ICT AND ETHICS COMPLETE NOTES

INTRODUCTION TO ICT
Meaning of Basic Concepts

Data -These are raw facts

Information-This is data that has been processed and is meaningful to the person
who receives/uses it.
Communication-Exchange of ideas, messages and information t between two or
more persons through a medium.
Technology- human using objects (tools, machines, equipment’s) to change the
natural environment.
Information Technology-It refers to all the technology that we use to collect,
process, protect and store information.
ICT-refers to technologies that provide access to information through
telecommunications i.e., internet, wireless networks, and cellphones.
Uses of ICT in Organizations
Telecommunications-citizens are able to communicate with one another
conveniently through online applications and systems.
Education-ICT facilities are used to carry out research in academic institutions and
to support eLearning systems.
Public Sector Management-Governments across the globe adopt modern
technologies such as eRevenue Systems, to promote good governance.
Agriculture and Food Security-Farmers are able to use digital applications with
real time updates to manage their farms and market their products.
Transport Sector-companies are able to use device tracking and monitoring
applications to manage their fleet of vehicles.
 ICT Equipment’s in Organizations
Computers-This is an electronic device for storing and processing data
Photocopier-This is an electronic machine that makes copies of images and
documents.
Telephone-Device that converts voice communication into electrical signals that
can be transferred to others users and be reconverted into speech.
Printers-Its an external output device that takes data from a computer and generates
output in form of graphics/text on a paper.
There are mainly two types of printers
1. Impact Printers
2. Non-impact printers
1.Impact Printers
They print characters by striking them on a ribbon which is then pressed on the
paper.
Characteristics of impact printers
✓ Useful for bulk printing due to low cost
✓ Very noisy
✓ Very low consumable costs
These printers are of two types
✓ Character printers -they print one character at a time.
✓ Line Printers – they print one line at a time.
2.Non-impact printers -They print the characters without using the ribbon.
Characteristics of non-impact printers
✓ Supports many fonts and different character size
✓ High quality
✓ Faster than impact printers
These printers are of two types
✓ Laser printers
✓ Inkjet printers
1.Laser printers -it uses a laser beam to create an image.
2.Inkjet printers-they print characters by spraying small drops of ink onto the
paper.
 Impact of ICT in contemporary society
Positive Impact
❖ Faster communication speed
❖ Lower communication cost
❖ Paperless environment

Negative Impact
❖ Social problems
❖ Health problems
❖ Time wasting
 TOPIC 2: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
Meaning and importance of a computer
A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions
stored in its own memory that can accept data (input), process the data according to
specified rules, produce information (output), and store the information for future
use.
Historical Evolution of Computers
Generation Technology used Features/characteristics

First Generation Vacuum Tubes Large in size

(1940-1956) Expensive to purchase
Examples Generated a lot of heat
UNIVAC and Very slow in terms of processing
ENIAC speed
Used punch cards to input data to the
computer
Second Transistors Relatively small in size
Generation (1956- More energy efficient
1963) Faster as compared to first generation
computers

Third Generation Integrated circuits Smaller in size

(1964-1971) Cheaper in cost as compared to their
predecessors.
Fourth Microprocessors Thousands of integrated circuits built
Generation onto a single silicon chip.
(1971-Present) Very small in size
Very powerful processor
Faster processing speed

Fifth Generation Artificial Incorporate A.I technologies

(Present and Intelligence Still under development
Beyond) Quantum Computing
The goal of fifth-generation
computing is to develop devices that
respond to natural language input and
are capable of learning and self-
organization

Classification of Computers
Computers can be classified on the following basis:
➢ Size Generation
➢ Functionality Purpose
➢ Data handling
Classification of computers on the basis of Size
1.Super Computers -is a computer with a high level of performance as compared
to a general-purpose computer.
2.Mainframe Computers – Used by large organization’s for bulk processing of
data.
3.Mini Computers – These are general purpose devices used in instrumentation
and control devices.
4.Microcomputers- its a small, relatively inexpensive computer with a
microprocessor as its CPU.
 Classification on the basis of Functionality
1.Servers: Servers are nothing but dedicated computers which are set-up to offer
some services to the clients. They are named depending on the type of service they
offered. E.g.: security server, database server.

