Easy Learning Introduction to Computer Topic 6 Computer Industry/ Career Computer Industry/ Career Topics covered

1. Guide to Computer Systems Selecting a Microprocessor Comparing Pentiums RAM: Requirements and Cost Floppy Disk Drives: How Many? Hard Drive Specifications CD-ROM Drive: Worth the Cost? Selecting a Sound System Computer Display Systems Comparing Notebook Displays Planning for Expansion Expanding a Notebook Computer Selecting Input Devices Considerations for Notebook Power Sources Choosing the Right Printer Hardware Product Life Cycle Software Product Life Cycle Market Tiers Marketing Channels The Computer Press Computer Industry Job Categories Computer-Specific Jobs Working Conditions Preparing for a Computer Career Use Technology to Find a Job Contact Prospective Employers Determine Your Needs and Budget Collect the Facts Evaluate the Facts

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The Computer Industry

2. Computer Industry Careers

3. Computer Shopping Strategies

Easy Learning Introduction to Computer Topic 6 Computer Industry/ Career 1. Consumers Guide to Computer Systems

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Do you need to understand the technical specifications to make an intelligent purchase decision? The answer is definitely yes!

1.1 Selecting a microprocessor The microprocessor is the core component in a computer and is featured prominently in product descriptions. Computer ads typically indicate the type of microprocessor and its speed. Most of todays microprocessors are designed around a microprocessor from one of two product families: x86, or PowerPC. The original IBM PC used the Intel 8088 microprocessor, one of the first models in the x86 family of microprocessors. Todays PCs still contain x86 processors such as the Pentium. Most of these processors are manufactured by Intel, but companies such as Cyrix and AMD have produced what are called work-alike processors. Computers with alike processors are generally less expensive than an equivalent computer with an Intel processor. If you would rather run Macintosh software, select a computer with a 68000-series or PowerPC microprocessor. Until 1994, Macintosh computers contained a 68000-series microprocessor manufactured by Motorola. More recent models, called Power Macs contain a PowerPC microprocessor that implements RISC architecture to provide relatively fast performance at a low cost. 80286 1982 8-20 MHz16-Bit word/16bit bus 80386 1985 16-66 MHz 32-bit word/32-bit bus

80386 SX 16-33 MHz 32-bit word/16-bit bus

80486 1989 33-100 MHz 32-bit word/32-bit bus 80486 SX 20-33 MHz 32-bit word/32-bit bus

Pentium with MMX 1997 166-200 MHz 32-80-bit word/64-bit bus

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1.2 Comparing Pentiums

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The x86 chip family descended from Intels 8086 microprocessor. The 80286, 80386, and 80486 models that followed were usually referred to by the last three digits, 286, 386, and 486. For the next generation, however, Intel broke with tradition. Initially, the 80586 chip was dubbed the P5, until it was officially christened the Pentium. Intel introduced the Pentium processor in 1993. This processor packed an impressive 3.3 million transistors on a chip .36-inch square. Using dual-pipeline architecture, the chip could execute two instructions at a time.

In 1995, Intel produced the P6 generation of professors called the Pentium Pro. With five execution pipelines and 5.5 million transistors, the Pentium Pro was optimized for the 32-bit instruction set that Microsoft had used to develop the Windows NT operating system. A Level 2 cache contributes to the speed of this chip and is often referred to in computer ads. A Level 2 cache (L2 cache) is memory circuitry housed off the processor on a separate chip. The cache chip connects to the main processor by a dedicated high-speed bus. Level 2 cache is much faster than RAM and almost as fats as cache built into the processor chip.

In 1997, Intel launched two new processors. The Pentium with MMX technology was a jazzed-up version of the original Pentium chi[p and contained circuitry to speed the execution of multimedia applications. A second chip, the Pentium II, added MMX technology to the Pentium Pro chip.

Most experts agree that the Pentium with MMX technology provides the most processing power for your dollar. The Pentium with MMX technology is less expensive than the Pentium Pro but has similar performance levels on tests such as SYSmark32. SYSmark32 is a standard benchmark test that measures computer speed for word-processing, graphics, spreadsheet, and database tasks. If cost is not a factor, the Pentium II is a more expensive chip in Figure 6-3 summarizes features and performance factors for each of the Pentium processors.

