Introduction to Information Skills and Systems

Information Systems in Context

the environment everything that

influences and is influenced by the
information system

the purpose a statement identifying

who the information system is for and what
it needs to achieve
who the information system is for
includes individuals and organisations
the information system a set of
information processes requiring
participants, data/information and
information technology built to satisfy a
purpose
information processes computer
based and non-computer based activities
information technology hardware
and software used in information processes
data the raw material used by
information processes

information the output displayed by an information system

user a person who views or uses the information output from an information system
participant a special class of user who carries out the information processes within an
information system

Information Processes

organising the process by which data is structured into a form appropriate for the use
of other information processes such as the format in which data will be represented
collecting the process by which data is entered into or captured by a computer
system, including:
deciding what data is required
how it is sourced
how it is encoded for entry into the system
analysing the process by which data is interpreted, transforming it into information
storing and retrieving the process by which data and information is saved and
accessed later
processing a procedure that manipulates data and information
transmitting and receiving the process that sends and receives data and information
within and beyond information systems
displaying the process that controls the format of information presented to the
participant or user
The Nature of Data and Information

Data is the raw material

Information is what comes out

Data representation the different types of media, namely:

images
audio
video
text
numbers

E.g. Self service checkout

Data Information
Product detail Total price of each item
-Item ID Total cost of transaction
-Barcode Change (cost)
-Price Receipt
-Brand
-Name
-Qty/weight
Date/ Time of transaction
Store
Terminal ID

Categorise data into data types

Text Numbers Images

- Item ID - Price - Barcode
- Brand - Qty/ weight
- Name
- Date/time
- Store
- Total price
- Terminal ID
- Total cost
- Change cost

EXPLAIN HOW THE DATA/INFO IS TRANSFORMED USING THE INFORMATION

PROCESS:
The cost of each item will be calculated based on the quantity or weight of the item. These
values will be added together to get the total cost of the transaction. Each time a new
product is scanned, the transaction list will include the item. The change required will be
calculated on the payment method.
Data will be appropriate if it is: R.A.T.S.
Relevantuseful to the purpose of the information system
Accuratecollected from a dependable source and entered without errors
Timelycurrent, and kept up-to-date
Secureprotected from deliberate or accidental damage or loss

Text:
ASCII: Method used to represent text digitally/

Numbers:

Integers (whole numbers)

Decimal numbers (real numbers)

Currency

Date and Time

Images:
Bitmap: A grid of pixels that makes up colours
Vector Image: An image comprised of lines, shapes and angles, calculated mathematically

Audio:
Audio is used to represent sound. Sound is transmitted as waves. Sound waves have two
components: Amplitude and Frequency.
Amplitude: volume or level or soundMeasured in decibels
Frequency: of times per second that a complete wavelength occurs. It determines the pitch
we hear.

Video:
Calculating the file size of each raw image, multiplying the number of frames by the number
of seconds in the video and multiplying the 2 totals together.

Identify examples of Information Systems that use information from another

Information System as data.
Opal Public transport system (stations, bus stops, ferry stops, light rail, trams)
Facebook Google, Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat
[Data = Name, birthday, friends, email]
Reasons for Digital Data Representation

E.g. Binary Number: 1001110

Powers of 2 26 25 24 23 22 21 20
Value 64 32 16 8 4 2 1
Binary Number 1 0 0 1 1 1 0

64 + 8 + 4 + 2 = 7810 Decimal

Describe advantages and disadvantages for digital represented of data

Advantages

3Es E.S.T. Ease of [Edit, Storage, Transmission]

PC Perform Calculation
QS Quick Search
The need for quality data, including:

accuracy
timeliness
accessibility
Current data digitising trends, for example:
newspapers on the Internet
telephone system
video on DVD
facsimile
media retrieval management

Disadvantages

Cost of hardware software and installation

Compatibility of software
Participants need training
Social and Ethical issues

Social and Ethical Issues

Privacy
Security
Accuracy
Copyright
Changing nature of work
Health and Safety (WHS/OHS)
Appropriate information use
 Scenario Information System: Social Network

Privacy Users have the right to ensure that their data is not used inappropriately
User data is secure and they have the ability to decide what data is public
and private
Security User name and password
Security questions
Verification methods Pin numbers
Accuracy When filling forms dropdown boxes, radio buttons, character limits
Copyright Photographers watermark their photos
Share content rather than save and re-upload as original content
Acknowledging other users work

Strategies to Address Security Issues:

- Passwords verify access user rights

- Backup copies made regularly. Also kept in secure locations.
- Physical barriers Safe or locked cabinets
- Anti-virus software Files are scanned. Virus are removed or files are quarantined.
- Firewalls Provides protection. Monitors the transfer of data to and from a network.
- Data encryption - Makes data unreachable without the decryption code.
- Audit trails Gives the ability to work backwards and trace the origin of a problem
that may occur.

Tools for Information Processes

Collecting
Definition: The process by which data is captured or entered into a computer system

Data Collection Methods: Surveys, Interviews, Research

Hardware:

Devices

Pointing devices collecting choices/performing commands

Scanners/digital cameras collecting images
Microphones/recording devices collect audio
Keyboard collecting numbers and text

Pointing devices An input device that controls on-screen symbols and choosing
commands. E.g. Mouse, stylus, touchpad/screen, graphics tablet, joystick
Scanners An input device that electronically captures text or images such as photographs
and drawings

Scanners have many actions:

Have different DPI (dots per inch) resolutions. The higher the resolution the better
quality the final output
Single-pass scanners: can image in one pass; multiple-pass scanners scan each
colour individually.
Uses software called TWAIN (Tech Without An Interesting Name) that allows the
digital image to be used in other applications.

Digital Cameras An input device that capture and store images in digital form.

Digital Cameras have many actions: