Assignment Chapter 1

Lecturer : Mr. Tri Djoko Wahjono, Ir., M.Sc

Name : Agatha Virgitia Darmawan

Student ID : 1701338122

  

1. Why Is Computer Literacy Vital in Today’s World?

Because  computers are everywhere  at work, at school, and at home. People use all types and sizes of computers for a variety of reasons and in a range of places. While some computers sit on top of a desk or on the floor, mobile computers and mobile devices are small enough to carry. Mobile devices, such as many cell phones, often are classified as computers. Computers are a primary means of local and global communication for billions of people. Consumers use computers to correspond with businesses, employees with other employees and customers, students with classmates and teachers, and family members and military personnel with friends and other family members. In addition to sending simple notes, people use computers to share photos, drawings, documents, calendars, journals, music, and videos. Through computers, society has instant access to information from around the globe. Local and national news, weather reports, sports scores, airline schedules, telephone directories, maps and directions, job listings, credit reports, and countless forms of educational material always are accessible. From the computer, you can make a telephone call, meet new friends, share opinions or life stories, book flights, shop, fill prescriptions, file taxes, take a course, receive alerts, and automate your home. At home or while on the road, people use computers to manage schedules and contacts, listen to voice mail messages, balance checkbooks, pay bills, transfer funds, and buy or sell stocks. Banks place ATMs (automated teller machines) all over the world, so that customers can deposit  and withdraw funds anywhere at anytime. At the grocery store, a computer tracks purchases, calculates the amount of money due, and often generates coupons customized to buying  patterns. Vehicles include onboard navigation systems that provide directions, call for emergency services, and track the vehicle if it is stolen. In the workplace, employees use computers to create correspondence such as e-mail messages, memos, and letters; manage calendars; calculate payroll; track inventory; and generate invoices. At school, teachers use computers to assist with classroom instruction. Students complete assignments and conduct research on computers in lab rooms, at home, or elsewhere. Instead of attending class on campus, some students take entire classes directly from their computer. People also spend hours of leisure time using a computer. They play games, listen to music or

radio broadcasts, watch or compose videos and movies, read books and magazines, share stories, research genealogy, retouch photos, and plan vacations.

Computer literacy, or digital literacy, involves having current knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses. The requirements that determine computer literacy change as technology changes. As computers become more a part of everyday life, many people believe that computer literacy is vital to success.

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 instructions stored in its own memory, that can accept data, process the data according to specified rules, produce results, and store the results for future use.

Relationship between data and information is, computers process data into information. Data is a collection of unprocessed items, which can include text, numbers, images, audio, and video. Information conveys meaning and is useful to people. Many daily activities either involve the use of or depend on information from a computer. Computers process several data items to print information in the form of a cash register receipt.

Data is a collection of unprocessed items, which can include text, numbers, images, audio, and video. Information conveys meaning and is useful to people.

3.   List and Describe the Five Components of a Computer !

A computer contains many electric, electronic, and mechanical components known as hardware. These components include input devices, output devices, a system unit, storage devices, and communications devices.

An input device is any hardware component that allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer. Five widely used input devices are the keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner,  and Web cam. A computer keyboard contains keys you press to enter data into the computer. For security purposes, some keyboards include a fingerprint reader, which allows you to work with the computer only if your fingerprint is recognized. A mouse is a small handheld device. With the mouse, you control movement of a small symbol on the screen, called the pointer, and you make selections from the screen. A microphone allows you to speak into the computer. A scanner converts printed material (such as text and pictures) into a form the computer can use. A Web cam is a digital video camera that allows you to create movies or take pictures and store them on the computer instead of on tape or film.

An output device is any hardware component that conveys information to one or more people. Three commonly used output devices are a printer, a monitor, and speakers. A printer produces text and graphics on a physical medium such as paper. A monitor displays text, graphics, and videos on a screen. Speakers allow you to hear music, voice, and other audio (sounds).

The system unit is a case that contains the electronic components of the computer that are used to process data.

The circuitry of the system unit usually is part of or is connected to a circuit board called the motherboard. Two main components on the motherboard are the processor and memory. The processor, also called a CPU (central processing unit), is the electronic component that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer. Memory consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by those instructions. Although some forms of memory are permanent, most memory keeps data and instructions temporarily, which means its contents are erased when the computer is shut off.

