1. What are main differences/distinction between system software and application software
System software is a set of instructions that serves primarily as an intermediary between computer hardware and application programs. Systems software provides important self-regulatory functions for computer systems, such as loading itself when the computer is first turned on and providing commonly used sets of instructions for all applications.
Application software on the other hand is a set of computer instructions that provide more specific functionality to a user. Essentially, the application program applies a computer to a certain need.
2. What are the two main types of system software? Provide some examples of their functions.
The two main types of system software are system control programs and support programs. System control programs control the use of the hardware, software and data resources of a computer system. It also includes the operating system, and the operating system serves functions such as start up; time management; file management and file recovery. On the other hand, the system support programs supports the operations, management and users of a computer system by providing a variety of support services. These include handling user logins; shared directories and file permissions
3. What is the difference between proprietary and open source software? What considerations should be made when a business selects either software.
Propritary software is software that is generally controlled by a single company and it is usually protected by both copy right licenses and sold commercially for profit.
Open source software on the other hand is freely available to enable the further development of the software. Users can usually change, improve and re-distribute the software to others.
There are a number of factors and considerations in regards to selecting software. Some of these factors and considerations include:
- does the proposed software support a few users in a single location?
- can it accommodate large numbers of geographically dispersed users?
- does the software offer tools that monitor system usage?
- does it maintain a list of authorised users and provide the level of security needed
4. What are some of the legal issues involved in acquiring and using software in most businesses/organizations?
The main legal issue in regards to acquiring and using software in most businesses and organisations is software licensing. Businesses must understand, that although many people do it, copying software is illegal. A company can copyright its software so that it is granted exclusive legal rights to reproduce, publish and sell the software
5. Choose an Operating System, provide some details on it's developer, it license type and key benefits.
An operating system is Microsoft Windows. Microsoft Windows is a series of software operating systems and graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal computer market, overtaking Mac OS, which had been introduced previously. As of July 2009, Windows had approximately 93% of the market share of the client operating systems for usage on the Internet. The most recent client version of Windows is Windows Vista; the most recent server version is Windows Server 2008. Vista's successor, Windows 7 (currently at release to manufacturing), is scheduled to be released on October 22, 2009. The key benefits of Windows are that it is fast, secure and is used world wide. Its licence type is MS-EULA.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
WEEK 2 QUESTIONS
CHAPTER 1
1. What are the characteristics of the modern business environment?
The characteristics of the modern business environement include that it is global; interconnected; 24/7- you can access files, work etc 24 hours a day, 7 days a week due to the internet; e-commerce; it is always changing
2. What is meant by a web-based, global platform, what does it provide, and how has it affected business?
A web-based global platfrom enables individuals to connect, compute, communicate, collaborate and compete everywhere and anywhere. It allows for access to limitless amounts of information, services and entertainment
3. What are the main pressures that characterize the modern global business environment?
Some of the main pressures in the modern global business environement include:
-social responsibility
-ethical issues
-terrorist attacks
-information overload
-changing workforce
4. What are/discuss some of the common, IT oriented organizational responses to these pressures?
Organisational responses to these pressures include:
-strategic systems
-having a greater focus on the customer
-custom-make to order
-e-business and e-commerce
5. How are IT architecture and IT infrastructure are interrelated?
IT architecture is a general plan of how IT is to be used by/within an organisation. It is useful for planning as it shows how the IT will fit together.
IT infrastructure is the actual implementation that will provide for effective Information systems, including the hardware, software, services and people involved
6. Is the Internet an infrastructure, an architecture, or an application program? or something else. Why?
CHAPTER 2
An application program is a computer program that supports a specific task, a business or another application program.
A computer based information system is an information system that uses computer technology to perform some, or all of its intended tasks.
2. What are strategic information systems?
A strategic information system provides a competitive advantage by helping an organisation implement its strategic goals and increase its performance and productivity
3. According to Porter, what are the five forces that could endanger a firm’s position in its industry or marketplaces?
According to Porter, the 5 forces that could endanger a firm's position in its industry or in marketplaces are:
-the threat of new entry of competitors
-the bargaining power of supplies
-the bargaining power of employees
-the threat of substitute products or services
-the rivalry among existing firms in the industry
4. In relation to Porter's value chain model, what is meant by primary activities and support activities, and how does IT support these activities?
Primary activities are those business activities that relate to the production and distribution of the firm's products and services, thus creating value for which customers are willing to pay.
Support activities don't add value directly to the firm's products or services. Rather, they contribute to the firm's competitive advantage by supporting the primary activities.
5. Discuss the logic of building information systems in accordance with the organizational hierarchical structure.
It is both logical and important to build information systems in accordance with the organisational hierarchical structure as you will need different systems to run different parts of the business.
