The Roles and Goals of Information Technology

EXTENDED LEARNING MODULE C

COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

CONTACT INFORMATION: Stephen Haag is the primary author of this module. If you have any questions or comments, please direct them to him at .

THE MODULE IN SHORT FORM…

This module introduces your students to the most important terms associated with technology, using the personal technology platform as the basis of the presentation.

It starts with a section that briefly overviews the key technology categories of hardware and software and some associated terms such as application software and system software.

It then covers the four categories of computers by size, including

1. Personal digital assistants (PDAs)
2. Notebook computers
3. Desktop computers
4. Minicomputers, mainframes, and supercomputers

The following section takes a more in depth look at software including such key terms as personal productivity software, vertical and horizontal market software, operating system software, multitasking, utility software, anti-virus software, and a variety of personal operating systems.

The greatest portion of this module is devoted to the next section which covers key hardware terminologies, including

• Bits, bytes, and ASCII
• Common input devices (key terms such as mouse, bar code reader, and optical mark recognition)
• Common output devices (key terms such as flat-panel display, resolution, and laser printer)
• CPUs and RAM
• Common storage devices (key terms such as CD-R, DVD-ROM, and DVD-RW)
• Telecommunications devices (key terms such as network and modem)
• Connecting devices (key terms such as system bus, expansion card, ports, IrDA, and USB)

In the final section of this module, we put all the pieces together and take your students through the workings of an actual computer program.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Define information technology (IT) and its two basic categories: hardware and software.
2. Describe categories of computers by size.
3. Compare the roles of personal productivity, vertical market, and horizontal market software.
4. Describe the roles of operating system and utility software as components of system software.
5. Define the purposes of the six major categories of hardware.

LECTURE OUTLINE

INTRODUCTION (p. 398)

A QUICK TOUR OF TECHNOLOGY (p. 398)

CATEGORIES OF COMPUTERS BY SIZE (p. 400)

1. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
2. Notebook Computers
3. Desktop Computers
4. Minicomputers, Mainframe Computers, and Supercomputers

SOFTWARE: YOUR INTELLECTUAL INTERFACE (p. 403)

1. Application Software
2. System Software

HARDWARE: YOUR PHYSICAL INTERFACE (p. 407)

1. Common Input Devices
2. Common Output Devices
3. Characteristics of CPUs and RAM
4. Common Storage Devices
5. Telecommunications Devices
6. Connecting Devices

THE COMPLETE COMPUTER AT WORK (p. 418)

END OF MODULE (p. 421)

1. Summary: Student Learning Outcomes Revisited
2. Key Terms and Concepts
3. Short-Answer Questions
4. Assignments and Exercises

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

C-1

EXTENDED LEARNING MODULE C

Summary: Student Learning Outcomes Revisited

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

SUPPORT

Extended Learning Modules

• XLM/E – this is a great module to cover if your students need an introduction to the World Wide Web and Internet.
• XLM/A – if you require your students to build a small database application as a class project, cover this module on designing a database and entity-relationship (E-R) diagramming.
• SKM/1– to further explore the powerful features of Excel, cover this module.
• XLM/D – to take a more in depth look at network technologies, cover this module.
• SKM/3 – if you require your students to build a Web site as a class project, cover this module on creating a Web site with HTML.

Web Support ()

• Free downloads
• Freeware and shareware
• Buying software online
• Buying computer equipment online
• Anti-virus software

INTRODUCTION

This module covers the basics of computer hardware and software, including terminology, characteristics of various devices, and how everything works together to create a complete and usable system.

Key Term: Information technology (IT) – any computer-based tool that people use to work with information and support the information and information-processing needs of an organization.

• Right off the bat, we recommend that you take your students to a Web site such as Dell (
• Find a computer for sale and ask your students to identify the various components.
• This will give you a good idea of what your students already know.
• It will also give them the opportunity to view a Web site that sells computers and computing equipment.

A QUICK TOUR OF TECHNOLOGY

This section provides a very brief, high-level preview of technology.

In subsequent sections, you’ll cover both hardware and software in more detail.

