MODU

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 LIVIN
G IN
THE IT
ERA

Prepared by:
JUNE REY I. GARBOSA,
EdD

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 LIVING IN THE IT
ERA
MODULE ONE
PRELIMINARIES
Module Title: Module One - Introduction to Information and Communication

Technology Course Title: Living in the IT Era

Course Number: GEE 103

Course Description:

Living in the Information Technology Era was written specifically for K-12 graduates who are transitioning
from senior high school to higher education. It is one of the 3-unit elective courses offered for general
education under the Mathematics, Science, and Technology domain. Using the same title of the course as
described by the Commission on Higher Education, this textbook explores the science, culture, and
ethics of information technology, its various uses and applications, as well as its influence on culture
and society. It also aims to strike a balance between conceptual instruction and socially- and culturally-
oriented discussions as it not only explains the basic concepts or key terms in IT but also features the
major IT trends along with the issues and challenges these developments bring. Moreover, it uses the
outcomes-based approach with assessment tests and tasks to effectively measure student learning. This
volume is divided into four chapters.

Total Learning Time: 3 WEEKS

Pre-requisites: N/A

OVERVIEW
Chapter 1 of this module, Introduction to Information and Communications Technology, orients
students to the concepts of ICT and IT. It also examines the different parts of the computer system,
and the categories of computer peripherals, and assesses why computers are considered powerful
thinking machines. Chapter 2, The Internet and the World Wide Web, traces the origin of the Internet
and its evolution, describes how it works, and illustrates how it is used (e.g., how to search on the web).
Information as a resource is also discussed in this chapter together with Ergonomics, Security,
Control, and Privacy that tackles the issues on information control and privacy with reference to the
Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines and the Data Privacy Act of 2012. Chapter 3 of this module
focus on the trends and issues in IT. IT, Culture, and the Society, the Internet of Things an
auto-motion are discussed in detail. The influence of IT on culture and social behavior is likewise analyzed
with emphasis on both the proper netiquette and code of conduct for IT professionals and the negative
practices in social media such as cyberbullying. Also in this chapter that IT Trends, Issues, and
Challenges features texts and articles that reinforce the use of IT and the issues and challenges
surrounding its application in various fields such as banking, education, health, and business, among
others is being discussed. Finally, Chapter 4, talks about Networking that basically highlights the
types of networks, wired and wireless connections used in a computer system, as well as the desktop
applications and mobile applications and their relevance to day-to-day activities. It is hoped that through
this module, more knowledgeable and responsible young netizens who are able to maximize the benefits
of information technology without compromising values and ethics will be developed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This course/module made a concerted effort to achieve the following learning outcomes;

 Define and Explain what is computer, ICT, IT and Motherboard

 Know the history of Computer
 Identify the different types of computer hardware
 Recognize the concepts of ICT and IT

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  Apply the use of computer in our daily life

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INDICATIVE CONTENT
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
Lesson 1. History of Computer
Lesson 2. Computer’s Today
Lesson 3. Concepts of ICT and
IT
Lesson 4. Hardware: Types of
Computer Lesson 5. Motherboard
Lesson 6. Computers in our Daily Life

DISSCUSSION
Lesson 1. HISTORY OF COMPUTER

How did it start?

Long time ago, people had to work very hard to have something they want. They always look for ways to make
their work faster and easier. Since man is born with intelligence, he thought of ways that would make things easy for
him. One of the problems encountered by man was counting the things he had. Because of this, he invented
something that could help him count fast and easy.

EARLY COMPUTING DEVICES

The Abacus
About 4,000 years ago, the Chinese
invented the ABACUS. It is an adding tool
that can help can you add & subtract
numbers by moving beads back & forth on
rods. The abacus was one of the earliest
counting devise invented to help man solve
his counting problems.

The Pascaline Calculator

In 1642, Blaise Pascal, a French
mathematician, invented the Pascal
calculator. This device, also known as the
Pascaline, operated 8 movable dials,
which could add numbers up to 8 figures
long. It was used to perform simple
arithmetic calculations. This
device was limited to addition & subtraction only.

Leibnitz Calculator
In 1673, Gottfried Leibntiz, a German
mathematician & philosopher, enhanced
the Pascaline by creating a device that
could also multiply. It can even find the
square root of number. The device was
called the Leibnitz Calculator/ machine.

Jacquard’s Automatic Loom

In 1801, Joseph-Marie Jacquard, a
Frenchman, invented the Jacquard’s loom.
Jacquard’s loom used punch card to
program pattern that were outputted as
woven fabrics by the loom.
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ELECTRO-MECHANICAL
COMPUTING DEVICES
Difference Engine
In 1822, Charles Babbage, a British
mathematician professor, invented the
Difference Engine. Powered by steam & as
large as a locomotive, the machine had the
capacity to perform calculations & print the
results.

Analytical Engine Remington Rand Corporation. This became one of

the first commercially available computers to benefit
In, 1833, several years after Babbage worked
from the various advances in computing.
on the Difference Engine, he began working on
the first general-purpose digital computer,
which he called the Analytical Engine. This
steam-powered engine outlined the basic
elements of today’s modern general-purpose
computer and was a breakthrough concept.

Hollerith’s Tabulating Machine

Mark1, this all-electronic calculator was
invented by Howard H. Aiken in 1930. This was
used to create ballistic charts for the U.S.
Navy. The Mark 1 is called the Harvard-IBM
Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator.

ENIAC
Between 1943 and 1946, the ENIAC or the
Electronic Numerical Integrator and
Computer was developed by John Presper
Eckert and John Mauchly. This
general purpose computer computed at a speed
1,000 times faster than the Mark 1.

EDVAC
Between 1947 & 1948, the EDVAC or the
Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic
Computer was invented by John von
Neumann. This invention had a Central
Processing Unit (CPU), which allowed all
computer functions to be coordinated through
a single source.

UNIVAC 1
The 1948, the UNIVAC or the Universal
Automatic Computer was manufactured by
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 Hollerith’s Tabulating Machine
In 1889, Herman Hollerith, an
American inventor, invented the
Hollerith’s Tabulating
Machine. The machine was a punch
card reader & had the capacity to store
& process data. Hollerith brought his
punch card reader into the business
world, founding the Tabulating
Machine Company which later became
International Business Machine (IBM) in
1924.

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 Lesson 2. COMPUTER’S TODAY

Supercomputers are the most powerful

computers made. Supercomputers are used to
process huge amount of data for complex
processes such as nuclear fission.

Figure 1. Supercomputers

Mainframe computers are the largest

among the computers in use today. It is also
used where many people in large
organizations are frequently accessing similar
information.

Figure 2. Mainframe Computers

Personal Computers are the most common
computers in use today. A personal computer can be a desktop
computer, a notebook or a laptop or a Personal Digital
Assistant. Notebook or Laptop

Figure 3. Personal Computers

FATHER OF THE COMPUTER
There are hundreds of people who have major contributions Electronics
to the field of computing. The following sections detail the in 1975
primary founding fathers of computing, the computer, and making it
the personal computer we all know and use today. an
overnight
Father of Computing success.
The
Charles Babbage was considered to be the father of computer
computing after his invention and concept of the Analytical was
Engine (1837). The Analytical Engine contained an Arithmetic
available
Logic Unit (ALU), basic
as a kit for
flow control, and integrated memory; hailed as the first
$439 or
general purpose computer concept. Unfortunately, because of
assembled
funding issues this computer was never built while Charles
for $621
Babbage was alive.
and had
However, in 1910 Henry Babbage, Charles Babbage’s youngest son
several
was able to complete a portion of the machine that could perform basic
additional
calculations. In 1991, the London Science Museum completed a working
add on
version of the Analytical Engine No. 2, which incorporated his refinements
such as
Babbage discovered during his initial development of the Analytical
memory
Engine.
board and
interface
Father of Personal Computer boards. By
Henry Edward Roberts is considered the August
father of Personal Computer, he is the one who 1975, over
coined the term "personal computer". He has 5,000
released the Altair 8800 in 1974. It was later Altair 8800
published on the front cover of Popular personal
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 computers were sold; starting the personal
computer evolution.

Figure 4. Charles
Babbage
Figure 5. Henry Edward Roberts

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 In 1936 to 1938 Konrad Zuse create Z1 in his parent’s living room,
this computer consisted of over 30,000 metal parts and is considered to be the
first electro-mechanical binary programmable computer. In 1939, the German
military commissioned Zuse to build the Z2, which was largely based on the Z1.
Later, the completed the Z3 in May of 1941, the Z3 was a revolutionary computer
for its time and is considered the first electro-mechanical and program-controlled computer.
Finally, on July 12, 1950 Zuse completed and shipped the Z4
computer, which is considered to be the first commercial
computer.

Figure 6. Konrad Zuse

Figure 7. Z1 in the living room of his parents Figure 8. The Z4 in Zuric

Lesson 3. CONCEPTS OF ICT AND IT

The term ICT can be defined as “the integration of computing, networking, and information processing technologies
and their applications” Thus, ICT means a combination of computer applications' and communication
technology for gathering, processing, storing and disseminating of information. Information and
communications technology (ICT) an extensional term for information technology (IT) that stresses
the role of unified communications and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and
wireless signals) and computers, as well as necessary enterprise software, middleware, storage, and audiovisual
systems, that enable users to access, store, transmit, and manipulate information.

Concepts:
 Desktop are now common tools in all areas of our daily lives
 Secretary type letters
 Artists draw pictures
 Engineers and Architects make designs
 Scientist, Mathematician solves problems and equation
 Students, Teachers, Businessmen and even ordinary individuals do all these and much more

1. Technology refers to a mix of process and product used in the

application of knowledge. It includes tools from pencil and paper to
the latest electronic gadgets and tools for practical task.

2. Information and Communication Technology and Literacy or ICT Literacy is

the use of digital technology, communication tools and/or networks to access,
manage, integrate, evaluate, create and communicate information in order to
function in a knowledge society.

3. Educational Technology refers to the use of technology in and learning.

Educational technology includes both the non-digital (flip charts, pictures,
models, realias, etc.).
and digital (electronic tools: hardware, software and connections, etc.)

4. Digital Literacy is the ability to find, evaluate, utilize, share and create
contents using information technologies and internet (Cornell University).
According to American Library Association (2018), digital literacy is the ability to
use information and communication, requiring both cognitive and technical
skills.

5. Digital learning is any type of learning that is accompanied by

technology or by instructional practice that makes effective use of
technology.
It encompasses the application of a wide spectrum of practices which included
blended or virtual learning. It can come as online or off-line which utilizes digital technology.

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 6. Online digital tools and Apps use an Internet connection to access the information needed. A common
example is Skype. It is a telecommunication application software product that specializes in providing a video chat
and video calls between computers, tablets, mobile devices via Internet and to regular telephones.

7. Off-line digital tools and Apps can still be used even if there is no internet access. Among these are Canary
Learning, Pocket, Evertone, e-book.

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 8. Instructional technology is the theory and practice of design, development, utilization, management, and
evaluation of the processes and resources for learning

9. Software refers to program control instructions and accompanying documentation stored on disks or tapes
when not being used in the computer. By extension, the term refers to audiovisual materials

10.Multimedia is a sequential or simultaneous use of a variety of media formats in a given presentation or self-study
program .

11.Internet is a massive network of networks, a networking infrastructure. It connects millions of computers

together globally, forming a network in which any computer can communicate with any other computer as long as
they are connected to the internet. It is generally defined as a global network connecting millions of computers.

12.World Wide Web (www) is also called a Web which is a graphical environment on computer networks that allows
you to access, view and maintain documentations that can include text, data, sound and videos (Smaldino, 2005). It
is a way of accessing information over the medium of the internet. It is an information sharing model that is built on
top of the Internet.

13.Productivity tools refers to any type of software associated with computers and related technologies that
can be used as tools for personal, professional or classroom productivity.
Examples: Microsoft Office, Apple Works – word processing, grade and record keeping, web page production,
presentation)

14.Technology tool is an instrument used for doing work. It can be anything that help you accomplish your goal
with the use of technology. These technology tools can be classified as:
a) Data/Calculation tools. Examples: spreadsheets, Excels, Sketchpads, probability constructor
b) Design tools. These are used to make models and design, creating and building. Included here are
Family Tree Maker, GollyGee, and Crazy Machines among others.
C. Discussion tools. There are 4 different approaches that utilize discussion and interaction in the Internet.
These threaded discussion forum, Blogging, Live chat and Video Teleconferencing, Netiquette and Safety on
the Net.
d) Email tools. Emails are great communication tools for sending messages, photographs, videos and
other files. It allows you to reach out to others around the world. Examples are google mail, Ymail,
Yahoo mail and many more.
e) Handheld devices. Handheld devices have become popular among learners. These include
Personal Digital Assistants, global positioning system, (GPS) and geographic Information system
(GIS) in the classroom, Portable electronic keyboards, Digital cameras, Mobile phones, Palm,
Handheld computers.

15.Google Apps is a cloud-based teaching tool which is stored in the Google server and is available for students
both at home and in school. It includes the gmail, a free-mail for all; Google calendar – a tool used for organizational
purposes; Google sites that provide options for developing blogs and wikis; and Google docs is used for sophisticated
word processing and editing for the document.

16.Blog is an online journal where posted information from both teachers and students are arranged. There are
three kinds of blogs: blogs used for communication, blogs used for instruction, and blogs used for both

17.Wiki, an editable website usually with limited access, allows students to collaboratively create and post written
work or digital files, such as digital photos or videos. Wikipedia is one of the most widely recognized of all the wikis

18.Flipped classroom utilizes a reverse instructional delivery, where the teacher is required to use the web
resources as homework or out of class activity as initial instruction of the lesson which will be discussed
during class time.

COMPONENTS OF AN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM

 People are the most important part of the Information Systems Technology. It is people or the end users like
you, who will operate, input the data and use the resulting information and apply it to your personal and
business lives. Some design and create computer, others write programs and still others invent new materials
and ways to advance computer technology.
 Procedures are the set of guidelines and rules to follow when using hardware, software and data. The
procedures mentioned are usually written and well documented in manuals, included in most software packages
and hardware today. Software and hardware manufacturers provide written documentation for their products
so that users may be able to learn and maximize their productivity once they have mastered the equipment
and the software.
 Software or programs are instructions that will tell the computer how it should do its work. The main purpose
of a program is to process the data (raw facts) into usable information. Software also provides greater flexibility
to the use of computer, it could become a drawing tool by opening a drawing software, and it becomes an
entertainment center by opening a media player software and much more.
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  Hardware is the physical equipment that processes data so that useful information may come as a result. Your
typical computer hardware would include the mouse, keyboard, the monitor, printer, CPU, speakers and
other devices that may include in a computer hardware set up. Hardware comes in different shape, size,
processing power and cost. Hardware needs software for it to run smoothly and do its specified task.
 Data - date include text, numbers, sounds, images and video that are still unprocessed. These are the fact
and facets of record that we input into the computer and once processed may yield useful information.
Input maybe typed into the computer using a keyboard, pictures transferred from digital camera, video clips
taken from your video camera or other materials from other sources including those from the internet.

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  Connectivity - today, it is important for a computer to have connectivity. Connectivity allows the computer to
access and share data and information that are available elsewhere through an internet connection. An
internet connection may be transmitted in many forms such as telephone line, a wireless connection, satellite or
cable. Connectivity will enhance the capability and usefulness of your information systems technology.

Lesson 4. HARDWARE: TYPES OF COMPUTER

1. Supercomputers
The most powerful computer available. These computers are high capacity computers that run continuously and are
being used by very big organizations and government institution. Users of super computers include NASA and the US
government and some big schools and companies. They are used for advanced scientific research and simulations
and massive data application.

2. Mainframe Computers
Are less powerful than super computers but are capable of processing data at greater speed, multitasking capability
and high data storage. They are used by most banks to process information of depositors and millions of daily bank
transactions. Insurance companies use them for their policy holder’s database. These computers have specialized
wiring system and usually occupy a big room at controlled temperature.

3. Server Computers
Refer to the main computers in a network serving and connected to several other computers.
It has the capability to handle multiple requests for data and other processing tasks.
Server such as running a web server for an organization’s web site. Many web sites
on the World Wide Web
are serviced by stacks of computer servers. Figure 9. Server Computer

4. Desktop Computers
The most common and widely used computers today. They are designed to be used by one or
more persons. Desktop computers are the computers that you see in homes, school, and in
most
businesses. They are small enough to be placed on a desk or table but are too big to be carried
around. Depending on their use, desktop computers come in a wide range of processing power,
size and cost.

Figure 10. Desktop

Computer
5. Mobile Computers
Are computers that are light and portable enough to be carried and used anywhere. These computers are equipped
with rechargeable batteries and can operate for several hours on battery power alone. There are three kinds
of mobile computers; Laptop Computer, Tablet PC, Portable Computer.

6. Laptop Computer
A laptop or notebook computer is a small personal computer whose components, display, keyboard, pointing device,
CPU and rechargeable battery are packed together in one single portable unit intended for mobile use.

