NURSING INFORMATICS PERIODICAL 1:
FREE AND OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
WHAT IS F.O.S.S.?
 Free and open source software can be classified as free
software and open source software. That is anyone is
freely licensed to use, study and change the software in
any way.
 The source code is openly shared so that the people freely
are encouraged to voluntarily improve the design of
software.
 This is in contrast to proprietary software, where the
software is under restrictive copyright and the source
code is hidden from the user, so that the right holders (the
software publishers) can sell binary executable file.
FREE & OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
 There are two terms to separate “free” and “open source”
in FOSS.
 Free as in freedom of speech not as in free things.
 Open mainly points to Open Source Code of the program,
available for others.
 So free and open source software is in some ways free, but
the source code is available for analysis.
OPEN SOURCE ALTERNATIVES
1. Proprietary programs
 Microsoft Windows
 Internet explorer or Google Chrome
 Microsoft Office
 Adobe Photoshop
 iTunes and Windows media player
 skype
2. Open source alternative
 Linux Mint or BOSS Linux
 Firefox or Chromium
 Open Office or Neo Office
 GIMP
 Songbird and VLC media player
 QuteCom
FREE SOFTWARE AND OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
1. free software
 free software is a software for which everyone has a
right not only to inspect and study the source code
but also to use it for any desired purpose without
monitory or other restriction.
 free software is a good, morally right, thing to do.
2. open source software
 open source is a software whose source code is freely
available. that is without any requirement for
payment or any other obstacles for anyone to inspect
and study.
 Open source software is more or less indifferent to
moral issues concerning software sharing.
MYTHS ABOUT OPEN SOURCE
(FOSS STANDS FOR FREE AND OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE)
 FOSS is free.
 FOSS isn't reliable or supported.
 Making a software open source, anyone can change
it.
 The open source license is too liberal.
 if you make your software open source, volunteer
coders will fix all of your problems for free.
ADVANTAGES OF OPEN SOURCE
Availability of source code.
1. source code to understand and learn from.
2. do not have to reinvent the wheels.
3. free as in freedom. Less dependent on vendor
4. can choose additional support.
5. can fix bugs and adopt to change in requirements as
well as technology. Quality and customizability in
open source is better.
Costs is much less than proprietary softwares.
OPEN SOURCE DEVELOPMENT MODEL
LINUX OPERATING SYSTEM
 Linux is a computer operating system assembled under
the model of free and open source software development
and distribution.
 Originated in GNU Project, initiated in 1983 by Richard
Stallman, in the free software foundation. More than 90%
of today's supercomputers use Linux. It powers around
4.8% of today's modern computers. Thousands of
distributers are available like.
1. Debian
2. Open SUSE
3. Fedora
4. BOSS Linux
OPEN SOURCE PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
 open source programming language are those that are
released under open source licenses
 open source programming languages are
o Perl a general purpose programming
languages.
o PHP - a scripting language suited for web.
o Python - a general purpose programming
languages.
o Ruby - a general purpose programming
languages.
 o PHDL - hardware description language used
for PC board design.
o Tk/Tcl - a scripting language.
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
A computer is an electronic device that accept data (input)
and, process data arithmetically and logically, produce
information (output).
It is divided into two main categories:
 Hardware
 Software
HARDWARE
 Hardware is the physical aspect of computers,
telecommunications, and other devices.
 It includes not only the computer proper but also the
cables, connectors, power supply units, and
peripheral devices such as the keyboard, mouse,
audio speakers, and printers.
TYPES OF HARDWARE (IIOCS)
1. INTERNAL HARDWARE
 Also called components.
 It includes CPU, Motherboard, RAM, ROM.
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
 It is the brains of the computer.
 Most of calculations take place here.
 Two typical components of a CPU are
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) and Control Unit
(CU).
MOTHERBOARD
 Is the main circuit board of a microcomputer.
 It contains the CPU, memory, expansion
slots, and all the controllers required to
control standard hardware devices.
RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)
 RAM is the place in a computer where the
operating system, application programs, and
data in current use are kept.
 It is a temporary memory and can be
compared to a person’s short-term memory.
READ ONLY MEMORY (ROM)
 It is a technology that allows you to write
data only once. After the data has been
written, you can read it an unlimited number
of times.
