NURSING INFORMATICS PERIODICAL 1: MYTHS ABOUT OPEN SOURCE

FREE AND OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE (FOSS STANDS FOR FREE AND OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE)
 FOSS is free.
WHAT IS F.O.S.S.?  FOSS isn't reliable or supported.
 Free and open source software can be classified as free  Making a software open source, anyone can change
software and open source software. That is anyone is it.
freely licensed to use, study and change the software in  The open source license is too liberal.
any way.  if you make your software open source, volunteer
 The source code is openly shared so that the people freely coders will fix all of your problems for free.
are encouraged to voluntarily improve the design of
software. ADVANTAGES OF OPEN SOURCE
 This is in contrast to proprietary software, where the Availability of source code.
software is under restrictive copyright and the source 1. source code to understand and learn from.
code is hidden from the user, so that the right holders (the 2. do not have to reinvent the wheels.
software publishers) can sell binary executable file. 3. free as in freedom. Less dependent on vendor
4. can choose additional support.
FREE & OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE 5. can fix bugs and adopt to change in requirements as
 There are two terms to separate “free” and “open source” well as technology. Quality and customizability in
in FOSS. open source is better.
 Free as in freedom of speech not as in free things. Costs is much less than proprietary softwares.
 Open mainly points to Open Source Code of the program,
available for others. OPEN SOURCE DEVELOPMENT MODEL
 So free and open source software is in some ways free, but
the source code is available for analysis.

OPEN SOURCE ALTERNATIVES

1. Proprietary programs
 Microsoft Windows
 Internet explorer or Google Chrome
 Microsoft Office
 Adobe Photoshop
 iTunes and Windows media player
 skype LINUX OPERATING SYSTEM
2. Open source alternative  Linux is a computer operating system assembled under
 Linux Mint or BOSS Linux the model of free and open source software development
 Firefox or Chromium and distribution.
 Open Office or Neo Office  Originated in GNU Project, initiated in 1983 by Richard
Stallman, in the free software foundation. More than 90%
 GIMP
of today's supercomputers use Linux. It powers around
 Songbird and VLC media player
4.8% of today's modern computers. Thousands of
 QuteCom
distributers are available like.
1. Debian
FREE SOFTWARE AND OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
2. Open SUSE
1. free software
3. Fedora
 free software is a software for which everyone has a
4. BOSS Linux
right not only to inspect and study the source code
but also to use it for any desired purpose without
OPEN SOURCE PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
monitory or other restriction.
 open source programming language are those that are
 free software is a good, morally right, thing to do.
released under open source licenses
2. open source software
 open source programming languages are
 open source is a software whose source code is freely
o Perl a general purpose programming
available. that is without any requirement for
languages.
payment or any other obstacles for anyone to inspect
o PHP - a scripting language suited for web.
and study.
o Python - a general purpose programming
 Open source software is more or less indifferent to languages.
moral issues concerning software sharing. o Ruby - a general purpose programming
languages.
 o PHDL - hardware description language used KEYBOARD
for PC board design.  The set of typewriter-like keys that enables
o Tk/Tcl - a scripting language. you to enter data into a computer.

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE MOUSE

A computer is an electronic device that accept data (input)  A device that controls the movement of the
and, process data arithmetically and logically, produce cursor or pointer on a display screen.
information (output).
SCANNER
It is divided into two main categories:  A device that can read text or illustrations
 Hardware printed on paper and translate the
 Software information into a form the computer can
use.
HARDWARE
 Hardware is the physical aspect of computers, 3. OUTPUT HARDWARE
telecommunications, and other devices.  Consists of internal and external devices that
 It includes not only the computer proper but also the transfer information from the computer’s
cables, connectors, power supply units, and CPU to the computer user.
peripheral devices such as the keyboard, mouse,  Common output hardware is monitor,
audio speakers, and printers. printer, and speaker.

TYPES OF HARDWARE (IIOCS) MONITOR

1. INTERNAL HARDWARE  A display screen used to present output from
 Also called components. a computer, video camera, VCR or other
 It includes CPU, Motherboard, RAM, ROM. video generator.

