ITIHAD PRIVATE UNIVERSITY(IPU)

SPECILIZED ENGLISH LANGUAGE(1)

C2: COMPUTER SKILLS

Dr. HASSAN SOWIDAN

COURSE TOPICS
▪ Information Technology, The Internet And You
▪ The internet, the web and electronic commerce
▪ Basic application software
▪ Specialized application software
▪ System software
▪ The system unit
▪ Input and output
▪ Secondary storage
2
▪ Communication and networks
COURSE TOPICS (CONT.)

▪ Privacy and security in Information Systems

▪ Information systems in organizations
▪ Data bases
▪ Systems analysis and design
▪ Programming and languages
▪ Your future and information technology

3
AIM OF THE COURSE

➢ This Professional English course aims to:

➢ Increase your confidence when communicating in
English in a professional environment.
➢ Help you to use English more effectively at work. such
as when you conduct a seminar for an international
audience or when you write a proposal for a new client
abroad.
➢ Help you to speak more accurately and fluently in 4

English
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, THE INTERNET, AND YOU
THE INTERNET, THE WEB, AND ELECTRONIC
COMMERCE

5
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
An information system has five parts:
people, procedures, software
hardware, and data.

6
INFORMATION SYSTEMS

1. People: end users like us and information technology staff

2. Procedures: the rules or guidelines people follow when
using software, hardware, and data. Procedures are
written in manuals by computer specialists.
3. Software: programs consisting of step-by-step
instructions that tell the computer how to do its work –
they process data to convert it into information
7
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
4. Hardware: the equipment that processes the data to
create information. It includes keyboard, mouse, monitor,
system unit, and other devices. Hardware is controlled by
software.
5. Data: the raw, unprocessed facts including texts,
numbers, images, and sounds. Examples are hours
worked, pay rate. Data after processed by computer is
known as information.
8
PEOPLE
➢ People are most important part of any system
➢ Contact is …
▪ Direct
▪ Indirect
➢ Computer uses
▪ Business & Education
▪ & Medicine & Games

9
SOFTWARE
▪ Software is another name for programs
▪ Programs are instructions that tell the computer
how to process data into a form user wants.
▪ Two major types of software are systems
software and applications software

10
SOFTWARE
▪ System software is computer software designed to
operate the computer hardware and to provide a platform
for running application software
▪ System software also provides services to computer users
and application programs
▪ Examples of system software are: operating system,
device driver and utility programs

11
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
Operating Systems : Most important system software
program that interacts with the application
software and the computer.
Utilities (or service programs): Perform specific tasks
related to managing computer resources, such as
de-fragmenting disks, checking for viruses, etc.
Device Drivers : Specialized programs to allow particular
input and output devices to communicate with the rest of
12
the system, for example, a printer driver.
HARDWARE
▪ Equipment that processes the data
▪ Controlled by software
▪ Physical devices
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Monitor
• Other devices
13
HARDWARE
• Motherboard.
• CPU(Microprocessor.
• Main memory(RAM)
• Expansion cards.
• Power supply unit.
• Optical disc drive.
• Hard disk drive (HDD)
14
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
▪ “End-user” software
▪ Two major categories
• General purpose : like Browsers, Word Processors etc.
• Special purpose : graphics, audio and video, multimedia,
web authoring, and artificial intelligence programs

15
TYPES OF COMPUTERS
The four basic types of computers are as under:
• Supercomputers
• Mainframe computers
• Minicomputers
• Microcomputers

16
SUPERCOMPUTERS
▪ High capacity
▪ Used by very large organizations
• Tracking space
• Tracking weather

17
MAINFRAME COMPUTERS
• Occupy specially wired, air-conditioned rooms
• Capable of great processing speeds and data storage
• Not as powerful as supercomputers

18
MINICOMPUTERS
• Known as midrange computers
• Used by medium-size companies
• Used by departments of large companies

19
MICROCOMPUTERS
• Least powerful
• Widely used
• Four types of Microcomputers

20
FOUR TYPES OF MICROCOMPUTERS
• Desktop
• Notebook or laptop
• Tablet PC
• Handheld

21
DESKTOP COMPUTERS
Are small enough to fit on top of or alongside
a desk yet are too big to carry around

22
NOTEBOOK OR LAPTOP COMPUTERS
Notebook, also known as laptop computers, are portable,
lightweight, and fit into most briefcases
A laptop is a small, portable personal computer (PC)
with a "clamshell" form factor, typically having a thin
LCD or LED computer screen mounted on the inside
of the upper lid of the clamshell and an alphanumeric
keyboard on the inside of the lower lid.

23
TABLET PC
Is a type of notebook computer that accepts your
handwriting. This input is digitized and converted to
standard text that can be further processed by programs
such as a word processor.

