Computer Concepts 7

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Chapter 8 The Computer Industry History,
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Chapter 7 Digital Media
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Chapter 6 Web Pages, Web Sites, and E-Commerce
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Chapter 8The Computer Industry History,
Products, and Careers

• Section A Computer History

Computer Concepts 7th EditionParsons/Oja
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Chapter Preview

• After this chapter, you should be able to
• Outline the development of calculating and
  computer devices
• Describe the hardware, software, and operating
  system characteristics for computer prototypes,
  and each of the four generations of computers
• List the factors that changed personal computers
  from hobbyists kits to widely used productivity
  and communications tools
• Describe the role of the computer and IT
  industries
• Explain the life cycle of typical hardware and
  software products

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Chapter 8 The Computer Industry History,
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Chapter Preview

• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
  various marketing channels
• Describe the job outlook, working conditions, and
  salaries for computer professionals
• Differentiate between computer engineering,
  computer science, and information systems degree
  programs
• Demonstrate how to create a resume that works in
  todays technology-driven job market

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What came before computers?
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What came before computers?
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Mechanical Calculators When did machines begin
to perform calculations?

• A mechanical calculator implements algorithms
  autonomously. To work a mechanical calculator,
  the operator simply enters the numbers for a
  calculation, and then pulls a lever or turns a
  wheel to carry out the calculation
• Wilhelm Schickard created a mechanical calculator
  (called Shickards Calculator)
• Blaise Pascal developed the Pascaline
• Leibniz Calculator
• deColmars Arithmometer became the first
  mass-produced calculator

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When did calculating devices begin to operate
without human power?

• Charles Babbage proposed a device called the
  Difference Engine that would operate using steam
  power
• The Difference Engine was intended to quickly and
  accurately calculate large tables of numbers used
  for astronomical and engineering applications
• In 1834, Babbage began designing a new
  general-purpose calculating device, called the
  Analytical Engine

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Computer Prototypes Who invented the computer?

• A prototype is an experimental device that
  typically must be further developed and perfected
  before going into production and becoming widely
  available
• The Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC) was the first
  to use vacuum tubes instead of mechanical switches

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Who invented the computer?

• Konrad Zuse developed a computer called the Z3,
  which was based on the idea of binary yes/no
  states-what we now call bits
• Howard Aiken created the IBM Automatic Sequence
  Controlled Calculator (ASCC), but it is usually
  referred to as the Harvard Mark I because it was
  moved to Harvard University shortly after
  completion

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Generations of Computers What was the first
commercially successful computer?

• A computer called the UNIVAC is considered by
  most historians to be the first commercially
  successful digital computer
• Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corp constructed it
• At fourteen and a half feet long, seven and a
  half feet high, and nine feet wide, UNIVAC was
  physically smaller than ENIAC, but more powerful

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How did computers progress from room-sized
behemoths to modern personal computers?

• As technology evolved, relay switches and vacuum
  tubes were replaced with smaller, less
  power-hungry components
• Computer historians seem to generally agree that
  computers have evolved through four distinct
  generations, and in each generation, computers
  became smaller, faster, more dependable, and less
  expensive to operate

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What characterized the first generation of
computers?

• First-generation computers can be characterized
  by their vacuum tubes
• A vacuum tube is an electronic device that
  controls the flow of electrons in a vacuum
• They consumed a lot of power
• They also tended to burn out quickly
• First-generation computers were characterized by
  custom application programs
• First-generation computers did not seem ready for
  prime time

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What characterized the first generation of
computers?
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How did second-generation computers differ from
first-generation computers?

• Second-generation computers used transistors
  instead of vacuum tubes
• Transistors performed functions similar to vacuum
  tubes, but they were much smaller, cheaper, less
  power hungry, and more reliable
• Several successful transistorized computers were
  manufactured by companies such as IBM, Burroughs,
  Control Data, Honeywell, and Sperry Rand
• IBM developed operating systems that provided
  standardized routines for input, output, memory
  management, storage, and other resource
  management activities

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How did second-generation computers differ from
first-generation computers?
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How did second-generation computers differ from
first-generation computers?