Figure Pentium feature summary Pentium Speed SySmark 32 MMX On-chip cache L2 cache Transistors Execution pipelines Chip package Introduced 75-200 MHz 175 No 16K No 3.3 Million 2 PGA single chip 1993 Pentium Pro 166-200 MHz 214 No 16K Yes 5.5 million 5 PGA dual chip 1995 Pentium with MMX technology 166-233 MHz 203 Yes 32K No 4.5 million 2 PGA single chip 1997 Pentium II 233-300 MHz 249 Yes 32K Yes 7.5 million 5 SEC cartridge 1997

1.3 RAM: Requirements and Cost

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The amount of RAM a computer needs depends on the operating system and applications software you plan to use. To run Windows software effectively, your computer should have at least 32 MB of RAM.

If a computer features EDO (Extended Data Out) RAM technology, you can expect better performance from it than from computers with standard memory technology.

1.4 Floppy Disk Drives: How many? Most microcomputers today are configured with a single 3 high-density floppy disk drive. Older computers often included an additional 5 inch drive. One 3 -inch floppy disk drive should be sufficient for your computing needs.

1.5 Hard Drive Specifications The factors that influence hard drive performance and price include storage capacity, access time, and controller type. Most computers today are shipped with at least 5 GB of hard disk capacity. Access times of 9, 10, or 11 ms are typical for todays microcomputer hard drives. The two most popular types of hard drives are EIDE and SCSI. A hard drive mechanism includes a circuit board called a controller that positions the disk and read-write heads to locate data. Disk drives are categorized according to the type of controller they have. An EIDE (Enhanced Integrated Device Electronics) drive features high storage capacity and fast data transfer. SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) drives provide a slight performance advantage over EIDE drives and are recommended for high-performance microcomputer systems and minicomputers. 1.6 CD-ROM Drive: Worth the Cost? A CD-ROM drive is a worthwhile investment that lets you use multimedia, game, educational, and reference applications that are available only on CD-ROM disks. Today, most microcomputers are configured with a CD-ROM drive. Compared to a floppy disk drive, a CD-ROM drive delivers data at a faster rate and provides better performance, especially with multimedia applications. You should purchase the fastest CD-ROM drive that you can afford. The access time of todays CD-ROM drives is 100 to 200 ms, ten times slower than a hard disk drive. Todays 12X CD-ROM drives have a data transfer rate of 1.8 MB per second. As a point of reference, the data transfer rate of a hard drive is about 3 MB per second.

Figure CD-ROM drive - Data-transfer rates Speed Seek Time (ms) Data Transfer Rate

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Single-speed 2X 3X 4X 6X 8X 10X 12X 16X 600 320 250 135-180 135-180 135-180 135-180 100-180 100-180 150 KB per second 300 KB per second 450 KB per second 600 KB per second 900 KB per second 1.2 MB per second 1.6 MB per second 1.8 MB per second 2.4 MB per second

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1.7 Selecting a Sound System With the proliferation of multimedia applications, a sound system has become an essential part of a computer system. A basic computer sound system includes a sound card and a set of small speakers. A sound card converts the digital data in a sound file into analog signals for instrumental, vocal, and spoken sounds. In addition, a sound card lets you make your own recording by converting analog sounds into digitized sound files that you can store on disk. To record your own sounds, youll need to add a good quality microphone to your sound system. Digitized sound files require lots of storage space. Ten seconds of digitized stereo sound can consume up to 5 MB of disk space. A more compact alternative to digitized sound is to store music as MIDI sound. A sound card generally supports one of two MIDI standards. FM synthesis provides instructions for the computer to synthesize sounds by simulating the sounds of real musical instruments. Wave table synthesis creates music by playing digitized sound samples of actual instruments. Wave table synthesis provides better quality sound, but at a higher price than FM synthesis. 1.8 Computer Display Systems A computer display system consists of a monitor and a graphics card, also called a video display adapter or video card. A graphics card is an expansion card that controls the signals that the computer sends to the monitor. The clarity of a computer display depends on the quality of the monitor and the capability of the graphics card. Factors that influence the quality of the monitor include screen size, maximum resolution, and dot pitch. Screen size is the measurement in inches from one corner of the screen diagonally across to the opposite corner. Most computer systems are packaged with 14-inch or 15-inch screen. Many computer vendors now include a measurement for the viewable image size (vis). A 15-inch monitor has approximately a 13.9-inch. Dot pitch is a measure of image clarity; a smaller dot pitch means a crisper image. Technically, dot pitch is the distance in millimeters between like-colored pixels. A .28 or .26 dot pitch is typical for todays monitors.

