LIVING IN THE IT ERA

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL FOR STUDENTS

MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

TECHNOLOGY

Overview

The quickening pace of evolution in technology is very evident in this era. It seems that it
is progressing faster than ever. From year to year, the evolution of technology is one of staggering
promise and opportunity--as well as uncertainty. Basically, technology has been around before,
and as long as there are people, information technology will be there also because there were
always ways of communicating through technology available at that point in time. The future may
be unknown, but digital advancement continues to reshape our world in ways that encourage
people to form new habits, find new ways to work together, and become better human beings. And,
in most cases, these changes translate into a range of opportunities and disruptions across every
industry.

Humans have always been quick to adapt technologies for better and faster communication.

Objectives
• After successful completion of this module, the student can be able to;
• Demonstrate a sense of readiness for the upcoming semester;
• Identify their learning outcomes and expectations for the course;
• Recognize their capacity to create new understandings from reflecting on the course;
• Know the role and importance of ICT.

Lesson 1: Information and Communication Technology

History of ICT

ICT, or information and communications technology (or technologies), is the infrastructure

and components that enable modern computing. Although there is no single, universal definition
of ICT, the term is generally accepted to mean all devices, networking components, applications
and systems that combined allow people and organizations (i.e., businesses, nonprofit agencies,
governments and criminal enterprises) to interact in the digital world.

Uses of ICT In Our Daily Lives

Communication

We all know that ICT take a major role for us by means of communicating, way back in
the past our parents use to make letter and send it via post mail. But now with the help of ICT it is
easier to communicate with our love ones. We can use cellular phones that design for
communicating with other people even they are miles away far from you.

Nowadays people are in touch with the help of ICT. Through chatting, E-mail, voice mail
and social networking people communicate with each other. It is the cheapest means of
communication.

ICT allows students to monitor and manage their own learning, think critically and
creatively, solve simulated real-world problems, work collaboratively, engage in ethical decision-
making, and adopt a global perspective towards issues and ideas. It also provides students from
remote areas access to expert teachers and learning resources, and gives administrators and policy
makers the data and expertise they need to work more efficiently.

Job Opportunities

In the employment sector, ICT enables organizations to operate more efficiently, so

employing staff with ICT skills is vital to the smooth running of any business. Being able to use
ICT systems effectively allows employees more time to concentrate on areas of their job role that
require soft skills.

For example, many pharmacies use robot technology to assist with picking prescribed
drugs. This allows highly trained pharmaceutical staff to focus on jobs requiring human
intelligence and interaction, such as dispensing and checking medication.

Nowadays, employers expect their staff to have basic ICT skills. This expectation even
applies to job roles where ICT skills may not have been an essential requirement in the past.

Nowadays, finding a job is different, you can just use your smart phone, laptop, desktop or
any gadgets that is available in the comfort of your home.

Education

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) can impact student learning when
teachers are digitally literate and understand how to integrate it into curriculum.

Schools use a diverse set of ICT tools to communicate, create, disseminate, store, and
manage information.(6) In some contexts, ICT has also become integral to the teaching-learning
interaction, through such approaches as replacing chalkboards with interactive digital whiteboards,
using students’ own smartphones or other devices for learning during class time, and the “flipped
classroom” model where students watch lectures at home on the computer and use classroom time
for more interactive exercises.

When teachers are digitally literate and trained to use ICT, these approaches can lead to
higher order thinking skills, provide creative and individualized options for students to express
their understandings, and leave students better prepared to deal with ongoing technological change
in society and the workplace.
Socializing

Social media has changed the world. The rapid and vast adoption of these technologies is
changing how we find partners, how we access information from the news, and how we organize
to demand political change.

The internet and social media provide young people with a range of benefits, and
opportunities to empower themselves in a variety of ways. Young people can maintain social
connections and support networks that otherwise wouldn't be possible and can access more
information than ever before. The communities and social interactions young people form online
can be invaluable for bolstering and developing young people's self-confidence and social skills.