• Early proprietary operating systems were designed
  to work only on a particular computer
• Second-generation computers also ran programming
  language compilers that allowed programmers to
  write instructions using English-like commands
• High-level languages, such as COBOL (Common
  Business-Oriented Language) and FORTRAN (Formula
  Translator), were available for use on
  second-generation computers

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What are the characteristics of third-generation
computers?

• Third-generation computers became possible in
  1958, when Jack Kilby at Texas Instruments and
  Robert Noyce at Fairchild Semiconductor
  independently developed integrated circuits
• RCA Spectra 70, IBM 360
• In 1965, Digital Equipment Corp.(DEC) introduced
  the DEC PDP-8, the first commercially successful
  minicomputer
• By 2000, the IBM AS/400 (renamed the iSeries 400)
  was one of the few remaining devices that could
  be classified as a minicomputer
• Today, demand for minicomputers is satisfied by
  high-end personal computers and servers, and the
  term minicomputer has generally fallen into
  disuse

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What are the characteristics of third-generation
computers?
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How did microprocessor technology affect the
computer industry?

• The technology for fourth-generation computers
  appeared in 1971, when Ted Hoff developed the
  first general-purpose microprocessor
• Early industry leaders included Intel, Zilog,
  Motorola, and Texas Instruments
• The Intel line, used in most Windows-compatible
  computers, included the 8086, 8088, 80286, 80386,
  80486, Pentium, and Itanium microprocessors

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How did microprocessor technology affect the
computer industry?
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Personal Computers Who invented the personal
computer?

• One such system was the Mark-8 developed by
  Jonathan A. Titus, who was featured in the July
  1974 issue of Radio-Electronics
• In 1975, Ed Roberts and the MITS (Micro
  Instrument and Telemetry Systems) company
  announced the MITS Altair, which many historians
  believe to be the first commercial microcomputer
• In 1977, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded
  Apple Computer Corporation and released the Apple
  I, a kit containing a motherboard with 4K of RAM
  that sold for 666.66

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Chapter 8The Computer Industry History,
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• Section B The Computer and IT Industries

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Industry Overview Is there a difference between
the computer industry and the information
technology industry?

• Computer industry encompasses those companies
  that manufacture handheld computers, personal
  computers, high-end workstations, servers,
  mainframes, and supercomputers
• Information technology industry (or IT industry),
  is typically used to refer to the companies that
  develop, produce, sell, or support computers,
  software, and computer-related products

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What kinds of companies are included in the IT
industry?

• Equipment manufacturers
• Chipmakers
• Software publishers
• Service companies
• Retailers
• Although some companies fit neatly into one of
  the above categories, other companies operate in
  two or more areas
• The IT industry also encompasses large
  conglomerates with one or more divisions devoted
  to computer hardware, software, or services

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What about dot coms?

• The 1990s spawned a group of Internet-based
  companies that came to be called dot coms, from
  the companies domain names, which inevitably
  ended with .com and many of the companies even
  incorporated .com into their official company
  names
• Amazon.com was one of the first Internet-based
  companies
• Unless a dot com sells computers, peripherals,
  or software online, it is probably not considered
  part of the computer industry, experts disagree
  whether dot coms rightfully belong to the IT
  industry

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Is the IT industry located in Silicon Valley?
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Where can I find information about the IT
industry?

• You can dig up lots of information on IT and
  computer companies from a wide variety of
  computer and business publications
• The type of computer publication you need depends
  on the kind of information you want
• The IT Sources InfoWeb provides you with an
  up-to-date guide to publications and other IT
  industry resources

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What are the stages in the life cycle of a
typical hardware product?

• Product Development - Product development often
  takes place under wraps
• Product Announcement - Sometime during the
  development process, a company makes a product
  announcement to declare its intention to
  introduce a new product Vaporware, are
  announced, but never produced
• Introduction - When a new product becomes
  available, it is usually added to the vendors
  product line and featured prominently in
  advertisements

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What are the stages in the life cycle of a
typical hardware product?