2. Workstation: These are the computers designed to primarily to be used by

single user at a time. They run multi-user operating systems. They are the ones
which we use for our day to day personal / commercial work.
3. Embedded Computers: This is a microprocessor-based computer hardware
system with software that is designed to perform a dedicated function, either as an
independent system or as a part of a large system.

Classification on the basis of data handling

1. Analog: An analog computer is a form of computer that uses the

continuously-changeable aspects of physical fact such as electrical,
mechanical, or hydraulic quantities to model the problem being solved.

Anything that is variable with respect to time and continuous can be

claimed as analog just like an analog clock measures time by means of the
distance traveled for the spokes of the clock around the circular dial.

2. Digital: A computer that performs calculations and logical operations with

quantities represented as digits, usually in the binary number system of “0”
and “1”, “Computer capable of solving problems by processing information
expressed in discrete form.

from manipulation of the combinations of the binary digits, it can perform

mathematical calculations, organize and analyze data, control industrial and
other processes, and simulate dynamic systems such as global weather
patterns.

3. Hybrid: A computer that processes both analog and digital data, Hybrid
computer is a digital computer that accepts analog signals, converts them to
digital and processes them in digital form.
 Components of a Computer
Computer hardware- These are the tangible parts of a computers system/physical
parts of a computer system.
Examples: System unit, Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse

Computer Software- This is a collection of instructions and data that tell a

computer how to work. These are the intangible parts of a computer.

The general model of a computer consists of an input system, storage system,

process system and an output system.

Benefits and challenges in the use of computers:

N/B Student to take this as an assignment 1
TOPIC3: COMPUTER HARDWARE AND ORGANIZATION

INPUT SYTEM
An input system consists of one or more devices that a user employs to enter data
or instructions into the memory of a computer for processing.
Any peripheral device (piece of computer hardware equipment) used to provide
data and control signals to a computer.

Examples of common input devices

➢ Keyboard
➢ Mouse
➢ Touchscreen
➢ Graphic tablet
➢ Microphone
➢ Scanner

Input devices come in many forms as follows:

Keyboard: It has keys that represent letters, numbers and characters. It has the
following unique keys:
Function keys – These are special keys in which a user can assign personalized
commands. E.g., F3-Open search tool, F1-Display help screen
Special purpose keys e.g., Enter

Numeric pad – a set of keys in the form of a calculator pad used to enter numbers
easily and conveniently.
Most Keyboards are connected to a computer via cables but at the same time, there
are wireless keyboards that transmit their input to the computer by means of
infrared signals.
Mouse: This is a hand sized computer input device. There is major two types of
mouse namely: (a) Mechanical mouse - Mechanical mouse is a computer input
terminal that contains the metal or rubber ball in the back surface side. When we
move the mouse then mouse’s ball roll and sensors that are embedded inside
identify the motion and move on screen’s surface portion at the same directions.

(b) Optical Mouse -

An optical mouse is an advanced computer pointing device that uses a light-

emitting diode (LED), an optical sensor, and digital signal processing ( DSP ) in
place of the traditional mouse ball and electromechanical transducer. Movement is
detected by sensing changes in reflected light, rather than by interpreting the
motion of a rolling sphere.
Touchpad – a small, touch-sensitive pad used as a pointing device on some
portable computers. •By moving a finger or other object along the pad, you can
move the pointer on the display screen.

Graphic Tablet
A graphics tablet (or digitizer, digitizing tablet, graphics pad, drawing tablet) is a
computer input device that allows one to hand-draw images and graphics, similar
to the way one draws images with a pencil and paper.

Touchscreen
A touchscreen is an electronic visual display that can detect the presence and
location of a touch within the display area. •The term generally refers to touching
the display of the device with a finger or hand.
Stylus
A stylus is a small pen-shaped instrument that is used to input commands to a
computer screen, mobile device or graphics tablet.

Joystick
A joystick allows an individual to move an object in a game such as navigating a
plane in a flight simulator.