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU) PRINTER

 It is the brains of the computer.  In computers, a printer is a device that
 Most of calculations take place here. accepts text and graphic output from a
 Two typical components of a CPU are computer and transfers the information to
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) and Control Unit paper.
(CU).
SPEAKER
MOTHERBOARD  Speakers or headphones to an output port to
 Is the main circuit board of a microcomputer. hear the audio produced by the computer.
 It contains the CPU, memory, expansion
slots, and all the controllers required to 4. CONNECTING HARDWARE
control standard hardware devices.  Allow hardware devices to communicate
with each other.
RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)  Common devices are modem, and LAN Card.
 RAM is the place in a computer where the
operating system, application programs, and MODEM
data in current use are kept.  Modems connect a personal or portable
 It is a temporary memory and can be computer to dial-up networks through a
compared to a person’s short-term memory. regular telephone line.

READ ONLY MEMORY (ROM) LAN CARD

 It is a technology that allows you to write  A Local Area Network (LAN) card is used to
data only once. After the data has been provide wireless Internet access to computer
written, you can read it an unlimited number users in home or roaming networks.
of times.
5. STORAGE HARDWARE
2. INPUT HARDWARE  A computer storage device is any type of
 Consists of external devices by which we give hardware that stores data.
information and instructions to the  Some common storage devices are hard disc,
computer. floppy disc, and CD ROM.
 Common input hardware are keyboard,
mouse, and scanner.
 HARD DISC - Allows users to create document and
 A magnetic disk on which you can store perform calculation. Example: MS Excel
computer data. The term hard is used to
distinguish it from a soft, or Floppy disk. DAREBASE SOFTWARE
- Allows users to store and retrieve vast
FLOPPY DISC amount of data. Example: MS Access
 A flexible disk coated with magnetic material
and covered by a protective jacket, used PRESENTATION GRAPHICS SOFTWARE
primarily by computers to store data - Allows users to create visual presentation.
magnetically. Example: MS Power Point

CD ROM 3. Application Software / Programming Software

 A CD-ROM is a CD that can be read by a - This is one of the most commonly known and
computer with an optical drive. popularly forms of computer software. This
software come in forms of tools that assist a
SOFTWARE programmer in writing computer Programs.
- A set of instructions that enables physical - The tools that help the programmers in
components of a computer to work in a synchronize instruction a computer system includes text
way is known as Software. editors, compiles, and interpreters.
- This set of instructions is often called a program. 4. Utility Software
- Computers cannot do any useful work without - Helps in the management of computer
instructions from software. hardware and application software. It
performs a small range of tasks. Some typical
TYPES OF SOFTWARE examples of utility software are
Computer software is also divided in four (4) major types:
1. System Software DISK DEFRAGMENTORS
- Helps in running the computer hardware and - It detects computer files whose contents are
the computer system. stored on the hard disk in disjointed
- Main system softwares are operating fragments and move the fragments together
systems and device drivers. to increase efficiency.

DEVICE DRIVERS BACKUP

- In computing, a device driver is a computer - This utility makes a copy of all information
program allowing higher-level computer stored on a disk, and restore either the
programs to interact with a hardware device. entire disk or selected files.

