ITGS Notes #1: The Basics and Multi-Tasking

Random Note:

IP (Internet Protocol)
-the highest it goes to is 255
Hardware Basics: 
-explain how computer's store and manipulate information
-describe the basic structure and organization of computer
-describe the functions and iterations of a computer's principal internal components

-explain why a computer typically has different types of memory and storage devices
Basic Functions of a Computer: 
-Receive Input: accept information from the outside world
-Process Information: Perform arithmetic or logical operations on information
-Produce Output: communicate information to the outside world
-Store Information: move and store information in memory
Example: A good example of input, processing, output, and storing is google. When you type something in the google search box, you are inputting information. Then google processes that information by looking for exactly what you want in a matter of seconds. When you get your results, that is the output.
Input Devices: 

• Keyboards
• Pointing Devices (mouse)

Output Devices: 

• Display/Video Monitor
• Printer
• Speakers

Microprocessor aka Center Processing Unit
-the computer's brain

-function that processes information, performs arithmetic calculations, and maks basic decisions by comparing information values.

Memory and Storage Devices: 

• Primary Storage: RAM (Random Access Memory) is used to store programs and data that needs to be instantly accessed on the CPU
• Secondary Storage: storage devices that serve as long term repositories data (i.e hard disk drives and tape disks)

Information: 

-communication that has value because it informs

-anything that can be communicate whether it has value or not

Forms: 

• words
• pictures
• movies
• numbers
• sounds

-In computer technology, the terms data and information are more or less interchangeable

--> computer's information is digital, made up of digits so it can be subdivided 

Bits and Bytes

-A bit is the smallest unit of information 

-can have one or two values: 0 and 1

-can represent numbers, codes, instructions

-A byte is a collection of 8 bits

--> using two symbols all the numbers can be represented on a calculator as well as performing arithmetic 

--> a calculator translates the touch on the numeric key pad into series of 0s and 1s. Each number is then looked at as a component of it's potential value. 

Discussion on Multi-Tasking

Multi-Tasking: doing more than one thing at once

Human Example: Watching TV, eating food, reading a book ALL at the same time

Computer Example: Browser and Itunes. You minimize one while the other is running in the background

Steps of the Scientific Method: 

1. Question is identified
2. The hypothesis is formulated
3. Relevant Data sought and gathered
4. hypothesis is tested and evaluated
5. Reliable Conclusion is drawn

We watched three videos in regard to Multi-Tasking. 

Video #1: Multi-Tasking at MIT

-students at MIT use multi-tasking in class. Teacher see it as something annoying, whereas the students find it insulting that the teacher does not realize what they are capable of 

--> students vs. teachers

-->different viewpoints

-->question of respect

-->rules of the "game" have changed

-->multi-tasking is a myth

--> increase in error rate

-->not productive

-->works against you

Video #2: Online all the time

-Documentary about a kid who spends all his time with technology. 

--> the kid compares it to currency, "if you lose it, you're at a loss"

-->unwilling to be out of the loop

BOTH THESE VIDEOS ARE TWO EXTREMES. 

Video #3: Skill of the Future

-->multi-tasking is a skill

-->we need to be able to shift our information 

-->ability to shift is a skill

-->day and age has changed

--> we need to be contemplative but fast at the same time

-->FIND THE MIDDLE GROUND BETWEEN THE TWO EXTREMES