Gamepad
A gamepad, game controller, joypad, or video game controller is a peripheral
device designed to be connected to a computer or console gaming system.
It has multiple buttons and may have one or two mini joysticks.
 Imaging and Video Input Devices

Used to digitize images or video from the outside world into the computer.
✓ Example: – Digital camera
✓ Webcam –
✓ Optical scanner –
✓ 3D scanner –
✓ Fingerprint scanner
✓ Barcode reader

Digital Camera
A camera that stores the pictures or video it takes in electronic format instead of a
film.

Webcam
A webcam is a hardware camera connected to a computer that allows anyone
connected to the Internet to view either still pictures or motion video of a user or
other object.
Optical Scanner
An optical scanner is a hardware input device that allows a user to take an image
or text and convert it into a digital file, allowing the computer to read or display the
scanned object.
Two types of scanner:
✓ Flatbed
✓ Hand-held

Flatbed scanner Hand held Scanner

Audio Input Devices

Audio input devices allow a user to send audio signals to a computer for
processing, recording, or carrying out commands. • Example: –
✓ Microphone
✓ MIDI keyboard

Microphone
 A microphone is a hardware peripheral that allows computer users to input audio
into their computers.

MIDI Keyboard

A MIDI (Musical Instruments Digital Interface) keyboard is typically a piano-

style user interface keyboard device used for sending MIDI signals to a computer.
MIDI information is sent to a computer that capable of reproducing an array of
digital sounds or samples that resemble traditional analog musical instruments
 Output Devices
Any peripheral that receives or displays output from a computer.
Computer hardware equipment used to communicate the results of data
processing carried out by a computer to the outside world.

Examples of Output Device

✓ Monitor
✓ Printer
✓ Speakers
✓ Projector

Monitor

The device which displays computer output.

The monitor displays the video and graphics information generated by the
computer through the video card.
Monitors are very similar to televisions but usually display information at a much
higher resolution.

Types of Monitor
✓ Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)
✓ Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
✓ Light-emitting Diode (LED)

Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)

➢ Large
➢ Heavy
➢ Produce heat
➢ Not expensive
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
➢ Less space
➢ Lighter
➢ Low power consumption
➢ Expensive
➢ Limited viewing angle

Light-emitting Diode (LED)

➢ Less space
➢ Lighter
➢ Very expensive
➢ Provide higher contrast and better viewing angles than LCD monitor

The actual difference between LED and a typical LCD monitor is the backlighting.

Printer
Printer is an external hardware device responsible for taking computer data and
generating a hard copy of that data.
Printers are one of the most used peripherals on computers and are commonly
used to print text, images, and photos
Plotter
The plotter is a computer printer for printing vector graphics
Plotters are used in applications such as computer aided design such as diagrams,
layouts, specification sheets and banners
The plotter is capable of producing color drawings in a matter of minutes
Plotters differ from printers in that they draw lines using a pen
Speakers
A hardware device connected to a computer's sound card that outputs sound
generated by the computer.
Speakers can be used for various sounds meant to alert the user, as well as music
and spoken text
Projector

An output device that can take the display of a computer screen and project a large
version of it onto a flat surface.
Projectors are often used in meetings and presentations so that everyone in the
room can view the presentation
 Storage Devices
A storage device is used in the computers to store data.

There are four type of storage:

✓ Primary Storage
✓ Secondary Storage
✓ Tertiary Storage
✓ Off-line Storage

Primary Storage
Also known as main memory. •
Main memory is directly or indirectly connected to the central processing unit via a
memory bus.
The CPU continuously reads instructions stored there and executes them as
required.
✓ Example: RAM
✓ ROM
✓ Cache
RAM
It is called Random Access Memory because any of the data in RAM can be
accessed just as fast as any of the other data.

This is the place where operating system, application programs and data in current
use are kept so that they can be reached quickly by the computer processor.

RAM is volatile i.e. It requires power to maintain the stored information.

