ITGS Notes #6: Technology and social issues

When we discuss social issues, we need to understand where a person is coming from

• to do that, we must listen and understand
• don't see issues from your standpoint, we should see them from another person's perspective

Network: client server technology is the foundation of any application/system

--> Client: one being served

--> Servers: one that serves, asks, validates, and authenticates

The needs have transformed to wants. 

THE NEED HASN'T CHANGED, THE WAY WE SATISFY THE NEED HAS CHANGED!

ex: The need has been transportation, form getting from point A to point B the fastest way possible. In the 1800s, people would ride horse pulled carriages to get from point A to point B. Eventually, technology was  established and therefore was the birth of the automobile. Now as you can see, the need of transportation hasn't changed but the way we satisfied our need has changed. 

Important Lesson: Always go back to the basics!

• Desire comes from going back to the basics
• "The moment you can map what a person says to a need, you can see things very easily." -Brother Memon
• Listen more than you ask
• Remember we have TWO ears and ONE mouth. 
• Critical questions should be relevant and would tie to basic needs

Computer Language: 

-Web Application

-Window Application

ITGS Notes #5: CPU and Memory

CPU: Microprocessor

• interprets and executes the instructions in each program
• supervises arithmetic and logical data manipulations
• arithmetic: responsible for numbers and mathematical equations
• communicates with all the other parts of the computer system indirectly through memory
• an extraordinary, complex collection of electronic circuits
• housed along with other chips and electronic components on the motherboard

Compatibility: 

-all software is not necessarily compatible with every CPU 

• software written for the PC family of processors used in Macintosh computers won't run on Intel processors
• CPUSs in the same family are generally designed to be backward compatible
• Newer processors can process all of the instructions handled by earlier models. 

Performance: 

• applications require faster machines to produce satisfactory results
• all computers' overall performance is determined by it's microprocessor's internal clock speed
• Clock Speed: measured in units called Gigahertz for billions of clock cycles per second

The  architecture and word size of the processor 

• high end work stations and servers use 64-bit processors
• most PCs and macintosh use 32-bit processors
• some embedded and special purpose
• computers still use 8 and 16 bit processors

Techniques for speeding up a computer's performance: 

• parallel processing 
• server clusters

A custer is a way the processing resources of multiple servers are grouped together.

The CPU: How it works?

• ALU (arithmetic logic unit): actual execution of instruction is performed by the ALU
• Prefetch Unit: instructs the bus unit to read the instruction stored at a particular memory address
• Decode Unit: takes the instruction read by the prefetcher and translates it into a suitable for the CPU's internal processing.
• Writeback: the bus unit writes the results of the instruction back into memory ot to some other device

ITGS Post #4: Reliability and Integrity

Reliability:

• Operation of Hardware
• Design of Software
• Accuracy of data
• Corresponsence of Data with the real world
• Data may be unreliable if entered incorrectly or if it becomes outdated

EX: Medical reord that dissociates from the patient it refers to becomes unreliable.

Reliable Hardware:

• Perform Accordingly
• How we judge, measures reliability
• reaction time
• cable varies
• pay for specific bandwidth

Software:

• Perform up to expectations
• degredates
• Outdated

EX: Mocrosoft updates because it is exploiting the vulnerability of the software. This means that it is vulnerable for attacks from outside

Bug: virus or defect
Data: it can be unreliable sometimes. Human Error on Air Shuttle accident

Integrity:

• correspondence of data with itself at its creation
• lacks untegrity when it has been changed accidently or tampered with.

EX: Hacker might change driver's license data which leads to arrest of innocent people

Use of this in Teaching and Learning:

• Education Software
• Online Reserach and forums
• virtual learning envireonments
• e-books
• Web 2.0
•  Education Networks
• Use of mobile devices
• Game based Learning
• Fully Immersive Envireonments
• Filtering the moniter of students internet use

Hardware and Network Technologies in the Classroom

• laptops
• handheld devices
• interactive whiteboards

Old School vs. New School

• Teachers feel that in this day and age, they need to "entertain" students to keep their attention
• Claim that without use of digital media, students see the classroom as a desert
• Feel that they must ACCEPT REALITY
• Other teachers say that technolgy leads to the inability of the students to focus
• The Quickness of things is too much
• Belive that students are taking over

Social and Ethical Issues:

• So much technology leads to the loss of skills and decrease in education
• Students are "paralyzed"
• No books equals the demise of society
• Losing touch of History
• No connection
• Loss of Respect
• Frequency is at a disconnect
• Lessens critical thinking
• dependent
• disconnect with family
• loss of communication skills

The Keyboard:

• Repetitiv-Stress Injuries: long hours of typing at unnatural angles leads to medical problems
• Ergonomic Keyboards: place the keys ar angles that are easier on your arms and hands without changing the ordering of the keys.