As the ICT has become ubiquitous, faster and increasingly accessible to non-technical
communities, social networking and collaborative services have grown rapidly enabling people to
communicate and share interest in many more ways, sites like Facebook, Twitter LinkedIn You
tube, Flicker, second life delicious blogs wiki’s and many more let people of all ages rapidly share
their interest of the movement without others everywhere. But Facebook seems to be the leading
areas of where people communicate and share their opinions. What a change! “Nothing is
permanent, but change” (As Heraditus in the 4thcentury BC). Internet can be seen as the
international networks of interconnection of computer networks, the main purpose for the
institution of internet are quest for information i.e. browsing, electronic mail, knew groups fill
transfer and access and use of other computer. Socialization can be seen as a process by which a
child adapts a behavior to be an effective member of the society, which can only be achieved
through learning or education.

Impact of ICT in The Society

Positive impacts of Information and Communication Technology

• Access to information: Increase in access to information and services that has accompanied
the growth of the Internet. Some of the positive aspects of this increased access are better,
and often cheaper, communications, such as VoIP phone and Instant Messaging.
• Improved access to education, e.g. distance learning and online tutorials. New ways of
learning, e.g. interactive multi-media and virtual reality.
• New tools, new opportunities: ICT gives access to new tools that did not previously exist:
digital cameras, photo-editing software and high quality printers, screen magnification or
screen reading software enables partially sighted or blind people to work with ordinary text
rather than Braille.
• Communication: Cost savings by using e.g. VoIP instead of normal telephone, email /
messaging instead of post, video conferencing instead of traveling to meetings, e-
commerce web sites instead of sales catalogues. Access to larger, even worldwide, markets.
• Information management: Data mining of customer information to produce lists for
targeted advertising. Improved stock control, resulting in less wastage, better cash flow,
etc.
• Security: ICT solves or reduces some security problems, e.g. Encryption methods can
keep data safe from unauthorized people, both while it is being stored or while it is being
sent electronically.
• ICT allows people to participate in a wider, even worldwide, society.
• Distance learning: students can access teaching materials from all over the world.
• ICT facilitates the ability to perform ‘impossible’ experiments’ by using simulations.
• Creation of new more interesting jobs. Examples would be systems analysts,
programmers and software engineers, as well as help desk operators and trainers.

Negative impacts of Information and Communication Technology

• Job loss: Manual operations being replaced by automation. e.g. robots replacing people
on an assembly line. Job export. e.g. Data processing work being sent to other countries
where operating costs are lower. Multiple workers being replaced by a smaller number
who are able to do the same amount of work. e.g. A worker on a supermarket checkout
can serve more customers per hour if a bar-code scanner linked to a computerized till is
used to detect goods instead of the worker having to enter the item and price manually
• Reduced personal interaction: Most people need some form of social interaction in their
daily lives and if they do not get the chance to meet and talk with other people they may
feel isolated and unhappy.
• Reduced physical activity: This can lead to health problems such as obesity, heart disease,
and diabetes.
• Cost: A lot of ICT hardware and software is expensive, both to purchase and to maintain.
An ICT system usually requires specialist staff to run it and there is also the challenge of
keeping up with ever-changing technology.
• Competition: this is usually thought of as being a good thing, but for some organizations
being exposed to greater competition can be a problem. If the organization is competing
for customers, donations, or other means of funding nationally or even internationally,
they may lose out to other organizations that can offer the same service for less money.

References
• W. Samuel, S. G. Ajumo, E. C. Anderson and S. Worgu (2016). ICT As A Change
Angent For Socialization and Social Engineering. IOSR Journal of Computer
Engineering (IOSR-JCE) e-ISSN: 2278-0661,p-ISSN: 2278-8727, Volume 18, Issue 4,
Ver. II
 • https://www.digitalistmag.com/cio-knowledge/2019/02/26/evolution-of-technology-
continues-what-is-next-in-2019-06196611/
• https://bit.ly/30IZ4FO
• https://ailynvlla.home.blog/2019/03/04/how-ict-affect-our-daily-life/
• https://bit.ly/32Vlpm6
• https://www.wikijob.co.uk/content/application-advice/job-applications/what-are-ict-skills
• https://bit.ly/2BuODwV

Assessment

Instruction: Answer the following questions.

