· Digital Divide is the divide that forms from the availability of technology for some populations, while this same technology is not available to other populations because of economic issues.
· http://www.useit.com/alertbox/digital-divide.html
Concept 1: Hardware
· Hardware is the physical, tangible components of a computer system
· Computer hardware is an essential part of computer science which can be known as the mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical components making up a computer system. It can consist of a monitor (screen), a system unit (including motherboard with RAM, CPU, and hard disk), a keyboard, a mouse, speakers and possibly other materials
· Hardware is very important to the computer depending on what you want to do with the computer.
· For example, if you want to multitask on a computer and keep multiple windows open you would need a significant amount of RAM or computer memory to keep the computer moving fast. Therefore different hardware is important to different people, depending on a person’s specific needs.
· Everyone should a last have some basic knowledge of computer hardware because every time a person starts a computer up he or she is using hardware. This basic knowledge is very essential because it helps a person work a computer.
· Simpson, Alan. "What is Hardware". ComputerNerds.com. March 16, 2009 <http://www.coolnerds.com/Newbies/Hardware/hardware.htm>.
A supercomputer is a computer that is designed to perform many complex calculations at very high speeds. Supercomputers are used for scientific research and the study of dynamic systems such as weather and the economy. These types of machines are important because of their speed and ability; they enable researchers to receive results quickly so they can perform their experiments more rapidly. The knowledge of the supercomputer is very important to researchers, programmers and anyone who is interested in studying science. Even students majoring in science in college should be aware of this technology because it holds the key elements to their futures. Most college science majors will perform research at some point in their lives and it would be beneficial for them to have the knowledge of how their results will be acquired.
Source: Webster’s New World Computer Dictionary http://www.credoreference.com/entry.do?id=3486391&hh=1&secid=.
Server is a computer dedicated to providing one or more services over a computer network. An example is a file server which is a devise to store files anyone is able to use this. A network server is a computer that manages network traffic. A server is a computer that runs software that allows it to undertake requests from other computers, called clients. In general, servers have more memory and store a larger amount of information and have more complex programs than clients. The server is important to all individuals that use the computer. They can be used for things in the home such as printing and as broadband routers for home networks. They are also important for businesses, which may use them to fulfill a request, such as printing and shipping. The individuals that own the computers will know about the server but everyone is able to use it.
Sources:
http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/networks/page4773.cfm
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/basicnetworkingfaqs/a/client-server.htm
1. Client
A client is a computer with software that allows it to make a request of a server, which performs the requested duty. Client software is important because it allows people to make requests and have them fulfilled in a relatively short time. For example, when a person requests his bank statement via the computer, he is acting as the client. The information the person wants is then granted through the bank’s server. Although the concept of the client is used every day, it is not it is not imperative that common computer users know about it. It is more important that people who use the idea of the client on a larger scale, such as those who own businesses, know about and maintain these programs so that the requests of the clients can be carried out.
Sources:
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/basicnetworkingfaqs/a/client-server.htm
http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid7_gci211796,00.html
A Computer Program is a set of instructions that the computer follows in order to produce desired commands and behaviors. The computer translates and understands these instructions and carries out its tasks.
The program is a way to get the computer to run how the user wants it to; programs must be downloaded onto the memory in order to be used, and vary in function from typing papers, checking for viruses, to doin taxes.
- these are important to all computers because they essentially make the computer useful as a tool, and everyone from developers to young users should know about and be informed of the various computer programs
This knowledge is important because it enables us to understand how a computer works and how our actions translate into the computer output we are looking for. It is also important because it could be a link to diagnosing a problem with the computer. All computer users should be familiar with the way in which computer tasks are carried out. However, this is mostly important information for developers to know when they are making decisions about how to build a computer program and improve the preexisting programs.
Source: Oxford Reference, A Dictionary of Computing
http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?entry=t11.e4133&srn=3&ssid=670461201#FIRSTHIT
What it is and/or what it means
“Computer programmers write, test, and maintain the detailed instructions, called programs, that computers follow to perform their functions.” They also create logical ways to solve problems with the computer. With the help of other programmers, they decide which instructions they should to use to make the computers function. After they design and create the program, they will test it to make sure it is functioning properly.
Why is it important?
Computer programming is an important occupation because they are the reason we use different programs on our computer. Without them we would not have Microsoft Word, QuickTime, Adobe, WinZip, and every other program that computer users utilize. They create and fine tune the programs we use every day, and without them users would not be able to use the computer effectively.
To whom is it important?
Computer programmers are important to any computer user. They are the ones that make the computer function, so without them no computer user would be able to use it.
Who should know about it?
Everyone should know something about computer programming, even if one only knows a simple definition of the occupation, because it applies to everyone. Every program has gone through a long process to become a fully functioning program and people should know about how the program their using was created.
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos110.htm
1.) Graphical user interface:
A graphical user interface (GUI) is a type of user interface which allows people to interact with electronic devices such as computers; hand-held devices such as MP3 Players, Portable Media Players or Gaming devices; household appliances and office equipment. A GUI offers graphical icons, and visual indicators, as opposed to text-based interfaces, typed command labels or text navigation to fully represent the information and actions available to a user. The actions are usually performed through direct manipulation of the graphical elements. The GUIs familiar to most people today are Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and the X Window System interfaces. Apple, IBM and Microsoft used many of Xerox's ideas to develop products. These ideas evolved to create the interface found in current versions of Microsoft Windows, as well as in Mac OS X and various desktop environments for Unix-like operating systems, such as Linux. Thus most current GUIs have largely common idioms.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphical_user_interface
Short for binary digit, the smallest unit of information on a machine. A single bit can hold only one of two values: 0 or 1. More meaningful information is obtained by combining consecutive bits into larger units. For example, a byte is composed of 8 consecutive bits.
