Introduction to Information Technology by Permanand Mohan

Ethics and Information Technology

2006-11-09T11:01:00.000-04:00

I have spent most of this week talking about ethical issues in information technology. Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with what is considered to be right and wrong. Ethical issues can be categorized into four types: privacy, accuracy, property, and accessibility.

Privacy issues deal with the collection, storage, and dissemination of information about individuals. For example, what kind of surveillance can an employer use on its employees? Or, what things can people keep to themselves and not be forced to reveal to others?

Accuracy issues deal with the authenticity, fidelity, and accuracy of information collected and processed. For example, how can we ensure that information will be processed properly and presented accurately to users? Or, how can we ensure that errors in databases, data transmissions, and data processing are accidental and not deliberate? As another example, who is to be held accountable for errors in information, and how should the injured party be compensated?

Property issues deal with ownership and value of information (intellectual property). For example, who owns the information and what are the just and fair prices for its exchange. Or, how should software piracy be handled? Another example is using corporate computers for private purposes.

Accessibility issues deal with the right to access information and payment of fees to access it. For example, who is allowed to access information and what rights and priveleges should they have? Also, how can accessibility to computers be provided for employees with disabilities?

Professional bodies often establish a code of ethics for their members. For example, the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) has a code of ethics that can found here. This code of ethics deals with many of the issues that Information Technology professionals are likely to face. Individual organizations may also choose to establish a code of ethics for their information technology employees (e.g., Auburn University's Code of Ethics for its Information Technology Staff).

Topics I covered during Oct 30 to Nov 3

2006-11-07T08:15:00.000-04:00

End of Week 5

2006-10-08T15:51:00.000-04:00

We are now looking at the Technical Foundations of Information Systems. Most of this week was spent looking at the technology involved in data storage and how it relates to data collection. The data hierarchy of bits-characters (bytes)-fields-records-files-databases was discussed and relevant examples were presented to the class. The database management system (DBMS) was then introducted and examples in everyday use were given (such as Oracle, DB2, SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MS Access, etc.). The role of the DBMS is basically to insert, update, and delete data from a database and to allow users to query the data stored. The DBMS also regulates access to the database, as determined by permissions which are granted beforehand. It was also shown how application software consists of forms containing fields which are linked to data in a database. When data is typed in these fields (by in-house data-entry persons or by e-commerce customers), the software sends the data to the DBMS which is then responsible for updating the database.

I took some time this week to re-visit the issue of "attributes of information". Cost effectiveness was discussed again and this time, I concluded that it was indeed an attribute. Perhaps a better term for this topic would have been, "Measures to Determine the Value of Information". Along the way, several other suggestions came up such as the authority of the information source. Of course, there are others, but it is important to understand key measures that determine the value of information instead of being able to rattle out a list of measures.

For more information on what was covered this week, please check out the blogs of the students in class. While I find most of them interesting, in this posting I want to single out three more. Anil Singh made two "live" postings to his blog this week while class was in progress, so his "notes" went to his blog. The wonders of modern information technology! The postings were pretty accurate. Chabiram Sadho is choosing not to focus so much on the actual material covered in class but on elaborating on themes that I touched on or that someone raised. And finally, I find the short postings by Aneisha LePlatte to be quite positive about what she is learning. In a negative world, these should help to lift your spirits a bit.

No classes today

2006-09-29T12:17:00.000-04:00

Today, an earthquake struck at 9:08 am just as I was leaving home for U.W.I. I had just stopped at a major road to turn left when the car started to shake. Thinking that it was something mechanical, I eventually switched off the engine and waited (though I was quite puzzled about what was happening). After the shaking stopped I went back home to check the car only to hear that it was an earthquake.

There were only 11 students in class so I decided not to teach any new material. So, in the next class, I intend to continue from where we left off, talking about characteristics of information. Now, a characteristic is a trait, feature, ability, distinguishing quality, or attribute of something. I would therefore like to withdraw the suggestion that cost is a characteristic of information, since it pertains to acquiring the information and is not a feature of the information in itself.

