INTRODUCTION

TO INFORMATION AND
COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
UNIT 1
INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

EVOLUTION OF COMMUNICATION
Communication has improved and evolved to facilitate our daily activities. In
the 21st century, everything related to communication utilizes technology to
‘send out’ or disseminate information to a wider audience. Information can
be ‘sent out’ in many ways. The inventions of cellular phones, television and
other electronic devices are important in enhancing communication.

WHAT IS ICT?
ICT is the technology required for information processing, in particular, the
use of electronic computers, communication devices and software
applications to convert, store, protect, process, transmit and retrieve
information from anywhere, anytime.

INFORMATION
Information refers to the knowledge obtained from reading, investigation,
study or research.

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The tools to transmit information are the telephone, television and radio.

We need information to make decisions and to predict the future. For

example, scientists can detect the formation of a tsunami using the latest
technology and warn the public to avoid disasters in the affected areas.

Information is knowledge and helps us to fulfill our daily tasks. For example,
forecasting the stock exchange market.

COMMUNICATION

Communication is an act of transmitting messages. It is a process whereby

information is exchanged between individuals using symbols, signs or verbal
interactions. Previously, people communicated through sign or symbols,
performing drama and poetry. With the advent of technology, these ‘older’
forms of communication are less utilized as compared to the use of the
Internet, e-mail or video conferencing.

Communication is important in order to gain knowledge. With knowledge, we

are more confident in expressing our thoughts and ideas.

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TECHNOLOGY
Technology is the use of scientific knowledge, experience
and resources to create processes and products that fulfill
human needs. Technology is vital in communication.

Aiding Communication
Telephone and fax machines are the devices used in
extending communication.

Spreading Information
To broadcast information such as news or weather reports
effectively. Radio, television, satellites and the World Wide
Web (www) are powerful tools that can be used.

TECHNOLOGY TIMELINE
Technology Year

In 3500 BC, the Sumerians

developed cuneiform writing.

In 1500 BC, the Phoenicians

developed the alphabet

In 105 BC, Tsai Lun of

China invented paper.

In 1454, the first printing began

with the creation of a printing
machine.

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In 1793, the telegraph line was
invented.

In 1876, the first telephone

was introduced.

In 1925, television was made

known to public.

In 1941, the computer

was created.

In 1958, the photocopier

machine was introduced.

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 In 1963, the
communication satellite was
introduced.

In 1969, the first Internet known

as ARPANET was introduced.

EVOLUTION OF COMPUTERS

In the early years, before the computer was invented, there are several
inventions of counting machines.

Year
200
BC

CHINESE ABACUS
500
BC

EGYPTIAN ABACUS

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1620

JOHN NAPIER NAPIER'S BONES

1653

BLAISE PASCAL PASCALINE

1673

LEIBNIZ'S RECHNER
GOTTFRIED WILHELM VON
LEIBNIZ
1801

JOSEPH MARIE JACQUARD WEAVING LOOM

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1823

CHARLES BABBAGE MECHANICAL CALCULATOR

MACHINE
1941

HARVARD UNIVERSITY
MARK 1

COMPUTER GENERATIONS

FIRST GENERATION (1940-1956)

The first generation of computer were huge, slow, expensive and often
unreliable. In 1946, two Americans, Presper Eckert and Willian Mauchly build
the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer). It use vacuum
tube instead of mechanical switches of the MARK 1.

Vacuum tube

MARK 1

Presper Eckert Willian Mauchly

In 1951, Eckert and Mauchly build the

UNIVAC, which could calculate at the
rate of 10,000 addition per seconds.

UNIVAC – UNIVERSAL AUTOMATIC COMPUTER

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Hardware Technology
New invention of hardware were needed with the new computer technology.

Technology Details
VACUUM TUBE The vacuum tube was an extremely

important step of the advancement of

computers.In a computer, a vacuum tube
which is an electronic tube about the size of
light bulbs, was used as the internal
computer components. Thousands of them
were used.
PUNCHED CARD Punched card was used to store data.

