Information Technology (IT) Concepts - GEN201

Information Technology (IT) Lecture Notes

• Course Code: GEN201
• By Prof. Dr. Mohamed Anwar
• Part 1 focuses on Concepts of Information Technology (IT)

Contents

• General concepts
• Hardware
• Software
• Information networks
• Use of IT in everyday life
• Health, Safety, and Environment
• Security
• Copyright and the law
• Abbreviations and terminology

Grading System

• Attendance: 10%
• Midterm Exam 1: 15%
• Midterm Exam 2: 15%
• Reports: 10%
• Final Exam: 50%

Introduction

• ICDL stands for International Computer Driving Licence (الرخصة الدولية لقيادة الحاسوب).
• ECDL stands for European Computer Driving Licence (الرخصة الأوروبية لقيادة الحاسوب).
• IT stands for Information Technology (تكنولوجيا المعلومات).

General Concepts

• Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer, such as the system unit, mouse, keyboard, and monitor.
• Software is a collection of instructions that makes the computer work.
• When typing, software displays the correct letters in the correct place on the screen.
• Software is stored on hard disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs, or diskettes and loaded into the computer's RAM when required.

Information Technology (IT)

• IT is a general term related to the use of computers as an aid to creating and maintaining data.
• IT encompasses managing and processing information, especially within large organizations.
• Computer departments within large organizations are often called IT departments.
• Alternative phrases are IS departments (Information Services) or MIS departments (Management Information Services).
• People working with computers within large companies may refer to their job as "working in IT".

Types of Computers - What is a Mainframe Computer?

• Mainframe computers are large, powerful, and expensive, used in the background by most large organizations.
• Mainframe power can be distributed amongst many people accessing it via their own PCs.
• Large insurance companies use mainframes to track policyholders and send renewal notices.
• Capacity: Mainframes are very powerful and often connected to individual PCs over a network.
• Speed: Mainframes are much faster than PCs when processing large amounts of data like mail-shots, salaries, and taxes.
• Costs: Mainframes are very expensive making them affordable only by large companies.
• Typical Users: Large companies, including banks and building societies.

Types of Computers - What is a PC (Personal Computer)?

• IBM invented the PC in 1981.
• PCs released since then are compatible with the original design, with extensions.
• PC compatible refers to PCs by companies other than IBM which are compatible with the traditional PC specification.
• In the early days, most PCs ran DOS (Disk Operating System), compared to most running a version of Microsoft Windows now.
• Capacity: PCs have large hard disks combined with a large working memory (RAM).
• Speed: PCs are fast, measured in GHz.
• Costs: PCs are getting cheaper.
• Typical Users: Home, office, education, and doctors; just about everyone needs to know how to operate a PC.

Types of Computers - What is a Mac?

• The Apple Mac is an alternative to a PC.
• It uses a different operating system and requires special versions of applications like word processors or spreadsheets.
• Hardware add-ons often need to be customized for Macs.
• Early Macs were distinguished from PCs by their GUI (Graphical User Interface), or mouse-driven interface.
• Using the PC in early days required more expertise.
• The differences between PCs and Macs have blurred over time; Microsoft bought a stake in Apple.

Types of Computers - What is a Networked Computer?

• Networks connect two or more computers together.
• Networks allow data stored on one PC to be retrieved by others and enables resource sharing, like printers.
• Networking PCs used to be complicated and required qualified professionals.
• Today, most people with Windows knowledge can install and configure a Windows-based network but performance and security still need a trained technician.
• Capacity: Networked computers have large hard disks combined with a large working memory (RAM).
• Speed: Networked computers are fast and normally measured in GHz.
• Costs: Networking a PC is relatively inexpensive with just the cost of a network card.
• Typical Users: Due to ease of networking, anyone can network PCs.

Types of Computers - What are Laptop & Palmtop Computers?

• Laptop computers are small, portable computers powered by batteries or mains.
• They use special screens (not bulky VDUs/Visual Display Units), for longer battery life and portability.
• "Notebooks" simply indicates a very small laptop.
• Laptops are popular with salespeople and presenters.
• They can now match the power of desktop computers but tend to cost more.
• Palmtops are even smaller computers that fit in the palm of your hand.

