Chapter 1. Introduction To Computers
Chapter 1. Introduction To Computers
Objectives
After this lesson, you should be able to:
1. Explain why computer literacy is vital to success in today's world
2. Describe the five components of a computer: input devices, output device s,
system unit, storage devices, and communications devices
3. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages that users experience when
working with computers
4. Discuss the uses of the Internet and the World Wide Web
5. Distinguish between system software and application software
6. Differentiate among types, sizes, and functions of computers
7. Explain how home users, small office/home office users, mobile users,
pow er
users, and enterprise users each interact with computers
8. Discuss how society uses computers in education, finance, government,
health care, science, publishing, travel, and manufacturing
9. Appreciate the importance of computers in the different aspects of user’s lif e.
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Questions to Ponder:
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Figure 1.1 People use all types and sizes of computers in their daily activities.
Computer Literacy
It is also known as digital literacy, it involves having a current knowledge and
understanding of computers and their uses.
Because the requirements that determine computer literacy change as
technology changes, you must keep up with these changes to remain computer
literate.
Computer Literacy is vital to success.
Computer
It is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in
its own memory, that can accept data, process the data according to specified rules,
produce results, and store the results for future use.
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As shown in Figure 1.2, computers process several data items to print information in
the form of a cash register receipt. In this simplified example, the item ordered, item
price, quantity ordered, and amount received all represent data. The computer
processes the data to produce the cash register receipt (information).
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Answer the following questions in two or three sentences. Write your answer
on the space provided after the questions.
1. Why computer literacy is vital to success?
Assignment
Research about the five components of computer and give at least three examples
in each components
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unit, storage devices, and communications devices. Figure 1.4 shows some
common computer hardware components.
Figure 1.4 Common computer hardware components include the keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner, Web
cam, printer, monitor, speakers, system unit, hard disk drive, external hard disk, optical disk drive(s), USB flash
drive, card reader/writer, memory cards and modem.
It refers to any hardware component that allows you to enter data and
instructions into the computer. Five widely used input devices are the keyboard,
mouse, microphone, scanner, and Webcam (Figure 1.4).
Computer keyboard - it contains keys you press to enter the data into the
computer.
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2. Output Devices
It refers to any hardware component that conveys information to one or more
people. Three commonly used output devices are printers, monitors, and speakers
(Figure 1.4).
Printer - it produces text and graphics on a physical medium such as
paper.
Monitor - it displays text, graphics, and videos on a screen.
Speakers - it allows you to hear music, voice, and other audio (sounds).
3. System Unit
It refers to a case that contains electronic components of the computer that
are used to process data (Figure 1.4). The circuitry of the system unit usually is
part of or is connected to a circuit board called the motherboard.
4. Storage Devices
It holds data, instructions, and information for future use. For example,
computers can store hundreds of millions of customer’s names and addresses.
Storage holds these items permanently.
A computer keeps data, instructions, and information on storage media.
Examples of storage media are USB flash drives, hard disks, optical discs, and
memory cards. A storage device records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to
and from storage media. Storage devices often function as a source of input
because they transfer items from storage to memory.
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c. Optical Disc - it is a flat, round, portable metal disc with a plastic coating.
CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs are three types of optical discs.
CD - can hold from 650 million to 1 billion characters.
DVDs - can store two full-length movies or 17 billion characters
Blu-ray Discs - can store about 46 hours of standard video, or 100 billion
characters
d. Memory cards - used by some mobile devices, such as digital cameras, as
the storage media.
5. Communications Devices
Refers to the hardware components that enables a computer to send (transmit)
and receive data, instructions, and information to and from one or more computers
or mobile devices. A widely used communications device is a modem (Figure 1.4).
Communications occur over cables, telephone lines, cellular radio networks,
satellites, and other transmission media. Some transmission media, such as
satellites and cellular radio networks, are wireless, which means they have no
physical lines or wires.
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___ 3. Memory
___ 4. Scanner
___ 5. Printer
___ 6. Mouse
___ 7. Trackball
___ 8. Telephone lines
___ 9. Hard Disk
___ 10. Web Cam
1 Introduction to Computers
Society has reaped many benefits from using computers. A user is anyone
who communicates with a computer or utilizes the information it generates. Both
business and home users can make well-informed decisions because they have
instant access to information from anywhere in the world. Students, another type of
user, have more tools to assist them in the learning process.
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2. Reliability
The electronic components in modern computers are dependable
and reliable because they rarely break or fail.