MAGNETIC TAPE
Magnetic tape was introduced in 1957. It
was a faster and a more compact method of
storing data. Using magnetic tape became
more reliable and cost-effective.

Problems
the vacuum tubes generated a great deal of heat causing many
problems in temperature regulation and climate control
the tubes also burnt out frequently
people operating the computer did not know that the problem was in
the programming machine
the second generation computer scientists invented something new
due to lots of problem created by vacuum tubes

SECOND GENERATION (1956-1963)

The famous computer scientists during the second generation era were:

The creation of transistor spark the production of a wave of second

generation computer. Transistor was small devices use to transfer electronic
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signals across a resister. Transistors had many advantages compared to
other hardware technology.

transistors were smaller than vacuum tubes

they needed no warm up time
consumed less energy
generated much less heat
faster and more reliable

THIRD GENERATION (1964-1971)

In the third generation era, the IBM 370 series were
introduced in 1964. It came in several models and
sizes.It was used for business and scientific programs.
Other computer models introduced were CDC 7600
and B2500.

The development of integrated circuit (IC), signal the

beginning of the third generation computers. Silicone
chips were manufactured in 1961 at the Silicone
Valley. Then came the integrated circuit technology,
which had reduced the size and cost of computers.

It is a complete electronic circuit on a small chip of silicone. Which is also

known as semi conductor. Other than that, the Magnetic Core Memory was
replaced by a device called the microchip. Also the first 256 bit RAM was
introduced and it was the basis for development of 1K bit RAM.

Advantages
A new concept in this generation was that of a family of computer which
allowed computer to be upgraded and expanded as necessary.

Silicone chips were reliable, compact and

cheaper.
Sold hardware and software separately
which created the software industry.
customer service industry flourished
(reservation and credit checks)

FOURTH GENERATION (1971-PRESENT)

It took only 55 years for the 4 generations to
evolve. The growth of the computer industry
developed technologies of computer inventions.
There are many types of computer models such as:
Apple Macintosh
IBM
DELL
ACER
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In 1971 Intel created the first microprocessor. In 1976, Steve Jobs built the
first Apple computer. Then, in 1981, IBM introduced its first personal
computer.

Steve Jobs Bill Gates Micheal Dell

During the fourth generation, hardware technology such as silicone chips,
microprocessor and storage devices were invented. A microprocessor is a
specialized chip which is developed for computer memory and logic.

Microprocessor

Silicone Chips
The microprocessor is a large-scale integrated circuit which contained
thousands of transistors. The transistors on this one chip are capable of
performing all of the functions of a computer's central processing unit.

Advantages
Computers became 100 times smaller than ENIAC (Electronic
Numerical Integrator and Computer) the first computer
Gain in speed, reliability and storage capacity
Personal and software industry boomed

FIFTH GENERATION (PRESENT & BEYOND)

The fifth generation computers are technologically
advance and are still being development to become
more efficient.

The inventions of new hardware technology in the

fifth generation have grown rapidly including many
other modern computer devices such as :
silicone chips
processor
robotics
virtual reality
intelligent systems
programs which translate languages
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NEW ERA COMPUTER
After the fifth generation computer, the technology of computer has become
more advanced, modern and sophisticated. The latest invention in the era of
computers are :

Super Computers
Mainframe Computers
Mini Computers
Personal Computers
Mobile Computers
Mini Computers

Mobile Computer

Mainframe Computers
Super Computers

In the new era of computers, expert system such

as teleconferencing and speech-recognition
system have been invented as part of modern
world communication tools. Personal Computers

USAGE OF ICT IN DAILY LIFE

EDUCATION
Today, most schools and higher educational institutions have computers in
the classroom for teacher and students. In education, teachers, students,
researchers and school administrators benefits from the usage of ICT.

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 Teachers use computers to
research for teaching
materials, participate in online
forums and online conferences
as well as to aid their teaching.

Teachers

Students use the computers as

a reference tool. They use
computers to browse the
Internet to look for information.

