Questions and Answers

Course Logistics

What steps are taken to copy mis1notes from the umu home page?
See the second-last instruction of the Files exercise.
If you want to copy all the MIS files to a floppy disk:
Use Network Neighborhood to locate the MIS I folder.
Right-click the folder, move to Send To and click 3 1/2 Floppy (A:).
How can i save my important mail in on my yahoo email account onto this new email adress.
There is no easy way to transfer Yahoo messages to your UMU address. You would have to forward them one by one.
If you have many messages, it might be best to leave them on your Yahoo account.
In case I want to become acomputer literate, what areas should I really concentrate on?
For computer literacy, you need both knowledge and skills.
Your knowledge should include computer hardware, software and communications.
To develop your skills, concentrate on the software that nearly everyone uses.
This course focuses on training in these programs:
  1. operating system (Microsoft Windows)
  2. web browser (Microsoft Internet Explorer)
  3. electronic mail (NeoMail, Yahoo, or Hotmail)
  4. word processor (Microsoft Word)
  5. spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel)
How are you going to set the test we will do on 21 st march because we can not cram those things we have already in our notes?
The test will assess your knowledge and skills of areas listed in the first five weeks of the calendar.
Also see the objectives for a check list of what you need to know.
I would like to buy a MIS text book to take me through out my course. Which book would you recomend me to buy and where can I buy it from in Kampala?
See the MIS books on the books page. The best introductory MIS textbook I have found so far is Laudon & Laudon, Management Information Systems, Prentice Hall. The most recent edition (currently 7th) can be purchased at Aristoc bookshop in Kampala or through the Internet using a credit card (search amazon.com or prenhall.com).

General

Describe the computer revolution and it's impact Data processing.
The answer to this question could be very long and would require a review of the history of computing.
In brief, computers are vitally important tools for data processing and have many advantages over human paper-based processing.
Advances in computer hardware, software and networks have greatly improved the data processing capabilities of individuals and organisations.
What are the disadvantages associated with using the computer system?
Disadvantages of computer use include the time and cost for purchasing, installing and learning to use the system, and computer-related health problems.
What are the causes of virus in computers and are there solutions for the causes if any?
Viruses are caused by people who create them by writing programs.
It is relatively difficult to track down these people, so avoiding viruses requires both preventative and curative measures.
To prevent viruses you should use anti-virus software to protect your computers, scan disks for viruses, and avoid common sources of viruses (such as infected disks and e-mail attachments, e-mails and Internet sites full of advertising, computers without anti-virus software, etc.).
To cure viruses you generally need to use anti-virus software.
What are the different types of antivirus used to destroy virus and how someone gets to know that he or she has virus in his or her computer?
There are several antivirus software packages. Symantec Corporation makes Norton Antivirus which is the most popular commercial package. McAfee and PC Cillin are two less effective packages. A free version of AVG antivirus is available on the Internet; it is a relatively small yet effective program.
You can detect viruses using antivirus software. Otherwise you might suspect a virus without complete certainty. Viruses often make the computer behave in strange or unpredictable ways. Viruses are programs that will add to the size of files they infect.
How does trouble shooting help us in computer?
Troubleshooting is the process of diagnosing a computer problem.
Troubleshooting computer problems is similar to troubleshooting problems with other machines; you need to use common-sense reasoning and scientific problem-solving techniques.
Every computer user needs to know how to troubleshoot at least basic problems, since you will often encounter problems in using the computer and there isn't always someone around to help fix every little problem.
Why is it important to learn Management Information System?
Anyone working in any position for any organisation, large or small, can benefit from knowing about how information is and can be used and managed.

Interfaces

Distinguish between Graphical User Interface and Command Line Interface.
WHAT ARE GIUs IN MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS?
why are command-line interfaces still in use?
Why are GUIs more popular than coomand-line interfaces?
why GUI's are more useful than CUI.
What is the definition of command-line-interface?
What's the difference between graphical user interface and command line interfaces?
An interface is an intermediary between two entities (people or machines) that allows them to communicate.
A user interface is a system that allows computer users (people) to communicate with the computer.
A graphical user interface uses both pictures and text to represent its files, programs and data. A graphical user interface is operated by using a pointing device such as a mouse.
A command line interface uses only text and is operated by typing commands using the keyboard.
Beginning users find the graphical user interface easier to learn.
Advanced users find that commands are occasionally faster and more powerful than using a GUI.
However, even advanced users often prefer the convenience and intuitive use of GUIs.
How exactly does clicking on icon in Graphic user interface bring the computer to perform the desired operation? How is the command taken and done?
When the user clicks a button, double-clicks on an icon, the operating system checks the location of the mouse pointer and determines which button or icon has been clicked, and which program or action is associated with it. If it is a program icon, the operating system reads the path of the program in the icon's file and runs the program.

