PEOPLEWARE

After completing this lesson, the students will be able to:

Identify the Peopleware in the Information Technology areas

Know the role and type of work of Peopleware

PEOPLEWARE

The skilled workers in the Information Technology field are considered Peopleware. The major
compositions of IT professionals are the management group, systems and procedures group,
programming group and the computer operations group.

Because of the pervasiveness of computers, the need for trained workers in the Information
technology field has increased exponentially.

a. MANAGEMENT GROUP

Computer Systems Manager directs and plans programming, computer operations and data
processing. Also coordinates the development of computer hardware, systems design and software.

b. SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES GROUP

Computer Scientist/Enginner/Analyst with expertise in hardware or software design, they analyze,

develop and apply principles to produce computer applications and gadgets. They also design,
programming tools, knowledge-based systems and computer games.

PROGRAMMING GROUP

c. Computer Programmers - most computer programs are written by these people with specialized
training. They write the instructions necessary to direct the computer to process data into information.
The instructions must be placed in the correct sequence so the desired results will occur. Complex
programs may require thousands of program instructions. Programmers often follow a plan developed by
systems analyst who works with both the user and the programmer to determine and design the desired
output of the program.

COMPUTER OPERATIONS GROUP

d. Computer Operator sets up the processor and related equipments, loads and unloads programs,
and ensures proper and correct operations of the computer.

Data Encoder or Data Entry Operator prepares and encodes documents to transform source
document into machine readable and acceptable inputs.

Computer Librarian is responsible for cataloguing, stroring and securing processed storage media like
disks and tapes.
COMPUTER NETWORKS AND INTERNET

After completing this lesson, the students will be able to:

Define what is a Computer Network and Internet

Know the different Network Topologies and its advantages and disadvantages
Understand the difference between physical from logical topology
Know the history of Internet
Identify the basic ways to communicate with Internet

I. COMPUTER NETWORK
A Computer Network is a collection of computers and other devices that communicate to share
data, hardware, and software.

Types of Computer Networks:

a. Local Area Network or LAN is a type of network that is located within a relatively limited area such as
building or campus.

b. Wide Area Network or WAN is a type of network that covers a large geographical area.

A computer that is not connected to a network is referred to as stand-alone computer. When a

user physically connects a computer to local area network, using a cable or other communications
channel, this computer becomes a workstation.

A Network server is a computer that is connected to the network and that serves, or distributes
resources to network users. On a network, application software and storage space for data files are
typically provided by a network server.

A Network printer provides output capabilities to all the network users

Network Topologies
Topology refers to the shape of a network, or the network's layout. How different nodes in a
network are connected to each other and how they communicate are determined by the network's
topology. Topologies are either physical or logical. Below are diagrams of the five most common network
topologies.

The way that the workstations are connected to the network through the actual cables that
transmit data -- the physical structure of the network -- is called the physical topology. The logical
topology, in contrast, is the way that the signals act on the network media, or the way that the data
passes through the network from one device to the next without regard to the physical interconnection of
the devices.

What is a Topology?

The physical topology of a network refers to the configuration of cables, computers, and other
peripherals. Physical topology should not be confused with logical topology which is the method used to
pass information between workstations.
Linear Bus

A linear bus topology consists of a main run of cable with a terminator at each end. All nodes (file
server, workstations, and peripherals) are connected to the linear cable. Ethernet and LocalTalk networks
use a linear bus topology.

Advantages of a Linear Bus Topology

Easy to connect a computer or peripheral to a linear bus.

Requires less cable length than a star topology.

Disadvantages of a Linear Bus Topology

Entire network shuts down if there is a break in the main cable.

Terminators are required at both ends of the backbone cable.
Difficult to identify the problem if the entire network shuts down.
Not meant to be used as a stand-alone solution in a large building.

Star

A star topology is designed with each node (file server, workstations, and peripherals) connected
directly to a central network hub or concentrator. All devices are connected to a central hub. Nodes
communicate across the network by passing data through the hub

Data on a star network passes through the hub or concentrator before continuing to its
destination. The hub or concentrator manages and controls all functions of the network. It also acts as a
repeater for the data flow. This configuration is common with twisted pair cable; however, it can also be
used with coaxial cable or fiber optic cable.
Advantages of a Star Topology

Easy to install and wire.

