This analyses the history and progress of computers and the internet based on the CAPE syllabus Unit 1 Module 1 for Information Technology. It also looks at telecommunication then and now.

1. THE HISTORY OF INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY

2. HISTORY OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE
• In the early days the first computer
programmers used binary codes to instruct
computers to perform various tasks. However,
the process was tiring.
• Early software was often custom-written.
• Later software was being bundled with
hardware by Original Equipment
Manufacturers such as IBM and Data General.

3. Cont’d
• UNIX (developed by AT&T in 1969) was an
early operating system which became popular
and still exists today. Before the
microcomputer a good software program
typically sold up to 1,000 units at $50,000-
60,000 each.
• In 1975, Bill Gates and Paul Allen co-founded
Microsoft to create software for both
businesses and personal computers.

4. Cont’d
• Microsoft created an operating system for
software computers called MS-DOS and
released it as a product.
• Although announced in 1983, the Windows
operating system was not released until 1987.
• Microsoft’s software became a popular
operating system after the 1995 release of
Windows 95

5. Cont’d
• In 2001 Microsoft introduced Windows XP
with a new user friendly interface. Released in
2006 Windows Vista and followed by
Windows 7 which supported mobile
computing and wireless internet access.
• Now, with Windows 8, Microsoft has focused
on touch-enabled computing.

6. THE HISTORY OF COMPUTER
HARDWARE
• The first single chip CPU
called the Intel 4004,
was designed in 1971
which was a 4 bit, 16
pin processor that
operated at 740KHz.
Presently there are
CPUs with a bit of 64.

7. Cont’d
• The first mouse was
created in 1963 which
used 2 wheels
positioned at a 90
degree angle. The ball
mouse was invented in
1972 and the optical
mouse 1980.

8. Cont’d
• The first computer
monitor was the
Cathode Ray Tubes
and was used with a
keyboard. Presently,
LCD monitors have
become more
popular.

9. Cont’d
• Computer keyboards
were created
through the use of
typewriters which
was created in 1714.
The modern
keyboard was then
invented in 1868.

10. HISTORY OF THE INTERNET
• The internet then known as Apranet was
brought online in 1969 which was the first
network to use internet protocol. It expanded
through various funds and commercial
internet providers emerged. The Apranet
however was decommissioned in 1990.
• In the 1980’s the world wide web was worked
on and developed which changed way of life.

12. HISTORY OF TELECOMMUNICATION
• First attempts at
communicating was through
cave drawings, smoke signals
and drumming etc.
• The mail system came about
in which persons wrote
letters to be delivered.
• The telephone was invented
in 1876 by Alexander Bell
and the first email message
was sent in 1972.

13. Cont’d
• After the year 2000 the
internet had developed to
facilitate communication
through social media and
video conferencing etc.
Phones have also become
wireless allowing people
all over the world to
communicate with each
other at any time and
place.

14. CHARACTERISTICS WINDOWS UNIX
COST Prices range
from
$8,000JMD-
&14,000JMD
Can be freely
distributed or
downloaded and
cheaper than
Windows
SIZE Maximum file
size 16 terabyte
Maximum file size
8 zibabyte
PROCESSING
ABILITY
Does not handle
high server loads
better than UNIX
Handles high
server loads
better than
Windows