Chapter 9 The Computer Industry History Careers and

Chapter 9 The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics

9 Chapter Contents ï Section A: Computer History ï Section B: The Computer and IT Industries ï Section C: Careers for Computer Professionals ï Section D: Professional Ethics ï Section E: Work Area Safety and Ergonomics Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 2

9 A SECTION Computer History ï Manual Calculators ï Mechanical Calculators ï Computer Prototypes ï Generations of Computers ï Personal Computers Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 3

9 Manual Calculators ï Device that assists in the process of numeric calculations, but requires the human operator to keep track of the algorithm Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 4

9 Manual Calculators Napier’s Bones (left) evolved into the slide rule (right). Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 5

9 Mechanical Calculators ï Implements algorithms autonomously – Schickard’s Calculator – Pascaline – Leibniz Calculator – de. Colmar’s Arithmometer – Difference Engine – Analytical Engine – Hollerith Tabulating Machine Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 6

9 Mechanical Calculators Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 7

9 Computer Prototypes ï An experimental device that typically must be further developed and perfected – Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC) – Z 3 Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 8

9 Computer Prototypes – IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (Harvard Mark I) – COLOSSUS – ENIAC Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 9

9 Generations of Computers ï UNIVAC is considered the first commercially successful digital computer ï First-generation computers – Vacuum tubes ï Second-generation computers – Transistors Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 10

9 Generations of Computers ï Third-generation computers – Integrated circuits • RCA Spectra 70 • IBM 360 • DEC PDP-8 • IBM AS/400 ï Fourth-generation computers – Microprocessor Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 11

9 Personal Computers ï Mark-8 ï MITS Altair ï Apple I / Apple II Software ï Visi. Calc Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 12

9 Personal Computers ï IBM PC – IBM PC XT ï Apple Lisa ï Xerox Alto ï Apple Macintosh Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 13

9 B SECTION The Computer and IT Industries ï Industry Overview ï Economic Factors ï Product Development ï Market Share ï Marketing Channels ï Industry Regulation Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 14

9 Industry Overview ï The computer industry encompasses companies that manufacture computers and computer components ï The information technology industry refers to companies that develop, produce, sell, or support computers, software, and computer-related products – Equipment manufacturers, chipmakers, software publishers, service companies, and computer retailers Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 15

9 Industry Overview ï Dot coms refer to the group of Internet-based companies ï Silicon Valley was the birthplace of integrated circuits, microprocessors, and personal computers ï Outsourcing vs. offshoring Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 16

9 Economic Factors ï The IT industry is dynamic, prosperous, and economically beneficial ï The dot com bubble burst in 2001 ï Population growth and business globalization contributed to the success of the IT industry Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 17

9 Product Development Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 18

9 Market Share ï Refers to a company’s share of the total market pie Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 19

9 Market Share ï Companies are classified into market tiers Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 20

9 Marketing Channels Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 21

9 Marketing Channels At Dell’s Web site, customers can order a custom-built computer by simply clicking to add various hardware options. Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 22

9 Marketing Channels ï Value-added resellers (VARs) combine commercially available products with specialty hardware or software ï Consumers can benefit from a variety of channels – Channel conflict occurs when vendors within the channel find other channel vendors pirating their sales Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 23

9 Industry Regulation ï Some aspects regulated by government agencies – FCC – FTC ï Most IT industry leaders oppose further regulation Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 24

9 C SECTION Careers for Computer Professionals ï Jobs and Salaries ï Education and Certification ï Job Hunting Basics ï Resumes and Web Portfolios ï Job Listings Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 25

9 Jobs and Salaries ï Information Systems department – Chief Information Officer – Systems Analyst – Computer Programmer – Security Specialist – Database Administrator – Network Specialist/Administrator – Computer Operator – Technical Support Specialist – Web site designer Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 26

9 Jobs and Salaries ï Outside the IS department – Technical Writer – Computer Salesperson – Quality Assurance Specialist – Computer Engineer – Manufacturing Technician ï Be willing to train and retrain as new skills are needed to work with emerging technologies Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 27

9 Jobs and Salaries ï Contract workers are typically hired as consultants and are not official employees ï Telecommuting allows workers in many industries to work from home and makes financial sense Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 28

9 Education and Certification ï Computer engineering ï Computer science ï Information systems ï Information technology ï Software engineering ï The Peterson’s Web site is a comprehensive resource for educational services – www. petersons. com Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 29

9 Education and Certification ï Certificates of completion are available to students who successfully complete one or more courses on a specified topic ï A certification exam is an objective test that verifies your level of knowledge – General computer knowledge – Software applications – Database administration – Networking – Computer hardware – Computer security Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 30

9 Job Hunting Basics ï Job hunting steps ï The Internet is a great resource for finding a job Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 31

