Week 02: Computer Hardware

August 30, 2014August 30, 2014Casey Anne 1 Comment

The laboratory class this week was indeed a bunch of FUN!

Parts of the Computer Hardware from: https://www.google.com.ph/searchq=parts+of+a+computer+ hardware&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ& amp;sa=X&ei=MugBVMXsOKG1iwLYsYCYBA&ved= 0CCMQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=768#q=computer%20parts&revid=1967824676&tbm=isch&imgdii=_

For the topic this week, we had a discussion about computer hardware on where we were divided into 3 groups. These groups had a discussion with our professor about the computer hardware or more specifically the system unit and its innards. (Hmm, actually at first or should I say at my younger years studying, I really thought that CPU is a term used to call the whole “box thing” in computer parts. )

This week, I also learned about the other parts inside the system unit and how does each part functions. Each part inside the system unit plays an important role in computer’s functioning such as the CPU, chipsets, heat sink and the likes. Moreover, we also tackled about the components related in the computer hardware, such as the difference between disk and disc, drive and driver and so on.

What actually made this week’s class a bunch of fun is the interactive game. It’s like trusting the whole in your partner that he/she has absorbed anything in the discussion of computer hardware. It’s like a sort of Pinoy henyo with a twist. We were also given an exercise to apply what we have learned, we attached two of the specified parts by Ms. Ivy.

Wohooooo! I’m looking forward for more interactive activities which can boost our critical and visual thinking. Hahahaha! Go IT 1.

Special Question: Judge your ideal laptop based on its specs

August 30, 2014August 30, 2014Casey Anne Leave a comment

TOSHIBA SATELLITE 4K P55t – one of the world’s boosting specs!

If you have a dream Computer (Desktop/Laptop), what is that (brand and specs, if possible, upload an image of it) and where will you use it (e.g. gaming, photoshop)?

Due to my HP laptop’s bit slow performance as it has only 2 gigabytes RAM, I’d been searching all over the internet to look for one of the best laptop brand that can satisfy my multimedia cravings such as of video production, lay outing, various types of visual publication and many more. And at my curiosity, I have found about the “Toshiba Satellite 4K P55t” which was considered as one of the most laptops that have great specifications and performances much of Mac OS. At my amusement, I also found out that this Toshiba model has 15.6-inch clamshell with a popping 3840 x 2160 IGZO screen. That’s a whopping 221 pixels-per-inch!

According to technology analysts, this unit model is best for photo/video editing and design works. In comparison with the MacBook Pro 15-inch which was made by a Japanese vendor,
it’s retina display as one designed for folks in industries or education tracks that rely heavily on these tasks and skills. As what I have sited in various websites that have reviews in the Toshiba Satellite 4K P55t, its backing up that pixel-packed panel is a quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, an AMD R9 M265X graphics chip with 2GB of GDDR5 memory, 16GB of RAM and 802.11ac Wi-Fi. To store all of those 4K-sized videos and photos, Toshiba threw in a 1TB hard drive. Plus, 4 USB 3.0 ports which can be very efficient for file transfer.

According to reviews, this model has made a thought of: “‘It is a creation. Not a consumption”

Laptop Model Toshiba Satellite 4K P55t from: http://thebestlaptops.net/toshiba-satellite-p55t-b5262-4k-laptop/

Actually, reading articles and reviews about this laptop model excites me a lot. Its features/specs seem to be very inviting. But for now, I will just enjoy my new laptop and will further improve it. Haha! However, I’m hoping that someday I would have this kind of laptop which can help me to enhance my skills in multimedia. Yes!

The Computers

August 23, 2014August 23, 2014Casey Anne 2 Comments

Last Tuesday in our IT Lecture class, we had a discussion about the computers, its functions and what are the other components behind it. I have made a short Prezi presentation for thus topic.

Week 01: Introduction to Ubuntu and Content Management System

August 22, 2014August 23, 2014Casey Anne 2 Comments

The so-called virus-free OS – Ubuntu.

In our first formal class for the IT Recitation, we had a discussion about the so-called “virus-free operating system”. Yes it is! What I am actually talking about is the Ubuntu Operating System by Linux. Aside on being free from license, it is also known to be not-so-vulnerable in virus infections due to it’s unique components.

These unique components include the following:

There are various directories on where the sub files of each software and program are by which it would not be easily and directly targeted by computer viruses.
Ubuntu is an open source operating system which pertains on being free from any license under a group of companies and technologists.
The Ubuntu Operating System is characterized as an LTS or a long term support on where the system updates are continuous and protective.
The Ubuntu Operating System Official Logo – JPEG format from: http://www.ozonesolutions.com/programming/2012/04/ubuntu-12-04-released/

Despite of the advantages mentioned above that Ubuntu has from other kinds of operating system, there is still a concern; most of the files and sub files in these type of operating system take time to be tracked or found in directories.