Students

Researchers use computers

to collect and process data.

Researchers

School administrators use

computers for administrative
purposes to make sure that the
entire operation runs smoothly.

School administrators

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BANKING
The computer is the nerve centre of the
banking system around the world. It functions
to control the entire banking system that also
includes 'Electronic Banking Services'.

Electronic banking provides 24 hour services.

The services include :

Automated Teller Machine (ATM)

Cheque Deposit
Electronic Fund Tranfer
Direct Deposit
Pay by phone system
Personal computer banking/ internet
banking

In the banking sector, customers, businessman

and bank administrator benefits from the
usage of ICT.

Customers can make any

transactions at the 24 hour service
centres or via online.These services
allow them to do transaction at
anytime they want.

Customers

Businessmen can save their time

by using the online services
offered by banks. They can access
company accounts for
loan applications, business
transactions and update on their
cash flow at any time.

Businessmen

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 Bank administrators can oversee
the entire banking activities such
as reconciliations, inter-branch
transactions (IBT), telegraphic
transfer and others by referring
to the banking system.

Bank administrators

INDUSTRY
Computers are used to facilitate production
planning and control systems, to support chain
management and to help in product design in the
industrial sector.In the industrial sector ,workers,
researchers and administrator benefits from the
usage of ICT.

Workers use machines that

are connected to computers to
operate. In some productions,
robots are used to take over
jobs that are dangerous to the
workers.

Workers

Researchers use computers to

analyse and collect research
data for future reference.

Researchers

Administrators use computers

to oversee the entire operations
in the plant or factory to detect
specific errors or defects that
occurred in the process.

Administrators

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E-COMMERCE
E-commerce helps in boosting the economy. It
makes buying and selling activities easier, more
efficient and faster. For this application,
computers, Internet and shared software are
needed.

In the e-commerce sector ,customers r, suppliers and employees benefits

from the usage of ICT.

Customers use computers to be

connected online with suppliers to
purchase products. This method
can save time and cost
as they do not have to go to
any outlets.

Customers

Suppliers use computers to keep

track of their transactions. All
products are bar coded and can
be read by the computer
scanner to help in determining
prices and managing inventory.

Suppliers

Employees use computers and

telephones to communicate with
their customers for any enquiries.

The system helps employees

to get the latest updates on
inventory to be informed to the
customers.

Employees

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 OTHER SECTORS

COMPUTERISED AND NON-COMPUTERISED SYSTEMS

COMPUTER SYSTEM
A system is an arrangement of elements that when
it is put together it becomes an organised and
established procedure. A system typically consists
of components connected together in order to
facilitate the flow of information, matter or energy.

A computer system consists of a set of hardware and software which

processes data in a meaningful way.

EDUCATION

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 education is the science of teaching and learning of specific skills
it also imparts knowledge, good judgement and wisdom

BANKING SYSTEM
BANKING BEFORE ICT
banking was done manually by taking
deposits directly
transactions can only be made during
working hours
takes time to approve any loan applications

BANKING WITH ICT

all transactions are done by computers
transaction can be done at any time and place
online services, phone banking system, credit
cards are available

INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY BEFORE ICT
Production was slow because everything was done
manually and totally depended on human labour.

INDUSTRY WITH ICT

Computers and telecommunications industry became
very opular and profitable since production can be
increased through an all day operation.

COMMERCE
Commerce is an activity of exchanging, buying and selling of commodities on
a large scale involving transportation from place to place.

COMMERCE BEFORE ICT

Trading was made using the barter system and it
was then later developed into currency.
Advertisement was in the form of word of mouth,
billboards and printed flyers.
Trading globally was extremely slow, late and
expensive. Traders had to find ways to market local
products in the global market.

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COMMERCE WITH ICT
E-commerce plays an important role in the economic
scene. It includes distribution, buying, selling and
servicing products that are done electronically.