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The specifications for a monitor include its maximum resolutionthe maximum number of pixels it can display. Standard resolutions include 640 x 480, 800 x 600, 1024 x 768, 1280 x1024, and 1600 x 1200. Todays monitors typically have a maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024; but most people continue to use 640 x 480 resolution because it provides large, easy to read text. At higher resolutions the text appears smaller; but you can display a larger work area for example, an entire page of a document.

It is important to realize that maximum resolution you can use is determined by both the graphics card and the monitor. If your graphics card supports 1600 x 1200 resolution, but your monitor supports only 1280 x 1024, the maximum resolution you can use will be 1280 x 1024.

Most graphics cards use special graphics chips to boost performance. These accelerated graphics cards can greatly increase the speed at which images are displayed. An accelerated graphics card connected to a fast PCI bus can move data between the microprocessor and the graphics card as fast as the microprocessor can process it.

You can set your computer to display either 16, 256, 65,000, or 16 million colors. More colors provide more realistic images, but also require more computer resources. For higher resolutions and more colors, your graphics card needs more memory. To display photographic-quality images at 640 x 480 resolution, a graphics card should have at least 1 MB of memory. If you plan to display such images at 800 x 600 or 1024 x 768 resolutions, the graphics card should have 2 MB to 4 MB of memory.

1.9 Comparing Notebook Displays Notebook computers do not use monitors, which are big, heavy, and require too much electrical power to run on batteries. Instead, notebooks have a flat panel liquid crystal display. A liquid crystal display (LCD) uses a technically sophisticated method of passing light through a thin layer of liquid crystal cells to produce an image. The resulting flat panel screen is lightweight and compact. Many older notebooks have a passive matrix screen, sometimes referred to as dual-scan. A passive matrix screen relies on timing to make sure the liquid crystal cells are illuminated. As a result, the process of updating the screen image does not always keep up with moving images, and the display can appear blurred. Passive matrix technology is not suitable for multimedia applications that include animations and videos. An active matrix screen, referred to as TFT (thin film transistor), updates more rapidly and provides image quality similar to that of a monitor. Active matrix screens are essential for a crisp display of animations and video. However, active matrix screens are difficult to manufacture approximately 50 percent are rejected due to defects and add significantly to the price of a notebook computer. Most notebook computers have a port to connect an external monitor. The advantage of an external monitor is the high-quality display. The disadvantage is that you need to disconnect the external monitor when you transport the computer.