Types of Laptop Computer

 Desktop Replacement - High performance and high capacity computers whose screen size is 17” and larger.
These laptops
are also called Media Center Laptop or Gaming Laptop.
 Standard laptop - The most common size notebook with screen range of 13-15”. It covers a wide range of
features in microprocessor speeds and memory capacity. Features include an optical disk drive, card
readers, USB port, wired and wireless network capability and a web cam.
 Sub-notebook - Sized of less than 13” of screen size. Portability is the emphasis of this computer. These
notebooks retain
the standard features of a standard notebook but they have small sizes, less weight and long battery life.
 Netbook - A tablet PC is a notebook equipped with a touch screen which allows the user to operate the
computer using a digital pen or stylus. A fingertip may also be used in some models. A keyboard or a mouse
comes as an option. Tablet PCs are designed for those who prefer to use stylus or pen rather than a keyboard;
however, they come at a higher cost.

Portable Computer

 Pocket PC - A pocket PC (personal computer) is a handheld or pocket size computer running on Microsoft
Windows Pocket PC edition with all features of a modern Windows PC. Pocket PCs may have mobile phone

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 features.
 PDA - (Personal Digital Assistant) is a handheld computer also called palmtop computers. Modern PDAs have
phone capabilities, web browsers, internet capabilities, and music and video player applications. Touch
screen is a standard feature on most PDAs.
 Smart Phone - a mobile phone with additional capabilities such as e-mail and internet, keyboard, personal
organizer, built0in camera, touch screen, ability to read PDF and Microsoft documents, music, photo and video
viewing.

Desktop Computers
 A desktop computer is a collection of different devices connected to a central processing unit (CPU).
 This system generally has four basic components; Central Processing Unit; Input Devices; Output Devices and
Storage.

Components of Desktop Computers

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 1. Central Processing Unit
 The CPU is housed inside the CPU box together with most of the components that make up a computer system.
 The microprocessor, memory and storage are the most important parts of the computer system.
 The microprocessor is an integrated circuit (IC) that encapsulates all the functions of a CPU.
 It is the one that controls and process input data to useful information.
 The microprocessor is usually placed in a support electronic board also known as the motherboard.
 The microprocessor is so delicate and important component of the CPU that it is protected, encased and shielded.
 Since the microprocessor tends to produce heat, in most cases a fan and a cooling unit called heat sink is
attached to it.
 A heat sink is usually a metallic material with fins that absorbs heat from the CPU and then dissipates it to the
surrounding air.
 The random access memory (RAM) is inserted or placed in a slot on the motherboard.
 The RAM is the primary storage for data and programs that are currently being processed.
 RAM is oftentimes referred to as the temporary storage because its contents are lost when electrical power to
the computer is turned off.
 Inside the CPU is also an important storage component known as the hard disk. Hard disk is used to store all of
the data and information in the computer. Hard disk has a big storage capacity.
 Data stored here are not lost even when the power is turned off.
 The CPU may also include other storage device handlers such as floppy disk drive and optical disk drive for CDs
or DVDs.

2. Input Devices. Allows you to enter data into the computer for processing.

 Mouse - acts as the pointing device that can be used to choose programs and files to open. Functions to
activate, to determine a typing or r drawing starting point, selection and to scroll pages up or down.
 Keyboard - A computer input device modeled from the keys of a typewriter. It is an arrangement of keys or
button when characters are printed. The keyboard allows one to input numbers, special characters and other
functions into the computer.
 Scanner - A computer input device that capture and copies images, objects, texts, handwriting and converts
them into digital forms. Printed pictures especially those from the pre-computer home era can now be scanned,
modified, saved and printed.
 Web Camera - Web camera or webcam functions like a digital and video camera, captures video and
images. It allows you to show images into the computer. It can be used for videoconferencing with friends,
relatives or business associates so that they will be able to see one another. Today, digital and video cameras
are also used as input devices.
 Game pad - Game pad or control pad functions as handheld game controller for today’s computer games. It
has buttons
corresponding to some of the fingers which give one better control of the characters being played in a computer
game.
 Joystick - used as control devices that pivot around so that you could move the cursor in any direction in the
monitor. It is usually used in video games involving flight control for airplanes and other aircraft. Joystick has
also found use in controlling cranes, unmanned submarines, and trucks and in some medical surgical
operations.
 Digitizing Tablet - graphic tablet is an electronic device that allows one to draw images by hand. It has pen
and pad where one can draw just like drawing on the paper but the image goes into the CPU and unto the
monitor screen.
 Microphone - A voice and sound input into the computer. Allows the user to speak and the computer will
accept and record your voice or music into the computer. The computer can the process your voice.

3. Output Devices. Convey or present the result of the data processed by the CPU. The monitor, printer and the
speakers are the most commonly used output devices of most computer desktop computers.

 Monitor - Functions as a visual display unit for images, text, graphics or video generated by the computer.
There are two kinds of monitors; the modern, flat panel liquid crystal display (LCD) which occupy less space
and use less power And the older and bulkier cathode ray tube (CRT) models but are less expensive that LCD.
 Printer - An output device that produces a permanent or hard printed copy, human readable text and/or
graphic of documents stored in the computer.

There are four kinds of printer:

a. Dot Matrix Printer - A printer that prints by hammering or striking an ink-soaked cloth ribbon against a
paper. It functions just like the typewriter, and the advantage of this type of printer is that it can easily
create carbon copies because of the impact action of the printing process and the cost per page printing is
relatively cheap.
b. Ink Jet Printer - Common for the general use at home or at the office. The price of this kind of printer
significantly eased and now allows you print high quality output both in colour and in black and white.
c. Laser Jet Printer - Produces high quality prints of text or graphics. Faster speed than do matrix and ink
jet printer Laser technology is based on xerographic printing process which is a combination of
photography and electrostatic printing.
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 d. Plotter - Operates by moving a pen over a paper surface. Most used in printing computer-aided designs of
houses and buildings. Plotters are replaced by large format ink jet printers that are not only capable of
printing CAD drawings on paper but also used for vinyl plastic printing for billboards
and posters.

 Speakers - Audio output for music, video and computer alerts. Speakers may have the simple two piece-
systems or the three, four or five pieces system with sub-woofer and surround system.
 Headphone - Small speaker with a way to hold them close to the ears of the user. Allows you to listen to
music and sounds all alone. Ideal when you do not want to disturb other people around you with the sound
generated by the computer.

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  Data Projector - Commonly called LCD Projector that displays computer information on a big screen so
that many will be able to see the show or presentation. Used for classrooms instructions and business
presentations. Today, Television set also used as projectors.

4. Storage/Memory Devices. Memory devices have made significant advancement recently because of the
downward trend in their prices. The advantages of these devices are mobility and high capacity at reasonable cost.
Once can simply bring this data or information in the portable memory and work in another place as long as there is
an available computer with software able to read the data.

 Floppy Drives - Popular before the advent of the optical drives (CD and DVDs) and the flash drive. The size of
this media is
3.5” and has a capacity of 1.44MB and encased in a thin square plastic enclosure.
 Memory Cards - Can be accessed with the USB connector. Offers the same data handling capabilities of the
memory cards, since data in these drives are re-writable. Up to 32GB and would allow data storage for 10 years
or more.
 USB Flash Drive - Can be accessed with the USB connector. Offers the same data handling capabilities of the
memory cards, since data in these drives are re-writable. Up to 32GB and would allow data storage for 10 years
or more.
 External Hard Disks - A hard disk housed in an enclosure usually made of aluminium or hard plastic. Can be
accessed by connecting it to the USB port and access is the same as that of the flash drive. Capacities beginning
from 80GB and up to TB level.
 Optical Storage/Optical Disk - A storage medium that used laser technology to store data onto a
circular plastic or metallic disk. The data in the disc are accessed by the used of an optical disk drive
(ODD). There are two most common optical disks available today, they are the Compact Disc (CD) and the
Digital Versatile Disc (DVD).
 CD-ROMs - CDs with pre-installed data such as music, videos and programs. Data or information inside the CD
could not be altered and are only available for access or reading.
 CD-R or Compact Disk Recordable - One can store or write data using a CD writer and once written into the
CD, it stays there permanently. Also known as the “write once” CD. Used to store data such as music, movies,
word processing and spreadsheet files and other data for future access.
 CD-RW - Known as Re-Writable CD or erasable CD. CD where in data stored inside can be altered, erased and
then saved again. A versatile disc because it can be used as temporary storage for work in progress.
 Compact Disk - Commonly known as the CD and is the most widely used optical disc with a standard capacity
of around 700MB. There are three types of CDs; the CD-ROMs, CDRs, and the Re-writable CD.
 DVDs /DVD-ROM - Used extensively to distribute movies, since full length movie can be stored in one DVD.
Music and video quality is lot higher comparable to those we view on wide screen theaters. Used to distribute
computer programs and music videos.
 DVD Recordable - DVD-R has two formats, the DVD-R and DVD+R, these are competing recording
formats for DVD, although most present players and recorder can view and write on the same format. User
can only write or record once into the DVD, and data is now permanently stored into the DVD.
 DVD Rewritable or DVD-RW - Stored data can be altered, erased and restored into the DVD. Versatile
DVD specially
“projects in progress” so that future insertions and alteration may be possible.
 Mini CD and Mini DVD - CDs and DVDs in a smaller format also known as the “3inch CDs or DVDs” function
just like the
standard CDs and DVDs but of smaller capacity but have the advantage of being small.
 Higher Capacity Optical Media - Blu-Ray Disc (BD) in a new generation optical disc, with the same
dimension and look as a DVD or CD but has a high capacity. Blu-Ray still uses laser technology but of a
different wavelength than the one used for CDs and DVDs which is called blue laser (violet colored).

SOFTWARE
Software is the other name for computer program. Basically, software is the step-by-step instructions that tell the
computer what to do to process the data into the desire format. The two kinds of software are systems software and
application software:

A. Systems Software - are those programs that are being used by the computer hardware. These are the
operating systems, device drivers and utilities that manage the internal resources of the computer. Examples
are Windows XP, Windows Vista, Linux and Macintosh Operating System. Device drivers are programs
that allow the computer and the input or output devices to interact and communicate with the computer system.
Examples of device drivers are those programs that allow the printer to print and the speakers to create sounds.
Today, major operating systems such as Window XP and Vista have an internal library of device drivers that may be
connected into the computer. Utilities are those programs that manage and maximize computer resources. An
example of a Windows Utility is the disk cleanup which delete unnecessary files.

B. Application Software - Programs that are used by the end-user. These are the programs that process user’s
raw data encoded or placed into the computer. For connectivity or web browser application, one may use
programs such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Opera or Safari to connect, surf or browse the
internet. Application software can be categorized into two, basic application software and specialized application
software.

a. Basic Application Software - Application software includes word processing application (Microsoft
Word), spreadsheet application (Microsoft Excel), presentation graphics (Microsoft Power Point), organizer
(Microsoft Outlook), database management program (Microsoft Access), desktop publishing, graphics, video,
multimedia animation.

 Word Processor - There are many advantages of writing documents in the computer. You can easily modify
and correct the words, be able to change the size and character of the letter, fancy or ordinary types of
letters or fonts and it is easy to modify paragraph character, margins, paper size, etc. You can also organize
your letters or documents in a systematic way.
 Word processors today have the capability to handle text, graphics and images with ease and even the
capabilities of lay- outing for desktop publishing. The most common and widely used computer word processing
program is the MS Word.
 Spreadsheet - a computer application that displays rows and columns of cells and each cell may contain text
or numeric values or a combination of both. Spreadsheets are frequently used in financial and accounting
transactions and reports because of the cells whenever they are updated. Spreadsheet today are very
flexible and capable of handling various tasks and simple applications such as tables, list and even charts and
forms. The most popular spreadsheet today is the Microsoft Excel, but before Excel notable popular spreadsheet
was the Lotus 1-2-3 when the DOS operating system was the standard operating system. Other spreadsheet
program in the market includes the Quattro Pro by Corel, Numbers by Apple and OpenOffice.org Calc which is a
free software, open source program modeled after Microsoft Excel. Calc can both open and save in Excel
(XLS) file format.
 Presentation - programs that allow you to communicate or convey your messages more effectively, to
educate, to sell or to present related information. Presentation graphics have paved the way for better
information presentation in all aspects in business, education and other applications. A presentation program
is a software application designed to display information in a form of a slide show. It has the capability to edit
text as well as to insert and format them. The program also allows the insertion of graphics, images, sound and
video to complete a slide show multimedia presentation. Today’s presentation programs have a variety of
options and templates to start a presentation easily and an array of presentation styles to choose from. The
most common program for presentation is the Microsoft PowerPoint, other alternatives are OpenOffice.org
Impress and Apple’s Keynote.

b. Specialized Application Programs - programs that focus on specific environment and application.
Some of the most common specialized programs are graphic, drawing, video, multimedia and animation, desktop
publishing.

 Graphics Program - Graphics programs like Adobe Photoshop are tools to create, modify, combine and
optimize digital photos and images on your computer. These programs excel in digital photograph enhancement
and use them to perform subtle changes such as adjusting brightness and contrast of the image you uploaded.
 Drawing Programs - Drawing programs include Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw. They are design programs
used to create and edit artwork for print, web or mobile devices and videos. These programs allow creation
of art in digital form, starting from sketches, coloring, shading, rendering and final drawing.
 Desktop Publishing - Adobe InDesign is a design application program that allows users to integrate texts,
graphics and images to produce professional quality documents for print, for the web and other
applications. InDesign however, is primarily used today in desktop publication applications including book
layout, newsletter, brochures and magazines.
 Portable Document Format (PDF) - PDF is a fixed layout document that represents two-dimensional image
representation of a file independent of the program software and hardware. This format encapsulates all the
files’ text, fonts, images and photos that compose the document. Adobe Acrobat is the program that creates

computer applications to this kind of format.

Different Parts of Computer System

 Computer/System Fan is any fan inside, or attached to, a computer case used for active cooling, and may
refer to fans that draw cooler air into the case from the outside, expel warm air from inside, or move air
across a heat sink to cool a particular component.
 Heat Sink heat sinks are used to cool central processing units or graphics processor.
 Floppy disk, also called a diskette, is a disk storage medium composed of a disk of thin and flexible
magnetic storage medium, sealed in a rectangular plastic carrier lined with fabric that removes dust particles.
Floppy disks are read and written by a floppy disk drive (FDD).
 Hard Disk Drive (HDD), hard disk, hard drive or fixed disk is a data storage device used for storing and
retrieving digital information using one or more rigid ("hard") rapidly rotating disks (platters) coated with
magnetic material.
 Optical Disc Drive (ODD) is a disk drive that uses laser light or electromagnetic waves within or near
the visible light spectrum as part of the process of reading or writing data to or from optical discs.
 Random-access memory (RAM) is a form of computer data storage. A random-access memory device allows
data items to be read and written in approximately the same amount of time, regardless of the order in which
data items are accessed.
 Processors (CPU) is the electronic circuitry within a computer that carries out the instructions of a
computer program by performing the basic arithmetic, logical, control and input/output (I/O) operations
specified by the instructions.
 Power Supply is an electronic device that supplies electric energy to an electrical load.
 Motherboard (sometimes known as the main board, system board, logic board, or colloquially, a mobo) is the
main printed circuit board (PCB) found in computers and other expandable systems. It holds and allows
communication between many of
 the crucial electronic components of a system, such as the central processing unit (CPU) and memory,
and provides connectors for other peripherals.

Lesson 5.
MOTHERBOARD

 CMOS Battery (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) maintains the time, date, hard disk and
other configuration settings in the CMOS memory. CMOS batteries are small and are attached directly to the
motherboard. Standard lifetime of a CMOS battery is around 10 years.
 Southbridge is one of the two chips in the core logic chipset on a personal computer (PC) motherboard. It
handles all of a computer's I/O functions, such as USB, audio, serial, the system BIOS, the ISA bus, the interrupt
controller and the IDE channels.
 Northbridge typically handles communications among the CPU, in some cases RAM, and PCI Express (or AGP)
video cards, and the southbridge. Some northbridges also contain integrated video controllers, also known as a
Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) in Intel systems.
 IDE Connectors originally AT Attachment, is an interface standard for the connection of storage devices
such as hard disk drives, floppy disk drives, and optical disc drives in computers.
 Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) is a high-speed point-to-point channel for attaching a video card to a
computer system, primarily to assist in the acceleration of 3D computer graphics.
 CPU socket or CPU slot is a mechanical component(s) that provides mechanical and electrical connections
between a microprocessor and a printed circuit board (PCB). This allows the CPU to be placed and replaced
without soldering.
 ATX Power Connector specification defines the key mechanical dimensions, mounting point, I/O panel,
power and connector interfaces between a computer case, a motherboard and a power supply.
 PCI Slots (Peripheral Component Interconnect) is an interconnection system between a microprocessor
and attached devices in which expansion slots are spaced closely for high speed operation.
 Network Card referred to as an Ethernet card and network adapter.
It is an expansion card that enables a computer to connect to a
network; such as a home network, or the Internet using an
Ethernet cable with
an RJ-45 connector.
 Sound card is an expansion card or IC for producing sound on a
computer that can be heard through speakers or headphones.
 Video card is an IC or internal board that creates a picture on a display

Network Cable are used to

connect one network device
to other network devices or
to connect two or more
computers to share printer
and scanner.
 Lesson 6. COMPUTERS IN OUR DAILY LIFE

Importance of computer in our daily life

You can understand and analyze the importance of computers by seeing a revolution in offline and online business,
online education, online business, online communication, and internet banking. To store, access, manipulate,
calculate, analyze data, and information we use hardware devices and software applications. All our daily life
activities are based on such online services and products. The computer changed our life 2 decades ago and now it
is a necessity to use a computer in daily life to live

Uses of Computer in Our Daily Life

The use of computers on a regular basis in our life is very important. Technically in daily life computer is used to
convert raw facts and data into meaningful information and knowledge. Computer science is explored and
challenged by humans daily. The computer is like an electronic magical device for our life. According to Google
Keyword Planner 100 – 1K people searching monthly on Google about the “best laptop for business and personal
use” and 100-1K for the best desktop computer for small businesses in the last 1 year. This is one of the proofs
that the use of the computer in our life and business is really effective. That’s why more and more people are
buying and using a computer. If the uses of the computer are for good purposes then it is a boon for humans. From the
government to the private sector everyone is using the computer. Users of the computer are constantly growing.

