CHAPTER 1. Assignment from Mr. Tri Djoko Wahjono.

Name  : Nicky Fandino
NIM      : 1701330984
Class   : 01PCT

   1.       Why is computer literacy vital in today's world ?

Computer Literacy means the level of Experience someone has with computers. It is also known as digital literacy. As we are living in digital world so it is very important of access computer literacy.  Computer literacy is important because it allows a person to be able to complete things with a computer. Many papers and other things that are discussed in school has to be done on a computer. Computer literacy is something many of us take for granted. Just because someone has been using a PC for several years doesn't mean they are computer-savvy. In fact, you would be surprised how many people can run specific applications such as wizards, then turn around and stumble on the most basic computer task. This week, we'll look at fundamental skills everyone must master to call themselves computer-literate, which in today's job market can make all the difference. Many computer users pick up the basics on their own, while others benefit from more structured learning. There are many opportunities available, from local classroom or private instruction to online courses and printed guidebooks.

   2.       What is a computer and what is the relationship between data and information ?

A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instruction stored in its own memory, that can accept data, process the data according to specified rules, produces result, and scores the result for future use. The relationship that lies between data and information is a solid one. Data is termed as raw facts such as phone numbers or addresses, while on the other hand information is the actual organization of these raw facts in a meaningful manner. This information may be in the form of a well organized report or table and but not always be meaningful to everyone. Data is a collection of facts, figures, and statistics, which can be processed to produce meaningful information. In an organization, data is resource that enables effective and successful operation and management. It gives an organization a past trades, enables it to make better decisions for the future. Information consists of fact and terms of knowledge. It can be anything that has meaning to people. Usually information is expressed in words and numbers. However, it can be expressed in other forms, such as sound, measurement, or pictures.

   3.       List and describe the five components of a computer.

CPU(Central Processing unit) - this is the brain of your computer and directly affects how fast your computer can "think". Faster/better the CPU the faster/better the computer 

MOTHERBOARD - this is the central nervous system of your computer. It is basically the body in which all your hardware connects to. It is the underlining circuitboard of your computer and connects everything together. Again a better motherboard = a faster/better computer 

RAM (random access memory) - Random Access Memory (RAM) provides space for your computer to read and write data to be accessed by the CPU (central processing unit). When people refer to a computer's memory, they usually mean its RAM. If you add more RAM to your computer, you reduce the number of times your CPU must read data from your hard disk. RAM is volatile, so data stored in RAM stays there only as long as your computer is running. As soon as you turn the computer off, the data stored in RAM disappears. When you turn your computer on again, your computer's boot firmware (called BIOS on a PC) uses instructions stored semi-permanently in ROM chips to read your operating system and related files from the disk and load them back into RAM. More RAM means generally means a faster computer however you can get away with a little less if your computer is pretty clean. Cheap way to boost performance 

VIDEOCARD - an expansion card whose function is to generate and output images to a display. Many video cards offer added functions, such as accelerated rendering of 3D scenes, video capture, TV-tuner adapter, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 decoding, FireWire, light pen, TV output, or the ability to connect multiple monitors, while other modern high performance cards are used for more graphically demanding purposes such as PC games. Better videocard = smoother display and better images. 

Those are basically the 4 MAIN parts of a computer but there are a lot of subdivices (if you want to call them that) which play a part also. they are: 

HARD DISK DRIVE - A hard disk drive (often shortened as hard disk, hard drive, or HDD) is a non-volatile storage device that stores digitally encoded data on rapidly rotating platters with magnetic surfaces. Strictly speaking, "drive" refers to a device distinct from its medium, such as a tape drive and its tape, or a floppy disk drive and its floppy disk. Basically stores all the info on your computer. More Hardrive space = more "stuff" you can put on your computer 

POWER SUPPLY - A power supply unit (PSU) is the component that supplies power to the other components in a computer. More specifically, a power supply unit is typically designed to convert general-purpose alternating current (AC) electric power from the mains to usable low-voltage DC power for the internal components of the computer. Some power supplies have a switch to change between 230 V and 115 V. Other models have automatic sensors that switch input voltage automatically, or are able to accept any voltage between those limits.Computer power supplies are rated based on their maximum output power. Typical power ranges are from 300 W to 500 W (lower than 300 W for Small form factor systems) and are intended for ordinary home computers, the use of which is limited to Internet-surfing and burning and playing DVDs[citation needed]. Power supplies used by gamers and enthusiasts mostly range from 450 W to 1400 W. Typical gaming PCs feature power supplies in the range of 500-800 W, with higher-end PCs demanding 800-1400 W supplies. The highest-end units are up to 2 kW strong and are intended mainly for servers and, to a lesser degree, extreme performance computers with multiple processors, several hard disks and multiple graphics cards (ATI CrossFire or NVIDIA SLI). Basically the power needed to run you cpu. more demanding computer needs more power. 