No disruptions to the network then connecting or removing devices.
Easy to detect faults and to remove parts.

Disadvantages of a Star Topology

Requires more cable length than a linear topology.

If the hub or concentrator fails, nodes attached are disabled.
More expensive than linear bus topologies because of the cost of the concentrators.

Ring Topology

All devices are connected to one another in the shape of a closed loop, so that each device is
connected directly to two other devices, one on either side of it.

Tree

A tree topology combines characteristics of linear bus and star topologies. It consists of groups of
star-configured workstations connected to a linear bus backbone cable. Tree topologies allow for the
expansion of an existing network, and enable schools to configure a network to meet their needs.
Advantages of a Tree Topology

Point-to-point wiring for individual segments.

Supported by several hardware and software venders.

Disadvantages of a Tree Topology

Overall length of each segment is limited by the type of cabling used.

If the backbone line breaks, the entire segment goes down.

More difficult to configure and wire than other topologies.

II. HISTORY OF INTERNET

The history of the Internet begins in 1957 when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first
artificial satellite. In response to this display of Soviet technical expertise, the U.S. government resolved
to improve its science and technical infrastructure. One of the resulting initiatives was the Advanced
Research Projects Agency (ARPA), created by the Department of Defense. The plan was to construct a
network of geographically dispersed computers that would continue to function even if one of the
computers on the network was destroyed.

In 1969, four networks were connected to each other and called ARPANET. Connecting two or
more networks creates an internetwork or internet, so ARPANET was one of the first examples
of an internet (with a lower case i). Gradually, more and more networks were connected to the
ARPANET, and it become known as the Internet (with an uppercase I). On the same year,
people in colleges and governments were just learning how to use computers to solve problems.
They used simple word processors to write down what they learned and store it in their
computers, but there were no daily updated libraries where people could go to read what other
people had just written and add to it.
Someone who worked for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency came up with the
idea that several computers could be linked together by telephone wires so they could "talk to
one another. A note that was written on one computer could immediately be sent to all the other
computers. So they wired four computers together in a group. They called that group of
computers a network. The network's name was DARPANET, after the first letters of the name of
the agency with NET(meaning network here) added to the end.
Soon the D was dropped and it was called ARPANET.ARPANET grew and grew over time,
adding more and more computers over phone wires. The military research people thought they
would be better off having their own private network so they created the MILNET network.
The idea of networks caught on, and in 1984 another government agency, the National Science
Foundation, started the NSFNET network, which linked together five supercomputer centers and
made the information available to any school that needed it.
Anyone who entered a network was connected to at least one of the supercomputer centers. That
supercomputer gave them access to all the other computers on the network - even to those
places that were hooked into the network through another gateway.
Think of gateways as doors that let you go inside the house where a supercomputer lives. Once
you are in the house, you can pick up the supercomputer's telephone and call anyone else who
has a computer hooked up to a telephone.
NSFNET became very popular. More computers and more wires had to be added because
everyone in schools and government wanted to get onto the network. Instead of just adding more
computers into the first network of supercomputers, they added more networks and wired all the
networks together. They called all these interconnected networks an Inter-Net-Network.
 Today we call it the Internet. Because lots of people now have their own personal computers, the
Internet is even more popular. In the last 1 0 years it has grown from about 5,000 users to more
than 30 million today - with thousands of new computer users coming online every month.

The INTERNET is essentially a network of networks. Although each of the smaller networks
connected to the Internet is owned by an individual, a corporation, an educational institution, or a
government agency, no one owns the Internet.

What can we do with Internet?

1. Communicating
With e-mail and chat groups you will be able to talk to kids and grown ups all over the world. You
may find a key pal in Paris or talk to a scientist at the South Pole. By talking and listening you are
communicating with people from different places with different ways of looking at life!
2. Exploring
The Internet connects you to the rest of the world and lets you explore places and ideas online.
You are able to visit other cities and countries through your computer. You can actually tour
through the famous museums in Europe, or even go on a voyage to the planets and moons in our
solar system.
3. Finding
Everything is connected to everything else on the Internet. So start anywhere and you can find
just about anything you want to find. It might be the definition to a word, or some historical facts
for your homework assignment
4. Learning
There are two ways you will learn while surfing the Net. One way is when you go searching for
something you want to know about, like who invented the bicycle. The other way is finding
something new and unexpected by accident.
5. Playing
Having fun and playing games can stretch your imagination. It opens up new ways of looking at
the world.

