Welcome to COMP 900 @ St. Lawrence College

1. Welcome to COMP 900 @St. Lawrence College Matthew Clarke. BA (Hons.), B.Ed., OCT. matthew.j.w.clarke@gmail.com

2. The Night’s Itinerary • Class List • Outline / Syllabus • Class Website • Expectations & Survey • Introduction to Computing/How they Work • Break / Chat • Familiarizing Ourselves with Windows and Networking.

3. Brief Introduction to Computing • Computer Hardware • Computer Software

4. Hardware versus Software • Hardware: The term used to describe the physical parts of a computer. • Ex. The box, the motherboard, the circuits, the mouse, keyboard, soundcard… • Software:The programs that allow the • computer to run. • Ex. The Operating system, Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Accounting software…

5. Key Computer Hardware The Case: • This typically encloses the majority of the sensitive parts. • It supplies support, structure, and protection for the insides. • Usually there is at least one fan attached to the case, it pulls cool air into the unit and blows warm air out, keeping the components cool. • The power supply is also usually attached to the case, and it supplies a constant, steady stream of energy to the other components.

6. Key Computer Hardware Motherboard • This is usually the largest circuit-board in the computer, and every other component in the computer connects to it, think of it like the central nervous system. • Often additional components such as sound and video adapters are built in.

7. Key Computer Hardware CPU • The Central Processing Unit is usually called either a CPU or just a Processor. • Typically it is a flat silicon chip, which is mounted on the motherboard with a fan. • This is usually the single most complex piece of the computer, it performs all of the calculations to make the computer run, and is typically the largest deciding factor in computer speed. • Generally measures in “clock speed,” or gigahertz. GHz

8. Key Computer Hardware RAM • Random Access Memory, is the short term memory that the computer uses to keep track of what it's doing. • If the computer loses power, anything stored in your RAM is lost. • It also contributes to the speed of the computer, based on how fast the RAM is, and how much of it the computer has to work with.

9. Key Computer Hardware Drives • Some of the most important parts of any computer are the storage drives. • The most common type of drive is called a hard drive. • These drives hold all of the files on your computer. • When you are working on a file and you press save it is written from your RAM to your hard drive. • Another common type of drive is the Optical Drive, which can usually read both CDs and DVDs.

10. Understanding Your Computer’s Drive Space / Memory • Since all the user's data and programs are stored in RAM, they are erased when the computer is shut off or the user logs out. To save data for a long period of time, long-term storage is required. • The amount of data that is stored is measured using a unit called a byte,which is the storage area required to store a single character (ie. an 'a' or a '9' or a '?'). • Kilobyte/Kb = 1 024 bytes • Megabyte/Mb = 1 000 000 • Gigabyte/Gb = 1 000 000 000 • Terabyte/Tb = 1 000 000 000 000

11. Computer Hardware Expansion Slots • Often house video/graphics and sound cards. • Video/Sound Cards enable enhanced performance for those who need it. • Most often, “on-board cards” take care of it.

12. Peripherals (part of Hardware) • Peripherals are hardware that are outside the computer. • The dictionary defines it as: n. Computer Science An auxiliary device, such as a printer, modem, or storage system, that works in conjunction with a computer. • Ex. Printer, keyboard, mouse, speakers, microphone, scanner, camera, web-cam et cetera.

13. You are shopping for a computer, which is better? • Processor Type: Intel Core i3-3220 • Processor Speed: 3.3 GHz • Processor Cores: 2 • RAM: 6 GB @ 1600 MHz • Hard Drive Capacity: 1 TB • Hard Drive Speed: (Revolutions Per Minute)7200 RPM • Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW • Graphics Card: Intel HD Graphics 2500 • Operating System: Windows 8 • Dedicated Video Memory: No • Shared Video Memory: To 1541 MB • Processor Type: AMD A10-5700 • Processor Speed: 3.4 GHz • Processor Cores: 4 • RAM: 10 GB @ 1333 MHz • Hard Drive Capacity: 800 GB • Hard Drive Speed: (Revolutions Per Minute)7200 RPM • Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW • Graphics Card: AMD Radeon HD 7660D • Operating System: Windows 8 • Dedicated Video Memory: No • Shared Video Memory: To 4055 MB

14. How To: Look-Up a Computer’s Specifications • Click on the Start-Menu • In the “Search programs and files” field, enter “system information.” • Or Control Panel\System and Security\System

15. BREAK

16. Computer Software Two basic types of software: • Operating-System Software and • Application Software

17. Operating System Software • Controls the way the C.P.U. interprets commands from the user, how it processes data, and how it communicates with the peripherals. • You must have an operating system to run your computer system. • Examples of operating systems include: MS-DOS, Windows XP, Vista, Widnows 7, Linux,MacOS X, Windows 8, Unix.

18. Application Software • Created by programmers and used by users like us to solve problems. • Examples include: Microsoft’s Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Explorer, Adobe’s PhotoShop or Reader, Anti-Virus Software, Internet Explorer, et cetera. • We will be spending most of our time discussing and using this type of software.

19. How To:Explore Your Application Software

20. How To:Uninstall/Change Application Software

21. How To:Toggle Between Open Applications

22. Typical Desktop Features • Windows utilizes a graphical user interface. • This means we have icons, menus, etc. instead of having to enter typed commands.

23. Typical Desktop Features • Wallpaper: The background of the desktop screen. • Icon: Little pictures on the screen to represent software or a function. • TaskBar: The line along the bottom of the screen. Generally contains the Menu button. • Windows: Rectangular area on the screen that displays folder or document contents. • ScreenSaver: Present burning images onto the monitor.

24. How To:Change the Wallpaper/Screensaver

25. How To:Utilize Windows Gadgets • http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/customize-desktop-gadgets • Try the Clock, the Weather, and the Calendar.

26. How To:Utilize the Calculator

27. Introduction to Networking • To communicate, computers must be linked via a network. • A network is two or more computers connected by cable or radio signals. • A computer that is not part of the network is a called a stand-alone. • The two advantages of a network are • access to information • access to equipment

28. Introduction to Networking • There are two types of networks: 1. A local area network (LAN) is located in one building. 2. A wide area network (WAN) covers a large geographic area. • Networks are arranged in two ways: 1. client/server • One computer is the leader, or the server. • The other computers (also called nodes) are clients. 2. peer-to-peer • All computers act as both clients and servers.

29. How To:Discover Your Network

30. Additional Learning Tasks • Familiarize Yourself with Chapter 2 of the Text • Review Slides/Computer Applications • Become Familiar with the Interface