Storage device holds data, instructions, and information for future use. For example, computers can store hundreds or millions of customer names and addresses. Storage holds these items permanently. A computer keeps data, instructions, and information on storage media . Examples of storage media are USB flash drives, hard disks, optical discs, and memory cards. A  storage device records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from storage media. Drives and readers/writers, which are types of storage devices, accept a specific kind of storage media. For example, a DVD drive ( storage device) accepts a DVD (storage media). Storage devices often function as a source of input because they transfer items from storage to memory. A USB flash drive is a portable storage device that is small and lightweight enough to be transported on a keychain or in a pocket. The average USB flash drive can hold about 4 billion characters. You plug a USB flash drive in a special, easily accessible opening on the computer. A hard disk provides much greater storage capacity than a USB flash drive. The average hard disk can hold more than 320 billion characters. Hard disks are enclosed in an airtight, sealed case. Although some are portable, most are housed inside the system unit. Portable hard disks are either external or removable. An external hard disk is a separate, freestanding unit, whereas you insert and remove a removable hard disk from the computer or a device connected to the computer. An optical disc is a flat, round, portable metal disc with a plastic coating. CDs, DVDs, and Blue ray Discs are three types of optical discs. A CD can hold from 650 million to 1 billion characters. Some DVDs can store two full-length movies or 17 billion characters. Blue ray Discs can store about 46 hours of standard video, or 100 billion characters. Some mobile devices, such as digital cameras, use memory cards as the storage media. You can use a card reader/writer to transfer the stored items, such as digital photos, from the memory card to a computer or printer.
A communications device is a hardware component that enables a computer to send (transmit) and receive data, instructions, and information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices. A widely used communications device is a modem. Communications occur over cables, telephone lines, cellular radio networks, satellites, and other transmission media. Some transmission media, such as satellites and cellular radio net- works, are wireless, which means they have no physical lines or wires.

4. What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages That Users Experience When Working with Computers?

Advantages that users experience when working with computer

Benefits from using computers are possible because computers have the advantages of speed, reliability, consistency, storage, and  communications.

• Speed:

When data, instructions, and information flow along electronic circuits in a computer, they travel at incredibly fast speeds. Many computers process billions or trillions of operations in a single second. Processing involves computing (e.g., adding, subtracting), sorting (e.g., alphabetizing), organizing, displaying images, recording audio, playing music, and showing a movie or video.

 • Reliability:

The electronic components in modern computers are dependable and reliable because they rarely break or fail.

 • Consistency:

Given the same input and processes, a computer will produce the same results — consistently. A computing phrase — known as garbage in, garbage out — points out that the accuracy of a computer’s output depends on the accuracy of the input. For example, if you do not use the flash on a digital camera when indoors, the resulting pictures that are displayed on the computer screen may be unusable because they are too dark.

• Storage:

A computer can transfer data quickly from storage to memory, process it, and then store it again for future use. Many computers store enormous amounts of data and make this data available for processing anytime it is needed.

• Communications:

Most computers today can communicate with other computers, often wirelessly. Computers with this capability can share any of the four information processing cycle operations — input, process, output, and storage — with another computer or a user.

Disadvantages that users experience when working with computer

Some disadvantages of computers relate to health risks, the violation of privacy, public safety, the impact on the labor force, and the impact on the  environment.

• Health Risks:

Prolonged or improper computer use can lead to injuries or disorders of the hands, wrists, elbows, eyes, neck, and back. Computer users can protect themselves from these health risks through proper workplace design, good posture while at the computer, and appropriately spaced work breaks. Two behavioral health risks are computer addiction and technology overload. Computer addiction occurs when someone becomes obsessed with using a computer. Individuals suffering from technology overload feel distressed when deprived of computers and mobile devices. Once recognized, both computer addiction and technology overload are treatable disorders.

• Violation of Privacy:

Nearly every life event is stored in a computer somewhere in medical records, credit reports, tax records, etc. In many instances, where personal and confidential records were not protected properly, individuals have found their privacy violated and identities stolen.

