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BUS237 - Week 4
Week 4 BUS237
79
Business
Undergraduate 2
10/08/2013

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Term
Early Computers (1939 - 1952)
Definition
- ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) - 1946 - widely recognized as the first computer
- financed by the US military
- large, complex and expensive
- single user
- one program run at a time
- housed at universities
Term
Mainframes (1952 - Present)
Definition
- First digital computers - large, room-sized devices
- Mainly used by business and government
- Designed for fast processing and massive storage
- Often needed to be housed in climate-controlled spaces
Term
Microcomputers (1975 - Present)
Definition
- First ones like the MITS Altair 8800 and Datapoint 2200 = developed in 1975
- Early versions often lacked a display screen or monitor and asked users to develop their own programs
Integrated circuits
- Small microprocessors
- After companies like Microsoft created programming languages (BASIC) and operating systems (DOS), by 1981 companies began to launch personal computers (PCs)
- These PCs had Monitors, Keyboards, Portable floppy disks, Software, etc.
Term
Local Area Networks (LANs)
Definition
- Linking many personal computers together
- Shared access to data, printers, and other peripheral devices
- This LAN revolution was followed by the commercialization of WAN technology in the 90s
Term
Examples of Wide Area Networks (WANs)
Definition
- The Internet
- Email
- Web browsing
Term
3 Information Technology Principles
Definition
- Price and performance advances
- Small is powerful
- The Network is the thing: the value of IT can be measured not only in the power of the processor but in the power of the network it helps access
Term
What does hardware consist of?
Definition
Electronic components and related gadgetry that input, process, output, and store data according to instructions encoded in computer programs or software
Term
Basic hardware categories
Definition
- Input (keyboard, mouse, scanner, UPC reader, microphone)
- Processing (CPU, main memory, special function cards)
- Output (video display, printer, speakers, slide projector, plotter)
- Storage - saves data and programs (magnetic disks, optical disks, magnetic tape, SSD)
Term
Binary digits (Bits)
Definition
- Used to represent data
- Represented as either zero or one
- Easy to represent physically
Term
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Definition
- The brain of the computer
- Transfers program or data from disk to main memory
- Moves instruction from main memory via data channel or bus
- Has small amount of very fast memory called cache
- Expressed in hertz
- Selects instructions, processes them, performs arithmetic and logical comparisons and stores results of operations in memory
- Need more CPU if handling complex tasks
Term
Cache
Definition
- Very fast memory - the CPU has a small amount of it
- Keeps frequently used instructions
- Large cache makes computer fast, but is expensive
Term
Main memory
Definition
- Contains program instructions
- Contains operating system (OS) instructions
Term
T or F?

Main memory is huge and can hold all your data.
Definition
False: Main memory is too small to hold all data
Term
T or F?

CPU loads programs into memory in chunks.
Definition
True: It places new programs into unused memory. If none is available, the operating system will remove the chunk being used and replace it with requested data. Too little main memory then means constant memory swapping, which slows processing. We therefore need more memory if processing many programs
Term
Volatile vs. nonvolatile memory
Definition
Volatile: Contents lost when power is off ex. Cache and main memory

Nonvolatile: Saved contents survive after power is turned off. Ex. Magnetic and optical disks
Term
Client Computers
Definition
- Used for word processing, spreadsheets, database access
- Most have software that enables them to connect to servers for Web, e-mail, database
Term
Servers
Definition
- Provide services
- Facebook, Google, YouTube, etc. all use servers that are accessed by other computers
- Faster, larger, more powerful than client computers
- Usually have very simple video displays or may not have them at all
Term
Cloud computing
Definition
- Customers do not own the computers
- Hardware, software, and applications are provided as a service, through a web browser
- The cloud is a metaphor for the Internet, which makes software and data services available from any location at any time
- It builds upon the concept of grid computing
Ex. web-based email systems like hotmail or Google Docs
Term
Grid computing
Definition
Several computers are used to address a single problem at the same time
Uses software to divide and apportion pieces of a program among several computers
Term
2 types of computer software
Definition
1. Operating System (OS) - program that controls computer’s resources
2. Application Programs - perform specific user tasks - consists of programs that perform a business function
Term
Constraints of Computer Software
Definition
- A particular version of an operating system is written for a particular type of hardware
Ex. Windows only work on processors from Intel and companies that make processors conforming tot he intel instruction set

