IT basics
What is Information Technology (IT)?
IT is a term that covers all forms of technology used to create, store,
exchange, and use information - business data, voice conversations,
still images, motion pictures, multimedia presentations, and other forms,
including those not yet thought of.
There is no agreed starting date for the invention of IT. The abacus
could be considered to be an early piece of IT kit. The current IT revolution
was kick started during the Second World War, as the Allies and Axis
powers used IT to make advances in areas from code-breaking computers
and complex calculators, to fire anti-aircraft guns at high-flying bombers,
to the development of the atomic bomb.
Basically, IT is about using computers, but the term is also used to
include telecoms as well.
IT covers almost every activity in modern society from traffic signals,
GPS (Global Positioning System) for mountaineers and navigators to food
deliveries to supermarkets! It is 'embedded' in most of the electrical
devices in found in the typical home from video recorders to washing
machines.
All of these areas require skilled programmers and designers at every
level.
Hardware and software - what
are they?
Hardware
The physical apparatus of a computer system, including the computer
box (central processing unit), monitor and screen and, inside, the circuit
boards (motherboards), processors, power units, modem cards, graphic
cards, hard drives (which store your data) and memory.
Software
Instructions - or programs - that enable a computer to do
useful work.
If I want to work in IT, where do I start?
The Internet is a good place to start your job hunting. Don't forget
that most organisations require either experience and qualifications
or a mixture of both. If you don't have the right qualifications, think
about which courses interest you.
IT is a fast-moving field with its own fads and crazes. What is 'hot'
today may not be in such demand in six months time. So before you decide
on a particular course or technology, spend some time on research.
What should I learn first?
Get to know your computer. Read the manuals and find out how your machine
works and what it can do.
