An information system combines hardware, software, infrastructure, and personnel to facilitate planning, control, coordination and decision making in an organization. It can be manual, informal, formal, or computer-based. A computer-based information system is the main focus. It has five key components: people, hardware, software, data, and telecommunications networks. Information systems provide advantages like easier work and 24/7 global access, but also disadvantages like costs and privacy issues. Common information system terms are explained, such as computers, the internet, networks, databases, and backup/recovery.