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Introduction to Computers: Importance, Categories, and Components

Learn the importance of computer literacy, explore different categories of computers, identify components of a computer, and understand the uses of the Internet and software applications. Discover the advantages and disadvantages of using computers, and learn about the information processing cycle and various storage devices.

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Introduction to Computers: Importance, Categories, and Components

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  1. Chapter 1 Introduction toComputers

  2. Chapter 1 Objectives Next Recognize the importance of computer literacy Describe the categories of computers Identify the components ofa computer Identify the types of computer users Discuss the uses of the Internet and World Wide Web Discuss various computer applications in society Identify the categories of software

  3. A World of Computers Next What is computer literacy? • Knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses • Computers are everywhere Maybe a better term : Computer Fluency (adaptability)

  4. What Is a Computer? Processes data into information Data that is organized, meaningful, and useful Acceptsdata Raw facts, figures, and symbols Produces and stores results Next How is a computer defined? • Electronic device operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory

  5. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Computers Reliability Speed Consistency Storage Communications Next What are the advantages of using computers?

  6. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Computers Next What are the disadvantages of using computers? Violation ofPrivacy Public Safety Impact onLabor Force Health Risks Impact onEnvironment

  7. What Is a Computer? Next What is the information processing cycle? • Input • Process • Output • Storage • Communication

  8. The Components of a Computer Next What is an input device? • Hardware used to enter data and instructions

  9. The Components of a Computer Next What is an output device? • Hardware that conveys information to one or morepeople

  10. The Components of a Computer Next What is the system unit? • Case containing electronic components of the computer that are used to process data

  11. The Components of a Computer Next What are two main components on the motherboard? Processor Also called a Central Processing Unit (CPU) The electronic component that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer Memory Consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by those instructions

  12. The Components of a Computer Next What is storage? • Holds data, instructions, and information for future use Storage media • Physical material on which data, instructions, and information are stored Storage device • Records and retrieves items to and from a storage medium

  13. The Components of a Computer Next What arestorage media? Hard Disks CDs USB Flash Drives Memory Cards DVDs

  14. The Components of a Computer Next What isa storage device? Records (writes)items to storagemedia Retrieves(reads)items from storagemedia Often functionas a sourceof input

  15. The Components of a Computer Next What is a USB flash drive? • Portable storage device • Small and lightweight enough to be transported on a keychain or in a pocket • The average USB flash drivecan hold about 1-64 billioncharacters

  16. The Components of a Computer Next What is a hard disk? • Provides greater storage capacity than a USB flash drive • Most are housed inside of the system unit What is an SSD? • Provides storage capacity comparable to a hard disk, but faster. • Most are housed inside of the system unit

  17. The Components of a Computer Next What is a compact disc? • Flat, round, portable metal disc • CD+/-R and DVD+/-R also called WORM technology [en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Write_Once_Read_Many ] • CD-ROM • CD+/-R • CD+/-R/W • DVD-ROM • DVD+/-R • DVD+/-R/W

  18. The Components of a Computer Next What is a communications device? Hardware component that enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and information Occurs over cables, telephonelines, cellular radio networks,satellites, and other transmission media

  19. Networks and the Internet Next • A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together Used to share Resources Hardware devices Software programs To save time and money Data Information

  20. Networks and the Internet Next What is the Internet [DoD – 1969]? • Worldwide collection of networks that connects millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals

  21. Networks and the Internet Next Why do users access the Internet (1969)? • Communications Information Shopping Banking and Investing Classes Entertainment 7. Download Music 8. Share Information

  22. Networks and the Internet Next What is the Web (1989)? • Billions of documents, called Web pages, available to anyone connected to the Internet A Web site is a collection of related Web pages You can share information on a socialnetworking Web site A podcast is recorded audio stored on a Web sitethat can bedownloaded A Web page contains text, graphics, audio, video, and links to other Web pages A blog consists of time-stamped articles ina journal format Difference between the Internet and the WWW

  23. Computer Software Next What is software? Consists of a seriesof instructions thattells the computerwhat to do andhow to do it Also called aprogram & DATA

