ICT

What is ICT?
❖ ICT stands for Information and Communications Technology.
❖ Two technologies make up ICT, and these are:
✓ Information Technology
✓ Communications Technology
WHAT IS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY?
❖ IT is a combination of facilities for collecting, storing, retrieving and processing of information.
❖ IT can be manual or electronic.
❖ The major component of IT is the computer.
❖ Has many advantages as compared to manual information systems.
WHAT IS COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY?
❖ Communications Technology is a collection of facilities for transmission and reception of
information.
❖ Can be manual or electronic.
❖ The major are computers and telecommunications facilities.
WHAT DOES ONE LEARN IN ICT?
❖ How to collect, store, retrieve and process data.
❖ How to transmit and receive information.
❖ How to identify and correct errors during processing or transmission.
❖ How to identify, install and troubleshoot ICT facilities.
ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF COMMPUTERS
✓ Reduction in the time of processing data.
✓ Reduction in the cost of storage facilities.
✓ Reduction in the number of staff employed to do routine tasks
COMPUTER
ADVANTAGES OF COMPUTERS
❖ They are fast – work can be accomplished within a very short time.
❖ They are very accurate and consistent – work can be done with almost no errors.
❖ They reduce most operating costs.
❖ They lead to improved customer service.
❖ They can be used to automate tedious, routine and repetitive tasks.

ADVANTAGES OF COMPUTERS
❖ They can make complex calculations easier.
❖ They can be used to gain competitive advantage in business.
❖ They can work for very long periods without requiring rest and remuneration.

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LIMITATIONS OF COMPUTERS
❖ Computers have limitations, i.e. they cannot be expected to do everything.
❖ Their limitations are due to the fact that they are programmed machines.
❖ As programmed machines, they can only manage to do work which is specified in their
programs.
❖ Computers cannot be used to perform new tasks whose programs have not been made and
installed.
COMPUTER-RELATED CRIME
❖ Computers can also be used to perpetuate and perpetrate various forms of crime.
❖ Examples of computer-related crimes are:
✓ Piracy of intellectual property, e.g. software, music and video.
✓ Unauthorized access to information through methods such as identity theft.
✓ Pornography. – Virus attacks.
✓ Harassment and victimization.
✓ Theft or destruction of data.
IMPORTANCE OF ICT IN EDUCATION
❖ ICT is important in education for many reasons.
❖ It is important to education authorities, e.g. educational planners and education
administrators.
❖ It is important to teachers and students.
IMPORTANCE OF ICT TO EDUCATION
ADMINISTRATORS
❖ Processing and storage of information required for decision making and other management
functions such as:
✓ Controlling
✓ Coordinating
✓ Forecasting
✓ Organizing
❖ Efficient communication with schools, partners, sponsors and parents.
IMPORTANCE OF ICT TO TEACHERS
❖ Teachers can use ICT in many ways, e.g.
❖ Processing and storage of assessment instruments, e.g. assignments, tests and examinations.
❖ Processing and storage of students records.
❖ Research and development of teaching resources.
❖ Communication with students and school managers.
IMPORTANCE OF ICT TO STUDENTS
❖ Students can also use ICT in many ways, e.g.
❖ Research for study materials, e.g. use of the Internet.
❖ Communication with teachers, sponsors, parents and friends.
❖ Production of learning resources, e.g. notes and assignments.
❖ As a tool for self-paced learning, e.g. use of audio, video and virtual classrooms.
 CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
❖ There are various classes of computers.
❖ It is important to understand the various classes of computers for a number of reasons, e.g.
✓ Different computers are used for different purposes.
✓ Different computers have different processing power.
✓ Different computers have different costs.
✓ Different computers require different operating conditions.

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
❖ Computers can be classified on the basis of many factors, e.g.
✓ Cost
✓ Speed of processing
✓ Amount of storage
✓ Operating environment
✓ Physical size
❖ On the basis of the factors outlined above, computers are classified as follows:
✓ Microcomputers
✓ Servers
✓ Minicomputers
✓ Mainframe computers
✓ Supercomputers

MICROCOMPUTERS
❖ They are the most widespread.
❖ They are also called personal computers because of being single user.
❖ They include the following:
✓ Desktops
✓ Laptops
✓ Notebooks
✓ Netbooks
✓ Palmtops

WHY MICROCOMPUTERS ARE THE MOST COMMON

❖ They are portable.
❖ They cost the least amount of money to buy.
❖ They use less sophisticated software and hardware.
❖ They can be upgraded easily.
❖ They do not necessarily require air-conditioned rooms.
❖ Their processing power can be increased by connecting them in a network.
UNDERSTANDING A COMPUTER
What is a computer?
❖ A computer is a machine that performs tasks such as calculations or electronic
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 communication under the control of a set of instructions called a program.
❖ Every computer does the following:
✓ Accepts data and instructions
✓ Stores the data and the instructions
✓ Retrieves data
✓ Processes data using the stored instructions
✓ Gives feedback or results in any desired format
UNDERSTANDING A COMPUTER
❖ Strictly, a computer is not one item.
❖ A computer is a collection of different facilities which all work together to accomplish
task.
❖ Therefore, a computer is a system.
❖ Generally, a computer consists of two main parts.
❖ The main parts that make up a computer are hardware and software.

SOME UNITS OF A DESKTOP COMPUTER SYSTEM

COMPUTER HARDWARE
❖ Computer hardware is the physical part of a computer.
❖ It consists of everything that can be touched, felt or seen.
❖ In general, computer hardware resources are in four categories as follows:
✓ Input
✓ Processor
✓ Storage
✓ Output
COMPUTER HARDWARE
.
PROCESS
INPU OUTPU
STORA

✓ Arrows show the flow of data within the computer.

COMPUTER HARDWARE
❖ One of the functions of the processor is to direct the performance of all the other
computer units.
❖ The processor does this by issuing specific instructions to the other units indicating
what and how they must do it.
❖ The flow of instructions from the processor is as shown in the diagram below.

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INPUT DEVICES
❖ Input devices are used to capture data into the computer.
❖ Input devices are also used for entering commands.
❖ Commands are instructions that users give to the computer to initiate them into
action.
❖ Since the computer’s processor can only understand and do things in machine
language, an input device is used to convert data from human language to machine

Examples of input devices

Keyboard Mouse Track ball Joystick

Game
Scanner
controller Camera Microphone
language.

KEYBOARDS
❖ A keyboard's primary function is to act as an input device.
❖ A keyboard is used to enter both data and commands into the computer.
❖ Using a keyboard, a person can type a document, use keystroke shortcuts, access
menus, play games and perform a variety of other tasks.
❖ Keyboards can have different keys depending on the manufacturer, the operating
system they are designed for, and whether they are attached to a desktop
computer or part of a laptop.
OUTPUT DEVICES
❖ An output device is used to give feedback to the user.
❖ Since the CPU does work in machine language which is not understood by human beings,
the results from the CPU have to be converted into human readable form by the output.
Examples of output devices

CRT MONITORS
• They have the cathode ray tube.