• Maintenance - As supply and demand for a product
  reach an equilibrium, the price of the product
  decreases slightly. This discounted price is
  usually referred to as the street price
• Retirement - Gradually, a companys oldest
  products are discontinued as demand for them
  declines

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Is the life cycle of a software product similar
to that of a hardware product?

• Software begins with an idea that is shaped by a
  design team and marketing experts
• Most software products undergo extensive testing
  before they are released
• The first phase of testing, called an alpha test,
  is carried out by the software publishers
  in-house testing team
• Errors, or bugs, found during the alpha test
  phase are fixed, and then the software enters a
  second testing phase called a beta test
• A beta test is conducted by a team of off-site
  testers

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Is the life cycle of a software product similar
to that of a hardware product?

• A newly published software package can be an
  entirely new product, a new version (also called
  a release) with significant enhancements, or a
  revision designed to add minor enhancements and
  eliminate bugs found in the current version
• Unlike computer hardware products, older versions
  of software typically do not remain in the
  vendors product line

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Market Share How do computer companies stack up
against each other?

• Market share refers to a companys share, or
  percentage, of the total market pie
• Competition is fierce in all segments of the
  industry, and market share is one indicator of a
  companys ability to steal sales from its rivals

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Marketing Channels Why are computer equipment
and software sold through so many outlets?
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Why are computer equipment and software sold
through so many outlets?

• Hardware manufacturers and software publishers
  try to reach consumers by making their products
  available through a variety of sources
• Computer hardware and software are sold through
  marketing outlets called marketing channels
• These channels include computer retail stores,
  mail-order/Internet outlets, value-added
  resellers, and manufacturer direct

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Isnt a computer retail store the best channel
for hardware and software products?

• A computer retail store purchases computer
  products from a variety of manufacturers, and
  then sells those products to consumers
• A computer retail store is often the best
  shopping option for buyers who are likely to need
  assistance after their purchases such as
  beginning computer users, or those with plans for
  complex computer networks
• Retail stores can be a fairly expensive channel
  for hardware and software

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How does the mail-order channel compare to retail?

• Mail order is a special instance of retailing in
  which a vendor takes orders by telephone or from
  an Internet site
• Mail-order suppliers generally offer low prices,
  but might provide only limited service and
  support
• Experienced computer users who can install
  components, set up software, and do their own
  troubleshooting are often happy with mail-order
  suppliers

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Do some manufacturers and publishers sell direct?

• Consumers without a middleman, such as a retail
  store
• The obvious advantage of direct sales is that by
  cutting out the retailer, a manufacturer can make
  more profit on each unit sold. The disadvantage
  is that the manufacturer must provide customers
  with technical supporta potentially costly
  service that requires large teams of technical
  support personnel

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Dont some manufacturers and publishers sell
direct?
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Whats a VAR?

• VAR stands for value-added reseller. A
  value-added reseller combines commercially
  available products with specialty hardware or
  software to create a computer system designed to
  meet the needs of a specific industry

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Do so many channels confuse consumers?

• Consumers can benefit from a variety of channels
• Although consumers benefit from a variety of
  channels, vendors within the channels often find
  that their sales are pirated by other channel
  vendorsa process referred to as channel conflict

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Industry Regulation Is the IT industry regulated
in any way?

• Some aspects of the IT industry are regulated by
  government agencies, but many aspects are self
  regulated
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
  regulates interstate and international
  communications by radio, television, wire,
  satellite, and cable
• The U.S. Federal Trade Commission and Department
  of Justice police the business practices of the
  IT industry
• Many governments are enacting laws that restrict
  access to particular Internet activities and
  content

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Chapter 8The Computer Industry History,
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• Section C Careers for Computer Professionals

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Jobs and Salaries What is a computer
professional?

• In 1999, the U.S. Congress crafted an amendment
  to the Fair Labor Standards Act that essentially
  defines a computer professional as any person
  whose primary occupation involves the design,
  configuration, analysis, development,
  modification, testing, or security of computer
  hardware or software

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What kinds of jobs are typically available to
computer professionals?