CD/DVD DRIVE - DVD-ROM is a newer standard than CD-ROM, able to read 7 times as much data off of a typical DVD disk (4.7 GB) as opposed to the measly 650MB a CD-ROM drive can read, and also able to play DVD movies with the proper decoding software or hardware. With fast video cards and processors today, you typically don’t need any special DVD decoding hardware to play DVD movies. Microsoft ships a software DVD movie player with Windows XP that works fine. DVD-ROM drives can read CD-ROM disks, so if you have a DVD-ROM drive, you don’t need an extra CD-ROM drive. Also, the x-factor for DVD drives refers to a higher transfer rate: 1x DVD-ROM drives transfer data at the rate of a 9x CD-ROM drive (150 KBytes/sec * 9 = 1.35 MBytes/second). Thus, a 5x DVD-ROM drive reads DVD data as fast as a 45x CD-ROM drive reads CD data. Most complete systems with DVD-ROM drives will ship with 12x or 16x DVD-ROM drives today. A slower drive isn’t out of the question, but with 16x and soon 20x drives available for cheap, why bother? DVD-ROM drives are dirt cheap today, so don’t even bother with plain CD-ROM drives unless you have no choice. 

   4.       What are the advantages and disadvantages that users experience when working with computer ?

Advantages:
1. They allow people across the globe to communicate with each other, no matter at what time, via the use of email.
2. They allow people to look up information directly, instead of the use of searching through books.
3. Back-up copies of work can be made easily, without having to re-write everything.
4. People can work from home, and spend more time with their families because of this.
5. People with disabilities whom can't write, can get software that allows them to speak and it types it on the screen.

Disadvantages:
1. People somtimes spend all their time secluded in theirs rooms on the computer.
2. Peadophiles on chat rooms
3. Easier to copy peoples homework as you can sometimes find the sources online.
4. Illegal downloading can ruin businesses
5. Details such as bank records, can be hacked into, and thus your personal information is no longer as safe as it used to be.

   5.       What is a network and what are its benefits ?

A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams. Storage of the data is the main goal when computers were designed first. Now computers store large number of data related to many financial trades or list of private clients. If you are employee in a company and wanted data from other computer to continue your work then you can get it through storage devices. However, this way is little bit time consuming. Thus, networking sounds beneficial in this case. Network is nothing but connecting two or more computers and let them communicate with each other to transfer data. Networking no doubt makes life much easier and makes us able to do following tasks.

Benefits of Networking

§  Suppose you want to pay bills on laptop but your bills are stored on desktop in office. Instead of physically going into the office for that particular file you can access it through network. You can decide which file to share and thus network is always under your control.

§  You can connect compatible entertainment devices such as new generation TVs or music player over the network to play music or to watch photos etc. In this process, digital media is send over the network to access it.

§  In a cyber café or offices you can buy only one internet connection and can share it over the network instead of buying individual connection for each console.

§  You can also play multiplayer games over the network with other users and can even connect gaming consoles like Xbox 360 or Wii to the network.

§  The same way you can connect a printer over network so that each computer connected through network can access it.

§  There are two ways to connect computers via network. One is wired in which each and every computer is connected with wire but it restricts the portability of device.

§  Network file sharing between computers gives you more flexibility than using floppy drives or Zip drives. Not only can you share photos, music files, and documents, you can also use a home network to save copies of all of your important data on a different computer. Backups are one of the most critical yet overlooked tasks in home networking.

§  Using a home network, multiple family members can access the Internet simultaneously without having to pay an ISP for multiple accounts. You will notice the Internet connection slows down when several people share it, but broadband Internet can handle the extra load with little trouble. Sharing dial-up Internet connections works, too. Painfully slow sometimes, you will still appreciate having shared dial-up on those occasions you really need it.