6. How has the Internet affected each of the five forces in Porter’s competitive forces model.
The internet has had a major effect on Porter's competitive forces model. The internet has increased the threat that new compeititors will enter the market. Buyer power has increased as consumers can access the internet 24/7, and find cheaper prices through websites such as eBay. However, it has also increased supplier power, as all people who have access to the internet can view your product. It globalises your product. The internet has not had a major effect on substitute products, as substitute products have always been available for purchase, with or without the internet.
http://www.ngecacit.com/smb/tutorial-business-strategies_files/image002.gif
1. What are the characteristics of the modern business environment?
The characteristics of the modern business environement include that it is global; interconnected; 24/7- you can access files, work etc 24 hours a day, 7 days a week due to the internet; e-commerce; it is always changing
2. What is meant by a web-based, global platform, what does it provide, and how has it affected business?
A web-based global platfrom enables individuals to connect, compute, communicate, collaborate and compete everywhere and anywhere. It allows for access to limitless amounts of information, services and entertainment
3. What are the main pressures that characterize the modern global business environment?
Some of the main pressures in the modern global business environement include:
-social responsibility
-ethical issues
-terrorist attacks
-information overload
-changing workforce
4. What are/discuss some of the common, IT oriented organizational responses to these pressures?
Organisational responses to these pressures include:
-strategic systems
-having a greater focus on the customer
-custom-make to order
-e-business and e-commerce
5. How are IT architecture and IT infrastructure are interrelated?
IT architecture is a general plan of how IT is to be used by/within an organisation. It is useful for planning as it shows how the IT will fit together.
IT infrastructure is the actual implementation that will provide for effective Information systems, including the hardware, software, services and people involved
6. Is the Internet an infrastructure, an architecture, or an application program? or something else. Why?
The internet is an infrastructure. The internet is part of the organisational infrastructure that supports an organisation. Without the internet, many businesses would not be able to run. It is a vital infrastructure of many organisations. It is an organisation's platform, and a platform is part of an IT infrastructure.
http://futuremetro.net/en/media/image/it-infrastructure.jpg
CHAPTER 2
1.What is the difference between an 'application' and a computer-based information systems?
An application program is a computer program that supports a specific task, a business or another application program.
A computer based information system is an information system that uses computer technology to perform some, or all of its intended tasks.
2. What are strategic information systems?
A strategic information system provides a competitive advantage by helping an organisation implement its strategic goals and increase its performance and productivity
3. According to Porter, what are the five forces that could endanger a firm’s position in its industry or marketplaces?
According to Porter, the 5 forces that could endanger a firm's position in its industry or in marketplaces are:
-the threat of new entry of competitors
-the bargaining power of supplies
-the bargaining power of employees
-the threat of substitute products or services
-the rivalry among existing firms in the industry
4. In relation to Porter's value chain model, what is meant by primary activities and support activities, and how does IT support these activities?
Primary activities are those business activities that relate to the production and distribution of the firm's products and services, thus creating value for which customers are willing to pay.
Support activities don't add value directly to the firm's products or services. Rather, they contribute to the firm's competitive advantage by supporting the primary activities.
5. Discuss the logic of building information systems in accordance with the organizational hierarchical structure.
It is both logical and important to build information systems in accordance with the organisational hierarchical structure as you will need different systems to run different parts of the business.
6. How has the Internet affected each of the five forces in Porter’s competitive forces model.
The internet has had a major effect on Porter's competitive forces model. The internet has increased the threat that new compeititors will enter the market. Buyer power has increased as consumers can access the internet 24/7, and find cheaper prices through websites such as eBay. However, it has also increased supplier power, as all people who have access to the internet can view your product. It globalises your product. The internet has not had a major effect on substitute products, as substitute products have always been available for purchase, with or without the internet.
http://www.ngecacit.com/smb/tutorial-business-strategies_files/image002.gif
Monday, August 17, 2009
WEEK 3 QUESTIONS
1. What is computer hardware and what are the major components?
Computer hardware refers to the physical equipment used for the input, processing, output and storage activities of a computer system. There are 6 major components:
-Central Processing Unit (CPU)
-Primary Storage
-Secondary Storage
-Input Technologies
-Output Technologies
-Communication Technologies
2. What is Moore's Law and what does it mean in relation to computers?
Moore's Law predicts that micro-processor complexity will approximately double every 2 years. This means that computers will become more advanced and become twice as fast every 2 years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orxCoh6yO50
3. In basic terms, describe how a micro-processor functions
The micro-processor aims to increase processing speed by minimising the physical distance that the data (as electrical impulses) must travel.
4. What functions determine the speed of a micro-processor?
The overall smaller CPU size as a result of being implemented on a single die means faster switching time because of physical factors like decreased gate parasitic capacitance. This has allowed synchronous microprocessors to have clock rates ranging from tens of megahertz to several gigahertz. Additionally, as the ability to construct exceedingly small transistors on an IC has increased, the complexity and number of transistors in a single CPU has increased dramatically. This widely observed trend is described by Moore's law, which has proven to be a fairly accurate predictor of the growth of CPU (and other IC) complexity to date.
