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Introduction to Computing Concepts

Introduction to Computing Concepts. What is a Computer?. An electronic device used to process data. The most common computer today? the Personal Computer. How Many Are There?. Parts of a Computer System. 4 Parts of a Computer System. Hardware the physical part of the computer Software

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Introduction to Computing Concepts

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  1. Introduction to Computing Concepts CGS1100

  2. What is a Computer? • An electronic device used to process data. • The most common computer today? • the Personal Computer. CGS1100

  3. How Many Are There? CGS1100

  4. Parts of a Computer System CGS1100

  5. 4 Parts of a Computer System • Hardware • the physical part of the computer • Software • the programs that run the hardware • Data • raw facts that are turned into useful information • People • the individuals that use computers (the user) • the software and hardware designers CGS1100

  6. 4 Categories of Hardware • The Central Processing Unit (CPU) • Intel Pentium • Memory • ROM and RAM • Measured in bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, etc. • Input and Output devices • Moves data in and moves processed information out • Storage devices • Floppy disk drive, hard disk drive, CDROM, CDR, CDRW, DVD drives, Zip drives CGS1100

  7. The CPU • The Central Processing Unit • Turns data into useful information • Is connected to the motherboard • Is the brain of the computer • Not the same thing as “the box” CGS1100

  8. Memory • Read Only Memory (ROM) • Contains the information needed to boot the system • Nonvolatile (data cannot be changed) • Random Access Memory (RAM) • Working memory • Volatile (is lost when machine is turned off) • The more RAM, the faster the computer will run and the more it can do • The more software you can upgrade before having to upgrade hardware CGS1100

  9. Input Devices • Accept data and instructions from the user • Keyboards • Mice and Trackballs • Touch-Screen Monitors • Scanners • Microphones • Digital Cameras • IPods CGS1100

  10. Output Devices • Printer • Monitor • Hard drive • Floppy Disk drive • CD’s/DVD’s • Speakers, IPods • Key Drives (USB port hard drives) Return processed information back to the user. CGS1100

  11. “External” Storage • Holds data • Large storage capacity • measured in • Megabytes (Mb) • one million bytes • Gigabytes (Gb) • one billion bytes • Terabytes (Tb) • one trillion bytes • Nonvolatile CGS1100

  12. Common Storage Devices • Hard drives • Floppy Disk drives • Tape drives • Optical drives • Compact Disks • CD-ROM, CD-R & CD-RW • Digital Versatile Disks • DVD, DVD-R & DVD-RW CGS1100

  13. New Storage Devices • New Drives on the Horizon? • Plasma drives • Holographic imaging drives • Portable hard drives • Thumb drives • Memory sticks CGS1100

  14. Software • A set of instructions • When executed tells the computer and its peripheral devices • what actions to perform and • in what order to perform them CGS1100

  15. Categories of Software • System Software • Operating systems, such as Windows (Vista, XP & 2000), DOS, Linux, iMac, AS400 • Application Software & Suites • Word processing, Spreadsheets, Databases, Multimedia, Presentation & Graphics, Entertainment, Education, Utilities, Communications CGS1100

  16. Sizes of Computers • Supercomputers The Cray • Mainframes IBM 360, AS400 • Minicomputers System 36/38 CGS1100

  17. Sizes of Computers cont. • Microcomputers (PCs) • Workstation • Desktop • Laptop or Portable • Personal Digital Assistant (PDAs) • eBook • Tablet • Blackberry CGS1100

  18. How Computers Work CGS1100

  19. How Data is Stored • Binary Numbering System • Uses 2 digits: 0 and 1 • All data is stored within the computer as 0’s and 1’s. • Decimal Numbering System • Uses 10 digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 • Other Numbering Systems CGS1100

  20. Bits & Bytes • A Bit • The smallest possible unit of data. • In binary, either a 0 or a 1. • A Byte • A combination of 8 bits. • Used to represent up to 256 different values. • Used to represent characters. • Ex. 0100 0001 = A CGS1100

  21. Text Codes • ASCII • An 8-bit coding system used on personal computers. • Unicode • A 16-bit coding system used to represent characters from almost every language in the world. CGS1100

  22. Tips for PC Purchase • Don’t skimp on memory • Purchase as much disk space as possible • Review online reviews of hardware & software • Don’t forget the bundled software • Don’t forget your surroundings • Insist on a 30-day unconditional return policy for full refund • Insist on a price guarantee; i.e., if the price goes down within 30 days, you are entitled to the rebate • Pay with a credit card • Increases leverage to enforce above items • May double the manufacturer’s warranty up to an additional year CGS1100

  23. Networks CGS1100

  24. Modems • Connect computers • Uses telephone lines from one location to another. • Measured in transfer rates of bits per second CGS1100

  25. Analog Vs. Digital Sound No Sound Example of an Analog Signal Example of a Digital Signal CGS1100

  26. Modem Tin can Modem Modem Analog Signal CGS1100

  27. Networks • Connect computers together so that they can communicate, exchange information, and pool resources. • Are connected by nodes • Categories • Local Area Network (LAN) • Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) • Wide Area Network (WAN) • Internet CGS1100

