Research/Reference
Information Technology (IT) reflects the combination of three key technologies:digital computing, data storage, and the ability to transmit digital signals through telecommunications networks. Rapid changes in semiconductor technology, information storage, and networking, combined with advances in software, have enabled new applications, cost reductions, and the extensive diffusion of IT.
Computers were originally used primarily for data processing. As they became more powerful and convenient, applications expanded. Word processing, spreadsheets, and database programs were among the early minicomputer and PC applications. Over the past two decades, software innovations have expanded to include educational software, desktop publishing, computer-aided design and manufacturing, games, modeling and simulation, networking and communications software, electronic mail, the World Wide Web, digital imaging and photography, audio and video applications, electronic commerce applications, groupware, file sharing, search engines, and many others.
In the 1960s, computers were used primarily in the R&D community and in the offices of large companies and agencies. Over the past few decades, the expansion of applications has contributed to the rapid diffusion of IT to affect nearly everyone, not just the relatively few people in computer-intensive jobs. IT has become common in schools, libraries, homes, offices, and businesses. For example, corner grocery stores use IT for a variety of electronic transactions such as debit and credit payments, and automobile repair shops use IT to diagnose problems and search for parts from dealers.
- Digital America 2003 - Chronology Consumer Electronics Association
- Digital America 2003 - History Consumer Electronics Association
- Federal Networking and Information Technology Research and Development CRS report, Feb. 22, 2006
- Significance of Information Technology: Trends in IT NSF, Science and Engineering Indicator 2002, Chapter 8
- Promoting Innovation and Competitiveness: President Bush's Technology Agenda White House
- 1999-2002 PITAC Reports to the President President's Information Technology Advisory Committee
- 2003-2005 PITAC Reports to the President President's Information Technology Advisory Committee
- TA & OTP Reports DOC, Technology Administration and Office of Tech Policy
- NCO Publications NCO/NITRD
- CSTB Publications Computer Science and Telecommunications Board
- The 2006 Statistical Abstract DOC, US Census Bureau
- Science and Engineering Statistics NSF
- Statistical Reports FCC
- Data & Resources Computing Research Association
- National Institute of Standards and Technology
- National Telecommunications and Information Administration
- National Science Foundation, Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering
- Technology Administration DOC
- National Coordination Office for Networking and Information Technology Research and Development
- Information Technology Industry Council
- A Brief History of the Internet and Related Networks Internet Society
- A Brief History of the Internet Internet Society
- The Evoloving Internet DOS IIP E-Journal, Nov. 2003
- A Nation Online: Entering the Broadband Age DOC ESA and NTIA, SEP. 2004
- Digital Economy DOC, ESA
- Broadband Internet Access: Background and Issues CRS Report, Jun. 2006
- Pew Internet Project Reports Pew Internet & American Life Project
- Computer and Internet Use by Students in 2003 DOE
- Internet Statistics and Reports Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee
- Pew Internet Project Explores the impact of the Internet on families, communities, the work place, schools, health care and political life
- Usability.gov UHHS
- Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee
- Markle Foundation
- Center for Democracy and Technology
- Electronic Frontier Foundation
- Bitlaw: A Resource on Technology Law
- Internet Histories Internet Society
- E-Government Report Brown University
- Using E-Government: Effects of the Digital Revolution DOS IIP E-Journal, Oct. 2003
- E-Gov White House OMB
- Institute for Politics Democracy & the Internet George Washington University
- Center for Digital Government
- Usability & Government HHS
- IC3 Internet Crime Annual Report NW3C and FBI
- The National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace White House, 2003
