INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY NOTES

What is a computer?
A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its
own memory, stores, and processes data to produce information
The forms of information processed
include:
▪ Data – e.g. invoices, payroll etc.
▪ Text – widely available in many offices
▪ Graphics – e.g. business graphs, symbols
▪ Images – e.g. pictures
▪ Voice – e.g. telephone

Why use computers?

The advantages include:

The following are the features that make a computer a good tool for
information processing.

a) Types of information: Computers can process many types of

information e.g. Data, texts, voice, pictorial etc.

b) Speed: It works at a very high speed in taking in data and outputting the
information.

c) Storage: It is able to store large amount of information in manageable

form.

d) Communications: Advances in telecommunications has made it possible

for computers to communicate with one another over long distances to
exchange information with seconds.

e) Accuracy: It is very accurate in its processing.

f) Consistency – Given the same data and the same instructions, computers
will produce exactly the same answer every time that particular process is
repeated.

g) Retrieval: The information stored in the computer can be retrieved by

more than one person.

h) Updating of information: It is possible to change stored information

without having to retype.

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 Disadvantages of using computers

1. Job Displacement:
Use of computers mean atomization, which means loss of jobs especially
the ones involving routine tasks.
2. Workers health
Computer emits radioactive particles, which are very hazardous to human
health theory risking the lives of the users.
Computer VDU’s are not good for the eyes (eye strain). It is therefore
not advisable for a user to continuously stay in front of a computer for
more than two hours without stop.
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) – This is the disorder of the arms and wrists
caused by use of keyboard for long stretches of times without breaks.

4. Social activities: A high percentage of people who sit at their computer

for too long and some people lose reality as far as social activities and
learning social skills. Computers can distract a person so much they lose
contact with the reality around them such as taking time with family,
friends and children.
5. Creativity: Being on the computer too much takes away the imagination,
though some gain more imaginations as used in advertising, simulations
and digital imagery.
6. Immorality: the internet opens up to pornographic sites and other
information.
7. Crime: Internet crime has been reported to be on the increase and every
day more crime is committed through the Internet.
8. Misinformation: More misinformation by SOME people on the Internet
can cause problems for the younger generation.
9. Privacy: - It's possible to know someone well over the Internet. E.g on
www.facebook.com
10. Spam mail: - this is unsolicited mail which is often annoying.
11. Hackers can ruin your computer system and data over the internet.
12. Virus spreading hence leading to million looses.

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Computer application areas
Some of the areas that computers are used include:
• Communication – digital communication using computers is
popular and is being adopted worldwide as opposed to
analogue communication using the telephony system. Computers
have also enhanced communication through email
communication, electronic data interchange, electronic funds
transfer, Internet etc.

• Banking – the banking sector has incorporated computer

systems in such areas as credit analysis, fund transfers,
customer relations, automated teller machines, home banking,
and online banking.
• Science, research and engineering – Computers are used:
o as research tools and in carrying out
complex computations
o for simulation e.g. outer-space
simulations, flight simulations
o as diagnostic and monitoring tools.
o for computerized maps using global positioning satellite (GPS) technology
o for modern mass production methods in the auto industry
using computer driven technology.
• Education – computers incorporate databases of information
that are useful in organising and disseminating educational
resources. Such e-learning and virtual or distributed
classrooms have enabled the teaching industry to have a global
reach to students. Computers are also used for marking uniform
tests done in schools, school administration and computer aided
instructions.

• Manufacturing and production – computer aided design

(CAD), computer integrated manufacturing (CIM), process

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 control systems among other technologies are among
computer systems that have revolutionised the production
industry. CAD and CIM are generic terms applied to the
development and design of systems to support design work
and to control manufacturing operations.

• Entertainment – use of computers in the entertainment

industry has increased tremendously over the years.
Computers enable high-quality storage of motion pictures
and music files using high-speed and efficient digital
storage devices such as CDs, VCDs and DVDs. The
Internet is also a great source of entertainment resources.
Computer games have also become a major source of
entertainment.

• Retailing – computers are used in point of sale systems

and credit card payment systems as well as stock inventories.

• Home appliances – computers (especially embedded

computers or microprocessors) are included in household
items for reasons of economy and efficiency of such items.
Major appliances such as microwave ovens, clothes washers,
refrigerators and sewing machines are making regular use of
microprocessors.

• Reservation systems – guest booking, accommodation and

bills accounting using computers in hotels have made the
process to be more efficient and faster. Airline computer
reservation systems have also enhanced and streamlined air
travel across major airlines. Major players in the industry
have also adopted online reservation systems.

• Health care and medicine – computers have played such

an important role in the growth and improvement of health
care that the use of computers in medicine has become a
medical specialty in itself. Computers are used in such
areas as maintenance of patient records, medical insurance
systems, medical diagnosis and patient monitoring.

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Classification of computers

Computers can be classified in different ways as shown below:

Classification by processing

This is based on how the computer represents and processes the data:

a) Digital computers are computers which process data that is

represented in the form of discrete values by operating on it in
steps. Digital computers process data represented in the form of
discrete values like 0, 1, 2. They are used for both business data
processing and scientific purposes since digital computation
results in greater accuracy.

b) Analog computers are used for scientific, engineering, and

process-controlled purposes. Outputs are represented in the form
of graphs. Analogue computers process data represented by
physical variables and output physical magnitudes in the form
of smooth graphs.

c) Hybrid computers are computers that have the combined

features of digital and analog computers. They offer an efficient
and economical method of working out special problems in
science and various areas of engineering.

Classification by purpose
This is a classification based on the use to which the computer is put.

a) Special purpose computers are used for a certain specific

function e.g. in medicine, engineering and manufacturing.

b) General-purpose computers can be used for a wide variety of

tasks e.g. accounting and word processing

Classification by generation
This is a time-based classification coinciding with technological advances.
The computers are categorised as First generation through to Fifth generation.

a) First generation. These were computers of the early 1940s.

They used a circuitry of wires and were vacuum tubes.

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 Produced a lot of heat, took a lot of space, were very slow and
expensive. Examples are LEO 1 and UNIVAC
b) Second generation. These were computers of the early 1950s.
Made use of transistors and thus were smaller and faster.
(200KHz). Examples include the IBM system 1000.

c) Third generation. These were computers of the 1960s. They

made use of Integrated Circuits. They had speeds of up to
1MHz. Examples include the IBM system 360.

d) Fourth generation. These were computers of the 1970s and

1980s. They used Large Scale Integration (LSI) technology. They
had speeds of up to 10MHz. Examples include the IBM 4000
series.

e) Fifth generation. These were computers of the 1990s. They

used very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) technology and had
speeds of up to 400MHz and above.

Classification by power and size/ configuration

a) Supercomputers. These are the largest and most powerful.
Used to process large amounts of data very quickly. Useful for
meteorological or astronomical applications. Examples include
Cray and Fujitsu.

b) Mainframe computers. Large computers in terms of price,

power and size. Require a carefully controlled environment
and specialist staff to operate them. Used for centralised
processing for large commercial organisations. Manufacturers
include International Business Machine (IBM).

c) Minicomputers. Their size, speed and capabilities lie somewhere

between mainframes and microcomputers. Used as
departmental computers in large organisations or as the main
computer in medium-sized organisations. Manufacturers of
minicomputers include IBM and International Computer Limited
(ICL).

d) Microcomputers. These are the personal computers commonly

used for office and leisure activities. Examples include
Hewlett Packard (HP), Compaq and Dell. They include
desktops, laptops and palmtops.

