Computers and Digital Basics

1. IST 264: Technology Foundations
“Laboratory Journal”
Harold Sowards
Spring, 2015

2. Chapter 1: Computers and Digital Basics
1. What are the four phases of the digital revolution?
Data processing,personalcomputing, computer networks, and cloud computing are the four phases ofthe
digital revolution.
2. What is convergence and how does it apply to the digital revolution?
Convergence is a process in which several technologies with distinct functions evolve to form a single
product.It basically created a sophisticated mobile device whose users demanded the access to the same
services available from full-sized computers.
3. How does digital technology affect society?
It makes it easier to cross cultural and geographical boundaries. It also expanded the freedom of speech as
well as gets rid of the expectation of privacy.
4. What’s the difference between an operating system and application system?
An operating systemis the master controller for all the activities that take place in the computer, while the
application systemis a series of programs that help someone carry out a task.
5. How do personal computers differ from servers, mainframes and supercomputers?
A personalcomputer is a micro-processor that is small and meets the needs of an individual. Servers serve
the needs of a network. A mainframe is very large and processes data for hundreds of users at a time. A
supercomputer is very fast and is used mainly for very detailed operations. So, basically pcs are different
from the others because it focuses on the needs of an individual instead of a group of people.
6. Are portable media players and mobile phones classified as computers?
Yes, they are classified as computers because they accept input, produce output,process data and include
storage capabilities. However, only those that allow you to install applications are considered a pc.
7. Why are microcontrollers the computers no one sees?
They are built into the device that they control.
8. Aren’t data and information the same thing?
No, data is symbols that represent people, events,things and ideas and they become information when it is
presented in a format that people can understand and use.Data is basically used by machines, while
information is used by humans.
9. What’s the difference between analog and digital?
Digital is simple discrete digits such as 0s and 1s, while analog is represented by an infinite scale of values.
10. Why is there so much jargon pertaining to bits and bytes?
Well, basically it is because bits are the digital representation of data and there is a lot of that. Bits can be
used to represent a lot of different sources of media and because of that there needs to be a way of
distinguishing them from bytes,which is basically 8 bits. All of the uppercase letters after that depends on
all the data being used and how much is being stored in such areas.
11.What hardware components manipulate the bits that represent data?
They travel by form of electrical pulses and all the circuits, chips and mechanical components in a digital
device are designed to work with bits.
12.Why do computers need programs?

3. Well, programs are what helps a computer control all digital devices, so without them, it won’t work so
well.
13. How do hackers steal passwords?
There is a variety of different ways in which a hacker can do this. For one, they can shouldersurfer or
dumpster dive, or use convenient methods of having it out in the open. Then there is software that allows
hackers to use a remote computer to guess passwords ortrick you into giving it up if connected to a
network. Then there are such things as dictionary attacks, brute force attacks,sniffing, phishing, and key
loggers such as the Trojan Horse software.
14.How can I create secure passwords?
Well, use at least 8 characters in length, and a combination of letters, numbers and special characters. Use
upper and lower case letters. Paraphrase. Never use public information or any part of your user id and avoid
words that can appear in a dictionary.