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1.10 Planning for Expansion Before you purchase a computer, make sure it has empty bays and unused expansion slots for additional storage devices and expansion cards. The system unit case holds the main board and provides openings, called bays, for mounting disk, CD-ROM, and tape drives. An external bay provides an opening for installing a device that you need to access from the outside of the case. For example, you would install a floppy disk drive in an external bay because you need to insert and remove the floppy disks. An internal bay provides a mounting bracket for devices that do not need to be accessible from outside the system unit case. Hard disk drives typically use internal bays because they dont require you to insert and remove disks. A system unit with many bays provides greater expansion capability. Notice in Figure 6-1 that the MicroPlus computer tower case has six bays. From the picture in the ad, it appears that there are five external bays, so one of the bays must be internal. The hard disk drive occupies one internal bay, while the floppy disk drive and CD-ROM each occupy one external bay. That leaves three external bays for expansionprobably enough for most home and business uses. To add peripheral devices such as a printer, scanner, or graphics tablet, your computer needs an open port or expansion slot. In Chapter 5 you learned that you can plug an expansion card for a peripheral device into an expansion slot on the motherboard, or you can plug it into a serial, parallel, USB. Or SCSI port. When you purchase a new computer, some ports and slots will already be connected to peripheral devices. Be sure to ask how many slots are free for later expansion. 1.11 Expanding a Notebook Computer A PCMCIA slot (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) is a special type of expansion slot developed for notebook computers, which do not have space in the case for full-size expansion slots and cards. A PCMCIA slot is a small, external slot into which you can insert a PCMCIA card. PCMCIA cards, also called PC cards, are credit-card-sized circuit boards that incorporate an expansion card and device. So, for example, some PCMCIA cards contain a modem, others contain memory expansion, and others contain a hard disk drive. You can plug in and remove PCMCIA devices without turning the computer off, unlike desktop computer expansion cards. In this way you can switch from one PCMCIA device to another without disrupting your work. PCMCIA slots are categorized by size. Type I slots accept only the thinnest PCMCIA cards such as memory expansion cards. Type II slots accept most of the popular PCMCIA cardsthose that contain modems, sound cards, and network cards. Type III slots accept the thickest PCMCIA cards, which

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contain devices such as hard disk drives. Many notebooks provide a multipurpose PCMCIA slot that will accept two Type I cards, two Type II cars or one Type III card. Note book computer expansion devices tend to be more expensive than those for desktop computers, but it is possible to use desktop peripherals with notebook computers if you a docking station or a port replicatior. A docking station is essentially an additional expansion bus into which you plug your notebook computer. The notebook provides the processor and RAM. The docking station provides expansion slots for cards that would not fit into the notebook case. It allows you to purchase inexpensive expansion cards and peripherals designed for desktops, instead of the more expensive devices designed specially for notebooks. You sacrifice portabilityyou probably wont carry your docking station and external CD-ROM drive with youbut you gain the use of low-cost, powerful desktop peripherals. A docking station rests under or behind the notebook computer, and has room for speakers as well as other devices designed for full size desktop computers. The docking stations external Keyboard connector lets you use the keyboard from your desktop computer. A standard CD_ROM drive fits in the docking station.

1.12 Selecting Input Devices Most desktop computers include a standard keyboard and a mouse, but you might want to consider alternative input devices. Cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, a stress-related wrist injury, are on the rise. Intensive keyboard and mouse use are the suspected culprits. Ergonomically designed keyboards, such as the one Figure 6-10 may prevent computer-related injuries. Although a mouse is the standard pointing device used with desktop computers, it can be inconvenient to carry and use while travelling. Most notebook computers include an alternative pointing device. The three most popular optionsbuilt-in track ball, track point, and touch padare explained in Figure 6- 11. A track point is a small eraser-like device embedded among the typing keys. To control the on-screen pointer, you push the track point up, left, right, or down. Buttons for clicking and double- clicking are located in front of the spacebar. A track ball is like an upside -down mouse. By rolling the ball with your fingers, you control the onscreen pointer. Buttons for clicking are often located above or to the side of the track ball. A touch pad is a touch-sensitive device. By dragging your finger over the surface, you control the onscreen pointer. Two buttons equivalent to mouse buttons are located in front of the touch pad. 1.13 Considerations for Notebook Power Sources

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Most notebook computers operate on power from either rechargeable batteries or a wall outlet. Because notebooks notebooks are designed for portability, the computing time provided by batteries is important. For example, an executive who frequently travels to Asia might want at least six hours of computing time during the 14-hour flight.

The length of time a notebook computer can operate from battery power depends on many factors. Fast processors, active matrix LCDs, and additional peripheral devices demand significant power from notebook computer batteries. Notebook manufacturers attempt to reduce power consumption by building power-saving features into their computers. These features automatically switch off the hard disk drive, LCD display, or even the processor if you do not interact with the computer after a short period of time. These devices are reactivited when you press a key or move the mouse.