OPERATING SYSTEMS DISK PARTITIONER

- An operating system is an interface between - It divides an individual drive into multiple
hardware and user; it is responsible for the logical drives, each with its own file system
management and coordination of activities which can be mounted by the operating
and the sharing of the limited resources of system and treated as an individual drive.
the computer.
ANTI-VIRUS
2. Programming Software - These utilities scan computer for viruses.
- It enables the users to accomplish certain
specific tasks. Following are the types of IT TEAM
application software: WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF AN IT TEAM?
 Every IT team is different, based on the culture and
WEB BROWSING SOFTWARE needs of its company, the experience and skills of the
- It allows one to surf the Web. Example: MS team members and the types of systems on which
Internet Explorer. they are working. Some IT teams are technology
generalists, working with a wide range of systems and
WORD PROCESSING SOFTWARE services.
- Allows users to create, edit a document.
Example: MS Word TYPES OF IT TEAMS
1. Operations Teams
SPREADSHEET SOFTWARE  These teams are focused on operating
technology infrastructure (such as networks,
 data centers and Web services), monitoring them intended and identify defects that require
and ensuring services and systems are available remediation.
and performing normally to support business  User-interface designers – Develop the graphical
operations. user interfaces to enable people to interact with IT
2. Project Teams systems in efficient, accessible and ergonomic ways.
 These teams are assembled to solve a specific  Data scientists and data analysts – Design,
problem, implement a system or make a change. implement and manage the data components of an IT
3. Support Teams system, focusing on data integration and the usability
 These teams are similar to both operations and of data to drive decision-making.
project teams. IT support teams are permanent,  Solution architects – Design and plan IT systems with
which (like operations teams) execute IT service multiple components, including system interfaces,
management functions to help keep business scalability considerations and interoperability.
operations up and running smoothly.  Information security and risk experts – InfoSec Risk
4. Process Teams is a key concern for most companies, leading them to
 These teams (also sometimes known as IT embed security and risk experts into IT teams.
business-support teams) are permanent and  ITSM practitioners – Incident managers, problem
tasked with owning, managing and improving the managers, change managers and other ITSM staff are
IT systems of a specific business process. responsible for providing service assurance for IT
hardware, software and services.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF IT TEAMS  Vendor management – Responsible for managing
 Technology Expertise and facilitating interactions with vendors, suppliers
 Managing Data and external parties engaged directly or supporting
 Automating Processes the IT team’s efforts
 System Integration
 Portfolio Management HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS
 Managing and Maintaining IT Systems Healthcare Informatics is defined as “the integration of
 Information and System Security healthcare sciences, computer science, information science,
 Vendor and Supplier Management and cognitive science to assist in the management of
 Technology Support healthcare information” (Saba & McCormick, 2015, Pg. 232).

IT TEAM’S ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES NURSING INFORMATICS

 Technology-Aligned Teams  The American Nurses Association (ANA) identified
 Business-Aligned Teams nursing informatics as “a specialty that integrates
 ITSM Functional Teams nursing, science, computer science, and information
 Matrix Project Teams science to manage and communicate data,
 Hybrid Business/IT Teams information, and knowledge in nursing practice”
 Virtual Teams (ANA, 2001, p.17)
 Project/Program Management Offices (PMOs)
 Centers of Excellence CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
 Standing-Project Teams  The use of informatics is seen in a multitude of
 Resource Pools processes within the clinical setting. Whether
 Geographically-Aligned Teams inpatient or outpatient, clinicians and patients utilize
 Agile and Scrum Teams online portal systems, electronic medical records,
data collection devices such as vital sign machines and
JOB DISCIPLINES IN AN IT TEAM glucometers, as well as personal data devices and
 Project managers – Coordinate team member email, to name a few.
activities.  Norris, Hinrichs, & Brown, tell us “gaps are present
 Business and IT analysts – Identify productivity and between the technology and the process. Informatics
cost-improvement opportunities and analyze the can help bridge that gap.
business needs for the IT solutions.  Skills needed include understanding of data
 Business and IT analysts – Identify productivity and collection, storage, and extraction, in addition to an
cost-improvement opportunities and analyze the appreciation for the power of data to drive and
business needs for the IT solutions. inform practice” (2015, p. 11-12).
 IT engineers/developers – Create, maintain and fix IT
hardware, software and services. MANAGERIAL IMPLCATIONS
 Testers and Quality Assurance – Perform tests to  The use of healthcare informatics is not only
verify IT systems are capable of performing as prevalent in the clinical setting but also in the
managerial setting. In our society, communication
 comes in a multitude of applications: verbal, physical,
and now electronic. We often find that individuals can
contact us by using various applications such as
telephone, fax, pager, instant messenger, email, and
so on.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS
 Policy makers are now able to utilize this data to
inform their decision-making about public-health
issues.

SUMMARY
 Health informatics and nursing informatics are very
relevant in evolving health systems. New technology
and initiatives are constantly being developed. These
new innovations do not go without implications in the
clinical setting, managerial setting, and the policy
setting.