End of Data Collection, Storage, Processing, and Output

2006-09-29T12:14:00.000-04:00

We are finally at the end of this very interesting topic of data collection, storage, processing, and output. Indeed, it is so interesting that you will see it coming up in one way or another in all the courses that make up the I.T. degree. For example, Programming for WWW is all about transmitting and displaying information for a worldwide audience. And Information Processing is about looking at the technologies that support data collection and storage and the software that enables data to be processed and prepared for output in different formats.

I spent most of this short week talking about data processing and data output, mentioning along the way the need for data transmission. There has always been a need for data collection, storage, processing, transmission, and output in the affairs of mankind. It has taken place in different ways in different eras. For example, native American Indians used smoke signals to process, transmit and output information to each other in the past. Individuals and organizations have always relied on some form of a postal service (e.g., pony express) to transmit documents from one place to another. Pirates, on the other hand, used coded light signals to communicate with their accomplices.

There was also a short discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of email compared to regular snail mail and some very good points were discussed. For more information on some of these topics, please see Sherifa’s blog here.

Why all this fuss about data/information? Information is used to support decision-making. The key point is that information enables organizations to make more informed decisions that can lead to greater profitability. Making decisions based on opinions may work sometimes, but information leads to better decision-making as management seeks to decide between alternative courses of action (e.g., to stock up more of a particular product before a long weekend or to open a new branch of their company). Some of these points are being covered in greater detail in the tutorials, so please try to attend them.

I had a brief look at characteristics of information that make it valuable for decision-making. So far, “relevance” and “accuracy” have been discussed. There are others such as “timeliness”, and “completeness”. This will be completed in the next class when I will attempt to wrap up what I have covered over the past four weeks into a nice package.

Course Outline

2006-09-23T20:04:00.000-04:00

I finally managed to upload the outline to this location. One of my M.Phil. students recently re-organized my Web site and I had to figure out how to associate URLs with actual files. Sorry about the delay, but the paper version was available since yesterday after lunch. Thanks for the suggestions for dealing with the problem. Also, I wasn't hiding yesterday, I was attending an important meeting in the deparment.

Course information

2006-09-22T11:10:00.000-04:00

I am trying to post the link to the course information handout but I am having some problems. Please check back a little later. I will bring a printed copy in class on Tuesday September 15.

Really nice blogs in progress

2006-09-21T17:46:00.000-04:00

I have been checking some of the blogs by the other students in class and I am quite amazed (in a positive way) to see the content of these blogs. I will soon post a list of these blogs so that you can visit them and see for yourself.

More on data: risks and risk avoidance/minimization

2006-09-21T17:18:00.000-04:00

I am happy to see some of the students of "this course" (i.e.,"INFO 1400") visiting my blog and making posts so I got another "vaps" to post something today. I got a really serious comment today from Anna-Marie, so I have to think about it further before the next class.

Anyhow, I was planning once again to give a little summary of what transpired today. I think we ended up spending more time on the topic of data collection and storage than I was expecting (NB: data processing and output/transmission/distribution are the next two topics to be discussed). However, I am very happy to see students actively thinking and talking in class and this I think is more valuable in the long run than sitting quietly and taking notes. Research says that what the student does in class (or does not do) is much more important than what the instructor does. So, yes, we are going slow, but that is a good sign, it means that things are falling in place.

So, we continued to look at risks in data collection and storage and spent time looking at ways to avoid problems occurring or minimize the effects of disaster. Problems with computers can often be avoided by having computers operate under the "right" environmental conditions, by performing preventive maintenance, by treating computer components with care, making sound purchasing decisions, etc. Software solutions involve defragmentation of hard drives, regularly updating anti-virus software, installing software patches that become available, etc. One must also be prepared to deal with disasters when they occur and the need for regular backups was highlighted. Did you backup the stuff on your computer?

This week, I had a look at Anna-Marie's blog and suggested that some of you might want to visit her blog to get a summary of previous lectures. Today, while looking at her blog, I found another one by Travis. This one is also very nice to read, I suggest that you check it out, especially the post of today's class. If the two of them keep going like this, soon my blog will be history. But, keep up the good work.

