VISUAL SUMMARY Information Technology, the Internet, and You

INFORMATION SYSTEMS PEOPLE

Prostock-Studio/Getty Images HQuality/Shutterstock

The way to think about a personal computer is to realize People are the most important part of an information sys-
that it is one part of an information system. There are sev- tem. This book contains several features to demonstrate
eral parts of an information system: how people just like you use computers. These features
• People are an essential part of the system. The pur- include the following:
pose of information systems is to make people, or end • Making IT Work for You presents several interesting
users like you, more productive. and practical applications. Topics include using online
• Procedures are rules or guidelines to follow when office suites and cloud storage.
using software, hardware, and data. They are typically • Tips offer a variety of suggestions on such practical
documented in manuals written by computer profes- matters as how to improve slow computer performance
sionals. and how to protect your privacy while on the web.
• Software (programs) provides step-by-step instruc- • Privacy marginal boxes discuss threats to your per-
tions to control the computer to convert data into sonal privacy and suggest ways to protect yourself.
information. • Community boxes discuss the ways technology affects
• Hardware consists of the physical equipment. It is our communities. Computers are changing the way we
­controlled by software and processes data to create find, create, and engage with our communities.
information. • Ethics boxes pose a variety of different ethical/­
• Data consists of unprocessed facts, including text, unethical situations for your consideration.
numbers, images, and sound. Information is data that • Careers in IT presents job descriptions, employment
has been processed by the computer. demands, educational requirements, salary ranges,
• The Internet allows computers to connect and share and advancement opportunities.
information.
To efficiently and effectively use the computer, you need
to understand information technology (IT), including
software, hardware, data, and connectivity.

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 procedures, software, hardware, data, and connectivity. You also need to understand the Internet and the web and to
recognize the role of technology in your professional and personal life.

SOFTWARE HARDWARE

Scanrail1/Shutterstock

Hardware consists of electronic devices that can follow

Microsoft Corporation instructions to accept input, process the input, and pro-
duce information.

Types of Computers
Software, or programs, consists of system and application Supercomputer, mainframe, midrange (server), and
software. personal computers (PCs) are four types of computers. A
personal computer can be a desktop, laptop (notebook
System Software computer), tablet, smartphone, or a wearable.
System software enables application software to interact
with computer hardware. Cell Phones
• Operating systems coordinate resources, provide an Today, almost all cell phones are smartphones; cell phone
interface, and run applications. Three types are and smartphone are becoming interchangeable terms.
embedded (real-time, RTOS), stand-alone, and
network (NOS). Personal Computer Hardware
• Utilities perform specific tasks to manage computer There are four basic categories of hardware devices:
resources. • System unit contains electronic circuitry, including
microprocessors and memory. Random-access
Application Software ­memory (RAM) holds the program and data currently
Application software includes general-purpose, special- being processed.
ized, and mobile applications. • Input/output devices are translators between humans
• General purpose—widely used in nearly all career and computers. Input devices include the keyboard
areas; programs include browsers, word processors, and mouse. The most common output device is the
spreadsheets, database management systems, and pre- computer display (monitor).
sentation software. • Secondary storage holds data and programs. Typical
• Specialized—focus more on specific disciplines and media include hard disks, solid-state storage, and
occupations; programs include graphics and web optical discs (CD, DVD, and Blu-ray).
authoring. • Communication devices allow personal computers to
• Apps (mobile apps, mobile applications)—designed for communicate with other computer systems. Modems
mobile devices; most popular are for text messaging, modify audio, video, and other types of data for trans-
Internet browsing, and connecting to social networks. mission across the Internet.

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DATA CONNECTIVITY AND THE MOBILE
Data is the raw unprocessed facts about something. Com-
INTERNET
mon file types include
Connectivity describes the ability of end users to use
• Document files created by word processors. resources well beyond their desktops. Central to the con-
cept of connectivity is the network or communication
system connecting two or more computers. The Internet
is the world’s largest computer network. The web pro-
vides a multimedia interface to resources available on the
Internet.
Along with the Internet, three other things are driving
the impact of technology:
• Cloud computing uses the Internet and the web to
shift many computer activities from a user’s computer
Microsoft Corporation; Maciej Czekajewski/Shutterstock
to computers on the Internet.
• Wireless revolution has changed the way we commu-
• Worksheet files created by spreadsheet programs. nicate and use computer technology. Wireless devices
include tablets, cell phones, and watches.
• The Internet of Things (IoT) is the continuing develop-
ment of the Internet that allows everyday objects
embedded with electronic devices to send and receive
data over the Internet.

CAREERS in IT
Microsoft Corporation; Stockbyte/Getty Images
Career Description
• Database files created by database management Web developer Develops and maintains websites and web
­programs. resources. See page 45.