1. What is the relevance of ICT in your chosen course?
2. Name at least 4 uses of ICT in our daily lives and explain.
3. Give 5 positive impacts and expound.5 n
egative impacts of ICT in the society.
MODULE 2: WHAT IS IT?

Information Technology – is technology that merges computing with high-speed

communications links carrying data, sound, and video. This merge produces a gradual fusion
of several important industries in the phenomenon called technological convergence.

Six Elements of a Computer-and-Communications System

I. People – the most important part of a computer-and-communication system

Two type of people use information technology

a. Computer Professionals or IT Professional, is a person who has had extensive
education or considerable experience in the technical aspects of using a computer-
and-communications system.
b. Computer End-Users
(All levels - from novice to Computer Professional)
II. Procedure – are descriptions of how things are done – steps for accomplishing result or
rules and guidelines for what is acceptable

III. Data/Information
• Data – consists of the raw facts and figures that are processed into information.
• Information – summarized data or otherwise manipulated data that is useful for
decision making

IV. Hardware – the machine used for the communications

• Computer Technology
Definition:
A Computer is an electronic data processing device capable of accepting input data and
instructions, manipulate data, based on the instructions either logically and/or mathematically to
produce information in the form of a hardcopy, a softcopy or in some auxiliary storage device.

Characteristics of a Computer:
1. It is a machine. It is an inanimate objet that needs outside intervention to start-up and run.
2. It is an electronic device. It is made up of electronic circuits and runs on electrical energy.
3. It is automatic. Once started it continues to run without outside intervention.
4. It can manipulate data. Following specific instructions, it can perform addition, subtraction,
etc – arithmetic functions, as well as compare the two values, as to whether or not one is greater
than, less than, equal to, etc, the other value – logic function.
5. It has memory. It has the capacity to store and retrieve; or remember what is/has done and
what has been entered into its memory unit.

Capabilities of a Computer:
1. Speed. Computers could operate (executing an instruction, or adding two numbers) in
millisecond, microsecond, nanosecond, and picosecond (one thousanth, one millionth, one
billionth, and one trillionth of a second, respectively).
2. Accuracy. Computers has programs to check logical, procedural, and data errors before and
after such operation. And these are human errors.
3. Reliability. Computers could do repetitive task. Computers don’t take sick days and coffee
breaks, and seldom complains. A backup computer is necessary if the main computer fail or
bug down.
4. Memory Capability. Computer system have total and instant recall data/information and an
almost unlimited capacity to store the data/information.
Limitations:
1. Inability to regenerate information on its own. Without the program or instruction, the
computer would not do anything to the set of data within its memory. (Feed in the computer).
2. Failure to correct wrong instruction. If given erroneous instructions it would produce
erroneous information. As the phrase says “garbage in, garbage out (GIGO)”.
3. Subject to physical failure. Being a machine, it is subject to “wear and tear”.
Classification of Computers:
A. According to Purpose:
1. General Purpose Computers – designed to handle a variety of applications and tasks.
2. Special Purpose Computers – designed to perform one specific task; sometimes referred to
as a dedicated computer.
B. According to the Type of Data Handled:
1. Digital Computers – deal with decimal digits that represent data in discrete form; its inputs
and outputs are in the form of numbers, letters and or special characters.
2. Analog Computers – deal with quantities that are continually variable (data generated from
an ongoing physical process) and giving approximate measurements of the results.
3. Hybrid Computers – incorporates the major features of the digital and the analogue
computers; it has the measurement abilities of the analogue computer and the control logic
capabilities of the digital computer.
C. According to size:
1. Microcomputer – the smallest general-purpose computer is often called a PC or personal
Computer.
2. Minicomputer – much larger in terms of memory and faster that micros; approximately the
size of a small file cabinet; may either be a special purpose or general-purpose computers.
3. Mainframes – larger and faster than minis- may also either be special or general purpose.
4. Supercomputers – designed to process complex scientific applications; are largest, fastest
and most expensive.
D. According to Age:
1. First generation computers (1951 – 1958) characterized by the use of vacuum tubes for its
circuitry, the binary notation instead of a decimal notation for internal instructions and data,
and electricity to power it.
2. Second generation Computers (1959 – 1964) – characterized by the use of transistors for
its circuitry, the use of magnetic media, especially the disk that supported direct access and
the emergence of the first breed of supercomputers and different high level programming
languages.
3. Third generation computers (1965 – 1970) – characterized by the used of silicon “chips”
for its circuitry; leading to a substantial reduction in the physical size of a computer yet an
increase in memory capacity and speed such that processing were performed in terms of
nanosecond (billionth of a second), and the development of the mini-computer.
 4. Fourth generation computers (1971) – characterized by the use “LSI” Large Scale
Integrated Circuit” the emergence of the microcomputers, the democratization of the use
of computers.
5. Fifth generation computers – the development of “VLSI or Very Large Scale Integrated
Circuit” some authors counter starts off the fifth generation coupled with the exploration
in the area of “artificial intelligence
E. According to Application:
1. Business – have volumous amounts of inputs and outputs and relative simple mathematical
operations on data, to solve financial problems.
2. Scientific – have relatively small amounts of input and output data but perform complex
and extensive mathematical operations on data, to solve scientific problems.

COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM:

A computer system is a data processing system, composed of hardware, the software,
dataware, and the peopleware, aimed at providing the end-users with information suited to its need.

HARDWARE - refers to the machine itself and all other peripherals; the general term used to
pertain all the machinery and equipment that make-up the tangible component to the specific
functions it performs, namely:
Basic Operations of Hardware
1. Input Operation – where data is entered or otherwise captured electronically and is
converted to a form that can be processed by the computer.

Cathegories of Input hardware devices

a. Keyboard input device- looks like typewriter keyboard but has additional special keys
or other keyboards intended for specific purpose.
• Computer Keyboard – is a device that converts letters, numbers, and other
characters into electrical signals that are machine-readable by the computer’s
processor. It is the most popular kind of input device
2 kinds of keyboard
QWERTY – Standard keyboard which describes the beginning keys in the top row
of letters
DVORAK – Alternative layout of keyboard
“186 wpm – world speed record for typing was set on the DVORAK Comp.
keyboard
• Touch-Tone Devices – a device used like a dumb terminal to send data to a
computer. e.g. cell phones, telephones etc.
• Set-top boxes – a device that works with a keypad, such as a handheld remote
control, or in case of interactive systems, to exercise other commands.
b. Pointing Devices- control the position of the cursor or pointer on the screen commonly
used in menu driven programs.
• Mouse – small hand operated device connected to the CPU that is rolled about on a
desktop to position a cursor or pointer on the computer’s display screen which
indicates the area where data may be entered or a command executed
• Trackbal – used instead of mouse; a movable ball on top of a stationary device is
rotated with the fingers or palm of the hand to move the cursor or pointer on the
display screen, and buttons are positioned nearby.
• Pointing sticks – looks like pencil eraser protruding from the keyboard between the
G, H and B key. The user moves the stick with the forefinger while using the thumb
to press buttons located in front of the space bar. It is suited for laptops.
• Touchpads – a small, flat surface over which you slide your finger, using the same
movements as you would with a mouse.
 • Light pens – is a light-sensitive stylus, or pen-like device, connected by a wire to
the computer terminal.
• Digitizing tablets- consists of a tablet connected by a wire to a stylus or puck.
Stylus – is a pen-like device with which the user “sketches” an image.
Puck – is a copying device with which the user copies an image
• Pen-based computer systems – use a pen-like stylus to allow people to enter
handwriting and marks onto a computer screen rather than typing on a keyboard.
c. Source Data-Entry Devices – create machine-readable data on magnetic media or paper
or feed it directly into the computer’s processor.
Cathegories of Source Data-Entry Devices
• Scanning devices – use reflected light sensitive equipment and laser beams to
record or translate data into digital form.
Four types of Scanning devices
1. Bar-code readers – photoelectric scanners that translate the bar-code symbols
into digital code.
Bar code – vertical scripted marks of varying width that are imprinted on
merchandise tags or packaging
Two types of bar code reader
a. Handheld
b. Stationary
2. Mark & Character Recognition – read special marks or Character
Three types of Mark & Character
a. Magnetic-ink character recognition (MICR) – reads the strange-looking
numbers printed at the bottom of checks.
b. Optical Mark recognition (OMR) – uses a device that reads pencil marks
and converts them into computer usable form.
c. Optical Character recognition (OCR) – uses a device that reads preprinted
characters in a particular font (typeface design) and convert them to digital
code.
3. Fax machines – or facsimile transmission machine- scans an image and sends
it as electronic signals over telephone lines to a receiving fax machine, which
re-creates the image on paper
Two types of fax machines
a. Dedicated fax machines – are specialized devices that do nothing except