• Public Safety:

Adults, teens, and children around the world are using computers to share publicly their photos, videos, journals, music, and other personal information. Some of these unsuspecting, innocent computer users have fallen victim to crimes committed by dangerous strangers. Protect yourself and your dependents from these criminals by being cautious in e-mail messages and on Web sites. For example, do not share information that would allow others to identify or locate you and do not disclose identification numbers, passwords, or other personal security details.

• Impact on Labor Force:

Although computers have improved productivity in many ways and created an entire industry with hundreds of thousands of new jobs, the skills of millions of employees have been replaced by computers. Thus, it is crucial that workers keep their education up-to-date. A separate impact on the labor force is that some companies are outsourcing jobs to foreign countries instead of keeping their homeland labor force employed.

 • Impact on Environment:

Computer manufacturing processes and computer waste are depleting natural resources and polluting the environment. When computers are discarded in landfills, they can release toxic materials and potentially dangerous levels of lead, mercury, and flame retardants.

Green computing involves reducing the electricity consumed and environmental waste generated when using a computer. Strategies that support green computing include recycling, regulating manufacturing processes, extending the life of computers, and immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced computers. When you purchase a new computer, some retailers offer to dispose of your old computer properly.

5.  What Is a Network, and What Are Its Benefits?

A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together, often wirelessly, via communications devices and transmission media. When a computer connects to a network, it is online.

Benefits of network are allow computers to share resources, such as hardware, software, data, and information. Sharing resources saves time and money. In many networks, one or more computers act as a server. The server controls access to the resources on a network. The other computers on the network, each called a client or workstation, request resources from the server. The major differences between the server and client computers are that the server ordinarily has more power, more storage space, and expanded communications capabilities. Many homes and most businesses and schools network their computers and devices. Most allow users to connect their computers wirelessly to the network. Home networks usually are small, existing within a single structure. Business and school networks can be small, such as in a room or building, or widespread, connecting computers and devices across a city, country, or the globe. The world’s largest computer network is the Internet.

6.  How Are the Internet and World Wide Web Used?

The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that connects millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals.

More than one billion people around the world use the Internet daily for a variety of  reasons, some of which are listed below :

• Communicate with and meet other people

• Conduct research and access a wealth of information and news

 • Shop for goods and services

• Bank and invest

• Participate in online training

• Engage in entertaining activities, such as planning vacations, playing online games, listening to music, watching or editing videos, and reading books and magazines

 • Download music and videos

• Share information, photos, and videos

• Access and interact with Web applications

People connect to the Internet to share information with others around the world. E-mail allows you to send and receive messages to and from other users. With instant messaging, you can have a live conversation with another connected user. In a chat room, you can communicate with multiple users at the same time — much like a group discussion. You also can use the Internet to make a telephone call. Businesses, called access providers, offer users and organizations access to the Internet free or for a fee. By subscribing to an access provider, you can use your computer and a communications device, such as a modem, to connect to the many services of the Internet.

The Web, short for World Wide Web, is one of the more popular services on the Internet. Think of the Web as a global library of information available to anyone connected to the Internet. The Web contains billions of documents called Web pages. A Web page can contain text, graphics, animation, audio, and video. Web pages often have built-in connections, or links, to other documents, graphics, other Web pages, or Web sites. A Web site is a collection of related Web pages. Some Web sites allow users to access music and videos that can be downloaded, or transferred to storage media in a computer or portable media player. Once downloaded, you can listen to the music through speakers, headphones, or earbuds, or view the videos on a display device. Many people use the Web as a means to share personal information, photos , and videos with the world. For example, you can create a Web page and then make it available, or publish it, on the Internet for others to see.