THE IMPACT OF ICT ON SOCIETY

FASTER COMMUNICATION SPEED

In the past, it took a long time for any news or
messages to be send. Now with the Internet, news or
messages are sent via e-mail to friends, business
partners or to anyone efficiently. With the capability of
bandwidth, broadband and connection speed on the
Internet, any information can travel fast and at an
instant. It saves time and is inexpensive.

LOWER COMMUNICATION COST

Using the Internet is cost-effective than the other modes of communication

such as telephone, mailing or courier service. It allows people to have
access to large amounts of data at a very low cost. With the Internet we do
not have to pay for any basic services provided by the Internet.
Furthermore, the cost of connection to the Internet is relatively cheap.

RELIABLE MODE OF COMMUNICATION

Computers are reliable. With the internet, information could be accessed and
retrieved from anywhere and at any time. This makes it a reliable mode of
communication. However, the input to the computer is contributed by
humans. If the data passed to the computer is faulty, the result will be faulty
as well. This is related to the term GIGO.

GIGO is a short form for Garbage In Garbage Out. It

refers to the quality of output produced according to the
input. Normally bad input produces bad output.

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EFFECTIVE SHARING OF INFORMATION
With the advancement of ICT, information can be shared by people all
around the world. People can share and exchange
opinions, news and information through discussion
groups, mailing list and forums on the Internet. This
enable knowledge sharing which will contribute to the
development of knowledge based society.

PAPERLESS ENVIRONMENT

ICT technology has created the term paperless environment. This term
means information can be stored and retrieved through the digital medium
instead of paper. Online communication via emails, online chat and instant
messaging also helps in creating the paperless environment.

BORDERLESS COMMUNICATION

Internet offers fast information retrieval, interactivity, accessibility and

versatility. It has become a borderless sources for services and information.
Through the Internet, information and communication can be borderless.

SOCIAL PROBLEMS

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There are some negative effects of ICT. It has created social problems in the
society. Nowadays, people tend to choose online communication rather than
having real time conversations. People tend to become more individualistic
and introvert.

Another negative effect of ICT is :

fraud
identity theft
Pornography
Hacking

This will result a moral decedent and generate threads to the society.

HEALTH PROBLEMS

A computer may harm users if they use it for long hours frequently.
Computer users are also exposed to bad posture, eyestrain, physical and
mental stress. In order to solve the health problems, an ergonomic
environment can be introduced. For example, an ergonomic chair can
reduces back strain and a screen filter is used to minimize eye strain.

COMPUTER ETHICS
AND LEGAL ISSUES
COMPUTER ETHICS

ETHICS IN GENERAL
A guideline is needed to stop the current technology products from being
exploited for example replicating original CDs and selling them as pirated
software, this unethical behaviour can be controlled by the code of conducts.

Unethical refers to any code of conducts that are not conforming to

approved standards of social or professional behaviour.

Computer ethics is a system of moral standards or values used as a

guideline for computer users.
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THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF COMPUTER ETHICS
The United States Institute of Computer Ethics has come out with the Ten
Commandments of Computer Ethics. These principles consider the effective
code of conducts for the proper use of information technology. The Ten
commandments of computer ethics are :

1. You shall not use a computer to harm other people.

2. You shall not interfere with other people's computer work.
3. You shall not snoop around in other people's computer files.
4. You shall not use a computer to steal.
5. You shall not use a computer to bear false witness.
6. You shall not copy or use proprietary software for which you
have not paid.
7. You shall not use other people's computer resources without
authorization or proper compensation.
8. You shall not appropriate other people's intellectual output.
9. You shall think about the social consequences of the program
you are writing or the system you are designing.
10. You shall always use a computer in ways that ensure
consideration and respect for your fellow humans.

