Let's talk about Information Technology, better known as IT. Throughout this blog post I will define the three disciplines of technology, identify and discuss important ethical issues associated with technology, and discuss human-computer interaction.

Information Technology

As a general term it means to anything that involves computers. However, as a discipline it means meeting computer needs of businesses. An IT professional maintains networks and repairs computers.

Information Systems

This discipline has to do with organizing and using data. IS professionals help businesses know what organization they need, how to generate the information, and how to use the information.

Computer Science

Computer Science is the study of computers. Computer scientists design create and improve software, as well as find new solutions to real world problems using computers

An easy way to remember this is that IT is more hardware, IS is information, and CS is software.

Computer Ethics

With computers being so prevalent in todays society. Computers can be used for good and for evil. There are certain standards anyone who works with technology should follow. These are called computer ethics. There are 4 main rules you should follow to be a ethical "hacker"

Confidentiality

You should protect peoples data and information. Do not share information you are not given permission to share.

Human Dignity

You should respect the privacy and dignity of other human beings. Do not post embarrassing pictures of your friends without their permission.

Civility

Follow internet etiquette that promotes civility. Do not harass someone online also known as trolling.

Property Rights

Respecting someones work by not sharing it illegally. Do not pirate information.

Now that we know how to use computers ethically lets talk about what a computer does and how it works.

What is a Computer

A computer takes in an input, processes it , and then outputs and/or stores said information.

Let's break this down.

Input

An input is a physical signal sent to your computer. Think of when you click your mouse or press on a keyboard.

Processing

The act of processing is when the computer receives an input and converts it into information the computer can use. Let's say you click a mouse and your video game character jumps the processing was converting that click to a command that makes your character jump.

Output

Output is the name given to the processed data. Back to the video game analogy, clicking on the mouse would be the input and the output would be seeing your character jump.

Storage

Another way processed data can be used is to be stored. Data is saved on hard drives or temporarily on memory chips doing processing. Let's say you want to get dinner in the middle of a game and when you come back to your game you want your character to be where you left it. The location of where your character was is stored and when you return the game the data is used in the output of where you character will be when you return.

In the next blog post i will talk about IT basics, Human-Computer Interaction, and more make sure to check it out!