1. Introduction to Information Technology
Executive Diploma in Information Technology

2. About the course instructor
Maizatul Akmar Ismail
Department of Information Science Faculty of Computer Science & Information Technology, UM
Wednesday p.m

3. The course – 7 Sundays Computer Hardware Computer software
Application programs
Word processing
Presentation
Spreadsheets
Data & information management
Computer networking
Applications of networking: Internet, Intranet

4. Course Evaluation Final exam – 50% (Week 8)
Individual Presentation – 15%
Group Presentation – 15% (Due Week 7)
2 test – 20% (MCQ + structured –
Week 3&6)

5. Introduction to Computers
Computer hardware
Input, Output & peripheral devices
History of computers

6. Objectives Describe the three fundamental characteristics of computers
Describe at least four areas of society in which computers are used
Identify the basic components of a computer system: input, processing, output, and storage
List some common input, output, and storage media
Distinguish data from information
Describe the significance of networking
Explain the significance of the Internet
Explain the various classifications of computers

7. Contents Information Age Computer Literacy Where Computers Are Used
Computer System
Network
Classifications of Computers

8. Information Age Evolving more rapidly than Industrial Age
Will continue into the current century

9. Cornerstones of our Economy
Forging a Computer-Based Society:
Land
Labor
Capital
Information

10. Jobs Forging a Computer-Based Society: From physical to mental
From muscle-power to brain-power

11. A Computer in Your Future
Where used?
Bank withdrawal
Supermarket
Drive the car
Do I need a Personal Computer?
Campaign: One Home, One PC
Many more use at work
Will I use a computer in my future career?
Almost every job will involve use of a computer

12. Computer Literacy Awareness Knowledge Interaction Importance
Versatility
Pervasiveness in our society
Knowledge
What are computers
How do computers work
Terminology
Interaction
Use some simple computer applications

13. Is computer literacy enough?
Need to be computer literate to manipulate a computer
Need to be computer fluent on computer concepts as a basis to build deeper knowledge
Computer fluency make one able to continue follow developments as computers continue to evolve

14. The Nature of Computers
Characteristics
Speed
Reliability
Storage capability
Results
Productivity
Decision making
Cost reduction

15. Where Computers Are Used: Graphics
Graphs and charts
Animated graphics
Visual walk-through

16. Where Computers Are Used: Education
Teaching and testing aid
Learning by doing
Computer-based instruction

17. Where Computers Are Used: Retailing
Bar codes for pricing and inventory
Shipping

18. Where Computers Are Used: Energy
Locate oil, coal, natural gas, and uranium
Monitor the power network
Meter reading

19. Where Computers Are Used :Law Enforcement
National fingerprint files
National files on criminal
Computer modeling of DNA

20. Where Computers Are Used: Transportation
Cars
Run rapid transit systems
Load containerships
Track railroad cars
Monitor air traffic

21. Where Computers Are Used: Money
Record keeping
Banking by phone
Credit cards

22. Where Computers Are Used: Agriculture
Billing
Crop information
Feed combinations
Livestock breeding and performance

23. Where Computers Are Used: Government
Forecast weather
E-government
Process immigrants
Taxes
Registration: birth, identity, car etc.

24. Where Computers Are Used: The Home
Educational tool
Record keeping
Letter writing
Budgeting
Drawing and editing pictures
Newsletters
Connecting with others

25. Where Computers Are Used: Health and Medicine
Monitor patients
Electronic imaging
Diagnose illnesses
Tele-health

26. Where Computers Are Used: Robotics
Perform jobs that are dangerous for humans
Factory work

27. Where Computers Are Used: The Human Connection
Assist the disabled
Assist athletes by monitoring their movements

28. Where Computers Are Used
The Sciences
Research
Simulation
Connectivity
Communication
Telecommuting

29. Where Computers Are Used
Training
Airline pilots
Railroad engineers
Paperwork
Junk mail
Term paper
Record keeping

30. Computers are all around!
Grocery store
Schools
Libraries
Bank
Mail
Malls
We interact with computers everyday!

31. What computers can’t do yet?
Complex human activities

32. Computer System
People
Software
Hardware

33. People Computer programmer – person who writes programs
Users or End-users – make use of the computer’s capabilities

34. Software
Programs
Set of instructions that directs the hardware to do a required task and produce the desired results