On battery power, notebook computers typically provide two to four hours of operating time before the batteries need to be recharged. Most notebook computers use one of three before the batteries: Nicad (nickel cadmium), NiMH (nickel-metal hydride), or Lithium ion. Nicad batteries typically store less power than NiMH or Lithium ion batteries of equivalent size and weight. Switching batteries while the computer is on is called a hot swap.

It is a good idea to use when you use AC power possible, such as when you use your notebook at home. Using AC power saves your batteries for when AC power is not available.

1.14 Choosing the Right Printer Ink-jet and personal laser printers are most popular with todays consumers because they provide high-quality print on plain paper. Figure 6-13 is a guide to the features of laser and ink-jet printers. A dot-matrix printer is an older technology that creates letters and graphics by striking and inked ribbon with wires called pins. Although these printers are inexpensive, their print-quality is not as crisp as an ink-jet or a laser printer. Today, dot-matrix printers are used mainly for applications that require multipart forms. Laser printers use the same technology as duplicating machines. A laser charges a pattern of particles on a drum, which picks up a powdery black substance called toner. The toner is transferred onto paper that rolls past the drum. In the past, the price of laser printers limited their use to businesses and large organizations. Laser printer prices have decreased, however, making them affordable for individuals. Color laser printers work by reprinting each page for each primary color. For each reprint, the paper must be precisely positioned so each color is printed in exactly the right spot. This dramatically increases the complexity of the print mechanism and the amount of time required to print each page. Operating costs of laser printers include replacement toner cartridges and print drums. The estimated cost of laser printing is about $.05 per page.

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2. The Computer Industry

The computer industry consists of corporations and individuals that supply goods and services to people and organizations that use computers. You will be a better informed consumer if you understand product life cycles, the tiered structure of computer vendors, the five market channels from which you can purchase hardware and software, and the types of publications offered by the computer press. 2.1 Hardware Product Life Cycle The computer industry is not on an annual cycle so the computer marketplace seems rather chaotic with new product announcements and pre-announcements, ship dates, and availability dates all occurring at irregular intervals. In the computer industry, the life cycle of a new computer model typically includes five phases: product development, product announcement, introduction, maintenance, and retirement. Products are announced at trade shows and press conferences. Sometimes, products are announced but are never produced. These products are referred to as vaporware. When a hardware product is first introduced, initial supplies of the product are generally low while manufacturing capacity increases to meet demand; consumers who want the scarce product must pay a relatively high price. As supply and demand for the product reach an equilibrium, the price of the product decreases slightly. 2.2 Software Product Life Cycle Companies that produce computer software are referred to as Software publishers. Software, like hardware, begins with an idea that is then shaped by a design by a design team and marketing experts. A new software product can be an entirely new product, a new version (also called a release) with significant enhancements, or a revision designed to add minor enhancements and eliminate bugs found in the current version. Before you buy software, you should be familiar with the difference between versions and revisions. The original version of a software product is typically called version 1.0 Software publishers release a revision to fix bugs or make small changes to product features. The revision number is separated from the version number with a period. The first revision of a product will be 1.1. A major improvement to a software product would be indicted by a new version number, such as 2.0. You can usually find the revision and version numbers in a Windows program by clicking Help, then selecting About.

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Software products undergo extensive testing before they are released. But even after testing, bugs inevitably remain. When a new software product first becomes available, the publisher often offers a special introductory price to entice customers. Several software products that now carry a list price of $495 were introduced at a special $99 price. The average discounted price is referred to as the street price.

If you own an earlier version of a software package, you are probably eligible for the version upgrade price. By supplying the vendor with proof that you own the earlier version, you can get the new version at a discount.

A competitive upgrade is a special price offered to consumers who switch from one companys software product to the new version of a competitors product. Unlike computer hardware products, older versions of software do not remain in the vendors product line. Soon after a new version of a software product released, the software publisher usually stops selling earlier versions. If you dont upgrade, you might find that the software publisher offers minimal technical support for older versions of the program.