  24. Computer Software Next What is a graphical user interface (GUI)? • Allows you to interact with the software using graphics and visual images such as icons • Controls how you enter data and instructions and how the screen displays information

  25. Computer Software Next What issystem software? • Programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices Operating System (OS)is a set of programs that coordinates all activities among computer hardware devices Utility Programsallow the user to perform maintenance-type tasks usually related to managing a computer, its devices or its programs

  26. Computer Software Next What isapplication software? • Programs designed to make users more productive • Create/Produce useful data Word Processing Spreadsheet Database Presentation Graphics

  27. Computer Software Step 1: INSTALL When you insert a greeting card program disc in the CD drive for the first time, the computer begins the procedure of installing the greeting card program on the hard disk. Step 2: RUN Once installed, you can instruct the computer to run the greeting card program. The computer transfers instructions from the hard disk to memory. Step 3: USE The greeting card program executes. Using this program, you can create custom greeting cards. Next How do you install and run programs?

  28. Computer Software Next What is aprogrammer? • Someone who developsapplication or system software • Programmer writesthe instructions todirect the computer toprocess data intoinformation

  29. Categories of Computers Next What are the categories of computers? Personal Computers(desktop) Mobile Computers andMobile Devices Game Consoles Servers Mainframes Supercomputers Embedded Computers

  30. Personal Computers • Apple Macintosh usually uses the Macintosh operating system (Mac OS X) • PC and compatibles use the Windows operating system Next What are the two most popular series of personal computers?

  31. Personal Computers Next What is adesktop computer? • Designed so all of the components fit on or under a desk or table

  32. Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices Next What is anotebook computer? • Portable, small enough to fit on your lap • Also called a laptop computer • Generally more expensive than desktop computers with equal capabilities

  33. Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices Next What is aTablet PC? • Resembles a letter-sized slate • Allows you to write on the screen using a digital pen • Especially useful for taking notes Can you say UPS, FEDEX, DHL?

  34. Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices Small enough to fit in one hand Sometimes referred to as an ultra-personal computer (uPC), or an Ultra-Mobile PC (UMPC), or a handtop computer Next What is ahandheld computer? • iPad, etc. !!

  35. Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices Next What is apersonal digital assistant (PDA)? • Provides personal organizer functions • Calendar • Appointment book • Address book • Calculator • Notepad

  36. Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices A smart phone isan Internet-enabledtelephone that usuallyprovides PDA capabilities Like the iPhone, Treo, Android (‘Droid) etc. Next What aresmart phones?

  37. Game Consoles Mobile computing device designed for single-player or multiplayer video games Next What aregame consoles? Like the Xbox, Wii, Sony PlayStation3

  38. Servers Next What types of servers are there? Server Controls access to network resources and provides centralized storage MainframeVery powerful, expensive computer that supports thousands of connected users [Also called an Enterprise Server] SupercomputerThe fastest, most powerful, most expensive computer. Used for applications requiring complex mathematical calculations

  39. Embedded Computers Next What is an embedded computer? • A special-purpose computer that functions as a component in a larger product

  40. Examples of Computer Usage Next What software is available for a home user? • Personal Finance Management • Web access • Communications • Entertainment • (Games)

  41. Examples of Computer Usage Next What software is available for a small office/home office (SOHO) user? • Productivity software • Specialty software • Web usage • E-mail • (Games)

  42. Examples of Computer Usage Next What is available for a mobile user? • Hardware • Notebook computers • Tablet PCs • Internet-enabled PDAs • Smart phones • Software • Word processing • Spreadsheet • Presentation graphicssoftware

  43. Examples of Computer Usage Next What are the needs of a power user? • Extremely fast processors • Types of power users • Engineers • Scientists • Architects • Desktop publishers • Graphic artists

  44. Examples of Computer Usage Next What are the needs of the large business user? • Payroll • Inventory • E-commerce • Desktop publishing

  45. Computer Applications in Society Next What are some examples of computer applications in society? • Education • Finance • Government • Health Care • Science • Publishing • Travel • Manufacturing

  46. Summary of Introduction to Computers The computer and its components Categories of computers What is a network? Types of computer users The Internet Computer applications in society Types of software Chapter 1 Complete

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