Information Technology Lecture Outlines Packet #1 FREC 135 Introduction to Data Analysis Apple Computers in Our Society Today Best described as ubiquitous every where! Use has grown since the early 1950s. The number of personal computers (micro computers) have gone from zero in the late 1970s to estimates of billions today. -Cheaper, more reliable and easier to use! Computers in our Society Today How have computers (technology) affected you and our society? Positive Negative The UD Computing Environment Computers used extensively by students, faculty, staff, etc. Access is via: Extensive Central Computing Resources UNIX systems -- Copland and Strauss -- are used for many academic activities including course work, text processing, and scholarly research. Variety of special purpose computers for administrative and research purposes. The University manages these systems and students, faculty and staff are allowed to use them provided they follow the rules a privilege, not a right! Computer technology at UD goes from. PCs to Supercomputer Information Technology Personal Computing Resources These are systems (computer, printer, etc.) that students bring to campus. IBM, Dell, Gateway, HP, Mac, etc. Networks (U of DE Network, Internet and WWW) access to the world! Computers connected together! Implications of Information Technology Information Technology, the ability to access, provide, share, and manipulate data and information, has changed the way the world functions it affects us all, either positively or negatively. Hastings, The whole world has been flattened.. global collaboration and competition.. have been made cheaper, easier, more friction-free, and more productive for more people from more corners of the world than at any other time in the history of the world. Thomas Friedman, The World is Flat, 2005, page 200. Regarding the Information Technology Revolution: Now we are going into the main event..an era in which technology will transform every aspect of business, every aspect of life and every aspect of society. Carly Fiorina, 2004. Implications of Information Technology WSJ, 10/28/09 Implications of Information Technology A UC Berkeley study reported that in 2002, human kind created 5 exabytes of stored data in paper, the equivalent of creating 500,000 new Libraries of Congress each year. ..More that 90 percent [of those datum] . were stored on a hard disk. Every day we create and store more information in (digital format) than had been stored for most of our history on paper. (Page 276) John Battelle, The Search, 2005 Exa = 10 18 Implications of Information Technology Continual Data Collection Implications of Information Technology What does this mean to you as a student and future professional? End of an Era! First phone book printed in 1878 one page for 50 residents of New Haven, CT. Source: Yahoo, 11/10/11 The Way We Do Things Have Changed! The Challenge of Information Technology The challenge today for students, faculty, professionals is to catch-up, if necessary and, then, to keep up! You, as a student and future professional, will have to: be computer competent, know and understand the rules of technology, and abide by the rules. Data versus Information What is Data? What is Information? Creating Information from Data Data -> Processing -> Information -> Application (Goal) Example: Faculty submit classes, times, etc. -> Listed, sorted by department, etc. -> Results stored electronically -> Students access UDSIS to register for classes. We us - our society use(s) information constantly! Desirable Characteristics of Information Data versus Information What is Data? raw facts; usually observed and collected What is Information? data that has been organized into a useful and ordered form Creating Information from Data Data -> Processing -> Information -> Application (Goal) Example: Faculty submit classes, times, etc. -> Listed, sorted by department, etc. -> Results stored electronically -> Students access UDSIS to register for classes. We us - our society use(s) information constantly! Desirable Characteristics of Information Data versus Information What is Data? raw facts; usually observed and collected What is Information? data that has been organized into a useful and ordered form Creating Information from Data Data -> Processing -> Information -> Application (Goal) Example: Faculty submit classes, times, etc. -> Listed, sorted by department, etc. -> Results stored electronically -> Students access UDSIS to register for classes. We us - our society use(s) information constantly! Desirable Characteristics of Information accurate, complete, organized, consise, easy to use, understand . Processing Data in The Old Days Computers are a Tool - Computers are a, actually the best, tool to produce and manage information they are fast, accurate and have extensive storage capabilities. - Think hammer and nails or screw driver and screws! Computer Competency Computer Competency (Computing Literacy) Lots of definitions! An individuals knowledge about computers and their ability to use computers to produce and manage information necessary to make decisions and solve problems in their student and professional lives. What do you need to know? Facebook (social networking) Hastings Big Six Types of Applications Word Processing Spreadsheets Database Management Presentation and Analytical Graphics Communications ( , Browser, File Transfer), etc.) Web Page Authoring Beyond these, needs vary by major and profession Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Statistics (JMP, SAS, etc.) Data Representation in Computers