There are three basic ways to communicate on the Internet:

E-mail E-mail allows us to communicate personally with another person.

Group Chatting This is the way you call someone through the Internet and "talk" to them the
way you do on the phone, only you're writing and reading on your computer rather than talking
and listening with a phone in your hand. There are also "chat groups" where many people can be
talking at the same time. Chat groups can be a little confusing because several people may try to
talk at one time. But there are rules for chatting which help this out.

Mailing Lists:

There are mailing lists that you can subscribe to just as you would subscribe to a favorite
magazine. Some of these lists have hundreds of people subscribing. When you write a letter to
such a group everyone on the list gets a copy of your letter. And you get a copy in your e-mail of
every letter written to the list, too. Mailing lists are usually handled by a Listserver, a special
program that automatically sorts the incoming messages and then sends them out to all the
current list subscribers. Be careful about how many lists you subscribe to - or you may end up
with hundreds of letters everyday. When mailing lists get really popular, they often become Use
netnewsgroups. With newsgroups you subscribe to the group, but instead of hundreds of e-mail
letters, you get a list of headers from the articles that have been posted since the last time you
checked. This way you can choose to read only those articles that interest you. Think of
newsgroups as bulletin boards where people are tacking up new notes and replying to old ones.
 The Internet is a network of computer networks. It makes it possible for any computer connected
to it to send and receive data from any other computer connected to it. America Online, CompuServe,
InterAccess, etc. are examples of Internet service providers. They make it physically possible for you to
send and access data from the Internet. They allow you to send and receive data to and from their
computers or routers which are connected to the Internet. World Wide Web is an example of an
information protocol/service that can be used to send and receive information over the Internet. It
supports:

Multimedia Information (text, movies, pictures, sound, programs . . . ).

HyperText Information (information that contains links to other information resources).
Graphic User Interface (so users can point and click to request information instead of typing in
text commands).

The World Wide Web is an example of an information protocol/service that works using a
Client/Server software design. (Client/Server is an ADJECTIVE that describes the software, not a noun!)
A service that uses Client/Server design requires two pieces of software to work: Client software which
you use to request information, and Server software which an Information Provider (like Fermilab or a
museum) uses to answer requests and provide their information. Most Internet information
protocol/services are designed this way.

The Client/Server relationship is similar to the relationship between the TV in your house and the TV
stations you can select. Your TV acts as a client by tuning in (requesting information) from a TV station
which acts as a server by broadcasting (serving) the information.

This means that if you encounter an error while using your Web browser, this may be due to a
problem with the Web server you are contacting for information. It does not necessarily mean that your
browser isn't working, or that you installed something improperly. Just like in the case of the TV and the
TV station, sometimes problems are due to a bad TV, and other times they are caused by a problem at
the TV station.

The server software for the World Wide Web is called an HTTP server (or informally a Web server).
Examples are Mac HTTP, CERN HTTP, and NCSA HTTP. The client software for World Wide Web is
called a Web browser. Examples are: Netscape, Internet Explorer, MacWeb, and Lynx. These
examples are particular "brands" of software that have a similar function, just like Lotus 123 and Excel are
both spreadsheet software packages.

There are many different information protocols/services besides HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol).

Some of these are:

E-mail (SMTP) - for sending electronic mail messages.

Usenet News (NNTP) - for having electronic group discussions.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) - for transferring files between computers.
Telnet - for running programs on remote computers.
WAIS - for searching remote collections of indexed information.
Gopher - for browsing remote text information through a menu interface.

Each of these works in a client/server manner by having a "language" defined that allows the client
and server to communicate with each other in order to give users the information they request. These
different languages have different purposes, capabilities, and advantages.

One of the nicest things about the World Wide Web is that it provides "one-stop shopping" for getting
information over the Internet. In the past, you would have needed to learn how to use many different
software applications in order to use all these services. Now you can use E-mail, News, FTP, Telnet,
WAIS, Gopher, and HTTP services all through your favorite Web browser.
What is the Internet and World Wide Web?
The Internet is a worldwide network of computers that use common communication standards
and interfaces to provide the physical backbone for a number of interesting applications.

One of the most utilized of these Internet applications is the World Wide Web. What sets the Web
apart is an easy-to-use interface to a complex network of computers and data.