2. INPUT HARDWARE
 Consists of external devices by which we give
information and instructions to the
computer.
 Common input hardware are keyboard,
mouse, and scanner.
KEYBOARD
 The set of typewriter-like keys that enables
you to enter data into a computer.
MOUSE
 A device that controls the movement of the
cursor or pointer on a display screen.
SCANNER
 A device that can read text or illustrations
printed on paper and translate the
information into a form the computer can
use.
3. OUTPUT HARDWARE
 Consists of internal and external devices that
transfer information from the computer’s
CPU to the computer user.
 Common output hardware is monitor,
printer, and speaker.
MONITOR
 A display screen used to present output from
a computer, video camera, VCR or other
video generator.
PRINTER
 In computers, a printer is a device that
accepts text and graphic output from a
computer and transfers the information to
paper.
SPEAKER
 Speakers or headphones to an output port to
hear the audio produced by the computer.
4. CONNECTING HARDWARE
 Allow hardware devices to communicate
with each other.
 Common devices are modem, and LAN Card.
MODEM
 Modems connect a personal or portable
computer to dial-up networks through a
regular telephone line.
LAN CARD
 A Local Area Network (LAN) card is used to
provide wireless Internet access to computer
users in home or roaming networks.
5. STORAGE HARDWARE
 A computer storage device is any type of
hardware that stores data.
 Some common storage devices are hard disc,
floppy disc, and CD ROM.
 HARD DISC
 A magnetic disk on which you can store
computer data. The term hard is used to
distinguish it from a soft, or Floppy disk.
FLOPPY DISC
 A flexible disk coated with magnetic material
and covered by a protective jacket, used
primarily by computers to store data
magnetically.
CD ROM
 A CD-ROM is a CD that can be read by a
computer with an optical drive.
SOFTWARE
- A set of instructions that enables physical
components of a computer to work in a synchronize
way is known as Software.
- This set of instructions is often called a program.
- Computers cannot do any useful work without
instructions from software.
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
Computer software is also divided in four (4) major types:
1. System Software
- Helps in running the computer hardware and
the computer system.
- Main system softwares are operating
systems and device drivers.
DEVICE DRIVERS
- In computing, a device driver is a computer
program allowing higher-level computer
programs to interact with a hardware device.
OPERATING SYSTEMS
- An operating system is an interface between
hardware and user; it is responsible for the
management and coordination of activities
and the sharing of the limited resources of
the computer.
2. Programming Software
- It enables the users to accomplish certain
specific tasks. Following are the types of
application software:
WEB BROWSING SOFTWARE
- It allows one to surf the Web. Example: MS
Internet Explorer.
WORD PROCESSING SOFTWARE
- Allows users to create, edit a document.
Example: MS Word
SPREADSHEET SOFTWARE
- Allows users to create document and
perform calculation. Example: MS Excel
DAREBASE SOFTWARE
- Allows users to store and retrieve vast
amount of data. Example: MS Access
PRESENTATION GRAPHICS SOFTWARE
- Allows users to create visual presentation.
Example: MS Power Point
3. Application Software / Programming Software
- This is one of the most commonly known and
popularly forms of computer software. This
software come in forms of tools that assist a
programmer in writing computer Programs.
- The tools that help the programmers in
instruction a computer system includes text
editors, compiles, and interpreters.
4. Utility Software
- Helps in the management of computer
hardware and application software. It
performs a small range of tasks. Some typical
examples of utility software are
DISK DEFRAGMENTORS
- It detects computer files whose contents are
stored on the hard disk in disjointed
fragments and move the fragments together
to increase efficiency.
BACKUP
- This utility makes a copy of all information
stored on a disk, and restore either the
entire disk or selected files.
DISK PARTITIONER
- It divides an individual drive into multiple
logical drives, each with its own file system
which can be mounted by the operating
system and treated as an individual drive.
ANTI-VIRUS
- These utilities scan computer for viruses.
IT TEAM
WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF AN IT TEAM?
 Every IT team is different, based on the culture and
needs of its company, the experience and skills of the
team members and the types of systems on which
they are working. Some IT teams are technology
generalists, working with a wide range of systems and
services.
