Open Ended

Explain the five parts of an information system. What part do people play in this system?

What is system software? What kinds of programs are included in system software?

Define and compare basic and specialized application software. Describe some different types of basic applications. Describe some types of specialized applications.

Describe the different types of computers. What is the most common type? What are the types of microcomputers?

What is connectivity? How are the wireless revolution and connectivity related? What is a computer network? What are the Internet and the Web?

Discuss the uses of the Internet. Which activities have you participated in? Which one do you think is the most popular?

Explain the differences between the three types of providers.

What are the basic elements of an e-mail message?

What are the types of discussion groups? Describe any groups you participate in.

Describe the different types of search engines. Give an example of the type of search each engine is best for.

Explain the difference between general-purpose and special-purpose applications.

What is the difference between a function and a formula? How is a formula related to what-if analysis?

What are presentation graphics programs? How are they used?

Explain the difference between a linked object and an embedded object? What are the advantages of OLE?

What is the difference between an integrated package and a software suite? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Describe graphics, including desktop publishers, image editors, illustration programs, image galleries, and graphics suites.

Discuss audio and video editing software.

What is multimedia? How are multimedia presentations developed?

Describe Web authoring, including Web site design and Web authoring programs.

Discuss three areas of artificial intelligence.

Describe system software. What are the four types of system programs?

What are the basic functions of every operating system? What are the three basic operating system categories?

Explain the differences and similarities between Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.

Discuss utilities. What are the five most essential utilities? What is a utility suite?

Explain the role of device drivers. Discuss the Add Printer Wizard and Windows Update.

Describe the four basic types of system units.

Describe the two basic components of the CPU.

What are the differences and similarities between the three types of memory?

Identify five expansion cards and describe the function of each.

Identify and describe four standard ports and three specialized ports.

Define input and output devices.

Describe the different types of pointing, scanning, image capturing, and audio-input devices.

Describe the three categories of output devices.

Define output and output devices.

What are combination input and output devices? Describe four such devices.

Discuss the traditional and high-capacity floppy disks.

What are the three types of hard disks? Describe three ways to improve hard disk performance.

What are the two most common optical disc formats? What is hi def? Describe the basic types for each format.

Discuss solid-state storage, Internet hard drives, and magnetic tape. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Discuss mass storage, enterprise storage systems, and mass storage devices.

Define and discuss connectivity, the wireless revolution, and communications.

Identify and describe the various physical and wireless communication channels.

Identify the standard Internet protocol and discuss its essential features.

Define and discuss the four principal network topologies.

Define and discuss the three most common network strategies.

Discuss the relationship between databases and privacy.

Discuss the Code of Fair Information Act. Why has this Act not been made into law?

Discuss the various kinds of computer criminals.

What are the principal measures used to protect computer security? What is encryption? How is it used by corporations and individuals?

What is ergonomics? How does computer use impact mental health? Physical health?

Name and discuss the five common functions of most organizations.

Discuss the roles of the three kinds of management in a corporation.

What are the four most common computer-based information systems?

Describe the different reports and their roles in managerial decision making.

What is the difference between an office automation system and a knowledge work system?

Describe the five logical data groups or categories.

What is the difference between batch processing and real-time processing?

Identify and define the five parts of DBMS programs.

What are the five types of databases? Why does more than one kind of database exist?

What are some of the benefits and limitations of databases? Why is security a concern?

What is a system? What are the six phases of the systems life cycle? Why do corporations undergo this process?

What are the tools used in the analysis phase? What is top-down analysis? How is it used?

Describe each type of system conversion. Which is the most commonly used?

What is system maintenance? When does it occur?

Explain prototyping and RAD. When might they be used by corporations?

Identify and discuss each of the six steps of programming.

Describe CASE tools and OOP. How does CASE assist programmers?

What is meant by “generation” in reference to programming languages? What is the difference between low-level and high-level languages?

What is the difference between a compiler and an interpreter? What role would these tools have in programming with natural languages?

What are logic structures? Describe the differences between the three types.

Why is strategy important to individual success in the information age? What is your strategy?

Describe how technology changes the nature of competition.

How can your computer competencies and knowledge help you get ahead in today’s market?

What does proactive mean? What is a proactive computer user? What advantages does this type of user have over the other types?

Discuss several different careers in information technology. Which are of interest to you?