9 Resumes and Web Portfolios ï You can prepare your resume in formats suitable for different computer platforms and delivery methods – Print – E-mail – HTML and XML Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 32

9 Resumes and Web Portfolios Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 33

9 Resumes and Web Portfolios ï A Web portfolio is a hypertext version of your resume, which might contain links to relevant Web sites ï Supply multimedia presentations only when requested ï You can post your Web portfolio on your personal Web site Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 34

9 Job Listings ï Sources of job listings – Newspaper’s Help Wanted section – School’s career placement office – Local state employment agency – Online job bank – Job search agent – Metasearch tool Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 35

9 Job Listings If your search turns up a job that looks promising, most job banks provide a way to apply online by sending your resume information to the employer through the job bank’s Web site. To use the apply online feature, you’re typically required to register with the job bank. Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 36

9 Job Listings An online search agent autonomously searches for jobs that match your requirements. Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 37

9 D SECTION Professional Ethics ï Ethics Basics ï IT Ethics ï Ethical Decision Making ï Whistleblowing Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 38

9 Ethics Basics ï Professional ethics refers to on-the-job choices and actions that reflect a person’s values – Standards of conduct ï Laws try to promote ethical behavior – Laws and ethics are not necessarily the same ï Ethical values apply to any career field ï Ethical decisions can vary from one field to another Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 39

9 IT Ethics ï Situations that require computer professionals to make ethical decisions often involve – Software copyrights – Privacy – Conflict of interest – Use of work computers – Software quality – Hacking – Social responsibility Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 40

9 IT Ethics ï Confidentiality is the obligation not to disclose willingly any information that should be kept private – Applies to individuals and organizations – Proprietary information ï It is never good practice to use facilities at work for personal activities Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 41

9 IT Ethics ï Computer professionals have to keep up with the latest threats from viruses and intrusion attempts – Hacking ï Computer professionals should consider the repercussions of shortened software test cycles ï Software developers should consider whether they will be responsible for how their software is used Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 42

9 Ethical Decision Making ï Talk to people whose judgment you respect ï Consider what the most ethical person you know would decide to do ï Think about what you would do if your actions were made public ï Look at the problem from the opposite perspective ï Consult a code of professional ethics Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 43

9 Ethical Decision Making ï A code of ethics is a set of guidelines designed to help professionals make decisions Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 44

9 Ethical Decision Making ï Codes of ethics are published online and are available to the public Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 45

9 Whistleblowing ï Disclosure by an employee of confidential information which relates to some danger – Speaks out against on-the-job activities ï Whistleblowers are often fired or forced out of their jobs Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 46

9 Whistleblowing ï Before whistleblowing: – Examine your motives – Try the normal chain of command – Collect evidence to back up your accusations – Record events as they unfold – Act ethically – Be ready to accept repercussions – Establish a support network – Consult a lawyer – Consider your strategy Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 47

9 E SECTION Work Area Safety and Ergonomics ï Radiation Risks ï Repetitive Stress Injuries ï Eye Strain ï Back Pain ï Sedentary Lifestyle Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 48

9 Radiation Risks ï Every electronic device emits some type of radiation Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 49

9 Radiation Risks ï CRTs and LCD screens emit radiation – LCD screens emit low levels ï Cell phones emit RF energy – Studies are being done to determine whether current limits are safe – Use a hands-free headset to reduce exposure Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 50

9 Repetitive Stress Injuries ï A repetitive stress injury (RSI) is not a specific disease but a group of similar overuse disorders that affect the tendons, muscles, and nerves – Carpal tunnel syndrome Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 51

9 Repetitive Stress Injuries ï Ergonomics is the study of safe and efficient environments, particularly working environments Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 52

9 Eye Strain ï Studies have found links between computer use and eye problems Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 53

9 Eye Strain ï Use an external keyboard and mouse to achieve the best viewing angle with a notebook computer ï Adjust screen resolution to a comfortable level – Native resolution Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 54

9 Back Pain ï Back pain can be caused by many factors, including poor posture and careless lifting of heavy objects ï The key to comfort while working on a computer is keeping your shoulders relaxed so that tense muscles don’t generate headaches and stiffness Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 55

9 Sedentary Lifestyle ï People who live and work in digital cultures tend to spend many hours each day in sedentary pursuits, such as watching television and using computers ï Sitting still for long periods of time, especially in positions that limit blood circulation can be a health risk ï Your chair should not prevent good circulation to your legs Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 56

9 Sedentary Lifestyle ï Try to take breaks periodically ï Break reminder software can help you remember when it is time to take a break from your work Chapter 9: The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics 57

Chapter 9 Complete The Computer Industry: History, Careers, and Ethics