§  Many popular home computer games support LAN mode where friends and family can play together, if they have their computers networked.

§  So-called Voice over IP (VoIP) services allow you to make and receive phone calls through your home network across the Internet, saving you money.

§  Newer home entertainment products such as digital video recorders (DVRs) and video game consoles now support either wired or wireless home networking. Having these products integrated into your network enables online Internet gaming, video sharing and other advanced features.

   6.       How are the internet and world wide web used ?

The Internet is a massive network of networks, a networking infrastructure. It connects millions of computers together globally, forming a network in which any computer can communicate with any other computer as long as they are both connected to the Internet. Information that travels over the Internet does so via a variety of languages known as protocols. The World Wide Web, or simply Web, is a way of accessing information over the medium of the Internet. It is an information-sharing model that is built on top of the Internet. The Web uses the HTTP protocol, only one of the languages spoken over the Internet, to transmit data. Web services, which use HTTP to allow applications to communicate in order to exchange business logic, use the Web to share information. The Web also utilizes browsers, such as Internet Explorer or Firefox, to access Web documents called Web pages that are linked to each other via hyperlinks. Web documents also contain graphics, sounds, text and video.

The Web is just one of the ways that information can be disseminated over the Internet. The Internet, not the Web, is also used for e-mail, which relies on SMTP, Usenet news groups, instant messaging and FTP. So the Web is just a portion of the Internet, albeit a large portion, but the two terms are not synonymous and should not be confused.  The Internet and the Web work together, but they are not the same thing. The Internet provides the underlying structure, and the Web utilizes that structure to offer content, documents, multimedia, etc.

   7.       How is system software different from application software ?

The Difference between system software and application software is that, system software can run independently of the application software, while application software cannot run without the presence of the system software. System software gets installed when the operating system is installed on the computer, while application software is installed according to the requirements of the user. System software consists of programs that interact with a computer on a basic, operational level. Application software deals with higher level, user-end programs such as word processors and speadsheets. Actually, a system software is any computer software which manages and controls computer hardware so that application software can perform a task. Operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X or Linux, are prominent examples of system software. System software contrasts with application software, which are programs that enable the end-user to perform specific, productive tasks, such as word processing or image manipulation.

System software performs tasks like transferring data from memory to disk, or rendering text onto a display device. Specific kinds of system software include loading programs, operating systems, device drivers, programming tools, compilers, assemblers, linkers, and utility software. 

Software libraries that perform generic functions also tend to be regarded as system software, although the dividing line is fuzzy; while a C runtime library is generally agreed to be part of the system, an OpenGL or database library is less obviously so. 

If system software is stored on non-volatile memory such as integrated circuits, it is usually termed firmware while an application software is a subclass of computer software that employs the capabilities of a computer directly and thoroughly to a task that the user wishes to perform. This should be contrasted with system software which is involved in integrating a computer's various capabilities, but typically does not directly apply them in the performance of tasks that benefit the user. In this context the term application refers to both the application software and its implementation. 

A simple, if imperfect analogy in the world of hardware would be the relationship of an electric light bulb (an application) to an electric power generation plant (a system). The power plant merely generates electricity, not itself of any real use until harnessed to an application like the electric light that performs a service that benefits the user. 

Typical examples of software applications are word processors, spreadsheets, and media players. 

Multiple applications bundled together as a package are sometimes referred to as an application suite. Microsoft Office and OpenOffice.org, which bundle together a word processor, a spreadsheet, and several other discrete applications, are typical examples. The separate applications in a suite usually have a user interface that has some commonality making it easier for the user to learn and use each application. And often they may have some capability to interact with each other in ways beneficial to the user. For example, a spreadsheet might be able to be embedded in a word processor document even though it had been created in the separate spreadsheet application. 

User-written software tailors systems to meet the user's specific needs. User-written software include spreadsheet templates, word processor macros, scientific simulations, graphics and animation scripts. Even email filters are a kind of user software. Users create this software themselves and often overlook how important it is. 

In some types of embedded systems, the application software and the operating system software may be indistinguishable to the user, as in the case of software used to control a VCR, DVD player or Microwave Oven.

