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Computers: Tools for an Information Age. Chapter 1. Objectives. Describe the three fundamental characteristics of computers Describe at least four areas of society in which computers are used Identify the basic components of a computer system: input, processing, output, and storage
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Computers: Tools for an Information Age Chapter 1
Objectives • Describe the three fundamental characteristics of computers • Describe at least four areas of society in which computers are used • Identify the basic components of a computer system: input, processing, output, and storage • List some common input, output, and storage media • Distinguish data from information • Describe the significance of networking • Explain the significance of the Internet • Explain the various classifications of computers
Contents • Information Age • Computer Literacy • Where Computers Are Used • Computer System • Network • Classifications of Computers
Information Age • Evolving more rapidly than Industrial Age • Will continue into the current century
Cornerstones of our Economy • Land • Labor • Capital • Information Forging a Computer-Based Society:
Jobs Forging a Computer-Based Society: • From physical to mental • From muscle-power to brain-power
A Computer in Your Future • Where used? • Bank withdrawal • Supermarket • Drive the car • Do I need a Personal Computer? • Half of Americans have one at home • Many more use at work • Will I use a computer in my future career? • Almost every job will involve use of a computer
Computer Literacy • Awareness • Importance • Versatility • Pervasiveness in our society • Knowledge • What are computers • How do computers work • Terminology • Interaction • Use some simple computer applications
Characteristics Speed Reliability Storage capability Results Productivity Decision making Cost reduction The Nature of Computers
Where Computers Are Used Graphics Graphs and charts Animated graphics Visual walk-through
Where Computers Are UsedEducation • Teaching and testing aid • Learning by doing • Computer-based instruction
Where Computers Are UsedRetailing • Bar codes for pricing and inventory • Shipping
Where Computers Are UsedEnergy • Locate oil, coal, natural gas, and uranium • Monitor the power network • Meter reading
Where Computers Are UsedLaw Enforcement • National fingerprint files • National files on criminal • Computer modeling of DNA
Where Computers Are UsedTransportation • Cars • Run rapid transit systems • Load containerships • Track railroad cars • Monitor air traffic
Where Computers Are UsedMoney • Record keeping • Banking by phone • Credit cards
Billing Crop information Feed combinations Livestock breeding and performance Where Computers Are UsedAgriculture
Forecast weather Manage parks Process immigrants Social Security benefits Taxes Where Computers Are UsedGovernment
Where Computers Are UsedThe Home • Educational tool • Record keeping • Letter writing • Budgeting • Drawing and editing pictures • Newsletters • Connecting with others
Where Computers Are UsedHealth and Medicine • Monitor patients • Electronic imaging • Diagnose illnesses
Where Computers Are UsedRobotics • Perform jobs that are dangerous for humans • Factory work
Where Computers Are UsedThe Human Connection • Assist the disabled • Assist athletes by monitoring their movements
Where Computers Are Used The Sciences • Research • Simulation • Connectivity • Communication • Telecommuting
Where Computers Are Used Training • Airline pilots • Railroad engineers • Paperwork • Junk mail • Term paper • Record keeping
Computers are all around! • Grocery store • School • Library • Bank • Mail We interact with computers everyday!
Computer System People Software Hardware
People • Computer programmer – person who writes programs • Users or End-users – make use of the computer’s capabilities
Software • Programs • Set of instructions that directs the hardware to do a required task and produce the desired results
Computer • A machine that can be programmed to accept data (input), process it into useful information (output), and store it away (in secondary storage device) for safekeeping or later reuse • Process is directed by software but performed by the hardware
Function of Computer System Data handling I Input P Process O Output S Storage
Input devices • Accept data or commands and convert them to electronic form • Getting data into the computer • Typing on a keyboard • Pointing with a mouse • Scanning with a wand reader or bar-code reader • Terminal
Monitor or screen Text Numbers Symbols Art Photographs Video Printer Black and white Color Output devices • Convert from electronic form to some other form • May display the processed results • Usable information
The Processor Central Processing Unit (CPU) • Converts data to useful information • Interpret and execute instructions • Communicate with input, output and storage
Two Types of Storage • Secondary storage long-term storage • Primary storage or memory temporary storage
Memory / Primary Storage • Temporary storage • Holds input to be processed • Holds results of processing • Contains the programs to control the computer and manipulate input into output • Volatile
Secondary Storage • Long-term storage • Non-volatile
Secondary Storage Examples • Magnetic disks – read and written by magnetic disk drive • Hard disk • Diskette • Optical disks – read and written by optical disk drives • CD-ROM • DVD-ROM • Magnetic tape – read and written by magnetic tape drives • Primarily used for back-up
Computer System • Computer • CPU • Memory • Peripheral equipment • Connected to the computer by a cable • Input, output, storage
Network • Definition • A system that uses communications equipment to connect computers and their resources. • Types • Local area network (LAN) – connects computers in close proximity • Metropolitan are network (MAN) – connect computers between buildings in the same geographic area • Wide are network (WAN) – connects computers over great distances
Home Connectivity • Connect home PC to other computers • Use modem to convert signals between electronic (computer) and analog (voice) formats
Internet • Collection of networks • No ownership • No central source for services available • No comprehensive index of what information is available Connects Everyone! • Individuals • Businesses • Organizations • Libraries • Research labs • Government
Getting Connected • User’s computer must connect to a server • Server must communicate using TCP/IP • The user can purchase access to a server from an ISP (Internet Service Provider)
Internet – What Can You Do? • WWW – World Wide Web • FTP – File Transfer Protocol • E-mail • UseNet • IRC – Internet Relay Chat • Bulletin Boards
World Wide Web • Browser – program that allows the user to move around and explore the Internet • Use the mouse to point and click on text and graphics • Web page • Web site • Home page
Classifications of Computers • Use the computer that fits your needs • Based upon • Size • Speed • Cost • Portability • Number of simultaneous users supported • Available software • Typical use
Personal Computers • Other names • PC • Microcomputer • Home computer • Categories • Low-end functional • Fully powered • Workstations • Net computer or net box (Web TV) • Desktop Models
Notebook Computers • Portable • Lightweight • Fits in a briefcase • Battery operated • Laptop • Larger • Heavier • More expensive that desktop models
Handheld Computers • Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) • Scheduling • Addresses • Handwritten input • May offer wireless e-mail and fax • Pocket • More power than PDA • Runs basic productivity software
Other Types of Computers Mainframes • High speed • More expensive • Used to process large amounts of data quickly • Support multiple users • Does server tasks Supercomputers • Fastest speed • Most expensive