There are two types of RAM:

✓ DRAM (Dynamic Random-Access Memory)
✓ SRAM (Static Random-Access Memory)

Static RAM Dynamic RAM

Faster Slower
More expensive Less expensive
More power consumption Less power consumption
does not need to be refreshed needs to be refreshed thousands of times
per second
ROM
This memory is used as the computer begins to boot up.
Small programs called firmware are often stored in ROM chips on hardware
devices (like a BIOS chip), and they contain instructions the computer can use in
performing some of the most basic operations required to operate hardware
devices.
ROM is non volatile i.e. Its content is not lost when the computer is powered off.
ROM memory cannot be easily or quickly overwritten or modified.

Cache
Cache is a high-speed access area that can be either a reserved section of main
memory or a storage device.
Most computers today come with L3 cache or L2 cache, while older computers
included only L1 cache.
Secondary Storage
It is not directly accessible by the CPU.
Computer usually uses its input/output channels to access secondary storage and
transfers the desired data using intermediate area in primary storage.
Example: – Hard disk
The hard disk drive is the main, and usually largest, data storage device in a
computer.

Internal Hard disk External Hard disk

Price Less Expensive More expensive
Speed Fast slow
size Big small
Portability No Yes

Tertiary Storage
Typically, it involves a robotic mechanism which will mount (insert) and
dismount removable mass storage media into a storage device.
It is a comprehensive computer storage system that is usually very slow, so it is
usually used to archive data that is not accessed frequently.
This is primarily useful for extraordinarily large data stores, accessed without
human operators.
 Examples: Magnetic Tape, Optical Disc

Magnetic Tape
A magnetically coated strip of plastic on which data can be encoded.
Tapes for computers are similar to tapes used to store music.
Tape is much less expensive than other storage mediums but commonly a much
slower solution that is commonly used for backup.

Optical Disc
Optical disc is any storage media that holds content in digital format and is read
using a laser assembly is considered optical media.
The most common types of optical media are –
✓ Blu-ray (BD)
✓ Compact Disc (CD)
✓ Digital Versatile Disc (DVD)
Off-line Storage
Also known as disconnected storage.
Is a computer data storage on a medium or a device that is not under the control
of a processing unit.
It must be inserted or connected by a human operator before a computer can access
it again.

Examples: –
✓ Floppy Disk
✓ Zip diskette
✓ USB Flash drive
✓ Memory card
Floppy Disk
A soft magnetic disk.
Floppy disks are portable.
Floppy disks are slower to access than hard disks and have less storage capacity,
but they are much less expensive
 Zip Diskette

USB Flash Drive

A small, portable flash memory card that plugs into a computer’s USB port and
functions as a portable hard drive.

Memory Card
An electronic flash memory storage disk commonly used in consumer electronic
devices such as digital cameras, MP3 players, mobile phones, and other small
portable devices.
Memory cards are usually read by connecting the device containing the card to
your computer, or by using a USB card reader.
Storage Device Features
✓ Volatility
✓ Accessibility
✓ Mutability
✓ Addressability

Volatile Memory
Requires constant power to maintain the stored information.
The fastest memory technologies.
Non-Volatile Memory
Will retain the stored information even if it is not constantly supplied with electric
power.
Non volatile memory is the device which keeps the data even when the current is
off.
It is suitable for long-term storage of information.
Accessibility
Refers to reading or writing data records
Two types of accessibility: – Random access – Sequential access
Random Access
Any location in storage can be accessed at any moment in approximately the same
amount of time.
Such characteristic is well suited for primary and secondary storage.
Sequential Access
The accessing of pieces of information will be in a serial order, one after the other;
therefore, the time to access a particular piece of information depends upon which
piece of information was last accessed. Such characteristic is typical of off-line
storage.
Mutability
Allows information to be overwritten at any time.
A computer without some amount of read/write storage for primary storage
purposes would be useless for many tasks.
Three types of mutability:
✓ Read/write storage or mutable storage
✓ Read only storage
✓ Slow write, fast read storage

Addressability
Three types of addressability –
✓ Location-addressable
✓ File addressable
✓ Content-addressable

Location-addressable
Each individually accessible unit of information in storage is selected with its
numerical memory address.
File addressable
Information is divided into files of variable length, and a particular file is selected
with human-readable directory and file names.
Content-addressable
Each individually accessible unit of information is selected based on the basis of
(part of) the contents stored there.