send and receive fax documents.
b. Fax modems – is installed as a circuit board inside the computer’s system
cabinet. It is a modem with fax capability that enables you to send signals
directly from your computer to someone else’s fax machine or computer
fax modem.
4. Imaging System – convert text, drawings, and photographs into digital form.
Three types of image scanners
a. Flatbed image scanners – scan all sorts of documents in place.
b. Sheetfed image scanners – scan only single sheets of document
c. Handheld image scanners – rolled by hand over documents to be scanned.
• Audio-input devices – records analog sound and translates it for digital storage and
processing.
• Video-input devices – uses Video Camera Recorder and convert the signals to digital
form.
• Digital Cameras – uses a light-sensitive processor chip to capture photographic
images in digital form on a flash-memory chip.
• Sensors – is a type of input device that collects specific kinds of data directly from
the environment and transmits it to a computer.
 • Radio-Frequency Identification Devices – consists of a “tag” containing a
microchip that contains code numbers that can be read by the radio waves of a
scanner linked to a database.
• Voice-recognition system - uses a microphone or telephone as an input device,
converts spoken words into digital code by comparing the electrical patterns
produced by the speaker’s voice with a set of prerecorded patterns stored in the
computer.
• Human-biology input devices
1. Biometric systems – the science of measuring individual body characteristics.
2. Line-of-sight systems – enable a person to use his or her eyes to “point” at the
screen, a technology that allows some physically disabled users to direct a
computer
2. Processing Operation – is where data are manipulated to transform it into information.
• Central Processing Unit(CPU) – the brain of the computer system. It follows the
instruction of the software to manipulate data into information.
two parts of Processing Unit
a. Arithmetic and Logic Unit(ALU) – performs arithmetic and logical operations
b. Control Unit(CU) – responsible on controlling the traffic of the flow of data.
• Main Memory or Primary Memory - is the working storage.
1. Random Access Memory(RAM) – temporary memory
It has three tasks
a. It holds data for processing
b. It holds instructions(the program) for processing the data
c. It holds processed data (that is, information) for output or for saving.
3. Secondary-Storage Operation – where data are being stored permanently
• Read Only Memory(ROM) – permanent memory of computer
Storage Specifications
Bytes – is the amount of memory that one character will occupy.
e.g. letters, digit, special symbols.
Conversion:
1 character = 1 byte
1 word = 2 bytes
1 Kilobyte (Kb) = 1024 bytes
1 Megabyte (Mb) = 1024 Kb
1 Gigabyte (Gb) = 1024 Mb
1 Terabyte (Tb) = 1024 Gb

4. Output Operation – is where the information obtained from the data is displayed in a form
usable by people.
Two(2) principal kinds of output
a. Softcopy – refers to data that is shown on a display screen or is in audio or voice form.
1. Display Screens/Monitors – are output devices that show programming instructions
and data as they are being input and information after being processed.
2. Audio-output devices – records or plays analog sound and translates it for digital
storage and processing.
3. Video-output devices – converts digital data into speech-like sounds.
4. Virtual reality - the computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image or
environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way by a
person using special electronic equipment, such as a helmet with a screen inside or
gloves fitted with sensors.
 5. Robots – Automatic device that performs functions ordinarily ascribed to human
beings or that operate with what appears to be almost human intelligence.
b. Hardcopy - refers to printed output
1. Printers – an output device that prints characters, symbols, and perhaps graphics or
paper or another hardcopy medium
2. Plotters – is a specialized output device designed to produce high – quality graphics
in a variety of colors.
3. Multifunction – combine several capabilities, such as printing, scanning, copying,
and faxing, all in one device.

