Operating Systems

1. An operating system is a type of software.

True, there is not a physical piece of hardware you can touch.

2. Operating systems control the loading of software applications onto a computer.

True, an operating system can download software from the internet or drives.

3. All operating systems offer user preferences allowing you to customize your computer.

True, user preferences such as the Windows "Personalize" menu allow customization.

4. An operating system prioritizes the tasks that a CPU does.

True, the operating system organizes each task on the computer.

5. The following devices have an operating system: an Apple iPod, a Dell laptop, and a Nintendo Wii.

True, each device has an operating system.

How the Internet works

1. What is the internet?

"The Internet is the world’s largest wide area network (WAN)."

1. What is a protocol?

"The Internet is a network made up of many smaller networks. All of the small networks use the same protocols, which allow them to communicate freely with each other."


"In addition, protocols like Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and FTP control the more specific messages and data formats used by the network."

1. What is DNS?

"Translating domain names such as cnn.com into the IP address that the Internet uses to locate a computer requires the Domain Name Service (DNS)." 

Computer Parts

Hardware

1. Motherboard
2. CPU (Central Processing Unit)
3. Fan
4. Disk Drive
5. USB Ports
6. RAM (Random Access Memory)
7. ROM (Read Only Memory)
8. Graphic Card
9. Power Cables
10. Monitor
11. Case

Software

1. Operating System
2. Internet Browser
3. Business Software (Microsoft Office)
4. Drivers
5. Anti-Virus Software

Peripherals

1. Headphones
2. Mouse
3. Keyboard
4. Compact Disc
5. Speakers
6. Camera
7. Printer
8. Microphone
9. USB
10. External Hard Drive
11. Projector
12. Web Connection
13. Scanner

Functions

1. Create Files
2. Edit Files
3. Access Internet
4. Calculate or Process Data
5. Access Information (Research)
6. Entertainment
7. Communication
8. Shopping
9. Banking

Mind Control, and How To Protect Yourself From It

Many websites can be unreliable, today I looked at the "Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie (AFDB)" to determine if it was a reliable, secure web site.

Here is what I found:

• Author: Lyle Zapato
• About Page: http://zapatopi.net/afdb/#WHAT
• Purpose: Educate
• Last Update: December 23rd, 2008

Although this website seems reliable, further research has shown that Lyle Zapato led a hoax about a "Pacific North-West Tree Octopus" through the same http://zapatopi.net/ source.

My AFDB did not help this time, the website is a fake. Even though the information I searched for (author's name, about page, purpose, and last update) was given, the website still was able to trick me.

The real purpose of this Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie is not to educate on protecting your mind from psychics, instead to protect it from untrustworthy websites. Lyle Zapato set a goal to teach the modern day era about how easily the internet can give false information, and make it seem real.

Trends and Factors

Trends In Computer Evolution

Smaller Size

"Fits in your pocket" is a common phrase used in modern day technology advertising. The average person want a small, handheld device that they can carry around with them throughout the day.

Larger Data

Along with smaller size, the average person begs for large amounts of data. On my school computer account, I have almost run completely out of space. From pictures, to Power-Points, to Photoshop, my hard drive has been filled. Continuously I have to transfer files to Dropbox, or delete my "downloads" folder. More data, means more ease of access to all of your files.

Speed

Everyone wants speed. Instead of waiting a week to receive mail, E-Mail was created; within seconds you can get mail that can even include large attachments. Today from internet browsers to spaceships, technologist try to improve speed for every device.

Factors That Drive Technological Evolution

Competition

There are gains and losses from creating the next big thing. One immediate gain, is money. When companies end up creating an extremely popular gadget, they will obviously will gain cash. However, once something new is made, others can copy it. When the first smartphone came out, and became a hit, other companies changed their old flip phones to fast, exciting, touch-screen smart phones. Competition drives companies to upgrade their technology constantly so their company will be ahead of the game.

Demand

Consumer demand is a large part of selling any kind of technology. If the consumer does not want what you are selling, they won't buy it. To keep a company steady, the company must develop technology that their customers want.

Information

In the "Age of Information" persons who work as scientists, or even programmers, strive to find more information. When a new substance is created, or a new technique to develop cancer treatments, people study these things, then search for new information to gain.

True or False?

1. The first computer programmer was a women.

False

Ada Lovelace was the first computer programmer. She was a mathematician, lived during the middle of the 1800s, lived in England, and was in fact- a women.

2. The first computer was built in 1975.

True

The first computer was built in 1910, by Henry Babbage and his son Charles Babbage.

3. Apple made the world's first user friendly personal computer.

True

The "Apple II" computer was built by Steve Wozniak.

4. Binary numbers are counted by two's.

False

Binary numbers are a combination of zeroes and ones. Binary is the simplest positional number system.

5. A notebook computer is the same as a laptop computer.

True

Laptop and notebook computers are very similar, they are both meant to be portable, fully functioning computers.

6. Computers come in only three sizes, desktop, notebook, and tablet.

False

Computers can come in four sizes; desktop, notebook, tablet, and mobile smartphones.

7. All PC's use the Microsoft Window's operating system.

False

Other operating systems you can run on a PC include: Linux, Chrome, Steam, Haiku, etc

8. People with a lot of data often own their own mainframe computer.

True

Mainframe computers are usually run by large companies, or government organizations. These computers file through mass data such as a census, or customer statistics.

9. Most modern supercomputers are made up of clusters of computers.

True

Super computers are made with many computers tied together. Adding more computers will make the super computer even stronger.

What is POIT?

"Principles of Information Technology...serves as the foundation for all of the core courses offered by the Academy of Information Technology." AOIT: Principles of Information Technology Course Scope and Sequence. 7 Oct. 2014.

AOIT, is a NAF program at Apex High School. Being one of the top programs in the country, AOIT helps develop career etiquette and preparation for the world after high school through technology and hands on activities. At this moment, I am using a blog to capture education at Apex High during my class. This is just one example of how the Academy of Information Technology integrates technology into the school system.

However, the academy needs a basis for the classes taken by students such as myself. With POIT the academy can successfully teach classes identical to "AOIT: POIT & MOS". I believe in this course we will study and classify modern computers, as well as the impact computers and technology have on our society.