Other Example of Storage Devices • Cloud storage • RAID

 COMPUTER BUS SYSTEM
A computer bus is an electronic pathway connecting two or more devices.
A key characteristic of a bus is that it is a shared transmission medium.
Multiple devices connect to the bus, and a signal transmitted by any one device is
available for reception by all other devices attached to the bus.
Functions of Buses in a computer
Data sharing – this involves the transfer of data inform of signals between
computer peripherals.
Addressing – The bus has address lines which match those of the processor.
This allows data to be sent to or from specific memory locations.
Power – bus supplies power to various peripherals connected to it.
Timing – The bus provides a system clock signal to synchronize the
peripheral devices attached to it.
There are majorly two buses in a computer:
I. System Buses
II. Expansion Buses

System Bus
This is a computer bus that connects major components in a computer (processor,
memory, I/O)
Data Bus
Data Bus can be thought of as a highway on which data travels within a computer.
This bus connects all the computer components to the CPU and main memory.
 Address Bus
This is a bus used to specify a physical address in the computer main memory.
Control Bus
Because the data and address lines are shared by all components, there must be a
means of controlling their use.
Control signals transmit both command and timing information among system
modules.
The control bus carries signals that report the status of various devices.

Typical control bus signals are:

Memory Read: causes data from the addressed location to be placed on the data
bus.
Memory Write: causes data on the bus to be written into the addressed location.
I/O write: causes data on the bus to be output to the addressed I/O port
I/O read: causes data from the addressed I/O port to be placed on the bus
System bus usually is separated into three functional groups.
I. Data Bus
II. Address Bus
III. Control Bus

Expansion Bus
An input/output pathway from the CPU to peripheral devices.
An expansion bus typically comprises a series of slots on the motherboard into
which cards are inserted
Examples of Expansion buses
1.Industry Standard Architecture – This is the slowest and the most common
expansion bus. It is used to connect the mouse, modems, sound cards and some
network cards.
2. Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP)- This expansion bus is faster than ISA.
It is used to connect video cards and memory.

3.Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) – This is the fastest expansion bus

used to connect hard drives, video cards and network cards.

Universal Serial Bus – This is a new approach to connecting peripheral devices to

a computer. It does away with the need to install expansion cards for each new
device
 TOPIC 4: COMPUTER SOFTWARE
Software – This is a set of instructions that enables physical components of a
computer to work in a synchronized way/perform their functions.
Classification of computer software

System Software
This is a computer software designed to operate the computer hardware in order to
provide basic functionality and to provide a platform for running application
software.
Refers to the operating system and all utility programs that manage computer
resources at a low level.
Utility program - it’s a type of system software that performs a specific task,
usually related to managing a computer, its devices
Examples of Utility programs
Antivirus program, disk tools, back up software’s, Browsers, file viewer, disk
scanners.
The BIOS (basic input/output system) gets the computer system started after you
turn it on and manages the data flow between the operating system and attached
devices such as the hard disk, video adapter, keyboard, mouse, and printer.
The boot program loads the operating system into the computer's main memory or
random-access memory (RAM).
System software also includes system utilities, such as the disk defragmenter and
System Restore.
Programming Software
Programming software include tools in the form of programs or applications that
software developers use to create, debug, maintain, or otherwise support other
programs and applications.
The term usually refers to relatively simple programs such as compilers,
debuggers, interpreters, linkers, and text editors,

Application Software
A program or group of programs designed for end users
Allows end users to accomplish one or more specific (non-computer related) tasks.
Examples of Computer Application Software
Word processor
Spreadsheet
Presentation Software
Database Management System Microsoft Access – Oracle Database – MySQL
Desktop Publisher Adobe InDesign – QuarkXPress – MS Publisher
Graphic Editor Adobe Photoshop • Paint Shop Pro
Web Browser
 Types of software License
i. Registerware
ii. Shareware
iii. Freeware
iv. Open source
v. Demoware
vi. Abandonware