2.3 Market Tiers Industry analysts often refer to three tiers or categories of microcomputer companies, although not all analysts agree on which companies belong in each tier. The top tier consists of large companies that have been in the computer business for more than ten years and have identifiable percentage of total computer sales-companies such as IBM, Apple, Compaq, and Hewlett-Packard. The second tier includes newer companies with high sales volume, but with somewhat less financial resources than companies in the first tier. Most analysts place companies such as Gateway, Dell, and Packard Bell in the second tier. The third tier consists of smaller startup companies that sell primarily through mail order. Computer prices vary by tier. Computers from the top-tier vendors generally are more expensive than computers offered by second-tier or third-tier vendors. Most PCs are constructed from off-the-shelf circuit boards, cables, and chips. This means that the components in the computers sold by second-tier companies are often the same as those in computers sold by the first tier. The quality of the off-the-shelf parts, however, is not uniform for the consumer to determine the quality of parts. 2.4 Marketing Channels Mail-order suppliers take orders by mail or telephone and ship the product directly to consumers. Mail-order suppliers generally offer low prices but provide limited service and support. A mail-order

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supplier is often the best source of products for buyers who are unlikely to need support or who can troubleshoot problems with the help of a technical support person on the telephone. Value-added resellers (VARs) combine commercially available products with specialty hardware or software to create a computer system designed to meet the needs of a specific industry. Although VARs charge for their expertise, they are often the only source for a system that really meets the needs of a specific industry. For example, if you own a video rental store and want to automate your store, the best type of vendor might be a VAR. The VAR can offer you a complete hardware and software package that is tailored to the video rental business. This means that you do not need to piece together a computer, scanner, printer, and software components for a computer system to keep track of video rentals. VARs are often the most expensive channel for hardware and software, but their expertise can be crucial in making sure that the hardware and software work correctly in a specific environment. Manufacturer direct refers to hardware manufacturers that sell products directly to consumers using a sales force or mail order. The sales force usually targets large corporate or educational customers where large volume sales can cover costs and commissions. 2.5 The Computer Press Computer publications provide information on computers, computing, and the computer industry. The type of computer publication you need depends on the kind information you want. Computer magazines contain articles and advertisements for the latest computer products. One of the earliest computer magazines, Byte, began publication in August 1975 and still remains one of the most widely read sources of computer information. The success of Byte might be attributed to its wide coverage of computers and computing topics. Many magazines that featured only a single type of computer, such as the Apple II, had staying power only as long as the computer maintained good sales. There are exceptions, however, magazines for specific computers, such as MacWorld, have a healthy subscription list. Computer magazines generally target users of both personal and business computers. Articles focus on product evaluations, product comparisons, and practical tips for installing hardware and using software. These magazines are full of product advertisements, which are useful if you want to keep informed about the latest products available for your computer. Computer industry trade journals have a different focus than computer magazines because they target computer professionals, rather than consumers. Computer trade journals, such as infoWorld and Computer techniques. Trade journals are not always available on newsstands, and subscriptions are not always available to the general public. Computing journals offer an academic perspective on computers and computing issues. Such journals focus on research in computing, with articles on such topics as the most efficient sorting

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technique to use in a database management system, the implication of copyright law for educational institutions, or the prevalence of spreadsheet use by executives in Fortune 500 companies. Academic journals rarely advertise hardware and software products because it might appear that advertisers could influence the content of articles. An article in a computing journal is usually referred, which means that it is evaluated by a committee of experts who determine if the article is original and based on sound research techniques. The best place to find computing journals is in a university library. Some of the most respected journals in the computing field include Communications of the ACM (Association for Computing Machinery), Communications of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), SIAM (Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics) Journal on Computing, and Journal of Information Science.

Internet sites are an excellent source of information about the computer industry and computer products. Several computer magazines and trade journals maintain Internet sites with articles from back issues. Current issues are also available from some sites for a fee.