Top 10 uses of Computers in our Daily Lives

1. Uses of the Computer in the Education Field

Schools and colleges around the world are using computer and internet technologies to teach students digitally and
creatively with data visualization. Uses of the computer in a classroom will explore creativity and imagination in
students’ minds. Drawing tools, spreadsheets, Audio, Video lectures, and PowerPoint presentations, etc. are very
beneficial for students to learn more deeply and accurately. That created the new education business model called
small classes, smart classrooms, and digital classrooms. As you know education is most important in our life.
Computer reinvented the education system. Schools, colleges, and almost all kinds of educational institutions are
using a computer in the classrooms. There are so many college and universities are now providing online
degree programs, online courses for college students. Computers’ are the most important educational tools for
teachers and learners. YouTube, Blogs, eBooks, Newsletters, eNewspaper, etc. such educational tools are not
possible without a computer that we’re using today. So, to become educated, skillful we can use computers and this
is one of the most beneficial uses of the computer in our daily life.

2. Use of Computer in the Business

Computer with the internet connection we can start the business, run the business, and manage the business and we
can grow the business by the use of a computer. Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Amazon, and Alibaba all are websites
created by the use of computers and the internet. We can’t imagine the daily business operations around the world
without the use of computer technologies. In the early days when the first mechanical computer invented by Charles
Babbage, it was used only to control the business system and speed up the business process accurately. But today
everything is controlled and managed by computers. Businesses and companies use a computer to do marketing
and business planning, they use a computer to record customer data, and they use a computer to manage goods
and services. Computer with an internet connection is really important for businesses. Now they can do Internet
marketing, they can sell products and services online. They can manage; hire employees around the world
through the use of computers and the internet. Almost all kinds of businesses are using computers in their
daily official works. Such Microsoft Office to create professional-looking documents, excel spreadsheets to manage
goods and services, Powerpoint for project presentations are common these days. The use of computers in the
business helping companies to grow their customer base faster. Computer use business is also challenging for
companies and small business owners. Because customers have so many options to choose the best product or
services through the use of the internet. Any individual today can start their business from home. Freelancing is
a big example. Freelancers are working remotely from home with the use of computers and the internet. To
start earning money by the use of a computer is not so much tough. You just need to learn or to become a master in
a few applications or programming languages. If someone knows about internet research, data entry, MS Word,
etc. they can start data typing and editing work from home. Such as resume writing services, eBook writing services. I
found the following online course interesting for you. It’s because today lots of people have technical skills but the
problem is most of them only see Job options, instead, the bigger option is entrepreneurship and business. That’s
why I think younger people especially technical skilled youth or professional must try entrepreneurship. At this
young age, you have more powers and you can utilize that at a bigger level. If someone knows about Adobe
Photoshop, Corel Draw they can start graphic designing, logo designing business from home. This is so much
simpler today to build a career in the IT field by the use of a computer and by taking available knowledge.

3. Uses of the Computer in Hospitals

Uses of the computer in the hospital provide many benefits for doctors and patients. Hospitals can create a
database of a patient with their treatment records, medical records. Doctors are using a computer to diagnose the
diseases of patients faster. They are taking the help of various medical applications of computer and hardware
devices. The use of computer and its application in hospitals are such as to do the research on diseases, blood test,
and urine test, brain testing, and body scanning, etc.

4. Uses of the Computer in the Banking Sector

Banks are using computers daily to faster and accurate customer demands. Banks are using a computer to
deposit customer money in their account. In this case, the cashier enters the account number of customers in their
banking application, they first confirm the account number and customer details and then enter the deposited
amount in their banking application by the use of the keyboard. This process is faster and accurate. Banks are
also providing ATMs to withdraw and cash deposit ATMs for their
customers. Whenever we deposit, withdraw money we get messages on our mobile number. We can see and print
our transaction records without visiting banks. The whole process of banking is done by a computer. The
innovative uses of computer in banking are that customer can operate their bank account by doing internet
banking. Banks are providing the customer with accessing, transferring money, monthly bills, or shopping bills by the
use of computers and mobile. By the use computer customer can get knowledge about various bank loan schemes
such as a business loan, home loan, and car loan. The customer can also check on the bank websites about loan
eligibility and if they are eligible, they can apply for the bank loan. Such uses of banking in our daily life are
stored, calculated, and managed by computers with speed and accuracy. The use of the computer in banking
not only saving our productive time but also reducing the infrastructure cost of banks.

5. Uses of the Computer in Government Offices

The government works or official works take more time to complete in the past. There was lots of staff required in the
past to manage citizen’s works. But today citizens, consumers are getting a solution with high speed and accuracy.
Because of the use of computers in official works. There are so many applications that speed the process and quality
of official works. Such as Microsoft Office package, email, video conferencing tools are few applications that speed
the work of government offices with accuracy.

6. Uses of the Computer in the Home

The computer uses at home depends on the user. There are so many people using the computer at home. Some
people are using a computer to take online classes. Some people using the computer to do online business. Some
people are using the computer to listen to songs and to watch movies etc. Else the use of the computer in the home
provides great advantages. Such you can access banking and business services from home. You can communicate
with people around the world through the use of the computer. You can use a computer at home for learning new
skills and hobbies. You can use a computer to calculate and manage monthly expenses by using MS excel. You can
create gift cards, birthday messages by using Microsoft word. You can edit, restore, and manipulate family
photographs by the use of Adobe Photoshop. Else you can use the computer with the internet to do online shopping
and you can start an online business too. The use of a computer at home daily life is saving our time. The computer
also saves money in our daily home life. Such as if you have a computer at home, you don’t need to buy a DVD
player to watch movies and to listen to songs. You don’t need to go cybercafé to collect and print notes. All kinds of
small works that we do each day cost us money. But using computer application at home save our money, time and
also provide entertainment and various ways to pass time.

7. Uses of the Computer in Marketing

The use of a computer with the internet is creating new ways to do the product and services marketing online. Digital
marketing services, products, websites, and businesses are growing. Businesses can use a computer to type
marketing content, to publish content marketing articles on websites and social media. They can sell and market
their products on portals or such as Amazon. Businesses can use PPC to get a quick ROI for their marketing
budget. Companies can chat, email, outsource, apply and can perform various works that included in Internet
Marketing such as website designing, Search engine optimization, PPC, Content Marketing, Social Media Marketing,
etc. all by the use of a computer to market their product and services in best possible ways.

8. A computer used by various people around the world for different reasons and purposes

 Kids: – Kids use the computer in their daily life to play games, to use drawing tools, and to watch funny (cartoon)
videos.
 High school students: – Schools students can use a computer to learn Hindi English Typing. Students can
learn and use digital communication tools. They can learn about online safety and etiquette. They can use
drawing tools to explore creativity and inside artists in them such as by using paint programs in the
Windows computer. They can also learn to do photo editing and graphic designing. The uses of a computer for
school students should be to explore creativity and imagination. Online research can help school students to
collect and understand the data and information about a particular book and chapters. Students can use MS-
Office to create assignments, to do the mathematical calculation, presentation, etc. I am sure that many Indian
school students are doing these activities in schools and on home computers.
 College students: – The use of a computer with the internet for college students is really important.
Information Technology education helps them in their study no matter what kind of degree they are doing. They
not only need to learn about Information Technology but they need to use technology for their career.
College students use Microsoft Word to create an assignment, notes, letters, and books. They use excel
spreadsheet to mathematical calculation, data visualization by using Charts, they solve and learn various logical
formulas. Many students are learning online etiquette skills and safety. They are using the computer and the
internet to create websites. But the biggest use of a computer for college students is that they can join
online degree programs. Many students are taking online classes from their homes. Students are
connecting with teachers by using video conferencing applications and devices. Students with the use of a
computer are getting faster information and knowledge from multiple sources. Such uses of computers in
student’s daily life are really important.
 Job seekers: – Job seekers use the computer to learn computer skills that help them to get a job. They learn to
use MS- Office, English and Hindi Typing, Internet research, File management, printing, MS-Office, use of the
business application, and social media skills in their daily life. Job seekers who are IT literate or have
productive computer skills get a job quicker than people with only job-specific skills.
 Business owners: – Business owners use computer-based on-demand and urgency. Commonly they use a
computer daily to watch YouTube videos, upload family and travel photos on social media, etc. They also use the
computer for business planning and team management. They use a computer for financial management.
Also, the use of a computer is depending on the nature of the business. But commonly project management,
financial planning, social networking, emails, letter writing, presentation, and Internet research are few uses of
computers in the daily life of business owners.
 Computer Professional & IT people: – The real truth is that there are no other uses of anything other than
the computer in the daily life of IT people. There are more than 12 hours of average IT people spend their time on
a computer according to me. In which they learn on the computer, they work on the computer, they
communicate on a computer, they hire people on the computer, they order pizza on the computer, they transfer
and receive money on the computer, they watch movies on the
 computer, and they are still trying to do everything on the computer. But the benefits and results you’re seeing
today on the computer and internet world are done by IT professionals around the world. Without IT
people in this world, nothing is possible that you’re seeing on the Internet and computer today.

9. Uses of Computer in New Habits—Impact of computer in our life

Our life is fully impacted by computers. Today the use of the computer with internet connection in daily life
changed our habits. We’re creating new kinds of habits. Such as listening to music on the computer, earning
money online, doing internet banking, communicating online with friends and family, running an online business,
taking online classes, etc. are new kinds of habits. It’s a good living practice by a human because many people are
in favor of Technology without data analysis. The computer can impact our life negatively too if above-paragraphed
habits turn into bad habits. More use of a computer for daily life activities means less physical works and more
mental work. In this case, the accessibility of the brain is increased by so many features of computers and the
Internet. But the physical capacity is decreasing or not growing because of too much sitting all day in front
of the computer. It’s really important for us to make a balance between brain access and body capacity. Such a
balanced use of the computer in daily life will be great.

10. Uses of the computer to change a life: Computer changed our lives in this way
A digital computer, analog computer, and now the use of hybrid computers are growing in our daily life. The problem
is that the computer is doing our work faster and accurately and save our time. But then why people do not
have any time today for their family. You can say the computer is changed our lives yes, the computer
changed our lives because today we want to use air purifiers inside the home rather than planting new trees
outside. Funny! Very Funny! So we can’t just sit and not keep watching the things that we don’t like. Instead, we
can change. We have the ability to change. And we will make the change by educating other people about various
things. And education is the method that aligns any developing individuals, professional, business, and country into
the growth and right direction. I know you have learned lots of things in this complete article. Now it’s your time to
use your knowledge and skill at a greater and bigger level. So, you need to understand and analyze what you
want to do today and what is important for to you accomplish today by using a computer. Once you will find out
it then start using the computer each day and it will make life easier, faster, and more importantly satisfy at the end
of the day.
 LIVING IN THE IT
ERA
MODULE TWO
PRELIMINARIES
Module Title: Module Two - The Internet and the World Wide
Web; Information; Ergonomics; Security; and
Privacy
Course Title: Living in the IT

Era Course Number: GEE

103 Course Description:

Living in the Information Technology Era was written specifically for K-12 graduates who are
transitioning from senior high school to higher education. It is one of the 3-unit elective courses offered
for general education under the Mathematics, Science, and Technology domain. Using the same title of
the course as described by the Commission on Higher Education, this textbook explores the science,
culture, and ethics of information technology, its various uses and applications, as well as its influence
on culture and society. It also aims to strike a balance between conceptual instruction and socially- and
culturally-oriented discussions as it not only explains the basic concepts or key terms in IT but also
features the major IT trends along with the issues and challenges these developments bring. Moreover,
it uses the outcomes-based approach with assessment tests and tasks to effectively measure student
learning. This volume is divided into four chapters.

Total Learning Time: 6 WEEKS

Pre-requisites: N/A

OVERVIEW
Chapter 1 of this module, Introduction to Information and Communications Technology, orients
students to the concepts of ICT and IT. It also examines the different parts of the computer system, and
the categories of computer peripherals, and assesses why computers are considered powerful thinking
machines. Chapter 2, The Internet and the World Wide Web, traces the origin of the Internet and
its evolution, describes how it works, and illustrates how it is used (e.g., how to search on the web).
Information as a resource is also discussed in this chapter together with Ergonomics, Security,
Control, and Privacy that tackles the issues on information control and privacy with reference to the
Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines and the Data Privacy Act of 2012. Chapter 3 of this module
focus on the trends and issues in IT. IT, Culture, and the Society, the Internet of Things an
auto-motion are discussed in detail. The influence of IT on culture and social behavior is likewise
analyzed with emphasis on both the proper netiquette and code of conduct for IT professionals and the
negative practices in social media such as cyberbullying. Also in this chapter that IT Trends, Issues,
and Challenges features texts and articles that reinforce the use of IT and the issues and challenges
surrounding its application in various fields such as banking, education, health, and business, among
others is being discussed. Finally, Chapter 4, talks about Networking that basically highlights the
types of networks, wired and wireless connections used in a computer system, as well as the desktop
applications and mobile applications and their relevance to day-to-day activities. It is hoped that
through this module, more knowledgeable and responsible young netizens who are able to maximize
the benefits of information technology without compromising values and ethics will be developed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
This course/module made a concerted effort to achieve the following learning outcomes;

 Know and explain what is internet and how it is being used;

 Learn how to find information online;
 Define what is media;
 Discover the positive and negative effects of social media to culture and mental health;
 Define what an information system is by identifying its major components; and
 Describe the basic history of information systems;
INDICATIVE CONTENT
CHAPTER 2 - THE INTERNET AND THE WORLD WIDE WEB;
INFORMATION; ERGONOMICS; SECURITY; AND PRIVACY
Lesson 1. Internet
Lesson 2. How is the internet used
Lesson 3. Finding Information
Online Lesson 4. Intelligent
Personal Assistants
Lesson 5. Using the internet to
communicate Lesson 6. Media
Lesson 7. Introduction to Information
System Lesson 8. Defining Information
System Lesson 9. Components of
Information System Lesson 10. The role
of Information System Lesson 11. The
PC-World

DISSCUSSION
ERGONOMICS

Whether you’re an ergonomics pro or you’re new to the field, it’s helpful every once in a while to take a broad view
of what ergonomics is and how its fundamental principles can be applied. At the very least, you’ll be able to explain
what ergonomics is in a social setting. At the very best, you’ll start to see how deeply the field of ergonomics
impacts your world at work, at home and the places in between. Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific
discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the
profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and
overall system performance.

The word ergonomics comes from the Greek word “ergon” which means work and “nomos” which means laws. It’s
essentially the “laws of work” or “science of work”. Good ergonomic design removes incompatibilities between the
work and the worker and creates the optimal work environment. Ergonomics draws on many disciplines to optimize
the interaction between the work environment and
the worker.

Ergonomics Ergonomics can roughly be defined as the study of people in their working environment. More
specifically, an ergonomist (pronounced like economist) designs or modifies the work to fit the worker, not the
other way around. The goal is to eliminate discomfort and risk of injury due to work.

Ergonomics is the study of how humans interact with man made objects. For example, an ergonomic chair may
help support your lower back and prevent you from slouching. An ergonomic desk may adjust to the appropriate
height, so you can sit up straight and view your monitor at the right level.

We often hear the term ergonomics in the workplace and in the office. If you are wondering what ergonomic means
and how it may benefit you, we will do our best to explain why ergonomics is important for you. Ergonomics
comes from the Greek word ergon meaning work, and nomoi meaning natural laws. At the core, ergonomics
means the science of designing products to optimize them for human use. More simply, ergonomics is about
designing for humans or people use. The goal of ergonomics ranges from increasing productivity, maximizing
efficiency, and reducing discomfort. Ergonomics takes into account the need for movement throughout the day.
Oftentimes, office furniture is built traditionally to cause stiffness, poor posture, and little movement. When you
think about your office chair, think about the comfort of your lower back, and how it may sometimes cause you
pain. Think about the height of your desk and the angle of your computer screen, and look back at how both
your eyes and neck may be strained after a long day. Think about your keyboard and your mouse, and consider
your wrist being in discomfort after long hours of typing. This is why ergonomics is important for your long-term
health. In this post, we will share with you the best examples of ergonomics in the workplace, and how to setup an
ergonomic workstation. Understanding of ergonomics is the key to combat the negative effects of a sedentary
lifestyle in the workplace.

