISP, whenever you want to connect to the internet You are permantly connected to the internet You will be charged every second that you connect to the internet You will be charged every month Internet access is very slowThe speed depends on how much you pay to your provider, but in general the internet access is fast.

The use of IT in everyday life Computers are more appropriate than people in some areas such as: 1. Repetitive tasks. 2. Easily automated tasks. 3. Mathematical calculations. 4. Dangerous situations.

The use of IT in everyday life There are some uses of large-scale computer applications in education such as: 1. Student registration and timetabling. 2. Computer Based Training (CBT. 3. Using the Internet as a homework resource. 4. Distance learning systems (E-learning is a term used to describe studying via the Internet).

Tele-working Tele-working is a broad term which refers to people working at home connected to the rest of the organization via a computer network. Advantages: 1) Flexible schedules. 2) Reduced office desk space requirements. Disadvantages: 1) Negative impact on teamwork. 2) Self-discipline.

Information Security Information security is a general term which covers all aspects of computer security. It covers: 1. Protection against viruses and hackers. 2. Password and access control policies. 3. Procedures for the regular backing up of data.

Information Security Be ware of the following: 1. Do not give your password to anyone. 2. Do not write the password on a card or at any place. 3. Do not forget your passwords.

Information Security Things that should be avoided to keep your computer work properly: 1) Dust. 2) Drinking and eating over the keyboard. 3) Heat, Cold. 4) Moisture. 5) Moving the system while it is switched on. 6) Placing objects on top of monitors. 7) Placing floppy disks near monitors.

Copyright and the Law - Most programs which you purchase are copyrighted and you must not copy them. FAST (Federation Against Software Theft): one of organizations that is dedicated to preventing the illegal copying of software.

Prepared by: Eman A. Amer Types of software license agreements: 1) Freeware: software that is designed to let you use the product freely. 2) Shareware: software that is designed to let you use the product freely for a limited period of time. 3) Open source: software license that makes the programming code available to anyone who wishes to enhance or develop the code. Copyright and the Law