Advantages:
❖ They are cheaper than LCD monitors.
❖ They are easy to repair. Disadvantages:
❖ They occupy a lot of space on the desk.
❖ They consume a lot of electrical energy.
LCD MONITORS
Advantages:
❖ They have liquid molecules.
❖ They occupy less space on the desk.
❖ They consume less electrical energy than CRT monitors.
Disadvantages:
❖ They cost more money.
❖ They are not easily repaired when they develop faults.
IMPACT DOT MATRIX PRINTERS

❖ They have a knob for advancing paper.

❖ They use an inked ribbon.
❖ They print by striking a pattern of dots on paper through the inked ribbon.
ADVANTAGES:
❖ They can be used with carbon paper to print multiple copies at once.
❖ Their ribbons are not very expensive.
❖ They are durable.
❖ They are excellent for high volumes of printing where high quality is not essential.
❖ The ribbons fade gradually instead of abruptly running out of ink like in a deskjet printer.
❖ The ribbon does not dry out easily, so the print looks good even if the printer is rarely used.
❖ They can use fanfold paper, i.e. paper that is connected in a long continuous sheet.

Disadvantages:
❖ They are very slow; they print one line or one character at a time.
❖ They make so much noise when printing.
❖ Print heads are difficult to replace when they get worn out.
❖ Their printout has low quality.
❖ They can print in black only.

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❖ They are more prone to jamming, and their jams are more difficult to clear.

DESKJET PRINTERS
Advantages:
❖ They use ink to print.
❖ They can print in color.
❖ They are less expensive to buy.
❖ They make less noise when printing.
❖ They are very light; some are portable.
❖ Their printout has good quality.
DESKJET PRINTERS
Disadvantages:
❖ Their ink is expensive.
❖ They cannot be used with carbon paper.
❖ Their ink runs when touched with wet hands.
❖ Sometimes inkjet cartridges get clogged with dirty which either blocks the ink droplets or
causes them to land incorrectly.

LASER JET PRINTERS

Advantages:
❖ They use toner and laser light.
❖ They print very fast.
❖ They print more quietly.
❖ They can print in colour or black.
❖ Their printout is of high quality.
Disadvantages:
❖ They are expensive to buy.
❖ Their toner is costly as well.
❖ They use laser light which is harmful when exposed to it.
❖ They consume more electrical energy.
RESOLUTION OF AN OUPUT DEVICE
❖ Resolution refers to the sharpness or clarity of an output.
❖ Often resolution is quoted in dots per inch (dpi), i.e.
❖ The higher the resolution of an output device, e.g. a monitor or a printer, the better the
quality
of the output.
❖ Among the printers, the laser jet printer gives the highest resolution, and the impact dot
matrix printer the lowest.
STORAGE DEVICES
❖ Why does a computer require storage?
✓ To store user data.
✓ To store computer programs.
❖ There are three types of storage devices.
❖ The three types are magnetic devices, optical devices and semiconductor devices.
MAGNETIC STORAGE DEVICES
❖ These use magnetic properties to store data.
❖ To make a storage device, a magnetic powder, e.g. iron oxide, is coated on a material.
❖ Data is stored by forming a magnetic pattern on the powder, similar to the way music is
recorded on audio tapes.
❖ There are two types of magnetic storage devices:
❖ The two types are magnetic tapes and magnetic disks.
❖ Magnetic tapes are used very rarely nowadays because they are slow.
❖ There are two types of magnetic disk.
MAGNETIC DISKS
❖ The two types of magnetic disk are floppy disk and hard disk.
❖ The hard disk stores more data than the floppy disk.
❖ Floppy disks are no longer popular on modern computers.
❖ Floppy disks are removable from the computer because they must be removed as you shut
down the computer.
❖ Hard disks are ‘fixed’ in the computer because they are not removed as you shut down the
computer.
❖ However, external hard disks can be removed from the Computer.
OPTICAL DISKS
❖ Optical disks do not use magnetic properties to store data.
❖ Optical disks use laser light to store data on storage medium.
❖ Examples of optical disks are CDs, CD-ROMs, and DVD-ROMs.
❖ Optical disks store more data than floppy disks.
SEMICONDUCTOR/FLASH OR SOLID STATE DRIVE STORAGE
❖ A semiconductor storage device does not use magnetism or light to store data.
❖ Semiconductor storage devices use electronic chips to store data.
❖ An example of a semiconductor storage device is a flash disk (Memory stick) memory card etc.
❖ Flash disks store more data than floppy disks, and they are easier to carry.
❖ Some flash disks store more data than CDROMs and DVD-ROMs.
STORAGE CAPACITY
❖ The storage capacity of a storage medium is given in BYTES.
❖ One byte of data is equal to eight bits. For example, in a coding system called Extended
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 Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code
(EBCDIC), the letter A is represented by 11110001.
❖ 11110001 is one byte.
❖ 1kilobyte (kB) means one thousand (210) bytes
❖ 1megabyte (MB) means one million (220) bytes.
❖ 1gigabyte (GB) means one billion (230) bytes.
❖ 1terabyte (TB) means one trillion (240) bytes.
EXERCISE
1. How many bits make up one character?
2. How many characters can a 512MB flash disk hold?
3. How many bytes can a 1GB hard disk hold?
4. What is the difference between 20b and 20 B?
DISK DRIVES
❖ In the computer, a disk (floppy, hard or optical) is controlled by a mechanism called a disk
drive.
❖ Disk drives are identified by letters A, B, C, D, and so on.
❖ Disk drives A and B are no longer used on modern computers because they are for floppy
disks which have become outdated.
❖ Disk drive C is always for the first hard disk which was installed.
❖ If a computer has two hard disk drives, the first is C and the second is D.
❖ A computer denotes a flash disk as a removable disk.
❖ For a computer with one hard disk drive, flash disks are assigned letters D, E, F, G, and so on.
❖ To check how many and which drives a computer has, you simply open the My Computer or
Computer folder on the Windows Desktop.

THE PROCESSOR
❖ This is the most important part of computer hardware.
❖ It has many parts that perform different functions.
❖ The most fundamental parts of the processor are as follows:
✓ Control Unit – CU
✓ Arithmetic and Logic Unit – ALU
✓ Random Access Memory – RAM
✓ Read Only Memory – ROM
PROCESSOR
THE PROCESSOR CU CP
ALU

INPUT OUTPUT
RAM ROM
THE CONTROL UNIT – CU
❖ Controls all functions of the computer, e.g.
❖ Controlling operations of input/output (I/O) systems.
❖ Controlling movement of data in the computer.
❖ Configuring and optimizing RAM to ensure that it works efficiently.

THE ALU
❖ This is the unit that does the actual processing of data.
❖ It processes data by doing arithmetic and logic operations.
❖ Arithmetic means addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
❖ Logic is comparing things so as to make appropriate choices.
❖ The CU and the ALU are made on the same computer chip called the Central Processing Unit
(CPU) or the microprocessor.
RAM
❖ RAM is temporary storage.
❖ When power is switched off, everything is erased from RAM. (it is volatile)
❖ RAM can be edited or changed.

Functions of RAM:
❖ Receiving raw data from input.
❖ Receiving processed data from the ALU.
❖ Storing instructions required by the CU.
❖ Holding data awaiting output.
❖ Holding data awaiting storage.

