1 - The information revolution

Abstract

This chapter discusses the information revolution. Information is knowledge that has a practical real world application; these applications can be of varied nature such as movement directions, communications. The different forms of information are as follows: (1) data, which presents the information in its barest and most elementary form, as a string of characters (letters and numbers); (2) text, which presents the information written as phrases and sentences; (2) image, which presents the information in pictorial form; and, (4) voice, which presents the information in spoken phrases and sentences. Sometimes a choice has to be made between alternative methods of presenting the same information. This is dependent upon which most clearly and accurately represents the aspect of the real world being conveyed. Subsequently, information technology (IT) is the use of modern technology to aid the capture, storage, retrieval, analysis, and communication of information, whether in the form of data, text, image, or voice. Modern electronics is based upon the microprocessor, one form of microchip, which consists of miniature logic circuits etched onto the surface of a sliver of silicon. Another form of microchip is the memory chip, used to store information. At present, the main parts of a computer—the memory and the logic component—can be held on a single chip. The remarkable developments in recent years in microprocessor (computer tech especially), audio and video systems, and broadcasting have contributed significantly to the IT revolution, and these too have had a major impact on people's lives.