LECTURE 2
INTRODUCTION
i) What is information?
Information refers to a collection of facts
organized in such a way that they have value
beyond the facts themselves.
Information is any knowledge that comes to
our attention. That could be voice, image, text
and video
What is information
In simple terms, Information can be defined
as processed/manipulated data that has
value to a person or a system.
A collection of facts organized in such a
way that they have additional value
beyond the value of the facts themselves
What Counts as
information
Methods for conveying
information
Information
Principles of Information Syst 6
The Characteristics of Valuable
Information
The Characteristics of Valuable
Information (continued)
Table 1.2: Characteristics of Valuable Information (continued)
Principles of Information Syst 8
The Value of Information
Value of information is directly linked to how
it helps decision makers achieve their
organization’s goals
For example, value of information might be
measured in:
◦ Time required to make a decision
◦ Increased profits to company
Principles of Information Syst 9
ii) What is information
technology
It refers to systems of hardware and/or
software that capture, process, exchange,
store and/or present information using
electrical, magnetic and/or electromagnetic
energy.
OR
Information technology (IT) is the use of any
computers, storage, networking and other
physical devices, infrastructure and
processes to create, process, store, secure
and exchange all forms of electronic data.
Information technology
A term used to refer to a wide variety of
items and abilities used in the creation,
storage, and dispersal of data and
information.
Typically, IT is used in the context of
enterprise operations as opposed to
personal or entertainment technologies. The
commercial use of IT encompasses both
computer technology and telephony.
IT Example: Cellular
Telephony
IT Example: Wireless
Internet
IT in Society (people)
Personal Communication
◦ Conversations (phone, cell)
◦ Messaging (E-mail, SMS)
◦ Video Coms
Entertainment
◦ Web surfing
◦ Downloading video and audio files
◦ Interactive gaming
Day-to-Day living
◦ Buying airline tecket
◦ Ordering books
◦ Electronic banking/ stock market
IT in Society (business)
Internal Communication
◦ Computer network
◦ Corporate website
◦ Video teleconferencing
◦ Messaging (SMS, email)
Electronic Commerce
◦ Call Centres
◦ Electronic transactions
◦ Online sales
Business operations
◦ Factory operation systems
◦ Databases
iii) Uses of a computer
A computer is described as a general
purpose, electronic, stored program device.
It Is designed to handle program
instructions as well as data to be processed
by use of instructions.
It can be described as an electronic device
that executes certain actions through user
based commands.
Uses of computers
Health
Education= e-learning, research
Science
Recreation and Entertainment
Sports
Government
-defence
-security
Uses of computers
Business- banks, ATMs,
Social networking- e dating
Home-
Agriculture
Communication
Industries
v) FUNCTIONS OF A
COMPUTER
The four basic functions of a computer are in
put, processing, output and storage. These
four functions are collectively known as
IPO+S model and are used to teach the
fundamentals of information systems.
INPUT; It refers to all the resources used in
creating a program. This consists of a
programmer or a user entering code or
instructions into a computer by use of a
keyboard or any other input device.
Functions of a computer
PROCESSING; This refers to all the internal
functions the computer uses to control and
make sense of information. The basic
components are; a control unit, an arithmetic
unit and random access memory for
temporary storage.
OUTPUT; This is the display of information to
the user. This can occur through the monitor,
audio through speakers or on paper via a
printer.
Functions of a computer
STORAGE; This consists of any means by
which data and information can be
permanently saved. E.g Internal and
external hard drives, floppy disks, CDs,
DVDs and memory sticks.
How ever much this was not in the IPO
model earlier, it was added later since it has
become a standard part of all modern
computers.
ANY QUESTIONS??
