Understanding Information and Communications Technology

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Overview:

• Defined as technologies facilitating information transfer and electronic communication, ICT is a broad term encompassing many aspects.
• Encompasses mobile signals, devices, network architecture
• IT (information technology) involves computers, software, networks, and digital devices for managing and communicating information.
• ICT (information communication technology) focuses on aiding users in handling information via digital technologies.

Breakdown of ICT:

• Composed of Information, Communication, and Technology.
• Methods for information transfer include text (books, emails), sound, images (photos, diagrams), and video.
• Communication is the act of transmitting messages, exchanging information through verbal and non-verbal means.
• Technology from the Greek "technología" improves human life through art, skill, study, and craft.

History of Information Technology:

• Four main eras: Premechanical Age (3000 BC - 1450 AD), Mechanical Age (1450 - 1840), Electromechanical Age (1840 - 1940), and Electronic Age (1940 - Present).
• This spans from ancient times to the mid-19th century
• Development of early tools and storage, including writing systems, alphabets, papers, pens, books, and numbering systems.
• Significant advancements in printing, calculation, and computation led the invention of the movable printing press by Johann Gutenberg
• Resulted in the creation of world's first mechanical calculator by Wilhelm Schickard, the Pascaline by Blaise Pascal and the Babbage Engines

The Electromechanical Age:

• Morse Code communicates letters, numbers, for long-distance communication via telegraph systems
• The invention of the telephone and radio revolutionized voice transmission and wireless communication, connecting individuals and businesses
• Comptograph and Punch Card automated numerical computations and allowed for automated data tabulation and analysis

The Electronic Age:

• Marked by advancements in electronic tech, some developments during this time included ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer)
• Utilized vacuum tubes and electrical circuits to execute calculations at unprecedented speeds
• Harvard Mark 1:
• Massive machine, measuring 51 feet in length and weighing 5 tons
• It utilized electromechanical components
• UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer):
• First commercially available electronic digital computer.
• It pioneered magnetic tape use, offering unprecedented computing speed for business and scientific applications.

History of Computers:

• In the first generation, computers used vacuum tubes
• Second generation computers used transistors
• Third generation computers used integrated circuits
• Microprocessors in the fourth generation
• Artificial intelligence in the fifth generation

First Generation Computer – The Age of Vacuum Tubes:

• Massive, relied on vacuum tubes and magnetic drums.
• For example, the EDVAC used the stored-program concept, which was proposed by John von Neumann, laying the foundation for modern computer architecture in 1950s

Second Generation Computer – The Transistor Revolution:

• Represented a major leap forward in advancement to transistors
• Used high programming languages to write code more easily
• Magnetic core memory replaced magnetic drum memory
• IBM 1401 was one of the most successful second-generation computers, with improved speed and reliability.

Classifying Computers:

• Computers are classified into personal computers, workstations, minicomputers, mainframes, and supercomputers
• Personal Computers are versatile, for tasks such as web browsing and document editing
• Workstations are high-performance computers used for specialized tasks like engineering, where high computing power and reliability are crucial
• Minicomputers, mid-sized computers used historically for small/medium business applications
• Mainframe large data processing computers used for large scale applications
• Supercomputers are designed to perform complex calculations

Various types of computers based on usage:

• Such as Desktop, Laptop, Tablet to Smartphones to Wearable Technology
• Offer portability and advanced computing
• Smartphones with mobile connectivity, and a range of apps are highly portable and widely used for communication, web browsing social media
• A small electronic device worn as accessories (smartwatches, fitness trackers, augmented reality glasses, and health monitoring devices) used in wearables

Digital Age, Information Age, and Computer Age:

• The Digital Age marks the transition from analog to digital technologies, encoding information transmitted in digital format
• The information Age is the role of information as resource, the creation and dissemination of information play a central role
• Computer age transformative for computers on society with computers evolving from mainframe systems to integrating with everyday work and life

Cybercrime, Security and Communications:

• The Internet and the Internet can be very helpful in the transfer of information, but should be protected from attack, new viruses and other forms of malware released today

Computer Crime:

• Computer crime is any criminal activity that involves computers and the Internet
• Includes online harassment to complex fraud, and are usually used for data integrity
• Another form of computer crime includes Data Interference, Illegal Access, or Data Interference

Impact Communication of Social Behavior on IT:

• Cultural Exchange to communication has evolved on how we all communicate, which allows new cultures to share, and learn about new ways
• The market now evolves on online shopping, for shopping habits, and introducing new cultures to products

Website Types on Communications:

• Website creation tools are Wix and WordPress, which include programming easy, for the simplicity and design of these creations