GUI – A Graphical User Interface – which uses visual displays to eliminate the need for
typing
commands.
Formatting
– The process of preparing a disc so that it can store information. During
formatting,
sectors, tracks, a director and the FAT are created on the disc.
Sector – Disc space normally 512 bytes long.
Track – A
track is also a data storage ring on a computer floppy diskette or
hard disk
drive that is capable of containing information. a track goes all
around the
platter and is used to help locate and retrieve information from
a disk or
diskette.
Directory -
an area on disc where information relating to a group of files is
kept.
FAT – the
File Allocation Table – an area on disc where information is
kept on
which part of the disc the file is to be found.
Directory
tree – A pictorial representation of your disc’s structure.
Boot – To
start up the computer and load the DOS.
BIOS – The
BASIC Input/Output System. It allows the core of the operating
system to
communicate with the hardware.
Bit – A binary digit, the smallest unit of information that can be stores either as 1
or 0.
Byte – A grouping of binary digits (0 or 1) which represent information.
CPU – The
Central Processing Unit – the main chip that executes all commands.
Disc – a
device which you can store programs and data.
Cold boot – The process of starting your PC by switching it on.
Warm boot - The process of starting your PC by using the Ctrl+Alt+Del key
combination.
File – The
name given to an area on disc containing a program or data.
Filename – The name given to a file. It must not exceed 8-characters in length and
can have up
to 3-characters.
File
extension – The optional three-letter suffix following the period in a
filename.
Processor –
The electronic device which performs calculations.
Prompt – A
symbol that appears on a monitor to indicate that DOS is ready to
receive
input or commands, such as A> or C>.
Peripheral
– A device attached to a PC.
Path – The
drive and directories that DOS should look in for files. A path tells
DOS how to
locate a file within the directory structure. E.g. C:\SPREADSH\SSFILES\SALARY.TMP
Port – An
Input/Output address through which your PC interacts with external
devices.
Program – A set of instructions which cause a computer to perform certain tasks.
Hardcopy –
Output on paper.
Hardware – The visible, tangible equipment that makes up a computer system.
Software – The non- visible, non-tangible programs and instructions that control
your PC’s
functionality.
Root
directory – The main disc directory under which a number of sub-directories
can be
created.
ROM – Read
Only Memory – the microcomputer’s non-volatile memory. Data are
written
into this memory at manufacture and are not affected by power loss.
RAM –
Random Access Memory – the microcomputer’s volatile memory. Data
held in it
is lost when power is switched off.
Memory –
Storage elements organized into addressable locations that can hold
data and
instructions in a PC.
Megabyte –
MB – 1024 kilobytes of information or storage space.
Megahertz –
MHz – Speed of processor in million of cycles/second.
Mouse – A device used to manipulate a pointer around the display.
Monitor – The display devices connected to a PC. Also known as the Screen,
VDU.
Microprocessor
– A PC’s calculating chip.
Multitasking
– Running more than one computer application at the same time. An
operating
system that permits multitasking allows the user to be printing a
document
from one program while working in another, as well as downloading
content
from the Internet in the background.
Backbone -
A cable to which multiple nodes or workstations are attached.
Bit -
Binary digit in the binary numbering system. Its value can be 0 or 1. In an
8-bit
character
scheme, it takes 8 bits to make a byte (character) of data.
Client/Server
- A networking system in which one or more file servers (Server) provide
services;
such as network management, application and centralized data storage for
workstations
(Clients).
Hub - A
hardware device that contains multiple independent but connected modules of
network and
internetwork equipment. Hubs can be active (where they repeat signals sent
through
them) or passive (where they do not repeat but merely split signals sent through
them).
Infrared -
Electromagnetic waves whose frequency range is above that of microwaves,
but below
that of the visible spectrum.
Intranet -
Network internal to an organization that uses Internet protocols.
Internet -
A global network of networks used to exchange information using the TCP/IP
protocol.
It allows for electronic mail and the accessing ad retrieval of information
from
remote
sources.
LAN (Local
Area Network) - A network connecting computers in a relatively small area
such as a
building.
MAN
(Metropolitan Area Network) - A network connecting computers over a large
geographical
area, such as a city or school district.
Modem
(Modulator/Demodulator) - Devices that convert digital and analog signals.
Modems
allow computer data (digital) to be transmitted over voice-grade telephone
lines
(analog).
Multiplexer
- A device that allows multiple logical signals to be transmitted
simultaneously
across a single physical channel.
Network
Modem - A modem connected to a Local Area Network (LAN) that is accessible
from any
workstation on the network.
