MODULE:

INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN ORGANISATIONS

Lecture 1

Basic Computer Concepts

 Lecture Overview

• Define Computer and Identify the Four Basic Computing

Functions.
• Identify the Different Types of Computers.
• Describe the Hardware Devices and their Uses.
• Identify Types of Software and their Uses.
• Describe Networks and Network Terms
• Safe Computing Practices.
What is a Computer?
• A programmable electronic device that can input, process,
output, and store data

• The Four Basic Computing Functions

Types of Computers
 Types of Computers

• Mainframe computers
• Manage users through multitasking
• Supercomputers
• Large, powerful and ultrafast
• Process scientific calculations and multi-scale simulations
• Mid-range computers
 Types of Computers

• Microcomputers
 Desktop computers
 Notebook computers
 Tablet computers
 Mobile devices
 Computer Systems - Hardware
• Hardware
 Refers to the physical components of a computer

• System Unit
 Houses internal components
 Provides connection sites for peripheral devices
 Peripheral devices provide input and output
 Computer Systems - Hardware
• System Unit main components are:
 Computer Systems - Hardware
• System Board or Mother Board
 Computer Systems - Hardware
• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
 The brain of the computer that executes programs and
manipulates data
 Two main parts:
• Control unit
• Arithmetic logic unit
 Many different types
 Computer Systems - Hardware
• Memory
 Measured in bytes
• megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB)
 ROM: permanent and nonvolatile
 RAM: temporary and volatile
 Virtual Memory
 Computer Systems - Hardware
• Input Devices
The data or instructions you type into the computer are called
input
• Keyboard
• Ergonomic
• Pointing device
• Controls the pointer
• Mouse
• Scroll wheel
• Trackball
• Touch pad
• Pointing stick
• Scanner
 Computer Systems - Hardware
• Output Devices
 Displays information after data has been processed in a
useful format.
 Monitors
 Printers
 Speakers
 Projectors
 Computer Systems - Hardware
• Output Devices
 Monitors
o Display a temporary copy (soft copy) of processed data
o Types of Monitors:
o Cathode-ray tube (CRT)
o Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
o Light-Emitting Diode (LED)
o LCD & LED
• Have a thin profile
• Are used with newer desktops and notebooks
• Have largely replaced CRT monitors
• May accommodate high-definition video
 Computer Systems - Hardware
• Output Devices
 Monitors
 Computer Systems - Hardware
• Output Devices
 Printers
o Supply a hard copy of output displayed on a computer’s
monitor
o Types of Printers:
o Inkjet
o Laser
o Dot-Matrix
o Thermal-transfer
o Plotters
 Computer Systems - Hardware
• Output Devices
 Printers
 Computer Systems - Hardware
• Storage Devices
 Used to store data, information and programs for future use.
 Permanent memory

 Storage device v/s Storage media

 Storage Device - Hardware such as Hard drives/DVD.
 Storage Media - Removable part that actually
contains the stored data.
 Computer Systems - Hardware
• Storage Devices - Holding Data for Future Use
 Memory (RAM)
o Primary Memory
o Temporarily holding area for items in use.
o Primary storage.
 Storage Devices
o Required during the computer system’s start up operations.
o Used as an output device for saving data.
 Computer Systems - Hardware
• Storage Devices
 Data is stored in one of the three forms:
o Magnetic
o Optical
o Flash
 Computer Systems - Hardware
• Storage Devices
 Types of Storage Media:
 Computer Systems - Hardware
• Ports & Connectors
Audio Ethernet FireWire Parallel PS/2

Standard
(VGA) HDMI video
USB
 Computer Systems - Hardware
• Ports & Connectors
 Connectors between a peripheral device and computer.
 Enables data to be exchanged.
 Have different shapes and sizes.
 Different ports operate at different speeds.
 Computer Systems - Hardware
• Ports & Connectors
USB FireWire

USB Hub

Ethernet
 Computer Systems - Software
• System Software
 Manages the fundamental operations of a computer.