Software Analyzes users’ needs and creates

engineer application software. See page 73.

Computer Provides technical support to customers

support and other users. See page 99.
specialist

Computer Repairs and installs computer components

technician and systems. See page 125.

Technical Prepares instruction manuals, technical

Microsoft Corporation; Sam Edwards/age fotostock writer reports, and other scientific or technical
documents. See page 154.
• Presentation files created by presentation software
programs. Network Creates and maintains computer networks.
administrator See page 205.

Microsoft Corporation; Zoom Pet Photography/

Image Source/Getty Images

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 KEY TERMS
application software (8) mouse (12)
apps (8) network (14)
Blu-ray disc (BD) (12) network operating systems (NOS) (8)
cloud computing (14) notebook computer (11)
communication device (12) operating system (8)
compact disc (CD) (12) optical disc (12)
connectivity (14) output device (12)
data (4) PC (11)
database file (14) people (4)
desktop computer (11) personal computer (11)
digital versatile disc (DVD) (12) presentation file (14)
digital video disc (DVD) (12) procedures (4)
display (12) program (4)
document file (13) random-access memory (RAM) (12)
embedded operating system (8) real-time operating system (RTOS) (8)
end user (4) secondary storage (12)
general-purpose application (8) server (10)
hard disk (12) smartphone (11)
hardware (4) software (4)
information (4) solid-state storage (12)
information system (4) specialized application (8)
information technology (IT) (7) stand-alone operating system (8)
input device (12) supercomputer (10)
Internet (14) system software (7)
IoT (Internet of Things) (15) system unit (11)
keyboard (12) tablet (11)
laptop computer (11) tablet computer (11)
mainframe computer (10) utility (8)
memory (11) virus (8)
microprocessor (11) wearable device (11)
midrange computer (10) web (14)
mobile app (application) (8) wireless communication (14)
modem (12) wireless revolution (15)
monitor (12) worksheet file (14)

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MULTIPLE CHOICE
Circle the correct answer.

1. This consists of the step-by-step instructions that tell the computer how to do its work.
a. program c. RAM
b. browser d. operating system
2. Another name for a program.
a. document c. software
b. hardware d. monitor
3. Enables the application software to interact with the computer hardware.
a. system software c. RAM
b. utility software d. output device
4. Type of computer that is small enough to fit on top of or alongside a desk yet is too big
to carry around.
a. desktop c. mainframe
b. tablet d. supercomputer
5. A container that houses most of the electronic components that make up a computer
system.
a. mainframe c. hardware
b. system unit d. utility
6. Devices that translate the processed information from the computer into a form that
humans can understand.
a. program c. document
b. input d. output
7. Unlike hard disks, this type of storage does not have any moving parts, is more reliable,
and requires less power.
a. network c. general purpose
b. cloud d. solid state
8. A device that modifies audio, video, and other types of data into a form that can be
transmitted across the Internet.
a. monitor c. input
b. modem d. output
9. A type of a file that might contain, for example, audience handouts, speaker notes, and
electronic slides.
a. presentation c. spreadsheet
b. document d. database
10. A communications system connecting two or more computers.
a. modem c. network
b. cloud computing d. smartphone

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 MATCHING
Match each numbered item with the most closely related lettered item. Write your answers
in the spaces provided.

a. cloud computing 1. RAM is a type of ________.

b. document 2. Examples include the keyboard, mouse, display,
a. general-purpose and system unit.
­application 3. Although not as powerful as a supercomputer, this
a. hardware type of computer is capable of great processing
b. Internet speeds and data storage.
a. mainframe 4. The Apple Watch is an example of this type of
­computer.
b. memory
5. These programs coordinate computer resources,
b. operating systems
provide an interface, and run applications.
d. secondary
6. The type of file created by word processors—for
d. wearable example, memos, term papers, and letters.
7. Uses the Internet and the web to shift many
­computer activities from a user’s computer to
­computers on the Internet.
8. The largest network in the world.
9. This category of applications includes the word
­processor.
10. Unlike memory, this type of storage holds data and
programs even after electric power to the computer
system has been turned off.

OPEN-ENDED
On a separate sheet of paper, respond to each question or statement.

1. Explain the parts of an information system. What part do people play in this system?
2. What is system software? What kinds of programs are included in system software?
3. Define and compare general-purpose applications, specialized applications, and apps.
Describe some different types of general-purpose applications. Describe some types of
specialized applications.
4. Describe the different types of computers. What is the most common type? What are
the types of personal computers?
5. What is connectivity? What is a computer network? What are the Internet and the web?
What are cloud computing, the wireless revolution, and IoT?

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