Information Technology

We use the term information technology or IT to refer to an entire industry. In actuality, information technology is the use of computers and software to manage information. In some companies, this is referred to as Management Information Services (or MIS) or simply as Information Services (or IS). The information technology department of a large company would be responsible for storing information, protecting information, processing the information, transmitting the information as necessary, and later retrieving information as necessary.
History of Information Technology:

In relative terms, it wasn't long ago that the Information Technology department might have consisted of a single Computer Operator, who might be storing data on magnetic tape, and then putting it in a box down in the basement somewhere. The history of information technology is fascinating! Check out these history of information technology resources for information on everything from the history of IT to electronics inventions and even the top 10 IT bugs.
Modern Information Technology Departments:

In order to perform the complex functions required of information technology departments today, the modern Information Technology Department would use computers, servers, database management systems, and cryptography. The department would be made up of several System Administrators, Database Administrators and at least one Information Technology Manager. The group usually reports to the Chief Information Officer (CIO).
Popular Information Technology Skills:

Some of the most popular information technology skills at the moment are:

* Computer Networking
* Information Security
* IT Governance
* ITIL
* Business Intelligence
* Linux
* Unix
* Project Management

---PRESENTATION SKILLS----
As engineers, it is vitally important to be able to communicate your thoughts and ideas effectively, using a variety of tools and medium. You will need to develop and use this skill throughout your years in University; when you attend job interviews and especially when you start working in the big wide world. But, it is often said that engineers do not possess the ability to communicate well. Of course that is a load of b*&%@ks - not enough coaching and practise that's all!

This page contains links to material that is designed to improve your presentation skills. Most of the links are to the Web sites of business consultants, so they should know what they are talking about. If you are a member of the IChemE, you should have received a little booklet entitled "Communication Skills for Engineers and Scientists". Nevertheless, you may still find these links useful.
Homegrown Advice and TipsNewcastle Product

* Making Oral Presentations
* Poster Presentation of Research Work
* Sue Haile's tips on oral presentations

General Advice, Tips and Guidelines

* How to write a presentation - the WHPI method
* Tips from Pacific Lutheran University's Media Services
o Designing Presentation Visuals
o Using Overhead Projectors
o Using Slide Projectors
* Presentation Resources from Maynard Leigh Associates
* Presentation Skills from PowertoPresent.com (requires registration for full, free access to a whole load of tips and advice)
* Presenters University - contains online courses as well as tips and guidelines (archived version)
* The Art of Speech Making - from the Impact Factory
*
One Minute Pause Get emailed weekly presentation tips from Natural Training

Public Speaking
Advice and tips

* Making Effective Oral Presentations is written by Edward G. Wertheim, Associate Prof. in Human Resources Management, Northeastern University, Boston
* Oral presentation advice - how to deliver a conference paper by Mark Hill
* Power Public Speaking - a website containing numerous articles on how to improve your oral presentation skills
* Presentation Skills for Emergent Managers is an article by G. Blair aimed at engineers. This page also contains links to matters related to Basic Management Skills. He has also written an article on Conversation as Communication
* Speakers Tips (from The Image Maker)
* Tips of the Month (from Gorin Communications, Inc.)
* Tips of the Month (from Lenny Laskowski, a professional speaker)

Overcoming fear and shyness

* Crossing a Bridge of Shyness, written by Diane Ullius, gives pointers on how to overcome your fear or shyness to public speaking
* Overcome the Fear of Speaking to Groups by Ron Kurtus
* Overcoming fear of public speaking from Pagewise

- - 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 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 rule to follow. For instance,if you witness a friend copy someone else's answers while taking an exam,you might caught in a conflict between loyalty to your friend and the value of telling the truth. Sometimes,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 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 and wrong that are so widely shared that they become the basis for an established consensus.However,one's view for moral may vary by age,cultural group,ethnic background,religion and gender. There is widespread agreement on the immorality of murder,theft,and arson,but other behaviors that are accepted in one culture might be an acceptable 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 replaced in such a facility;they remain at home and are cared for other family members.
Another examples concerns attitudes toward the illegal copying of software(piracy),which range from strong opposition yo 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 where in Vietnam and China,where 92 percent software was pirated. In the United States,the piracy was 22 percent.
even within the same society,people can have strong disagreements over important moral issues-in the United States,for example,issues such as abortion,the death penalty,and gun control continuously debated,and both sides feel their arguments are on solid moral ground.

DEFINITION of MORAL ETHICS
Ethics is a set of beliefs about right and 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.