 Operating System – Manages hardware components, Multitasking

Utility Programs - Small applications that handle tasks involved with

management and maintenance of a system.
 Computer Systems - Software
• System Software – Operating System
 Communicates with the computer and its peripherals
 Includes the user interface.
 Graphical User Interface (GUI)
• Icons
• Menus
• Dialog boxes
• Windows

Contains the direction needed to start up the computer (Boot Process)

 Computer Systems - Software
• System Software – Operating System
 Types of Operating System:
Windows OS
Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows 7
Windows 10
 Linux/Unix
 MAC
 Computer Systems - Software
• System Software – Utility Programs

 Small applications that handle important tasks involved with

computer management and maintenance.
 Computer Systems - Software
• System Software – Utility Programs
 Computer Systems - Software
• System Software – Utility Programs
 Small applications that handle important tasks involved with
computer management and maintenance.
 Utility Programs can be used to:
• Back up important files.
• Remove unwanted files or programs.
• Schedule various computer maintenance tasks.
 Computer Systems - Software
• Application Software
 Programs created to perform a specific task or solve a specific need.
 Fall into one of several categories
 Financial and Business
 Graphics and multimedia
 Educational and reference
 Entertainment
 Communication
 Productivity software.
 Computer Systems - Software
• Application Software – Productivity Software
 Word Processing.
 Spreadsheet.
 Database.
 Presentation.
 Communication.
 Computer Systems - Software
• Application Software – Productivity Software
Application Software Type Examples
Word processing software MS Word, WordPad and Notepad
Database software Oracle, MS Access etc
Spreadsheet software Apple Numbers, Microsoft Excel
Multimedia software Real Player, Media Player
Presentation Software Microsoft Power Point, Keynotes
Enterprise Software Customer relationship management system
Information Worker Software Documentation tools, resource management tools
Dictionaries: Encarta, Britannica Mathematical: MATLABOthers:
Educational Software
Google Earth, NASA World Wind
Simulation Software Flight and scientific simulators
Content Access Software Accessing content through media players, web browsers
Application Suites OpenOffice, Microsoft Office
Software for Engineering and
IDE or Integrated Development Environments
Product Development
 Computer Systems - Networks
• Application Software – Productivity Software
 Word Processing.
 Spreadsheet.
 Database.
 Presentation.
 Communication.
 Computer Systems - Networks
• Networks
 Consist of two or more connected computers or other devices.
 Allow users to share data, software and resources.
 Each object connected to a network is a node.
 Network interface card (NIC)
 LAN
 WAN
 WLAN
 PAN
 WiMax
 Computer Systems - Networks
• Network Configuration
 Peer-to-peer
 Used in homes and small businesses
 Each node communicates with every other node without a dedicated
server among computers.

 Client/Server
 Typically have two different types of computers

 The client: used by an individual

 The server: used by network technicians and administrator to manage
network resources.
 Computer Systems - Networks
• Network Servers
 Domain Controller
 File Server
 Print Server
 Web Server
 Mail Server
 DNS Server
 DHCP Server
 Database Server
 FTP Server
 Computer Systems - Networks
• Network Topologies
 Describes the different types of network architecture used for
client/server networks.
BUS Topologies – connects each node to a single, central high-speed
line known as bus.
RING Topologies – connects each node to the next, forming a loop.
 STAR Topologies – connects each node to a special device know as
switch.
 Computer Systems - Networks
• Network Topologies

Star Network
 Computer Systems - Networks
• The Internet
 The largest network in the world that connects millions of
people.
 World Wide Web
• Web Page
• Web Site
 Electronic Mail
 Computer Systems - Security
• Security
 Refers to the steps a computer owner takes to prevent unauthorized
use of or damage to the computer.
Malware, Viruses, spyware, adware
 Firewall
 Phishing
 Pharming
 Computer Systems - Security
• Security
 Refers to the steps a computer owner takes to prevent unauthorized
use of or damage to the computer.
Malware, Viruses, spyware, adware, Worms, Trojan Horses
 Firewall
 Phishing
 Pharming
 Computer Systems - Security
Security- How to protect your computer?
 Software updates and patches
 Antivirus Software
 Antispyware software
 Anti Malware
 Firewalls
THANK YOU