This Assignment Will Be Checked For Plagiarism By The 121319
This assignment will be checked for plagiarism by the professor and this assignment should be less than 20 % of Plagiarism and should be in APA format and have to include at least two APA references
This assignment will be checked for plagiarism by the professor and this assignment should be less than 20% of Plagiarism and should be in APA format and have to include at least two APA references. Please find the below attachment and refer to chapter 1 and chapter 2 to prepare the below answers. And I need the answer by Sunday 10:00 am EST. (03/06/2020). Questions: Chapter 1 – study questions 1-5, Exercise 3 (Refer chapter 1 in the attachment)
1. What are the five components that make up an information system?
The five components that constitute an information system are hardware, software, data, processes, and people. Hardware includes the physical devices involved in data processing such as computers and networking equipment (Laudon & Laudon, 2021). Software comprises the applications and operating systems that run on the hardware. Data refers to the information processed and stored by the system. Processes involve the procedures and rules that govern the operation of the system. People are the users and administrators who interact with the system to perform tasks and make decisions.
2. What are three examples of information system hardware?
Three examples of information system hardware include personal computers (PCs), servers, and networking devices such as routers and switches. Personal computers are used by individuals for daily tasks. Servers store, process, and serve data to client devices. Networking devices facilitate communication between different hardware components within an information system (O'Brien & Marakas, 2018).
3. Microsoft Windows is an example of which component of information systems?
Microsoft Windows is an example of software, specifically an operating system (OS), which manages hardware resources and provides a platform for application software to run (O'Brien & Marakas, 2018).
4. What is application software?
Application software refers to programs designed to perform specific tasks for users, such as word processing, spreadsheets, or database management. These applications run on the operating system and enable users to accomplish particular functions (Laudon & Laudon, 2021).
5. What roles do people play in information systems?
People play vital roles in information systems as users, administrators, developers, and management. Users interact with the system to perform tasks. Administrators maintain and secure the system. Developers create and update software applications. Management integrates information systems into business strategies and decision-making processes (O'Brien & Marakas, 2018).
Exercise 3: Making a List of Daily Interactions with Information Systems
Every day, individuals interact with multiple information systems across different environments. For instance, at the grocery store, point-of-sale (POS) systems process transactions; at work, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems manage supply chain and inventory data; at school, learning management systems (LMS) facilitate online coursework; and in cars, some modern vehicles utilize onboard diagnostic (OBD) systems connected to telematics for vehicle monitoring. These systems involve various technologies such as barcode scanners, sensors, cloud databases, and networking infrastructure. People involved include cashiers, supply chain managers, teachers, students, drivers, and system administrators. Processes include data entry, transaction processing, data analysis, and decision-making, illustrating a complex ecosystem of hardware, software, people, and procedures working together seamlessly (Laudon & Laudon, 2021).
Chapter 2 – study questions 1-10, Exercise 2
1. Write your own description of what the term 'information systems hardware' means.
Information systems hardware encompasses the physical components of a computer system, including devices like CPUs, memory modules, storage drives, input/output peripherals, and networking equipment. These tangible components are essential for processing, storing, and transmitting data within an information system (O'Brien & Marakas, 2018).
2. What is the impact of Moore’s Law on the various hardware components described in this chapter?
Moore's Law predicts that the number of transistors on a microchip doubles approximately every two years, leading to exponential improvements in processing power and reductions in cost. This has resulted in faster, smaller, and more energy-efficient hardware components, including CPUs and memory, enabling advancements in computing technology and the proliferation of personal and mobile devices (Brynjolfsson & McAfee, 2014).
3. Write a summary of one of the items linked to in the “Integrated Computing” section.
One notable item in the “Integrated Computing” section is the advent of cloud computing. Cloud technology allows organizations and individuals to access, store, and manage data remotely via the internet. It offers scalability, cost-efficiency, and flexibility, transforming how computing resources are provisioned and utilized. Cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS) have revolutionized enterprise IT by providing on-demand computing power without the need for extensive physical infrastructure (Marston et al., 2011).
4. Explain why the personal computer is now considered a commodity.
The personal computer (PC) is now considered a commodity because it has become mass-produced, widely available, and standardized, with little differentiation among brands or models. The technology has matured, leading to price competition and uniform performance levels, making PCs accessible to most consumers and businesses (Brynjolfsson & McAfee, 2014).
5. The CPU can also be thought of as the _____________ of the computer.
The CPU can also be thought of as the brain of the computer, as it performs instructions and processes data essential for system operations (O'Brien & Marakas, 2018).
6. List the following in increasing order (slowest to fastest): megahertz, kilohertz, gigahertz.
In increasing order: kilohertz (kHz), megahertz (MHz), gigahertz (GHz).
7. What is the bus of a computer?
The bus of a computer is a communication pathway that transfers data between different components such as the CPU, memory, and peripheral devices. It acts as a conduit facilitating data transmission within the system (O'Brien & Marakas, 2018).
8. Name two differences between RAM and a hard disk.
RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile memory used for temporary data storage during active operations, providing fast access. Conversely, a hard disk is non-volatile storage used for long-term data retention, generally with slower access speeds (Laudon & Laudon, 2021).
9. What are the advantages of solid-state drives over hard disks?
Solid-state drives (SSDs) offer faster data access speeds, greater durability due to lack of moving parts, lower power consumption, and reduced noise compared to traditional hard disks. These benefits lead to quicker system performance and increased reliability (Brynjolfsson & McAfee, 2014).
10. How heavy was the first commercially successful portable computer?
The first commercially successful portable computer, the Osborne 1, weighed approximately 24.5 pounds (11.1 kg). It was considered portable relative to earlier systems but still quite heavy by modern standards (O'Brien & Marakas, 2018).
Exercise 2
Reviewing the timeline of computers at the Old Computers website, I selected the IBM Model 5150 Personal Computer introduced in 1981. It featured an Intel 8088 CPU running at 4.77 MHz, with 16 KB of memory (expandable), and a 12-inch monochrome display. In comparison, a contemporary laptop, such as the MacBook Air, includes an Apple M2 chip with up to 8-core CPU cores running at higher clock speeds (around 3.2 GHz), with 8-16 GB of RAM, and a display size of 13.3 inches. Moore’s Law has held remarkably true, as hardware performance and capabilities have vastly increased over the decades, reflecting exponential growth in processing power and miniaturization.
References
- Brynjolfsson, E., & McAfee, A. (2014). The second machine age: Work, progress, and prosperity in a time of brilliant technologies. W. W. Norton & Company.
- Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (2021). Management information systems: Managing the digital firm (16th ed.). Pearson.
- Marston, S., Li, Z., Bandyopadhyay, S., Zhang, J., & Ghalsasi, A. (2011). Cloud computing—the business perspective. Decision Support Systems, 51(1), 176-189.
- O'Brien, J. A., & Marakas, G. M. (2018). Management information systems (11th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.