The following steps outline the internal activities within the computer:
Instructions are stored in the memory unit when received from the input device under the
direction of the control unit.
The control unit examines one instruction and interprets it.
The control unit sends the appropriate electronic signals to the ALU and the memory unit.
Data are brought to the primary storage from an input device or data already in primary
storage are transferred to the ALU where calculations and or comparisons may be
performed.
The results are transferred back to the primary memory unit.
The aforementioned steps are continued until all instructions are executed.
The control unit signals the primary memory unit to transfer all desired information and results
to the output device.

V. Software - It refers to the set of programs or instructions to make the computer perform a
particular task.
- Consists of an instruction that tells the computer how to perform a task.
Two (2) kinds of software:
1. System software – consists of programs that coordinate the various parts of the computer
system to run rapidly and efficiently. It enables the applications software to interact with
the computer and helps the computer manage its internal and external resources.
Types of system software
a. Operating System – is a program which has ultimate control of all resources and has
responsibility for systems operation
- It is the principal piece of the system software in any computer
system; it consists of the master set of programs that manage the
basic operations of the computer. It remains in the memory until
the computer is turned off.
Note: An operating system written for one kind of hardware will not
run on another kind of machine.
Functions of Operating system:
➢ Booting – refers to the process of loading an OS into a computer’s main memory
from disk.
o types of booting:
▪ Cold boot
▪ Warm boot
➢ Managing storage media – check if the disks are ready to be used.
o e.g. formatting,
➢ Providing Interface
✓ User interface-is the user-controllable part of the OS that allows you to
communicate or interact with it.
 o 4 types of interfaces
o Command-driven interface – requires you to enter a command by typing
in codes or words.
o Menu-driven interface- An interface that allows you to use cursor-
movement (arrow) keys to choose a command from a menu
o Graphical user interface(GUI)-allows you to use graphics (images) and
menus as well as keystrokes to choose commands
▪ Features of GUI
➢ Icons- small pictorial figures that represent tasks,
procedures
➢ Windows-divide the display screen into rectangular
sections.
o Network user interface(NUI)- “new-ee”- offers browser-like interface
that helps users interact with online programs and files.
➢ Managing computer resources-supervises the job of the computer parts.
✓ Ways OS can manage memory
o Partitioning – dividing memory into separate areas
o Foreground/background – divide memory into priorities
▪ Foreground – currently working
▪ Background – regulating the flow of data to the printer
o Queues – temporary holding place for programs or data

➢ Managing files – allows you to change, copy, erase, rename, backup and locate
files and gain access to it.
➢ Managing tastks-allows you to require computer to perform many different task
at the same time.
o Multitasking – for one user, executing more than one program concurrently
o Multiprogramming – for multiple users, executing different users’ program
concurrently. e.g. server
o Time-sharing – for multiple users, executing users’ programs in round-robin
fashion. e.g. communication
o Multiprocessing – for single or multiple users, simultaneously processing
of two or more programs by multiple computers. e.g. airline reservations
b. Utility programs - are special programs that enhance existing functions or provide
services not performed by other system software.
Some specific tasks
✓ Backup-to make duplicate
✓ Data recovery-to undelete the file or information that has been accidentally deleted.
✓ File defragmentation-to find all the scattered files on the disk and reorganize them
as contiguous files
✓ Disk repair-check disks drive for defects and make repairs on the spot or mark the
bad areas.
✓ Virus protection-used “Antivirus software” that scans hard disks, diskettes and
other storage media to detect viruses.
✓ Data compression-remove redundant elements, gaps, and unnecessary data from a
computer’s storage space so less space (fewer bits) is required to store or transmit
data.
✓ Memory management-determine how to efficiently control and allocate memory
resources. e.g. Drivers
c. Language Translator – a system software that translate a program into machine
language(0’ and 1’s) which computer can understand. e. g. C, C++ …….

2. Application software – is a software that has been developed to solve a particular problem,
to perform useful work on specific tasks, or to provide output for end users.
2 Classifications with different categories
 1. Packaged software – are programs generally designed to meet the needs of any users
• Entertainment- the serious matter of video games etc.
• Home/personal software-medical, Home decoration
• Educational reference-Encyclopedia, Almanacs, library searches, etc.
• Productivity software-
Consist of programs found in most offices, homes, & on larger computer
systems
Example:
Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Database, Cyberspace software’s, etc.
Cyberspace software’s:
Communication software
Electronic mail software
Web browsers software
Web search tools:
Directories-are indexes classified by topic
Search engines-allow you to find specific documents through
keyword searches
2. Customized software – designed and developed for special purpose
• Specialty Sorftware-Deskto publishing, Presentation, Multimedia, etc.

Versions, Releases, & Compatibility

Version – is a major upgrade in a software product
Release – is a minor upgrade
Compatibility
- Document created with earlier versions of the software can be processed successfully
on later versions.
- A new version of an application program will run with the system software you are
currently using.

Ethics and Intellectual property rights

Intellectual property-consists of the products of the human mind
Copyright-is the exclusive legal right that prohibits copying of intellectual property without
the permission of the copyright holder.
Piracy – unauthorized copying of copyrighted software.

When can you copy?

Public domain software-software that is not protected by copyright
Freeware-software that is available free of charge
Shareware-copyrighted software that is distributed free of charge but requires contribution in
order to continue using it
VI. Communication – Where the transfer of data will pass and changed from analog to digital
or from digital to analog. It is a technology consists of electronic devices and systems for
communicating over long distances.

Tools of Communication & Connectivity

Communication – refers to the electronic collection and transfer of information from one location
to another.
Connectivity – the ability to connect computers to one another by modem or network and
communications lines to provide online information access.
Telecommunications - devices and systems that transmit electronic or optical signals across long
distances.
Telecommunications messages can be sent in a variety of ways and by a wide range of
devices.
• from one sender to a single receiver (point-to-point) or –
➢ a telephone conversation between two people or a facsimile (fax) message
usually involve point-to-point transmission.
• from one sender to many receivers (point-to-multipoint).
➢ broadcasts, provide the basis for commercial radio and television programming.

The World of Connectivity: Data communication

a. Telephone-related services – includes fax messages, transmitted by dedicated fax machines
and fax boards, and voice mail, voice messages stored in digitized form.
• Fax Messages
Fax stands for “facsimile transmission” or reproduction
Two types of fax machines
1. Dedicated fax machine – are specialized devices that do nothing except send and receive
documents over transmission lines to and from other fax machines.
- a telephone copy machine
2. Fax board or fax/modem adopter card – is a modem with fax capability circuit board
installed inside a computer’s system cabinet installed in computer connected to the
phone line. It enables you to send signals directly from your computer to someone else’s
fax machine or fax board.
Fax-back services – you dial their number, answer a few questions by pressing numbers
on your phone, and hang up. The recipient’s fax machine then automatically sends you
a fax of the information you requested.
Alexander Bain - Scottish physicist and clock maker patented the first facsimile device in
1843.
Facsimile transmission system:
❖ Fax to fax - Printout to printout
❖ Fax to Computer - Printout to digital
❖ Computer to fax - digital to Printout
❖ Computer to computer - digital to digital beep2
– info superhighway

