Discovering Computers 2008
Chapter 1
Introduction
to
Computers
Chapter 1 Objectives
Recognize the importance of
computer literacy
Distinguish between system software
and application software
Define the term, computer
Describe the categories of computers
Identify the components
of a computer
Identify the elements of
an information system
Discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of using computers
Describe the various types
of computer users
Recognize the purpose of a network
Discuss various computer
applications in society
Discuss the uses of the Internet and
World Wide Web
Next
A World of Computers
What is computer literacy?
Knowledge and understanding
of computers and their uses
Computers are everywhere
p. 4-5 Fig. 1-1 Next
What Is a Computer?
How is a computer defined?
Electronic device operating under the control of
instructions stored in its own memory
Processes data into
Accepts data information
Raw facts, figures, and
Data that is organized,
symbols
meaningful, and useful
Produces and stores results
p. 6 Next
What Is a Computer?
What is the information processing cycle?
Input
Process
Output
Storage
Communication
p. 6 Fig. 1-2 Next
The Components of a Computer
What is an input device?
Hardware used
to enter data
and instructions
Click to view Web Link,
click Chapter 1, Click
Web Link
from left navigation,
then click Input
Devices
p. 7 Chapter
below Fig. 1-3 1 Next
The Components of a Computer
What is an output device?
Hardware that
conveys
information
to one or more
people
Click to view Web Link,
click Chapter 1, Click
Web Link
from left navigation,
then click Output
Devices
p. 7 Chapter
below - 8 Fig. 1-3
1 Next
The Components of a Computer
What is the system unit?
Case that contains
the electronic
components of the
computer that are
used to process data
p. 7 - 8 Fig. 1-3 Next
The Components of a Computer
What are two main components on the motherboard?
Processor
Also called a Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The electronic component that interprets and carries
out the basic instructions that operate the computer
Memory
Consists of electronic components that store
instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by
those instructions
p. 8 Next
The Components of a Computer
What is storage?
Holds data, instructions, and information
for future use
Storage
Storagemedia
media
Physical
Physicalmaterial
materialon
onwhich
whichdata,
data,instructions,
instructions,
and
andinformation
informationare
arestored
stored
Storage
Storagedevice
device
Records
Recordsand
andretrieves
retrievesitems
itemstotoand
andfrom
from
storage
storagemedia
media
p. 8 Next
The Components of a Computer
What is a USB flash drive?
Portable storage device
Small and lightweight enough
to be transported on a keychain
or in a pocket
The average USB flash drive
can hold about 500 million
characters
p. 8 Next
The Components of a Computer
What is a hard disk?
Provides greater storage
capacity than a
USB flash drive
Most are housed inside
the system unit
p. 8 Fig. 1-4 Next
The Components of a Computer
What is a compact disc?
Flat, round, portable metal disc
CD-ROM
DVD-ROM
p. 9 Fig. 1-5 Next
The Components of a Computer
What is a communications device?
Hardware
Hardwarecomponent
componentthatthat
enables
enablesaacomputer
computerto to
send
sendand
andreceive
receivedata,
data,instructions,
instructions,
and
andinformation
information
Occurs
Occursover
overcables,
cables,telephone
telephone
lines,
lines,cellular
cellularradio
radionetworks,
networks,
satellites,
satellites,and
andother
other
transmission
transmissionmedia
media
Click to view Web Link,
click Chapter 1, Click
Web Link
from left navigation,
then click
Communications
p. 9 below Chapter
Devices Next
1
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
What are the advantages of using computers?
Speed Reliability Consistency
Storage Communications
p. 10 Next
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
What are the disadvantages of using computers?
Violation of
Public Safety
Privacy
Impact on Impact on
Health Risks
Labor Force Environment
p. 10 - 11 Next
Networks and the Internet
What is a network?
Collection of computers and devices connected together
Used
Usedto
toshare
share
Resources
Resources
Hardware
Hardware
devices
devices Software
Software
programs
programs Saves
Saves
Data
Data time
time
Information
Information and
and
money
money
p. 11 Next
Networks and the Internet
What is a server?
