Final answer:
A computer based information system is a configuration of IT components designed to manage information within organizations. The advent of technologies like the Internet, GPS, and GIS has revolutionized communication, data access, and location services. Education and technical skills have become vital for success in an information-driven society.
Step-by-step explanation:
A computer based information system (CBIS) is an arrangement of information technology (IT) components, such as hardware, software, databases, and networks, organized to collect, process, store and distribute information. In essence, CBIS is utilized to enhance decision-making and streamline the delivery of information in an organization. The impact of new information technologies, like the Internet, Global Positioning System (GPS), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), is profound. They have changed how we interact with the world, allowing instant access to vast amounts of data, enhancing communication, and enabling precision in location-based services.
Digital technology plays a pivotal role in information societies, much like the steam engine did during the industrial revolution. Innovators like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates have been to digital technology what industrial moguls like John D. Rockefeller and Cornelius Vanderbilt were to railroads and oil. In a postindustrial society, knowledge and access to information are the new currency, making education and technical skills crucial for success. As such, social classes are increasingly separated by the accessibility of education and technical competencies.
Computers are integral to various aspects of life. They permit complex computations in science and engineering, guide machinery, and furnish entertainment. The Internet connects people globally, opening up countless possibilities for learning and sharing knowledge. The story of computing also involves the tension between free, open-access resources and those that are commercialized, as seen in the history of operating system development and how it impacted access and control over software technologies.