Best Examples of Ergonomics in the Workplace

Find Your Natural Posture. Adjusting Your Keyboard and
 Mouse. Adjusting Your Screens. Adjusting Your Chair.
Don't Sit Around All Day - Stand Up and Move!

Disciplines of
Ergonomics
Industrial Kinesiolo
Anthropometry
engineering gy
Biomechanics
Industrial design Physiolog
Mechanical engineering
Information design y
Psycholog
Ergonomics Domains of y
Specialization
According to the International Ergonomics Association, there are three broad domains of ergonomics: physical,
cognitive, and organizational.

 Physical Ergonomics
Physical ergonomics is concerned with human anatomical, anthropometric, physiological and biomechanical
characteristics as they relate to physical activity. This is the ergonomics domain we are most concerned with in the
workplace, and most of the content on this site is very much focused on workplace ergonomics.
 Cognitive Ergonomics
Cognitive ergonomics is concerned with mental processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and motor
response, as they affect interactions among humans and other elements of a system.
 Organizational Ergonomics
Organizational ergonomics is concerned with the optimization of sociotechnical systems, including their organizational
structures, policies, and processes.

INFORMATION

Information technology is the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-
based information systems—particularly software applications and computer hardware. IT workers help ensure
that computers work well for people. Electronic and information technology includes computer hardware and
software, operating systems, web- based information and applications, telephones and other telecommunications
products, video equipment and multimedia products, information kiosks, and office products such as photocopiers
and fax machines.

Information technology studies ways to develop and create computer-based information systems like software
applications and computer hardware. Students who earn a degree in Information technology are prepared to
manage, distribute and process information through computers. Information technology plays a vital role in every
business type including small, medium and large (multinational). Information technology is used in companies to
implement communication. Network (intranet and internet) and email play a key role in the organizational
communication internally as well as externally.

Information technology facilitates storing and regaining huge information quickly with the help of hardware and
software networks and workstations at lesser costs. Information technology enables combination and
configuration of data to create distinctly new information which aids in making quick decisions. Communication –
with help of information technologies the instant messaging, emails, voice and video calls becomes quicker, cheaper
and much efficient. Globalization and cultural gap – by implementing information systems we can bring down the
linguistic, geographical and some cultural boundaries.

SECURITY

Security, in information technology (IT), is the defense of digital information and IT assets against internal
and external, malicious and accidental threats Weak security can result in compromised systems or data, either
by a malicious threat actor or
an unintentional internal threat. The fundamental principles (tenets) of information security are
confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Every element of an information security program (and every security
control put in place by an entity) should be designed to achieve one or more of these principles .

What is the need for IT security?

As hackers get smarter, the need to protect your digital assets and network devices is even greater. While providing
IT security can be expensive, a significant breach costs an organization far more. Large breaches can jeopardize the
health of a small business. During or after an incident, IT security teams can follow an incident response plan as a
risk management tool to gain control of the situation.

What is the difference between IT security and Information Security (InfoSec)?

Although IT security and information security sound similar, they do refer to different types of security. Information
security refers to the processes and tools designed to protect sensitive business information from invasion, whereas
IT security refers to securing digital data, through computer network security.

What are the Threats to IT Security?

Threats to IT security can come in different forms. A common threat is malware, or malicious software, which may
come in different variations to infect network devices, including:

Ransomware
Spyware
Viruses

These threats make it even more important to have reliable security practices in place. Learn more about malware
to stay protected.

How do I Benefit from IT Security?

IT security prevents malicious threats and potential security breaches that can have a huge impact on your
organization. When you enter your internal company network, IT security helps ensure only authorized users can
access and make changes to sensitive information that resides there. IT security works to ensure the confidentiality of
your organization’s data.

Types of IT Security

 Network Security
Network security is used to prevent unauthorized or malicious users from getting inside your network. This ensures
that usability, reliability, and integrity are uncompromised. This type of security is necessary to prevent a hacker
from accessing data inside the network. It also prevents them from negatively affecting your users’ ability to access
or use the network. Network security has become increasingly challenging as businesses increase the number of
endpoints and migrate services to public cloud.
 Internet Security
Internet security involves the protection of information that is sent and received in browsers, as well as network
security involving web-based applications. These protections are designed to monitor incoming internet traffic for
malware as well as unwanted traffic. This protection may come in the form of firewalls, antimalware, and
antispyware.
 Endpoint Security
Endpoint security provides protection at the device level. Devices that may be secured by endpoint security include
cell phones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers. Endpoint security will prevent your devices from accessing
malicious networks that may be a threat to your organization. Advance malware protection and device
management software are examples of endpoint security.
 Cloud Security
Applications, data, and identities are moving to the cloud, meaning users are connecting directly to the Internet and
are not protected by the traditional security stack. Cloud security can help secure the usage of software-as-a-service
(SaaS) applications and the public cloud. A cloud-access security broker (CASB), secure Internet gateway (SIG), and
cloud-based unified threat management (UTM) can be used for cloud security.
 Application Security
With application security, applications are specifically coded at the time of their creation to be as secure as
possible, to help ensure they are not vulnerable to attacks. This added layer of security involves evaluating the code
of an app and identifying the vulnerabilities that may exist within the software.

What is Information Security?

InfoSec, or information security, is a set of tools and practices that you can use to protect your digital and analog
information. InfoSec covers a range of IT domains, including infrastructure and network security, auditing, and
testing. It uses tools like authentication and permissions to restrict unauthorized users from accessing private
information. These measures help you prevent harms related to information theft, modification, or loss.

Information security (InfoSec) enables organizations to protect digital and analog information. InfoSec provides
coverage for cryptography, mobile computing, social media, as well as infrastructure and networks containing
private, financial, and corporate information. Cybersecurity, on the other hand, protects both raw and meaningful
data, but only from internet-based threats.

Organizations implement information security for a wide range of reasons. The main objectives of InfoSec are
typically related to ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability of company information. Since InfoSec covers
many areas, it often involves the implementation of various types of security, including application security,
infrastructure security, cryptography, incident response, vulnerability management, and disaster recovery.

Information Security vs Cybersecurity

Although both security strategies, cybersecurity and information security cover different objectives and scopes
with some overlap. Information security is a broader category of protections, covering cryptography, mobile
computing, and social media. It is related to information assurance, used to protect information from non-person-
based threats, such as server failures or natural disasters. In comparison, cybersecurity only covers Internet-based
threats and digital data. Additionally, cybersecurity provides coverage for raw, unclassified data while information
security does not.

Information Security Goals in an Organization

There are three main objectives protected by information security, collectively known as CIA:

 Confidentiality—prevents unauthorized users from accessing information to protect the privacy of

information content. Confidentiality is maintained through access restrictions. Breaches of confidentiality
can occur due to human error, intentional sharing, or malicious entry.

 Integrity—ensures the authenticity and accuracy of information. Integrity is maintained by restricting

permissions for editing or the ability to modify information. Loss of integrity can occur when analog
 information is not protected from environmental conditions, digital information is not transferred properly,
or when users make unapproved changes.

 Availability—ensures that authorized users can reliably access information. Availability is maintained
through continuity of access procedures, backup or duplication of information, and maintenance of
hardware and network connections. Loss of availability can occur when networks are attacked due to
natural disasters, or when client devices fail.
 Types of Information Security

When considering information security, there are many subtypes that you should know. These subtypes cover
specific types of information, tools used to protect information and domains where information needs protection.

Application Security
Application security strategies protect applications and application programming interfaces (APIs). You can
use these strategies to prevent, detect and correct bugs or other vulnerabilities in your applications. If not
secured, application and API vulnerabilities can provide a gateway to your broader systems, putting your
information at risk. Much of application security is based on specialized tools for application shielding,
scanning and testing. These tools can help you identify vulnerabilities in applications and surrounding
components. Once found, you can correct these vulnerabilities before applications are released or
vulnerabilities are exploited. Application security applies to both applications you are using and those you may
be developing since both need to be secured.

Infrastructure Security
Infrastructure security strategies protect infrastructure components, including networks, servers, client
devices, mobile devices, and data centers. The growing connectivity between these, and other infrastructure
components, puts information at risk without proper precautions. This risk is because connectivity extends
vulnerabilities across your systems. If one part of your infrastructure fails or is compromised, all dependent
components are also affected. Due to this, an important goal of infrastructure security is to minimize
dependencies and isolate components while still allowing intercommunications.

Cloud Security
Cloud security provides similar protections to application and infrastructure security but is focused on cloud or
cloud- connected components and information. Cloud security adds extra protections and tools to focus on the
vulnerabilities that come from Internet-facing services and shared environments, such as public clouds. It also
tends to include a focus on centralizing security management and tooling. This centralization enables security
teams to maintain visibility of information and information threats across distributed resources. Another
aspect of cloud security is a collaboration with your cloud provider or third-party services. When using cloud-
hosted resources and applications, you are often unable to fully control your environments since the
infrastructure is typically managed for you. This means that cloud security practices must account for
restricted control and put measures in place to limit accessibility and vulnerabilities stemming from
contractors or vendors.

Cryptography
Cryptography uses a practice called encryption to secure information by obscuring the contents. When
information is encrypted, it is only accessible to users who have the correct encryption key. If users do not
have this key, the information is unintelligible. Security teams can use encryption to protect information
confidentiality and integrity throughout its life, including in storage and during transfer. However, once a user
decrypts the data, it is vulnerable to theft, exposure, or modification. To encrypt information, security teams
use tools such as encryption algorithms or technologies like blockchain. Encryption algorithms, like the
advanced encryption standard (AES), are more common since there is more support for these tools and less
overhead for use

Incident response
Incident response is a set of procedures and tools that you can use to identify, investigate, and respond to
threats or damaging events. It eliminates or reduces damage caused to systems due to attacks, natural
disasters, system failures, or human error. This damage includes any harm caused to information, such as loss
or theft. A commonly used tool for incident response is an incident response plan (IRP). IRPs outline the roles
and responsibilities for responding to incidents. These plans also inform security policy, provide guidelines or
procedures for action, and help ensure that insight gained from incidents is used to improve protective
measures.

Vulnerability Management
Vulnerability management is a practice meant to reduce inherent risks in an application or system. The idea
behind this practice is to discover and patch vulnerabilities before issues are exposed or exploited. The fewer
vulnerabilities a component or system has, the more secure your information and resources are. Vulnerability
management practices rely on testing, auditing, and scanning to detect issues. These processes are often
automated to ensure that components are evaluated to a specific standard and to ensure vulnerabilities are
uncovered as quickly as possible. Another method that you can use is threat hunting, which involves
investigating systems in real-time to identify signs of threats or to locate potential vulnerabilities.

Disaster Recovery
Disaster recovery strategies protect your organization from loss or damage due to unforeseen events. For
example, ransomware, natural disasters, or single points of failure. Disaster recovery strategies typically
account for how you can recover information, how you can restore systems, and how you can resume
operations. These strategies are often part of a business continuity management (BCM) plan, designed to
enable organizations to maintain operations with minimal downtime.
 Who are CISOs?

Chief information security officers (CISOs) are people responsible for managing and ensuring the protection of an
organization’s information. This role may be a stand-alone position or be included under the responsibilities of the
vice president (VP) of security or the chief security officer (CSO). The responsibilities of a CISO include managing:
 Security Operations—includes real-time monitoring, analysis, and triage of threats.

 Cyber risk and cyber intelligence—includes maintaining current knowledge of security threats and keeping
executive and board teams informed of the potential impacts of risks.

 Data loss and fraud prevention—includes monitoring for and protecting against insider threats.

 Security architecture—includes applying security best practices to the acquisition, integration, and operation
of hardware and software.

 Identity and access management—includes ensuring proper use of authentication measures, authorization
measures, and privilege granting.

 Program management—includes ensuring proactive maintenance of hardware and software through audits and
upgrades.

 Investigations and forensics—includes collecting evidence, interacting with authorities, and ensuring that
postmortems are performed.

 Governance—includes verifying at all security operations operate smoothly and serving as a mediator
between leadership and security operations.

What is a Security Operations Center?

A security operations center (SOC) is a collection of tools and team members that continuously monitor and ensure
an organization’s security. SOCs serve as a unified base from which teams can detect, investigate, respond to, and
recover from security threats or vulnerabilities. In particular, SOCs are designed to help organizations prevent and
manage cybersecurity threats. The main idea behind a SOC is that centralized operations enable teams to more
efficiently manage security by providing comprehensive visibility and control of systems and information. These
centers combine security solutions and human expertise to perform or direct any tasks associated with digital
security.

Three main models are used to implement SOCs:

 Internal SOC—composed of dedicated employees operating from inside an organization. These centers provide
the highest level of control but have high upfront costs and can be challenging to staff due to difficulty
recruiting staff with the right expertise. Internal SOCs are typically created by enterprise organizations with
mature IT and security strategies.
 Virtual SOC—use managed, third-party services to provide coverage and expertise for operations. These
centers are easy to set up, highly scalable, and require fewer upfront costs. The downsides are that
organizations are reliant on vendors and have less visibility and control over their security. Virtual SOCs are
often adopted by small to medium organizations, including those without in-house IT teams.
 Hybrid SOC—combine in-house teams with outsourced teams. These centers use managed services to
supplement gaps in coverage or expertise. For example, to ensure 24/7 monitoring without having to arrange
internal overnight shifts. Hybrid SOCs can enable organizations to maintain a higher level of control and
visibility without sacrificing security. The downside of these centers is that costs are often higher than virtual
SOCs and coordination can be challenging.

Common Information Security Risks

In your daily operations, many risks can affect your system and information security. Some common risks to be
aware of are included below.

- Social engineering attacks

Social engineering involves using psychology to trick users into providing information or access to attackers.
Phishing is one common type of social engineering, usually done through email. In phishing attacks, attackers
pretend to be trustworthy or legitimate sources requesting information or warning users about a need to take
action. For example, emails may ask users to confirm personal details or log in to their accounts via an included
(malicious) link. If users comply, attackers can gain access to credentials or other sensitive information.
- Advanced persistent threats (APT)
APTs are threats in which individuals or groups gain access to your systems and remain for an extended period.
Attackers carry out these attacks to collect sensitive information over time or as the groundwork for future attacks.
APT attacks are performed by organized groups that may be paid by competing nation-states, terrorist
organizations, or industry rivals.
 - Insider threats
Insider threats are vulnerabilities created by individuals within your organization. These threats may be accidental
or intentional, and involve attackers abusing “legitimate” privileges to access systems or information. In the case of
accidental threats, employees may unintentionally share or expose information, download malware, or have their
credentials stolen. With intentional threats, insiders intentionally damage, leak, or steal information for personal or
professional gain.
 - Cryptojacking
Cryptojacking, also called crypto mining, is when attackers abuse your system resources to mine
cryptocurrency. Attackers typically accomplish this by tricking users into downloading malware or when users open
files with malicious scripts included. Some attacks are also performed locally when users visit sites that include
mining scripts.
- Distributed denial of service (DDoS)
DDoS attacks occur when attackers overload servers or resources with requests. Attackers can perform these
attacks manually or through botnets, networks of compromised devices used to distribute request sources. The
purpose of a DDoS attack is to prevent users from accessing services or to distract security teams while other
attacks occur.
- Ransomware
Ransomware attacks use malware to encrypt your data and hold it for ransom. Typically, attackers demand
information, that some action be taken, or payment from an organization in exchange for decrypting data.
Depending on the type of ransomware used, you may not be able to recover data that is encrypted. In these cases,
you can only restore data by replacing infected systems with clean backups.
- Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack
MitM attacks occur when communications are sent over insecure channels. During these attacks, attackers intercept
requests and responses to read the contents, manipulate the data, or redirect users.

There are multiple types of MitM attacks, including:

Session hijacking—in which attackers substitute their own IP for legitimate users to use their session and
credentials to gain system access.
IP spoofing—in which attackers imitate trusted sources to send malicious information to a system or request
information back. Eavesdropping attacks—in which attackers collect information passed in communications
between legitimate users and your systems.