- Application programs are written to use a particular operating system
Term
4 Major Operating Systems
Definition
Windows
Mac OS
Unix
Linux
Term
Windows
Definition
- Used by 85% of the world’s desktops
- 95% of business users
- Microsoft developed
- Many different versions
- Runs the Intel instruction set
- Most important OS for business users
Term
Mac OS
Definition
- Apple Computer, Inc. developed for Macintosh computers
- Easy-to-use interfaces
- Used primarily by graphic artists and art community
- Current version is Mac OS X
- Apple has tightly controlled all aspects of its computer systems, which are only avaialble from Apple
- Moved in 2006 to Intel-based architecture so now Apple computers can also run Windows
Term
Unix
Definition
- Developed by Bell Labs
- Workhorse of scientific and engineering community
- Sun Microsystems is a major vendor of computers employing this operating system
- Generally seen as more difficult to use with a steep learning curve, but often Unix users are die-hard enthusiasts
- Not generally used by the average business user
Term
Linux
Definition
- A version of Unix
- Developed by open-source community
- This community is a loosely coupled group of programmers
Volunteers - contribute code to develop and maintain Linux
- IBM is a primary proponent
- No license fee
- Companies make money by offering support (can't sell it since it is available for free/owned by the open-source community)
Term
Owning vs. Licensing
Definition
- Users buy license to use program - you buy the RIGHT to use it, not own it
- Ownership remains with development company
Term
Horizontal vs. Vertical Market Application Software
Definition
- Horizontal-market application software: Provides capabilities common across all organizations and industries
- Examples: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Acrobat, Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro

- Vertical-market application software: Serves the need of a specific industry
- Usually altered or customized
- Examples: appointment scheduling software, tracking system for mechanics

- One-of-a-kind application software: Designed for a specific, unique need
- Example: IRS software

- Other (dual-category) application software
Example: CRM software

- Custom developed software: Tailor-made for organization
- Difficult and risky
- Staffing and managing teams is challenging
- May be developed in-house or by outside developer
Term
3 Ways to Acquire Application Software
Definition
- Buy off-the-shelf: may be a great fit, may be a disaster
- Buy off-the-shelf with alterations
- Tailor-made: custom-developed software - risky and difficult
Term
Firmware
Definition
- Computer software installed into devices like printers, print servers, communication devices
- Coded like other software
- Installed into read-only memory part of the device and hence becomes part of device’s memory
- Can be changed and upgraded, but this is normally a task for information systems pros
- Users do NOT need to load firmware into the device's memory
Term
Basic input/output system (BIOS)
Definition
- An important piece of firmware
- Used when a computer is initially booted up
- Required because all volatile memory is lost when the computer is shut down
- To get the computer running, we must load the BIOS from ROM (Read only memory, which is nonvolatile)
- The computer will go through the commands provied by the firmware and BIOS checks to ensure the memory and input devices are functional - the OS will then be loaded
Term
Thick vs. Thin Client
Definition
- The terms thin and thick refer to the amount of code that must run on the client computer
- An application that requires nothing more than a browser on the client is called a thin client
- An application such as Microsoft Outlook that requires programs other than a browser on the user’s computer is called a thick client
Term
T or F?

A manager's role will depend on that organization's policies.
Definition
- Large organizations usually have IS department that sets specifications
- Medium to small organizations less formal; managers take more active role
- usually standardized to single client operating systems
Term
T or F?

Managers and employees play an active role in choosing application software and server specifications.
Definition
False: Managers and employees may have a role in specifying application software but usually have no role in server specifications
Term
Virus
Definition
Computer program that replicates itself
Consumes computer resources
Unchecked replication is like computer cancer
May take unwanted and harmful actions
Term
Payload
Definition
The program code that causes unwanted activity
Can delete programs or data or even modify data in undetectable ways
Term
Macro virus
Definition
- Attach themselves to various types of documents
- When a document is opened, the virus is placed in the startup files of the application
- After, the virus infects every file the application creates or processes
Term
Worm
Definition
- Virus that propagates using Internet or network
- Spread faster than other viruses
- Specifically programmed to spread
- Actively use the network to spread
Term
Zombies
Definition
Subsequent computers infected with worm or virus
Often, owners are unaware their computers are being used in this way - frequently they are used to send email
Term
Botnet
Definition
- A compromised machine may be one of many in a botnet, which is a set of computers and applications that are coordinated through a network and used to perform malicious tasks
Term
Patches
Definition
Program modifications created by vendors to fix security holes in computer programs
To protect your computer, install patches ASAP
Term
Give a brief outline of the history of IT
Definition
1940s - The first digital computing devices were invented
1950s - The first commercial computers were available
1980s - first personal computers (PCs) came on the market
1990s - Internet/cell phones came into wide use
Term
Where does the term "computer bug" come from?
Definition
In the days of early computers, moths would get caught inside the machines. We called the removal process "debugging"
Term
First digital computer in Canada
Definition
The FERUAT - installed at the University of Toronto in 952
Term
T or F?