ROM
❖ ROM stores instructions that are used to start the computer.
❖ Instructions in ROM cannot be erased.
❖ During start-up, the computer follows instructions in ROM to do the following:
✓ Read the amount of RAM present.
✓ Check that monitor, keyboard and mouse are connected and working.
✓ Check that components on the motherboard are working properly.
✓ Check that the hard disk drive is connected and working.
✓ Load the operating system software in RAM from storage.

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THE BIOS
❖ BIOS stands for Basic Input/output Systems.
❖ Every computer has specifications such as hard disk size, memory size, and processor speed.
❖ A bios is a unit (usually part of the ROM) which keeps these specifications.
❖ During booting, the computer uses instructions in the ROM to check that these parameters
are correct.
❖ Together, ROM and BIOS are called ROM-BIOS.

BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF PROGRAM EXECUTION

❖ The main function of the CPU is to execute, i.e. to run, a program.
❖ A program consists of several instructions, or steps.
❖ Each instruction tells the computer to perform a specific task.
❖ A program is executed one instruction at a time.
❖ Initially a program is loaded in RAM.

HOW CU, ALU AND RAM WORK TOGETHER

❖ CU fetches an instruction from RAM and puts it in its CIR (i.e. Current Instruction Register).
❖ CU decodes, i.e. interprets the instruction and communicates with ALU.
❖ CU directs RAM to send data to ALU.
❖ ALU processes data and places the processed data in its ACCUMULATOR.
❖ CU directs ALU to send processed data back to RAM.
❖ CU directs RAM to send processed data to Output or Storage.
❖ Current Instruction Register and Accumulator are examples of Registers found in the CPU.

REGISTERS OF THE CPU

❖ The CPU has a number of registers.
❖ Registers are temporary storage locations.
❖ Registers are used because they work faster than RAM.
❖ Because within the CPU data and instructions must be transferred very quickly, the CPU places
current instructions and data in the registers.
❖ Some of the registers of the CPU are:
✓ Current Instruction Register (CIR) in the CU and is used to hold an instruction being to
process data.
✓ Memory Data Register (MDR) in the CU used to hold data currently being processed.
✓ Accumulator in the ALU and is used to hold data that has just been processed.
✓ Memory Address Register (MAR) in the CU used to hold the address of data being
processed.
COMPUTER BUSES
❖ Buses are routes through which data and instructions travel from one point to another in the
computer.
❖ The processor has many buses that convey different signals.
❖ The capacity of a computer is also determined by the size of its buses.
❖ The greater the bus, the faster the computer because many signals can be transferred at the
same time.
✓ Examples of buses in the computer are:
✓ Data Bus which carries data signals between the CPU and RAM.
✓ Address Bus which carries addresses of data between the CPU and RAM.
✓ Control Bus which carries control signals from the CPU to all other units.

COMPUTER SOFTWARE
❖ Computer hardware requires software to tell it what to do and how to do it.
❖ A computer consists of many, many different types of software.
❖ Every software has a specific purpose in the computer.
❖ Computer software is in two types – Systems software, Utility software, and Applications
software.
SYSTEMS SOFTWARE
❖ Systems software is the software used by the computer to accomplish general functions.
❖ Systems software is the most important software because without it the computer cannot do
anything.
❖ Examples of system software are Operating System, Device Drivers, Firmware, Utility etc.

OPERATING SYSTEM
❖ This is the most important type of software in a computer.
❖ It is referred to as the manager, the supervisor or the chief executive in the computer
❖ It is the one that tells the hardware what to do and how to do it.
❖ For example, it controls the printer during printing of documents.
❖ It also interprets the user’s commands.
❖ It acts as an interface, i.e. as a link, between applications software and the hardware.
❖ It directs the flow of data between input and output systems.

EXAMPLES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS

There are many operating system programs, e.g.
❖ Microsoft Windows
✓ Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Window 8. 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11.
❖ Unix
❖ Linux
❖ MacOS
❖ Android

UTILITY SOFTWARE
❖ Utility software is used by the computer to accomplish specific tasks and are used to maintain
the smooth running of the computer.
❖ Examples of utilities are:
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 ✓ Antivirus software, e.g. Norton, Dr. Solomon, McAfee, AVG, Panda, Avast - for checking
and protecting a computer against viruses.
✓ Scandisk - for checking the integrity of disks.
✓ Disk Defragmenter - for correcting disks that have become fragmented.
✓ Device drivers - for effecting communication between input/output units, (e.g.
keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer) and the CPU.

APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE
❖ This is software in a computer which users employ to do their work.
❖ Whereas a computer may have one Operating System software, it always has several
Applications software, all being serviced by the same Operating System.
❖ Applications software interacts with users directly – it is the one which knows how to
manipulate data the way the user wants it to be.
❖ It does not have the capacity to control or interact with the hardware directly.

EXAMPLES OF APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE

❖ Word processors, e.g. Microsoft Word, Amipro, WordStar, WordPerfect.
❖ Spreadsheets, e.g. Microsoft Excel, Lotus.
❖ Databases, e.g. Microsoft Access, Paradox, dBase 7.
❖ Financial analysis software, e.g. Pastel.
❖ Payroll software, e.g. MicroPay
❖ Computer games
STARTING THE COMPUTER
❖ Locate the power switches on the system unit and on the monitor.
❖ Switch on the monitor.
❖ Switch on the system unit.
❖ Wait for the computer to be ready.
❖ Starting a computer is also called BOOTING.

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 MICROSOFT WINDOWS
INTRODUCTION
❖ Microsoft Windows is an operating system software.
❖ As an operating system, it directs and monitors the operation of the computer.
❖ As an operating system, it makes it possible for the user to use the computer with less
effort.
❖ Thus it makes a computer to be an automatic machine.
❖ It is used to move a pointer on the screen.
POINTING, CLICKING AND DOUBLE-CLICKING
❖ Pointing is moving a pointer on the screen so that its tip is placed on a chosen area or spot.
❖ Clicking is pressing and releasing a mouse button.
❖ Double-clicking is pressing and releasing a mouse button twice in rapid succession.
❖ Clicking is used to select an item.
❖ Double-clicking is used to start something, e.g. to open a program, a folder or a file.

Functions of parts in a window

❖ Title bar
✓ Used to display the name of the open window. – Used to move or drag a window.
❖ Minimize button
✓ Used to minimize a window so that only its name is visible on the Taskbar.
❖ Maximize button
✓ Used to maximize a window so that it fills the whole screen.
❖ Restore down button
✓ Used to return the window to the original size before it was maximized.
❖ Close button
✓ Used to close a window.
The Menu Bar
❖ A menu is a list of command options in a computer.
❖ The menu bar is found just below the Title bar.
❖ It shows the different menus present in a window.
❖ Examples of menus are File, Edit, View, Tools, and Help.
Closing a window
❖ You can close a window in two ways:
✓ Click the Close button, or
✓ Click File menu
✓ Point to Exit and click
Moving a window
❖ A window can be moved from place to place on the desktop.
❖ Ensure that the window is not maximized or minimized before you start the procedure.
❖ Point to the Title bar of the window. (Ensure that it does not change shape.)
❖ Hold down the left mouse button and drag the window to another place.
❖ Release the mouse button.
Re-sizing a window
❖ You can change the size of a window by doing the following:
❖ Point to the edge of the window until the pointer becomes a double-headed arrow.
❖ Hold down the left mouse button and drag the edge to a new position.
❖ Release the mouse button.