Information Security Technologies

Creating an effective information security strategy requires adopting a variety of tools and technologies. Most
strategies adopt some combination of the following technologies.
 Firewalls
Firewalls are a layer of protection that you can apply to networks or applications. These tools enable you to
filter traffic and report traffic data to monitoring and detection systems. Firewalls often use established lists of
approved or unapproved traffic and policies determining the rate or volume of traffic allowed.
Security incident and event management (SIEM)
SIEM solutions enable you to ingest and correlate information from across your systems. This aggregation of
data enables teams to detect threats more effectively, more effectively manage alerts, and provide better
context for investigations. SIEM solutions are also useful for logging events that occur in a system or reporting
on events and performance. You can then use this information to prove compliance or to optimize
configurations.
Data loss prevention (DLP)
SIEM solutions DLP strategies incorporate tools and practices that protect data from loss or modification. This
includes categorizing data, backing up data, and monitoring how data is shared across and outside an
organization. For example, you can use SIEM solutions DLP solutions to scan outgoing emails to determine if
sensitive information is being inappropriately shared.
Intrusion detection system (IDS)
IDS solutions are tools for monitoring incoming traffic and detecting threats. These tools evaluate traffic and
alert on any instances that appear suspicious or malicious.
Intrusion prevention system (IPS)
IPS security solutions are similar to IDS solutions and the two are often used together. These solutions respond
to traffic that is identified as suspicious or malicious, blocking requests or ending user sessions. You can use
IPS solutions to manage your network traffic according to defined security policies.
User behavioral analytics (UBA)
UBA solutions gather information on user activities and correlate those behaviors into a baseline. Solutions
then use this baseline as a comparison against new behaviors to identify inconsistencies. The solution then
flags these inconsistencies as potential threats. For example, you can use UBA solutions to monitor user
activities and identify if a user begins exporting large amounts of data, indicating an insider threat.
Blockchain cybersecurity
Blockchain cybersecurity is a technology that relies on immutable transactional events. In blockchain
technologies, distributed networks of users verify the authenticity of transactions and ensure that integrity is
maintained. While these technologies are not yet widely used, some companies are beginning to incorporate
blockchain into more solutions.
Endpoint detection and response (EDR)
EDR cybersecurity solutions enable you to monitor endpoint activity, identify suspicious activity, and
automatically respond to threats. These solutions are intended to improve the visibility of endpoint devices
and can be used to prevent threats from entering your networks or information from leaving. EDR solutions
rely on continuous endpoint data collection, detection engines, and event logging.
Cloud security posture management (CSPM)
CSPM is a set of practices and technologies you can use to evaluate your cloud resources’ security. These
technologies enable you to scan configurations, compare protections to benchmarks, and ensure that security
policies are applied uniformly. Often, CSPM solutions provide recommendations or guidelines for remediation
that you can use to improve your security posture.
 PRIVACY

Privacy is a well-known subject for quite a few years and yet very few have a better understanding fully. Privacy is
an essential element for maintaining humanity and social responsibilities and relationships. Humans value their
privacy and protection of personal data. Any individual does not want anyone to access their personal data at any
time, but recent developments in the technologies and competition among the corporate giants to expand the
market threaten the privacy of individuals than ever before. 21st century has seen the world of Big Data and
advanced information technology gave a new sphere to access data and processing them at a very convenient
phase. Many researchers stated the worries that threaten privacy and security are now real that we have the
capabilities to access, collect, analyses data in large quantities of internet search, telephone conversations,
electronic payments and personal information are been breached by varies government agencies and for business
firms having this data is a huge asset to expand their market. Apart from all this the privacy remains the
considerable point to be discussed and redefine the policies agreements and ethics for a better place to live
(Santanen, 2019).

The Value of Privacy:

Privacy and latest technologies almost go hand in hand ranging from high tech technologies such as genetics,
biometrics to social media, smart phones, cybersecurity programs, Big Data and search engines. There are two
receptions with wide spread of technology and the impact on the privacy and personal information. The first one is
all our data is somehow held by IT industry which resembles that we have no privacy in the world of technology
where digital age has taken over and there is no alternative to protect our privacy and get over it. The second one is
that our personal information and privacy is more important than ever (Hoven,2014). As technology has become a
part of our life and there is no secret that it got integrated to our lives. Privacy is an important element in the
society for the formation of the relationships by allowing us to know parts of our self to family and friends
withholding from the rest of the world. Varies study found that 91% of adult’s own mobile phone or laptop and our
personal information is stored in the devices is increasing and is been gathered constantly.

Moral Reasons and Ethics for Protecting Personal Data:

Privacy, trust and security are all very closed interlinked to form laws and ethics. The measure privacy and security
may vary from each individual and depend on various other factors. Privacy in health department may have ethical
values different to when compared to financial sectors like banking. The trust relies on privacy safeguarding and
security. Ethics give us the measure of law allowing us to trade various data fairly. Breach in privacy can lead us
loose trust and diluting the security measures, which shows dishonor to the law and violation of the ethical values
(lee & zankl, 2016).

Ethical regulations regarding privacy are referred below

· Unauthorized access to private information
· Incongruous use of data
· Guidelines to be followed when collecting data of an individual
· Data availability subjected to legal rights and ownership.

Data Privacy Protection:

The need of protecting data and personal information is of urgent importance and complex. As way the technology
has evolved in the last two decades the need for data protection in of utmost important in everyone’s life. We are
living in a space of technology- driven and information abundant corporate world. The positive side of this is we are
benefited with transparency in the market, where customers or consumers are well informed about business models
and trade opportunities and gives the opportunity for all individuals to be aware of what is going around. The other
side of this technology has a deep scare which include socio-techno risk, evolved with technology and users (e.g.,
cyberterrorism, identity theft, warfare on information, online scams) and organized social crime to exploit other
personal information. So, the need for data protection is much needed than ever before. The essential need for
protecting data of personal information is an important factor to develop and execute various strategies to make
sure that data privacy policies, guidelines and set up standards which work efficiently with enhanced technologies
to prevent threat for data privacy. The policies or law regulations must be efficient, economically good, ethical and
should be accepted by all on all bases. This is very important as problems evolve only after implementation of these
polices or laws. Data privacy protection is so complex and critical in today’s world with huge leap forward in the
socio-techno changes in the recent time to process and store large junks of data through internet usage. The figure
1 below shows the information privacy for various environments and are categorized into three dimensions i.e. time
dimension where computation of data for analyzing and processing for market place. Matter dimension which has
privacy and protection of data such as web browsing to and from user to browser and social media data. And, the
last is the space dimension which deals with the data privacy of individual or group or an organization.
Impact of Technology on Privacy:
Information technology is referred as automated systems for processing and storing huge junks of data and
circulating information. The quantity of processing and storing data has increased rapidly along with the innovations
in technology over the last decade. These developments in technology has changed the digital world and now on
the brisk of taking over the privacy of an individual. As the connectivity and access of information increased, also
increases the risks of personal data breach, inequality in social life.

Social Media: As every day passes social media plays a major role in our lives and been integral part in our daily
activities. This made the privacy on social media has been more important than ever and may have huge impact on
our life on either way. Hacking a social media account such as Facebook, twitter, Instagram may impersonate us
and may share valuable information. Online hackers or criminals targeting to breach personal data to blackmail,
spread virus, scams and much worse is identity theft. Stalking and cyberbullying in the recent times has become a
threat, and social media provides easy ways for them to carry out. There is been a conflict serving the advertising
customers and the users of social media, and as a result we see privacy breach and collecting information for
marketing. Location-based services increase the threat on privacy and security. Well governed regulations need to
be put in place to secure users privacy (Jan 2016).

Various activities on social media

Big Data: When public uses internet they generate huge junks of data when surfing online. This gives an insight of
the user and apart from this provide voluminous statistical data. Employing data mining gives us the patterns from
the data and these patterns are used to determine about the user interests and behavior. Big data impact only
online users but, depending on the information shared to other third-party services it may impact online users
completely on different bases. It is a well-known fact that these companies can know about the user than the people
around them and this is a frightening thing in privacy and security issues. The multinational companies dealing with
big data has a huge concern on data privacy on ethics and laws and regulations and companies may has breached
privacy, unfair analysis over users.

How Technology Solve Privacy Concerns

Design methods: providing a set of rules and regulations in the initial stage of the design process keeping in mind
certain ethics and values. ‘Privacy by Design’ approach which focus on privacy which has seven principles
guidelines for preserving the privacy of the users (Cavoukian, 2010). In this approach privacy has been a proactive
rather than aftermath. This approach has made privacy as a centered stage in all phases from initial design to final
product.

Privacy Enhancing Technologies: various tools are readily available for the users to provide privacy in some or
the other form. On such example is a Tor (Dingledine, Mathewson, 2004) which is a communication-anonymizing
tool. it allows users to browse and share content in the internet through unspecified means and number of
cryptographic techniques are used to provide the privacy and security for the user. Apart from this they also have
the other side where this Tor tool is suspicious to attack over the internet. Various tools such as Freenet are also
available but have the same downside as Tor which is suspicious to hacking.

Cryptography: It has been used as a means of protecting data for a very long time. Modern cryptography
techniques such as homomorphic encryption has become a potential technique to provide protection to data
(Gentry, 2009). Homomorphic encryption performs the calculations on the data that is already encrypted without
decrypting the data in the first place. by doing so this provides a way more secure computing in cloud computing. It
plays an important role in cloud computing companies providing a secure atmosphere for privacy and data.
Homomorphic Encryption
Identity Management: it is a means of authenticating and authorizing individuals or groups to have access to
their accounts or systems in an organization through network. Policies and ethics in identity management plays an
important role in this world of technology to minimize the fraud and misuse. Identity management in corporate
companies plays a key role in security plans and breach of data, as many organizations provide access to the
employees beyond their actual usage of the system. In that case hackers or attackers can take advantage and
threats like hacking, malware attacks could occur. It plays critical role in any organization or individual by protecting
assets and information from unauthorized users or attackers.

Many researchers have agreed on two broad conclusions regarding one’s privacy. Firstly, privacy is critical for
preservation of human self-respect and secondly privacy plays a key role in the society to maintain relationships
which are the stepping stones of a happy and well-functioning society. If there is no concept of privacy, social and
affectionate relationships among people would take down side and difference among relationships are hardly seen.
There should be always given importance to privacy and security for individuals and society should recognize it and
various actions need to be taken to protect it for the humanity to survive in the long run. Privacy is a nonrenewable
entity, once personal data is collected and exposed cannot be undone. They have been threats to privacy
throughout the existence of humanity but with the constant growth in the technologies which has been part of life
by now is the single largest threat that humanity has ever faced. With increasing Capabilities and Processing power
in technologies that keeps a close watch on every single move and processing and recording most of the data
details of our lives to rapidly growing data related marketing. This data is processed, analyzing the patterns and
then sharing this data to anyone who are willing pay for the data has been the greatest threat which has a potential
harm to forever change the human experience in the society. very little effort has been made to fill the vacuum in
policies related to privacy. we can argue that there is lot of potential and we should make serious considerations
how society address the loop holes in the policies by the technology to provide a better place to live without the fear
of insecurity (Santanen, 2019).

Lesson 1. INTERNET
In 1989, Tim Berners-Lee is also known as TimBL, an English engineer
and computer scientist, best known as the inventor of the World Wide Web,
an Internet-based hypermedia initiative for global information sharing. He is
Director of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), a Web standards organization
founded in 1994
that develops interoperable technologies (specifications, guidelines, software,
and tools) to lead the Web to its full potential.

Figure 1. Tim
Berners-Lee
The Internet is the biggest world-wide communication network of computers. The Internet has millions of smaller
domestic, academic, business, and government networks, which together carry many different kinds of
information. The short form of internet is the 'net'. It is used by billions of people all over the world. Internet
allows people to improve the quality of their
life. It opens access to the previously inaccessible things. With almost three million of users, internet has been
emerging as one of the most important tools of communication.

The Internet is the largest computer network in the world, connecting millions of computers. A network is a group
of two or more computer systems linked together. When most people think of the Internet, the first thing they think
about is the World Wide Web. Nowadays, the terms "Internet" and "World Wide Web" are often used
interchangeably—but they're actually not the same thing. The Internet is the physical network of computers all
over the world. The World Wide Web is a virtual network of websites connected by hyperlinks (or "links").
Websites are stored on servers on the Internet, so the World Wide Web is a part of the Internet.

HTML
The backbone of the World Wide Web is made of HTML files, which are specially
formatted documents that can contain links, as well as images and other media.
All web browsers can read HTML files. In addition to HTML, it's common for
websites to use technologies
like CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and JavaScript to do more advanced things.

Figure 2. HTML Codes

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
To get to a web page, you can type the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) into a browser. The URL, also known as the
web address, tells the browser exactly where to find the page. However, most of the time, people get to a web page
by following a link from a different page or by searching for the page using a search engine.

Figure 3. URL example

The World Wide Web is a system for displaying text, graphics, and audio retrieved over... A hypertext
document with its corresponding text and hyperlinks is written in HyperText Markup Language (HTML) and is
assigned an online address called a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). WWW stands for World Wide Web. In simple
terms, The World Wide Web is a way of exchanging information between computers on the Internet, tying them
together into a vast collection of interactive multimedia resources. Internet and Web is not the same thing: Web
uses internet to pass over the information. The World Wide Web functions as an application layer protocol that is run
"on top of" (figuratively) the Internet, helping to make it more functional. The advent of the Mosaic web browser
helped to make the web much more usable, to include the display of images and moving images (GIFs).

The Web works as per the Internet's basic client-server format as shown in the following image. The servers
store and transfer web pages or information to user's computers on the network when requested by the users. A
web server is a software program which serves the web pages requested by web users using a browser.
 Benefits of the World Wide Web
 It is accessible from anywhere around the globe with the availability of the internet.
 You can get access to information or make information accessible to the world.
 You can connect to people from anywhere by sitting in your home.
Features of World Wide Web
 HyperText Information System
 Cross-Platform
 Distributed. Approximately 70 million active sites as of December 2007
 Open Standards and Open Source. TCP/IP, HTTP, HTML, CSS
 Web Browser: provides a single interface to many services
 Dynamic, Interactive, Evolving.

Providers (ISP)
 ISP – Internet Service Providers
o Providers or host computers are connected to Internet.
o It may be National, Regional or Wireless
 Connection Technologies includes:
o Dial-ups, DSL, Cable and Wireless Modems
 Users (Client), ISP (Server) forming Client/Server Network

Websites - It is a group of related Web Pages. a location connected to the Internet that
maintains one or more pages on the World Wide Web.

Did you know?

 The World Wide Web was created in 1989 by Tim Berners-Lee, a software engineer. Before then,
computers could communicate over the Internet, but there were no webpages.
 The foundation of the Internet began in 1969, when the U.S. Department of Defense created ARPAnet, a
project to allow military personnel to communicate with each other in an emergency.
 By 2012, the number of Internet users worldwide reached 2.4 billion—about one-third of the world's population.
 To store all of the information that's available on the Internet, you would need more than 1 billion DVDs or 200
million Blu-ray discs.

Lesson 2. HOW IS THE INTERNET USED

As the Internet has grown, it has developed into a multi-faceted tool
with a vast range of uses. It's now easy to keep in touch with
friends, publish your own articles, or even watch your favorite TV
shows using the Internet.
In this lesson, we'll talk about some of the ways the Internet is used
today, including blogs, social networking, instant messaging, VoIP,
and media.

The three ingredients to browse, “surf” and use the internet are the following:
Internet Connection
Internet Browser Software Figure 4. The Internet Today
Internet Capable Computer

Web Browser
The most common Web Browser is the Microsoft Internet
Explorer; it is used to be Netscape Navigator. Other
browsers are available from the internet and most of
them are free.

Uses of Internet

Figure 5. Web Browsers

Based on a recent survey of Internet traffic, the 10 most popular uses of the Internet in descending order of use are:
Electronic mail. At least 85% of the inhabitants of cyberspace send and receive e-mail. Some 20 million e-mail
messages cross the Internet every week.

1. Electronic Mail
2. Research
 3. Downloading files
4. Discussion groups - These include public groups, such as those on Usenet, and the private mailing lists that ListServ
manages.
5. Interactive games
6. Education and self-improvement - On-line courses and workshops have found yet another outlet.
7. Friendship and dating - You may be surprised at the number of electronic “personals” that you can find on the
World Wide Web.
8. Electronic newspapers and magazines - This category includes late-breaking news, weather, and sports. We’re likely
to see this
category leap to the top five in the next several years.
 9. Job-hunting - Classified ads are in abundance, but most are for technical positions.
10.Shopping - It’s difficult to believe that this category even ranks. It appears that “cybermalls” are more for curious
than serious
shoppers.

Internet Application

 Sending and receiving email.

 Searching and browsing information archives.
 Copying files between computers.
 Conducting financial transactions.
 Navigating (in your car, smart scooter, smart bike, or other)
 Playing interactive games.
 Video and music streaming.
 Chat or voice communication (direct messaging, video conferencing)

The Most-Used Languages on the Internet

Most-Used Languages in Percentage of World Most- Used

The World Languages Online
by User
1. English 15.0% 1. English
2. Chinese 15.0% 2. Chinese
3. Hindi 7.2% 3. Spanish
4. Spanish 6.9% 4. Arabic
Table 1. The Most Language in the Internet

Lesson 3. FINDING INFORMATION ONLINE

The most common way to find information online is with a search engine. Web search engine or just search engine
is a tool designed to “look” for information on the World Wide Web, such as web sites, web pages, images, videos
and other types of information.

Figure 6. Search
If you already know exactly whatEngine
you're looking for, a search engine is the best way to find it. Search engines use
keywords or phrases you choose to determine which web pages have relevant information. Think of a search
engine as an index for the web. The most relevant results appear at the top of the screen.
How do you search information on Google?
Step 1: Go to Google (But Which
Google?) ... Step 2: Go to Google Via A
Toolbar. ...
Step 3: Enter Your Search Terms. ...
Step 4: Review Your Search Results.
... Step 5: Preview Your Answers. ...
Step 6: Refine Your Google Search.
... Step 7: Congratulate Yourself!

Lesson 4. INTELLIGENT PERSONAL ASSISTANTS

If you're using a mobile device, there are some situations when it's not convenient to type a search into a search
engine. Instead, you can simply talk to your device's intelligent personal assistant.