3. Consistency
Given the same input and processes, a computer will produce the
same results-consistently. Computers generate error-free results, provided
the input is correct and the instructions work.
4. Storage
Computers store enormous amounts of data and make this data
available for processing anytime it is needed.
5. Communications
Most computers today can communicate with other computers,
often wirelessly. Computers allow users to communicate with one another.
2. Public Safety
Adults, teens, and children around the world are using computers to
share publicly their photos, videos, journals, music, and other personal
information. Some of these unsuspecting, innocent computer users have
fallen victim to crimes committed by dangerous strangers.
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4. Health Risks
Prolonged or improper computer use can lead to health injuries or
disorders. Computer users can protect themselves from health risks
through proper workplace design, good posture while at the computer, and
appropriately spaced work breaks.
4. Impact on Environment:
Computer manufacturing processes and computer waste are
depleting natural resources and polluting the environment. Green
computing involves reducing the electricity consumed and environmental
waste generated when using a computer.
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A. Write TRUE if the statement is correct, otherwise write the word FALSE on the
space provided before the number.
______ 1. A computer can process data in a billions or trillions of operation in
a minute.
______ 2. Technology overload occurs when someone becomes obsessed of
using computer.
______ 3. Computer can store enormous amount of data for future use.
______ 4. Computer can generate same input and output.
______ 5. Computer addiction is an example of behavioural health risks.
Assignment:
Examine your computing practices and determine ten ways that you can use to less
power on your computing equipment at home, work and school. Write a 50 – word
summary of green computing practices in your life.
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What is Network?
It is a collection of computers and devices connected together, often
wirelessly, via communications devices and transmission media.
It allow computers to share resources, such as hardware, software, data, and
information. Sharing resources saves time and money.
What is Internet?
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Figure 1.5 The Internet is the largest computer network, connecting millions of computers and devices
around the world.
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Internet.)
Web (World Wide Web) - it is one of the more popular services on the
Internet. It contains billions of documents called
Web pages.
Web page - it can contain text, graphics, animation, audio, and
video. It often have built-in connections, or links, to
other documents, graphics, other Web pages, or
Web sites.
Web site - it is a collection of related Web pages. Some Web
sites allow users to access music and videos that
can be downloaded, or transferred to storage
media in a computer or portable media player.
Social networking Web site or online social network
- it refers to online communities, where members
can share their interests, ideas, stories, photos,
music, and videos with other registered users.
Blog - is an informal Web site consisting of time-stamped
articles in a diary or journal format.
Podcasts - are a popular way people verbally share information
on the Web.
Microblog - such as Twitter, allows users to publish short
messages, usually between 100 and 200
characters, for others to read.
Podcast - is recorded audio stored on a Web site that can be
downloaded to a computer or a portable media
player such as an iPod.
Web application - is a Web site that allows users to access and
interact with software from any computer or device
that is connected to the Internet.
Web 2.0 sites - refers to Web sites such as social networking Web
sites, blogs, and Web applications.
Web 2.0 - refers to Web sites that provide a means for users
to share personal information (such as social
networking Web sites), allow users to modify the
Web site contents (such as some blogs), and/or
have software built into the site for users to access
(such as Web applications).
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COLUMN A COLUMN B
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What is Software?
It is also called a program. It is a series of related instructions, organized for a
common purpose, that tells the computer what task(s) to perform and how to perform
them. Users interact with a program through its user interface.
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2. Application Software
It consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/or
assist them with personal tasks.
Installing - it is the process of setting up software to work with the computer, printer,
and other.
Software Development
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Write TRUE if the statement is correct, otherwise write the word FALSE.
1. Installing is the process of setting up software to work with the computer,
printer, and other.
2. Two types of application software are system software and utility programs.
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Categories of Computer
(Industry experts typically classify computers in seven categories: personal
computers (desktop), mobile computers and mobile devices, game consoles,
servers, mainframes, supercomputers, and embedded computers. A computer’s
size, speed, processing power, and price determine the category it best fits.)
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Figure 1.6. This table summarizes some of the difference among the categories of computers. These should be
considered general guidelines only because of rapid changes in technology.
b. Notebook Computer
Notebook Computer
The most popular type of mobile computer. It is also called a laptop
computer. It is a portable, personal computer often designed to fit on your lap.
Netbook
It is a type of notebook computer. It is smaller, lighter, and often not as
powerful as a traditional notebook computer.