GUIDELINES ON THE E-MAIL AND INTERNET USAGE

Some guidelines from the Department of Public Services of Malaysia:

use only individual e-mail address to forward individual opinion

keep the identity name and password a secret to avoid the
misuse of your e-mail without your knowledge
e-mail must be active to promptly reply the necessary actions
needed for any matters
ensure the total mail kept in the box is within the computer
storage capacity
scan files regularly to avoid the transmission of virus from one
computer to another
do not send e-mails that contain classified information which can
be used to tarnish other people or country
choose a suitable time to search the Internet to save access time
and cost
beware of prohibited sites which could affect one's moral,
organisation or nation
print only relevant documents that you think can be used in
future to save cost

UNETHICAL COMPUTER CODE OF CONDUCT

With the advancement of ICT, it is easy for anyone to retrieve your
information from the Internet. You may not realise that when you fill a form
on the Internet, your information may be exposed and stolen.

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Examples of unethical computer code of conducts include:

modifying certain information on the Internet, affecting the

accuracy of the information
selling information to other parties without the owner’s
permission
using information without authorization
involvement in stealing software
invasion of privacy

Intellectual property refers to any product of human intellect that is unique

and has value in the market place. This covers ideas, inventions, unique
name, computer program codes and many more.

ETHICAL COMPUTER CODE OF CONDUCTS

Examples of ethical computer code of conducts include:

sending warning about viruses to other computer users

asking permission before sending any business advertisements
to others
using information with authorization

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ETHICS AND LAW

DEFINITION OF ETHICS
In general, ethics is a moral philosophy where a
person makes a specific moral choice and sticks to
it. On the other hand, ethics in computing means
moral guidelines to refer to when using the
computer and computer networks. This includes
the Internet.

DEFINITION OF LAW
Law is a legal system comprising of rules and principles that govern the
affairs of a community and controlled by a political authority.

Law differs from one country to another. In the era of

technology, computer law is needed to clarify goods or
actions that fall under the computer law. Computer law
refers to all areas in law that requires an understanding
of computer technology such as hardware, software and
Internet.

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WHY DO WE NEED ETHICS AND LAW IN
COMPUTING?
Respecting Ownership
Respecting Privacy
Respecting Property

RESPECTING OWNERSHIP
We must respect ownership by not stealing other people’s work either by
duplicating or distributing it. Duplicating and distributing copies of audio
tapes, video tapes and computer programs without permission and
authorisation from the individual or company that created the program
are immoral and illegal.

RESPECTING PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

We should respect other people's privacy and confidentiality by refraining
ourselves from reading their mails or files without their permission. If we do
so, it is considered as violating an individual’s rights to privacy and
confidentiality.

RESPECTING PROPERTY
Property here means ownership. Since an individual data and information
are considered as property, therefore, an act of tampering and changing
electronic information is considered as vandalism and disrespect for other
people’s property.

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ETHICS AND LAW

Both ethics and law are complimentary to each other and are made:

to guide user from misusing computers

to create a healthy computer society, so that computers are
used to contribute to a better life
to prevent any crime

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DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ETHICS AND LAWS

ETHICS
GUIDELINE As a guideline to computer users.
MORAL STANDARDS Ethical behaviour is judged by moral
standards.
FREE TO FOLLOW Computer users are free to follow or
ignore the code of ethics.
NO PUNISHMENTS No punishment for anyone who
violates ethics.
UNIVERSALS Universal, can be applied anywhere,
all over the world.
PRODUCE ETHICAL COMPUTER To produce ethical computer users.
USERS
IMMORAL Not honouring computer ethics
means ignoring the moral elements
(immoral).

LAW
CONTROL As a rule to control computer users.
JUDICIAL STANDARDS Law is judged by judicial standards.
MUST FOLLOW Computer users must follow the
regulations and law.
PENALTIES, IMPRISONMENTS Penalties, imprisonments and other
AND OTHER PUNISHMENTS punishments for those who break the
law.
DEPENDS ON COUNTRY Depends on country and state where
the crime is committed.
PREVENT MISUSING OF COMPUTERS To prevent misuse of computers.
CRIME Not honouring the law means
committing a crime.

UNETHICAL VS. LAW BREAKING CONDUCTS

Unethical:

using the office computer to do personal things

reading your friend’s e-mail without his or her permission
plagiarising and using materials from the Internet for your class
assignment without giving credit to the original author.