Third week of classes: Data/Information

2006-09-19T11:20:00.000-04:00

The focus of our classes this week is on data/information. How does an organization know where the majority of its customers come from or which of its products sell the most or bring in the most income? This kind of information must be generated from data stored somewhere. However, before data is stored, it must be collected. Thus, there are several aspects to data processing in an organization.

First, data must be collected. This is typically achieved through forms, either paper-based or electronic. Many times data is initially collected in paper-based forms from customers and then entered into a computer system using data-entry personnel. E-commerce companies bypass this altogether and save time and money by requiring customers to enter their own data into their computer systems.

After data is collected, it must be stored. This can be done using paper-based schemes (e.g., filing cabinets) or electronic means (e.g., using storage devices such as hard disks, floppy disks, flash drives, tape drives, CD, DVD, etc.) or a combination of both. Some companies prefer a combination of both so that in case of failure of computer systems they can still function with the paper copies.

There are risks associated with the collection and storage of data. For example, natural disasters, sabotage, and acts of terrorism may render the data in an organization useless. Human error can also lead to the collection of incorrect data. What other risks are there in collecting and storing data and how can these risks be minimized (i.e., put measures in place to avoid the risk happening or reduce its effects should the worst eventually occur)? This topic will be developed further in the next class.

End of second week of classes

2006-09-18T13:32:00.000-04:00

The second week of classes are over and the third is now about to begin. Time goes pretty quickly at UWI and before you know it, our quota of thirteen weeks would be over.

I tried to wrap things up on Friday last week by introducting yet another important reason why organizations invest heavily in information technology: to gain a competitive advantage over other organizations. The business world is very competitive as similar companies (e.g., Coca-Cola and Pepsi, banks, insurance companies, etc.) try to gain more customers for their products. In the end, the products might be very similar, yet one company might use information technology in innovative ways to improve their efficiency, productivity, customer service, and ultimately their profitability. I also mentioned how banks locally use information technology in different ways to increase their market share (a big term that really means more customers).

Now that I have talked a bit about organizations, the next step is to talk about how organizations use data and information to improve decision-making. This will be covered in week 3.

I have been working on Assignment 1 (the "blog" assignment); it's almost ready.

Second week of classes

2006-09-14T17:35:00.000-04:00

The second week of classes is now in progress. Today was the first lab session for the course and everyone got a chance to create a blog and post something to the bulletin board. No one turned up for the first tutorial on Monday this week. From now on, the tutorials on Monday will start at 9:00 a.m. in Room B1, which is to the west of Room B.

This week, I have been looking at how organizations are physically structured, from single building-single location organizations to those that span many countries. No matter how structured, there are many challenges to be overcome in order for data/information to flow smoothly between the components of an organization. Of course, the challenges are more difficult when the organization is physically separated into different locations, perhaps spanning international borders.

The basic idea so far is that Information Technology enables organization to become more efficient and productive, thus leading to greater productivity. However, Information Technology can be used to create new products or services as evidenced by e-commerce. The case of Amazon.com was discussed. One of the assignments in the course will require students to show how Information Technology can be used to create new products or services.

Finally, based on "overwhelming" requests, I have decided to stop talking about Kiss bread and talk about Crix instead. Thanks also to those who have been reading this blog and posting your comments. I hope you continue to post your comments as well as develop your own blog from now on.

First day of classes

2006-09-04T23:04:00.000-04:00

The first day of classes has come and gone. Interestingly, only 12 students turned up. One almost left when I told him that Spanish 403 was in progress when he entered the room! I wonder where the others were? There was a lot of rain and some flooding around campus just before class so that could be one of the reasons for the low attendance.

I gave a general overview of "Information Technology" and the kinds of stuff that will be covered in the course. I intend to go over this in more detail and give some more information pertaining to the course in the next class when hopefully, the whole class will be there.

First day of classes tomorrow

2006-09-03T18:35:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is the big day. INFO 1400 and two other two courses will be offered for the first time as part of the new B.Sc. degree in Information Technology. The degree was not well advertised; however, the enrollment for INFO 1400 is currently 47 students so I am expecting to see about fifty students in class tomorrow.