5. What are the 4 main types of Primary Storage?
The 4 main types of primary storage are:
-Random Access Memory (RAM)
-Cache Memory
-Read-only Memory (ROM)
-Registers
All are direct acccess memory, only ROM is non-volatile
6. What are the 4 main types of Secondary Storage?
Secondary Storaage includes:
-Magnetic Media (tapes, hard-drives, thumb or flash drives)
-Optical Media (CD-ROM, DVD, optical jukebox)
7. How does Primary Storage differ from Secondary Storage in terms of speed, cost and capacity?
Primary storage has much less capacity than secondary storage, and it is faster and more expensive per byte stored. it is located much closer to the CPU than the secondary storage. Sequential-access secondary storage media such as magnetic tape are much slower and less expensive than direct access media (eg hard drives, optical media)
8. What are enterprise storage systems?
An enterprise storage system is an independent, external system with intelligence that includes 2 or more storage devices. There are 3 major types of enterprise storage sub-systems:
-redundant arrays of independent discs (RAIDs)
-storage area networks (SANs)
-network-attatched storage (NAS)
9. Distinguish between human data input devices and source data automation
An input device is any peripheral (piece of computer hardware equipment) used to provide data and control signals to an information processing system (such as a computer). A human input device is a keyboard, mouse etc, whereas source data automoation is collecting data in a digital form.
10. What is one new technology that will change how we do things?
A new technology that would change how we do things could be a barcode/scanning system, by which all humans are connected to. When we walk into shops, it scans the person and activates their bank account. When you walk out of the shop, all item you walk out with are scanned, automatically taking the money out of your bank account. This would eliminate thefts from stores, as well as street muggings, as people will not be walking around with money.
Computer hardware refers to the physical equipment used for the input, processing, output and storage activities of a computer system. There are 6 major components:
-Central Processing Unit (CPU)
-Primary Storage
-Secondary Storage
-Input Technologies
-Output Technologies
-Communication Technologies
2. What is Moore's Law and what does it mean in relation to computers?
Moore's Law predicts that micro-processor complexity will approximately double every 2 years. This means that computers will become more advanced and become twice as fast every 2 years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orxCoh6yO50
3. In basic terms, describe how a micro-processor functions
The micro-processor aims to increase processing speed by minimising the physical distance that the data (as electrical impulses) must travel.
4. What functions determine the speed of a micro-processor?
The overall smaller CPU size as a result of being implemented on a single die means faster switching time because of physical factors like decreased gate parasitic capacitance. This has allowed synchronous microprocessors to have clock rates ranging from tens of megahertz to several gigahertz. Additionally, as the ability to construct exceedingly small transistors on an IC has increased, the complexity and number of transistors in a single CPU has increased dramatically. This widely observed trend is described by Moore's law, which has proven to be a fairly accurate predictor of the growth of CPU (and other IC) complexity to date.
5. What are the 4 main types of Primary Storage?
The 4 main types of primary storage are:
-Random Access Memory (RAM)
-Cache Memory
-Read-only Memory (ROM)
-Registers
All are direct acccess memory, only ROM is non-volatile
6. What are the 4 main types of Secondary Storage?
Secondary Storaage includes:
-Magnetic Media (tapes, hard-drives, thumb or flash drives)
-Optical Media (CD-ROM, DVD, optical jukebox)
7. How does Primary Storage differ from Secondary Storage in terms of speed, cost and capacity?
Primary storage has much less capacity than secondary storage, and it is faster and more expensive per byte stored. it is located much closer to the CPU than the secondary storage. Sequential-access secondary storage media such as magnetic tape are much slower and less expensive than direct access media (eg hard drives, optical media)
8. What are enterprise storage systems?
An enterprise storage system is an independent, external system with intelligence that includes 2 or more storage devices. There are 3 major types of enterprise storage sub-systems:
-redundant arrays of independent discs (RAIDs)
-storage area networks (SANs)
-network-attatched storage (NAS)
9. Distinguish between human data input devices and source data automation
An input device is any peripheral (piece of computer hardware equipment) used to provide data and control signals to an information processing system (such as a computer). A human input device is a keyboard, mouse etc, whereas source data automoation is collecting data in a digital form.
10. What is one new technology that will change how we do things?
A new technology that would change how we do things could be a barcode/scanning system, by which all humans are connected to. When we walk into shops, it scans the person and activates their bank account. When you walk out of the shop, all item you walk out with are scanned, automatically taking the money out of your bank account. This would eliminate thefts from stores, as well as street muggings, as people will not be walking around with money.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
