Data, Information Systems,

Connectivity & Users

Study Aid
Data, Information Systems, Connectivity & Users

Data Organization

In Machine Language, data and instructions are represented electronically with a binary, or two state,
numbering system. This is the Binary System which consists of only two digits – 1 and 0.
o 1 = on
o 0 = off

Capacity of Memory
Other commonly used units of measurement
 Kilobyte – abbreviated K, KB or K-Byte; 1,024 bytes
 Megabyte – abbreviated MB or M-Byte; 1 million bytes
 Gigabyte – abbreviated GB or G-Byte; 1 billion bytes
 Terabyte – abbreviated TB or T-Byte; 1 trillion bytes
 Petabyte – 1,000 Tb
 Exabyte - 1,000 Pb
 Zettabyte – 1,000 Eb
 Yottabyte – 1,000 Zb

Binary Coding Schemes

How are characters represented as 0s and 1s in the computer? The answer is in the use of BINARY CODING
SCHEMES.
 ASCII – American Standard Code for Information Interchange
 Also called the Universal Product Code (UPC)
 The most widely used binary code for microcomputers
 EBCDIC – Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code
 Developed by IBM
 Industry standard for large computers
 UNICODE
 16-bit code designed to support international languages like Chinese and Japanese

Data Hierarchy

DATABASE – a collection of relation fields

FILE – is a collection of related records

RECORD – a collection of related fields

FIELD – contains a set of related characters

CHARACTER – a single letter, number or special
character

Study Aid Page 2

Data, Information Systems, Connectivity & Users

Information Systems

 Collection of hardware, software, people, procedures and data

 All work together to provide information essential to running an organization

INFORMATION FLOW

Future oriented, internal

Strate
and external information

gic Historical, internal

information
Tactical
Day-to-day, internal
Operational information

Connectivity

o Capability of the microcomputer to use information from the world beyond your desk
o Ability of the computer to communicate with other computers and information sources

MODEM
 Short for MODULATOR/DEMODULATOR
 Modulation – convert electronic signals to analog
 Demodulation – convert analog to electronic signals
 Speed of data transmission varies but it is often measured at BAUD RATE
 BAUD RATE – represents number of changes in electrical state per second
 Unfortunately, this measure can be misleading. At low speeds, baud rate is equal to bits per
second (bps). However, at higher speeds, baud rate is not equal to bits per second. For this
reason, most communications professionals prefer to measure modem speed in bits per
second.
 Types of Modem
 External Modem
 Internal Modem
 Wireless Modem
 Fax Modem
COMMUNICATION CHANNELS
The two major ways of connecting microcomputers with each other and with other equipment are
through: cable and air.
 Telephone Lines – strung on poles consist of cables made of copper wire
 Considered as twisted pairs
 Coaxial Cable – high frequency transmission cable, replaces multiple wires of telephone lines
with a single solid copper core

Study Aid Page 3

Data, Information Systems, Connectivity & Users

o 80 times transmission capacity of twisted pair

 Fiber-optic Cable – data is transmitted as pulses of light through tubes of glass
o 26,000 times transmission capacity of twisted pair
 Microwaves – high-frequency radio waves that travel in straight lines through the air
 Satellites – also used as microwave relay stations; orbiting 22,000 miles above the earth

DATA TRANSMISSION
The bits per second capability of a channel is called BANDWIDTH
 VOICEBAND – bandwidth of standard telephone line
 MEDIUMBAND – bandwidth of special leased lines
 BROADBAND –bandwidth that includes microwave, satellite, coaxial cable and fiber-optic
cable

NETWORK TYPES
 LOCAL AREA NETWORKS – networks with computers and peripheral devices in close physical
proximity
 METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORKS – these networks are used as links between office buildings in a
city
 WIDE AREA NETWORKS – countrywide and worldwide networks
End Users and Computer Competency

 End Users – people who use microcomputers or have access to larger computers
 Computer Literate – people who know how to use the computer, although not necessarily in a
productive way
 Computer Competent – those who know how to use the computer to meet your information needs

Workplace Issues

 Ergonomics
 Ethics
 Security
 Environment

ERGONOMICS
 Study of human factors relating to computers. It is concerned with fitting the job to the worker rather
than forcing the worker to contort to fit the job.
o PHYSICAL HEALTH MATTERS
o MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
ETHICS
 Standards of moral conduct.
 Computer Ethics are guidelines for the morally acceptable use of computers in our society.
 Four primary computer ethics issues:
o PRIVACY concerns the collection and use of data about individuals
o ACCURACY relates to the responsibility of those who collect data to ensure that the data is
correct
o PROPERTY relates to who owns data and rights to software
o ACCESS relates to the responsibility of those who have data to control who is able to use the
data

Study Aid Page 4

Data, Information Systems, Connectivity & Users

SECURITY
 Computer Criminals

Employees Hackers Organized Crime

 Computer Crimes

viruses

manipulat
ion theft

Other Hazards
Natural forces Civil Strife Human Errors
Technological Failures Terrorism

MEASURES TO PROTECT COMPUTER SECURITY

 Restricting access through passwords and biometrics
 Anticipating disasters by providing physical security for hardware and data security for software and
data
 Backing up data frequently and storing it in safe locations; and
 Providing security for microcomputers by avoiding extreme conditions and guarding the computer,
software and data

ENVIRONMENT
Microcomputers are the greatest users of electricity in the workplace.
The Green PC:
 Systems units that use energy-saving microprocessors, have sleep mode capability, are more
energy-efficient, and eliminate cooling fans.
 Display units that are efficient by replacing CRT Displays with flat panels, using special power-down
monitors, and using screen-saver software.
 Manufacturing eliminates or reduces the use of harmful chemicals such as CFCs, nickel, and other
heavy metals.

YOUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

 Conserving energy by turning off computer systems at the end of the workday and using screensaver
software to blank computer screens after 3 to 5 minutes of inactivity
 Recycling paper, computer boxes, packaging materials, printer cartridges and floppy disks
 Educating yourself and others about ecological dangers of all types

Study Aid Page 5