Types of Computers - What are Laptop Computers?

• Capacity: Laptops have large hard disks and RAM but are less powerful than PCs of equivalent price.
• Speed: Fast speeds, normally measured in GHz, are often less than PCs of similar price.
• Costs: Components are compact, so there is a price overhead compared to PCs of equivalent power.
• Typical Users: Business, mobile, and educational users.

Types of Computers - What are Palmtop Computers?

• Capacity: Palmtops have a much smaller storage capacity compared to a PC.
• Speed: Palmtops are much slower than a PC unless more money is spent.
• Costs: Relatively expensive compared to a PC.
• Typical Users: Most business users.

Types of Computers - What is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)?

• PDAs use a special pen instead of a keyboard for storing and retrieving information.
• Many can connect to the Internet and are very compact.
• Capacity: PDAs have much smaller storage capacity compared to a PC.
• Speed: Much less than a PC unless you pay extra.
• Costs: In relative terms expensive when compares to a PC.
• Typical Users: Mostly business users.

Main Parts of a Personal Computer

• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Main Memory (M)
• Arithmetic-Logic Unit (CA)
• Program Control Unit (CC)
• I/O Equipment (I, O)
• Expansion Card
• CPU
• Power Supply
• Fan
• Hard Drive
• Storage Bays
• DVD Drive
• Floppy Drive
• Motherboard
• Memory (RAM) Modules
• Memory Slots
• Keyboard Port
• Mouse Port
• Power Connector
• USB Ports
• Monitor Port
• Sound Ports
• Phone Port
• Serial Port
• Parallel Port
• Network Port
• Modem Port

Main Part of Personal Computer - The System Unit

• The system unit is the main PC box housing the elements that make up the PC.
• The system unit contains the motherboard, which houses the main components like the CPU, hard disk, floppy disk, and CD-ROM drives.
• System units come in tower or desktop versions that sit on the desk with the monitor on top.

Main Part of Personal Computer - The System (Mother) Board

• The motherboard is contained within the system unit, and the vital computer systems plug directly into it.
• The CPU is normally housed on the system board with the other electronic components.
• Other components include: RAM, Expansion Slots, Expansion Cards, Processor (with fan/heat sink), Battery, Power supply, Clock, Chip Sets, ROM, Connectors
• Other items like the hard disk are attached directly or via cables.
• These boards are getting smaller with integrated components.
• Modern systems end up mostly with air inside.

Main Part of Personal Computer - The CPU

• The CPU (Central Processing Unit), such as an Intel Pentium, is one of the most important components in a computer.
• It determines how fast the computer runs and it is measured by its MHz or GHz speed.
• A 2 GHz Pentium is faster than a 1 GHz Pentium CPU.
• The CPU performs calculations when running programs like word processors, spreadsheets, and databases.

Main Part of Personal Computer - The Memory (RAM)

• RAM (Random Access Memory) is where the operating system loads when you switch on your computer, and also where your applications are copied to when you start an application.
• When you create data, it is initially held in RAM and copied to disk when you save it.
• The more RAM you have, the better, and commonly more than 1 Gigabyte of RAM is installed.

Main Part of Personal Computer - ROM-BIOS

• The ROM-BIOS (Read Only Memory - Basic Input Output System) chip is a special chip held on the motherboard.
• Software within the ROM-BIOS is required for your computer to work with the operating system, such as copying the OS into RAM when switching on the computer.

Main Part of Personal Computer - Serial Port

• A serial port, labelled as COM1 or COM2, is a socket at the back of the computer to connect items such as a modem.

Main Part of Personal Computer - Parallel Port

• A parallel port, commonly labelled as LPT1 or LPT2, is a socket on the back of the computer used to connect items such as a printer.

Main Part of Personal Computer - Universal Serial Bus (USB)

• The Universal Serial Bus is a relatively new item.
• There are one or more USB sockets at the back of the system unit, allowing you to plug devices like printers, scanners, and digital cameras.

Main Part of Personal Computer - Input/Output and Peripheral Devices

• Input devices allow you to input information to the computer, including the keyboard and mouse.
• Output devices allow you to output information, including the printer and monitor.
• Peripheral devices are any devices attached to your computer, such as a scanner or modem.

