Essential Computer Concepts

1. Essential Computer Concepts

2. What Is a Computer? • A computer is an electronic device that accepts data and instructions from a user, manipulates the data according to the instructions, displays the information in some way, and stores the information for retrieval later New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

3. What is a computer? • An electronic device that accepts input, processes the data and instructions, produces output from the processing that is useful and meaningful and stores the results for future use. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

4. How Does A Computer Know What To Do? • It must be given a detailed set of instructions that tell it exactly what to do. • These instructions are called a computer program, or software. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

5. Types of Computers • Personal computers (PCs) • Desktop computers • Notebook (laptop) computers • Tablet PCs • Handheld computers • PDA (personal digital assistant) • MP3 players • Cell phones • Mainframe computers • Supercomputers New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

6. Types of Computers Personal Computers PDA Notebook Desktop Tablet PC Super Computers New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

7. Computer Systems • Includes computer hardware and software • Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer • Software refers to the intangible components of a computer system, particularly the programs the computer needs to perform a specific task New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

8. System Software • System software manages the fundamental operations of your computer • Operating system • System resource • Multitasking • Utilities • Programming Languages New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

9. Application Software • Application software enables you to perform specific computer tasks, such as document production, spreadsheet calculations, and database management • Document production software New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

10. Application Software • Presentation software New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

11. Application Software • Web site creation and management software • Spreadsheet software • Database management software New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

12. Application Software • Photo editing software • Multimedia authoring software • Accounting software • Information management software New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

13. Architecture or configuration is the design of the computer. As in, what does the computer consist of? Specification is the technical detail about each component. As in, how big is the monitor? New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

14. Processing Hardware • The motherboard is the main electronic component of the computer • The microprocessor is one of the most important pieces of processing hardware on the motherboard • Cards are removable circuit boards New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

15. Processing Microprocessor, also referred to as processor or CPU (Central Processing Unit RAM - Random Access Memory • Volatile New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

16. Input and Output • The data or instructions you type into the computer are called input • The result of the computer processing your input is referred to as output and also referred to as information. • Peripheral devices accomplish input and output functions New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

17. Input Devices • You use an input device, such as a keyboard or a mouse, to input data and issue commands • Keyboard • Pointing device • Controls the pointer • Mouse • Trackball • Touch pad • Pointing stick • Scanner • Touch Screen • Pen Input New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

18. Output Devices • Output devices show you the results of processing data • Monitor • Flat panel • LCD • CRT • Printer • Laser • Inkjet • Dot matrix New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

19. Data Representation • Binary digits (bits) • A series of eight bits is called a byte • ASCII • American Standard Code for Information Interchange New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

20. Storage Measurements • Byte = one character • Kilobyte = approximately 1000 characters • Megabyte = approximately one million characters • Gigabyte = approximately one billion characters • Terabyte = approximately one trillion characters New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

21. Memory • Random access memory (RAM) • Volatile memory • SDRAM • Cache memory (RAM cache or CPU cache) • Virtual memory New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

22. Memory • Read-only memory (ROM) • BIOS • Nonvolatile memory • Complementary metal oxide semiconductor memory (CMOS) • Semi permanent memory New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

23. Method of Access • Sequential access – retrieve data in order. • Example of media- magnetic tape • Direct or random access – go directly to required data. • Example of media- magnetic disk, CD-Rom, DVD New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

24. Storage Media • A computer file is a named collection of stored data • An executable file contains the instructions that tell a computer how to perform a specific task • A data file is created by a user New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

25. Storage Media • Magnetic media • Hard disk • Tape • Floppy disk New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

26. Hard Drive • Consists of one or more rigid metal platters coated with a metal oxide material that allows data to be magnetically recorded on the surface of the platters • The number of platters permanently mounted on the spindle of a hard disk varies. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

27. Storage Media • Optical storage device • CD • DVD • CD-R • CD-RW • CD-ROM New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

28. Storage Media • Flash memory • Flash memory cards • USB flash storage device • USB drive (flash drive) New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

29. Data Communications • The transmission of text, numeric, voice, or video data from one computer to another or to a peripheral device is called data communications • Sender and receiver • Channel • Protocol • Device driver (driver) New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

30. Components of Data Communications The four essential components of data communications are: • Sender • Channel • Receiver • Protocols New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

31. Data Communication A sender is the computer that originates the message. The message is sent over a channel, such as a telephone The receiver is the computer at the message’s destination. Protocols are the rules that establish the transfer of data between sender and receiver. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

32. Networks A network connects one computer to other computers and peripherals. In a local area network (LAN), computers and peripherals are close to each other. New Perspectives on Essential Computer Concepts 32 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

33. Networks Each computer that is part of the network must have a network interface card and network software. Then it becomes a workstation. Any device connected to the network is called a node. New Perspectives on Essential Computer Concepts 33 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

34. Telecommunications Telecommunications is communicating over a telephone. In the telecommunications process, the modem converts digital signals to analog signals at the sending site and a second modem converts them back at the receiving site. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

35. Telecommunications New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

36. The Internet The Internet is the world’s largest network. E-mail and the World Wide Web are two benefits of the Internet. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

37. The Internet A hyperlink is a place on a Web page allowing you to connect to a particular file. http://www.course.com/newperspectives New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

38. The Internet • A Web browser is • the communications software that allows you to navigate the WWW. New Perspectives on Essential Computer Concepts 38 New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

39. Networks • A network connects one computer to other computers and peripheral devices, enabling you to share data and resources with others • Network interface card (NIC) • LAN • WAN • WLAN • PAN • WiMax New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

40. Telecommunications • Telecommunications means communicating over a comparatively long distance using a phone line or some other data conduit • Modem • Digital and analog signals • DSL New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

41. The Internet • The Internet is the largest network in the world, connecting millions of people • Electronic mail • World Wide Web • Web page • Web site New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition

42. Security Threats on Your Computer • Security refers to the steps a computer owner takes to prevent unauthorized use of or damage to the computer • Malware • Viruses • Antivirus software • Spyware • Adware • Firewall • Phishing • Pharming New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition