Computer,

1
Competency,
and You
Suborna Barua
School of Business
United International University
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Competencies

Explain the five parts of an information system

Distinguish between application and system
software
Distinguish between special purpose and general
purpose application software
Identify the types of computers and
microcomputers
Describe the different types of hardware

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Competencies cont.

Define data and describe files

Explain connectivity and the wireless revolution
Describe the Internet and the Web

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Five Parts of an
Information System
1. People 4. Hardware
2. Procedures 5. Data
3. Software

In a general sense, the term information system (IS) refers to a

system of persons, data records and activities that process the
data and information in an organization, and it includes the
organization's manual and automated processes.

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Five Parts of an
Information System

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Five Parts of an Information

System
People
Most important part of any system
Purpose is to make end users more productive
Contact is …
Direct – e.g. creating a
document using MS Word
Indirect
Computer uses
Business & Entertainment
Education & Medicine, ….

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Five Parts of an Information

System
Procedures
Are the rules or guidelines to follow when
using software, hardware and data
Example user manuals
provided with products

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Software

Are the programs

Provide step-by-step instructions to control the
computer to convert data into instructions
Two major kinds of software
System Software
Application Software

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System Software
A collection of programs
Enables the application software to interact with the
hardware
Background software that helps the computer manage
its own resources
System software is closely related to, but distinct from
Operating System software. It is any computer software
that provides the infrastructure over which programs
can operate, ie it manages and controls computer
hardware so that application software can perform.
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System Software
System software is software that basically makes the
computer work.
Examples are
Operating systems, such as
Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
or Linux,
Device drivers such as printer
drivers, anti-virus software,
communication software, utilities.

Without the system software the computer doesn't work.

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Application Software

“End-user” software
Helps user carry out a task
Two major categories
General purpose
Special purpose
Examples are word
processing, spreadsheet,
database, presentation..

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Application Software
In general application software are programs that enable
the end-user to perform specific, productive tasks, such
as word processing or image manipulation.

Multiple applications bundled together as a package are

sometimes referred to as an application suite.
Microsoft Office, OpenOffice.org, and iWork 08, which
bundle together a word processor, a spreadsheet, and
several other discrete applications, are typical examples.

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Application software classification

Enterprise software: Financial, Customer Relationship
Management, and Supply Chain Management.
Enterprise infrastructure software: Databases, Email
servers, and Network and Security Management.
Content access software: Media Players, Web
Browsers, Help browsers, and Games.
Educational software evaluations (tests) and tracking
progress, collaborative capabilities.

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Application software classification

Information worker software: Word processors, spreadsheets,

email and blog clients, personal information system, and
individual media editors may aid in multiple information worker
tasks.
Simulation software: Matlab, Palisade, Crystal Ball.
Media development software: Graphic Art software, Desktop
Publishing software, Multimedia Development software, HTML
editors, Digital Animation editors, Digital Audio and Video
composition, and many others.
Product engineering software: CAD, computer aided
engineering (CAE), computer language editing and compiling
tools, Integrated Development Environments, and Application
Programmer Interfaces.

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Hardware
Physical equipment that processes the data
Controlled by software
Physical devices
Keyboard
Mouse
Monitor
Other devices

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Types of Computers

Supercomputers
Mainframe computers
Minicomputers
Microcomputers

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Super Computers

This type of computer usually costs

hundreds of thousands or even millions of
dollars. Although some supercomputers
are single computer systems, most are
comprised of multiple high performance
computers working in parallel as a single
system. The best known supercomputers
are built by Cray Supercomputers.
High capacity
Used by large organizations
Tracking space
Tracking weather

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Mainframe Computers
In the early days of computing, mainframes were huge computers
that could fill an entire room or even a whole floor! As the size of
computers has diminished while the power has increased, the
term mainframe has fallen out of use in favor of enterprise
server. You'll still hear the term used, particularly in large
companies to describe the huge machines processing millions of
transactions every day.
Occupies specially wired, air-conditioned rooms
Capable of great processing speeds and data storage
Not as powerful as supercomputers

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Minicomputers

Known as midrange computers

Medium-size companies
Used by departments of large companies

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Microcomputers
The personal computer (PC) defines a computer
designed for general use by a single person. PCs were
first known as microcomputers because they were a
complete computer but built on a smaller scale than the
huge systems in use by most businesses.
Least powerful
Widely used
Four types
Desktop
Notebook or laptop
Tablet PC
Handheld

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Microcomputer Types
Desktop
PC that is not designed for portability is a
desktop computer. The expectation with
desktop systems are that you will set the
computer up in a permanent location. Most
desktops offer more power, storage and
versatility for less cost than their portable
brethren.
Laptop
Also called notebooks, laptops are portable
computers that integrate the display,
keyboard, a pointing device or trackball,
processor, memory and hard drive all in a
battery-operated package slightly larger than
an average hardcover book.

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Microcomputer Types
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
PDAsare tightly integrated computers that often use
flash memory instead of a hard drive for storage.
These computers usually do not have keyboards but
rely on touchscreen technology for user input. PDAs
are typically smaller than a paperback novel, very
lightweight with a reasonable battery life. A slightly
larger and heavier version of the PDA is the handheld
computer.

Workstation
The fifth type of computer is a workstation. A
workstation is simply a desktop computer that has a
more powerful processor, additional memory and
enhanced capabilities for performing a special group
of task, such as 3D Graphics or game development.
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More Broader Types

Server
A computer that has been optimized to provide
services to other computers over a network. Servers
usually have powerful processors, lots of memory
and large hard drives.