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Scroll bar
❖ If the window has so many items that they cannot all be visible, a scroll bar appears.
❖ A scroll bar is either horizontal or vertical.
❖ There is always a scroll button on the scroll bar.
❖ To scroll your window, drag the scroll button in an appropriate direction.
My Computer
❖ It is a window which shows the disk drives connected to your computer.

My Documents
❖ It is a window which contains the documents or files that you save in your computer.

Recycle bin
❖ It is a window which contains documents or folders that you have removed from your
computer.

Control Panel
❖ It is a window you use to customize the appearance and functionality of your computer.

CUSTOMIZING THE COMPUTER

❖ This is setting the computer so that it appears and behaves the way you want.
❖ You use Control Panel to customize the computer.
❖ Using Control Panel you can customize the mouse, the keyboard, the printer, the monitor,
e.t.c.
CUSTOMIZING WINDOWS DESKTOP
❖ Click on the START button.
❖ Click on Control Panel.
❖ Click on Appearance and Themes.
❖ Select what you want to customize, e.g.
✓ Change the computer’s theme
✓ Change the desktop background
✓ Choose a screen saver
✓ Change the screen resolution
Folders
❖ Folders are used like box files or File cabinets.
❖ They are used for organizing documents.
❖ A folder can have another folder inside it.
❖ A folder found inside another folder is called a sub-folder.
❖ Folders can be made in any storage location, e.g. hard disk, floppy disk, flash disk, or inside
another folder.
Making Folders
❖ Do the following to make a folder:
✓ Open the place where you want to make the folder.
✓ Click File menu.
✓ Point to New and click Folder.
✓ Type the name of the folder and either press the Enter Key or click outside the name you
have typed.

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COPYING AND MOVING FILES AND FOLDERS
❖ Open My Documents.
❖ Open the storage location where the file or folder is.
❖ Right click the file or folder.
❖ Left click Copy (to copy file) or Cut (to move file).
❖ Open the storage location where you want to place what you have copied or cut.
❖ Right click somewhere.
❖ Left click Paste.

MICROSOFT WORD
❖ What is Microsoft Word?
❖ Microsoft Word is a word processing software.
❖ A word processing software is used for typing, formatting and editing word documents.
❖ Word documents are documents that contain mainly text information.
❖ Word Processors are the most popular software because they are easier to use and almost
everyone always wants to communicate text messages with other people.

❖ Starting Microsoft Word

❖ Do one of the following to start Microsoft Word:
✓ Look for the Microsoft Word icon on the desktop and double click it.
✓ Click the Start button, look for Microsoft Word on the Start Menu and click it.
✓ Click the Start button, point to All Programs, point to Microsoft Office, point to Microsoft
Word and click.
THE MICROSOFT WORD WINDOW
❖ The Microsoft Word window has the usual features of a window, i.e. Title bar, Menu bar and
tool bars.
❖ The toolbars in Microsoft Word have tools for doing word processing.
❖ Examples of the popular toolbars are Standard Toolbar, Formatting Toolbar and Drawing
Toolbar.

TYPING A DOCUMENT IN MICROSOFT WORD

❖ Start Microsoft Word.
❖ Ensure that you have the Standard Toolbar, the Formatting Toolbar and the Drawing Toolbar
present.
❖ Start typing your text.
❖ Press the Space bar to put spaces between words.
❖ Press the Enter key to start a new paragraph.
MICROSOFT WORD
Formatting a document:
❖ This means making changes to parts of a document in order to improve its quality.
❖ Examples of formatting are:
✓ Bold
✓ Italics
✓ Underline
✓ Changing font type and size
✓ Aligning
✓ Indenting

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 ✓ Changing colour of text
✓ Line spacing
✓ Bulleting
To format text in a document:
❖ Highlight the text you want to format.
❖ Click the appropriate formatting toolbar icon on the formatting bar.
❖ Click anywhere outside the highlighted area to remove the highlight.
Editing a document
❖ This means making changes by removing or adding text at appropriate points in the
document.
❖ Examples of editing are:
✓ Copy and paste
✓ Cut and paste
✓ Undo
✓ Re-do
Using Undo and Redo
❖ Undo reverses the changes made to a document.
❖ Redo reverses the changes done by Undo.
❖ Click the Undo icon on the Standard Toolbar to reverse your action.
❖ Click the Redo icon on the Standard Toolbar to reverse the changes made by Undo.

Using Format Painter

❖ Format Painter is a tool used to apply the formats from one part to another part of a
document.
❖ Highlight the part that has the formats you want to apply to another part of your
document.
❖ Click the Format Painter icon on the Standard Toolbar

MICROSOFT EXCEL MICROSOFT EXCEL

❖ What type of software is Microsoft Excel?
❖ Microsoft Excel is a type of software called spreadsheet.
❖ A spreadsheet is a software program for performing calculations, analyzing and managing
lists of data.
❖ Another popular spreadsheet program is Lotus.
STARTING MICROSOFT EXCEL
❖ Click the START button on the Task bar.
❖ Point to All Programs.
❖ Point to Microsoft Office.
❖ Move the pointer to Microsoft Excel and click on it.
THE MICROSOFT EXCEL WINDOW
❖ In general, the Microsoft Excel window looks like any other window in Microsoft Windows.
❖ The Microsoft Excel window has
✓ The Title bar
✓ The Menu bar
✓ The Standard Toolbar
✓ The Formatting Toolbar

