This document discusses the key components of information systems and technology. It outlines the five main parts: people, procedures, software, hardware, and data. It then provides details on each part, including the different types of computers, software, hardware components, and how connectivity and networks allow for communication and sharing of information via the internet and cloud computing.

1. INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY, AND
THE INTERNET
Texas A&M University Commerce

2. Five Parts of an Information System
1. People
2. Procedures
3. Software
4. Hardware
5. Data

3. People
 Most important part of any system
 Contact is
 Direct
 Indirect
 Computer uses
 Business & Entertainment
 Education & Medicine

4. Software
 Software is another name for programs
 Two major kinds of software
 System Software
 A collection of programs – not a single program
 Includes Operating System software, Utilities, and Device Drivers
 Enables the application software to interact with the hardware, and helps the
computer manage its resources
 Two best-known operating systems for microcomputers are Windows 7 and Mac OS
X
 Application Software
 End-user software
 Two major categories
 Basic applications
 Specialized applications

5. Hardware - Types of Computers
 Supercomputers - a computer that performs at or near the currently highest operational rate
for computers. Traditionally, supercomputers have been used for scientific and engineering
applications that must handle very large databases or do a great amount of computation
 Mainframe computers - are computers used primarily by large organizations for critical
applications; bulk data processing, such as census, industry and consumer statistics,
enterprise resource planning; and transaction processing
 Minicomputers (Server) - fills the space between the mainframe and microcomputer, and is
smaller than the former but larger than the latter. Minicomputers are mainly used as small or
mid-range servers operating business and scientific applications
 Microcomputers - A microcomputer is a complete computer on a smaller scale and is
generally a synonym for the more common term, personal computer or PC , a computer
designed for an individual

6. Microcomputer Types
 Desktop - are small enough to fit on top of or alongside a desk, yet are too big to carry
around
 Media center system units - units blur the line between desktop computers and dedicated
entertainment devices
 Laptops - are portable, lightweight, and fit into most briefcases
 Cloud Based Notebooks – are browser systems with most applications and data residing in
the cloud rather than on the machine itself.
 Table - is a wireless, portable personal computer with a touchscreen interface. The tablet
form factor is typically smaller than a notebook computer, but larger than a smartphone.
 Smartphones - performs many of the functions of a computer, typically having a touchscreen
interface, Internet access, and an operating system capable of running downloaded
applications.

7. Microcomputer Hardware
 Four basic categories of equipment:
 System Unit
 Two important components
 Microprocessor - contains all, or most of, the central processing unit (CPU)
functions and is the "engine" that goes into motion when you turn your
computer on
 Memory - is any physical device capable of storing information temporarily or
permanently. For example, Random Access Memory (RAM)
 What is RAM?
 is the place in a computing device where the operating system (OS), application
programs and data in current use are kept so they can be quickly reached by the device's
processor. RAM is much faster to read from and write to than other kinds of storage in a
computer, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD)

8. Microcomputer Hardware Con t
 Input/output
 Common input devices are the keyboard and the mouse
 Common output devices are printers and monitors
 Secondary Storage
 Unlike memory, secondary storage holds data and programs even if electrical power
is not available
 The most important types of secondary media are hard disks, solid-state storage,
 Communications
 communication devices, such as modems, provide microcomputers with the ability to
communicate with other computer systems across the globe

9. Communication
 Connectivity
 Sharing of information
 Wireless communication has widespread use
 Computer networks
 Connected communication system of computers
 Largest network is the Internet
 Cloud Computing
 Uses the Internet and the Web to shift many computer activities from a user’s computer to
computers on the Internet

10. Questions
 Explain the five parts of an information system.
 What part do people play in this system?
 What is system software?
 What kinds of programs are included in system software?
 Define and compare basic and specialized application software.
 Describe some different types of basic applications.
 Describe some types of specialized applications.
 Describe the different types of computers.
 What is the most common type?
 What are the types of microcomputers?
 What is connectivity?
 What is a computer network?
 What are the Internet and the Web?
 What is cloud computing?