24
HANDHELD
Are the smallest and are also known as palm computers.
These systems typically combine pen input, writing
recognition, personal organizational tools, and
communications capabilities

A handheld computer is a computer that can

conveniently be stored in a pocket (of sufficient size)
and used while you're holding it. Today's handheld
computers, which are also called personal digital 25
assistants (PDAs), can be divided into those that accept
handwriting as input and those with small keyboards.
MICROCOMPUTER HARDWARE
▪ System unit
▪ Input/output devices
▪ Secondary storage
▪ Communications

26
SYSTEM UNIT

27
SYSTEM UNIT
Holds most of the electronic components that
make up the computer, including:
• Microprocessor
(or processor, Central Processing Unit – CPU):
Controls and manipulates data to produce information.
• Memory
(or primary storage, Random Access Memory – RAM):
Holds data and program instructions for processing the data
28
and also stores processed information before it is output.
INPUT/OUTPUT DEVICES
▪ Input devices translate data and programs that humans
can understand into a form that computer can process
and include such things as the keyboard and mouse.
▪ Output devices translate processed information from the
computer into a form that humans can understand and
include such things as the monitor (video display screen)
and printers.
29
INPUT/OUTPUT DEVICES
Input and output devices allow the computer system to
interact with the outside world by moving data into and
out of the system....
Input and Output Devices
• Keyboard.
• Mouse.
• Microphone.
• Bar code reader.
30
• Graphics tablet.
SECONDARY STORAGE
Unlike primary memory, secondary storage holds the
contents even when the power is switched off.
Typical storage media includes:
.
▪ Hard disks: with much greater storage
capacities used to store programs and very large data files
▪ Optical disks: use laser technology and have greater
capacity and two basic types are: Compact Discs
(CDs) and Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs) typically
31

used to store and transport multimedia files

DATA
➢ Raw, unprocessed facts
➢ Processing creates information
➢ Stored electronically in files
▪ Document files
▪ Worksheet files
▪ Database files
▪ Presentation files

32
DOCUMENT FILES
➢ Created by word processors to store
documents such as memos, term papers, and letters.
➢ Features to make entering, editing, and
formatting documents easy.

33
WORKSHEET FILES
▪ Created by electronic spreadsheets to analyze
things like budgets and to predict sales
▪ Uses functions and formulas to analyze numeric data
▪ Features include workbooks, worksheets, cells, ranges,
text and numeric entries, formulas, functions, charts,
recalculation, and what-if analysis

34
 DATABASE FILES
▪ Typically created by database management
programs to contain highly structured and
organized data
▪ It also provides tools to enter, edit, and retrieve
data from the database

35
 PRESENTATION FILES

▪ Created by presentation graphics programs to save

presentation materials. For example, a file might contain
audience handouts, speaker notes, and electronic slides.
▪ Features include slides, AutoContent wizard, color \
schemes, slide layouts, special effects, master slides, and
design templates

36
 CONNECTIVITY, THE WIRELESS REVOLUTION,
AND THE INTERNET
▪ Connectivity is the capability of your computer to share
information with other computers.
▪ The Internet is the largest computer network in the world
▪ Single biggest change in the last years is the use of
mobile (or wireless) communication devices.
▪ Networks (or Computer Networks) : connects two or
more computers that can be very close to few meters
and as far as halfway around the globe.
37
▪ The Web ( World Wide Web) provides a multimedia
interface to resources on the Internet.
THE INTERNET AND THE WEB

➢ The Internet is a worldwide network

➢ Large network that connects smaller networks globally.
➢ Launched in 1969
• National computer network
• US funded project called ARPANET(Advanced Research
Project Agency Network)
• World Wide Web or WWW was introduced in 1991 at
CERN (Center for European Nuclear Research)
38
COMMON INTERNET USES
• Communicating : is the most popular Internet activity.
You can : Exchange e-mail, join Discussion Groups, Chat
and creat your own web page.
• Shopping: You can visit individual stores or a cybermall,
purchase goods using electronic payment.
• Searching: You can do research on the Internet by
visiting virtual libraries and browse through stacks of books.
• Fun & Games: Find music, movies, magazines, and
computer games and interactive live games.
• Education or e-learning: Courses are available about
39
a wide variety of subjects and are available for a cost or
for free.
 ACCESS PROVIDERS

▪ How do you get connected to the Internet?

