Internet Technology Quiz

ICT Overview

• Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is the foundation of modern technology.
• ICT encompasses a wide range of applications, including telecommunications and computer networking.
• ICT relies on hardware, software, and data to enable effective communication.

Objectives

• Understand the definition of Information Technology (IT).
• Learn about the historical development of ICT.
• Identify current trends in ICT.
• Explore job opportunities in the IT field.

What is Information Technology (IT)?

• IT involves using technology to manage information.
• This includes various devices and processes to store, process, and share data.
• Key areas include communication, processing, and storage of information.
• The activity also explores daily experiences with IT.

What is a Computer?

• A computer is a programmable electronic device.
• It takes input, processes data according to instructions (a program), and produces output.
• Input devices feed data into the computer, while output devices display the results.

ICT Overview

• ICT is the backbone of modern technology.
• It encompasses a wide range of applications, from telecommunications to computer networking.
• ICT relies on a combination of hardware, software, and data to enable effective communication.

History of ICT Development

• ICT's evolution spans various stages, from pre-mechanical to modern electronic computing.
• Early phases involved simple tools like the abacus to more complex mechanical calculators.
• The development of programmable electronic machines like the Analytical Engine marked a major step.
• The rise of vacuum tubes, transistors, and integrated circuits led to significant advancements in computing power and speed.
• Very large-scale integration (VLSI) enabled the creation of microprocessors, leading to personal computers.
• This technology starts the era of Personal Computer (PC).
• The generations of ICT development are Pre-Mechanical, Mechanical, Electromechanical, and Electronic.

First Generation (Vacuum Tubes)

• ICT involves sending information using electrical current (electrons).
• Early electronic computers used vacuum tubes and switches.
• Computers were large and required extensive programming with many switches to control them.
• Programs and data were stored in separate memories, streamlining data entry.

Second Generation (Transistors)

• Transistors replaced vacuum tubes, improving computer size and speed.
• Programming languages, such as Fortran, COBOL, and ALGOL, emerged.
• The second generation saw the use of transistors as the replacement parts.

Third Generation (Integrated Circuits)

• Integrated circuits (ICs) replaced transistors, further reducing size and increasing power.
• Semiconductor memory became the primary form of memory.
• Microprogramming techniques simplified CPU design and improved flexibility.
• Parallel processing increased computational speed while operating systems enhanced functionality and provided a larger number of features.

Fourth Generation (VLSI)

• Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) techniques allowed millions of transistors to fit onto a single chip (microprocessor).
• Computers became smaller, faster, and more affordable, leading to the widespread adoption of personal computers (PCs).
• This technology enabled the creation of CPUs, memory and other components in a single chip, and could be produced in large quantities at a low cost.

Fifth Generation

• Emphasizes artificial intelligence (AI), expert systems, natural language processing, aiming for "smart" computers.
• The development focus on the connection and networking aspects of computers.
• Connecting computers in a network to execute parallel computational tasks represents a key trend.

Six Eras of IT

• The history of IT is categorized into stages/eras showing development through time from decades 1960-2020.
• The stages include mainframe, PC networks, Web & Servers, Virtualization, Mobile, and Cloud.
• Each stage presents advancements in hardware, software, and applications.

Mainframe Computers

• IBM 1401 and 7090 machines marked the beginning of widespread commercial use of mainframe computers.
• IBM 360 series provided powerful network capabilities with remote terminals.

Personal Computer & Networking

• Proliferation of personal computers (PCs) started in the 1980s and 1990s.
• Software tools like word processors and spreadsheets became valuable to both home users and corporations.
• Networking capabilities enabled interconnectedness among computers.

World Wide Web (WWW)

• A subset of the internet, the WWW comprises web pages formatted using HTML.
• Web pages are connected through hyperlinks.
• Various data formats, such as text, images, audio, and video, can be shared via the web.
• The WWW was developed by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN.

World Wide Web History

• Netscape Navigator's appearance in the mid-1990s facilitated interactive graphics.
• The development of search algorithms, like PageRank, improved web search engine capabilities, influencing users' experiences with the Internet.

Virtualization

• Virtualization divides a single computer's resources among virtual machines.
• Allows multiple operating systems and applications to run on a single physical machine.
• Enables greater resource utilization and flexibility in computing.

Mobile Computing

• Mobile computing enables voice and data transmission via small, portable devices connected to wireless networks.
• A distributed system, where devices possess mobility to provide computing anytime, anywhere.
• Innovations like the first cellular phone call and the introduction of the iPhone transformed mobile communications capabilities.

Mobile Payments and Virtual Assistants

• Mobile payments allow transactions through apps, eliminating the use of physical cash and cards.
• Virtual assistants emerged in the 2010s, enhancing how individuals interact with technology via devices like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant.

Cloud Computing

• Cloud computing delivers resources like compute power, databases, and storage via the internet on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• AI mimics human intelligence through machine learning, neural networks, natural language processing, and robotics.

Internet of Things (IoT)

• IoT connects devices, appliances, instruments, or machines to the internet using sensors, software, and other technologies.

Edge Computing

• Edge computing brings computing resources closer to the end-user, reducing latency and making computations more efficient.

Technology in Everyday Life

• IT's impact in everyday activities is substantial, influencing communication, education, healthcare, entertainment, etc.

Future Implications

• Emerging technologies transform industries in areas like architecture, construction, and healthcare using AR, VR, AI, personalized medicine, and autonomous vehicles.

Jobs in 2025

• Occupations like software developers, computer system analysts, etc. will be in high demand in 2025 due to their impact on the digital transformation.

Test your knowledge on the development and impact of internet technologies. From the origins of the World Wide Web to the effects of mobile computing, this quiz covers pivotal advancements and their significance in our modern world. Discover how various technologies are shaping education, healthcare, and personal communication.