Registerware
Refers to computer software which requires the user to give personal information
through registration in order to download or use the program.
Shareware/Demoware
Refers to copyrighted commercial software that is distributed without payment on
a trial basis and is limited by any combination of functionality, availability, or
convenience.
Freeware
Computer software that is available for use with no cost or for an optional fee.
Freeware is different from shareware, where the user is obliged to pay.
Open-Source Software (OSS)
OSS is also a free software.
OSS can be defined as computer software for which the human-readable source
code is made available under a copyright license (or arrangement such as the
public domain) that meets the Open-Source Definition.
This permits users to use, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it
in modified or unmodified form
Abandonware
It refers to software that is no longer available for purchase or that is at least a
certain number of years old.
 TOPIC 5: HARDWARE-SOFTWARE SELECTION AND ACQUISITION
Hardware – These are the tangible/physical parts of a computer system.
There are several factors considered prior to system selection as follows:
1.Define the system capabilities that make sense for business
2. Specify the magnitude of the problem, clarify whether selections consist of few
peripherals or major decision concerning the mainframes.
3. Assess the competence of the in-house staff
4.Consider hardware and software as a package this ensures compatibility
5.Develop a schedule for the selection process.
Procedure for hardware and software selection and Acquisition
Major Phases in Selection:
1. REQUIREMENT ANALYSIS:
The first step in selection is to understands the user’s requirements within the
framework of the organization’s objectives and the environment in which the
system is being installed.
2. SYSTEM SPECIFICATION:
The system specification must be clearly defined. these specifications must reflect
the actual application to be handled by the system.
3. EVALUATION AND VALIDATION: The evaluation phase ranks various
vendor proposals and determines the one best suited to the user’s requirements.
it looks into items such as price, availability and technical support.
4.VENDER SELECTION: This step determines the vender with the best
combination of reputation, reliability, service record, training, delivery time, lease/
finance terms. The selected venders are invited to give their presentations of their
system.
 Criteria for Software Selection
The following factors should be considered during software selection.
RELIABILITY – It is the probability that the software will be executed in a
specific period of time without any failures. It is important to the professional user.
It brings up the concept of modularity, or the ease which a package can be
modified
CAPACITY – Capacity refers to the capability of the software package to handle
the user’s requirements for size of files, number of data elements, and reports. All
limitations should be checked.
FLEXIBILITY – It is a measure of effort required to modify an operational
program. One feature of flexibility is adaptability.
SECURITY – It is a measure of the likelihood that a system’s user can
accidentally or intentionally access or destroy unauthorized data.
PERFORMANCE – It is a measure of the capacity of the software package to do
what it is expected to do. This criterion focuses on throughput or how effectively a
package performs under peak load.
SERVICEABILITY – This criterion focuses on documentation and vendor
support.
OWNERSHIP – Who owns the software, and to consider whether he has the right
to access the software, or he can sell or modify the software.
Evaluation Process
There are three process for evaluating hardware and software:

I. Benchmark programs – It is a sample program for evaluating different

computers and their software.
II. Experience of other users – Experience of other users with the same
software is very important when evaluating its use.
III. Product reference manuals- These reports elaborate on computer products,
services and prices.
Hardware selection requires an analysis of the following criteria
✓ System availability
✓ Compatibility
✓ Cost
✓ Performance
✓ Support
For Software Evaluation the following is considered:
✓ The programming language and its suitability to existing applications
✓ Ease of installation and Training
✓ Extent of enhancements to be made prior to installation
Methods of Acquiring Software in Organizations
1.Rental option -This is where an organizations pays as they use a software for a
specified period of time.
2.In-house development -This is where an organization employs a team of
programmers to develop their software applications.
2.Lease Option – This is where organization pay as they use a software for a period
of time in which after it elapses then the vendor is allowed to take back the
software
3 Purchase Option – This is where the organization fully buys a software product
from a vendor.
TOPIC 7: COMPUTER SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS
Ergonomics -The study of how an ICT workplace and the equipment used there
can best be designed for comfort, efficiency, safety, and productivity.
.