You also can join millions of people worldwide in an online community, called a social networking Web site or an online social network, that encourages members to share their interests, ideas, stories, photos, music, and videos with other registered users. Some social networking Web sites are college oriented, some business oriented, and others are more focused. A photo sharing community, for example, is a specific type of social networking Web site that allows users to create an online photo album and store and share their digital photos. Similarly, a video sharing community is a type of social networking Web site that allows users to store and share their personal videos. Hundreds of thousands of people today also use blogs to publish their thoughts on the Web. A blog is an informal Web site consisting of time- stamped articles in a diary or journal format, usually listed in reverse chronological order. As others read the articles in a blog, they reply with their own thoughts. A blog that contains video clips is called a video blog. A microblog, such as Twitter, allows users to publish short messages, usually between 100 and 200 characters, for others to read. Podcasts are a popular way people verbally share information on the Web. A podcast is recorded audio stored on a Web site that can be downloaded to a computer or a portable media player such as an iPod. A video podcast is a podcast that contains video and usually audio. At a convenient time and location, the user listens to or watches the downloaded podcast. A Web application is a Web site that allows users to access and interact with software from any computer or device that is connected to the Internet. Examples of software available as Web applications include those that allow you to send and receive e-mail messages, prepare your taxes, organize digital photos, create documents, and play games. Web sites such as social networking Web sites, blogs, and Web applications are categorized as Web 2.0 sites. The term Web 2.0 refers to Web sites that provide a means for users to share personal information (such as social networking Web sites), allow users to modify the Web site contents (such as some blogs), and/or have soft- ware built into the site for users to access (such as Web applications).

7. How Is System Software Different from Application Software?

Software, also called a program, consists of a series of related instructions, organized for a common purpose, that tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them. You interact with a program through its user interface. The user interface controls how you enter data and instructions and how information is displayed on the screen. Software today often has a graphical user interface. With a graphical user interface (GUI pronounced gooey), you interact with the software using text, graphics, and visual images such as icons. An icon is a miniature image that represents a program, an instruction, or some other object. You can use the mouse to select icons that perform operations such as starting a program. The two categories of software are system software and application software :

1.       System software consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices. System software serves as the interface between the user, the application software, and the computer’s hardware. Two types of system software are the operating system and utility programs.

a.       An operating system is a set of programs that coordinates all the activities among computer hardware devices. It provides a means for users to communicate with the computer and other software. Many of today’s computers use Microsoft’s Windows, the latest version of which is shown in Figure 1-10, or Mac OS, Apple’s operating system. When a user starts a computer, portions of the operating system are copied into memory from the computer’s hard disk. These parts of the operating system remain in memory while the computer is on.

b.      A utility program allows a user to perform maintenance-type tasks usually related to managing a computer, its devices, or its programs. For example, you can use a utility program to transfer digital photos to an optical disc. Most operating systems include several utility programs for managing disk drives, printers, and other devices and media. You also can buy utility programs that allow you to perform additional computer management functions.

2.       Application software consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/ or assist them with personal tasks. A widely used type of application software related to communications is a Web browser, which allows users with an Internet connection to access and view Web pages or access programs. Other popular application software includes word processing software, spreadsheet software, database software, and presentation software. Many other types of application software exist that enable users to perform a variety of tasks. These include personal information  management, note taking, project management, accounting, document management, computer- aided design, desktop publishing, paint/image editing, photo editing, audio and video editing, multimedia authoring, Web page authoring, personal finance, legal, tax preparation, home design/landscaping, travel and mapping, education, reference, and entertainment (e.g., games or simulations, etc.). Software is available at stores that sell computer products and also online at many Web sites.

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, Super- computers, and Embedded Computers?

Industry experts typically classify computers in seven categories: personal computers (desktop), mobile computers and mobile devices, game consoles, servers, mainframes, supercomputers, and embedded computers.

1.       A personal computer is a computer that can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by itself. A personal computer contains a processor, memory, and one or more input, output, and storage devices. Personal computers also often contain a communications device. Two popular architectures of personal computers are the PC and the Apple. The term, PC-compatible, refers to any personal computer based on the original IBM personal computer design. Companies such as Dell, HP, and Toshiba sell PC-compatible computers. PC and PC-compatible computers usually use a Windows operating system. Apple computers usually use a Macintosh operating system (Mac OS). A desktop computer is designed so that the system unit, input devices, output devices, and any other devices fit entirely on or under a desk or table. In many models, the system unit is a tall and narrow tower, which can sit on the floor vertically — if desktop space is limited. Some desktop computers function as a server on a network. Others, such as a gaming desktop computer and home theater PC, target a specific audience. The gaming desktop computer offers high-quality audio, video, and graphics with optimal performance for sophisticated single-user and networked or Internet multiplayer games. A home theater PC (HTPC) combines the features of a high-definition video/audio entertainment system with a desktop computer that is designed to be connected to a television and includes a Blue-ray Disc, digital video recorder, and digital cable television connectivity. These high-end computers cost more than the basic desktop computer. Another expensive, powerful desktop computer is the workstation, which is geared for work that requires intense calculations and graphics capabilities. An architect uses a workstation to design buildings and homes. A graphic artist uses a workstation to create computer-animated special effects for full-length motion pictures and video games.

