Intro to IT

Javascript

JavaScript can be known as a scripting language (lightweight programming language) on the Internet. Among the uses of Javascript is to give HTML( HyperText Markup Language) designers a programming tool. They make a web page more interactive. Other functions of Javascript include authenticating data and creating cookies in a computer. Cookies contain domain numbers and other information such as login names and pages that were previously visited.

Filters are software tools that monitor the viewing of contents in the web. They block access to selected sites. Among the common uses of Internet filters is to prevent children from viewing inapproriate content on the web at home or in educational institutions, keeping spam emails out from your inbox and preventing the display of unessecary sites whenever we use a search engine. Example of filters on the Internet are Anti-spam Filter, Bayesian Filter, Block List Filter, and Confirmation Filter.

Plug-ins
Plug-ins are software modules that add functions to a certain application. They are usually used in web browsers for certain functions such as playing videos and displaying files that  cannot be supported by the web. However, some of these plug-ins must be installed before they can be used. Examples of common plug-ins today are Quick Time Player, Adobe Flash Player and Acrobat.

Internet security suites
An Internet security suite is a collection of softwares that keep the computer safe from any threat that comes from the Web. The security suites usually consist of tools such as antispyware, antivirus and firewall. Installing an Internet security suite would help prevent threats from viruses, identity theft and also the lost of important data. Examples of Internet security suites are McAfee's Internet Security and Symantec's Norton Internet Security.












File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
FTP is a protocol which allows files to be copied between a user's local system with any system on the network. The files are usually exchanged over a TCP/IP-based network. Files can also be renamed, moved or deleted using FTP.







Wiki
A wiki is a server software that allows a user to create and edit content on a web page. There is no single author on a Wiki. Instead, a community of people can gain access to the Wiki to share information. Wikis are sometimes known as content management systems. Wikis simplify tasks such as creating links, organizing sites and recording document history. An example of a website using the wiki software would be the well-known Wikipedia.org.












Uniform Resource Locator
The URL specifies the address of any particular file as every file on the Internet has its own address. URLs are divided into two parts. The first part known as the protocol identifier and the second part known as the resource name. The two parts are separated by a colon and two forward slashes (://). The main function of the URL is to identify a location for a particular document and specify a mechanism for accessing it.

Being highly complexed in its own ways, it is only logical that the Information Technology (IT) field has various careers. Each of these careers require specific sets of skills. The following are examples of a few of them.


Webmaster
A webmaster has two main roles which are to create and manage the information content and organization of a website and to manage the computer server and technical programming aspects of a website. The webmaster's role may vary depending on the size of the company. The role of a webmaster requires knowledge in several areas which include HTML authoring, CGI scripting, basic graphic design capability etc. A webmaster could also be in charge of monitoring traffic on a site and finding ways to improve the publicity of that particular site.

Computer Support Specialist
What a computer support specialist does is to help fix technical problems that arise whenever a person uses a computer. Computer support specialists also install printers, software, and other computer tools. Some computer support specialists check computer systems everyday to ensure that they are working well. It is essential for a computer support specialist to have knowledge in computer science and information systems. Essential soft skills would include good analytical and communication skills.

Technical Writer
A technical writer is responsible for developing technical documentations such as end-user support manuals and manual style guides. A person in this position may also be called on to review published materials. Technical writers require several skills such as writing skills, technical skills and design skills. They translate technical information into instructions that could be easily understood by end users. Technical writers also understand their audience to learn their needs and their level of technicality.






Software Engineer

A software engineer is in charge of putting together extensive amounts of code into working applications (in other words, building or designing a software), as well as updating and solving problems in existing softwares. A knowledge of programming is essential to becoming a software engineer as well as experience with web applications, the Internet and networking. 

A network administrator is in charge maintaining the computer hardware and software systems that make up a computer network. The role of the network administrator may vary with different companies, but it mainly to manage the company's LAN or WAN networks. This consists of jobs like assigning network addresses, assigning routing protocols and configurating authentication and authorization.

System Analyst

Programmer
A programmer has the role of writing softwares.Today, a programmer may be referred to as many names such as software engineer, software analyst or computer scientist. People in this profession usually possess software engineering skills. A programmer requires patience and logical thinking in order to be good in this. Besides that, a programmer is also in charge of testing and debugging computer programmes.