COMMUNICATION AND

INFORMATION SYSTEMS
 Communication and information system is
the exchange of information using
technology.
 This can be achieved by using equipment
or facilities like;
-telephone
-fax
-mobile phones
-internet
-Teleconferencing
-Satellite
 TELEPHONE
 Telecommunication is the art of communicating at a distance.
 Telephone means hearing from a distance as they offer verbal
communication.

ADVANTAGES
 It offers two way communication between any two subscribers.
 It offers a fast way of communication

DISADV
 Users are not able to see or have a hard copy of the information
 It is not portable
 MOBILE PHONES
 They too are used for verbal communication, but
can be used to send text messages

ADVANTAGES
 They are wireless hence portable.
 Can be used to send text messages and some
phones offer internet services.

DISADV
 They only operate where there is network.
 FAX
 Fax or facsimile machine is like a long distance
photocopier.
 A document is put into the machine at one end and a
copy comes out at the other end. This works by placing
paper in the fax machine. The telephone line is called by
dialing the telephone. If the fax is accessed on the other
side, the fax will go. The writing would be converted to
analog data and passed on into the telephone line by
Analog to Digital converter. When the analogue data
reaches the telephone line it would be converted to digital
and printed on paper kept in the fax machine.

ADVANTAGES
 It is faster than posting.
 Unlike telephone or TV, one is able to retain a hard copy
of the information.
 TELECONFERENCING
 Involves the use of telephone, a computer system, internet and
email address and video camera to conduct conversations with
people in far off places. Both of you must have these and use same
messenger service and come online at the same time.

ADVANTAGES
 With this kind of system, you can be able to hear and see people in
different parts of the world without necessarily leaving your home.
 It is greatly economic.

DISADV
 The initial set up is very expensive.
 SATELLITE
 Satellites can be placed in orbits 36000 km
above the earth.
 A satellite receives signals beamed to it from
one point of the earth and reflects these signals
to other parts of the world.
 Satellite
ADVANTAGES
 It gives high quality information

 Information is able to reach far off people in less time.

 Useful for television, business and private

communication.

DISADV
• It is very costly to launch a satellite

• The equipment or infrastructure for satellite

communication is also expensive.

 INTERNET
 The internet can be described as a
network of all networks
 It’s a connection of computers using
communication links such as cables.
 The internet offers communication
services such as Email and chat.
EMAIL
• Electronic mail is a method of sending

messages using computers through the

internet.
• To communicate using email one first

have to have an email address of their

own and know the address of the person
they wish to communicate with.
• The internet offers software for email.
 EMAIL
ADVANTAGES
•The person whom the message is sent to
doesn’t have to be online at that moment, the
message is simply placed in a mailbox and
they are able to retrieve it when they log on.
•The same message can be sent to many
different people at the same time.
•Email is cheaper than a letter, no stamp,
envelope or paper needed.
•It is faster than normal post.
 EMAIL
DISADV
• The system relies on people checking their

mail regularly.
• Not everyone can afford the equipment

for sending and receiving

• Emails are not very secure

• You can waste time looking through junk

mail.
ADVANTAGES
• You can chat with people who have the same interests as you(newsgroups),

about anything; entertainment, education, relationships or just gossip.

• You can just chat in the comfort of your home if you have access to the internet
 Chat rooms

DISADVANTAGES
•Specialprecautions have to be followed however,
about believing things one hears on chat rooms as
they could be misleading.
•Danger of divulging too much personal information
should be avoided.
•Expensive for those who have no connection to the
net
OTHER SERVICES
OFFERED BY THE
INTERNET
 WWW
o WWW – World Wide Web
• This is a multimedia branch of the internet, its used to
view text, graphics, video and sounds (this is what we
call hypertext)
• The web consists of a number of web pages grouped
together to form websites.
• Its accessed using the web browser
• The most popular browsers include Netscape, Mosaic
and Internet Explorer
• The user then utilizes hyperlinks to move between web
pages.
• One can use the web to access information stored on
computers around the world, this allows information to
be downloaded.
 E-COMMERCE
 Ecommerce is selling goods or services over the internet
 This is helpful since
• People with mobility problems can do their own
shopping.
• People can just buy from their homes thus saving time
and avoiding the hustle of busy malls.
• Orders can be placed on the internet anytime.
• You can buy goods from anywhere in the world.
 The downfall is that
• Some shops may have to close down, leaving shopping
centers deserted.
• Shopping as therapy or leisure activity may decline.
• Criminals may take advantages of people who divulge
too much credit details.
 FTP
 File transfer protocol
 It is a standard method for sending files to
and from one computer to another over
the internet.
 Files can be downloaded from emails or
WebPages.
 RESOURCES NEEDED TO ACCESS
THE INTERNET
 COMPUTER
 BROWSER
• Program that allows access to the net.
• The most popular browsers include Netscape, Mosaic and
Internet Explorer
 ISP
• Internet service providers. Companies that provide a
permanent connection to the net e.g. Botsnet, IBIS, Tesco,
AOL
• To log on, your modem dials the number of the ISP and
you are allowed access when your password has been
validated.
 RESOURCES NEEDED TO ACCESS
THE INTERNET
 TELEPHONE LINE/MODEM
• MODEM is short for modulator demodulator.
• Allows data to be passed fro one computer to another by converting
analogue signals to digital and vice versa.
• Analogue signals are sent along telephone lines to the modem where
they are converted to digital signals for receiving computer.

 ISDN
• Integrated services digital network is using ordinary telephone lines to
carry digital communications.
• An ISDN adapter is used instead of the modem, and several digital
signals can be sent along the same wire.
• Data transmission is faster than when a modem is used.
• The speed at which data is transferred is measured in bits per second
 Internet
ADVANTAGES
• Data can be rapidly transferred around the

world.
• Almost any kind of information can be accessed

on the net.
• The information found here is up to date.

• The internet can be accessed from anywhere as

long as the ISP provide the services to you.

 INTERNET
 DISADVANTAGES
• The connection and equipment needed are relatively
expensive.
• HACKERS- people gain access to computer systems
illegally. The internet has made hacking possible.
• Illegal copying of games, software, music.
• Pornography- pedophiles use the internet to distribute
pornographic images and lure children into meeting with
them after chatting with them on the net.
• FRAUD- Criminals can intercept credit information
between customers and organizations and this can be
used to make fraudulent purchases.
• Spreading of rumors and gossip.