Computers and the Brain

What is the comparison between computer system component and the general way our brain accepts,processes,and outputs data?
The brain accepts data through the sense organs (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin) which contain nerves that connect to the brain.
Computers accept data through input devices like keyboard and mouse.
The brain processes information through thinking and reasoning.
Computers process information by executing instructions to perform calculations on binary numbers.
The brain outputs data by moving body parts, e.g. speaking, writing, sign language, and non-verbal communication.
Computers output information through output devices like monitors and printers.
The brain stores information in short and long term memory.
Computers store information in temporary and permanent storage devices like memory, disk and tape.
What is the difference between the work of a human brain and a computer?
A human brain is an analog, biochemical organ in a living organism; a computer is a mechanical, electronic, digital device.
A computer merely manipulates binary numbers (0 and 1) and symbols; a brain actually understands and is conscious.

Computer Components

What is data?
Data is unstructured, unprocessed information.
what's the difference between soft ware and hard ware?
Explain the the following terms in computer system giving relevant examples.
(a)Hardware
Hardware is the physical and tangible components of a computer system (you can touch it).
Examples of hardware include computers, monitors, disks, printers, cables, etc.
(b)Software
Software is information which the computer uses to perform a useful task.
Types of software include operating systems, applications and communication software.
(c)Application software
Application software is used by people who may not be computer specialists to perform useful tasks. For example, word processors, spreadsheets, database and presentation packages are common office applications.
(d)Booting
Booting is the process of starting a computer.
Many things happen during booting, e.g. hardware components are tested for proper functioning and the operating system is loaded into memory.
How do you differentiate between computer hardware and memory?
Memory is computer hardware which is used to temporarily store information.
what is a hard disk drive?
A hard disk drive is an internal computer component which is used for permanent storage. It contains several hard disks and is sealed to be protected from the outside air.
what is the unit of memory measurement in case of hard disks and floppies?
Disk storage is measured in terms of bytes. Floppy disks can store about 1.4 megabytes (million bytes). Most hard disks can store more than one gigabyte (billion bytes).
Distinguish between Random Access Memory(RAM) and Read Only Memory(ROM)
RAM is the computer's main memory used by the operating system and applications software that is in use.
ROM is used for starting the computer and other operating system functions.
RAM is erased whenever the computer is switched off; ROM is permanent and unchangeable.
What is a motherboard?
The motherboard or system board is a flat board inside the system unit.
Many important electronic components are attached to the motherboard, including processor, RAM, ROM, battery, buses, etc.
What is the difference between bites and bytes?
Bits are single binary digits of data storage. A bit can contain either a 0 or 1.
Bytes are groups of 8 bits. A single byte can represent a character such as a number or letter.
Bites are what you eat with chai, or what you get if you sleep in Uganda without a mosquito net :-)

Windows

What is the difference between file manager and program manager?
The File Manager and Program Manager are two parts of an earlier version of the Windows operating system.
The file manager works similar to Windows Explorer.
The program manager is similar to the Windows 95 Start Menu.
What are the five special characters which cannot be used in file names and their use?
To see a list of special characters, try renaming a file to the colon character (:).
You will see "A file name cannot contain any of the following characters: \ / : * ? " < > |"
\ backslash, used to represent MS-DOS folders
/ forward slash, used to represent Web folders
: colon, used after drive letters (A:, C:, D:, etc.)
* asterisk or star, used to represent one or more letters in a file search
? question mark, used to represent one letter in a file search
" double quotes, used to enclose a file name that contains spaces
< less than sign, used to get input from a file or device
> greater than sign, used to send output to a file or device
| pipe or vertical bar, used to redirect output from one command to be the input of another command
What is the use of forward slash and how does it work?
In MS-DOS, the forward slash is used to indicate parameters that modify a command. For example, typing DIR /? will give help information about the DIR command.
In URLs, two forward slashes follow the protocol (e.g. http://) and any other slashes represent directories (folders) on the web server.

Networking

What are the uses of Internet?
The Internet has too many uses to name everything. Some of the uses include electronic mail, newsgroups, Web browsing, file transfer, and chat.
The Internet is used by businesses, academic and scientific institutions and governments, as well as individuals.
Some of the MIS uses we will study include electronic commerce, electronic business, and electronic data interchange.
What is the difference between internet and intranet?
The Internet is the world-wide network of networks.
An intranet is a local network that works like the Internet and uses some of the same software but is confined to a single organisation.
what are fire walls?
Firewalls are a combination of hardware and software that protect a LAN from being accessed by an unauthorized person through the Internet.
For example, a firewall prevents people from using UMU NeoMail or accessing the IntraWeb from outside the UMU Nkozi campus.
What are the features of web browsers?
See Lecture 3 Slide 17 for a basic list of features.