- it is important because binary digits basically control the computers that we rely so heavily on. However, a person can use a computer and have no clue what a binary digit is, therefore generally program developers, and computer engineers should know about it.
2) Telecommuting (General)
*Telecommunicating is a way of working from a remote location rather than having to drive to work every day. This is done electronically through devices such as computers, telephones, and fax machines.
*Telecommunicating is important because it allows for flexibility in a job, especially for people who cannot leave their house every day for hours at a time, such as working parents or people employed outside of a suitable driving distance from work.
*Telecommunicating is important to anyone involved in a business that is rapidly expanding, outsourcing, or limited in space. This includes employers and employees. It is also very important for employees who wish to work from home or another location that is more convenient.
* Telecommuting is important to both the employee and employer because it allows flexibility. This would be especially true for large businesses that have a large array of employees. For instance, if an employee is essential to a business in Los Angeles and the employee lives in Philadelphia the company could still keep the employee working with the means of Telecommuting.
*All business owners who can accommodate employees that wish to work away from their work building should know about telecommunicating. Other people who should know about it include those that are limited in time or means of travel, and can benefit from working somewhere more convenient.
Sources:
http://www.gilgordon.com/telecommutesafe/WhatIsTelecommute.html
Lorenz, Kate. “Telecommuting 101” careerbuilder.com. March 19, 2009
2) E-Waste – E-waste is the shortened term for ‘electronic waste’. E-waste refers to all refuse comprised of electronics. Due to rapid advances in technology electronic equipment is often merely thrown away with the garbage which poses a threat to the environment. Many electronics contain toxic chemicals or harmful materials that can leak out overtime. Actions and programs such as recycling are now starting to be taken in order to limit the damage caused by e-waste. Everyone who uses electronic equipment should be aware of e-waste and its effects. With electronic equipment becoming more and more prominent in everyday refuse it is important to know what exactly could be heading out into an already crippled environment.
Source: http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_701882474_2/Personal_Media_Device.html#p10 & http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/e/e_waste.html
Garbage in Garbage out:
· A computing principle that states that if computer input is incorrect or faulty, the computer output will be incorrect.
· When many people, especially people not skilled with computers, say the computer outputted incorrect data, the problem may lie with the user’s input.
· This principle is important to most people because most people in the present use a computer daily for everyday use.
· The term still applies currently and is especially important for the users of the powerful computers because the computers can output a large amount of unnecessary information quickly. Administrators of powerful computers should know about this phrase, especially those who input a large amount of data.
· garbage in garbage out" A Dictionary of Computing. Ed John Daintith and Edmund Wright. Oxford University Press, 2008. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. LaSalle University. 16 March 2009 http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t11.e6364
· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garbage_in_garbage_out
Telemedicine:
· Medical care and diagnosis is able to be performed via live satellite or telephone
· This concept eliminates the travel time of patients to specialists and allows people living in poorer countries to receive proper medical treatment. This tool is very important because it makes the diagnosis of patients easier and more accurate because the doctors can see live video of the patient and many diagnosis tools, like the nasopharyngoscope.
· It is important to people with rare diseases, people living in remote countries, and doctors who travel frequently.
· This concept is very important to doctors with limited resources because they will be able to get expertise via telemedicine. Also, medical care providers of small poor areas should know about telemedicine because they will be able to get proper medical advice that would be impossible to receive otherwise. All doctors should know about this concept because it would be an excellent tool to diagnose the difficult cases because collaboration would easily be attained with telemedicine.
· http://www.telemedicine.com/whatis.html
Concept: neural network
Definition: Neural networks are extremely sophisticated nonlinear modeling techniques that are capable of modeling complex functions. Neural networks originated from research in Artificial Intelligence and provide a system that attempts to mimic the capacity of the biological neural systems to learn by modeling the structure of the brain.
Importance: Neural networks have been applied successfully to some very useful problems:
· Detection of medical conditions: the neural network has been used in the simultaneous monitoring of heart rate, levels of various substances in the blood and respiration rate to recognize predictive patterns so that the appropriate treatments can be prescribed.
· Stock market predictions: the analysis of fluctuations in stock prices and providing predictions about future stock prices based upon various factors such as past performance of other stocks and economic indicators.
· Credit assignment: with the input of historical data such as the applicant’s age, education and occupation, the neural network can prepare an analysis of the most relevant characteristics and classify applicant s as a good or bad credit risk for loans.
· Monitoring the condition of machinery: the neural network brings expertise to scheduling the preventive maintenance of machines by being trained to distinguish between the sounds a machine makes when running properly or when it is on the verge of a problem, thus reducing the cost of “downtime” of the machine.
· Engine management: neural networks have been used to analyze the input of sensors from an engine and therefore control the parameters within which the engine functions, thus minimizing fuel consumption.
To whom it is important: neural networks provide enormous potential in telemedicine, diagnostic medicine, stocks, marketing, credit evaluations, and mechanics. Physicians, businessmen and bankers alike will all benefit from the neural network along with the people that are directly affected by the analysis such as patients, loan applicants and factory workmen.
Who should know about it: Developers, doctors, System Administrators, and large business owners should know about it.
Source: (Siganos); (Statistica of StatSoft) .