History and Impact of ICT

History of ICT

• ICT encompasses devices, networking components, applications and systems facilitating digital interactions between individuals and organizations
• Humans constantly sought better communication methods, leading to ICT development

Uses of ICT in Daily Lives

• ICT revolutionized communication making it faster and easier than traditional means
• ICT enhances education via online resources, distance learning, and interactive tools
• ICT skills are vital, enabling firms to operate efficiently while creating job opportunities
• Social media transformed relationships, information consumption, and participation in social and political movements

Impact of ICT in Society

• The positive impacts of ICT in society include access to information, education, new tools and opportunities, communcation efficiency, information management, and security
• The negative impacts of ICT in society include job loss, reduced interaction and physical activity, in addition to costs associated with maintenance, and increased competition
• Information technology is a key driver for progress, which facilitates innovation for new ways of doing things
• ICT supports industries with tools and infrastructure for effective management

History of Computers

• Early computing involved human computers performing manual calculations before automation
• The abacus, which was invented in ancient Babylon, used beads on rods for basic calculations
• John Napier's invention of logs and bones simplified multiplication and division
• The slide rule, based on Napier's logs, was widely used until the 1960s
• Blaise Pascal invented Pascal's adding machine in 1642, utlizing gears for basic addition and subtraction
• Gottfried Leibniz enhanced Pascal's design, adding multiplication and division capabilities
• Jacquard's loom programmed with punched cards to weave designs in textiles
• Designed in 1822, Babbage's difference engine calculated logarithmic tables
• Charles Babbage's analytical engine, developed in 1873, featured a processing unit and memory
• Herman Hollerith used electric motors in the 19th century to create a machine for counting and sorting data, which led to the formation of IBM
• The Z3, designed by Konrad Zuse in 1941, was the first automatic, programmable digital computer using binary code
• The ABC, developed in the 1930’s used vacuum tubes and capacitors for processing and storage
• The Mark I, a room sized calculator, developed by Howard Aiken and IBM in 1944
• Colossus: A set of computers used by British codebreakers during World War II to decrypt German messages
• The ENIAC was a programmable, electronic, general-purpose computer which was completed in 1945, utilizing vacuum tubes, that weighed 30 tons
• EDVAC is an early computer that uses binary code

Generations of Computers

• First generation computers around 1940-1956 used vacuum tubes and machine language with magnetic drums for memory, which were large, and expensive
• Second generation computers from 1956-1963 used transistors, which were smaller, faster, and more energy efficient, using magnetic cores for memory
• Third generation computers from 1964-1971 used integrated circuits for increased speed and efficiency, which led to operating systems
• Fourth generation computers from 1972-2010 used microprocessors allowing for GUI interfaces
• Fifth generation computers from 2010-Present focus on AI and natural language processing

Types of Computers

• General purpose computers can process various tasks under program control
• Special purpose computers are designed for specific tasks or problem domains

Data Handling

• Analog computers process data using continuous measurements of physical properties
• Digital computers process data in discrete digital signals
• Hybrid computers process both analog and digital data

Computer Categories

• Smart phones combine phone and computer functionality
• PDAs are handheld computers for personal information management
• Tablet PCs are notebook computers with touch screen displays
• Portable media players store and play digital media
• Digital cameras capture images digitally
• Wearable computers are computing devices worn on the body
• Desktop PCs are computer systems designed use at a desk, and are complete
• Portable PCs are designed for easy portability
• Notebook computers are laptops designed with a keyboard and touchpads
• Netbooks are smaller, lighter, and less powerful notebook computers
• Handheld computers are pocket-sized computers with keyboards or thumb pads
• Midrange servers are computers used to host programs and data for small networks
• Mainframes are powerful computers for hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously
• Supercomputers are the fastest, and most powerful computers, used for complex calculations
• Embedded computers are designed for specific functions within larger systems like automobiles