Key Points:

• The two basic categories of technology are hardware and software.
• Within hardware, you’ll find another six categories which are: (1) input devices, (2) output devices, (3) storage devices, (4) CPU and RAM, (5) telecommunications devices, and (6) connecting devices.
• Within software, you’ll find another two categories which are: (1) application software and (2) system software.
• Stress to your students that they need software in both categories.

Key Term: Hardware – the physical devices that make up a computer system.

Key Term: Software – the set of instructions that your hardware executes to carry out a specific task for you.

Key Term: Input device – a tool you use to capture information and commands.

Key Term: Output device – a tool you use to see, hear, or otherwise accept the results of your information processing requests.

Key Term: Storage device – a tool you use to store information for use at a later time.

Key Term: Central processing unit (CPU) – the actual hardware that interprets and executes the software instructions and coordinates how all the other hardware devices work together.

Key Term: RAM (random access memory) – temporary storage that holds the information you’re working with, the application software you’re using, and the operating system software you’re using.

Key Term: Telecommunications device – a tool you use to send information to and receive it from another person or location.

Key Term: Application software – the software that enables you to solve specific problems or perform specific tasks (Figure C.2 on page 400 provides screen captures of Excel and Quicken).

Key Term: System software – handles tasks specific to technology management and coordinates the interaction of all technology devices.

Key Term: Operating system software – system software that controls your application software and manages how your hardware devices work together.

Key Term: Utility software – software that provides additional functionality to your operating system.

• Technology surrounds your students.
• For example, automobiles, VCRs, microwave ovens, and even cable TV systems have embedded technology systems.
• Choose one and ask your students to identify the various technology components according to hardware and software and the types of technology within each.

CATEGORIES OF COMPUTERS BY SIZE

Computers come in all different sizes, shapes, colours, and price ranges.

Size in some way equates to power and speed, and thus price.

Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) (p. 400)

Key Points:

• PDAs are becoming very popular.
• Their functionality is also increasing while their price is decreasing.

Key Term: Personal digital assistant (PDA) – small hand-held computer that helps you surf the Web and perform simple tasks such as note taking, calendaring, appointment scheduling, and maintaining an address book.

• Hopefully one or more of your students will have a PDA or perhaps you can bring one to class.
• Demonstrate its many features – wireless Web access, note taking, etc.
• If possible, show how one PDA can wirelessly pass information to another PDA.

Notebook Computers (p. 400)

Key Points:

• Many notebook computers now weigh as little as four pounds.
• Many have battery lives of up to 8 hours.

Key Term: Notebook computer – fully functional computer designed for you to carry around and run on battery power.

• This is an excellent time to visit a Web site such as Dell’s ( and review some of the many features of a notebook computer.
• You might want to bookmark the Web page that shows a complete notebook computer and its price.
• You can return to it later after you discuss desktop computers and compare their prices.

Desktop Computers (p. 400)

Key Points:

• These are the most popular choice for personal computing needs.
• Prices here can vary greatly, from about $500 to several thousand dollars.

Key Term: Desktop computer – the most popular choice for personal computing needs.

• Now, go out on the Web and price a desktop computer with the same characteristics as the notebook computer you priced a moment or two ago.
• Compare their prices.
• Discuss with your students whether or not they really need a notebook computer. While they cost more, they are “portable.” But do your students really need that portability?

Minicomputers, Mainframe Computers, and Supercomputers (p. 402)

Key Points:

• PDAs, notebook computers, and desktop computers are for individual use.
• Organizations need larger computers for everyone to use.
• Larger computer systems include minicomputers, mainframe computers, and supercomputers.

Key Term: Minicomputer (sometimes called a mid-range computer) – designed to meet the computing needs of several people simultaneously in a small to medium-size business environment.

Key Term: Mainframe computer (sometimes just called a mainframe) – a computer designed to meet the computing needs of hundreds of people in a large business environment.

Key Term: Supercomputer – the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive type of computer.

• This is a good time to revisit the concepts of decentralized computing and shared information.
• Minicomputers, mainframes, and supercomputers are central repositories for processing power and information (i.e., shared information).
• To access them, however, most people use a notebook or desktop computer (decentralized computing).