The computer in our mobile phones is 1000x smaller and 1000000x faster than early computers
Definition
True
Term
Describe the 3 generations of mainframe machines
Definition
1st generation
- Used vacuum tube technology

2nd generation (1950s)
- Used transistors and were smaller, easier to maintain and more reliable
- Just like the 1st generation, was often sold without software

3rd generation (mid-60s)
- Included operating systems and multiprocessing
- Cost millions of dollars
- allowed for time sharing and many users could share the processor at the same time
Term
T or F?

Mainframes no longer exist today.
Definition
False: Some models (Ex. IBM EC12) continue to be produced today and many programs used in larger organizations still run on mainframe systems
Term
Microprocessors
Definition
- First developed in the early 70s by Texas Instruments and Intel
- Incorporated a CPU and some short-term memory into a single silicon chip that used integrated circuits (ICs)
- They were small and initially used in handheld calculators, but soon became a critical piece in microcomputers
Term
What development created networking personal computers?
Definition
The invention of the local area network (LAN) enabled networking and hence enabled networking personal computers
Term
2 reasons why the end of the 20th century was an important period
Definition
1) The Y2K (2000) Problem
2) Lowered costs for cellular and mobile technology meant that these technologies became commonplace, as they are now
Term
The Y2K (2000) Problem
Definition
- Before, the high cost of early computer technology encouraged programmers to save resources by only coding the last 2 digits of the year
- Many programs did this
- By the time 2000, rolled along, we started getting unexpected or invalid results
Term
Input devices
Definition
- One of the two most visible and familiar parts of the computer
- Ex. microphones, keyboards, etc.
- They vary greatly and are often evaluated and compared on the basis of physical dimensions or how they will be used

TWO TYPES:
- Human direct input (ex. keyboard, mouse, joystick)
- Human indirect input (ex. scanners, digital cameras, etc.)
Term
The CPU works in conjunction with...
Definition
The computer's main memory AKA the RAM (Random Access Memory)
Term
Special function cards
Definition
Can be added to augment each of the computer's components (Ex. video cards can be used to support an additional monitor for 2 or 3 screens)
Term
Describe 3 applications of binary digits
Definition
Computers - open switch = 0, closed switch = 1
Magnetic fields - magnetism in one direction = 0, in the other direction = 1
Optical media - small bits burned into the surface of the disk, if they reflect light = 1, no reflection = 0
Term
Bytes
Definition
8-bit chunks
Generally, the majority of data (like letters in a person's name) requires one byte for one character therefore 100 million bytes of memory = device could hold up to 100 million characters
Can also be used to measure sizes of non-character data too
Term
If a picture is 100 000 bytes in size, what does this mean?
Definition
It means that the length of the bit string that represents the picture is 100 000 bytes or 800 000 bits
Term
T or F?

Sometimes, people simplify definitions and say that 1K = 1000 bytes.
Definition
True, but we should e wary of these simplifications as they make the math easy but are not correct
Term
Describe how a computer works
Definition
- To run a program or process data, the CPU must transfer the program or data from a disk to the main memory
- To execute an instruction, it moves the instruction from the main memory into the CPU via the data channel or bus
- The main memory is too small to hold all programs/data, so the CPU loads programs into the memory in sections
- If the user opens another program or needs to load more data, the OS will direct the CPU to place the new program or data into unused memory - there isn't enough memory, the CPU will remove something (process is called memory swapping)
Term
Operating System (OS)
Definition
A program that controls the computer's resources as well as a block of data
Term
Memory swapping
Definition
A process whereby if a program or data needs to be loaded and there isn't enough memory, the CPU will remove something and will place the just-requested program or data into the vacated space.
Term
T or F?

Computers, when bought, tend to be very standardized.
Definition
False: Computers can be bought with many different configurations - you can choose from among different types and models and also from different types of chips and CPUs
Term
Hertz
Definition
Represents the speed or number of cycles per second a computer works at. A gigahertz represents a billion cycles per second!
Term
T or F?

