Information Technology - The technology used in creating, maintaining, and making information accessible.
IT Professional Roles - Administration and
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System Administrator - Maintains all aspects of the system including hardware, software, and programming.
Network Administrator - In charge of all aspects of the computer network
Database Administrator - Focuses on the design, development, and support of database management systems (DBMSs).
Security Administrator - Installs, configures, and administers firewall security to protect systems and proactively work to stop intrusions.
Web Administrator - Installs, configures, maintains, secures, and troubleshoots web severs.
Support IT Professionals - Help desk and training.
Information - Processed data.
DIKW Hierarchy - Defines the transition of data to information to knowledge to wisdom. (Data Information Knowledge Wisdom)
Data in DIKW - The input directly received by the user (or computer). It is generally not usable until it has been converted into a relevant form.
Information in DIKW - Having been inferred from data; one or more processes have been applied to the data to transform it into a more useful form.
Knowledge in DIKW - Information that has been put to use; information placed into a context. Refined information such that the user of the knowledge is able to call forth only relevant portions of information when needed.
Wisdom in DIKW - Provides a social setting to knowledge; an understanding of the "why". Can only come by having both knowledge and experience.
Information Systems - A collection of data and information used to support the management of an organization. Also refers to the technical components and human resources that enable the assembly, storage, and processing of data and the delivery of information. This has existed for a lot longer than computers.
Characteristics of Quality Data - Relevance - the data being used must apply directly to the decision being made
Timely - data must be efficient and must be provided in a timely manner
Thorough - the data must be complete
Accurate - data should be captured only once, where possible and should be captured as close to the point of activity as possible.
Reliable - data should reflect stable and consistent data collection processes across collections points and over time
IPOS - The Input-Procession-Output-Storage Cycle
Input - Raw data is entered by the user.
Processing - Raw data is organized or structured for usefulness.
Output - Information is output so user can see results.
Storage - Processed information is stored for permanent record.
Computer System - A collection of components that work together to meet the needs of the user; typically categorized as either hardware, software, networks, or users.
Hardware - Physical components of a computer system which include the system unit and its components and peripheral devices; tangible aspects of the computer.
Software - Computer programs that tell the computer what to do--how to execute commands and process information
Network - A collection of computers and resources connected by various media so that they can communicate with each other.
User - Those who use a computer.
Software Categories - Systems Software and Applications Software
Evolution of Users - First users were the engineers who built and programmed computers, then employees who had received specialized training were users, and now today, anyone and everyone can be a user.
Protocol - Rules provided by which networks communicate with each other.
TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. Most commonly used protocol; is required of all computers that communicate over the Internet.
Protocol Stack - A collection of protocols. TCP/IP is an example.
Components of a Computer - CPU, Memory and Storage, Peripheral Devices
CPU - Executes programs' instructions and commands various components in the computer. Referred to as the "chip".
Memory - Stores the programs being executed and the data they are using.
I/O Subsystem - All peripheral devices where long term storage devices are used.
Bus - Permits information to move between each component; electrical channels that enable communication among the electronic components
System Unit - Critical component of all computer based systems; consists of most of the hardware the computer needs in order to run; comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Internal Components of the System Unit - Case, Internal Bays, Buses, Ports, Hard Drive, Motherboard, CPU, CPU Cooler, Memory Module (RAM), Power Supply Unit (PSU), Expansion Slots/Cards
Parts of the CPU - Control Unit (CU) - retrieves the instructions and the raw data that is input and coordinates or controls the sending of those instructions and data to the ALU
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) - does the actual processing of the data; completing mathematical calculations and logical operations to process the data and converting the input of the keyboard text entry to output displayed on the screen
System Clock - Controls the speed at which instructions are processed.
RAM - Stands for Random Access Memory.
It temporarily stores data before it is processed and sent to your screen or printer.
It is volatile (means data or information stored disappears when the computer is turned off or loses power). [Show Less]