2.       A mobile computer is a personal computer you can carry from place to place. Similarly, a mobile device is a computing device small enough to hold in your hand. The most popular type of mobile computer is the notebook computer. The following sections discuss the notebook computer and widely used mobile devices.

3.       A game console is a mobile computing device designed for single-player or multi- player video games. Standard game consoles use a handheld controller(s) as an input device(s); a television screen as an output device; and hard disks, optical discs, and/or memory cards for storage. Weighing on average between two and nine pounds, the compact size of game consoles makes them easy to use at home, in the car, in a hotel, or any location that has an electrical outlet. Three popular models are Microsoft’s Xbox 360, Nintendo’s Wii (pronounced wee), and Sony’s PlayStation 3. Read Innovative Computing 1-1 to find out how the medical field uses the Nintendo Wii.

A handheld game console is small enough to fit in one hand, making it more portable than the standard game console. With the handheld game console, the controls, screen, and speakers are built into the device. Because of their reduced size, the screens are small — three to four inches. Some models use cartridges to store games; others use a memory card or a miniature optical disc. Many handheld game consoles can communicate wirelessly with other similar consoles for multiplayer gaming. Two popular models are Nintendo DS Lite and Sony’s PlayStation Portable (PSP). In addition to gaming, many game console models allow users to listen to music, watch movies, keep fit, and connect to the Internet. Game consoles can cost from a couple hundred dollars to more than $500.

4.       A server controls access to the hardware, software, and other resources on a network and provides a centralized storage area for programs, data, and information. Servers can support from two to several thousand connected computers at the same time. In many cases, one server accesses data, information, and programs on another server. In other cases, people use personal computers or terminals to access data, information, and programs on a server. A terminal is a device with a monitor, keyboard, and memory.

5.       A mainframe is a large, expensive, powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously. Mainframes store tremendous amounts of data, instructions, and information. Most major corporations use mainframes for business activities. With mainframes, enterprises are able to bill millions of customers, prepare payroll for thousands of employees, and manage thousands of items in inventory. One study reported that mainframes process more than 83 percent of transactions around the world. Mainframes also can act as servers in a network environment. Servers and other mainframes can access data and information from a mainframe. People also can access programs on the main- frame using terminals or personal computers.

6.       A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful computer — and the most expensive. The fastest supercomputers are capable of processing more than one quadrillion instructions in a single second. With weights that exceed 100 tons, these computers can store more than 20,000 times the data and information of an average desktop computer. Applications requiring complex, sophisticated mathematical calculations use supercomputers. Large-scale simulations and applications in medicine, aerospace, automotive design, online banking, weather forecasting, nuclear energy research, and petroleum exploration use a supercomputer.

7.       An embedded computer is a special-purpose computer that functions as a component in a larger product. Embedded computers are every- where — at home, in your car, and at work. The following list identifies a variety of everyday products that contain embedded computers :

• Consumer Electronics: mobile and digital telephones, digital televisions, cameras, video recorders, DVD players and recorders, answering machines

• Home Automation Devices: thermostats, sprinkling systems, security monitoring systems, appliances, lights

 • Automobiles: antilock brakes, engine control modules, airbag controller, cruise control

• Process Controllers and Robotics: remote monitoring systems, power monitors, machine controllers, medical devices

• Computer Devices and Office Machines: keyboards, printers, fax and copy machines

Because embedded computers are components in larger products, they usually are small and have limited hardware. These computers perform various functions, depending on the requirements of the product in which they reside. Embedded computers in printers, for example, monitor the amount of paper in the tray, check the ink or toner level, signal if a paper jam has occurred, and so on.

