Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

277

The Term “informaTion Technology,” or iT for short, is

used to describe technologies that handle, store, process, and transmit,

or pass on, information. When people talk about iT, they usually mean

the use of computers to store and pass on information, but radio, television,

telephones, and DVD players are also examples of information technology.

information technology in some form has existed since humans developed

pictures and writing, while later inventions such as printing made

information more widely available. modern information technology is

based on electronics; vast amounts of information, including pictures

and sounds, can be stored as electric signals and transmitted anywhere

in the world. information technology is used in every part of our lives,

from schools and hospitals to shopping. its impact has been enormous,

making the world truly a “global village.”

Early ElEctronics

The use of electronics in

277- Information technology

has a long history. materials

and designs used for early

technology may look dated,

but the the early inventions

served the same purpose as

today’s modern examples.

early iT

The telephone and the camera

were the information technology

tools of the 19th century. They had a

great impact on society. With the

telephone, people could talk to each

other all around the world. Using the

camera, they could make a record of

their lives and families.

An early wall-mounted

telephone.

Looking something like a

weighing scale, this

machine was used for

radar detection. The flat

canopy was used to

catch radar signals that

bounced off objects.

The early

domestic radio

was known as

a “wireless”

because it did

not need to be

connected to a

signal wire.

Camera

An early

rotary-dial

telephone

Using informaTion Technology

To use information technology, you need access

to hardware and software. hardware means

the actual machinery, namely computers.

software refers to the programs or

applications inside the computer, which

actually run it. Programs range from word

processing to multimedia and games.

They are constantly

being updated.

mUlTimeDia

many computers take Digital Versatile

Disks (DVDs), which can give information

in multimedia form—words, pictures, and

sounds. multimedia programs are a good

way to learn, because they give information

in an interesting way and allow you to see

how things work. Using the computer

mouse, touchpad, or touchscreen, you

can move from one piece of

information to another.

sPreaDsheeTs

some computers contain software

programs called spreadsheets. a

spreadsheet program stores figures

or other information that needs to be

shown in the form of tables or charts.

The program can do calculations,

such as adding up, or determining

percentages. spreadsheets have many

uses, including working out accounts

or progress charts.

DeskToP PUblishing

software known as desktop

publishing programs (DTP)

enable words and pictures

to be moved around on

screen. DTP is used in

publishing, but it also

means people can write

and design fan magazines,

posters, and newsletters in

their own homes.

InformatIon technology

This icon takes

the user to

other similar

pages of

information.

Touching this

icon opens a

small box with

more information.

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