Main Part of Personal Computer - The Keyboard

• The keyboard is an input device that allows typing information into the computer.
• The modern keyboard is often a Microsoft-style keyboard with additional keys designed to ease using Microsoft Windows.

Main Part of Personal Computer - The Mouse

• The mouse is an input device.
• In operating systems like Microsoft Windows, the mouse is used to select drop-down menus; point and click on items; and drag and drop items.

Main Part of Personal Computer - CD

• Computers are often supplied with a CD-ROM (Compact Disc - Read Only Memory) drive.
• CD-ROM discs look like music CDs, but contain computer data instead of music.
• A CD-ROM can hold a vast amount of data (equivalent to over 450 floppy disks).
• CD-ROMs are interchangeable, meaning that you can own a range of different CD-ROMs and choose which one to insert into your CD-ROM drive.

Main Part of Personal Computer - DVD Drives

• DVD stands for "Digital Versatile Disk".
• DVD drives allow you to use DVD disks, containing vastly more information than traditional CD-ROM disks.
• They transfer data faster, allowing you to watch movies.
• A CD-ROM stores ~650 MB of data, while a single-layer DVD stores GB of data.
• A two-layer DVD has greater capacity.
• A double-sided DVD increases storage capacity to 17 GB, which is >25 times the capacity of a CD-ROM.

Main Part of Personal Computer - Floppy Disk

• Floppy disks are also known as diskettes.
• They are slow compared to hard disks/CD-ROMs, and hold relatively small amounts of data (1.44 Mbytes).
• Sometimes people will backup important data from their hard disk to floppy disks.
• Due to being notoriously unreliable, floppy disks are not the best way of backing up valuable data (but it is better than nothing).

Main Part of Personal Computer - Zip Disc

• A Zip disk is a bigger version of the floppy disk, holding up to 250 Mbytes of data.
• They offer increased speed compared to the old floppy disk.

Main Part of Personal Computer - Hard (Fixed) Disk

• Hard disks are the main, large data storage area within your computer.
• Used to store your operating system, applications (i.e. word processors, games), and data.
• Much faster than CD-ROMs and floppy disks and holds much more data.
• Hard disks are installed within the system unit.

Main Part of Personal Computer - The Monitor

• The monitor is the output device and TV-type screen that displays your programs.
• Monitors are different sizes, commonly ranging from 15" to 21" screens.
• Poor quality or badly maintained monitors could harm your eyesight.

Main Part of Personal Computer - Sound Cards and Speakers

• Computers are often supplied with sound cards and speakers, allowing you to listen to sounds from multi-media programs.
• With a microphone and software, you can also record sounds.
• Special software allows speaking to your computer and having it type the words on your screen.
• This type of software may supersede keyboards.

Main Part of Personal Computer - Modems

• A modem is a device that connects your computer to the telephone system.
• The modem converts data into sound sent over the telephone line; the receiving modem turns those sounds back into data.
• A modem (or equivalent) is needed to connect to the Internet.
• Modems are small and are often inside the computer.
• Using ISDN or broadband requires a similar device.

Main Part of Personal Computer - Printers

• Data is printed once you have created it; a vast number of printers are available for this.
• Common ones are ink jet and laser printers, which now produce colored output.

Main Part of Personal Computer - Multifunction Printer

• A multifunction printer combines the functions of a nonimpact printer, scanner, fax machine, and copier in one unit.

Main Part of Personal Computer - Plotter

• A plotter is a printer that uses a pen that moves over a large revolving sheet of paper.
• It is used in engineering and map making.

Main Part of Personal Computer - Scanners

• Scanners allow you to scan printed materials into the computer for storage.
• These pictures can then be altered, resized, and printed.

Main Part of Personal Computer - Recordable CDs

• CD-ROMs are read-only, but specialized drives allow recording data, music or video to CDs.
• The drives require special CDs (CD-R: Compact Disc - Recordable) for writing.

Main Part of Personal Computer - Tape Backup

• A tape backup unit allows backing up data regularly.
• These tapes can store vast amounts of data at a low cost.
• DAT (Digital Audio Tape) devices are commonly used for backups.
• DAT tapes used can backup considerable amounts of data at speeds and reliable performance.