9. What Is the Role of Each Element in an Information System?

To be valuable, information must be accurate, organized, timely, accessible, useful, and cost- effective to produce. Generating information from a computer requires the following five elements:

• Hardware

• Software

• Data

• People

• Procedures

Together, these elements (hardware, software, data, people, and procedures) comprise an information system.

The hardware must be reliable and capable of handling the expected workload. The software must be developed carefully and tested thoroughly. The data entered into the computer must be accurate. Most companies with mid-sized and large computers have an IT (information technology) department. Staff in the IT department should be skilled and up-to-date on the latest technology. IT staff also should train users so that they understand how to use the computer properly. Today’s users also work closely with IT staff in the development of computer applications that relate to their areas of work. Finally, all the IT applications should have readily available documented procedures that address operating the computer and using its programs.

10.  How Do the Various Types of Computer Users Interact with Computers?

Every day, people around the world rely on different types of computers for a variety of applications. To illustrate the range of uses for computers, this section takes you on a visual and narrative tour of five categories of users:

• Home user

Each family member, or home user, spends time on the computer for different reasons that include personal financial management, Web access, communications, and entertainment.

On the Internet, home users access a huge amount of information, conduct research, take college classes, pay bills, manage investments, shop, listen to the radio, watch movies, read books, file taxes, book airline reservations, make telephone calls, and play.

They also communicate with others around the world through e-mail, blogs, instant messages, and chat rooms using personal computers, smart phones, and other mobile devices. Home users share ideas, interests, photos, music, and videos on social networking Web sites. With a digital camera, home users take photos and then send the electronic images to others. Using a Web cam, home users easily have live video calls with friends, family members, and others.

Many home users have a portable media player, so that they can download music or podcasts, and listen to the music and/or audio at a later time through earbuds attached to the player. They also usually have one or more game consoles to play video games individually or with friends and family members. Today’s homes also typically have one or more desktop computers. Many home users network multiple desktop computers throughout the house, often wirelessly. These small networks allow family members to share an Internet connection and a printer. Home users have a variety of software. They type letters, homework assignments, and other documents with word processing software. Personal finance software helps the home user with personal finances, investments, and family budgets. Other software assists with preparing taxes, keeping a household inventory, setting up maintenance schedules, and protecting home computers against threats and unauthorized intrusions. Reference software, such as encyclopedias, medical dictionaries, or a road atlas, provides valuable information for everyone in the family. With entertainment software, the home user can play games, compose music, research genealogy, or create greeting cards. Educational software helps adults learn to speak a foreign language and youngsters to read, write, count, and spell.

• Small office/home office (SOHO) user

Computers assist small business and home office users in managing their resources effectively. A small office/home office (SOHO) includes any company with fewer than 50 employees, as well as the self-employed who work from home. Small offices include local law practices, accounting firms, travel agencies, and florists. SOHO users typically have a desktop computer to perform some or all of their duties. Many also have smart phones or other mobile devices to manage appointments and contact information. SOHO users access the Internet — often wirelessly — to look up information such as addresses, directions, postal codes, flights, and package shipping rates or to send and receive e-mail messages or make telephone calls. 

Many have entered the e-commerce arena and conduct business on the Web. Their Web sites advertise products and services and may provide a means for taking orders. Small business Web sites sometimes use a Web cam to show the world a live view of some aspect of their business. To save money on hardware and software, small offices often network their computers. For example, the small office connects one printer to a network for all employees to share. SOHO users often work with basic business software such as word processing and spreadsheet programs that assist with document preparation and finance. They are likely to use other industry-specific types of software. An auto parts store, for example, will have software that allows for looking up parts, taking orders and payments, and updating inventory.

