Computer 1 – Information

Technology

Information Technology

 Information technology (IT) is the application of computers to store, study, retrieve, transmit and
manipulate data, or information, often in the context of a business or other enterprise. IT is
considered a subset of information and communications technology (ICT). In 2012, Zuppo proposed
 an ICT hierarchy where each hierarchy level "contain[s] some degree of commonality in that they
are related to technologies that facilitate the transfer of information and various types of
electronically mediated communications".
 The term is commonly used as a synonym for computers and computer networks, but it also
encompasses other information distribution technologies such as television and telephones.
Several industries are associated with information technology, including computer
hardware, software, electronics, semiconductors, internet, telecom equipment, and e-commerce.
 Humans have been storing, retrieving, manipulating, and communicating information since
the Sumerians in Mesopotamia developed writing in about 3000 BC, but the term information
technology in its modern sense first appeared in a 1958 article published in the Harvard Business
Review; authors Harold J. Leavitt and Thomas L. Whisler commented that "the new technology does
not yet have a single established name. We shall call it information technology (IT)." Their
definition consists of three categories: techniques for processing, the application of statistical and
mathematical methods to decision-making, and the simulation of higher-order thinking through
computer programs.
 Based on the storage and processing technologies employed, it is possible to distinguish four distinct
phases of IT development: pre-mechanical (3000 BC – 1450 AD), mechanical (1450–
1840), electromechanical (1840–1940), and electronic (1940–present). This article focuses on the
most recent period (electronic), which began in about 1940.

COMPUTER LITERACY
 Computer literacy is the ability to use computers and related technology efficiently, with a range of
skills covering levels from elementary use to programming and advanced problem solving.[1][2] By
another measure, computer literacy requires some understanding of computer programming and how
computers work.
 Computer literacy is an understanding of the concepts, terminology and operations that relate to
general computer use. It is the essential knowledge needed to function independently with a computer.
This functionality includes being able to solve and avoid problems, adapt to new situations, keep
information organized and communicate effectively with other computer literate people.
 Computer literacy (being able to use computers and the Internet) can be understood of being different
from informatics literacy (understand computer science principles and programming concepts). Digital
literacy is an associated concept, i.e. somewhat represents a union of computer literacy
with information literacy.

Aspect of computer literacy

IMPORTANCE OF COMPUTER LITERACY

 Computer literacy is the knowledge and understandingcomputer concepts, limitations and
abilityto use computer and technology efficiently. Computer literacy can also refer to the
comfort level someone has with using computer programs and other application that are
associated with computers.
  Computer Literacy is considered to be a veryimportant skill to possess while in
the first world. Employers want their workers to have basiccomputer skills
because their company becomes ever more dependent on computers. Many
companies try to use computers to help run their company faster and cheaper.

CYBERPHOBIA
 Cyberphobia is a concept introduced in 1980,[1] described as a specific phobia expressed as
"an irrational fear of or aversion to computers" or more generally, a fear and/or inability to
learn about new technologies.
 Some forms of cyberphobia may range from the more passive forms of technophobia of
those who are indifferent toward cyberspace to the responses of those who see digital
technology as a medium of intrusive surveillance; more extreme responses may involve anti-
technological paranoia expressed by social movements that radically oppose ‘technological
society’ and ‘the New World Order’.[2]
 There are different ways that someone could experience cyberphobia. Teachers may
experience a form of cyberphobia if they are forced to change their way of teaching. Another
way people may experience cyberphobia is if they feel that they are incompetent, or that the
new technology is not needed to advance in life, or that they feel that they lack skills for the
new age of technology.[citation needed] Another way people may experience cyberphobia is if they
feel like they are going to lose control, or the new technology will affect their status in life.

Computer
 Computer is a device that can be instructed to carry out arbitrary sequences
of arithmetic or logical operations automatically. The ability of computers to follow
generalized sets of operations, called programs, enables them to perform an extremely wide
range of tasks.
 Such computers are used as control systems for a very wide variety
of industrial and consumer devices. This includes simple special purpose devices
like microwave ovens and remote controls, factory devices such as industrial
robots and computer assisted design, but also in general purpose devices like personal
computers and mobile devices such as smartphones. The Internet is run on computers and it
connects millions of other computers.
 Since ancient times, simple manual devices like the abacus aided people in doing
calculations. Early in the Industrial Revolution, some mechanical devices were built to
automate long tedious tasks, such as guiding patterns for looms. More sophisticated
electrical machines did specialized analog calculations in the early 20th century. The
first digital electronic calculating machines were developed during World War II. The speed,
power, and versatility of computers has increased continuously and dramatically since then.
 Conventionally, a modern computer consists of at least one processing element, typically
a central processing unit (CPU), and some form of memory. The processing element carries
out arithmetic and logical operations, and a sequencing and control unit can change the
order of operations in response to stored information. Peripheral devices include input
 devices (keyboards, mice, joystick, etc.), output devices (monitor screens, printers, etc.), and
input/output devices that perform both functions (e.g., the 2000s-era touchscreen).
Peripheral devices allow information to be retrieved from an external source and they enable
the result of operations to be saved and retrieved.

COMPUTER CAPABILITIES
 A computer works one step at a time. It can add, subtract, compare digits and letters, move and
copy numbers and letters. There’s nothing profound in these operations. What is significant is the
computer speed. This speed is measured in milliseconds, microseconds, nanoseconds and Pico
seconds (Recent study says computer speed is being doubled every six months). The speed
required for computers to execute a basic operation like addition varies from a few microseconds
for the smallest machines to 80 nano seconds or less for the larger ones. Thus, the slowest
computers can perform hundreds of thousands of additions in a second while the largest systems
can compute several million additions in the same period.