Television shows about computers provide hardware and software reviews, tips, and computer industry news for new and experienced users. The PCTV network produces shows such as the Internet Caf, Computer Chronicles (figure 6-21), @Home, and User Group. CNET produces The Web, The New Edge, and CNET Central. Jones Cable Network and Mind Extension University offer Using the Computer in Business, The Home Computing Show, and New Media News. CNN Financial Network includes a high tech overview called Digital Jam, also available in video format on the Internet. ZDTV, operated by Ziff-Davis, has teamed up with Microsoft to broadcast technology news on MSNBC. Most of these networks are carried on cable TV.

The computer industry has many industry analysts who monitor industry trends, evaluate industry events, and make predictions about what the trends seem to indicate.

3.

Computer Industry Careers

The $290 billion computer industry employs more than 1.5 million people. Over the past 50 years, it has created jobs that never before existed and financial opportunities for those with motivation, creative ideas, and technical skills. Since 1970, high-tech business has produced more than 7,000 millionaires and more than a dozen billionaires. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer and data processing services are projected to be third fastest growing industry, systems analysts, computer engineers, and data processing equipment repairers are expected to be among the 30 fastest growing occupations between now and 2005.

3.1 Computer Industry Job Categories

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For a clear picture of computer jobs, it is useful to consider three categories. These categories. These categories can be somewhat loosely defined as computer-specific jobs, computer-related jobs, and computer-use jobs.

Computer-specific jobs- such as computer programming, chip design, and Webmaster- would not exist without computers. Computer-related jobs, on the other hand, are variations of more generic jobs that you might find in any industry. For example, jobs in computer sales, high-tech recruiting, and graphics design are similar to sales, recruiting and design jobs in the automobile or medical industries. Computer-use jobs require the use of computers to accomplish tasks in fields other than computing. Writers, reporters, accountants, retail clerks, medical technicians, auto mechanics, and many others use computers in the course of every day job activities.

Of the three categories, computer-specific jobs require the most preparation and will appeal to those who like working with, learning about, and thinking about computers.

3.2 Computer-Specific Jobs Jobs for people who design and develop computer hardware and software require a high degree of training and skill. A college degree is required for virtually any these jobs, and many require a masters degree or doctorate. Most colleges offer degrees in computer engineering, computer science, and information systems that provide good qualifications for computer-specific jobs. There is some overlap between these fields of study, but the emphasis for each is different. Computer engineering degrees require a good aptitude for engineering, math, and electronics. Career opportunities for computer engineering graduates focus on the design of computer hardware and peripheral devices, often at the chip level. Computer science degrees require a good aptitude for math and computer programming. The main object of study in a computer science program is the digital computer, and the main objective is to make the computer work effectively and efficiently. Computer science graduates generally find entrylevel jobs as programmers and Webmasters with good possibilities for advancement as software engineers, object-oriented/GUI developers, and project-leaders in technical applications development. Information systems degree programs focus on the application of computers in a business or organizational environment. Coursework in business, accounting, computer programming, communications, systems analysis, and human psychology are usually required. For students who want to become computer professionals but lack strong math aptitude, most academic advisors recommend the information systems degree. An information systems degree usually leads to an entry-level programming or PC support job with good possibilities for advancement to systems analyst, project manager, database administrator, network manager, or other management positions.

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3.3 Working Conditions Graduates with computer engineering, computer science, and information systems degrees generally work in a comfortable office or laboratory environment. Many high-tech companies offer employeefriendly working conditions that include childcare, flexible hours, and the opportunity to telecommute. Figure 1997 computer industry salaries Job Title Chief information officer Information systems director Manager of analysts and programmers Manager of systems programmers and technical support personnel Network manager Project leader Database administration manager Telecommunications manager Data center manager PC workstation manager Senior software Salary(1997) $122,000 91,000 74,100 Job Title Software engineer Senior database analyst Object-orientated/GUI developer Web/Internet developer Network administrator Systems analyst/programmer PC applications specialist Technical writer Consultant Computer sales representative Computer assembly worker Salary(1997) $54,5000 61,200 58,100

