IntRodDctIoN tO CloUd cOmPutiNg A_A"

The two words in the phrase cloud computing have the following interpretations:

• Cloud :

As a noun, this is a metaphor for the Internet. and as an adjective it means pertaining to the Internet . This usage derives from the cloud symbols that represent the Internet on diagrams.

• Computing:

Any IT activity carried out by an entity:

• When using "a local server or a personal computer", which implies that the IT resources are under the exclusive control of the entity.
• To "store, manage, and process data", which implies that the data is private to the entity, in the sense that it is determined by them, even if it is accessible by others.

This means that cloud computing is a type of Internet-based computing, and it consists of every situation where the use of IT resources by an entity has all of the following characteristics:

• Access to the resources is:
  • Controlled by the entity, and restricted by them to their authorised users.
  • Delivered via the Internet to all of these users.
• The resources are:
  • Hosted by a service provider on behalf of the entity.
  • Dedicated to the exclusive use of the entity.
• Data processed by the resources is:
  • Private to the entity and its associates.
  • Entered or collected by them, or automatically produced for them.

Depending on the context, cloud computing can mean:

• Access to and use of the resources.
• The hosting and delivery service that provides this access.
• A model for enabling such access and delivery.
• The hosted resources or services themselves.
• The computing execution carried out by the services.
• Technology used for the provision of the services.

CloUd ComPuTing ^~^

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing as a service rather than a product, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices as a utility (like the electricity grid) over a network (typically the Internet).

Cloud computing entrusts, typically centalized, services with your data, software, and computation on a published application programming interface (API) over a network. It has a lot of overlap with software as a service (SaaS).

End users access cloud based applications through a web browser or a light weight desktop or mobile app while the business software and data are stored on servers at a remote location. Cloud application providers strive to give the same or better service and performance than if the software programs were installed locally on end-user computers.

At the foundation of cloud computing is the broader concept of infrastructure convergence (or Converged Infrastructure) and shared services. This type of data centre environment allows enterprises to get their applications up and running faster, with easier manageability and less maintenance, and enables IT to more rapidly adjust IT resources (such as servers, storage, and networking) to meet fluctuating and unpredictable business demand.

What Functions Can the iPad Handle?

A person who takes an Apple iPad out of the package and has it properly activated can take advantage of a large number of different functions. Here are just a few of the things that anyone can do with the iPad when it is being handled.

• It is incredibly easy to get onto with a Wi-Fi or 3G network. The Safari web browser, which is a commonly used web browser on Apple products, can be used on the iPad. This browser is easy to control and can allow a person to go onto any website that one wants to use.

Of course, the 3G network connectivity is not going to be available on every single iPad. However, the speeds that are going to work with the 3G connection can be faster than that of what one might already be getting off of a regular iPad with a Wi-Fi connection.

• Email functionality is a plus. The device can handle email through all types of online email clients. This is used through not only the Safari web browser but also through a virtual keyboard that can come up on the iPad when a message has to be entered in. The use of this function will make for a convenient and handy process that any iPad user can enjoy.

• Videos can be viewed with ease. People can upload video files from a computer to the iPad through a simple USB connection that can work on the main computer. The 9.7 diagonal inch screen will provide for a great space for a person to view videos on. In fact, the iPad has such a large hard drive that can handle sixteen or more gigabytes on it that it will work to handle even the largest video applications one might have.

• It can play music as well. The iPad can play music files from many formats including the MP3 and Apple Lossless formats. It can also get new music online through the iTunes software program that is inside of the iPad.

• Finding YouTube videos is easy to do with the iPad. The device has its very own YouTube channel. It is one that was designed especially with the iPad in mind.

• Photos are easy to view on the iPad. The high resolution screen with automatically adjustable brightness controls can get all types of pictures to be played. The pictures on the iPad can be moved into different folders and slideshows as well. This is great for those who want to get presentations created.

• Organization standards are also available. There are many organizational tools that are used on the iPad including a calendar, an address book and a notepad. All of these functions can save all types of personal data onto a notepad without too many concerns about what is working.

• 
  
  Maps are great to find on the iPad. The iPad uses Google Maps technology to find maps of all sorts of different places from all around the world. Street view functions like what can be found through Google Earth are also available. Street directions can also be found on the device, thus making this perfect for those who need to find directions when driving. The fact that the iPad can find a user’s position through a GPS reader will make this even more convenient.

Traditional Computer Based Technologies ^_^"

These types of ICT include :

Standard Office Applications- Main Examples

• Word processing -E.g. Microsoft Word : write letters , reports ect
• Spreadsheets -   E.g. Microsoft Excel ; analyse financial information ; calculations ; creatforecasting     models ect
• Database Software  - E.g. Oracle, Micosoft SQL Server, Access; Managing data in many forms,  from basic lists (e.g. customer contacts through to complex material (e.g. catalogue)
• Presentation software-E.g.Microsoft Power Point ; make presentations,either directly using a computer screen or data projector . Publish in digital format via email or over the Internet
• Desktop publishing-E.g. Adobe Indesign, Quark Express, Microsoft Publisher ;produce  newsletters, magazines and other complex documents.
•  Graphics software- E.g. adobe Photoshop and Illustrator ; Macromedia Freehand and Fireworks; create and edit images such as logos, drawings or picture for use in dTP, web sites or other publications .