Network
Interface Card (NIC) - A board that provides network communication
capabilities
to and from a computer.
Network
Operating System (NOS) - Operating system designed to pass information and
communicate
between more than one computer. Examples include AppleShare, Novell
NetWare,
and Windows NT Server.
Node - End
point of a network connection. Nodes include any device attached to a
network
such as file servers, printers, or workstations.
Node
Devices - Any computer or peripheral that is connected to the network.
Peer-to-Peer
Network - A network in which resources and files are shared without a
centralized
management source.
Physical Topology
- The physical layout of the network; how the cables are arranged; and
how the
computers are connected.
Point-to-Point
- A direct link between two objects in a network.
Ports - A
connection point for a cable.
Protocol -A
formal description of a set of rules and conventions that govern how devices
on a
network exchange information.
Repeater -
A device used in a network to strengthen a signal as it is passed along the
network
cable.
Star
Topology - LAN topology in which each node on a network is connected directly
to
a central
network hub or concentrator.
Star-Wired
Ring - Network topology that connects network devices (such as computers
and
printers) in a complete circle.
Topology -
There are two types of topology: physical and logical. The physical topology
of a
network refers to the configuration of cables, computers, and other
peripherals.
Logical
topology is the method used to pass the information between workstations.
Issues
involving
logical topologies are discussed on the Protocol chapter.
Tree
Topology - LAN topology similar to linear bus topology, except that tree
networks
can contain
branches with multiple nodes.
WAN (Wide
Area Network) - A network connecting computers within very large areas,
such as
states, countries, and the world.
Workstation
- A computer connected to a network at which users interact with software
stored on
the network.
Business
Information Systems - Information systems within a business organization that
support one
of the traditional functions of business such as marketing, finance, or
production.
Business information systems can be either operations or management
information
systems.
Control - The systems component that evaluates feedback to determine whether the
system is
moving toward the achievement of its goal and then makes any necessary
adjustments
to the input and processing components of the system to ensure that proper
output is
produced.
Cross-Functional Information System:
Information systems that cross the boundaries of
functional
business areas in order to support business processes across the organization.
Data: Facts or observations about physical
phenomena or business transactions. More
specifically,
data are objective measurements of the attributes (characteristics) of
entities,
such as
people, places, things, and events.
Data or
Information Processing: The act of converting data into information.
Data
Resources: Data, model, and knowledge bases.
Decision
Support Systems (DSS): An information system that utilizes decision models, a
database,
and a decision maker’s own insights in an ad hoc, interactive analytical
modeling
process to reach a specific decision by a specific decision maker.
Enterprise
Collaboration Systems: Enhance collaboration among networked teams and
Workgroups.
Executive
Information Systems (EIS): Information systems that provides strategic
information
tailored to needs of top management.
Expert
System: A computer-based information system that uses its knowledge about a
specific
complex application area to act as an expert consultant to users. The system
consists of
a knowledge base and software modules that perform inferences on the
knowledge,
and communicates answers to a user’s questions.
Feedback:
Data or information concerning the components and operations of a systems
performance.
Hardware
Resources: Includes all physical devices and materials used in information
processing
(machines and media).
Information:
Data that has been placed into a meaningful context for an end user.
Information
System Activities: Input, processing, output, storage, and control.
Information
System Model: An information system uses people, hardware, software,
network,
and data resources to perform input, processing, output, storage, and control
activities
that transform data resources into information products.
Integrated
Information Systems: Information systems that combine the capabilities of
several types of information systems.
Knowledge
Management System: Collect, organize, and disseminate business know-how
within a
company.
Management
Information System: Information systems designed to provide information
needed for
effective decision-making by managers.
Management
Support System: Include executive information systems, decision support
systems,
and management information systems.
Network
Resources: Network resources include communications media and network
support.
Operations
Support Systems: Include office automation systems, transaction processing
systems,
and process control systems.
People
Resources: IS Specialists and end users.
Process
Control Systems: Computer-based systems that control an ongoing physical
process
such as petrochemical production.
Programs: A
set of instructions that cause a computer to perform a particular task.
Procedures:
Set of instructions used by people to complete a task.
Strategic
Information Systems: Information systems that provide a firm with competitive
products
and services that give it a strategic advantage over its competitors in the
marketplace.
Subsystem:
A system that is a component of a larger system.
System: A
system is a group of interrelated components working together toward a
common goal
by accepting inputs and producing outputs in an organized transformation
process.
Transaction
Processing Systems (TPS): Information systems that process data arising
from the
occurrence of business transactions.
Types of
Information Systems: Information systems can be classified into operations,
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