ITGS Notes #3: Green Computing

Energy Costs Exceed Hardware Costs:

• 1 PC is made from 1.8 tons of chemicals

Energy can be:

• turning off idle PCs
• Lower Power Hardware
• Server Virtualization
• Hardware as a service
• lower power hardware
• Energy efficient coding: saves power by writing software and could cut energy use by 30%

IBM Project Big Green

• 2900 Servers
• 30 manufactuers
• 80% Savings

Microprocesor: Energy Efficeient
Computer Carbon Emessions Improve:

1. Audit of Technology Produce Plan
2. Purchasing Strategy

• Laptops decrease carbon emssions by 75%
• LCD PCs
• Don't Over Specify
• Increase in efficency power suply units
• only green rated equipment

Tips:

• Set moniters to lower power after inactivity
• switch off computers and other equipment after hours
• Replace CRT moniters with LCD moniters

Data Centres:

• increased efficient servers
• virtual servers if possible

Response to Multi-Tasking

I was researching about Multi-Tasking and I found the perfect article which articulates almost exactly the way a modern, technology-savvy family runs now:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1174696,00.html
Technology is amazing and highly effective but it makes me sad to see that this is the way a family functions. Why can't we find the middle ground? (In reference to the third video is Post#1)

ITGS Notes #2: Decimal and Binary Numbers

Decimal Numbers: Numbers from 0-9

• Every time it reaches it's limit, we need to add another column! Confused? A good example would be from the "Introduction to Binary Numbers" Paper which says when we start counting from 0 and reach 9, and we wonder how we continue counting, all we need to do is add a column. With that second column, you reach 10! 
• Write in Expanded Notation

How Computers Store Numbers:

• constructed of digital electronics 
• circuits can exist in one of two states, on or off 
• 1 is on and 0 is off
• Voltage Levels indicate present state

Example: 

5 Volts--> ON

0 Volts-->OFF

• Not all computer's use voltage to see if the device is on or off

Example: 

CD-ROM: Dark Spots indicates that it is off but shiny spots indicate that it is on

Hard Disks: Magnetism

Motherboard 

Computer Memory: uses electric charges to indicate on and off

Random Note: 

When input is sent to the CPU, a signal is sent through a channel to the CPU. There it creates the output. There isn't just one track that signals are sent. If you've seen a motherboard you see all the different tracks. It kind of looks like a maze. Every track has a certain function. 

How Binary Works: 

• "The Binary system works in the exact same way as the decimal system except that it contains only two digits, 0 and 1." Now, in the case of binaries, we add a second column that is worth twice the value of the column before. It would go from 100, 101, 110, 111, 1000, 1001, 1010, 1011, 1100...and so on :)
• Columns are worth twice the one before. The columns are worth 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 128, 256...and so on :) 
• Binary Number's are completely hidden from the user

Convert Between Decimal and Binary Numbers:

From Binary to Decimal: 

To convert a number from Binary to Decimal, you need to write the number is expanded notation. 

From Decimal to Binary: 

To convert a number from Decimal to Binary, all you need to do is go on your calculator. Change it to scientific, and put the decimal number in. Click the BIN button and voila! 

ASCII: American Standard Code for Information Interchange, the most widely used code

Bits as Instructions in Programs: 

• Programs are stored as a collection of bits
• Program instruction are represented in Binary Notation through the use of codes

Unicode: a coding scheme that supports 65,000 unique characters

Bits, Bytes, and Buzzwords: 

BYTE: 8 Bits, logical group of eight bits

KILOBYTES: 1 Thousand Bytes

MEGABYTES: 1 Million Bytes

GIGABYTE: 1 Billion Bytes

TERABYTE: 1 Trillion Bytes

• the circuit board that contains a computer's CPU is called the motherboard

Green Computing:

• the manufacture of hardware and software can have an impact on the environment
• buy green equipment
• use a notebook and solar battery
• energy saving feature
• turn off your computer when you're away
• screen savers don't save energy 
• Print only once
• Recycle Waste Products

                                                                                  

 Note-help: 

"Introduction to Binary Numbers" Paper 

ITGS Class

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