TYPES OF IT TEAMS
1. Operations Teams
 These teams are focused on operating
technology infrastructure (such as networks,
 data centers and Web services), monitoring them
and ensuring services and systems are available
and performing normally to support business
operations.
2. Project Teams
 These teams are assembled to solve a specific
problem, implement a system or make a change.
3. Support Teams
 These teams are similar to both operations and
project teams. IT support teams are permanent,
which (like operations teams) execute IT service
management functions to help keep business
operations up and running smoothly.
4. Process Teams
 These teams (also sometimes known as IT
business-support teams) are permanent and
tasked with owning, managing and improving the
IT systems of a specific business process.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF IT TEAMS
 Technology Expertise
 Managing Data
 Automating Processes
 System Integration
 Portfolio Management
 Managing and Maintaining IT Systems
 Information and System Security
 Vendor and Supplier Management
 Technology Support
IT TEAM’S ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES
 Technology-Aligned Teams
 Business-Aligned Teams
 ITSM Functional Teams
 Matrix Project Teams
 Hybrid Business/IT Teams
 Virtual Teams
 Project/Program Management Offices (PMOs)
 Centers of Excellence
 Standing-Project Teams
 Resource Pools
 Geographically-Aligned Teams
 Agile and Scrum Teams
JOB DISCIPLINES IN AN IT TEAM
 Project managers – Coordinate team member
activities.
 Business and IT analysts – Identify productivity and
cost-improvement opportunities and analyze the
business needs for the IT solutions.
 Business and IT analysts – Identify productivity and
cost-improvement opportunities and analyze the
business needs for the IT solutions.
 IT engineers/developers – Create, maintain and fix IT
hardware, software and services.
 Testers and Quality Assurance – Perform tests to
verify IT systems are capable of performing as
intended and identify defects that require
remediation.
 User-interface designers – Develop the graphical
user interfaces to enable people to interact with IT
systems in efficient, accessible and ergonomic ways.
 Data scientists and data analysts – Design,
implement and manage the data components of an IT
system, focusing on data integration and the usability
of data to drive decision-making.
 Solution architects – Design and plan IT systems with
multiple components, including system interfaces,
scalability considerations and interoperability.
 Information security and risk experts – InfoSec Risk
is a key concern for most companies, leading them to
embed security and risk experts into IT teams.
 ITSM practitioners – Incident managers, problem
managers, change managers and other ITSM staff are
responsible for providing service assurance for IT
hardware, software and services.
 Vendor management – Responsible for managing
and facilitating interactions with vendors, suppliers
and external parties engaged directly or supporting
the IT team’s efforts
HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS
Healthcare Informatics is defined as “the integration of
healthcare sciences, computer science, information science,
and cognitive science to assist in the management of
healthcare information” (Saba & McCormick, 2015, Pg. 232).
NURSING INFORMATICS
 The American Nurses Association (ANA) identified
nursing informatics as “a specialty that integrates
nursing, science, computer science, and information
science to manage and communicate data,
information, and knowledge in nursing practice”
(ANA, 2001, p.17)
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
 The use of informatics is seen in a multitude of
processes within the clinical setting. Whether
inpatient or outpatient, clinicians and patients utilize
online portal systems, electronic medical records,
data collection devices such as vital sign machines and
glucometers, as well as personal data devices and
email, to name a few.
 Norris, Hinrichs, & Brown, tell us “gaps are present
between the technology and the process. Informatics
can help bridge that gap.
 Skills needed include understanding of data
collection, storage, and extraction, in addition to an
appreciation for the power of data to drive and
inform practice” (2015, p. 11-12).
MANAGERIAL IMPLCATIONS
 The use of healthcare informatics is not only
prevalent in the clinical setting but also in the
managerial setting. In our society, communication
 comes in a multitude of applications: verbal, physical,
and now electronic. We often find that individuals can
contact us by using various applications such as
telephone, fax, pager, instant messenger, email, and
so on.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS
 Policy makers are now able to utilize this data to
inform their decision-making about public-health
issues.

SUMMARY
 Health informatics and nursing informatics are very
relevant in evolving health systems. New technology
and initiatives are constantly being developed. These
new innovations do not go without implications in the
clinical setting, managerial setting, and the policy
setting.