Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Chapter Preview
Like Neil, you might go into the computer industry and then transition to some other business. If so, youll know how the game is played, as Kelly says. However, you might not. You might become a department manager, or own your own small business, or be appointed to your law firms technology committee. Whatever direction your career takes, you dont want to be one of those professionals who waste a lot of money . . . and time. The knowledge from this chapter can help. You dont need to be an expert. You dont need to be a hardware engineer or a computer programmer. You do need to know enough, however, to be an effective consumer. You need the knowledge and skills to ask important, relevant questions and understand the answers. We begin with basic hardware and software concepts. Then we will discuss how you can use your knowledge to prepare a computer budget for your department and, then we wrap up by forecasting trends in hardware and software in 2020.
4-2
1-3
Study Questions
Q1 What do business professionals need to know about computer hardware?
Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 What is the difference between a client and a server? What does a business professional need to know about software? Why are thin clients preferred to thick clients? Is open source software a viable alternative? How can you use this knowledge? 2020?
4-4
4-6
4-8
4-11
4-13
4-14
Study Questions
Q1 What do business professionals need to know about computer hardware?
4-15
4-16
4-18
4-19
A Server Farm
Figure 4-8
4-20
Grids
Grid computing
A network of computers that operates as an integrated whole; the grid appears to be a single computer. It may support a server farm, or some other computing need. Organizations lease time on a grid from other organizations that create, support, and manage that grid. For example, IBM leases time on a grid for applications that require intensive arithmetic computing. Also leases time on a special-purpose grid to archive medical records. (See www-03.ibm.com/grid.)
4-21
Clouds
Cloud computing Refers to a computing network on the Internet When you access a video from a site like Facebook, you are accessing computing services in the cloud. You dont know which server is processing your Facebook requests or which server is playing the video. You just know that somewhere in the cloud one or more servers are causing the video to be downloaded to your computer.
4-22
Study Questions
Q1 Q2 What do business professionals need to know about computer hardware? What is the difference between a client and a server?
4-23
4-24
4-25
Unless informed otherwise, assume that a particular application runs on just one operating system.
4-26
4-27
Windows
Microsoft Windows
Most important operating system for business users Some version of Windows resides on more than 85 percent of worlds desktops, and 95 percent of business users computers. Different versions of Windows Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP run on user computers. Windows Server is a version of Windows designed for servers. Windows runs the Intel instruction set on both 32- and 64-bit computers.
4-28
Mac OS
Operating system for the Apple Macintosh computers Current version is Mac OS X Macintosh computers are used primarily by graphic artists and workers in the arts community. Originally designed to run on Motorola CPUs In 1994, Mac OS switched to IBMs PowerPC processors. As of 2006, Macintosh computers are available for both PowerPC and Intel CPUs. A Macintosh with an Intel processor is able to run both Windows and the Mac OS. Apple has led the way in developing easy-to-use interfaces.
4-29
Unix
Operating system developed at Bell Labs in 1970s Workhorse of scientific and engineering communities since Generally regarded as being more difficult to use than either Windows or the Macintosh, because of its arcane language for manipulating files and data. However, most Unix users become fanatic supporters of the system once they learn it. Sun Microsystems and other vendors of computers for scientific and engineering applications are major proponents of Unix. In general, Unix is not for business users.
4-30
Linux
A version of Unix by the open-source community, a loosely coupled group of programmers who volunteer their time to contribute code to develop and maintain Linux. Open-source community owns Linux, and there is no fee to use it. Linux can run on client computers, but it is most frequently used for servers, particularly Web servers. IBM is primary proponent of Linux. Although IBM does not own Linux. IBM has developed many business systems solutions that use Linux. By using Linux, IBM does not have to pay a license fee to Microsoft or another OS vendor
Copyright 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 4-31
4-32
4-33
Vertical applications Usually can be altered or customized. Typically, the company that sold the application software will provide such services or offer referrals to qualified consultants who can provide this service. One-of-a-kind application software Developed for a specific, unique need
Copyright 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 4-35
4-36
4-37
Firmware
Firmware
Computer software that is installed into devices such as printers, print servers, and various types of communication devices. Coded just like other software, but it is installed into special, read-only memory of the printer or other device, so program becomes part of devices memory. Users do not need to load firmware into the devices memory. Can be changed or upgraded, but this is normally a task for IS professionals. Task is easy, but it requires knowledge of special programs and techniques that most business users choose not to learn.
4-38
Study Questions
Q1 Q2 Q3 What do business professionals need to know about computer hardware? What is the difference between a client and a server? What does a business professional need to know about software? Is open source software a viable alternative? How can you use this knowledge? 2020?
4-39
4-40
Client-Server Applications
Client-server applications require software code on both client computer and server computer. Difference between a thin client and a thick client is determined by amount of software required on client computer.
Thin clients only require a browser, like Internet Explorer. Accessing a Web site is an example of a thin client application. A thin client program is preferable because it doesnt require extra software. Thick clients require software programs in addition to a browser. Using Mozilla Thunderbird email is an example of a thick client application. Thick client software usually provides more features and functions.
Copyright 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 4-41
Study Questions
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q6 Q7 What do business professionals need to know about computer hardware? What is the difference between a client and a server? What does a business professional need to know about software? Why are thin clients preferred to thick clients? How can you use this knowledge? 2020?
4-42
4-43
4-44
4-46
4-47
Study Questions
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q7 What do business professionals need to know about computer hardware? What is the difference between a client and a server? What does a business professional need to know about software? Why are thin clients preferred to thick clients? Is open source software a viable alternative? 2020?
4-48
4-49
4-50
4-51
4-52
4-53
4-54
4-55
4-56
4-57
4-58
Study Questions
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 What do business professionals need to know about computer hardware? What is the difference between a client and a server? What does a business professional need to know about software? Why are thin clients preferred to thick clients? Is open source software a viable alternative? How can you use this knowledge?
Q7 2020?
4-59
4-60
4-61
4-62
4-63
4-64
4-65
4-68
Active Review
Q1 What do business professionals need to know about computer hardware? Q2 What is the difference between a client and a server? Q3 What does a business professional need to know about software? Q4 Why are thin clients preferred to thick clients? Q5 Is open source software a viable alternative? Q6 How can you use this knowledge? Q7 2020?
4-69
Case Study 4: Dell Leverages the Internet, Directly, but for How Long?
(Video) Dell changed the way computers were sold by lowering cost of distribution and sales and dramatically lowered prices. Most important thing was they listened very carefully to customers. Eliminated retail stores reduced costs, and brought Dell closer to the customer, enabling it to listen better than the competition. Eliminated sales channel inventories, which allowed Dell to rapidly bring new computers with new technology to the customer faster. One of the most efficient supply chains in the industry. Offers additional services to maintain and manage Dell systems once they have been deployed.
4-70
Case Study 4: Dell Leverages the Internet, Directly, but for How Long?
Dell reported that first-quarter earnings had fallen 63 percent compared to a year earlier, and sales had dropped 23 percent. Prior quarter down 48 percent from same quarter a year before. Economy is responsible for some of the decline, and some of it due to customers waiting to buy PCs after Windows 7 came out later in the year. Another financial issue troubling Dell: Components of PCs seem to be selling, but not PCs themselves. What might this mean?
4-71
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Printed in the United States of America.
4-72