Law breaking:

sending a computer virus via e-mail

hacking into your school’s database to change your examination
results.
selling pirated software in a night market

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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

DEFINITION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Intellectual Property refers to works created by inventors, authors and
artists. These works are unique and have value in the market place. In our
daily lives, we are surrounded by things that are protected by IP. Your
school bags, your shoes and even your socks are protected by Intellectual
Property rights. Nike, Bata or Adidas, for example, are all protected by a
group of legal rights.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW

Intellectual Property laws cover ideas, inventions, literary creations, unique
names, business models, industrial processes, computer program codes and
more.

INVENTIONS PROTECTED BY INTELLECTUAL

PROPERTY LAWS
As businesses continue to expand globally, business owners must realise the
importance of getting professional advice on how to establish and safeguard
their intellectual property rights. These include :

Trademarks
Service marks
Trade/company names
Domain names
Geographical indications
Copyrights
Patents

Example : Protected by property law.

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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION
There are four types of Intellectual Property protection. They are patents for
invention, trademarks for brand identity, designs for product appearance
and copyright for material.

Patents for inventions

Trademarks for brand identity
Design for product appearance
Copyright for material

Patents for inventions

Utility, design or plant patents that protect inventions and improvements to
existing inventions

Trademarks for brand identity

Words, names, symbols, devices and images that represent products, goods
or services.

Design for product appearance

Literary and artistic material, music, films, sound recordings and roadcasts,
including software and multimedia.

Copyright for material

The features of, in particular, the lines, contours, colours, shape, texture or
material of the product itself or its ornamentation.

PRIVACY IN COMPUTER USAGE

WHAT IS PRIVACY?
Privacy in IT refers to data and information privacy.

Data refers to a collection of raw unprocessed facts, figures and

symbols. Then, computer is used to process data into information. In
general, data include texts, numbers, sounds, images and video.

Information privacy is described as the rights of individuals and companies

to deny or restrict the collection and use of information about them.

WAYS COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY THREATEN OUR

PRIVACY
Every time you click on an advertisement or register a software product
online, your information is entered into a database. Computer technology
can also threaten privacy through spam. Do you know what spam is? Spam
is unsolicited e-mail messages, advertisements or newsgroup postings sent
to many recipients at once.

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How does computer technology threaten the privacy of our data?

It is done through:

Cookies
Electronic profile
Spyware

Computer technology threatens our privacy through electronic profiling. For

example, when we fill out a form such as a magazine subscription,
purchasing products or contest entry form on the Internet, this data is kept
in the database. It will include age, address, marital status and other
personal details.

Cookies
are used to identify users by web casting,
e-commerce and other web applications
contain user information and are saved in the
computer hard disk
are used by some websites to store passwords
and track how regularly we visit a website,
that’s how we become potential targets for web
advertisers
enable web sites to collect information about
your online activities and store them for future
use, then the collected details will be sold to any company that
requests for it.

Electronic profile
electronic profile is the combining of data in a
database that can be sold to the Internet by the
company to the interested parties.
this database is in a form such as magazine
subscription or product warranty cards that
had been filled by online subscribers.
the information in electronic profile includes
personal details such as your age, address and marital status.

Spyware
refers to a program that collects user
information without the user’s knowledge.
can enter computers, sneaking in like a virus.
is a result of installing new programs.
communicates information it collects to some
outside source while we are online.

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WHY DO WE NEED PRIVACY?
We need privacy for anonymity. For example, the Internet creates an
elaborate trail of data detailing a person surfing on the Web because all
information is stored inside cookies. We do not want our trail to be detected.

We also need privacy for confidentiality. For example, online information

generated in the course of a business transaction is routinely used for
a variety of other purposes without the individual’s knowledge or consent.

We do not want our private lives and habits exposed to third parties.

CAN PRIVACY BE PROTECTED?

Privacy can be protected by:

(a) Privacy law

(b) Utilities software

Example: anti-spam program, firewall, anti-spyware and antivirus.