INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
Module One
Discovering Computers 2012
Your Interactive Guide To The Digital World
Objectives Overview
1. Explain why computer literacy is vital to the
success in todays world.
2. Define the term, computer, & describe the
relationship between data and information.
3. Describe the five components of a computer.
4. Discuss the advantages & disadvantages that
users experience when working computers.
5. Define the term, network, & identify benefits of
sharing resources on a network.
6. Discuss the uses of the Internet & World Wide
Web.
See Page 3
for Detailed Objectives
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Objectives Overview (Cont.)
7. Distinguish between system software and application
software
8. Differentiate among types, sizes, and functions of
computers in each category
9. Describe the role of each element in an information
system
10. Explain how home users, small office/home office
users, mobile users, power users, and enterprise
users each interact with computers
11. Discuss how society uses computers in education,
finance, government, health care, science, publishing,
travel, and manufacturing
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
A World of Computers
Computers are everywhere
Pages 4 - 5
Figure 1-1
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
What Is a Computer?
A computer is an electronic device, operating
under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory
Collects
data
(input)
Processing
Produces
information
(output)
Information Processing Cycle
Page 6
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
What Is a Computer?
Page 6
Figure 1-2
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
The Components of a Computer
A computer contains many electric, electronic, and
mechanical components known as hardware
Input Device
Output Device
Allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer
Hardware component that conveys information to one or more people
System Unit
Case that contains the electronic components of the computer that
are used to process data
Storage Device
Records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from storage
media
Communications
Device
Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and
information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices
Pages 6 - 8
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
THE COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER
Page 7
Figure 1-3
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
Pages 9 - 10
Advantages of
Using Computers
Disadvantages of
Using Computers
Speed
Health Risks
Reliability
Violation of Privacy
Consistency
Public Safety
Storage
Impact on Labor Force
Communications
Impact on Environment
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
Green computing involves reducing the electricity
consumed and environmental waste generated when
using a computer
Strategies include:
Page 10
Recycling
Regulating manufacturing processes
Extending the life of computers
Immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced computers
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Networks and the Internet
A
network
is
a
collection of computers
and devices connected
together,
often
wirelessly,
via
communications
devices
and
transmission media
Pages 10 - 11
Figure 1-6
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
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Networks and the Internet
The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that
connects millions of businesses, government agencies,
educational institutions, and individuals
Page 11
Figure 1-7
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Networks and the Internet
People use the Internet for a variety of reasons:
Communicate
Research and
Access Information
Entertainment
Pages 12 - 13
Figure 1-8
Download Videos
Shop
Bank and Invest
Share Information
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Online Trading
Web Application
13
Networks and the Internet
A social networking Web site encourages
members to share their interests, ideas, stories,
photos, music, and videos with other registered
users
Page 14
Figure 1-9
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
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Computer Software
Software, also called a program, tells the
computer what tasks to perform and how to
perform them
System Software
Operating system
Utility program
Application Software
Pages 15 - 16
Figures 1-10 - 1-11
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
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Computer Software
Installing is the process of setting up software to
work with the computer, printer, and other
hardware
Pages 16 - 17
Figure 1-12
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
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Computer Software
A programmer develops
software or writes the
instructions that direct
the computer to
process data into
information
Page 18
Figure 1-13
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Categories of Computers
Personal computers
Mobile computers and mobile devices
Game consoles
Servers
Mainframes
Supercomputers
Embedded computers
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Personal Computers
A personal computer can perform all of its input,
processing, output, and storage activities by itself
Two popular architectures are the PC and the
Apple
Desktop computer
Pages 19 - 20
Figures 1-15 - 1-16
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Mobile Computers and Mobile
Devices
Mobile
Computer
Pages 20 - 23
Mobile
Device
Personal computer you
can carry from place to
place
Computing device small
enough to hold in your
hand
Examples include
notebook computers,
laptop computers,
netbooks, ultra-thins,
and Tablet PCs
Examples include smart
phones and PDAs, ebook readers, handheld
computers, portable
media players, and
digital cameras
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Mobile Computers and Mobile
Devices
Notebook computer
Tablet PC
Smart phones and PDAs
E-book reader
Pages 20 - 22
Figures 1-17 1-20
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Mobile Computers and Mobile
Devices
Handheld computer
Portable media player
Digital camera
Pages 22 - 23
Figures 1-21 1-23
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
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Game Consoles
A game console is a
mobile computing
device designed for
single-player or
multiplayer video
games
Page 24
Figure 1-24
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Servers
A server controls access
to the hardware,
software, and other
resources on a network
Provides a centralized
storage area for
programs, data, and
information
Page 25
Figure 1-25
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Mainframes
A mainframe is a large,
expensive, powerful
computer that can
handle hundreds or
thousands of connected
users simultaneously
Page 25
Figure 1-26
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Supercomputers
A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful
computer
Fastest supercomputers are capable of processing
more than one quadrillion instructions in a single
second
Page 25
Figure 1-27
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Embedded Computers
An embedded computer is a special-purpose
computer that functions as a component in a
larger product
Consumer
Electronics
Mobile and digital
telephones
Digital televisions
Cameras
Video recorders
DVD players and
recorders
Answering
machines
Page 26
Home Automation
Devices
Automobiles
Thermostats
Sprinkling systems
Security
monitoring systems
Appliances
Lights
Antilock brakes
Engine control
modules
Airbag controller
Cruise control
Process Controllers
and Robotics
Remote monitoring
systems
Power monitors
Machine
controllers
Medical devices
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Computer Devices
and Office Machines
Keyboards
Printers
Faxes
Copiers
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Embedded Computers
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Elements of an Information System
Hardware
Software
People
Page 27
Data
Procedures
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Elements of an Information System
Page 27
Figure 1-29
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Examples of Computer Usage
Home User
Personal financial
management
Web access
Communications
Entertainment
Pages 28 31
Figures 1-30 1-32
Small Office/Home
Office User
Look up information
Send and receive e-mail
messages
Make telephone calls
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Mobile User
Connect to other computers
on a network or the Internet
Transfer information
Play video games
Listen to music
Watch movies
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Examples of Computer Usage
Pages 31 32
Figures 1-33 1-34
Power User
Enterprise User
Work with multimedia
Use industry-specific
software
Communicate among
employees
Process high volumes
of transactions
Blog
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Computer Applications in Society
Education
Finance
Government
Health Care
Pages 34 - 36
Figures 1-36 1-39
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Computer Applications in Society
Science
Publishing
Travel
Manufacturing
Pages 36 - 38
Figures 1-40 1-43
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Summary
1. Basic computer concepts
2. Components of a computer
3. Networks, the Internet, and Computer
Software
4. Many different categories of computers,
computer users, a computer applications in
society.
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