• A systems analyst investigates the requirements
  of a business or organization, its employees, and
  its customers in order to plan and implement new
  or improved computer services
• A computer programmer designs, codes, and tests
  computer programs
• A security specialist analyzes a computer
  systems vulnerability to threats from viruses,
  worms, unauthorized access, and physical damage
• A database administrator analyzes a companys
  data to determine the most effective way to
  collect and store it
• A quality assurance specialist participates in
  alpha and beta test cycles of software

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What kinds of jobs are typically available to
computer professionals?

• A network specialist/administrator plans,
  installs, and maintains one or more local area
  networks
• A computer operator typically works with
  minicomputers, mainframes, and supercomputers
• A computer engineer designs and tests new
  hardware products, such as computer chips,
  circuit boards, computers, and peripheral devices
• A technical support specialist provides phone or
  online help to customers of computer companies
  and software publishers

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What kinds of jobs are typically available to
computer professionals?

• A technical writer creates documentation for
  large programming projects, and writes the online
  or printed user manuals that accompany computers,
  peripheral devices, and software
• A computer salesperson, or sales rep, sells
  computers
• A Web site designer creates, tests, posts, and
  modifies Web pages
• A manufacturing technician participates in the
  fabrication of computer chips, circuit boards,
  system units, or peripheral devices

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What can I expect as a salary for an IT industry
job?
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Are IT workers typically satisfied with their
jobs?

• One indication of job satisfaction is voluntary
  turnover rate
• Some companies in the IT industry have remarkably
  low turnover rates
• Database giant Oracle and network powerhouse
  Cisco Systems have turnover rates that are less
  than 6 percent
• Turnover rates at IBM and Microsoft are less than
  10 percent, which seems to indicate
  higher-than-average employee satisfaction

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What about part-time or contract work?

• The typical IT industry employee works a 40-hour
  week, and often longer hours are required
• A contract worker is typically hired as a
  consultant
• IT businesses benefit from the ability to hire
  contract workers. The pool IT contract workers
  provides a selection of people with specialized
  skills

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Can I work at an IT job from home?

• Workers in many industries are interested in
  telecommuting using available technology to
  work from home or an off-site location, at least
  part of the time
• The Internet and telecommunications technologies
  have made an impact on the availability of
  telecommuting opportunities for workers
• It has become common for employees to collaborate
  through e-mail, fax, groupware, and
  videoconferencing

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How safe are computers, monitors, and other
electronic equipment?

• Most people in the IT industry work at desk
  jobs, and spend many hours of the workday gazing
  at a computer monitor and typing on a keyboard
• According to the BLS, Data entry keyers and
  others who work at video terminals for extended
  periods of time may experience musculoskeletal
  strain, eye problems, stress, or repetitive
  motion illnesses, such as carpal tunnel syndrome

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How safe are computers, monitors, and other
electronic equipment?

• To avoid these health hazards, workers should be
  aware of the ergonomics of their work areas
• Ergonomics is the study of work. The U.S.
  Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  (OSHA) further explains ergonomics as the
  science of designing the job to fit the worker,
  rather than physically forcing the workers body
  to fit the job

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How safe are computers, monitors, and other
electronic equipment?
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Education What are the basic qualifications for
IT industry jobs?
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Do I need a computer science degree to work in
the computer industry?

• Computer science is only one of the many
  computer-related degrees that are offered by
  colleges and universities
• Computer engineering focuses on the design of
  computer hardware and peripheral devices, often
  at the chip level
• Computer science focuses on computer
  architecture, and how to program computers to
  make them work effectively and efficiently

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Do I need a computer science degree to work in
the computer industry?

• Information systems, or information technology,
  degree programs, typically offered by a
  universitys College of Business, focus on
  applying computers to business problems

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Certification How important is certification?

• Certification alone is rarely sufficient to
  qualify you for a job in the IT industry
• Bottom line certification is only part of your
  total package of qualifications

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What type of certification is available?

