INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Stands for "Information Technology," and is pronounced "I.T." It refers to anything related to computing technology, such as networking, hardware, software, the Internet, or the people that work with these technologies. Many companies now have IT departments for managing the computers, networks, and other technical areas of their businesses. IT jobs include computer programming, network administration, computer engineering, Web development, technical support, and many other related occupations. Since we live in the "information age," information technology has become a part of our everyday lives. That means the term "IT," already highly overused, is here to stay.

Information technology (IT), as defined by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA), is "the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware."^[1] IT deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and securely retrieve information.

Today, the term information has ballooned to encompass many aspects of computing and technology, and the term has become very recognizable. IT professionals perform a variety of duties that range from installing applications to designing complex computer networks and information databases. A few of the duties that IT professionals perform may include data management, networking, engineering computer hardware, database and software design, as well as the management and administration of entire systems.

When computer and communications technologies are combined, the result is information technology, or "infotech". Information technology is a general term that describes any technology that helps to produce, manipulate, store, communicate, and/or disseminate information.

Everything from data management, networking, engineering computer hardware, software design, database design and management and administration of systems is included in the term of information technology. When covering the aspects of IT as a whole, the use of computers and information are typically associated.

The history of IT goes back several years. In order to perform the functions associated with the field of technology the modern field will use computers, servers, database management systems and cryptography.

It was not very long ago that the field of IT only consisted of a single computer operator who stored data on a magnetic tape and then placed it in storage. Times have changed drastically in the field of technology from its inception several years ago. The field today typically includes a Chief Information Officer and several individuals who work together to achieve their goals. Years ago there was simply a single operator who performed all the tasks related to this form of technology.

Today the job outlook for people interested in this field is very good. With data security and server specialists among the highest paid in the field, those with the needed skills and a keen interest in IT stand to earn a substantial annual income.

With the increasing concern for data storage and management, along with the security issues that most companies and corporations are facing, a career in IT is an excellent choice for those who possess mathematical and strategic planning skills.

Since 1961 the Information Technology Association of America has been working to enhance the interests of US technology and electronics industries. This association provides leadership training in areas relating to business development, public policy, market forecasting and standards of development to a large number of corporations. The ITAA provides a grassroots approach to global networking for companies, market and government from the smallest local level to a global audience.

It currently represents more than 16,000 information technological related companies throughout the world. Based in Washington, DC, the Information Technology Association of American is the only organization of its kind that helps to unite local, state, national and global businesses in the area of technology.

While technology today encompasses a wide range of individual focuses, it is becoming increasing clear that the IT field of the future will include many more topics and more demand than ever before. For those interested in becoming part of this rapidly growing field the time is now. Getting in on new developments could prove to be a very exciting and lucrative choice.

PRESENTATION SKILLS IN IT

When you present information in either a formal or informal setting, do you have the presentation impact you intend? Do you struggle in deciding what information to include or omit in presentation overviews and briefings? Is your presentation delivery style one that engages the audience and increases persuasiveness? Are you connecting with the participants? Do participants request additional copies of your handouts or are they left on the table at the end of your session? Do you establish rapport immediately? Are you able to link that rapport to the action you want your particpants to take or information they need to retain? The tips and tools available at this site can help you plan a powerful presentation and not only communicate with confidence but with assurance that your participants' learning needs are met.

The material of your presentation should be concise, to the point and tell an interesting story. In addition to the obvious things like content and visual aids, the following are just as important as the audience will be subconsciously taking them in:

• Your voice - how you say it is as important as what you say
• Body language - a subject in its own right and something about which much has been written and said. In essence, your body movements express what your attitudes and thoughts really are. You might like to check out this web page
• Appearance - first impressions influence the audience's attitudes to you. Dress appropriately for the occasion.

Content Includes:

- Key concepts of effective presentations

- Assessing the audience

- Being a great impromptu speaker

- The types of presentations

- Teaching listening skills and the different types of listening

- How to explain the art of nonverbal communication

- How to develop an effective "elevator pitch"

- The parts of an effective presentation

- Building effective transitions

- Creating powerful visual aids

TEN "DO'S AND DON'TS" in PRESENTATION
DO:
	Lots of background research. Even if the information is not used in the presentation, it is useful to have as much knowledge as possible for the discussion and audience questions. It will assist your confidence too.
	Be organised - prepare in plenty of time.
	Structure your presentation.
	Focus on the question set.
	Obtain material from a wide range of sources.
	Practice your presentation. This helps take away some of the embarrassment when it is for real, and enables you to check the timing. If possible, have someone sit in and give you feedback.
	Use note cards.
	Speak clearly.
	Have eye contact with your audience.
	Use clear overhead transparencies, or slides (large font size, use of bullet points etc.).
DON'T:
	Leave research and preparation until the last minute.
	Rely on one source of information.
	Make it up.
	Just hope that it will come together on the day without preparation and practice.
	Have no notes to rely on if you get stuck.
	Worry too much - it's not as bad as it seems.
	Mumble.
	Read from a script.
	Rush the presentation by speaking too fast.

WHAT IS ETHICS?

Each society forms a set of rules that establishes the boundaries of generally accepted behavior. These rules are often expressed in statements about how people should behave,and they fit together to form the moral code by which a society lives.Unfortunately,the different rules often have contradictions, and you can be uncertain about which rules to follow.For instances,you might be caught in a conflict between loyalty to your friend and the value of telling the truth. Sometime, the rules do not seem to cover new situations, and you must determine how to apply the existing rules or develop new ones.You may strongly support personal privacy,but in a time when an employers track employee e-mail and internet usage,what rules do you think are acceptable to govern the appropriate use of company resources.
The term morality refers to social conventions about right or wrong that are so widely shared that they become the basis for an established consensus.However, one's view of what is moral may vary by age,cultural group,ethnic background,religion,and gender.There is widespread agreement on the morality of murder,theft,and arson,but other behaviors that are accepted in one culture might be unacceptable in another.For example, in the United States it is perfectly acceptable to place one's elderly parents in a managed care facility in their declining years. In most Middle Eastern countries, however, elderly parents would never be placed in such a facility; they remain at home and are cared for by other family members.
Another example concerns attitudes towards the illegal copying of software (piracy), which range from strong opposition to acceptance as a standard approach to business. In 2003, 36 percent of all software in circulation worldwide was pirated, at a cost of $29 billion to software vendors. The highest piracy rates were in Vietnam and China, where 92 percent of the software was pirated. In the United States, the piracy rate was 22 percent.
Even within the same society, people can have a strong disagreements over important moral issues ▬ in the United States, for example,issues such as abortion, the death penalty, and the gun control are continuously debated, and both sides feel their arguments are on solid moral grounds.

DEFINITION OF ETHICS

Ethics is a set of beliefs about right or wrong behavior. Ethical behavior conforms to generally accepted social norms, many of which are almost universal. However, although nearly everyone would agree that lying and cheating are unethical, what constitutes ethical behavior on many other issues is a matter of opinion. For example, most people would not steal an umbrella from someone's home, but a person who finds an umbrella in a theater might be tempted to keep it. A person's opinion of what represents ethical behavior is strongly influenced by a combination of family influences, life experiences, education, religious beliefs,personal values, and peer influences.
As children grow, they learn complicated tasks ▬ walking,riding a bike, writing the alphabet▬that they perform out of habit for the rest of their lives.People also develop habits that make it easier to choose between what society considers good or bad.Virtues are