17
 ✓ The Drawing Toolbar
BASIC FEATURES OF MICROSOFT EXCEL
❖ As a spreadsheet, Microsoft Excel has the following basic features:
✓ Workbooks - This is a file that contains one or more worksheets.
✓ Worksheets – Data in a workbook is organized in worksheets.
✓ A workbook is like your notebook, and a worksheet is like pages in your notebook.
BASIC FEATURES OF MICROSOFT EXCEL
❖ A worksheet consists of Rows and Columns.
❖ Rows are identified by the numbers on the left side of the worksheet.
❖ Columns are identified by letters at the top of the worksheet.
❖ The intersection of a row and a column is called a CELL.
CELL REFERENCES
❖ Every cell in a spreadsheet has a unique reference or address.
❖ The cell reference or address is specified by stating its column letter and row number, e.g.
A1, B25, R54.
❖ The name of the current cell is displayed in the NAME BOX.
CURRENT CELL
❖ A rectangular box that moves from one cell to another in a worksheet is called a CELL
POINTER.
❖ The cell where the Cell Pointer is at any time is called the CURRENT CELL.
❖ In a worksheet, data is always entered in the current cell.
FORMULA BAR
❖ The FORMULA BAR is located just above the columns header row.
❖ The Formula Bar displays data entered in the current cell.
❖ The Formula Bar is also used to edit data entered in any cell.
MOVING THE CELL POINTER
To move the cell pointer in a worksheet, do one of the following:
❖ Click the cell you want the cell pointer to move to.
❖ Use one of the Arrow Keys on your keyboard to take the cell pointer to the required cell.
TYPES OF WORKSHEET DATA
❖ You can enter three types of data in a worksheet.
❖ The three types of worksheet data are:
✓ Labels
✓ Values
✓ Formulas
LABELS
❖ Labels are used to give meaning to values in a worksheet.
❖ An entry such as 67% does not make sense unless we attach a label to state what it means.
❖ Any data entry which contains an alphabet character is a label.
❖ Labels are aligned left in cells, e.g.
VALUES
❖ Any numeric data entered in a cell is called a value.
❖ Values are aligned right in cells, e.g.
FORMULAS
❖ Formulas are used to calculate values.
❖ A formula is entered starting with the EQUALS (=) sign.
❖ If the equals sign is not used, Microsoft Excel looks at the entry as a label.
❖ Example of a formula is =A3-A4 or =(A5-C8)/23.
ENTERING DATA IN CELLS
❖ Select the cell in which you want to enter the data.
❖ Type in the data.
❖ Press Enter or move to another cell using one of the arrow keys.
❖ At the end of the row, press ENTER to move to the beginning of the next row.
ENTERING DATA INTO SEVERAL CELLS AT ONCE
❖ Select the cells where you want to enter data. The cells do not have to be adjacent.
❖ Type the data and press CTRL+ENTER.
FILLING IN A SERIES OF DATA
❖ Select the first cell in the range you want to fill.
❖ Enter the starting value for the series.
❖ Enter a value in the next cell to establish a pattern.
❖ Select the cell or cells that contain the starting values.
❖ Drag the fill handle over the range you want to fill.
❖ To fill in increasing order, drag down or to the right.
❖ To fill in decreasing order, drag up or to the left.
CHANGING COLUMN WIDTH AND ROW HEIGHT
❖ Drag the boundary on the right side of the column heading until the column is the width
you want.
❖ For multiple columns, select the columns you want to change, and then drag a boundary
to the right of a selected column heading.
❖ To fit the contents in a cell, double-click the boundary to the right of the column heading.
CHANGING COLUMN WIDTH AND ROW HEIGHT
❖ To resize a row height, drag the boundary below the row heading until the row is the
height you want.
❖ To resize multiple rows, select the rows you want to change, and drag a boundary below
a selected row heading.
❖ To fit the contents in a cell, double-click the boundary below the row heading.
EDITING DATA IN CELLS
❖ Double-click the cell that contains the data you want to edit.
❖ Edit the cell contents.
❖ To enter or cancel your changes, press ENTER or ESC.
COPYING AND MOVING DATA
❖ To copy data, select the cells that contain the data you want to copy.
❖ Click the COPY icon on the Formatting Toolbar.
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❖ Click in the first cell of the range to copy data to.
❖ Click the Paste icon on the Formatting Toolbar.
❖ Press ENTER.
COPYING AND MOVING DATA
❖ To move data, select the cells that contain the data you want to move.
❖ Click the CUT icon on the Formatting Toolbar.
❖ Click in the first cell of the range to move data to.
❖ Click the Paste icon on the Formatting Toolbar.
❖ Press ENTER.
COPYING CELL FORMATS
❖ Select the cells you want to copy.
❖ Click Copy on the Standard Toolbar.
❖ Select the upper-left cell of the paste area.
❖ Click the arrow to the right of Paste, and click Paste Special.
❖ Click Formats.
❖ Press Enter.
USING FORMULAS
❖ Formulas are equations that perform calculations on values in your worksheet.
❖ A formula starts with an equal sign (=).
❖ For example, the following formula multiplies 5 by 6 and then adds 20 to the result.
❖ =20+5*6
USING FORMULAS
❖ To use a formula do the following:
❖ Click the cell in which you want to enter the formula.
❖ Type = (an equal sign).
❖ Enter the formula.
❖ Press ENTER.
USING FORMULAS
❖ Worksheets usually contain massive amounts of related data.
❖ For example, a business may create a worksheet with the following details:
1. Names of products purchased.
2. Cost price of products purchased.
3. Quantity of products purchased.
4. Cost of all products.
5. Selling price of products.
6. Revenue gained by selling all products.
7. Profit gained from the products.
USING FORMULAS
❖ Simple formulas have disadvantages.
❖ This is because they have to be entered many times to calculate different values.
❖ Formulas based on the cell references are better.
❖ For example, if 20 is in cell A1, 5 in cell B1 and
21
 ❖ 6 in cell C1, it is better to enter a formula as = A1+B1*C1 instead of =20+5*6 in cell D
1.
USING FORMULAS
❖ The advantage of using formulas that contain references is that if you change a value in
one cell, changes are automatically effected in all formulas that contain the affected cell.
AUTOMATING CALCULATIONS
❖ Enter the following data in a worksheet.

❖ Calculate the amount for each product.

❖ Calculate the TOTAL amount for all products.
AUTOMATING CALCULATIONS
❖ Instead of repeating the calculation for the AMOUNT for every product, do the following:
✓ Click in cell D2 and enter the formula =B2*C2.
✓ Click in cell D2 again.
✓ Place the mouse pointer on the Fill Handle at the bottom right corner of the Cell
Pointer.
✓ Drag down to cell D6 and release the mouse button.
✓ Click in cell D7 and enter the formula: =Sum(D2:D6) to calculate the TOTAL amount.
SORTING DATA
❖ Sorting data means presenting data so that it has either an ascending or a descending
order.
❖ To sort data, do the following:
❖ Highlight the range of cells to sort (include the row headings).
❖ Click the Data menu.
❖ Select the required sort order.
❖ Click OK.
TOTALS AND SUBTOTALS
❖ Suppose that you order various products for re-sale in your shop in a particular week or
month.
❖ At the end of the period you may want to find the following information:
1. The amount of money spent on each type of product.
2. The total amount of money spent on all the products.
EXERCISE
 1. Enter your data as shown below:

TOTALS AND SUBTOTALS

1. Click in cell E2.
2. Type =Sum(E2:E16)
3. Press ENTER.
4. Click in cell E2 again.
5. Place the mouse pointer on the Fill Handle at the bottom right corner of the Cell Pointer.
6. Drag down to cell E16 and release the mouse button.
7. Click the DATA menu and select SORT.
8. Click the arrow of the Sort by box and select PRODUCT.
9. Click OK.
23
TOTALS AND SUBTOTALS
1. Click the DATA menu again and select Subtotals…
2. Select PRODUCT in the At each change in: box.
3. Select Sum in the Use Function: box.
4. Select AMOUNT in the Add Subtotal to: box.
5. Click OK.
6. Examine your data now.
USING CHARTS
❖ A chart is a pictorial representation of data.
❖ Charts make it easy for users to see comparisons, patterns, and trends in data.
❖ For example, a chart can be used to check at a glance whether sales are falling or rising
over a period of time.
TYPES OF CHARTS
❖ Different types of charts can be used in Microsoft Excel.
❖ Examples of Microsoft Excel charts are:
❖ Column charts
❖ Bar charts
❖ Pie charts
❖ Line charts
CREATING A CHART
❖ To create a chart, you must first enter the data for the chart on the worksheet.
❖ Then select that data and use the Chart Wizard to guide you through the process of
choosing the chart type and the various chart options.
❖ A chart is linked to the worksheet data it is created from and is updated automatically
when the worksheet data changes.