Microsoft – Cortana
Google – Google
Assistant Amazon –
Alexa
Samsung – Bixby
Apple – Siri

Figure 7. Digital Personal Assistance

An intelligent virtual assistant (IVA) or intelligent personal assistant (IPA) is a software agent that can
perform tasks or services for an individual based on commands or questions. The term "chatbot" is sometimes
used to refer to virtual assistants generally or specifically accessed by online chat. When you communicate with
a virtual assistant by voice, you can trigger the assistant and ask your question without pausing. Then you can
type in your question or request, and Siri and Google will respond by text. Smart speakers, such as the Amazon
Echo can only respond to voice commands. A virtual assistant is a self-employed worker who specializes in
offering administrative services to clients from a remote location, usually a home office. Typical tasks a virtual
assistant might perform include scheduling appointments, making phone calls, making travel arrangements, and
managing email accounts.
How does an Intelligent Personal Assistant Work?

A virtual assistant is a technology based on artificial intelligence. The software uses a device’s microphone to
receive voice requests while the voice output takes place at the speaker. But the most exciting thing happens
between these two actions. It is a combination of several different technologies: voice recognition, voice analysis
and language processing. When a user asks a
personal assistant to perform a task, the natural language audio signal is converted into digital data that can be
analyzed by the software. Then this data is compared with a database of the software using an innovative algorithm
to find a suitable answer. This database is located on distributed servers in cloud networks. For this reason, most
personal assistants cannot work without a reliable Internet connection. With the increasing number of queries the
software’s database gets expanded and optimized, which improves voice recognition and increases the response
time of the system.

Smart Speakers: The Extension of Intelligent Assistance

Amazon succeeded in taking an important step towards the development of an entire infrastructure for virtual
assistance in 2014 as the company introduced Echo, the first Smart Speaker. Later, Google and Microsoft created
their intelligent loudspeakers – Google Home and Harman Kardon. Apple entered the race with its Apple Homepod
only in 2018. Smart Speakers are stylish objects which are used in home environment and combine the
functionality of a music speaker and an intelligent assistant. Equipped with an innovative voice recognition system,
they are able to recognize the user’s voice from a distance of more than 5 meters. Such smart speakers differ from
other common gadgets, which are personal items that have to be taken along all the time. Smart speakers are
designed as stationary entertainment objects for the whole family and can be used by all family members. It is not
surprising that the voice recognition software, on which a smart speaker is based, feels most comfortable in its own
digital ecosystem. Google Assistant is at its best with Google Apps, Google Home and other Google devices. And
Alexa, the voice software from Amazon, behaves the same on gadgets from the Amazon family. Cortana, the
software of Microsoft, is an exception. With this product Microsoft wants to establish itself as a leading provider in
the area of virtual assistance for businesses. Cortana is therefore optimized for Microsoft business applications such
as Office or Dynamics, as well as for the LinkedIn platform. In addition, the American software giant succeeded in
convincing two automobile manufacturers to implement Cortana. Nissan and Volkswagen vehicles will be equipped
with Cortana voice recognition software.

Unique Features of Voice Recognition Software

The concept of all voice recognition systems is similar, but each system has its own unique features. Google
Assistant does particularly well in understanding the context of what has been said. The system benefits from the
gigantic database of search entries. On other assistants you have to send commands more precisely so that the
desired task is completed correctly. Google is most likely to know what you want if you try it in different ways.
Moreover, it will soon be possible to communicate with Google assistant in several languages. Recently, the system
has also included so-called routines. These are voice commands that can involve a chain of actions. The sequence of
commands is programmed by the user.

Alexa from Amazon

The system can be expanded with one of the 15 000 skills. Skills are special extensions that offer more
functionality. For example, there are many translators of the most common languages, assistants for
television programs, but also news and weather skills. Skills that read audio books from Amazon Kindle are
also very popular. Alexa also enables an optimal collaboration of all compatible devices as well as
automatic voice recognition. So you can also get individual suggestions from Alexa.

Siri from Apple

Siri also has her talents, especially when it comes to networking and collaboration between Apple’s
numerous devices. Voice recognition works with the same precision on older gadgets, which are still
allowed to receive updates, and on completely new ones. The personal assistant is even integrated into the
Apple TV remote control and offers numerous options. Siri’s big advantage is the number of supported
languages. Apple offers 21 languages for 36 different countries. Siri enables very good speech recognition
and is also able to recognize the individual voice of the speaker. Unfortunately, this option is not yet
available for HomePod.

Cortana from Microsoft

Cortana from Microsoft is available on every platform and can be used under MacOS and iOS, as well as
on Android, Windows 10 and even Xbox One. Important meetings, reminders and notes are available on all
devices. Due to its Windows 10 integration, Cortana is most widely used on desktop PCs and notebooks
and offers good support for Office or Outlook. Microsoft’s Personal Assistant stores all personal information
directly on the device and even allows users to view the stored data. In order to extend the functionality of
its personal assistant, Microsoft has announced that Alexa will be integrated into Windows 10
alongside Cortana in 2018. But it is not clear how the tasks will be distributed.

Lesson 5. USING THE INTERNET TO COMMUNICATE

The Internet isn't just about finding information. It's also about connecting with friends, family, and people you've
never met before. Today, there are many different ways to communicate online, including: E-Mail, social
networking, chat, VoIP, and blogging.
✓ The Internet provides a very fast and most effective means of communication and information sharing. ✓ It is
quick and very convenient ✓ It offers a wide range of information and data ✓ It can be used as a medium for long
 distance learning. ✓ Provides up to date information on any subject or topic etc. Email, social
networking and instant messaging
all affect daily communication. The Internet has changed the style, speed and quality of interpersonal
communication. While the Internet is an excellent tool for productivity and keeping in touch, it hinders proper
communication in certain situations. When communication occurs, it typically happens in one of three ways:
verbal, nonverbal and visual. People very often take communication for granted. Communicators constantly
exchange information, meaning people always seem to be either receiving or giving information.
The world is continuously evolving, and with the emergence of digital technology, it is changing rapidly. What used
to take months to deliver is now taking a few seconds. Today, communication tools have bridged the gap between
different countries. Moreover, internet communication ensures an instant connection between people on opposite
sides of the world. We know that the internet is a collection of connected networks that transfers data via packet
switching with the help of Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP). Unlike before, people can now connect to their friends,
family, or relatives in any part of the globe while staying at home. Thanks to the internet phone number. Internet-
based communication refers to sharing information over the internet. From instant messaging to placing calls, the
internet offers multiple ways to communicate. These tools help you save a considerable amount. Some of them like
email, social networking, and instant messaging are available free of cost, whereas some like internet telephony
provide you with numerous advantages at cost-effective prices.

The internet has also changed the way we communicate on a global scale. However, the internet has
allowed people to maintain relationships that are both local and long distance. Nowadays, with the increase
in smart phones and social media, we can now stay in touch with people wherever you are in the world.
The internet has made communication easier and faster it's allowed us to stay in contact with people
regardless of time and location. It's accelerated the pace of business and widened the possibilities within the
enterprise space.

Chat and Instant Messaging

 Chat and instant messaging
 It also serves as Discussion Groups together with E-mails.
 Two examples are Yahoo! Messenger and Microsoft Messenger.
 Some sites, such as Gmail and Facebook, allow you to chat within your browser.

When it comes to internet-based communication tools, Instant Messaging (IM) is one

of the most popular means. With services as such, you can have a private
conversation with another individual as well as create a chat room where you can
communicate in real-time with more than
two people. The popularity of instant messaging is due to its real-time nature. As opposed
to email, that makes you wait until the recipient checks your email and sends a reply, IM
enables you to view
if a person in your contact list is online and send a message that pops immediately on his device’s screen.
Figure 8. Chat
Box Further, the business world is also embracing this communication tool at a fast pace. It allows employees to
reach their managers and colleagues working remotely instantly or in other branches while eliminating the
need to place calls when they require information immediately. Thus, it helps save time and decrease
business communication expenses. Some of the popular IM services are AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo
Messenger, MSN Messenger, and more. Features and functionalities offered by each of them demonstrate a fine line
of distinction. However, you can get the package that best suits your needs.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), allows you to have

telephone service through your Internet connection. Some
services also let you do video conferencing, such as Skype and
Facebook Video Calling.
Many of these services are free or very inexpensive, and some
people use them as a replacement for a landline or simply to
save minutes on their mobile phones.

Blogs
Today, the average user has the ability to shape the Web
by adding to it. If you have knowledge or interests that
you're passionate about, you can create your own blog
and share
your thoughts with the world. There are many sites like blogger.com and Figure 9. VoIP
wordpress.com that let you create a blog for free. You don't need any web design experience - most of the technical
stuff has already been created for you, and you can choose a predesigned template that has the look and feel that
you want.

Vlogs
A video blog or video log, sometimes shortened to vlog is a form of blog for which the medium is video, and is a
form of web television. Vlog entries often combine embedded video (or a video link) with supporting text, images,
and other metadata. Entries can be recorded in one take or cut into multiple parts. Vlog category is popular on the
video-sharing platform YouTube. In recent years, “vlogging” has spawned a large community on social media,
becoming one of the most popular forms of digital entertainment. It is popularly believed that, alongside being
entertaining, vlogs can deliver deep context through imagery as opposed to written blogs. Video logs (vlogs) also
often take advantage of web syndication to allow for the distribution of video over the Internet using either the RSS
or Atom syndication formats, for automatic aggregation and playback on mobile devices and personal computers
(see video podcast).
Email
Most of the mainframes, microcomputers, and computer networks come with an email system. Many email systems
are confined to a single network or computer, whereas some boast gateways to other computer systems. Hence,
you can send email anywhere in the world. You can also use email client software like Microsoft Outlook that lets
you compose an email and send it to another person, provided that you know the recipient’s email address. Every
Internet Service Provider and online service offers an email system and also supports gateways so that you can
communicate without any hassles. It also lets you broadcast data as well as share documents with a group.
 Internet Relay Chat
More popularly known as IRC, it is a multi-user chat system that facilitates you to join channels or groups to
communicate privately or in groups. IRC works on a client-server model. That means you require an IRC client and
an active internet connection to join any IRC discussion. Once you join an IRC chat room, you will be able to send
messages to all the participants of the chat room or send a personal message to an individual. Some IRC clients
enable you to create your own channel, where you can invite others to join it. Further, you can even safeguard your
chat room with a password to make the discussion more private.

Videoconferencing
One more internet-based communication tool on our list is videoconferencing. It is a platform or medium where two
or more participants connect using their respective computer networks. It requires the participant to have a
microphone, video camera, and speakers connected to his system. Videoconferencing can be successful only when
both participants use the same software or client service. You will find many free and paid video conferencing tools
available online to download. Most of the web cameras come along with video conferencing software. It provides a
visual connection and interaction features that Instant Messaging and email systems cannot offer. Thus, it serves as
an excellent tool for long-distance learning, webinars, collaboration projects, and more.

Wireless Communications and SMS

Short Message Service (SMS) helps you send alphanumeric information wirelessly but, it restricts you from sending
images or graphics. However, as the wireless service evolved, we got introduced to Multimedia Messaging Service
(MMS). This enables you to send text, numbers, images, graphics, and audio to MMS-capable handsets. Wireless
communications are possible through wireless devices like smartphones and PDAs. These devices not only enable
you to make calls but also send an email, messages, and more.

Asynchronous and Synchronous

There are two types of communication: Asynchronous and Synchronous. SmallBizTools recently published a
sales productivity tools guide where they break down the difference between Asynchronous and Synchronous
communication. Asynchronous communication is not instant (email for example) while synchronous communication
is (video conferencing and instant messaging). Effective communication and collaboration are requiring blend of
both. Now that we have encapsulated the types of internet communication tools, let’s determine to what extent
people leverage them.

Lesson 6. MEDIA
The term media, which is the plural of medium, refers to the communication channels through which we
disseminate news, music, movies, education, promotional messages and other data. ... We used to get all our news
and entertainment via TV, radio, newspapers and magazines. Media plays an important role for the whole society.
Gives us immense knowledge & transmits information – Media keeps us informed about various happening around
the world. It lets us know what is happening around us and all over the world. With the help of media, we get
immense knowledge on various subjects. Modern media comes in many different formats, including print media
(books, magazines, newspapers), television, movies, video games, music, cell phones, various kinds of software,
and the Internet. Each type of media involves both content and also a device or object through which that content is
delivered.

Multimedia or Media on the Internet

TV, radio, and the Internet used to be completely separate things, but that's no longer true with today's technology.
You can now watch TV shows on your computer, and you can connect to the Internet on many TVs and DVD/Blu-ray
players. You can listen to online radio from all over the world, thus granting you greater access to a more diverse
range of media.

Streaming Media
TV and radio on the Internet are examples of streaming media,
which means the media downloads while it's playing so you
don't have to wait for it to download first. Not all media is
Figure 10. Radio Streaming
streaming. If you've ever
bought music via the iTunes Store, you probably had to wait for it to
download before you could listen to it.

Media players and Embedded Media

Media is often embedded in a webpage, which means it plays within the
web browser. Other times, you'll use a separate program called a media
player to play it. Examples include Windows Media Player and iTunes. An
iPod contains built-in media player software that can play various types of
files.

Online Media on your TV Figure 11. Media Player

You can now access online TV shows, movies, and music on your TV. Many newer TVs are able to connect to an
existing Internet connection. Apple TV and Roku are two examples of digital media receivers. Many game consoles,
such as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation, can also be used to access online content. Today, the popular media
platform is the Netflix and iFlix.

Using the Internet in the Future

The Internet is always changing, and the ways in which we access it will
also continue to change. Current trends will become more common and
integrated into our everyday lives. In addition, we'll see many technologies
and devices in the future that will allow us to use the Internet in new and
exciting ways.
Newspaper, magazine, radio, television and internet are the different types of media. It greatly
affects our lives because media has the power to influence our thoughts. This influence is sometimes
positive and sometimes negative. Media educates the people to know about their basic rights and how to use
them. Mass media is communication—whether written, broadcast, or spoken—that reaches a large audience. Mass
media is a significant force in modern culture, particularly in America. Sociologists refer to this as a mediated
culture where media reflects and creates the culture.

While many of us enjoy staying connected on social media, excessive use can fuel feelings of anxiety, depression,
isolation, and FOMO. Here’s how to modify your habits and improve your mood. Human beings are social creatures.
We need the companionship of others to thrive in life, and the strength of our connections has a huge impact on our
mental health and happiness. Being socially connected to others can ease stress, anxiety, and depression, boost
self-worth, provide comfort and joy, prevent loneliness, and even add years to your life. On the flip side, lacking
strong social connections can pose a serious risk to your mental and emotional health. In today’s world, many of us
rely on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, and Instagram to find and connect
with each other. While each has its benefits, it’s important to remember that social media can never be a
replacement for real-world human connection. It requires in-person contact with others to trigger the hormones that
alleviate stress and make you feel happier, healthier, and more positive. Ironically for a technology that’s designed
to bring people closer together, spending too much time engaging with social media can actually make you feel
more lonely and isolated—and exacerbate mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. If you’re
spending an excessive amount of time on social media and feelings of sadness, dissatisfaction, frustration, or
loneliness are impacting your life, it may be time to re-examine your online habits and find a healthier balance.

These days, most of us access social media via our smartphones or tablets. While this makes it very convenient to
keep in touch, it also means that social media is always accessible. This round-the-clock, hyper connectivity can
trigger impulse control problems, the constant alerts and notifications affecting your concentration and focus,
disturbing your sleep, and making you a slave to your phone. Social media platforms are designed to snare your
attention, keep you online, and have you repeatedly checking your screen for updates. It’s how the companies
make money. But, much like a gambling compulsion or an addiction to nicotine, alcohol, or drugs, social media use
can create psychological cravings. When you receive a like, a share, or a favorable reaction to a post, it can trigger
the release of dopamine in the brain, the same “reward” chemical that follows winning on a slot machine, taking a
bite of chocolate, or lighting up a cigarette, for example. The more you’re rewarded, the more time you want to
spend on social media, even if it becomes detrimental to other aspects of your life.

The Positive Aspects of Social Media

While virtual interaction on social media doesn’t have the same psychological benefits as face-to-face contact, there
are still many positive ways in which it can help you stay connected and support your well-being. Social media enables
you to:
 Communicate and stay up to date with family and friends around the world.
 Find new friends and communities; network with other people who share similar interests or ambitions.
 Join or promote worthwhile causes; raise awareness on important issues.
 Seek or offer emotional support during tough times.
 Find vital social connection if you live in a remote area, for example, or have limited independence, social
anxiety, or are part of a marginalized group.
 Find an outlet for your creativity and self-expression.
 Discover (with care) sources of valuable information and learning.

