GENERATION:
Information technology is frequently used to generate information through
processing. Generation of information refers to the organization of data and
information into a useful form, whether as numbers, text sound or visual image.
Sometime the information is regenerated in its original form. At other times, a
new form is generated--- for example, recorded musical notes are “played” as
sounds with rhythm and pauses (that is, as music).
STORAGE
& RETRIEVAL: Storage enables computer to keep data and information for later
use. Stored data and information are placed on a storage medium (for example, a
magnetic disk or CD-Rom optical disk) that the computer can read when it needs
to. The computer converts the data or information into a form that takes less
space than original source. For example, voice information is not stored in
voice format, but rather in a specially coded electronic form that takes less
space and that the computer can manage.
Retrieval entails locating and copying stored data or
information for further processing or for transmission to another user. The
computer user must keep track of the medium where the data or information is
stored and make it available to the computer for processing.
TRANSMISSION:
Sending data and information from one location to another is called
transmission. As noted earlier, telephone systems transmit our conversations
from a point of origin to a destination. Computer systems do precisely the same
thing, often using telephone lines. Computer networks can also send data and
information through other media, including satellites and light beams
transmitted along plastic or glass optic fibers.
Modern communication networks enable us to send information down the hall or around the world in an instant. PCs, mainframes and supercomputers can be connected electronically to transmit data and information to and from one another, using the network to overcome distance barriers.
There are two common forms of information transmission:
·
Electronic mail (known as E-mail)
--- the acceptance, storage and transmission of text and
image massages between users of a computer system. Typically, E-mail messages
are entered through a computer keyboard and view on the receiving party’s
computer monitor (eliminating the need of sending paper messages). E-mail
messages can be sent between individuals or broadcast to a large number of
people simultaneously.
·
Voice messaging (sometimes called voice mail)--- a form of voice
processing in which callers leave spoken messages entered through their
telephone receiver. The voice information is transmitted, stored, and retrieved
(“played”) by the recipients.
Computers
linked through communications systems offer four major personal and business
benefits to users: speed, consistency, and reliability.
Speed:
“Split-second thinking” is an ability we admire in others and would
like to have ourselves. What exactly is split-second thinking? Clearly, the term
implies speed--- if a ball bounces in front of the car you are driving, you step
on the brake pedal instantly to avoid hitting the child you suspect is chasing
after the ball. You have only a fraction of a second to decide on and take the
proper action. That is split-second thinking. Most tasks, however, take even the
quickest thinkers longer than a split second. For instance, no one can write a
sentence or add a list of 15 deposits and withdrawals from his or her checking
account in a split second.
Computers,
on the other hand, do everything in fractions of seconds. They are very much
faster than people could ever hope to be at a myriad of tasks. They can perform
complex calculations, recall stored information, transmit information from one
location to another and move object around the computer screen almost
instantaneously.
Consistency:
People often have difficulty repeating their actions exactly. Indeed, doing
something once is not nearly as difficult as doing it the same way, and with the
same result, repeatedly.
Computers
excel at repeating actions consistently. Whether running a spell checker built
into a word processor or playing a multimedia animation for training purposes, a
computer will carry out the activity the same way every time.
Precision:
In addition to being fast and consistent, computers are extremely
precise. They can detect minute differences that people cannot see. In
manufacturing an automobile, for example, the precise placement of a part, as
directed by a computer, may make the difference between long use and early wear.
Computers excel in managing the smallest differences . . . in being precise.
Reliability:
With speed, consistency, and precision come reliability. When you know
that the same procedure will be followed, rapidly, consistently and precisely,
you can expect reliability of results---that is, you can depend on getting the
same result again and again. You can also count on computers and communications
networks to be available and properly functioning when you need them---which is
another kind of reliability, reliability of use.
In general, computers are very reliable. Many personal computers have never needed a service call. Communications networks are also very reliable and generally available whenever needed. You are seldom unable to use your telephone because the public telephone network is out of service. Usually, phone service is disrupted only when a bad storm has downed a line in your area or when workers have damaged power lines.
IT provides many opportunities to help people and to solve problems.
Helping
People: “How can I be more effective?
More productive? More creative?” asking these kinds of questions regularly
will challenge you to perform at your best and fulfill your potential.
Other questions focus your attention outward: “How can I help other people? How can I work toward providing affordable health care to all and jobs to all those who want them? How can I help to safeguard the environment, protecting the air water and land from pollution and saving endangered species from extinction? How can my business improve the society in which I live?” These are questions of tremendous importance and challenging complexity. The Information Technology in Practice feature entitled “IT Opens New Doors for People with Disabilities” will give you some idea of the difference information technology has made in the lives of disabled people.
Solving
Problems: A problem is the perceived
difference between an existing condition and a desired condition---for example,
the study time you wish you had to prepare for an exam and the time you actually
have to prepare. Problems can be as dramatic as accidents that cause serious
harm or as mundane as traffic hassles. Dramatic or mundane, all problems can be
challenging.
Problem solving is recognizing a problem, identifying alternatives for
solving it, and successfully implementing the chosen solution. Information
technology present many opportunities to help people identify and solve
problems. Using a word processing program to prepare term papers and a
spreadsheet program to analyze financial cases may help you solve a study-time
problem, for example, because these programs enable you to accomplish more in a
given amount of time.