COMPUTER NETWORKS
What is a computer network?
❖ A computer which is not connected to another computer is called a stand-alone computer.
❖ Stand-alone computers have limited benefits.
❖ Computers are often links to one another to form computer networks.
❖ A computer network is an interconnection of computers.
❖ It is a link between two or more computers.
What are the reasons for networking computers?
❖ To share data
✓ For example, a centralized database can be used to store all the records of an
organization.
✓ The same data in the database can be accessed by everyone.
❖ To share tasks
✓ Co-workers can collaborate on tasks to speed up processing.
What are the reasons for networking computers? ( Continued )
❖ To share computer resources
 ✓ Expensive resources, such as hard disk drives, printers and software programs can be
shared.
✓ Sharing these resources greatly reduces acquisition and maintenance costs.
❖ To make communication more efficient and effective
✓ IT IS EASIER AND CHEAPER FOR PEOPLE TO COMMUNICATE.
HOW CAN COMPUTERS BE LINKED?
❖ There are many ways in which computers can be networked.
❖ The type of computer network formed is generally determined by the distance which the
network will cover.
❖ On the basis of distance, there are three basic computer networks:
✓ Local Area Network (LAN)
✓ Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
✓ Wide Area Network (WAN)
❖ A LAN is a computer network within a room, a building or a small area such as a
school campus.
❖ Computers in a LAN are separated by distances of up to a few kilometers.
❖ A LAN enables the fast and effective transfer of information within a group of users
and reduces operational costs.
❖ An example of a LAN is the TVTC computer network.
❖ A MAN is a computer network within a town or district.
❖ A MAN covers a longer distance than a LAN.
❖ An example of a MAN is the computer network used to connect branches of a bank
within a town.
❖ WANs connect computers separated by longer distances, for example in different
towns, in different countries or different continents.
❖ WANs also use specialized and expensive hardware and leased communications
services.
❖ An example of a WAN is the Internet which interconnects many computer networks in
the world.
LAN?
❖ The way computers and other resources are laid out is known as topology.
❖ There are various LAN topologies in use.
❖ Examples of LAN topologies are:
✓ Star topology
✓ Ring topology – Bus topology
✓ Tree topology
✓ Mesh topology
STAR TOPOLOGY
❖ In this topology, there is a central computer called the host or server to which all other
nodes are linked.

25
❖
❖ The computers connected to the host are called terminals or workstations or slaves or
clients.
❖ A high speed computer, e.g. a minicomputer or a mainframe computer, can be used as
a server.
❖ A star network is also commonly known as a client-server network.

ADVANTAGES OF STAR TOPOLOGY

❖ It is relatively cheaper because computer resources e.g. printers and software are
concentrated on the server.
❖ There is better or improved security and control for data and other resources.
❖ It is cheaper to install and easier to implement.
❖ A faulty client does not affect network traffic between other clients.

Disadvantages of star topology

❖ The whole network is affected when the server is down.
❖ The whole network is affected if the server is slow.
❖ Extra hardware is required in order to extend the network beyond the limit of the star
network.
❖ Requires more cable length.
RING NETWORK
❖ There is no host and no slave; all the computers are peers.
❖ Computers are connected to a cable that runs
RING NETWORK
❖ Because there is no host computer to control communication, a special signal called

27
a token is sent round the network.
 ( Continued )
❖ The computer with the token is the one that is able to send while the other
computers can receive only.
Advantages of ring topology
❖ This type of LAN is faster than the star network.
❖ There are no signal collisions during transmission.
❖ All stations have equal access.
❖ Because each station on the ring acts as a repeater, ring networks can span longer
distances.

Disadvantages of ring topology

❖ There is poor security for data.

Round forming a ring.

Peer

Peer

Peer
Peer

❖ It is the most expensive topology.

❖ Failure of one node may affect others.
❖ For these reasons, ring networks are no longer popular.
BUS NETWORK
29
❖ In this network, a cable called a bus runs through.
❖ All the computers in the network are linked to this cable.
❖ Sometimes computers may transmit signals at the same time.
❖ Transmitted signals are broadcast.
❖ Every computer receives a transmitted signal but checks if the signal is its own.
 Bus

Advantages of bus topology

❖ Theoretically, this is the fastest network.
❖ It is easier to connect a computer to the bus.
❖ It requires less cable length than star network.
Disadvantages of bus topology
❖ There is a possibility of signal collisions.
❖ The entire network shuts down if there is a break in the bus.
❖ The process of preventing signal collisions makes this network slow and expensive
practically.
❖ Requires terminators at the end of the bus.
❖ It is difficult to identify the problem if the network shuts down.

How signal collisions are prevented

• A special technique known as carrier sense multiple access/collision detection (

CSMA/CD) is used.

• CSMA/CD works as follows:

– A computer wishing to transmit first listens in to check if there is no signal

on the network.

– If no signal is detected, the computer sends its signal and listens in again
to be sure that no other computer transmitted at the same time.
• How signal collisions are prevented

– If another signal is detected, both computers terminate transmission and

31
 wait a random length of time.

– The procedure is repeated until each computer sends its signal.

TREE TOPOLOGY

33
 MESH TOPOLOGY

COMMUNICATIONS CHANNELS
❖ A communications channel is a link between nodes on a network.
❖ It is a transport medium that conveys signals from one network node to another.
❖ A communications channel can either be wired or wireless.
❖ Communications channels differ from each other mainly in the amount of data
signals which they can transmit at a time.
❖ The capacity or size of a communications channel is known as bandwidth.
❖ Bandwidth is the amount of information that can be sent through a
communications channel in a given amount of time.
❖ A channel with a greater bandwidth carries more signals, and therefore transmits
data faster than a channel with a lower bandwidth.
❖ Bandwidth is measured by the number of bits per second (bps) that can be
sent over a connection.
❖ For example, the bandwidth of a connection can be quoted as 10Mbps, i.e.
10 megabits per second.
WIRED CHANNELS
❖ Wired channels form physical links.
❖ Examples are UTP, Coaxial cable and Optical fibre.
UTP
❖ UTP stands for Unshielded Twisted Pair.
❖ UTP consists of a pair of copper wires twisted around each other.
UTP

Advantages of UTP
❖ The cables are cheaper.
❖ UTP is easier to install.
❖ Modern UTP (e.g. Cat 6) has higher data transfer rates or bandwidth.
Disadvantages of UTP
❖ Data transfer rates are low for old UTP.
❖ It has a distance limit of approximately 100m.
❖ There is more environmental signal interference.

COAXIAL CABLE
❖ A coaxial cable consists of a central copper wire as one conductor surrounded by a
mesh of wire as outer conductor.
Advantages of coaxial cable
❖ Coaxial cables transmit data faster than UTP because their bandwidth is larger.
❖ Coaxial cables can cover longer distances than UTP.
❖ There is less signal interference from the environment.
COMMUNICATIONS CHANNELS
Disadvantages of coaxial cable
❖ They are more costly to produce and to install than UTP.
❖ They are very bulky, i.e. large and heavy.

35
❖ They are not supported by some network standards.
 ❖ For these reasons, coaxial cables are not very commonly used in computer networks
nowadays.
FIBRE OPTIC
❖ This is a very thin rod of extremely pure glass the size of a human hair.
❖ Signals are transmitted in form of light instead of in form of an electric current.
❖ Each fibre is bent at a special angle to allow for total-internal reflection of light.

