Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to do the following:

1. Describe what Information Technology refers to.

2. Explain the relationship between Computers and Information Technology.

3. Outline various applications where computers are used.

4. Identify computers as consisting of both hardware and software.

5. Explain briefly what hardware and software are.

6. Differentiate among different types of computers.

7. Demonstrate basic understanding of computer networks.

8. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of computers.

Overview
This chapter will give you an overview of the concepts underlying Information Technology (IT). It starts
by describing the increased importance of IT in our everyday life and provides a definition for the term
IT itself. It presents IT as consisting of computers supported by appropriate connectivity through
networking. A short description of hardware and software making the components of computers is
given as well as various types of computers are presented. The student will also see various examples
where computers are applied together with the numerous benefits and drawbacks associated with their
uses. Finally the chapter is closed with a brief note on the trends affecting IT today after a quick
overview of what networks and the Internet are all about.

1.0 Introduction
During the past decade, Information Technology also known as IT has been of great interest to
almost everyone. It has given rise to new and efficient means of manufacturing products in
industries, innovative and fast ways of communication between people and provided various
benefits to every individual such that it is very useful to understand how it works. This chapter
will give an overview of what IT is all about as well as describe some common examples where
IT is applied in our everyday life.

1.1 What is Information Technology all about?

In the Information Age that we live in, it is well known that good information helps an individual
in making the right decision at the right time. For instance, getting accurate information about
weather forecast helps airport operators to carefully plan the schedules for take-off and landing
of airplanes. In fact processing information to take actions or decisions is part of our everyday
life. You can yourself imagine the number of times per day this happens to you. Interestingly,
human nature seeks to make his life easier by finding new means of actually automating this task
of information processing; Information Technology does just that. Ranging from simple
calculators to complex mobile phones, IT has proved to facilitate the life of each and everyone
by automatically processing information and performing predefined tasks. However it is essential
to note that the success of IT lies mainly through the use of a common device that has been
introduced in almost every household today; that is the computer with the support of
communication facilities

Figure 1-1 Computers and connectivity making IT

1.0 Introduction
During the past decade, Information Technology also known as IT has been of great interest to
almost everyone. It has given rise to new and efficient means of manufacturing products in
industries, innovative and fast ways of communication between people and provided various
benefits to every individual such that it is very useful to understand how it works. This chapter
will give an overview of what IT is all about as well as describe some common examples where
IT is applied in our everyday life.

1.1 What is Information Technology all about?

In the Information Age that we live in, it is well known that good information helps an individual
in making the right decision at the right time. For instance, getting accurate information about
weather forecast helps airport operators to carefully plan the schedules for take-off and landing
of airplanes. In fact processing information to take actions or decisions is part of our everyday
life. You can yourself imagine the number of times per day this happens to you. Interestingly,
human nature seeks to make his life easier by finding new means of actually automating this task
of information processing; Information Technology does just that. Ranging from simple
calculators to complex mobile phones, IT has proved to facilitate the life of each and everyone
by automatically processing information and performing predefined tasks. However it is essential
to note that the success of IT lies mainly through the use of a common device that has been
introduced in almost every household today; that is the computer with the support of
communication facilities
Figure 1-1 Computers and connectivity making IT