• Certificates of completion are offered to
  students who successfully complete one or more
  courses on a specific topic
• A certification exam is an objective test that
  verifies your level of knowledge about a
  particular technology or subject
• Certification exams can be divided into several
  categories
• General computer knowledge

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What type of certification is available?

• The Institute for Certification of Computing
  Professionals (ICCP) offers some of the most
  generalized certification exams, including the
  CCP (Certified Computing Professional) exam
• Software Applications
• Database Administration
• Networking
• Computer Hardware
• Computer Security

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Chapter 8The Computer Industry History,
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• Section D Job Hunting Resources

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Job Hunting Basics How do I find a job in the IT
industry?

• In many ways, finding a job in the IT industry is
  just like finding a job in any other industry

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Where do I start?

• You should begin by defining the jobs for which
  you are qualified. In the IT industry, job
  titles are not standardized
• Non-standardized job titles can pose a problem
  for job hunters, especially those who use search
  engines to locate job openings
• Job hunters in the IT industry should take some
  time to compile their own lists of equivalent job
  titles and relevant search terms

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Resumes for Todays Job Market Do I need an
online resume?

• As a computer professional, you are expected to
  use technology effectively for everyday tasks
• You can demonstrate this ability to prospective
  employers by the way you treat your resume
• Prepare your resume in a variety of formats,
  suitable for different computer platforms and
  delivery methods
• If requested by a prospective employer, you can
  attach your resume file to an e-mail message that
  serves as your cover letter

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Should an IT industry resume contain any special
elements?

• Regardless of the industry in which you seek
  employment, an effective resume is clear,
  correct, and easy to read

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Web Portfolios Can my personal home pages figure
into my job search?

• A simple Web portfolio is a hypertext version of
  your resume
• More effective Web portfolios contain links to
  samples of your work
• Some human resource directors are nervous about
  any information that indicates an applicants
  age, gender, ethnicity, or physical
  characteristics
• You might want to keep such multimedia
  presentations on hand, but supply them only when
  requested

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Job Listings Whats the best way to find job
openings?

• Successful job hunting typically requires several
  strategies
• One strategy is to look for job openings and
  initiate contact with an employer by submitting
  an application
• A second strategy is to post an online resume
  that can be found by recruiters who then initiate
  contact
• A third strategy is to develop a liaison with a
  recruiting firm

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What are job banks?
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Do I have to manually search every online job
bank?
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Head Hunters and Employment Agencies Whats a
head hunter?

• The term head hunter refers to a recruitment firm
• Head hunter recruitment fees are usually paid by
  the companies that hire them
• Companies usually ask head hunters to help fill
  managerial and executive positions
• However, during boom times in the IT industry,
  qualified applicants at all levels of the
  corporate ladder sometimes become scarce, and
  head hunters are asked to recruit even
  entry-level workers, such as junior programmers

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What about employment agencies?

• An employment agency (or placement service) works
  on behalf of employees, rather than employers.
  The focus of an employment agency is to find
  employers for people who seek work
• Private employment agencies, however, usually
  charge a fee for their services

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Evaluating Job Openings What factors should I
consider before responding to a job opening?

• A job application takes timeyour time and a
  recruiters time
• Before you apply for a job, most career
  counselors suggest that you first gather some
  background information about the company and its
  location
• You also may be able to use the Web to find out
  about your prospective employers financial
  status and corporate culture

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How do I find information about a companys
finances and corporate culture?

• To find information about a company, start at its
  Web site
• Most companies provide a set of About us pages
  that describe the companys mission

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Conclusion

• You should now be able to
• Outline the development of calculating and
  computer devices
• Describe the hardware, software, and operating
  system characteristics for computer prototypes,
  and each of the four generations of computers
• List the factors that changed personal computers
  from hobbyists kits to widely used productivity
  and communications tools
• Describe the role of the computer and IT
  industries
• Explain the life cycle of typical hardware and
  software products

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Conclusion

• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
  various marketing channels
• Describe the job outlook, working conditions, and
  salaries for computer professionals
• Differentiate between computer engineering,
  computer science, and information systems degree
  programs
• Demonstrate how to create a resume that works in
  todays technology-driven job market

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