▪ An Internet Service Provider(ISP) is a company
that provides customers with Internet access.
▪ Commercial Internet Service Providers use a
variety of connection technologies including dialup,
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), cable, and wireless
modems , This creates a client/server network.
▪ National, Regional and Wireless service 40

providers.
BROWSER BASICS
Programs that provide access to Web resources, allow
you to surf the Internet
Examples of browsers: Netscape Navigator,
Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google chrome.
▪ URL(Uniform Resource Locator): is an address or
location of the resources or web site
▪ Protocol (rules to exchange data between computers),
used to connect to the resource e.g. http://
▪ Domain name or name of the server where the 41

resource is located, e.g. [Link]

URLs

42
MORE ON BROWSERS
▪ Browsers interpret HTML commands
• Hypertext Markup Language(to create web page)
• Contained in a document
▪ Display document as a Web page

43
COMMUNICATION

Most popular Internet activity, It allows you

to stay in contact with people separated by
thousands of miles.
Types of communication:
▪ E-Mail
▪ Social Networking
▪ Instant Messaging
▪ Discussion Groups 44
E-Mail
▪ Transmission of electronic messages over the
Internet
▪ Basic parts:
• Header
• Address
• Subject
• Attachment
• Message
45
• Signature
E-MAIL ADDRESS

E-mail addresses have two basic parts – first part

is user’s name and second part is domain name

46
DISCUSSION GROUPS
Allow you to use e-mail to communicate in
discussion groups with people you wish to
share ideas and interests.
• Mailing lists
• Newsgroups
• Chat groups

47
DISCUSSION GROUPS
Mailing Lists
In this type of discussion group, members
communicate by sending messages to a list addresses.
Newsgroups
Newsgroups are the most popular type of
discussion group. They use a special network of
computers called the UseNet.
Chat Groups
48
They allow direct “live” communication.
SEARCH TOOLS

Web is a huge collection of interrelated pages with lots of

information. Search tools developed to help Internet users
locate precise information
• Search engines
• Metasearch engines
• Specialized search engines

49
SEARCH ENGINES
Search Engines are specialized programs
to assist in locating information.
Types of searches:
Keyword search: The user enters a keyword or
phrase reflecting the information desired.
Directory search : You select a category or topic
that fits the information you want.
If you are looking for specific information use the keyword
approach, if you want general information use 50

the directory search approach.

METASEARCH & SPECIALIZED ENGINES

Metasearch engines are programs that

automatically submit your search request
to several search engines .
[Link]
Specialized search engines focus on
subject-specific Web sites.

51
ELECTRONIC COMMERCE

Also known as E-commerce, Buying and selling of goods

over the Internet
Types of E-commerce:
▪ Business-to-consumer (B2C) : Involves the sale of a
product or service to the general public or end-users.
▪ Consumer-to-consumer (C2C): Individuals sell to
individuals.
▪ Business-to-business (B2B) : Involves the sale
52
of a product or service from one business to another
53
WEB STOREFRONTS

▪ Business-to-consumer (B2C)
▪ Virtual stores
▪ Web storefront creation packages
• Also called commerce servers
• Help businesses create virtual stores
• Allow visitors to register, browse, and
make purchase
54
WEB AUCTIONS
▪ Consumer-to-consumer e-commerce (C2C)
Similar to traditional auctions, but buyers and
sellers do not meet face-to-face.
Sellers post descriptions of products at a Web site.
Buyers submit bids electronically.
▪ Types:
• Auction house sites
• Person-to-person auction sites 55
 SECURITY

• Payment methods must be fast, reliable, and secure

• Three basic options
➢ Checks
➢ Credit card
➢ Electronic cash:
▪ E-cash
▪ Cyber cash(company)
▪ Digital cash 56
WEB UTILITIES

▪ Web Utilities are programs that make using the

Internet and the Web easier and safe.
▪ Some utilities are Internet services for
connecting and sharing resources over the
Internet.
▪ Some utilities are browser-related programs.
▪ Common categories of web utilities are:
57
WEB UTILITIES

Telnet is an Internet standard that allows you to

connect to another computer (host) on the internet.
FTP is an Internet service for transferring files.
Plug-ins (also called add-on or extension) is a
program that adds new functions to a host program
without altering the host program itself.
Filters are programs that allow parents or
organizations to block access to selected sites 58

and set time limits.

PLUG-INS EXAMPLES
Plug-in Source

Acrobat Reader [Link]

Media Player [Link]

QuickTime [Link]

RealPlayer [Link]

Shockwave [Link] 59
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (PAGE 1 OF 4)

▪ Explain the five parts of an information system.

▪ What part do people play in this system?
▪ What is system software? What kinds of programs are
included in system software?
▪ Define and compare basic and specialized application
software.
▪ Describe some different types of basic applications.
▪ Describe some types of specialized applications.
60
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (PAGE 2 OF 4)

▪ Describe the different types of computers.

▪ What is the most common type? What are
the types of microcomputers? What is connectivity?
▪ How are the wireless revolution and connectivity
related?
▪ What is a computer network? What is the Internet?
What is the Web?

61
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (PAGE 3 OF 4)

▪ Discuss the uses of the Internet. Which activities have

you participated in? Which one do you think is the most
popular?
▪ Explain the differences between the three types of
providers.
▪ What are the basic elements of an e-mail message?

62
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (PAGE 4 OF 4)

▪ What are the types of discussion groups?

▪ Describe any groups you participate in.
▪ Describe the different types of search engines
▪ Give an example of the type of search engine is best for.

63