Computers use language of binary digits (0s and 1s) to store and process data. Various ways exist to capture 0s and 1s Examples: Fixed or Hard Disks use magnetic particles Processors use electric charges (on/off) CDs and DVDs use reflective and non-reflective surfaces Digital Technology Information System Parts of An Information System (6) OLeary and OLeary, Computing Essentials. People users that need information set goals Data raw facts Procedures how to make things work; rules Hardware monitor, system unit, printer, etc. Software programs (code) that executes instructions Connectivity computers communicating to share data, information, etc. The Internet - a network (computers connected together) that connects millions of computers world-wide. World Wide Web - a multimedia interface to resources on the Internet Hardware Software At a minimum System Software and Application Software Connectivity The Internet and World Wide Web Access to the Internet Evolution of Computers What was the First Computer? Evolution of Computers What was the First Computer? Grotte Chauvet (France) 32,000 years old! Click on Picture! Other Early Computers The Abacus The Pascaline - Difference Engine - Punch cards - ABC Computer - Significant Events in Computer History Computer History Museum -http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/ Dotcalm Computing - The Generations (and Technology) of Modern Computing ( ) First Generation (1951 1957) - Vacuum Tubes Second Generation (1958 1963) Transistors Third Generation (1964 1969) - Integrated Circuits The Generations (and Technology) of Modern Computing ( ) Fourth Generation (1970 1990) Microprocessors (integrated circuit capable of storage and logic operations) Fifth Generation ( ?) Connectivity (networks, The Web, The Internet, wireless connections, etc.) Computers Types Hierarchy from most powerful to least powerful: Supercomputers -Mainframe Computers -Mini or Mid Range Computers Microcomputers or Personal Computers Desk Top Computers Notebook or Laptop Computers Palm or Handheld Computers CATEGORIES OVERLAP! Classifying Computers Types of Computer Systems Historically, computers were in distinct categories; those categories are now very fuzzy (not distinct). Criteria for Classifying Computers Architecture design of internal circuitry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_architecturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_architecture Processing Speed of Central Processing Unit Capacity of Primary (Main) Memory Capacity of External Storage Devices Number of Users (1 to ?) Cost ($100s to $1,000,000s) Collectively, these criteria determine computing power. Microcomputers Why least powerful and most used? Increased productivity Problem-solving abilities provide information Useful to variety of people Inexpensive relatively! Easy to use, inexpensive software Growth of Microcomputer Hardware, Software and Peripheral Markets Trends in Microcomputers s to the Present Increased Power faster processing, more storage, more fonts, more colors, etc. due to hardware and software Increased Use and Uses sales of hardware and software Increased number and use of peripherals printers, scanners, cameras, Ipods, etc. Increased Variety of Types desktops, laptops, hand helds, PDAs, etc. Increased merger of computer, telephone, calculator, radio and TV. Decreased Prices - many $1,000s to $100s to $10s Social Issues of Information Technology We are all affected by computers on a daily basis. Students, faculty, parents, businesses everyone! Technology affects our lives in many ways some good, some bad! Recent Headlines Social Issues of Information Technology Major Issues Privacy everyone has data about themselves stored somewhere! Who has access to information to about you? Is your information accurate? Who owns your data? Largely controlled by ethical behavior by people. Firms Use Security Cameras Social Issues of Information Technology Security Many forms of computer crimes / criminals. Other Risks Natural Hazards Civil Unrest and Terrorism Technological Failures Human Errors we do stupid things! Source: Newsweek, 12/8/08. Social Issues of Information Technology Ways to prevent loss of computers, data and information include: locking your door!, encrypting, protecting passwords, firewalls, virus protection, remove spy ware and BACKING UP! Social Issues of Information Technology Ergonomics - study of human factors related to computers Physical Heath Eye strain, headaches, RSI, muscle pains, etc. Mental Health Noise, monitoring, technostress, etc. Ergonomically Correct Workstation Social Issues of Information Technology Environmental Concerns Energy Consumption Use of toxic metals and chemicals Social Issues of Information Technology Recycling Electronics eCycling (recycling of electronic devices) Source:Environmental Impacts of Increased Energy Use Typical Dorm Room Lamp, Computer, Cell Phone Charger, TV, Fan, Microwave Oven, Coffee Pot, etc. Social Issues of Information Technology Impacts of Technology on Jobs and Economy Implications of Information Technology The Future Technology is out-racing social, legal and political institutions. Change is continual in our personal and professional world! Summary Computers have become an integral part of our personal, student and professional lives. With that comes increased benefits, costs and responsibilities for users like our selves! All technological advances, including computers, have costs and benefits for society. Change is continual! Lecture Sources: OLeary, Computing Essentials , 2008 and Miscellaneous Personal Materials.