accountability and transparency in government actions; launching new
participatory mechanisms; and fostering a process of decentralisation.
E-Government - Defined broadly, this refers to the use of ICT to promote more
efficient and effective government, facilitate more accessible government
services, allow greater public access to information and make government more
accountable to citizens, thus empowering them. “E-Government” denotes the eservices and e-applications used by government in carrying out its day-to-day
activities.
IFMIS- An Integrated Financial Management System is a computer based
financial information system that enhances effectiveness and transparency of
the financial management system. It provides timely and accurate financial
information and a standardised integrated financial management reporting
system for managers within government leading to significant improvement in
financial control.
Knowledge economy/Knowledge Society - An economy / Society based on the
exchange of knowledge, information and services, rather than physical goods
and services.
LAN – Local Area Network - two or more computers connected either physically
using cable or wirelessly and able to share resources.
Licence – Any software that is being used is potentially subject to copyright
restrictions and it is essential that the organisation ensure that it has the
correct type and number of licences for the software in use. There are two types
of user licences, ‘per seat’ licence and ‘concurrent user’ licences. Per seat
licence requires that there be a licence for every installation or instance of the
software, typically, Microsoft Office Licences are supplied on this basis.
Concurrent user licence allows for a maximum number of simultaneous users
and is normally used for shared software such as some database applications.
This enables client software to be installed on many machines, but typically the
server software is set so that it will not allow more than the licensed number of
users to work simultaneously.
Linux – Open Source software, originally aimed at desktop workstations but
now available for servers as well as desktops.
Server – A computer on a network that stores shared information or which
handles common tasks for a number of client computers.
Virus – A virus is software code designed to make cause havoc on the
computer. It is capable of replicating i.e. producing functional copies of itself
and depends on a document or executable file shared by email or instant
messaging to carry each copy. When executed it has ability to do something
funny, destructive or clever. There are over hundred thousands of viruses and
ix