A server controls
access to resources
on a network
Clients, or workstations,
request resources from the
server
p. 11 Fig. 1-6 Next
Networks and the Internet
What is the Internet?
Worldwide collection of networks that connects
millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and
individuals
Click to view Web Link,
click Chapter 1, Click
Web Link
from left navigation,
then click Internet
below Chapter 1
p. 12 Fig. 1-7 Next
Networks and the Internet
Why do users access the Internet?
1. Communications
2. Information
3. Shopping
4. Banking and Investing
5. Classes
6. Entertainment
7. Download Music
8. Share Information
p. 12 - 13 Fig. 1-8 Next
Networks and the Internet
What is the Web?
Billions of documents, called Web pages, available to
anyone connected to the Internet
You
Youcan
canshare
share AApodcast
podcastisis
AAWeb
Website
siteisis information
informationononaasocial
social recorded
recordedaudio
audio
aacollection
collectionofof networking
networkingWebWebsite
siteor
or stored
storedononaaWeb
Website
site
related
relatedWeb
Webpages
pages aaphoto
photosharing
sharing that
thatcan
canbe
be
community
community downloaded
downloaded
AAWebWebpage
pagecontains
contains AAblog
blogconsists
consistsof
oftime-
time-
text,
text,graphics,
graphics,audio,
audio, stamped
stampedarticles
articlesinin
video,
video,and
andlinks
linkstoto
Click to view aajournal
journalformat
format
Web Link, other
otherWeb
Webpages
pages
click Chapter 1,
Click Web Link
from left navigation,
then click Social
Networking Web Sites
below
p. 12Chapter
- 14 1 Next
Computer Software
What is software?
Consists of a series
of instructions that
Also called a
tells the computer
program
what to do and
how to do it
p. 15 Next
Computer Software
What is a graphical user interface (GUI)?
Allows you to
interact with the
software using text,
graphics, and visual
images such as icons
Controls how you
enter data and
instructions and how
the screen displays
information
p. 15 Fig. 1-10 Next
Computer Software
What is system software?
Programs that control or maintain the operations of the
computer and its devices
Operating
OperatingSystem
System(OS)
(OS)
isisaaset
setof
ofprograms
programs
that
thatcoordinates
coordinatesall
all
activities
activitiesamong
among
computer Utility
UtilityPrograms
Programsallow
allowthe
theuser
usertoto
computerhardware
hardware perform
devices
devices performmaintenance-type
maintenance-typetasks
tasks
usually
usuallyrelated
relatedtotomanaging
managingaa
computer,
computer,its
itsdevices
devicesor
orits
itsprograms
programs
p. 15-16 Next
Computer Software
Video: Try a Free Operating System
CLICK TO START
Next
Computer Software
What is application software?
Programs designed to make
users more productive
Word
Spreadsheet
Processing
Presentation
Database
Graphics
Click to view Web Link,
click Chapter 1, Click
Web Link
from left navigation,
then click Application
Software below
p. 16 Fig.
Chapter 1 1-11 Next
Computer Software
How do you install and run programs?
Step 1: INSTALL
When you insert a greeting
card program disc
in the CD drive for the first
time, the computer
begins the procedure of
installing the greeting
card program on the hard
disk.
Step 3: USE Step 2: RUN
The greeting card program Once installed, you can
executes. Using this program, instruct the computer to run
you can create custom greeting the greeting card program.
cards. The computer transfers
instructions from the hard
disk to memory.
p. 17 Fig. 1-12 Next
Computer Software
JavaScript
What is a programmer?
Someone who develops
application or system
software
Programmer writes
the instructions to
direct the computer to
process data into
information
Web application
p. 18 Fig. 1-13 Next
Categories of Computers
What are the categories of computers?
Personal Computers
(desktop)
Mobile Computers and
Mobile Devices
Game Consoles
Servers
Mainframes
Supercomputers
Embedded Computers
p. 19 Next
Personal Computers
What are the two most popular styles of personal
computers?
PC and compatibles Apple Macintosh
use the Windows usually uses the
operating system Macintosh operating
system (Mac OS X)
Click to view Web Link,
click Chapter 1, Click
Web Link from left
navigation, then click
Personal Computers
below Chapter 1
p. 19 Figs. 1-15– Next
1-16
Personal Computers
What is a desktop computer?