Specialist applications-Examples (there are many ! )

• Accounting package -E.g. sage, Oracle ;Manage an organisation's accounts including revenus / sales ,purchases, bank accounts etc. A wide range of systems is available ranging from basic packages suitable for small businesses thrugh to sophisticated ones aimed at multinational companies.
• Computer Aided Design-is the use of computers to assist the design process.Specialished CAD programs exist for many types of design: architectul ,engineering,electronics,roadways.
• Customer Relations Management(CRM)-Software that allows businesses to better understand their customers by collecting and analysing data on them such as their product preferences, buying habits ect. Often linked to software applications that run call centres and loyalty cards for example .

InTrOdUctIoN ~~ What is ICT ? ^^ (4)

ICT in a Broader Context

Your ICT course will almost certainly cover the above examples of ICT in action, perhaps focusing on the use of key applications such as spreadsheets, databases, presentation, graphics and web design software.
It will also consider the following important topics that deal with the way ICT is used and managed in an organisation:

• -The nature of information -(the "I" in ICT); this covers topics such as the meaning and value of information; how information is controlled; the limitations of ICT; legal considerations

•  Management of information - this covers how data is captured, verified and stored for effective use; the manipulation, processing and distribution of information; keeping information secure; designing networks to share information

•  Information systems strategy - this considers how ICT can be used within a business or organisation as part of achieving goals and objectives

As you can see, ICT is a broad and fast-changing subject.
We hope our free study materials (revision notes, quizzes, presentations etc) will help you master IT!

InTrOdUctIoN ~~ What is ICT ? ^^ (3)

Traditional Computer Based Technologies、

The C part of ICT refers to the communication of data by electronic means, usually over some distance. This is often achieved via networks of sending and receiving equipment, wires and satellite links.
The technologies involved in communication tend to be complex.
You certainly don't need to understand them for your ICT course.
However, there are aspects of digital communications that you needs to be aware of.
These relate primarily to the types of network and the ways of connecting to the Internet.
 Let's look at these two briefly (further revision notes provide much more detail to support your study).

Internal networks
Usually referred to as a local area network (LAN), this involves linking a number of hardware items (input and output devices plus computer processing) together within an office or building.
The aim of a LAN is to be able to share hardware facilities such as printers or scanners, software applications and data. This type of network is invaluable in the office environment where colleagues need to have access to common data or programmes.

External networks
Often you need to communicate with someone outside your internal network, in this case you will need to be part of a Wide Area Network (WAN). The Internet is the ultimate WAN - it is a vast network of networks.

InTrOdUctIoN ~~ What is ICT ? ^^ (2)

A good way to think about ICT is to consider all the uses of digital technology that already exist to help individuals, businesses and organisations use information.


ICT covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a digital form.


For example, personal computers, digital television, email, robots.

So ICT is concerned with the storage, retrieval, manipulation, transmission or receipt of digital data. Importantly, it is also concerned with the way these different uses can work with each other.

In business, ICT is often categorised into two broad types of product: -

(1) The traditional computer-based technologies (things you can typically do on a personal computer or using computers at home or at work)

(2) The more recent, and fast-growing range of digital communication technologies (which allow people and organisations to communicate and share information digitally)

InTrOdUctIoN ~~ What is ICT ? ^^

You  see  the  letters  ICT  everywhere  -   particularly  in e ducation.  But what  does  it  mean ?
Read our brief introduction to this important and fast-changing subject.....


ICT is an acronym that stands for Information Communications Tecnology.....


However , apart from explaining an acronym, there is not a universally accepted defininition of ICT ?
Why?  Because the concepts, methods and applications involved in ICT are constantly evolving on an almost daily basis. Its difficult to keep up with the changes - they happen so fast.


Lets focus on the three words behind ICT :

•   INFORMATION 
•  COMMUNICATIONS
•  TECHNOLOGY

Do you know the benefits of ICT ? ^_^

Today   I'm  going  tell  to  you  on  the  benefits  of  ICT  ^_^"



There  are  many  advantages  of  the  new  ICT  technology :

• Processing of data is much faster on a computer.

Example : Calculating an annual budget on a spreadsheet is instantaneous, doing the calculations by  hand would take some time.

• Repetitive processing can be better done using computerised machinery.

Example : Humans get tired, lose concentration and generally fed up if they have to repeat the same task over and over again. Robotic machinery will perform the same task repeatedly with consistent quality and never need a break, or software programs can be written to process all the records in a database. 

• Searching for data is much faster.

Example : Finding a patient's record in a doctor's surgery can be done in seconds on a computerised database system, whereas it would take a receptionist some minutes to locate a folder in a paper filing system.

• Data storage capacity is almost limitless in a computer system

Example : Large quantities of data can be stored on hard discs or media such as CDs or DVDs instead of needing enormous quantities of paper and many large filing cabinets. Eg. In a national driving licence database.

 

•  Data communications are fast and accurate. Data transmitted over a network will arrive at its destination anywhere in the world in just a few seconds.

Example : A computer user can place an order for an item on an Internet website and it will be received immediately - posting an order in the mail would take a day or two to arrive.

• Data can be output on a computer in a variety of different formats.

Example : Annual sales figures for a retail business can be printed as a spreadsheet, displayed as a graph, or as a multimedia presentation involving text, sound, graphics and animations.