   8.       What are the differences among the types, sizes, and functions in the following categories: personal computers (desktop), mobile computers, and mobile devices, game consoles, servers, mainframes, supercomputer, and embedded computers ?

A personal computer is a computer that can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by itself.

A mobile computer is a personal computer you can carry from place to place, and a mobile device is a computing device small enough to hold in your hand.

A game console is a mobile computing device designed for single-player or multiplayer videogames.

A server controls access to hardware, software, and other resources on a network and provide a centralized storage area for programs, data, and information.

A mainframe is a large, expensive, powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously and can store tremendous amount of data, instruction, and information.

A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive computer and is used for application requiring complex, sophisticated mathematical calculations.

An embedded computer is a special-purpose that functions as a component in a larger product.

   9.       What is the role of each element in information system ?

-Hardware

Hardware is the most obvious part of a computer-based information system. Hardware refers to the computers themselves, along with any and all peripherals, including servers, routers, monitors, printers and storage devices. A CBIS may use a single computer or thousands.

-Software

Without software, the hardware wouldn't be very useful. Software, the second element of a CBIS, is what tells the hardware how to function. It gathers, organizes and manipulates data and carries out instructions. Everything you do using a computer is done by the software.

-Data

Data, or information, is the third element of a CBIS. Just as hardware cannot function without software, software cannot function without data. This is the information part of an information system, and whether that is statistical data, sets of instructions, lists of names or even graphics and animations, it is all key to a CBIS.

-Procedures

It is commonly said that "procedures are to people what software is to hardware." The fourth element of CBIS, procedures are the rules, descriptions and instructions for how things are done. In computer-based information systems, procedures are frequently covered in instruction or user manuals that describe how to use the hardware, software and data.

-People

People are the most often overlooked and most important part of a computer-based information system. It is people who design and operate the software, input the data, build the hardware and keep it running, write the procedures and it is ultimately people who determine the success or failure of a CBIS.

-Communication

Communication is left out of some lists of CBIS elements, but for a CBIS that involves more than one piece of hardware to function, communication or connectivity is a necessity. This is, in part, because parts of it are covered under hardware. The components that allow one computer to communicate with another are hardware and are controlled by software. If communication between people is included in this element, though, it is an important element.

   10.   How do the various types of computer users interact with computers ?

Computer users can be divided into five categories: home user, small office/home office users, mobile users, large business users, and power users. A home user spends time on the computer for personal and business communications, budgeting and personal financial management, entertainment, and Web access. A small office/home office (SOHO) user includes any company with fewer than 50 employees, as well as self-employed people that work out of their home. A mobile user travels to and from a main office or school to conduct business, communicate, or do homework. A large business user works for a company that has a large number of employees and computers usually connected to a network. The power user – such as an engineer, architect, or desktop publisher – typically works with multimedia, which combines several media elements into one application, and requires the capabilities of a workstation or other powerful computer.

   11.   How does society use computers in education, finance, government, health care, science, publishing, travel, and manufacturing ?

 Education is the process of acquiring knowledge. In traditional method, they use model such as people to learn something. They also learn from parents, teachers and employers. But, nowadays many forms of printed material can be use to learn such as book and manuals for learning tools. Today, educations also use computer to assist with education. For example, many school use computer to access network of internet. That society also use computer to connect or share note. They also can attend class without go to school.

    Second is finance. Many companies use computer to help manage their finance. For example ,they use finance software to check balance of check books, pay bills and manage investment, That software will include variety of online services such as we can do online banking without go to bank. The advantages of that service are we can access financial record everywhere.

  Next, publishing is the process of making works available to the public. It include publish the book, magazine, film and many more. The special software is use by graphic designer in developing the pages that include text, graphic and photos. Usually they use web allow to complete the work such a music to your desktop. Then, the publisher make their works available through online.

  Lastly, the travel societies also use computer navigation system to arrive safely. For example buses. They use this system to make sure that all the safety of passengers is safe. Airplanes also use this system to check the condition of weather. Nowadays, many travel society us internet to make the purchasing of ticket is easy. So that, the  customers can buy the tickets at anytime they want. The most important advantages are the computer can print out the web for the traveler especially for the pilot. They need this map to make sure the travel is safely.