It is very easy to do one-to-one comparisons with computers
Definition
False: Direct one-to-one camparisons can be hard and also wrong - the ability and capacity of a particular computer to process a given amount of work in a set period will depend on more factors than just the speed of the processor
Term
Server farm
Definition
A large collection of computers that coordinate all activities - used by large commercial sites like Amazon or Google
Term
One-of-a-kind application software
Definition
Developed for a specific unique need
Ex. Canada Revenue agency develops such software because it has specific requirements that nobody else has
Term
T or F?

All application software fit either into the horizontal or vertical category
Definition
False: They do not always fit neatly into each category - ex. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software = horizontal because every business has customers, but it usually needs to be customized to the requirements of businesses in a particular industry and so it is also akin to vertical-market software
Term
Is a browser an application software or an operating software?
Definition
It has characteristics of both and there is ongoing debate about this! Answer is unclear
Term
Drivers
Definition
- A type of software that doesn't fit into operating or application software
- Referred to as utility software
- Includes disk optmization, data encryption, file/data recovery, disk image, etc.
Term
T or F?

All else equal, thin client applications are preferable to thick client applications
Definition
True - because they do not require the installation and administration of client software. BUT the thick client may provide fetured and functions that compensate for the expense and admin of its installation. Also, a thick client does not need access to the network to run so if the network is down, it will still be available (whereas the thin client would be unable to run software)
Term
3 types of output hardware
Definition
Video Output
– Monitors
- CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) vs. Flat Panel Display (LCD & Plazma)
- Consider pixels and resolution

Printed Output –Printers
- Ink Jet vs. Laser
- Consider printing speed and ink cost

Sound Output –Speakers
Term
Motherboard
Definition
- AKA Mainboard
- Electronic circuitry which provides the means to connect various computer hardware together

All components/hardware must connect to the motherboard:
- Socket for the Microprocessor (CPU)
- Primary Memory
- Buses
- Ports and Expansion Slots
Term
RAM
Definition
- Random access memory
- Volatile (turn computer off, RAM goes away)
- Working memory... like a blackboard
- RAM can be added to motherboard
Term
ROM
Definition
- Read only memory
- Non-volatile (stays when power is off)
- Used to “boot-up” machine
Term
2 kinds of primary storage
Definition
1) RAM - Random Access Memory
2) ROM - Read Only Memory
Term
Secondary storage - Magnetic Disks
Definition
1) Floppy Disks

2) Fixed Disk Drives (Hard Drives)
- Capacity is measured in bytes –GB (Gigabytes)
- Common storage size 80 –750 GB
- Uses a multi-platter designs
- Tracks/cylinders & Sectors
- Record numbering
- Performance measured in:
- Transfer rate (Mb/sec)
- Seek time in milliseconds (ms)
Term
Secondary Storage - Optical Disks
Definition
Compact Disk –Read Only Memory (CD-ROM)
- Removable disk, factory created, like a music CD or application software
- Maximum ~700MB storage -read only technology

Compact Disk –Recordable (CD-R)
- Enables users to record data only once,cannot be changed

Compact Disk –ReWritable(CD-RW)
- Enables users to record, erase, and rewrite data

Digital Versatile (or Video) Disk (DVD) (red laser)

High-density Optical Discs (blue-violet laser)
- Ex. HD DVD (obsolete)
- Ex. Blu-ray Disc (BD) - Capacity 25 GB (single layer), 50 GB (dual layer)
Term
DVD
Definition
- Digital Versatile (or Video) Disk (DVD) (red laser)
- Higher transfer speed (ideal for video and really high quality audio)
- DVD-ROM is equivalent to CD-ROM but with higher density
- DVD+/-Ris DVD equivalent to CD-R, single layer 4.7 GB (DVD-5)
- DVD+/-R DLis Dual-Layer standard that stores 8.5 GB (DVD-9)
- DVD-RWis equivalent to CD-RW
Term
Secondary storage - Flash memory
Definition
Flash Memory Device–very small storage device that plugs into a USB port (e.g. USB key)

Flash Memory Card–high capacity storage card that is inserted into a reader which in turn plugs into a USB port (e.g. digital camera memory)

Solid State Drive (SSD) –high capacity storage used instead of magnetic hard disk drive (HDD)
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