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 COMPUTER HARDWARE

These are the physical or tangible components of a computer system. They perform five functions
including; input, output, storage, processing and communication.
INPUT DEVICES

Input is any data or instructions you enter into the memory of a computer. Once input is in memory,
the CPU can access it and process the input into output. Four types of input are data, programs,
commands, and user responses:

An input device is any hardware component that allows you to enter data, programs, commands, and
user responses into a computer. Input devices include the keyboard, pointing devices, scanners and
reading devices, digital cameras, audio and video input devices, and input devices for physically
challenged users

1. THE KEYBOARD
You enter data into a computer by pressing the keys on the keyboard. Desktop computer keyboards
usually have from 101 to 105 keys, while keyboards for smaller computers such as laptops contain fewer
keys. A computer keyboard includes keys that allow you to type letters of the alphabet, numbers, spaces,
punctuation marks, and other symbols such as the dollar sign ($) and asterisk (*). A keyboard also
contains special keys that allow you to enter data and instructions into the computer.

2. POINTING DEVICES
A pointing device is an input device that allows you to control a pointer on the screen. In a graphical
user interface, a pointer is a small symbol on the display screen. A pointer often takes the shape of a
block arrow, an I-beam (T) or a pointing hand. Using a pointing device, you can position the pointer to
move or select items on the screen. For example, you can use a pointing device to move the insertion
point; select text, graphics, and other objects; and click buttons, icons, links, and menu commands.

Common pointing devices include the mouse, trackball, touchpad, pointing stick, joystick, touch
screen, light pen, and graphics tablet.
a) Trackball
Some users opt for alternative pointing devices other than a mouse, such as a trackball. Whereas a
mechanical mouse has a ball mechanism on the bottom, a trackball is a stationary pointing device
with a ball mechanism on its top.
b) Touchpad
A touchpad or trackpad is a small, flat, rectangular pointing device that is sensitive to pressure and
motion. To move the pointer using a touchpad, you slide your fingertip across the surface of the pad.
Some touchpads have one or more buttons around the edge of the pad that work like mouse buttons;
on others, you tap the pad’s surface to simulate mouse operations such as clicking.
c) Stick
A pointing stick is a pressure-sensitive pointing device shaped like a pencil eraser that was first
developed by IBM for its laptop computers. Because of its small size, the pointing stick is positioned
between keys on the keyboard. To move the pointer using a pointing stick, you push the pointing
stick with your finger. The pointer on the screen moves in the direction that you push the pointing
stick.
d) Joystick
Users running game software such as a driving or flight simulator may prefer to use a joystick as their
pointing device. A joystick is a vertical lever mounted on a base. You move the lever in different
directions to control the actions of a vehicle or player. The lever usually includes buttons called
triggers that you can press to activate certain events. Some joysticks also have additional buttons that
you can set to perform other actions.
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 e) Touch Screen
A monitor that has a touch-sensitive panel on the screen is called a touch screen. You interact
with the computer by touching areas of the screen with your finger, which acts as an input
device. Because they require a lot of arm movements, touch screens are not used to enter large
amounts of data. Instead you touch words, pictures, numbers, or locations identified on the
screen.
f) Pen Input
Many input devices use an electronic pen instead of a keyboard or mouse for input. Some of these
devicesrequire you to point to onscreen objects with the pen; others allow you to input data using
drawings, handwriting, and other symbols that are written with the pen on a surface.

g) LIGHT PEN
A light pen is a handheld input device that contains a light source or can detect light. Some light pens
require a specially designed monitor, while others work with a standard monitor. Instead of touching
the screen with your finger to interact with the computer, you press the light pen against the surface
of the screen or point the light pen at the screen and then press a button on the pen. Light pens are
used in applications where desktop space is limited such as in the health-care field or when a wide
variety of people use the application, such as electronic voting.

h) GRAPHICS TABLET
A graphics tablet, also called a digitizer or digitizing tablet, consists of a flat, rectangular, electronic
plasticboard used to input drawings, sketches, or other graphical data. Each location on the graphics
tablet corresponds to a specific location on the screen. When you draw on the tablet with either an
electronic penor a puck, the tablet detects and converts the movements into digital signals that are sent
into the computer.