Designed so all of the components fit entirely on or
under a desk or table
p. 19-20 Fig. 1-15 Next
Mobile Computers and Mobile
Devices
What is a notebook computer?
Portable, small enough to fit on
your lap
Also called a laptop computer
Usually more expensive than a
desktop computer with equal
capabilities
p. 20 Fig. 1-17 Next
Mobile Computers and Mobile
Devices
What is a Tablet PC?
Resembles a letter-sized slate
Allows you to write on the screen using a digital pen
Especially useful for taking
notes
p. 21 Fig. 1-18 Next
Mobile Computers and Mobile
Devices
What are mobile devices?
Small enough to
carry in a pocket
Internet-enabled
telephone is a
“smart phone”
p. 21 - 22 Next
Mobile Computers and Mobile
Devices
What is a handheld computer?
Used
Small by mobile
enough to fit employees such as
in one meter readers and
hand delivery people
p. 21 Fig. 1-19 Next
Mobile Computers and Mobile
Devices
What is a personal digital assistant (PDA)?
Provides personal organizer functions
Calendar
Appointment book
Address book
Calculator
Notepad
p. 21 Fig. 1-20 Next
Mobile Computers and Mobile
Devices
What are smart phones?
A smart phone is
an Internet-enabled
telephone that usually
provides PDA capabilities
Click to view Web Link,
click Chapter 1, Click
Web Link from left
navigation, then click
Smart Phones below
Chapter 1
p. 22 Fig. 1-21 Next
Game Consoles
What are game consoles?
Mobile computing device designed for
single-player or multiplayer video games
p. 22 Fig. 1-22 Next
Servers
What types of servers are there?
A server controls access to network
resources and provides centralized
storage
Mainframe Very powerful,
expensive computer that supports
thousands of connected users
Supercomputer The fastest, most
powerful, most expensive
computer. Used for applications
requiring complex mathematical
calculations
p. 23 Figs. 1-23 – 1-25 Next
Embedded Computers
What is an embedded computer?
A special-purpose computer that functions as a
component in a larger product
p. 24 Fig. 1-26 Next
Elements of an Information
System
What are information system elements?
Hardware
Software
Data
People
Procedures
p. 25 Fig. 1-27 Next
Examples of Computer Usage
What software is available for a home user?
Personal finance management
Web access
Communications
Entertainment
Click to view Web Link,
click Chapter 1, Click
Web Link from left
navigation, then click
Women in Technology
below Chapter 1
Click to view Web Link,
click Chapter 1, Click
Web Link from left
navigation, then click
Minorities in Next
Technology below
p. 26 Fig. 1-28
Examples of Computer Usage
What software is available for a small
office/home office (SOHO) user?
Productivity
software
Specialty
software
Web usage
E-mail
p. 28 Fig. 1-30 Next
Examples of Computer Usage
What is available for
a mobile user?
Hardware
Notebook computers
Tablet PCs
Internet-enabled PDAs
Smart phones
Software
Word processing
Spreadsheet
Presentation graphics
software
p. 29 Fig. 1-31 Next
Examples of Computer Usage
What are the needs of a power user?
Speed and large amounts of storage
Types of power users
Engineers
Scientists
Architects
Desktop publishers
Graphic artists
p. 29 Fig. 1-32 Next
Examples of Computer Usage
What are the needs of the large business user?
Payroll
Inventory
E-commerce
Desktop publishing
p. 30 Figs. 1-33 Next
Computer Applications in
Society
What are some examples
of computer applications
in society?
Education
Finance
Government
Health Care
Science
Publishing
Travel
Manufacturing
Click to view Web Link,
click Chapter 1, Click
Web Link from left
navigation, then click
Handheld Navigation
Devices below
p. 32-36 Figs.Chapter
1-36– Next
1 1-43
Summary of Introduction to
Computers
Basic computer concepts The uses of the Internet
The term, computer Computer software
The components of a computer Categories of computers
The advantages and disadvantages of Types of computer users
using computers
The purpose of a network Computer applications in society
Chapter 1 Complete