The Negative Aspects of Social Media

Since it’s a relatively new technology, there’s little research to establish the long-term consequences, good or bad,
of social media use. However, multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an
increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts. Social media may promote
negative experiences such as:

 Inadequacy about your life or appearance. Even if you know the images that you’re viewing on social
media are manipulated, they can still make you feel insecure about how you look or what’s going on in your
own life. Similarly, we’re all aware that other people tend to share just the highlights of their lives, rarely the
low points that everyone experiences. But that doesn’t lessen those feelings of envy and dissatisfaction when
you’re scrolling through a friend’s airbrushed photos of their tropical beach holiday or reading about their
exciting new promotion at work.
 Fear of missing out (FOMO). While FOMO has been around far longer than social media, sites such as
Facebook and Instagram seem to exacerbate feelings that others are having more fun or living better lives
than you are. The idea that you’re missing out on certain things can impact your self-esteem, trigger anxiety,
and fuel even greater social media use. FOMO can compel you to pick up your phone every few minutes to
check for updates, or compulsively respond to each and
every alert—even if that means taking risks while you’re driving, missing out on sleep at night, or prioritizing
social media
interaction over real world relationships.
 Isolation. A study at the University of Pennsylvania found that high usage of Facebook,
Snapchat, and Instagram increases rather decreases feelings of loneliness. Conversely, the study found that
reducing social media usage can actually make you feel less lonely and isolated and improve your overall well-
 being.
 Depression and Anxiety. Human beings need face-to-face contact to be mentally healthy. Nothing
reduces stress and boosts your mood faster or more effectively than eye-to-eye contact with someone who
cares about you. The more you prioritize social media interaction over in-person relationships, the more you’re
at risk for developing or exacerbating mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.
  Cyberbullying. About 10 percent of teens report being bullied on social media and many other users are
subjected to offensive comments. Social media platforms such as Twitter can be hot spots for spreading
hurtful rumors, lies, and abuse that can leave lasting emotional scars.
 Self-absorption. Sharing endless selfies and all your innermost thoughts on social media can create an
unhealthy self- centeredness and distance you from real-life connections.

Other Causes of Unhealthy Social Media Use

 A fear of missing out (FOMO) can keep you returning to social media over and over again. Even though there
are very few things that can’t wait or need an immediate response, FOMO will have you believing otherwise.
Perhaps you’re worried that you’ll be left out of the conversation at school or work if you miss the latest news
or gossip on social media? Or maybe you feel that your relationships will suffer if you don’t immediately like,
share, or respond to other people’s posts? Or you could be worried you’ll miss out on an invitation or that
other people are having a better time than you.

 Many of us use social media as a “security blanket”. Whenever we’re in a social situation and feel anxious,
awkward, or lonely, we turn to our phones and log on to social media. Of course, interacting with social media
only denies you the face-to- face interaction that can help to ease anxiety.

 Your heavy social media use could be masking other underlying problems, such as stress, depression, or
boredom. If you spend more time on social media when you’re feeling down, lonely, or bored, you may be
using it as a way to distract yourself from unpleasant feelings or self-soothe your moods. While it can be
difficult at first, allowing yourself to feel can open you up to finding healthier ways to manage your moods.

The Vicious Cycle of Unhealthy Social Media Use

Excessive social media use can create a negative, self-perpetuating cycle:

i. When you feel lonely, depressed, anxious, or stressed, you use social media more often—as a way to relieve
boredom or feel connected to others.
i. Using social media more often, though, increases FOMO and feelings of inadequacy, dissatisfaction, and isolation.
ii. In turn, these feelings negatively affect your mood and worsen symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.
iii. These worsening symptoms cause you to use social media even more, and so the downward spiral continues.

Signs that Social Media is Impacting your Mental Health

Everyone is different and there is no specific amount of time spent on social media, or the frequency you check for
updates, or the number of posts you make that indicates your use is becoming unhealthy. Rather, it has to do with
the impact time spent on social media has on your mood and other aspects of your life, along with your motivations
for using it. For example, your social media use may be problematic if it causes you to neglect face-to-face
relationships, distracts you from work or school, or leaves you feeling envious, angry, or depressed. Similarly, if
you’re motivated to use social media just because you’re bored or lonely, or want to post something to make others
jealous or upset, it may be time to reassess your social media habits. Indicators that social media may be adversely
affecting your mental health include:

 Spending more time on social media than with real world friends. Using social media has become a
substitute for a lot of your offline social interaction. Even if you’re out with friends, you still feel the need to
constantly check social media, often driven by feelings that others may be having more fun than you.
 Comparing yourself unfavorably with others on social media. You have low self-esteem or negative
body image. You may even have patterns of disordered eating.
 Experiencing cyberbullying. Or you worry that you have no control over the things people post about you.
 Being distracted at school or work. You feel pressure to post regular content about yourself, get
comments or likes on your posts, or respond quickly and enthusiastically to friends’ posts.
 Having no time for self-reflection. Every spare moment is filled by engaging with social media, leaving
you little or no time for reflecting on who you are, what you think, or why you act the way that you do—the
things that allow you to grow as a person.
 Engaging in risky behavior in order to gain likes, shares, or positive reactions on social media.
You play dangerous pranks, post embarrassing material, cyberbully others, or access your phone while driving
or in other unsafe situations.
 Suffering from sleep problems. Do you check social media last thing at night, first thing in the morning, or
even when you wake up in the night? The light from phones and other devices can disrupt your sleep, which in
turn can have a serious impact on your mental health.
 Worsening symptoms of anxiety or depression. Rather than helping to alleviate negative feelings and
boost your mood, you feel more anxious, depressed, or lonely after using social media.

Lesson 7. INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION SYSTEM

An information system is a set of interrelated components that collect, manipulate, store data
and disseminate information and provide a feedback mechanism to monitor performance. Introduction to
Information Systems provides the basics of information systems, a requirement for everyone working in various
types of organizations today. Information technology is an extremely important and increasingly complex
component of business and professional organizations.
Decisions related to information technology and the related information systems can be a major factor influencing
an organization's survival. Managers at all levels must make decisions about which systems are best for specific
situations. The personnel within organizations today must have an understanding of the role of information systems,
as well as appropriate methods for using the technology effectively. Using this text with its companion Web site,
along with the ten-week access to the Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition, provides an enhanced introduction to
information systems.

Information system is an increment in knowledge: it contributes to the general framework of concepts and facts that
we know. Information relies on the context and the recipient's general knowledge for its significance. Data are only
the raw facts, the material for obtaining information. Information systems use data stored in computer databases to
provide needed information. A database is an organized collection of interrelated data reflecting a major aspect of a
firm's activities.

1. Information systems capture data from the organization (internal data) and its environment (external data).
2. They store the database items over an extensive period of time.
3. When specific information is needed, the appropriate data items are manipulated as necessary, and the
user receives the resulting information.
4. Depending on the type of information system, the information output may take the form a query response,
decision outcome, expert-system advice, transaction document, or a report.

Formal information systems rely on procedures (established and accepted by organizational practice) for collecting,
storing, manipulating, and accessing data in order to obtain information. Formal systems do not have to be
computerized, but today they usually are. Informal information systems also exist within an organization
(interpersonal networking, water cooler gossip, etc.).

An information system is a specific type of system in general. A system is a set of components (subsystems) that
operate together to achieve certain objectives. The objectives of a system are realized in its outputs. In particular,
the objective of an information system is to provide the appropriate outputs to the members of the organization.

Effectiveness and Efficiency

An organization is an example of an artificial system: it is a formal social unit devoted to the attainment of specific
goals. It does not emerge naturally - it has to be organized. The quality of the system may be evaluated in terms of
its effectiveness and efficiency. Effectiveness measures the extent to which the system meets its objectives.
Efficiency is a measure of re sources consumed to produce given outputs. The fewer resources a system consumes
in producing given outputs, the more efficient it is. All organizations exist as part of a larger system. Information
systems are used to assist management by providing feedback on the firm's performance. Feedback refers to the
outputs of a system that are transformed back into inputs in order to control the system's operation. Information
systems are used to compare the data on the actual performance with the standards developed earlier. Based on
the information about the discrepancies, managers can formulate corrective actions, which are then fed back into
the firm's operations.

Attributes of Quality Information

1. Timely Available when needed and not outdated when made available
2. Complete Includes all the user needs to know about the situation where the information will be used
3. Concise Does not include elements unneeded by the user
4. Relevant Has direct bearing on the situation
5. Precise Offers quantitative information with a degree of exactness appropriate to the underlying data
6. Form The level of detail, tabular versus graphic display, and quantitative versus qualitative form are selected in
accordance with the situation Internal and External Information

Most of the data captured by information systems relates to the operations of the organization itself, serving to
produce internal information. But in an increasingly competitive marketplace, a firm needs to access more and
more external information. Therefore, it is important to note that decision makers need both the internal
information about their organization and the external information about its environment. A firm can succeed only by
adapting itself to the demands of its external environment. The environment is represented by a number of groups
that affect the company's ability to achieve its objectives or that is affected by it. Such groups are called the
stakeholders of a firm, which includes both internal and external stakeholders.

Lesson 8 - DEFINING INFORMATION SYSTEM

Information Systems is an academic study of systems with a specific reference to information and the
complementary networks of hardware and software that people and organizations use to collect, filter, process,
create and also distribute data. Information systems help to control the performance of business processes.

Almost all programs in business require students to take a course in something called information systems. But what
exactly does
that term mean? Let’s take a look at some of the more popular definitions.

 “Information systems (IS) is the study of complementary networks of hardware and software that
people and organizations use to collect, filter, process, create, and distribute data.”
  “Information systems are combinations of hardware, software, and telecommunications networks that
people build and
use to collect, create, and distribute useful data, typically in organizational settings.”
 “Information systems are interrelated components working together to collect, process, store, and
disseminate
information to support decision making, coordination, control, analysis, and visualization in an organization.”

As you can see, these definitions focus on two different ways of describing information systems: the components
that make up an information system and the role that those components play in an organization. Technology can be
thought of as the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes. From the invention of the wheel to the
harnessing of electricity for artificial lighting, technology is a part of our lives in so many ways that we tend to take
it for granted. As discussed before, the first three components of information systems – hardware, software, and
data – all fall under the category of technology. Each of these will get its own chapter and a much lengthier
discussion, but we will take a moment here to introduce them so we can get a full understanding of what an
information system is.

Classification of Information System

In any given organization information system can be classified based on the usage of the information. Therefore, an
information system in an organization can be divided into operations support system and management support
system.

 Operations support system

In an organization, data input is done by the end user which is processed to generate information products
i.e. reports, which are utilized by internal and or external users. Such a system is called operation support
system. The purpose of the operation support system is to facilitate business transaction, control
production, support internal as well as external communication and update organization central database.
The operation support system is further divided into a transaction-processing system, processing control
system and enterprise collaboration system.

 Transaction Processing System (TPS)

In manufacturing organization, there are several types of transaction across department. Typical
organizational departments are Sales, Account, Finance, Plant, Engineering, Human Resource and
Marketing. Across which following transaction may occur sales order, sales return, cash receipts, credit
sales; credit slips, material accounting, inventory management, depreciation accounting, etc. These
transactions can be categorized into batch transaction processing, single transaction processing and real
time transaction processing.

 Process Control System

In a manufacturing organization, certain decisions are made by a computer system without any manual
intervention. In this type of system, critical information is fed to the system on a real-time basis thereby
enabling process control. This kind of systems is referred as process control systems.

 Enterprise Collaboration System

In recent times, there is more stress on team effort or collaboration across different functional teams. A
system which enables collaborative effort by improving communication and sharing of data is referred to
as an enterprise collaboration system.

Management Support System

Managers require precise information in a specific format to undertake an organizational decision. A system which
facilitates an efficient decision-making process for managers is called management support system. Management
support systems are essentially categorized as management information system, decision support system, expert
system and accounting information system. Management information system provides information to manager
facilitating the routine decision-making process. Decision support system provides information to manager
facilitating specific issue related solution.

Expert Systems in Information Systems

Expert systems are system that employs knowledge about its application domain and uses an inferencing (reason)
procedure to solve problems that would otherwise require human competence or expertise. The essential
component of the knowledge base is heuristics - informal, judgmental elements of knowledge within the expert
system's domain, such as oil exploration or stock valuation. The knowledge base is developed by working with
domain specialists. It is further enhanced as the system is used.
Supporting Managers with Information Systems:

A variety of information systems support managers as they play their interpersonal, informational, and decisional
roles. The three management-oriented types of systems (management reporting systems, decision support
systems, and executive information systems) provide different kinds of support to the three levels of management:

1. Strategic
2. Tactical
3. Operational
What Managers Do and How Information Systems Can Help

1. Planning establishing goals and selecting the actions needed to achieve them over a specific period of time.
2. Controlling measuring performance against the planned objectives and initiating corrective action, if needed.
3. Leadership including the people in the organization to contribute to its goals.
4. Organizing establishing and staffing an organizational structure for performing business activities.

Mintzberg classified all managerial activities into ten roles falling into three categories:
1. Interpersonal Role
2. Informational Role
3. Decisional Role

Information Systems for Management Support:

The objectives of the three levels of corporate management are:

1. Operations Management: performed by supervisors of smaller work units concerned with planning and
control of short-term (typically, a week or six months) budgets and schedules.

2. Tactical Management: performed by middle managers responsible for acquisition and allocation of
resources for projects according to tactical plans, set out for one or two years.

3. Strategic Management: Carried out by top corporate executives and corporate boards responsible for setting
and monitoring long-term directions for the firm for three or more years into the future.

Good and Bad Information Systems

Information systems professionals work with others to design and customize the systems that you interact with
every day. When you register at a hospital, the information goes into an information system designed to support
administrative reporting and insurance processing. When you buy from Amazon.com, the information goes into an
information system designed to support customer relationship management. Every information system is designed
to make someone’s life easier. Unfortunately, that someone is not always the consumer. When was the last time
that you had a good registration experience at a hospital? That system probably was not designed with you in mind
—but rather designed to support backend reporting for the hospital administration and by proxy for the government
and insurance companies, so the administrators are happy, but not the customers. From the hospital’s point of view
there is no business need to make the registration experience extraordinarily pleasant. They are betting that you
will not choose your hospital based on how difficult it was to register. Amazon.com, by contrast, delivers an
extraordinary experience to its customers so that they will stay loyal. Amazon practices user centered design—
designing to meet the needs of the user. However, the clever folks at Amazon also have tremendous backend
reporting, therefore it is possible to design systems that please customers and administrators simultaneously—but it
takes a bit more effort. What would hospital systems look like if they were designed to Amazon standards? Imagine
1-click appointments, 1-click payments, shielding the client from the insurance companies. How about an integrated
patient record of all past procedures? The world will continue to gravitate toward Amazon style systems. In the end
it is good business to make everyone happy—employees, customers, and administrators. It is also the right thing to
do. Think back to the hospital. In a competitive market, maybe you would choose the better customer experience. A
hospital worker might choose to work for the hospital with the more user-friendly patient information system. No
one likes to be yelled at by unhappy customers. It doesn’t take much to improve the user experience (UX) of a
system. You have to design a user (UI) anyway—why not make it a good one? In the words of Hall of Fame
basketball coach John Wooden, “If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it again?”
Consider the tremendous success of Apple Computer. One of the main advantages that Apple has over its rivals is
that it carefully analyzes how people best interact with technology, develops requirements based on that analysis
and then designs elegant computers, the iPhone, iPad, iTunes, and so forth based on those requirements.

Lesson 9 - COMPONENTS OF INFORMATION SYSTEM

Information systems consist of the following general components:

1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Databases
4. Human resources
5. Procedures

HARDWARE

Multiple computer systems: microcomputers, minicomputers, mainframes, together with their peripherals.
Computer system components are: a central processor(s), memory hierarchy, input and output devices. Computer
processor: The central processor carries out the instructions of a program, translated into a simple form.
Memories: Included in a computer system form a
hierarchy. They range from fast electronic units, such as the main memory, to the slower secondary storage devices
such as magnetic disks. Moore's Law The increases in the number of transistors on chips correspond to the increase
in the microprocessor speed and memory capacity, and thus the growth of the processing power. Downsizing In
information systems, transferring some or all of the organizations computing from centralized processing on
mainframes or minicomputers to systems built around networked microcomputers (often in a client/server
configuration).

SOFTWARE

Computer software falls into two classes: systems software and applications software. Systems Software: Manage
the resources of the computer system and simplifies programming. An operating system is the principal system
software. It manages all the resources of a computer system and provides an interface through which the system's
user can deploy these resources. Application Software: Are programs that directly assist end users in doing their
work. They are purchased as ready-to-use packages. Applications software directly assists end users in doing their
work.

DATABASES

Databases are organized collections of interrelated data used by applications software. Databases are managed by
systems software known as database management systems (DBMS) and shared by multiple applications.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Telecommunications are the means of electronic transmission of information over distances. Today, computer
systems are usually interconnected into telecommunications networks. Various network configurations are
possible, depending upon an organization's need. These include:

1. Local area networks (LAN)

2. Metropolitan area networks (MAN)
3. Wide area networks (WAN)

A Network Information System: Three-Tier Architecture:

1. Mainframe computer as the top-level machine
2. Several minicomputers or powerful microcomputers in the middle level.
3. End -users in the third tier.

A Downsized Networked Information System: Client/Server Architecture:

1. Users' microcomputers (clients) share the more powerful machines (servers)
2. Each server is dedicated to a particular task i.e., it is providing a certain service
3. The client machines provide the user interface that makes it easy to use the facilities of the network.
4. When needed, the software running on the client calls remotely upon the software running on the server
to perform its task, to access the specified data from a database.