Wearable Computer
The latest trend in computing is wearable
computers. Essentially, common computer
applications (e-mail, database, multimedia,
calendar/scheduler) are integrated into watches, cell
phones, visors and even clothing! For more
information see these articles on computer clothing,
smart watches and fabric PCs.

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Microcomputer Hardware

System unit
Input/output devices
Secondary storage
Communications

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Microcomputer Hardware

Four basic categories of hardware devices:-

System unit – contains the electronic circuitry
Input/output devices – are translators between
humans and computers. Examples are mouse and
keyboard.
Secondary storage devices – store data and
programs. Examples are floppy, hard disk, CD’s,
Communication devices – connect the system unit to
other computers and the Internet. Example modems

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Data

Raw, unprocessed facts

Processing creates information
Stored electronically in files
Document files
Worksheet files
Database files
Presentation files

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Connectivity, the Wireless

Revolution, and the Internet
Connectivity
Sharing of information
Wireless communication is becoming popular
Computer networks
Connected communication system of computers
Largest network is the Internet

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A Look to the Future

Computer Competent
The Internet & the Web
Powerful software & hardware
Privacy & security
Organizations
Changing Times

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Use of Computer: Some Examples

Here is a list of some of the most common and
important uses of computers in our society:
• write documents such as letters, memos,
reports etc
• create illustrations for communication such
as Internet and
e-mail
• store and retrieve information for the future
• plan and visualise schedules
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Use of Computer: Some Examples

operate cash registers
connect to the Internet for easy communication and access
to a
wealth of information
do banking via the internet
international trading via websites
calculating simple and complicated formulae with ease
research and study purposes
bookkeeping
entertainment, like computer games and online shopping.

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Impact on society
Employment
many of the manual tasks, such as assembly work and paint spraying in
factories, are now being performed by computer controlled robots
many industrial processes operate 24 hours a day and are continually being
monitored and controlled by computers.
there are fewer paper-based systems in offices. Some jobs such as filing
clerks no longer exist. New jobs involving computers, including database
administrators and programmers, have been created.
more and more people work from home, with the advantage of no traveling
and the freedom of being able to live in any part of the country, or the
world, for that matter.
computers are sometimes used to monitor the performance of their users.
For instance, in supermarkets they can tell the management about the
number of customers dealt with per hour or how many items are passed
through the scanner in a day.
Order clerks and airline booking clerks can have their work monitored the
same way.
there is a continual need to retrain people, who no longer spend year after
year doing the same job. Job mobility is increasing and new technologies
are constantly evolving.
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Impact on society
Information access and storage
As you learned above, probably the most important function of
computers is their ability to store large amounts of data.
The World Wide Web is probably the largest source of
information and is available to anyone in the world with a
computer and Internet connection. By the end of 2006, there
were well over 120 million users connected to some 7 million
websites. However, a good portion
of information stored on computers is sensitive and critical, and
if lost or accessed by the wrong person, could potentially create
tremendous personal anxiety and global problems.
Hacking, which means gaining access to computer system
illegally, is on the rise and people are becoming in a sense more
vulnerable as they store information on computer systems.

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Impact on society
Communication
The Internet has also tremendously increased people’s
ability to
communicate with others from all over the world
efficiently and (relatively) cheaply. Email, short for
electronic mail, can be sent over the Internet with the
click of your mouse.
Unlike mail sent from NamPost, email is sent over
wires so that the receiver gets the message almost
immediately.
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Impact on society
Health risks
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) occurs from repeated
physical movements which can damage tendons,
nerves, muscles, and other soft body tissues.
Eye Strain by looking at a computer screen for
extended periods of time can also cause ailments related
to your vision. Improper lighting, glare on the monitor
screen and sitting too far from the monitor can create
unnecessary strain on your eyes. This can cause
headaches, dry, red or tired eyes, temporary blurred
vision and even more long-term vision problems.

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Components of a Computer

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Inside the System Unit

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Key Terms
application software (9) connectivity (16)
basic application (9) Data (5)
chassis (12) database file (15)
communication device desktop computer (11)
(14) device driver (9)
compact disc (CD) (14) digital versatile disk
computer competency (3) (DVD) (14)
computer network (16) digital video disc (DVD)
Computing Essentials (14)
CD (8) document file (15)
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Key Terms
end user (4) information technology
floppy disk (14) (IT) (5)
general-purpose (9) input device (12)
application Internet (16)
handheld computer (11) keyboard (12)
hard disk (14) laptop computer (11)
hardware (5) mainframe computer (11)
information (4) memory ( 12)
information system (4) microcomputer (11)
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Key Terms
microprocessor (12) optical disk ( 14)
midrange computer (11) output device (12)
minicomputer (11) palm computer (11)
modem (14) people (4)
monitor (12) personal digital assistant
mouse (12) (PDA) (11)
network (16) presentation file (15)
notebook computer (11) primary storage (12)
operating system (9) printer (12)
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Key Terms
procedures (4) special-purpose
program (4) application (10)
random access memory supercomputer (11)
(RAM) (12) SimNet Concepts (8)
secondary storage device system cabinet (12)
(14) system software (9)
service program (9) system unit (12)
software (4) tablet PC (11)
specialized application
(10)
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Key Terms
temporary storage (12) Web (16)
utility (9) wireless revolution (16)
video display screen (12) worksheet file (15)
World Wide Web
(WWW) (16)

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FAQs

What is an information system?

What is IT?
How does raw data become information?
What is an operating system?
What are specialized applications? Please give
some examples.
Is the Internet the same as the World Wide Web?

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Discussion Questions

How are you using information technology?

Explain the difference between system and
application software.
Describe some of the uses for handheld
computers.
Why is the wireless revolution so important?

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