3. SCANNERS AND READING DEVICES

These devices capture data from a source document, which is the original form of the data. When
using a keyboard or pointing device to enter data, the source document might be a timecard, order
blank, invoice, or any other document that contains data to be processed.

Devices that capture data directly from source documents include optical scanners, optical
character recognition devices, optical mark recognition devices, bar code scanners, and magnetic-
ink character recognition readers. Examples of source documents used with these devices include
advertisements, brochures, photographs, inventory tags
a) Optical Scanner
An optical scanner, usually simply called a scanner, is a light-sensing input device that reads printed
text and graphics and then translates the results into a form the computer can use. The density of the
dots, known as the resolution, determines sharpness and clearness of the resulting image. Resolution
typically is measured in dots per inch (dpi), and is stated as the number of columns and rows of dots
b) OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION
Optical character recognition (OCR) is a technology that involves reading typewritten, computer-
printed, or handwritten characters from-ordinary documents and translating the images into a form
that the computer can understand. Most OCR devices include a small optical scanner for reading
characters and sophisticated software for analyzing what is read.
c) Optical Mark Recognition (OMR)
Optical mark recognition (OMR) devices read hand-drawn marks such as small circles or rectangles. A
person places these marks on a form, such as test, survey, or questionnaire answer sheet
d) Bar Code Scanners
A bar code scanner uses laser beams to read bar codes (Figure 3-4). A bar code scanner is an identification
code that consists of a set of vertical lines and spaces of different widths. The bar code, which represents
some data that identifies the item, is printed on a product’s package or on a label that is affixed to a product
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so it can be read by a bar code scanner. The bar code scanner uses light patterns form the bar code lines to
identify the item.

e) Magnetic Ink Character Recognition Reader

Magnetic-Ink Character Recognition (MICR) reader is used to read text printed with magnetized ink.
MICR is used almost exclusively by the banking industry for check processing. Each check in your
checkbook has precoded MICR characters on the lower-left edge; these characters represent the bank
number, your account number, and the check number.
4. AUDIO AND VIDEO INPUT

DIGITAL CAMERAS
A digital camera allows you to take pictures and store the photographed images digitally instead of on
traditional film. With some digital cameras, you download, or transfer a copy of, the stored pictures to
your computer by connecting a cable between the digital camera and your computer and using special
software included with the camera. With other digital cameras, the pictures are stored directly on
storage media such as a floppy disk, PC Card, or flash card
Audio Input
Audio input is the process of entering (recording) music, speech, or sound effects. To record high
quality sound, your personal computer must have a sound card. (Most new computers today come
equipped with a sound card.) Sound is entered via a device such as a microphone, tape player, or audio
CD player, each of which plugs into a port on the sound card. External MIDI devices such as an
electric piano keyboard also can connect to the sound card for audio input.
Speech Recognition
Another use for a microphone is speech recognition. Speech recognition, also called voice recognition,
is the computer’s capability of distinguishing spoken words. Speech recognition programs do not
understand speech; they only recognize a vocabulary of certain words. The vocabulary of speech
recognition programs can range from two words (such as Yes and No) to more than sixty thousand
words.
Video Input
Video input or video capture is the process of entering a full-motion recording into a computer and
storing the video on a hard disk or some other medium. To capture video, you plug a video camera,
VCR, or other video device into a video capture card, which is an expansion card that converts the
analog video signal into a digital signal that a computer can understand. (Most new computers are not
equipped with a video capture card.) Once the video device is connected to the video capture card, you
can begin recording. After you save the video on a hard disk, you can play it or edit it using video-
editing software.
Videoconferencing
A videoconference is a meeting between two or more geographically separated individuals who use a
network or the Internet to transmit audio and video data. To participate in a videoconference, you must
have a microphone, speakers, and a video camera mounted on your computer. As you speak, members
of the meeting hear your voice on their speakers. Any image in front of the video camera, such as a
person’s face, displays in a window on each participant’s screen.

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