Main Part of Personal Computer - What is PCMCIA?

• Portables are very compact and require smaller parts like hard disks and CD-ROM drives.
• Many are supplied with special adaptor sockets that enable connecting PCMCIA-compatible hardware.
• PCMCIA components tend to be more expensive than standard desktop computer parts due to the complexity of portables.

Computer Performance - Factors Affecting Performance (1 CPU Clock Speed)

• The computer clock speed governs how fast the CPU runs.
• A higher clock speed results in a faster computer.
• Clock speed is measured in megahertz (MHz); modern PCs run at over 4000 MHz compared to original IBM PC clock speed of 4.77 MHz.
• The higher the MHz speed the quicker the computer.

Computer Performance - Factors Affecting Performance (2 RAM Size)

• More memory results in a faster PC.
• Windows uses the hard disk a lot, so a faster hard disk also makes the PC faster.

Computer Performance - Factors Affecting Performance (3 Hard Disk Speed and Storage)

• Hard disk speed is defined by access time, measured in milliseconds.
• Smaller access time makes it faster to store/retrieve data.
• Data storage capacity continues to increase.
• Disk storage capacity is measured in Gigabytes (GBytes), with 1 GB = 1024 MBytes.

Computer Performance - Factors Affecting Performance (4 Free Hard Disk Space)

• Maximize Windows PCs by combining a fast hard disk with plenty of "spare space."
• Windows is constantly moving data between the hard disk and RAM (Random Access Memory).
• Microsoft Windows will create many "temporary files" to manage programs.
• With little free hard disk space, Microsoft Windows may not be able to run your programs.

Computer Performance - Factors Affecting Performance (5 De-fragmenting Files)

• Windows has a de-fragmentation program, found in the Accessories/System Tools menu, for running to speed up your PC.
• Over time usage files break into separate pieces spread across the hard disk.
• De-fragmentation entails taking all the broken up pieces and joining them back together.

Computer Performance - Factors Affecting Performance (6 Multitasking Considerations)

• Windows is a multitasking system, which means that it can run more than one program simultaneously.
• Running more programs at the same time slows each program.
• The slowing effect depends on what each program is doing.
• Graphic editing, for example, can take a lot of CPU time.

Hardware

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• The CPU is the brains of the computer.
• The CPU performs calculations and smoothly runs the operating system, and programs, such as word processors, spreadsheets and databases.
• The CPU also accesses and uses the main memory (RAM).
• In many ways, the CPU is the single most important item in the computer that governs the overall speed.
• The CPU's speed is measured in MHz of GHz.
• Speed relates to the frequency at which the CPU runs, and a higher MHz GHz rating implies increased computer speed.
• In 1981, the original IBM PC released ran at <5 MHz, today PCs run at speeds well in excess of 4000 MHz (4 GHz)
• 1000 MHz is the same as 1 GHz.

Memory

• Data can be stored on the hard disk, compared to data being processed in RAM (Random Access Memory).
• Data stored on the hard disk is permanent while data in RAM is temporary.
• When people talk about memory in relation to a PC, they are generally referring to RAM.
• RAM is the main 'working' memory.
• When the operating system is turned on, it’s copied into RAM.
• The original IBM PC could only use up to 640 KB of memory, whereas modern computers can effectively house as much RAM as you can afford to buy, and commonly, modern computers are supplied with over 1 GB of RAM.
• A Microsoft Windows-based computer will operate faster if you install more RAM.
• Advertisements refers to 512 Mbytes of memory, it is RAM which they are talking about.
• Data and programs stored in RAM are volatile, therefore information is lost once the computer is shut off.

Read Only Memory (ROM)

• ROM a special type of memory chip that holds software that can be read but not written to.
• A good example is ROM-BIOS chip, which contains readonly software.
• Often network cards and video cards contain ROM chips.

Read Only Memory Basic Input Output System (ROM-BIOS)

• It is a chip located on computer's system (mother) board, which contains software.
• Software performs a variety of tasks.
• The ROM-BIOS software performs a self-diagnostic to check that the computer is working OK at startup.
• Software loads operating system from the disk into the RAM.