Topic 1- Introduction to Living in the IT Era (LITE)

Data

• it is a raw, unorganized facts that need to be processed.

• It can be something simple and seemingly random and useless until it is organized.

Information

• When data is processed, organized, structured or presented in a given context so as to make it useful.

Accurate

• Free from errors.

• Wrong data produces wrong decisions (garbage in, garbage out).

Complete

• Nothing important is missing; a half-story leads to a wrong conclusion.

Timely

• Available when the decision has to be made.

• Late information is useless information.

Relevant

• It answers the question actually being asked by the user.

Reliable

• It comes from a trustworthy source and can be verified.

Understandable

• Presented in a form the user can actually read and act on.

Operational Information

• Daily details that go into running an organization, such as receipts, invoice, payslips, etc.

Management Information

• Used to manage the planning, organizing and controlling of an organization.

Strategic Information

• Mission critical and relates directly with the trust of the organization or the bigger organization required to act in accordance with the environment or market or competition.

Input-Process-Output Model

• Refers to a conceptual framework wherein input in the form of data is processed which would result in the generation of an output in the form of information.

• Input Preparation

• Processing

• Output Preparation

• Storage

• Feedback

• Data Processing Cycle

Information Technology

• The use of computers, data communications, and office system methodologies/tools to generate, process, and manage information.

Communication Technology

• The technology used for the transmission of information over a network, from one point to another.

Information Communication Technology

• is defined as a diverse set of technological tools and resources used to transmit, store, create, share or exchange information.

• It focuses on the technology itself (hardware, software, data processing).

• It adds the communication/networking dimension — how that information moves between people and systems.

Computer

• An electronic data processing capable of performing mathematical and logical operations and processing large volumes of data at high speeds.

• Speed

• Accuracy

• Reliability

• Storage

Characteristics of a Computer

Analog Computers

• Represent data in the form of continuous electrical signals having a specific magnitude.

Examples:

• Wristwatch

• Weighing scale

• Seismograph

• Speedometer

Digital Computers

• A computer that represents, stores, and processes data in discrete, binary form (0s and 1s), rather than as continuous physical quantities.

Examples:

• Calculator

• Cellphone

• Computer

• ATM Machine

Hybrid Computers

• A computer that combines the features of both analog and digital computers.
  Examples:

• Blood Pressure Monitor

• Gas Station Fuel Pump

• ECG/EKG Machine

General purpose computers

• Can work in all environments.

Examples:

• Tablet

• Smartphones

• Desktop

• Laptop

Special purpose computers

• Can perform only a specified task.

Example:

• Punch in (at a cashier counter)

Microcomputers

• A small, relatively inexpensive computer designed for individual use, built around a single microprocessor chip. Includes desktops, laptops, and tablets.

Mini Computers

• A mid-sized, multi user computer more powerful than a microcomputer but smaller and less powerful than a mainframe — typically used by small-to-medium businesses to run several terminals or workstations at once.

Mainframe Computers

• A large, powerful computer used by big organizations (banks, airlines, government agencies) to process and store massive amounts of data and support hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously, with high reliability and uptime.

Super Computers

• The most powerful category of computer, built for extremely complex, calculation-intensive tasks — such as weather forecasting and nuclear simulations.

• Analog Computers

• Digital Computers

• Hybrid Computers

Classifications of Computer Based on operating principles

• General purpose computers

• Special purpose computers

• Classifications of Computer Based on applications

• Microcomputers

• Mini Computers

• Mainframe Computers

• Super Computers

Classifications of Computer Based on size and capability

• easier research

• multi-language translation

• better gaming and entertainment

• online tutoring

• easier to communicate with

• makes business better

• makes it easier to shop

Benefits of Computers

• Ability to store and retrieve information

• Ability to control error

• Ability to provide new dimensions

• Ability to perform certain logic operations

Capabilities of Computers

• Operational Information

• Management Information

• Strategic Information

Classification of Information

• Accurate

• Complete

• Timely

• Relevant

• Reliable

• Understandable

Good Information

• Not all information is useful information

Speed

• A computer works with much higher speed and accuracy compared to humans while performing mathematical calculations.

• Computers can process millions (1,000,000,000) of instructions per second.

Accuracy

• Computers perform calculations with 100%.

• Errors may occur due to data inconsistency or inaccuracy.

Reliability

• A computer is reliable as it gives consistent result for similar set of data.

Example:

• if we give same set of input any number of times, we will get the same result.

Storage

• A computer has built-in memory called primary memory where it stores data.

• Secondary storage are removable devices such as CDs, pen drives, etc.