• Mobile user

Today, businesses and schools are expanding to serve people across the country and around the world. Thus, increasingly more employees and students are mobile users, who work on a computer or mobile device while away from a main office, home office, or school. Examples of mobile users are sales representatives, real estate agents, insurance agents, meter readers, package delivery people, journalists, consultants, and students. Mobile users often have mobile computers and/or mobile devices. With these computers and devices, the mobile user connects to other computers on a network or the Internet, often wirelessly accessing services such as e-mail and the Web. Mobile users can transfer information between their mobile device and another computer, such as one at the main office or school. For entertainment, the mobile user plays video games on a handheld game console and listens to music or watches movies on a portable media player. The mobile user works with basic business software such as word processing. With presentation software, the mobile user can create and deliver presentations to a large audience by connecting a mobile computer or device to a video projector that displays the presentation on a full screen. Many scaled-down programs are available for mobile devices such as smart phones.

 • Power user

Another category of user, called a power user, requires the capabilities of a workstation or other type of powerful computer. Examples of power users include engineers, scientists, architects, desk- top publishers, and graphic artists. Power users often work with multimedia, combining text, graphics, audio, and video into one application. These users need computers with extremely fast processors because of the nature of their work. The power user’s workstation often contains industry specific software. For example, engineers and architects use software to draft and design floor plans, mechanical assemblies, or vehicles. A desktop publisher uses software to prepare marketing literature. A graphic artist uses software to create sophisticated drawings. This software usually is expensive because of its specialized design. Power users exist in all types of businesses. Some work at home. Their computers typically have network connections and Internet access.

• Enterprise user

An enterprise has hundreds or thousands of employees or customers that work in or do business with offices across a region, the country, or the world. Each employee or customer who uses a computer in the enterprise is an enterprise user. Many large companies use the words, enterprise computing, to refer to the huge net- work of computers that meets their diverse computing needs. The network facilitates communications among employees at all locations. Users access the network of servers or mainframes through desktop computers, mobile computers, and mobile devices. Enterprises use computers and the computer network to process high volumes of transactions in a single day. Although they may differ in size and in the products or services offered, all generally use computers for basic business activities. For example, they bill millions of customers, prepare payroll for thousands of employees, and manage thousands of items in inventory. Some enterprises use blogs to open communications among employees, customers, and/or vendors. Enterprises typically have e-commerce Web sites, allowing customers and vendors to conduct business online. The Web site also showcases products, services, and other company information. The marketing department in an enterprise uses desktop publishing software to prepare marketing literature. The accounting department uses software for accounts receivable, accounts payable, billing, general ledger, and payroll activities. The employees in the information technology (IT) department keep the computers and the net- work running. They determine when the company requires new hardware or software. Enterprise users work with word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation soft- ware. They also may use calendar programs to post their schedules on the network. And, they might use smart phones or mobile devices to maintain contact information. E-mail programs and Web browsers enable communications among employees, vendors, and customers. Many employees of enterprises telecom- mute. Telecommuting is a work arrangement in which employees work away from a company’s standard workplace and often communicate with the office through the computer. Employees who telecommute have flexible work schedules so that they can combine work and personal responsibilities, such as child care.

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 the traditional model, people learn from other people such as parents, teachers, and employers. Many forms of printed material such as books and manuals are used as learning tools. Today, educators also are turning to computers to assist with education. Many schools and companies equip labs and classrooms with computers. Some schools require students to have a mobile computer or mobile device to access the school’s network or Internet wirelessly. To promote education by computer, many vendors offer substantial student discounts on software. Sometimes, the delivery of education occurs at one place while the learning occurs at other locations. For example, students can take a class on the Web. Some classes are blended; that is, part of the learning occurs in a classroom and the other part occurs on the Web. More than 70 percent of colleges offer distance learning classes. A few even offer entire degrees online.

Finance : Many people and companies use computers to help manage their finances. Some use finance software to balance checkbooks, pay bills, track personal income and expenses, manage investments, and evaluate financial plans. This software usually includes a variety of online services. For example, computer users can track investments and do online banking. With online banking, users access account balances, pay bills, and copy monthly transactions from the bank’s computer right into their personal computers. Many financial institutions’ Web sites also offer online banking. When using a Web site instead of finance software on your computer, all your account information is stored on the bank’s computer. The advantage is you can access your financial records from anywhere in the world. Investors often use online investing to buy and sell stocks and bonds — without using a broker. With online investing, the transaction fee for each trade usually is much less than when trading through a broker.