  28. Network Types • File server networks • A central computer with a large hard disk serves as a common place to store and access files. • Processing is restricted to the file server. • Restricts access by nodes to file server. CGS1100

  29. Network Types (cont.) • Client/Server networks • Shares both files and programs with the nodes. • Processing is shared between the server and the nodes. • What you’re on in here! CGS1100

  30. Network Types (cont.) • Peer-to-peer networks • All nodes share resources equally. • All nodes can act as file servers and can access common peripherals. CGS1100

  31. Disk & File Management CGS1100

  32. Disk and File Management • A file is a set of instructions or data • Program file: • Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel • Data File: • Document or workbook CGS1100

  33. Disk and File Management • Copy, move, rename or delete a file • Folder • allows us to organize our files • May contain files and/or other folders • Back up strategy -- is critical • What (data), When (whenever it changes), Where (off site), How (Windows Explorer), and Who (you) • Back up your work! CGS1100

  34. The Internet CGS1100

  35. National Science Foundation (NSF) net • The complement to ARPANET. • Became higher-capacity network • The backbone of the Internet • Could handle the increased user load • Developed into a much larger network sharing information among • government, • business and • commercial enterprises. CGS1100

  36. Router TCP/IP Internet A Sample Internet Connection • Individual PCs are connected to a local area network. • Then connected via a router to the Internet using a TCP/IP connection • Then connected to other LANs. CGS1100

  37. How the Internet Works • TCP/IP • Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol • The universal language of the Internet • Includes the specifications that identify individual computers and the exchange of data between computers. CGS1100

  38. IP & DNS Addresses • IP (Internet Protocol) the 4-part numeric address that identifies each computer. • 10.2.2.166 • DNS (Domain Name System) the name counterpart to the IP address. • mcmanusm@owc.edu • Easier to use than remembering number CGS1100

  39. Internet Domains Examples: owc.edu uwf.edu yahoo.com CGS1100

  40. Email • An exchange of electronic information • Can also include data files and program files to email messages • No expectation of privacy • Every e-mail address is unique • You can obtain an account • Through your school, • pay for an account through an ISP such as AOL, or • get free email accounts at sites like www.hotmail.com or www.yahoo.com orwww.gmail.com CGS1100

  41. An Email Address • Consists of two parts • A username and a host computer mcmanusm@owc.edu Highest-level domain Host computer Username A good Internet E-mail Address must contain the @ symbol CGS1100

  42. Other Internet Features • E-commerce is the exchange of goods and services via the Internet. • It requires a buyer and seller, and a ‘place to meet’ • Advantages for the Seller • Open 24/7 • Shoppers from anywhere • Virtual inventory is cheaper and extensive • Lower transaction costs • Target your customers • Advantages for the Buyer • Open 24/7 • Never leave home • Easy to view and explore product line • Comparison shop • Web site knows you CGS1100

  43. Other Internet Features cont. • News & News Groups • A form of public bulletin board • Each news group is dedicated to one particular subject • Can quickly become an annoyance! CGS1100

  44. Other Internet Features cont. • FTP (File Transfer Protocol) • A tool used to copy files from one computer to another. • Allows you to upload content to a website CGS1100

  45. Other Internet Features cont. • Don’t give out your name or anything personal! • Internet Relay Chat (IRC) • Chat rooms • a means of communicating with others in real time • Play Safe! CGS1100

  46. The World Wide Web Created in the late 1980’s at the European Particle Physics Laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland A method for incorporating footnotes, figures, and cross-references into online hypertext documents Uses HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) Other Internet Features cont. CGS1100

  47. Other Internet Features cont. • HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) • a set of rules that provide the internal structure to the WWW • HTML (Hypertext Markup Language). • A page-description language that translates document formatting to formatting for the Web • HTTPS • Secure protocol for confidential transactions • URL (Uniform Resource Locator) • Internet address in a special format that can be read by HTTP. • Ex. http://www.yahoo.com CGS1100

  48. Other Internet Features cont. • Web browsers make negotiating the Web easier. • Most well-known browsers • Internet Explorer 81.28% • Firefox (Mosaic/Mozilla) 12.96% • Safari 3.93% • Netscape Navigator (< 1%) • With IE and Firefox making up over 90% of the market Percentages from PC Magazine, January 2007 CGS1100

  49. Accessing the Internet continued • High-Speed Data Links - Cost More! • DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) • A family of digital telecommunications protocols designed to allow high speed data communication over the existing copper telephone lines between end-users and telephone companies. • Hughes.net (Direcway) • Connection made through Satellite • Cox Cable • connection made through TV cable • up to ten times as fast as regular telephone lines • ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) • combines voice, data, and control signaling through a single dedicated circuit • can transfer data at rates up 128,000 bits per second. CGS1100

  50. Working and Playing on the Internet – Safety Issues • Courtesy • Netiquette • Guidelines • Netiquette by Virginia Shea • Ethics • FBI Internet Fraudulent • Urban Legends • Hoaxbusters CGS1100 • Protection • Firewalls • used to control access to individual networks • Passwords • used to restrict access to files, programs or networks • A1234z is better than • Spouse’s name • Pet’s name • Last 4 SS numbers • Anniversary or Birthday dates

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