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Tablet PCs
It is a special type of notebook computer you can interact with by
touching the screen with your finger or a digital pen.
Mobile Devices
These devices are small enough to carry in a pocket, usually store
programs and data permanently on memory inside the system unit or on small
storage media such as memory cards.
Some mobile devices are Internet-enabled, meaning they can connect
to the Internet wirelessly.
d. Portable Media Players - refers to mobile devices on which you can store,
organize, and play digital media.
e. Digital Cameras - refers to devices that allow users to take pictures and
store the photographed images digitally, instead of on traditional film.
3) Game Consoles
A game console is a mobile computing device designed for single-player or
multiplayer video games. Standard game consoles use a handheld controller(s)
as an input device(s); a television screen as an output device; and hard disks,
optical discs, and/or memory cards for storage.
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4) Servers
A server controls access to the hardware, software, and other resources on a
network and provides a centralized storage area for programs, data, and
information.
People use personal computers or terminals to access data, information, and
programs on a server.
Terminal - is a device with a monitor, keyboard, and memory.
5) Mainframes
A mainframe is a large, expensive, powerful computer that can handle
hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously.
Features of Mainframes:
Store huge amounts of data, instructions, and information.
Most major corporations use mainframes for business activities.
Enterprises are able to bill millions of customers, prepare payroll for
thousands of employees, and manage thousands of items in inventory.
6) Supercomputers
It is the fastest, most powerful computer — and the most expensive. It is also
the fastest supercomputers are capable of processing more than one quadrillion
instructions in a single second.
Uses of Supercomputers:
Applications requiring complex, sophisticated mathematical
calculations Large-scale simulations and applications in:
medicine
aerospace
automotive design
online banking
weather forecasting
nuclear energy research
petroleum exploration
7) Embedded Computers
An embedded computer is a special-purpose computer that functions as a
component in a larger product.
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Multiple Choice. Write your answer on the space provided before the number.
___ 1. A type of computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of
connected users simultaneously.
a. Supercomputers
b. Mainframe
c. Servers
d. Personal computers
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Computer Usage
Every day, people or users around the world rely on different types of
computers for a variety of applications.
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3. Mobile User
Employees and students are mobile users, who work on a mobile computer or
device while away from a main office, home office, or school
Mobile users often have a mobile computer and/or mobile device. With these
computers and devices, the mobile user can connect to other computers on a
network or the Internet, often wirelessly accessing services such as e-mail and the
Web. Mobile users can transfer information between their mobile devices and
another computer. For entertainment, the mobile user plays video games on a
handheld game console and listens to music or watches movies on a portable media
player.
4. Power User
Another category of user, called a power user, requires the capabilities of a
powerful desktop computer, called a work station.
5. Enterprise User
An enterprise has hundreds or thousands of employees or customers that
work in or do business with offices across a region, the country, or the world.
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Classification. Classify the following users below. If it is a Home User, Small Office
/ Home Office Users, Mobile User, Home User and Enterprise User. Write
your answer on the space provided before the number.
____________ 1. Architect
____________ 2. Students
____________ 3. A user who are using handheld game console
____________ 4. Users who pay bills
____________ 5. Graphic artist
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2. Finance
Many people and companies use computers to help manage their finances.
Online Banking - allow users to access their account balances, pay bills, and
copy monthly transactions from the bank’s computer right
into their computers.
3. Government
A government provides society with direction by making and administering
policies.
To provide citizens with up-to-date information, most government offices
have Web sites.
4. Health Care
Nearly every area of health care uses computers. Whether you are visiting
a family doctor for a regular checkup, having lab work or an outpatient test, or
being rushed in for emergency surgery, the medical staff around you will be
using computers.
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5. Science
All branches of science, from biology to astronomy to meteorology, use
computers to assist them with collecting, analysing, and modelling data.
Scientists also use the Internet to communicate with colleagues around the
world.
6. Publishing
Publishing is the process of making works available to the public. These
works include books, magazines, newspapers, music, film, and video.
7. Travel
Many vehicles manufactured today include some type of on-board
navigation system.
Some mobile users prefer to carry specialized handheld navigation devices
In preparing for a trip, you may need to reserve a car, hotel, or flight.
You can order airline tickets on the Web.
If you plan to drive somewhere and are unsure of the road to take to your
destination, you can print directions and a map from the Web.
8. Manufacturing
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) - refers to the use of computers
to assist with manufacturing processes such as fabrication and assembly.
Often, robots carry out processes in a CAM environment.
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