• Voice Mail – System in which incoming voice messages are stored in a recipient’s “voice
mailbox” in digitized form. The system converts the digitized versions back to voice
messages when they are retrieved.
Problem:
 Phone-tag – you call someone, discover he or she isn’t there, and then leave a message
for the person to return your call. When the person calls back, you aren’t there so
she/he leaves a message for you
b. Video/voice communication
• Videoconferencing(also called teleconferencing) - is the use of television, sound, and
computer technology to enable people in different locations to see, hear, and talk with one
another.
• Picture phone – is a telephone with a TV-like screen and a built-in camera that allows you
to see the person you’re calling, and vice versa.
c. Online information services – provides access, for a fee, to all kinds of databases and
electronic meeting places to subscribers equipped with telephone-linked microcomputers.
The offerings of Online Services includes:
• People connection – e-mail, message boards, char rooms
• Research and news
• Games, entertainment, and clubs
• Free software
• Travel services
• Shopping
• Financial management
d. The Internet(or simply “The net”) – the world’s biggest network (the largest of all networks)
of computers connecting to communicate.
Three ways to connect to the Internet:
1. Through school or work
2. Through online information services
3. Through Internet service providers (ISPs) – are local or national companies that will provide
public access to the Internet (and World Wide Web) for a flat monthly fee.

Internet Addresses – used to interact with other networks

Domain Name System Internet Addressing scheme has two sections:
Ex. [email protected]
First section
1st part - jong_quibs -, the userID, tells “who is at the address, it is the recipient.
- @ - called “at - separates the first and second section.
- It connects the “who” identifier with several “where”
identifiers.
Second section
2nd part –jrmsu -, the subdomain, stand for Computer Science Dep’t.
3rd part –tampilisan- the domain, tells “where” the address is.
- It includes the location
. – period called “dots” separates the components
4th part - .edu – the top-level domain
5th part - .ph – denotes the country where this particular member of the type is located
Among the top-level domains are the following:
❖ .com - for commercial organization
❖ .edu - for educational and research organization
❖ .firm - for certain types of business
❖ .gov - for governmental organization
❖ .info - for distributors of information
❖ .int - for international
❖ .mil - for military organization
❖ .net - for gateway or host networks
❖ .nom - for individual users
❖ .org - for nonprofit or miscellaneous organization
❖ .rec - for groups involved in recreational activities
❖ .store - for retailers
❖ .web - for businesses related to the Web
 The World Wide Web part of the Internet – is the graphics-based component of the Internet,
which makes it easier to use.
The Web: A working Vocabulary
❖ HTML – Instruction for document links:
Hypertext markup language(HTML) is the set of special instructions, called tags or
markups, that are used to specify document structure, formatting, and links to other
documents.
❖ http:// - communications standard for the Web:
Hypertext transfer protocol(http://) is the communications standard protocol used
to transfer information on the Web. Example: http://www.wmsu.edu.ph
❖ Web sites – locations of hypertlinked documents:
Web site is the Internet location of a computer or server on which a hyperlinked
document is stored.
❖ Web pages – hypertext documents:
Web page is actually a document, consisting of an HTML file. The home page, is
the main page or first screen you see when you access a Web site
❖ Web browsers:
Web browsers, or simply browser , is graphical user interface soft ware that
translates HTML documents and allow you to view Web pages on your computer screen.
Web surfing – move from one page to another
❖ URL-the address
Uniform Resource Locator(URL) is an address that points to a specific resource on
the Web.
❖ Hyperlinks, history lists, and bookmarks:
History list –the browser records the Web pages you have viewed during a
particular connection session
Bookmarks – also called favorite places, consist of titles and URLs of Web pages
that you choose to add to your bookmark list because you think you will visit them
frequently in the future.
e. Share resources – enables teams of co-workers to use networked microcomputers to share
information and cooperate on projects.
• E-mail – a software-controlled system that links computers by wired or wireless
connections
• Telecommuting – one works at home and communicates with the office by computer and
communications technology instead of transporting
• Teleshopping – computer version of shop-at-home services. Microcomputer users dial into
a telephone-linked computer-based shopping service listing prices and descriptions of
products, which may be ordered through the computer.
• Databases – a large collection of electronically stored data located elsewhere. These are
libraries of information available to you through your computer.
• Computer online services – is a commercial info. service that, for a fee, makes various
services available to subscribers through their telephone-linked microcomputers.
• The Internet and the World Wide Web
Internet - the mother of all networks
World Wide Web – stores information in multimedia form – sounds, photos, video, as well
as text.