Advantages of fibre optic

❖ Fibre optic cables carry more data because they have a much greater bandwidth
than metal cables.
❖ Fibre optic cables are less susceptible than metal cables to interference.
❖ Fibre optic cables are much thinner and lighter than metal wires.
❖ Data can be transmitted digitally (the natural form for computer data) rather than
analogically.
Disadvantages of fibre optic
❖ The main disadvantage of fiber optics is that the cables are expensive to buy and
install.
❖ In addition, they are more fragile than wire.
❖ The glass can be affected by various chemicals including hydrogen sulphide gas.
❖ Most fibres become opaque when exposed to radiation.
❖ Optical fibres cannot be joined together as easily as copper cable and require
additional training of personnel to handle.

WIRELESS CHANNELS
❖ Wireless channels allow for the sending of data as electromagnetic waves.
❖ Examples are infrared, radio, Bluetooth, microwaves, and satellite.
❖ The advantage of some of these channels is that data can be sent over very long
distances by remote.
❖ Remote means no physical connection between sending and receiving nodes.
❖ A satellite dish transmits and receives signals to and from a satellite which is
positioned in space above the earth.
❖ Using satellite communication, messages can be sent round the globe in just a
fraction of a second.
❖ A common type of dish is the VSAT.
❖ VSAT stands for Very Small Aperture Terminal.
❖ Bluetooth symbol
❖ Example of Bluetooth network
OTHER NETWORK REQUIREMENTS
❖ Transport media are one of the three things required in order to link computers together.
37
❖ The other two are protocols and a naming system.
 ❖ Protocols are a set of rules that govern the way communication has to be established.
❖ A naming system or conversion controls how machines are identified on the network.

ETHERNET
❖ Ethernet has become the most common transport technology.
❖ Ethernet enables computers to interconnect on a local area network.
❖ Ethernet uses coaxial, twisted-pair or fibre optic cables as a communication medium.

TCP/IP
❖ The protocol that has become the standard is the Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol.
❖ TCP/IP enables different types of computers and networks on the Internet to
communicate with one another.

TCP/IP
❖ TCP/IP consists of two sets of protocols.
❖ TCP defines how data is transferred across the Internet to their destination.
❖ IP defines how data is divided into chunks, called packets, for transmission; it also
determines the path each packet takes between computers.
❖ On a network each computer is assigned an address called IP address so that signals can
be delivered to the correct destination.
❖ For example, 165.165.38.19 is the IP address of Google.
DNS
❖ Hosts or nodes on a network are identified by names derived from a naming conversion
called Domain Name System.
❖ Because IP addresses are difficult to remember by heart, a naming system was
introduced to simplify the task.
❖ Each IP address is assigned a domain name.
❖ A DNS server translates names into IP addresses.
❖ When a user enters a domain name e.g. www.google.com, into the web browser, the
local DNS server tries to translate it to an IP address by consulting its database.
❖ If it cannot find the address then the local DNS server consults other DNS servers on the
Internet.
❖ If the domain name cannot be resolved by all the DNS servers, the Web browser displays
an error message such as The webpage cannot be found.
❖ The IP address naming system uses a name system that has names in levels.
❖ Examples of the top-level domain, also known as the primary domain, are names that
end with .com, .edu, .org, .gov, e.t.c.
❖ .com means commercial organisation.
❖ .edu means education organisation.
39
 ❖ The top-level domain may also define the country in which the DNS server is located, e.g.
.zm (Zambia), .uk (United Kingdom), .za ( South Africa ).
❖ All computers on the Internet are required to register to one of these primary domain
names.
✓ For example, a domain name such as business_studies.tvtc.edu.zm is interpreted as
follows:
❖ zm defines the country Zambia.
❖ edu shows that the network belongs to an educational institution.
❖ tvtc gives the name of that educational institution.
❖ business_studies gives the name of the sub network within tvtc.
SETTING UP AN ETHERNET LAN
❖ To set up a LAN you need the following resources.
✓ A hub or a switch
✓ Communications channel, e.g. wired or wireless
✓ Communications software
✓ A network interface card (NIC)
❖ Hub or switch is used to interconnect computers and other network resources or segments.
❖ Hub or switch is also required to direct signals to their destinations on the LAN.
❖ Communications channel is required as a passage of signals between network devices.
❖ Communications software is required for controlling the hardware and the transmission of
signals.
❖ A network interface card is required for connecting network devices onto the LAN.
❖ A hub differs from a switch in certain respects.
❖ A switch is more “intelligent” than a hub.
❖ When a hub receives data meant for one device, it broadcasts the signal to all the devices
on the network.
❖ Unlike a hub, a switch first identifies the owner of the data and then sends only to that
destination.
❖ A switch also works faster than a hub.
EXAMPLE OF AN ETHERNET LAN
.
SWITCH
 SWITCH

HUB

THE INTERNET
❖ Internet is an interconnection of computer networks.
❖ Internet is rated one of the most significant human inventions of all time.
❖ The Internet offers many possibilities for individuals and organizations.
There are three main functions of the Internet:

41
1. Communication
❖ One can contact and exchange information with friends and organisations anywhere
in the world.
2. Retrieval of information
❖ One can have access to a broad range of data and information from other computers around
the globe.
3. Commerce
❖ One can advertise, buy and sell goods and services on the Internet.
CONNECTING A LAN TO THE INTERNET
❖ To connect a LAN to the Internet you need the following resources:
✓ Router
✓ Internet software
✓ Internet service provider (ISP)
✓ Communications channel (wired or wireless)
❖ The router is required for two reasons:
✓ To split the signal into packets for effective transmission.
✓ To identify the most convenient route for each packet to take to its destination.
❖ Internet software is required for controlling the hardware and for correcting errors during
transmission.
❖ An ISP provides advanced and expensive resources for accessing the Internet.
 ROUTER

MODEM and NIC

❖ Modem stands for Modulator Demodulator.
❖ A modem is a device that connects the computer to the telephone line.
❖ In a computer data signals travel in parallel lines, but in a telephone wire the signals travel
serially, i.e. one behind the other.
❖ We say that computers handle data in digital form and telephone wires transmit data in analog
form.
❖ A modem is used to convert data from digital to analog, and from analog to digital.

43
 MODEM and NIC

NIC
❖ NIC stands for Network Interface Card.
❖ A NIC connects a computer to a LAN, not to a telephone wire.
❖ A NIC also does the conversion of signals from digital to analog and vice versa.
❖ Generally, a NIC transmits signals faster than a modem.
❖ A NIC has a unique number which identifies every computer on a network.