Systems Architecture for Remote Access from Virtual

Offices: HUMAN RESOURCES

Professional information systems personnel include development and maintenance managers, systems analysts,
programmers, and operators, often with highly specialized skills. End users are the people who use information
systems or their information outputs, that is, the majority of people in today's organizations. The hallmark of the
present stage in organizational computing is the involvement of end users in the development of information
systems. End-user computing, or control of their information systems by end users and the development of systems
by end users, has become an important contributor to information systems in organizations.

PROCEDURES

Procedures are the policies and methods to be followed in using, operating, and maintaining an information system.
Specifications for the use, operation, and maintenance of information systems, collected in help facilities, user
manuals, operator manuals, and similar documents, frequently delivered in an electronic form.

Lesson 10 - THE ROLE OF INFORMATION SYSTEM

Now that we have explored the different components of information

systems, we need to turn our attention to the role that information
systems play
in an organization. So far we have looked at what the components of an
information system are, but what do these components actually do for an
organization? From our definitions above, we see that these components collect,
store, organize,
and distribute data throughout the organization. In fact, we might say that
one of the roles of information systems is to take data and turn it into
information, and then transform that into organizational knowledge. As
technology has developed, this role has evolved into the backbone of the
organization.
To get a full appreciation of the role information systems
play, we will review how they have changed over the
years.

Figure 12. IBM 704 Mainframe

The Mainframe
Era

From the late 1950s through the 1960s, computers were seen as a way to more efficiently do calculations. These
first business computers were room-sized monsters, with several refrigerator-sized machines linked together. The
primary work of these devices was to organize and store large volumes of information that were tedious to manage
by hand. Only large businesses, universities, and government agencies could afford them, and they took a crew of
specialized personnel and specialized facilities to maintain. These devices served dozens to hundreds of users at a
time through a process called time-sharing. Typical functions included scientific calculations and accounting, under
the broader umbrella of “data processing.”
In the late 1960s, the Manufacturing Resources Planning (MRP) systems
were introduced. This software, running on a mainframe computer, gave
companies the ability to manage the manufacturing process, making it
more efficient.
From tracking inventory to creating bills of materials to scheduling production,
the MRP systems (and later the MRP II systems) gave more businesses a reason
to want to
integrate computing into their processes. IBM became the dominant mainframe company. Nicknamed “Big Blue,”
the company became synonymous with business computing. Continued improvement in software and the
availability of cheaper hardware eventually brought mainframe computers (and their little sibling, the
minicomputer) into most large businesses.

Lesson 11 - THE PC-WORLD

In 1975, the first microcomputer was announced on the cover of Popular Mechanics: the Altair 8800. Its immediate
popularity sparked the imagination of entrepreneurs everywhere, and there were quickly dozens of companies
making these “personal computers.” Though at first just a niche product for computer hobbyists, improvements in
usability and the availability of practical software led to growing sales. The most prominent of these early personal
computer makers was a little company known as Apple Computer, headed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, with
the hugely successful “Apple II.” Not wanting to be left out of the revolution, in 1981 IBM (teaming with a little
company called Microsoft for their operating-system software) hurriedly released their own version of the personal
computer, simply called the “PC.” Businesses, who had used IBM mainframes for years to run their businesses,
finally had the permission they needed to bring personal computers into their companies, and the IBM PC took off.
The IBM PC was named Time magazine’s “Man of the Year” for 1982.

Because of the IBM PC’s open architecture, it was easy for other companies to copy, or “clone” it. During the 1980s,
many new computer companies sprang up, offering less expensive versions of the PC. This drove prices down and
spurred innovation. Microsoft developed its Windows operating system and made the PC even easier to use.
Common uses for the PC during this period included word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. These early
PCs were not connected to any sort of network; for the most part they stood alone as islands of innovation within
the larger organization.

Client-Server

In the mid-1980s, businesses began to see the need to connect their computers together as a way to collaborate
and share resources. This networking architecture was referred to as “client-server” because users would log in to
the local area network (LAN) from their PC (the “client”) by connecting to a powerful computer called a “server,”
which would then grant them rights to different resources on the network (such as shared file areas and a printer).
Software companies began developing applications that allowed multiple users to access the same data at the same
time. This evolved into software applications for communicating, with the first real popular use of electronic mail
appearing at this time.

Figure 13. Registered trademark of SAP

This networking and data sharing all stayed within the confines of each
business, for the most part. While there was sharing of electronic data
between companies,
this was a very specialized function. Computers were now seen as tools to collaborate internally, within an
organization. In fact, these networks of computers were becoming so powerful that they were replacing many of the
functions previously performed by the larger mainframe computers at a fraction of the cost. It was during this era
that the first Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems were developed and run on the client-server architecture.
An ERP system is a software application with a centralized database that can be used to run a company’s entire
business. With separate modules for accounting, finance, inventory, human resources, and many, many more, ERP
systems, with Germany’s SAP leading the way, represented the state of the art in information systems integration.
We will discuss ERP systems as part of the chapter on process.

The World Wide Web and E-Commerce

First invented in 1969, the Internet was confined to use by universities, government agencies, and researchers for
many years. Its rather arcane commands and user applications made it unsuitable for mainstream use in business.
One exception to this was the ability to expand electronic mail outside the confines of a single organization. While
the first e-mail messages on the Internet were sent in the early 1970s, companies who wanted to expand their LAN-
based e-mail started hooking up to the Internet in the 1980s.
Companies began connecting their internal networks to the Internet in order to allow communication between their
employees and employees at other companies. It was with these early Internet connections that the computer truly
began to evolve from a computational device to a communications device. In 1989, Tim Berners-Lee developed
a simpler way for researchers to share information over the network at
CERN laboratories, a concept he called the World Wide Web. This invention
became the launching point of the Figure 13. Registered trademark of
Amazon Technologies, Inc growth of the Internet as a way for businesses to
share information about themselves. As web browsers and Internet Figure 14. Registered trademark of
connections became the norm, companies rushed to grab domain names Amazon
and create websites.

In 1991, the National Science Foundation, which governed how the Internet was used, lifted restrictions on its
commercial use. The year 1994 saw the establishment of both eBay and Amazon.com, two true pioneers in the use
of the new digital marketplace. A mad rush of investment in Internet-based businesses led to the dot-com boom
through the late 1990s, and then the dot-com bust in 2000. While much can be learned from the speculation and
crazy economic theories espoused during that bubble, one important outcome for businesses was that thousands of
miles of Internet connections were laid around the world during that time. The world became truly “wired” heading
into the new millennium, ushering in the era of globalization, which we will discuss in chapter 11. As it became
more expected for companies to be connected to the Internet, the digital world also became a more dangerous
place. Computer viruses and worms, once slowly propagated through the sharing of computer disks, could now grow
with tremendous speed via the Internet. Software written for a disconnected world found it very difficult to defend
against these sorts of threats. A whole new industry of computer and Internet security arose. We will study
information security in chapter 6.

Web 2.0
As the world recovered from the dot-com bust, the use of technology in business continued to evolve at a frantic
pace. Websites became interactive; instead of just visiting a site to find out about a business and purchase its
products, customers wanted to be able to customize their experience and interact with the business. This new type
of interactive website, where you did not have to know how to create a web page or do any programming in order to
put information online, became known as web 2.0. Web 2.0 is exemplified by blogging, social networking, and
interactive comments being available on many websites. This new web-2.0 world, in which online interaction
became expected, had a big impact on many businesses and even whole industries. Some industries, such as
bookstores, found themselves relegated to a niche status. Others, such as video rental chains and travel agencies,
simply began going out of business as they were replaced by online technologies. This process of technology
replacing a middleman in a transaction is called disintermediation.

As the world became more connected, new questions arose. Should access to the Internet be considered a right?
Can I copy a song that I downloaded from the Internet? How can I keep information that I have put on a website
private? What information is acceptable to collect from children? Technology moved so fast that policymakers did
not have enough time to enact appropriate laws, making for a Wild West–type atmosphere. Ethical issues
surrounding information systems will be covered in chapter 12.

The Post-PC World

After thirty years as the primary computing device used in most businesses, sales of the PC are now beginning to
decline as sales of tablets and smartphones are taking off. Just as the mainframe before it, the PC will continue to
play a key role in business, but will no longer be the primary way that people interact and do business. The limited
storage and processing power of these devices is being offset by a move to “cloud” computing, which allows for
storage, sharing, and backup of information on a massive scale. This will require new rounds of thinking and
innovation on the part of businesses as technology continues to advance.

Do you agree that we are in a post-PC stage of the evolution of the information system? No, it's just the
beginning, it will get much better and advanced. Information are just spewed in 1 big mass, but split up in sport,
politics, general news, science, etc, but for smaller news media it's 1 huge blob.

The Post-PC era is a market trend observed during the late 2000s and early 2010s involving a decline in the sales
of personal computers (PCs) in favor of post-PC devices; which include mobile devices such as smartphones and
tablet computers as well as other mobile computers such as wearable and ubiquitous ones. These devices
emphasize portability and connectivity, including the use of cloud-based services, more focused "apps" to perform
tasks, and the ability to synchronize information between multiple devices seamlessly. The term was first coined by
MIT scientist David D. Clark. While both Microsoft's and Apple's former CEOs' Bill Gates and Steve Jobs also
predicted a shift towards mobile devices as the primary method of computing, as a complement to the PC, Jobs
popularized the term "post-PC" in 2007 (the launch of the first iPhone), and in 2011 launched iCloud, a service
enabling Apple's product line to synchronize data with PCs through cloud services, freeing their iOS devices from
dependency on a PC. Towards the middle of the 2010s, media sources began to question the existence of the post-
PC era, at least as conventionally defined, stating that the so-called post-PC devices are just other portable forms of
PCs joining traditional desktop PCs which still have their own operation areas and evolve. For example, gaming PCs
are often considered still popular for many users.
The term "post PC" was first used by David D. Clark in 1999; considering the future of computing to be "inevitably
heterogeneous" and a "network full of services". Clark described a world where "everything" would be able to
connect to the internet (including watches and toasters), computing would primarily be done through information
appliances, and data would be stored by centralized hosting services instead of on physical disks.
In a 1999 op-ed piece for Newsweek, Microsoft's CEO Bill Gates predicted a landscape he dubbed "PC Plus", where
personal computers would be used alongside devices which would seamlessly synchronize data (such as calendar
events, files, e-mails, etc.) from a PC for easier accessibility from where a user would need it. At Macworld
Expo in 2001, not long after the dot-com bubble burst and amidst industry-wide angst over the future of the PC,
Apple founder and CEO Steve Jobs announced a strategy seeing a PC (specifically, the Macintosh) serving as a
"digital hub" for future mobile devices (such as its iPod MP3 player). Jobs stated that "We don't think the PC is dying
at all. We don't think the PC is moving from the center at all. We think it's evolving. Just like it has since it was
invented in 1975 and '76."
At an interview alongside Bill Gates at the 5th All Things Digital conference in 2007, Steve Jobs further described a
concept similar to Gates' "PC Plus" known as a "post-PC device"; "a category of devices that aren't as general
purpose, that are really more focused on specific functions, whether they're phones or iPods or Zunes or what have
you. And I think that category of devices is going to continue to be very innovative and we're going to see lots of
them". Jobs felt that despite these developments, PCs would "continue to be with us and morph with us, whether
it's a tablet or a notebook or, you know, a big curved desktop that you have at your house or whatever it might be."
Gates suggested the prevalence of multiple form factors for such devices, including full- sized tablets, small phones,
and 10-foot experiences for the living room.
In June 2010, at the D8 conference, while being interviewed by Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher, Jobs compared
tablets and PCs to cars and trucks, saying "[PCs are] still going to be around. They’re still going to have a lot of
value. But they’re going to be used by like one out of x people" while predicting that the vast majority of people will
eventually use tablets as a primary computing device, analogous to the majority of people who drive cars. Directly
conflicting Apple's previous "digital hub" strategy centered around the Macintosh PC, Steve Jobs unveiled Apple's
iCloud platform in 2011, which provides cloud storage for data that can be automatically synced between iOS
products and PCs. iOS 5, released concurrently with iCloud, also removed the platform's dependency on a PC for
first-time setup, syncing, and software updates. Jobs explained that iCloud would replace the PC as the "hub" for a
user's devices with online servers—all of a user's devices, including a PC, would be able to automatically
synchronize and access media and other files between platforms. Apple's current CEO Tim Cook continued to
elaborate on the concept that a PC would no longer have to be the center of one's digital life, considering them to
be a "device" on the same level as any portable device that a particular user owns. Cook also explained that mobile
devices such as tablets and smartphones would be "more portable, more personal and dramatically easier to use
than any PC has ever been".
Technologically, Jason Perlow compared post-PC devices to the centralized mainframe-based computer systems of
1970s—but enhanced by the use of cloud computing to provide a more flexible and heterogeneous infrastructure for
online services to run on, and the use of desktop virtualization to serve PC-only applications when needed as
businesses shift towards apps. Matt Baxter- Reynolds felt that the main selling point of post-PC devices are their
lack of functionality; believing that their more simplistic and secure design make them less intimidating to use for
consumers in comparison to a traditional PC, their lack of keyboard (unlike laptops) contribute to better portability,
and also noted their emphasis on connectivity as well.
In 2014, Sony had sold off its PC division and VAIO brand. This, along with a drop in sales, led many to speculate the
PC market was dying. However, the PC market did experience some periods of growth in the 2010s as well, leading
many to claim the exact opposite. PC gaming grew 8% in 2012 alone and is expected to continue growing. In the
second quarter of 2014, PC sales began to rise again. Growth of the PC compatible market was driven by strong
sales of portable PCs in 2014.

Table 2. The Eras of Business Computing

It’s More than Just Computers
Information systems are the combination of people, information technology, and business processes to accomplish a
business objective. Every information system (IS) has people, processes, and information technology. In fact, many
IS professionals add most of their value working with people and processes. They manage the programmers but
typically avoid programming themselves. We can represent an information system as a triangle with people,
processes, and information technology (computers) on the three vertices. The three parts of an information system
are often referred to as the information systems triangle.

Consider the popular trend of letting the TV audience vote on some talent shows such as Dancing with the Stars.
The voting is managed by a sophisticated information system. The voters are the people involved with the system.
Voters can cast the votes by
phone, by text, or by online poll— three different information technologies. A central server at ABC records and
tallies the votes. The business processes include the phone, texting, and online procedures—how and when to cast
votes, and rules limiting the number of votes from each household. In November 2010, ABC had to defend the
legitimacy of its business processes when detractors claimed that Bristol Palin, daughter of political candidate,
Sarah Palin, received an inflated vote tally from Tea Party supporters. Some of these supporters bragged on blogs
about how they had circumvented the ABC business processes to record multiple votes for Bristol. ABC claims that it
has systems in place to spot and discount suspicious voting activity. They have publicly revealed some, but not all,
of these fraud detection systems. At this point we don’t know for sure if fraudulent votes got through. For more on
this story see for example: http://insidetv.ew.com/2010/11/19/dwts bristol-palin-tea-party-voting-conspiracy/.

Figure 15. The three parts of the information

systems triangle must interact in concert to
realize
business objectives. The job of the
IS professional is to ensure that a balance is
maintained and enhanced for the good of
all the actors and the business as a whole.

ADDITIONAL READINGS
 The Ultimate Chatbot Guide
 The Conversational AI
 Future Trends Concerning Intelligent Personal Assistants
 The Impact of AI in the Digital Marketing Space
 Voice Technology: Its Effects on Online Retail
 Internet Communications: What Is It & Ways to Communicate Over The Internet
 Why we study computer?
 The Computer Age Generation
 History of Computer Hardware Revolution
 History of Computer Software Revolution
 Input, Output and Storage Devices
REFERENCES
Living in the Information Technology ERA
Ronina R. Caoili Tayuan
Mia V. Eleazar

Introduction to Computer Fundamentals and Information Technology

Copernicus P. Pepito

https://www.edn.com/Importance of information technology in today world - Digital Class (digitalclassworld.com)

https://www.edn.com/Top 10 uses of the Internet - EDN

https://onlim.com/An Introduction To Intelligent Personal Assistants | Chatbot and Voice Assistant Solutions from Onlim.

Wikipedia entry on "Information Systems," as displayed on August 19, 2012. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. San
Francisco:

Wikimedia Foundation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_systems_(discipline).

Excerpted from Information Systems Today - Managing in the Digital World, fourth edition. Prentice-Hall,

2010. Excerpted from Management Information Systems, twelfth edition, Prentice-Hall, 2012.

CERN's "The Birth of the Web." http://public.web.cern.ch/public/en/about/web- en.html

Walmart 2012 Annual Report.

Cavoukian, A., 2009, Privacy by Design, Ottowa: Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, Canada.
[Cavoukian 2009 available online (PDF)].

Living in the Information Technology ERA

Ronina R. Caoili
Tayuan Mia V. Eleazar

Introduction to Computer Fundamentals and Information Technology

Copernicus P. Pepito

Importance of information technology in today world - Digital Class (digitalclassworld.com)

Prepared by:

June Rey I. Garbosa, LPT, MA, EdD