A government provides society with direction by making and administering policies. To provide citizens with up-to-date information, most government offices have Web sites. People in the United States access government Web sites to file taxes, apply for permits and licenses, pay parking tickets, buy stamps, report crimes, apply for financial aid, and renew vehicle  registrations and driver’s licenses. To provide these services, some Web sites require users provide personal information. Employees of government agencies use computers as part of their daily routine. North American 911 call centers use computers to dispatch calls for fire, police, and medical assistance. Military and other agency officials use the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s network of information about domestic security threats to help protect against terrorist attacks. Law enforcement officers have online access to the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC) through in-vehicle notebook computers, fingerprint readers, and mobile devices. The NCIC contains more than 52 million missing persons and criminal records, including names, fingerprints, parole/probation records, mug shots, and other information.

Health Care : nearly every area of health care today uses computers. Whether you are visiting a family doctor for a regular checkup, having lab work or an outpatient test, or being rushed in for emergency surgery, the medical staff around you will be using computers for various purposes: • Hospitals and doctors use computers and mobile devices to maintain and access patient records.

 • Computers monitor patients’ vital signs in hospital rooms and at home.

 •  Robots deliver medication to nurse stations in hospitals.

•  Computers and computerized devices assist doctors, nurses, and technicians with medical tests.

 •  Doctors use the Web and medical software to assist with researching and diagnosing health conditions.

 • Doctors use e-mail to correspond with patients.

• Pharmacists use computers to file insurance claims.

• Surgeons implant computerized devices, such as pacemakers, that allow patients to live longer.

• Surgeons use computer-controlled devices to provide them with greater precision during operations, such as for laser eye surgery and robot-assisted heart surgery.

Science : all branches of science, from biology to  astronomy to meteorology, use computers to assist them with collecting, analyzing, and  modeling data. Scientists also use the Internet to communicate with colleagues around the world. Breakthroughs in surgery, medicine, and treatments often result from scientists’ use of computers. Tiny computers now imitate functions of the central nervous system, retina of the eye, and cochlea of the ear. A cochlear implant allows a deaf person to listen. Electrodes implanted in the brain stop tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease. Cameras small enough to swallow — sometimes called a camera pill — take pictures inside your body to detect polyps, cancer, and other abnormalities. A neural network is a system that attempts to imitate the behavior of the human brain. Scientists create neural networks by connecting thousands of processors together much like the neurons in the brain are connected. The capability of a personal computer to recognize spoken words is a direct result of scientific experimentation with neural networks.

Publishing is the process of making works available to the public. These works include books, magazines, newspapers, music, film, and video. Special software assists graphic designers in developing pages that include text, graphics, and photos; artists in composing and enhancing songs; filmmakers in creating and editing film; and journalists and mobile users in capturing and modifying video clips. Many publishers make their works available online. Some Web sites allow you to copy the work, such as a book or music, to your desktop computer, mobile computer, smart phone, or other mobile device.

Traveling : whether traveling by car or airplane, your goal is to arrive safely at your destination. As you make the journey, you may interact with some of the latest technology. Vehicles manufactured today often include some type of onboard navigation system, such as OnStar. Many mobile devices such as smart phones have built-in navigation systems. Some mobile users prefer to carry specialized hand- held navigation devices. For a technical discussion about how navigation devices determine your location. In preparing for a trip, you may need to reserve a car, hotel, or flight. Many Web sites offer these services to the public. For example, you can order airline tickets on the Web. If you plan to drive somewhere and are unsure of the road to take to your destination, you can print directions and a map from the Web.

Manufacturing :

Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) refers to the use of computers to assist with manufacturing processes such as fabrication and assembly. Industries use CAM to reduce product development costs, shorten a product’s time to market, and stay ahead of the competition. Often, robots carry out processes in a CAM environment. CAM is used by a variety of industries, including oil drilling, power generation, food production, and automobile manufacturing. Automobile plants, for example, have an entire line of industrial robots that assemble a car. Special computers on the shop floor record actual labor, material, machine, and computer time used to manufacture a particular product. The computers process this data and automatically update inventory, production, payroll, and accounting records on the company’s network.

source : 

Shelly, Gary B . Vermaat, Misty E. Discovering Computers 2011: Living in Digital World. United States of America : Course Technology Cengage Learning, 2011