BROWSING THE INTERNET

❖ To browse the Internet is simple.
❖ You simply start the Internet browser software.
❖ If you already know the URL, i.e. the address of what you want, you simply type it
in the address box in the browser and then click on a button to get to the
destination.
❖ BROWSING THE INTERNET
❖ URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator.
❖ An example of a URL is http://www.yahoo.com
❖ Web browser is a software program that connects your computer to the Internet.
❖ Examples of web browsers are Internet Explorer, Mozilla FireFox and Opera.
❖ The best way to browse the Internet is to use an Internet Search Engine.
❖ BROWSING THE INTERNET
❖ A Search Engine is a software program in which the user types keywords instead of
the URL.
❖ Examples of search engines are Google and Yahoo.
❖ The Search Engine uses the keywords to locate information in servers on the
Internet.
❖ It lists down links to websites or web pages where the actual details are found.
❖ BROWSING THE INTERNET
❖ The web pages are listed in the order of the number of visits made to that page.
❖ Pages that are visited more frequently are listed at the top.
❖ An example of a list of links given by a search engine after entering the keywords
Search Engine is shown below.
❖ BROWSING THE INTERNET
❖ A web search engine is designed to search for information on the World Wide Web
and FTP servers. The search results are generally presented in a list of ...
❖ AltaVista provides the most comprehensive search experience on the Web! ...
SEARCH: Worldwide or Select a country RESULTS
BROWSING THE INTERNET
❖ To read the article, you click on the link.
❖ The links are shown as underlined texts, and most of them are in blue.
❖ You can narrow your search by using Advanced Search.
❖ After you click on the Advanced Search link, you enter your preferences in a form.
BROWSING THE INTERNET
❖ The Internet is a global infrastructure of computer networks.
❖ The Internet is used to access information which is stored in the World Wide Web
❖ ( WWW ).
❖ The World Wide Web is an infrastructure of information.
BROWSING THE INTERNET
❖ Websites consist of Web pages.
❖ The information in the WWW is found in Websites.
❖ Actually, websites are servers with huge databases.
❖ A web page is a place within the website where documents are located.
45
BROWSING THE INTERNET
❖ The URL http://homepages.uel.ac.uk/u0311625/topolo gy.html, is the web page of
a document.
❖ The website or server name is homepages.uel.ac.uk
❖ The document name on the web page is topology, and is in hypertext markup
language ( html) format.
ELECTRONIC MAIL (E-MAIL)
❖ This is a facility available when one connects to the Internet.
❖ One can send and receive text and both video and audio messages using e-mail.
❖ To send e-mail, one types the message, indicates the address to receive and clicks a
button.
❖ E-mail is meant to make mail more efficient.
❖ It also solves the problem of so much paper wastage, unattended to telephones and
delays associated with traditional mail.
❖ It is also extremely cheap to send messages by e-mail.
❖ The same message can be sent to many people at the same time.
To create an email address, you do the following:
✓ Start the browser software, e.g. Internet Explorer.
✓ Click on the mail client, e.g. Gmail in google.
✓ Click on Create an Account.
✓ Complete the form which appears and select submit at the end of the form.
UNDERSTANDING EMAIL ADDRESSES
❖ Normally an email address consists of three parts.
❖ These parts are:
✓ Username
✓ Server name
✓ Top-level domain, i.e. primary domain name.
❖ The username is separated from the rest by the @ symbol.
❖ For example, in the address [email protected], the username is mstembo, the
host computer name is tvtc, and the primary domain name is edu in the country
Zambia.
❖ Note that the name that follows the @ symbol immediately is always the host
computer name, i.e. the server name.
INTRANET
• The Internet consists of many networks.
IT SECURITY
❖ Security refers to the defence necessary to ward off threats imposed on IT
resources.
❖ Security is ensuring that resources are free from unauthorised internal and external
manipulation.
❖ There are two types of security: physical security and data security.
❖ Data security ensures that data, information and software are safe from internal
and external threats.
❖ Physical security ensures that all the various types of hardware are safe.
TYPES OF THREATS
Some of the threats are as follows:
✓ Unauthorised access of individuals to data storage.
✓ Incorrect use of hardware and software, media or computer rooms.
✓ Unauthorised manipulation of data files or equipment.
✓ Theft of data or hardware.
✓ Fire/water.
✓ Environmental conditions, e.g. temperature and humidity.
✓ Viruses and other malicious code.
SECURITY
❖ Examples of possible measures are:
❖ Keeping all doors to computer rooms locked so that access is upon
permission granted.
❖ Locking computers so that only personnel with computer keys can unlock
and use them.
❖ Using passwords to start computers and to open files.
❖ Installing alarm systems so that the presence of intruders, fire, smoke, water
etc, can be identified.
❖ Installing air conditioners so that the room temperature and humidity are
automatically regulated
❖ Backing up all data and programs so that should the data and programs that
are used become corrupt, backups can quickly be used.
❖ Keeping data and program backups in a separate room which is also secured.
❖ Installing antivirus software and keeping it updated.
❖ Installing Firewalls to scrutinize all signals that enter or leave the computer
or the network.
❖ Training users about how to be security conscious and how to react in an
event of a disaster.
❖ Training users how to properly use software and hardware.
COMPUTER VIRUSES
❖ A computer virus is a program that is meant to cause some kind of damage or
discomfort when it is activated on an infected computer.
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❖ Virus is a general term, but viruses are in categories.
❖ Viruses are those malicious codes that are capable of replicating themselves and attack
computer programs in memory.
❖ A Trojan horse is a program disguised as something useful, which when run does
damage to the computer system while appearing to do something else.
❖ A virus that propagates itself across computer networks, usually via e-mail, is referred
to as a worm.
❖ The increase in transactions over the Internet has greatly increased the chance of virus
infection.
HOW COMPUTERS BECOME INFECTED WITH VIRUSES
❖ There are many ways in which a computer may become infected by a virus.
❖ Some of the common ones are as follows:
✓ Transfer of removable storage media, e.g. floppies, CDs and flash disks, from one
computer to another.
✓ Through e-mail; when you receive and open an infected e-mail, your computer
gets infected.
✓ Through downloads, e.g. of music, pictures, videos, documents and software on
the Internet.
HOW TO MINIMISE VIRUS ATTACKS
❖ To minimise the possibility of your computer getting infected by viruses, observe the
following guidelines:
❖ Avoid exchanging removable storage media with other people.
❖ Don’t read e-mail from people you do not know.
❖ Don’t read e-mail from people you know but from whom you do not expect e-mail.
❖ Avoid the temptation to download anything you find interesting on the Internet.
❖ Don’t click on pop ups and other adverts that flash on your screen as you browse the
Internet.
❖ Search for information by typing keywords in the Search Engine.
HOW TO MINIMISE VIRUS ATTACKS
❖ Ensure that your computer has latest versions of antivirus software.
❖ Always update the antivirus software from the Internet.
❖ Always scan your computer for viruses.
HACKERS AND CRACKERS
❖ A hacker is a person who gains remote access to a computer or network not necessarily
for bad motives.
❖ A cracker is a person who also gains remote access to someone’s computer or network
but with the intension to cause havoc.
❖ To protect yourself against hackers, you should use very secure passwords and encrypt
your data during transmission.
❖ Secure passwords are those that do not use any names of people, organisations and
things like dates which a cracker can easily decode.
❖ Secure passwords should contain alphanumeric characters that should be extremely
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difficult to guess by anyone, and should be long.
❖ Hackers and crackers use very sophisticated methods to crack passwords.
❖ They use advanced programs which are capable of unlocking what you may think is
very secure.
❖ One approach to defeat them is to ensure that you don’t use the same password for a
long time.
❖ However, should you forget the password you will not be allowed access to your own
data or computer system.

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