SOFTWARE: YOUR INTELLECTUAL INTERFACE

We refer to software as an intellectual interface because it contains the steps (or instructions) that automate processing tasks that you would undertake with your mind.

Adding numbers and creating graphs are examples of these types of tasks.

Application Software (p. 403-405)

Key Points:

• Application software is really why people buy a computer.
• Examples include word processing software, inventory management software, and Web authoring software.
• From a personal point of view, application software includes personal productivity software.
• There are 10 categories of personal productivity software: word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, desktop publishing, personal information management (PIM), personal finance, Web authoring, graphics, communications, and database management system (DBMS). These are listed along with popular packages in Figure C. 5 on page 404.

Key Term: Personal productivity software – helps you perform personal tasks – such as writing a memo, creating a graph, and creating a slide presentation – that you can usually do even if you don’t own a computer.

Key Term: Word processing software – helps you create papers, letters, memos, and other basic documents.

Key Term: Spreadsheet software – helps you work primarily with numbers, including performing calculations and creating graphs.

Key Term: Presentation software – helps you create and edit information that will appear in electronic slides.

Key Term: Desktop publishing software – extends word processing software by including design and formatting techniques to enhance the layout and appearance of a document.

Key Term: Personal information management (PIM) software – helps you create and maintain (1) to-do lists, (2) appointments and calendars, and (3) points of contact.

Key Term: Personal finance software – helps you maintain your cheque book, prepare a budget, track investments, monitor your credit card balances, and pay bills electronically.

Key Term: Web authoring software – helps you design and develop Web sites and pages that you publish on the Web.

Key Term: Graphics software – helps you create and edit photos and art.

Key Term: Communications software – helps you communicate with other people.

Key Term: Database management system (DBMS) software – helps you specify the logical organization for a database and access and use the information within a database.

• In this project, your students will explore personal productivity software suites.
• A software suite (suite) is bundled software that comes from the same publisher and costs less than buying all the software pieces individually.
• The most well known one is, of course, Microsoft Office.
• We can’t give you the exact answers for this project as software publishers are always upgrading software, changing prices, etc.
• However, your students will find that it is probably 3 to 5 times cheaper to buy a personal productivity software suite than it is to buy all the software pieces individually.

Key Points:

• From an organizational perspective, there are two other categories of application software: vertical market software and horizontal market software.
• Software of this type can cost an organization millions of dollars.
• These types of application software automate business functions such as inventory management , billing, and human resource management.

Key Term: Vertical market software – application software that is unique to a particular industry.

Key Term: Horizontal market software – application software that is general enough to be suitable for use in a variety of industries.

System Software (p. 405-407)

Key Points:

• Always running in the background is system software.
• System software controls how your various technology tools work together as you use your application software to perform specific information-processing tasks.
• System software includes two basic categories: operating system and utility.

Key Term: Operating system software - system software that controls your application software and manages how your hardware devices work together.

Key Term: Utility software – software that adds additional functionality to your operating system.

Key Points:

• Operating system software includes such software as Linux, Mac OS, Microsoft Windows (numerous variations), and UNIX.
• If you want to print a document, your operating system would make sure that you’re connected to a printer, that the printer has paper, and sends your document to the printer.
• Operating systems also support multitasking, which gives you the ability to work more than one piece of application software at a time. Figure C. 6 on page 406 illustrates multitasking.

Key Term: Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional (Windows 2000 Pro) – for people who have a personal computer connected to a network of other computers at work or at school.

Key Term: Microsoft Windows 2000 Millennium (Windows 2000 Me) – for a home computer user with utilities for setting up a home network and performing video, photo, and music editing and cataloguing.

Key Term: Microsoft Windows XP Home – Microsoft’s latest upgrade to Windows 2000 Me, with enhanced features for allowing multiple people to use the same computer.

Key Term: Microsoft Windows XP Professional (Windows XP Pro) – Microsoft’s latest upgrade to Windows 2000 Pro.

Key Term: Mac OS – the operating system for today’s Apple computers.

Key Term: Linux – an open-source operating system that provides a rich operating environment for high-end workstations and network servers.

Key Term: Multitasking – allows you to work with more than one piece of software at a time.