73,100 72,000 62,000 69,800 66,500 63,600 48,500 64,000

51,700 49,550 52,400 41,900 31,400 58,100 74,100 25,000

3.4 Preparing for a Computer Career Education and experience are the keys to a challenging computer job with good potential for advancement. In addition t a degree in computer science, computer engineering, or information systems, think about how you can get on-the-job experience through internships, military service, government-sponsored training programs, or work-study programs. However, these experiences are only supplements to formal education. Most computer industry employers will not consider an applicant without a bachelors degree in an appropriate field. You might pick up additional experience from projects sponsored by clubs and organizations. The tree largest computer organizations in North America are the Association for Computing Machinery (CAM), the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP), and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers-Computer Society (IEEE-CS). To beef up your credentials, you might also consider certification. The Institute for Certification of Computing Professional (ICCP) has a regular schedule of comprehensive exams for computer jobs

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such as computer programming, systems analysis, and network management. If you are considering a career in computer network management, it might be worthwhile to complete the test for Novell NetWare or Microsoft NT certification. Certification for application software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access are also available. Youll want to develop a good mix of generalized knowledge and specialized skills. Generalized knowledge, and your ability to apply it, will help you generate creative and feasible solutions to problems. Specialized skills such as experience with Visual Basic programming will give you marketable tools to match specific jobs. The trick is to anticipate which computer skills will be in demand when you next search for a job. By obtaining those skills, you put yourself in a good competitive position against other applicants. 3.5 Use Technology to Find a Job The first step in a job search is to realistically assess your qualifications and needs. Your qualifications include your computer skills, educational background, previous work experience, communications skills and personality. By comparing your qualifications to the requirements for a job, you can assess your chances of being hired. In 1997, an estimated one out of every five employers in North America used the Internet for recruiting. Popular Web-based want ads post descriptions of job openings. Usually the employers pay for these postings, so access if free to prospective employee. 3.6 Contact Prospective Employers The standard procedure for mailing letters of application and resumes remains valid even in this age of high technology. However, alternatives sometimes prove even more effective. You can post your resume on a placement Web site where it can be viewed by corporate recruiters. Some of these Web sites charge a small fee for posting resumes; others are free. You can also post your resume along with your personal Web page, if you have one. This is particularly effective if you design these pages to showcase technical skills that are applicable to the job youre seeking.

4. Computer Shopping Strategies

If you are like most consumers in pursuit of a good computer value, you will talk to salespeople, read computer magazines, look through computer catalogs, and chat with your friends who own computers. Here are some shopping strategies that should help you purchase a computer that meets your needs within a budget you can afford. 4.1 Determine Your Needs and Budget 4.2 Collect the Facts 4.3 Evaluate the Facts

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Easy Learning Introduction to Computer Topic 6 Computer Industry/ Career

Revision 0 Sept 1,2000

____________ Computer Purchase Data Sheet Specifications Computer brand, model and manufacturer: _______________________ Processor type: ___________________ Processor speed: ____________________ MHz MMX technology? Yes No RAM capacity: _______________MB Number and size of floppy disk drives: ______________ Capacity of hard disk drive: __________________GB Speed of CD-ROM drive: _________________ Capacity of tape drive: ____________________ Amount of cache memory: _____________________KB Monitor screen size: _____________________vis or inches Maximum monitor resolution: _______________ Amount of memory on graphics card: ___________________MB Modem speed: __________________bps Number of expansion slots: ___________________ Upgrade path for new processor? Mouse included? Yes No Yes No Yes No Operating system: ____________________

Sound card and speakers included? Service and Support

Value of bundled software: $________________ What is the warranty period? ____________________ years Does the warranty cover parts and labor? Yes No Yes No

Does the vendor have a good reputation for service? Are technical support hours adequate? Free 800 number for technical support? Yes Yes No No

Can I contact technical support without waiting on hold for a long time? Are technical support people knowledgeable? Yes No Yes No Yes Yes

Yes

No

Can I get my computer fixed in an acceptable time period?

Are the costs and procedures for fixing the computer acceptable? Are other users satisfied with this brand and model of computer? Is the vendor likely to stay in business? Yes No Yes No

No No

Are the computer parts and components standard? Price: $_________________________

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