EDP Chapter 1 Summary (Computing Essentials 2011)

Chapter 1: Information Technology, the Internet, and You

Information System has five parts namely people are the end users, procedures are rules and guidelines to follow when using software and/or hardware, software are programs that consists of step-by-step instructions, hardware is the equipment that processes data, and data are raw unprocessed facts. An additional part to the information system is connectivity which allows computers to connect and share information.

The most important part of any information system is people. Our lives are touched every day by computers and information systems. Procedures are typically documented in manuals written by computer specialists.

Software a.k.a. programs are instructions that tell computers how to process data. There are two types of software:

• System Software which enables application software to interact with computer hardware. Also, it is a collection of programs. Operating system, which coordinate the computer’s resources, provide a user interface, and run applications, Utilities, which perform specific tasks related to managing computer resources, and Device drivers, which are specialized programs that allow input or output devices to communicate with the rest of the computer system, are all System Software.
• Application Software are End-user softwares which can be a Basic Application Type or a Specialized applications type.

Computers can be categorized as:
1) Supercomputers - Most powerful type of computer
- Special high-capacity computers
- Fastest processing
- Used by large organizations, usually research facilities

2) Mainframes - Although capable of great processing speeds, they do not have as high of capacity or as fast processing as supercomputers
- Capable of storing large amounts of data
- Used by large corporations

3) Minicomputers (mid-range) - Refrigerator sized machines
- Used by medium-sized firms or departments of large corporations
- Used for specialized purposes

4) Microcomputers - Least powerful but most widely used
- Fastest growing
- Six types: Desktops, Media center system units, Notebooks, Netbooks, Tablet PCs, Handheld (Personal digital assistants (PDAs), Smartphones)


Microcomputer hardware:

• System unit – micro-processor and memory (RAM)
• Input/output devices – input (keyboard, mouse) output (monitors, printers)
• Secondary storage – hard disks, solid-state storage, and optical disks
• Communication devices – modems

Data are raw unprocessed facts which are stored electronically in files. Files can be a:

• Document files – created by word processors
• Worksheet files – created by electronic spreadsheets
• Database files – created by database management systems
• Presentation files - created by presentation graphics applications

Connectivity is the capability of a microcomputer to share information with other computers. The wireless revolution, the ability to connect computers to each other without cables, is expected to dramatically affect the way we communicate and use computer technology. A network is the central concept of connectivity – when two or more computers are connected. The Internet is the largest computer network in the world. The Web provides a multimedia interface to the resources available on the Internet.

Here comes JSP...

Java Server Pages

Similar to HTML, JSP contains texts encapsulated in angle brackets or also known as tags, but the difference is in its use. HTML is plainly for displaying, while JSP is more dynamic in terms of information.

When I first use them, I felt the same feeling when I first used Java. They are both case sensitive. Like an ordinary program, it uses loops, statements, declarations, etc. You might even think it is similar with JavaScript. But what make JSP different from other web based languages?

Well, it is used with an MVC pattern or paradigm. It provides a separation of work or process between business process and presentation. It is like an n-tier.

Comments on JSP

When I understand how to use HTML, I thought that it is the only language used in the WEB world. When JavaScript appears, I begin to reconsider about the idea in HTML, for JavaScript is much better thin to use. But here comes JSP, changing the whole concept about the web-world and making information secured. JSP is a convenient way to create web applications.

Now, only one question remains, is there other application better than JSP?

TV Commercial Review

This review is all about advertisements. Some modern TV advertisements are somehow similar to regular programs. Why? Let’s use the shampoo commercial of Sunsilk, the one starring Marian Rivera, Nikki Gil, and Maja Salvador. Now, what are the similarities of this commercial to their regular programs or shows? They are actresses, and they are paid just to show the viewers that they are using the product, making the viewers unconsciously or consciously think that if they start using it they will also be like them.

Another thing: using actors or actresses for TV advertisements is good thing but it is not an efficient way for me. They are popular people and they are not ordinary people doing their everyday job. People, specifically buyers, will only buy the product because their favorite actor or actresses is using it.

But if they use ordinary people to do their commercial, it will appear more effective for they are ordinary people like us. When I say effective I mean effective for the seller. For some users the product is effective, for others it’s not.

Lastly, when buying a product just stick this in your mind, to whose talent fee are you paying for?

Top Five must-not-have's on buying an item in via internet

Here is the list of items that buyers or consumers won’t USUALLY buy in the internet:

1. Broken lights

Broken lights are bulbs or lamps that are really broken. Those things are not giving any light due to some crack. The only people I know who are going to buy these are collectors.

2. Computer Viruses

I mean, who in the right mind, who’d buy this one, aside from people who have evil plans for using them? After all, it’s an intangible thing.

3. Torn-up shirts, shorts, pants, etc

Do you think buyers would really buy one of these? Unless these people would need them for a project or something, then it’s possible someone would buy one.

4. Nuclear Radiated Stuffs

Have you ever thought of buying some radio-active spider or some other like that (though I don’t know if it is possible)? Well, if you are some military officer that is going to use them for war or something, I am warning you.

Last but I don’t know if it is the least…

5. Appendices

Yup, I’m talking about the human appendix, not the part of the book. They say it is the useless part of our human body. Even I don’t know what its use is. Are you any buyer who is going to buy one? Why? What for? If I’m a buyer, I don’t have any place for my house to put it, I’m not even a medical-related person…

Amelie

Le Fabuleux Destin d' Amélie Poulain

I started watching this movie during the time I was searching for some music videos of the song La Noyee at YouTube. Upon searching for this song, I suddenly bumped into a video about Amelie. I was curious about the movie, I haven’t heard of this movie before, aside that it was in fact a French movie.

I begin to search the internet for understanding what the movie is all about. Who are the cast and director? What is its trailer? Is it beautiful? Upon searching for critics, both destructive and constructive, I decided to watch it. I go back to YouTube and started surfing for the said movie.

Clip after clip, I watched them. At first, it was a bit boring for it's full of introduction regarding the characters and there are some grossy scenes (for people who think it is really gross, but, hey, movie is art!). But then, when you tried to understand it it's more than that. Amelie is a different kind of girl, having problems with her personality and/or herself. She tried to change the people around her, since they themselves have problems of their own.

When I was watching it, I have this feeling of excitement, like the part where she is playing cat and mouse games witht he man she loves. Also, there some parts that is funny, such as how her mother died and how she take revenge at her neighbor. There is some sadness in it, too, like the part where the man she loves goes with another woman.

The way I see it, this movie is not a plain Comedy-Love Story, but also you learn other things on the movie itself or behind it (something that is not obvious). Amelie is great movie for me, for it teaches me something about matchmaking, friends or even falling in-love.

If you want to know what I really am saying here. Whydon't you try watching it? See it for yourself. Let yourself be the judge. If you don't like it maybe you didn't understand it at all, or you hated it because you love it...:)

E-commerce Security Issue/s

E-commerce uses the Internet as a medium for transaction processes. People using the internet will gain access to it for buying and/or selling. But as the need for Internet rises, a lot of people uses the Internet as a basis for their communication whether for personal attainment or to achieve the company's goals. With this reason, people will try to get the neccesary information for fun. Thus, security issues like hacking, or deprive of personal information arises.

Since, information is a neccessary thing for man. I believe that these kind of issues are rising today, since we are approaching the Age of Information Technology. The need for information and the need for food & shelter will be on the same level. I also believe that its natural for man to get what he wants in whatever means neccesary, even if he will put to jail.