Computers:

Information Technology in Perspective, 11e

Larry Long and Nancy Long

Chapter 1
The Technology Revolution

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Objectives

Once you have read and studied this chapter, you will
have learned:

How information technology influences our society and you at

work, at home, and at play.
What it means to achieve IT competency and become an active
participant in our information society.
How local and worldwide computer networks impact businesses
and society.
Essential hardware, software, and computer system terminology
that will enable you to begin your information technology
learning adventure with confidence.
The relative size, scope, uses, and variety of available computer
systems.
The fundamental components and capabilities of an IT system.
A variety of enterprise computing and personal computing
applications.
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Why this chapter is important to you!

Computers and technology are a part of

everything we do
Computers and new technologies will continue
to play an even greater role in the future
Computers help make work tasks easier
The more you know about computers the more
money you are capable of earning

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Our Information Society

Ask yourself what it

will be like in the year
2010
Most adults are
considered
knowledge workers

IT changes how we
work, learn, and
communicate
Knowing computers
will help you cope
with IT

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The Technology Revolution: Today

At Work

At Home

The mobile worker

Productivity
Communication
Access
Communication
Personal correspondence
Homework
Connection

At Play

Leisure activities
Communication
Gaming
Connection

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The Technology Revolution: Tomorrow

Search for a home

around the country
Obtain a doctors
consultation via
telemedicine
Information
superhighway will
connect every facet of
our society
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Looking Back a Few Years

ENAIC &
UNIVAC I

PCs
introduced!

2001

1960s
1950

Home
computers
& networks
2.5G

Very
expensive
computers
for large
companies.
Computer
professionals
ran the show.

mid1970s

2003
Powerful PCs
on every
desktop.
Explosion of
applications.

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2008
High peed
Wireless
Internet,
Mobile
Computing,
Wi-Fi, 3G,
Laptop
Computers

Rx for Cyberphobia: Information

Technology Competency

Feeling comfortable
Making the computer work
for you
Interacting with the
computer
Comfortable in cyberspace
Understanding the impact of
computers on society
Making intelligent decisions
Knowing the lingo

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Reasons to Become IT-Competent

Personal

Travel arrangements
Sports scores
Managing finances

Workplace
Strategic planning
Competitive advantage
Obtaining work
Day-to-day processes
Productivity

Educational

Societal

Any-time-any place
learning
Individual learning
Ethical issues
Harmful risks

Curiosity

Natural curiosity for IT

power

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The Computer Proficiency Digital Divide

250 million people are

considered knowledge
workers
200 million are not
considered IT competent
Most think they are IT
competent

Questions to ask:

Can you list five critical IT

issues?
Which port is faster, USB
or 1394?
When should you use your
defragmenter?
What type of wiring do you
need for a home network?
The list goes on and on

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The NET Connection:

Our Global Village

Over 80% of classrooms

and libraries in the US are
linked to the Internet
Most computers in the
workplace are part of a
network
Worldwide networks
coordinate services and
consumer goods
Global economy is
changing

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The Net Connection:

The Internet

The Internet connects millions of

computers in every country all
over the world
All colleges and most businesses
have access to the Internet
Most subscribe to an ISP to gain
Internet access
Others subscribe to an
information service, such as AOL
A modem permits access via
phone and/or cable
Individuals can access Web
sites, music, products and lots
more

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The Basics: Hardware

A computer system:

Input

Processor

Monitor/Printer

Storage

Chip

Output

Keyboard/Mouse

Permanent (Hard Disk)

Temporary (RAM)

A processor is the heart

of the computer

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The Basics: Software

Software tells the

computer what to do
System software takes
control of the computer
upon start up

Windows
DOS

Application software
performs specific task

Word
Excel

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The Basics: Computer Systems

Low end $500 desktop

High end very expensive
supercomputer
High/low end all have same
four system components:
Input
Processing
Output
Storage

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Personal Computers

1981: IBM PC
Many manufacturers
followed with 100%
IBM PC compatibles
Other PCs:
Apple

Power Mac
Powerbook
iMac

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Notebook PCs

Early notebook PCs did not

have the power of a desktop
PC
Now notebooks offer the same
level of performance
Notebook PCs:

Light
Compact
Portable
A docking station is used to
configure the notebook to act
like a larger desktop
Ports allow devices to be
connected, such as a printer

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Desktop PCs

Typical Desktop PC:

Motherboard
Keyboard
Point and draw device
Monitor
Printer
Hard disk
Floppy
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
Microphone
Speakers

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Wearable PCs

Cable connected modules that fit

into headsets, drape on
shoulders, hang around the neck,
or more
TLC PC for paramedics is a good
example
As time goes on vendors will be
concerned with fashion, as well
as function
The Body Net is a great example

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Handhelds

Specifically designed to
be held in the hand
Example:

Palmtop
PDA
Organizer

Some have wireless

capability
Use an electronic pen to
work with most

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Thin Clients

Looks like a PC
Small
Less RAM
No internal hard disk
Less expensive
Depends on a central
network

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Workstations

For power users

Faster at crunching
numbers
Typically has a largescreen color monitor
Point and draw devices
can be combined
Add-on keypads can
expand functions

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Server Computers

Center of networks
Can be a PC or a
supercomputer
A client computer
requests resources for
the server computer
Server runs back-end
applications
Client runs front-end
applications

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Supercomputers

Supercomputers address
processor-bound
applications
100 times faster than a
corporate server
Today use:

Airplane simulation
Auto accident simulation
Advanced graphics for
movies
And lots more

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Computer System Capabilities

Processing Data and Producing Information

Information used to be
only collected, sorted,
summarized, exchanged
and processed
Now information
communicates, makes
money available via
ATMs, teaches, and lots
more

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Computers in Action:
A Payroll System

Most organizations
use a payroll system
The system enables
input and processes
the checks
The system also
processes reports
and stores
information
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What Can a Computer Do?

Computation Operations

Computers can:
Add
Subtract
Multiply
Divide
Do

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exponentiation

27

What Can a Computer Do?

Logic Operations

Computers have the

logical capability to
compare between
numbers and
between words

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The Computers Strengths

Speed
Accuracy
Consistency
Reliability
Communications
Memory capability
Human vs. computer
capabilities
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How Do We Use Computers?

Enterprise Computing
Information

systems
Process/device control
Science, research, &
engineering

Personal Computing
Games
Education
Work

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Computer Decisions

Purchasing decisions
Software decisions
Word

processing
Presentation
Spreadsheet
Database
And more

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Summary

Our Information Society

IT

competency
Getting connected
Knowing the hardware basics
Personal computers to supercomputers
Computer system capabilities
Using computers

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