35. Hardware: Basic Components of a Computer

36. Computer
A machine that can be programmed to accept data (input), process it into useful information (output), and store it away (in secondary storage device) for safekeeping or later reuse
Process is directed by software but performed by the hardware

37. Function of Computer System
Data handling
I Input
P Process
O Output
S Storage

38. Processing: Batch vs. Interactive
2 types of information processing
Batch processing
Interactive processing : Real time

39. Input devices
Accept data or commands and convert them to electronic form
Getting data into the computer
Typing on a keyboard
Pointing with a mouse
Scanning with a wand reader or bar-code reader
Terminal

40. Can you think of any other input devices?

41. Output devices Convert from electronic form to some other form
May display the processed results
Usable information
Monitor or screen
Text
Numbers
Symbols
Art
Photographs
Video
Printer
Black and white
Color

42. The Processor Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Converts data to useful information
Interpret and execute instructions
Communicate with input, output and storage

43. Two Types of Storage Secondary storage long-term storage
Primary storage or memory
temporary storage

44. Memory / Primary Storage
Temporary storage
Holds input to be processed
Holds results of processing
Contains the programs to control the computer and manipulate input into output
Volatile

45. Secondary Storage
Long-term storage
Non-volatile

46. Secondary Storage Examples
Magnetic disks – read and written by magnetic disk drive
Hard disk
Diskette
Optical disks – read and written by optical disk drives
CD-ROM
DVD-ROM
Magnetic tape – read and written by magnetic tape drives
Primarily used for back-up

47. Computer System Computer Peripheral equipment CPU Memory
Connected to the computer by a cable
Input, output, storage

48. Computer Network Definition Types
A system that uses communications equipment to connect computers and their resources.
Types
Local area network (LAN) – connects computers in close proximity
Metropolitan are network (MAN) – connect computers between buildings in the same geographic area
Wide are network (WAN) – connects computers over great distances

49. Home Connectivity Connect home PC to other computers
Use modem to convert signals between electronic (computer) and analog (voice) formats

50. Internet Collection of networks No ownership
No central source for services available
No comprehensive index of what information is available
Connects Everyone!
Individuals
Businesses
Organizations
Libraries
Research labs
Government

51. Getting Connected User’s computer must connect to a server
Server must communicate using TCP/IP
The user can purchase access to a server from an ISP (Internet Service Provider)

52. Internet – What Can You Do?
WWW – World Wide Web
FTP – File Transfer Protocol
UseNet
IRC – Internet Relay Chat
Bulletin Boards

53. World Wide Web
Browser – program that allows the user to move around and explore the Internet
Use the mouse to point and click on text and graphics
Web page
Web site
Home page

54. Classifications of Computers
Use the computer that fits your needs
Based upon
Size
Speed
Cost
Portability
Number of simultaneous users supported
Available software
Typical use

55. Personal Computers Other names Categories Desktop Models PC
Microcomputer
Home computer
Categories
Low-end functional
Fully powered
Workstations
Net computer or net box (Web TV)
Desktop Models

56. Notebook Computers Portable Laptop More expensive that desktop models
Lightweight
Fits in a briefcase
Battery operated
Laptop
Larger
Heavier
More expensive that desktop models

57. Handheld Computers Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) Pocket Scheduling
Addresses
Handwritten input
May offer wireless and fax
Pocket
More power than PDA
Runs basic productivity software

58. Other Types of Computers
Mainframes
High speed
More expensive
Used to process large amounts of data quickly
Support multiple users
Does server tasks
Supercomputers
Fastest speed
Most expensive

59. QUESTIONS?