Related to the introduction of Ubuntu, we also discussed about the “terminal” or the “command prompt” called in Windows OS. Terminal is the command line interface of Linux distro. This is very helpful in searching since it easily shows the files in different destinations and manage addition/ deletion of desired directories in the system.

Portrayal of Ubuntu Terminal (Command Prompt in Windows)

We also tackled about the open sources or free but useful programs that Ubuntu can support. These programs include the Libre Office (parallel to the functions of Microsoft Office), under this program is the Writer for documents, Impress for presentations, Calc for spreadsheet computations and Draw for painting. Consequently, the operating system supports screenshot tool, local chatting and G-edit (Notepad in Windows OS).

Furthermore, I have learned that Ubuntu was derived from the South African Philosophy which means “human kindness” or “act of human-ness”. Thus, as what Ubuntu literally means, it basically functions for human beings – it is pro human capacity, the functionality satisfies the human demands in technology and the security of your device from viruses can be assured due to its unique components.

The easiest way to blog, to shop and to manage – Content Management System.

After our discussion about Ubuntu, our class moved on into the Content Management System or simply known as the CMS. In this topic, I have found out that the specific system which runs and supports number of sub domains, free hosting sites, online shops and publications in the World Wide Web is the CMS itself.

The components of Content Management System (CMS) – JPEG format from: http://edsindia.net/products-services/cms/

The Content Management System is the one responsible in managing contents in a certain website to provide convenience for the administrator. The developers behind CMS are the one who keep the content organization in our free websites. Moreover, not all of website administrators (especially of the beginners) have the need to learn HTML, script and CSS coding until CMS can support the maintenance. This system, for me, should be considered as an essential for all of those who have their own blog sites and the like because it helps to conserve time and energy which is supposed to be used in the sites’ programming phase.

I also found out that the example of websites and programs that have CMS are as follow:

WordPress
BlogSpot
Microsoft SharePoint
Olx – Buy and Sell Online
Tumblr
Joomla and many more.

The modernized community – the reflection.

As the time goes by, the world faces million accounts for development and innovation. One of these accounts is the goal to improve technology and information literacy. Needless to say, we are now living in the 21^st century on where there are lots of technological advancements including computers, gadgets and son on. There are also programs such as the Ubuntu and CMS which allow faster, easier and better way of communication, spreading information and data access. Nevertheless, anything helpful and wonderful that is abused will also retaliate damage. We should not be dependent in what technology has to offer. We should only consider technology as asupplement that can help us in some aspects of living.

Just like the tagline of Ubuntu, it is the “Linux for human beings” –Hence, this should not be changes as “Human beings for Linux” or any other more context of technological dependency.

Suggestions for this week’s lesson and exercise –

Maybe some time, we can practice the commands we have learned in the Ubuntu’s Terminal so that we will be able to familiarize it. I am also excited about the chance to explore the Ubuntu Operating System more in the next meetings.

Overall, the week’s topic is fun and very interesting because we were tasked to built and design our own blog site through WordPress. This blog will serve as our slate for insights and reflections about the course of IT 1. Yes!

Information Technology Literacy

August 22, 2014August 23, 2014Casey Anne Leave a comment

What is Digital Literacy? (also known as the Information Technology Literacy)

As we go back into the origin of information technology, even before, humans have been practicing storing, retrieving, manipulating data and communication details and various information. These practices believed that have started since the time of Sumerians in Mesopotamia.

Nowadays, computers can be seen everywhere since technology is believed to come in small packages. In the context of I.T., information has no value until it is processed, extracted and utilized. Additionally, data is known to be useless unless it is accessed by people. Nevertheless, the term “information technology” first appeared in 1958 as it was used in a published article in the Harvard Business Review. The term was described by Harold J. Leavitt and Thomas L. Whisler as the new technology which has not yet established a single name.

By the most common definition, information technology includes the process of applying computers and telecommunications devices which are used to store, retrieve, access data, information system and analysis and even in intelligent decision making. It is also a science of processing, devices, creation, gathering, presentation and effective data dissemination. The term information technology does not limit in computers and modern gadgets, it also pertains about other information-providers such as television, telephones, mobile phones and many more. The industry of information technology includes accounts of soft wares, computer hard wares, programs, applications and so on.