Computer System Components

• Understanding the inner workings of computers is important particularly with regards to software and hardware
• The main components of a computer system are hardware, software, and peopleware
• Hardware includes physical components like keyboards, mice, printers, hard drives, and processors
• Software includes system software and application software
• People wear is anyone interacting with the computer
• A computer is an electronic device which processes data and produces results
• Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system

Types of Hardware

• The main hardware types are input devices, processing devices, output devices, and storage devices
• Input devices provide data or control signals, such as keyboards, mice, touchpads, scanners, microphones, webcams, and biometric devices
• The processing device or CPU interprets and executes instructions
• Output devices present information to the user, including monitors, printers, and audio output devices
• Storage devices store data and instructions for the future, like RAM, hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, and memory cards

Information Processing Cycle

• The information processing cycle involves input, processing, storage, and output
• Data is a collection of unprocessed items, including text, numbers, images, audio, and video
• Information is processed data conveying a useful meaning

Input Devices

• Input devices are used for data and control signals
• Functions of input devices include keyboards with alpha numeric command, mice to interact with interfaces, touchpads for cursor movement, touch screens which respond to touch, scanners which convert images to digital formats, microphones to capture audio input, webcams capture video, joysticks/gamepads for controlling game elements, and biometric devices which authenticate users

Processing Device

• The processing device is a hardware that carries out instructions
• The processing device focuses on housing those electronic parts responsible for processing data
• Motherboards are an example of a processing device

CPU

• The CPU is the brain of the computer
• The CPU has an arithmetic logic unit
• The control unit extracts, decodes, and executes instructions
• The CPU handles instructions from both hardware and software

Memory

• Memory stores instructions and data as the computer goes through those instructions
• There is temporary memory (RAM) and long-term memory (hard drives, and SSDs)

Output Devices

• Output devices present information in a human understandable format
• Display devices provide visual output
• Display technologies include the CRT, and Flat panel display like LEDs, which are more energy efficient and compact
• Printers produce hard copies of information
• Audio output provides sound via speakers and headsets

Storage Devices

• Storage devices store data and instructions for future use
• Primary storage (RAM) is temporary memory which is erased when turned off
• Secondary storage is long-term storage, including hard drives, and SSDs

System Unit

• The system unit is the nerve center of the computer housing essential devices for processing
• There is a motherboard, CPU, RAM, storage devices, and power supply inside the system unit
• The system unit houses the primary parts responsible for computer operations
• The main parts are the motherboard, CPU, RAM, storage devices, and power supply
• The motherboard is the computer's foundation connecting all components
• The CPU performs calculations and interprets instructions
• RAM is a temporary storage for data and applications
• The hard drive helps provides storage for data and operating systems
• A power supply coverts AC into DC power
• The FAN is responsible for cooling
• ROM contains essential instructions for booting

Computer Ports

• Ports are connection points for external devices
• Physical connectivity provides docking points for devices
• Versatility means different port types exist
• Bidirectional communication enables transmitting data
• Specialized functionality means one port has a unique function
• Scalability means computers have multiple ports
• Serial ports connect serial devices
• Parallel ports connect printers, and transmit multiple bits simultaneously
• PS/2 ports connect computer mice and keyboards
• USB Ports connect a wide range of devices
• Video Ports connect display devices
• HDMI is a type of connection interface
• Firewire ports provide a high speed connection
• Ethernet connects to the network
• Audio ports connect speakers

Computer Slots

• Slots are connection points on the motherboard for expansion cards to be added
• Expansion slots enhance functionality
• Types of expansion slots are the Peripheral Component Interconnect, and Peripheral Component Interconnect Express which is for graphics cards
• An accelerated graphics port is specifically designed for enhanced graphics
• There are memory slots that house memory modules
• Expansion cards are circuits boards plugged into these slots to add functionality
• A graphics card generates images
• The Network interface Card (NIC) connects to the network
• TV Tuner cards allow the reception of television signals
• Modem cards aid communication
• Capture devices convert signals from cameras