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Discovering Computers. Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers. Computer Literacy. Having knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses. A World of Computers. Computers are everywhere: at work, at school and at home Communication Text Messages, Pictures, Diagrams, Music, Videos
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Discovering Computers Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers
Computer Literacy Having knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses.
A World of Computers • Computers are everywhere: at work, at school and at home • Communication • Text Messages, Pictures, Diagrams, Music, Videos • Instant Access to Information • National News, weather reports, maps, credit reports, educational material • Manage Daily Activities • Balance checkbook, Letters, Presentations, navigation systems • Leisure Time Activities • Play games, listen to music, read books, plan vacations
What is a COMPUTER? • An electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory unit, that can accept data, manipulate data according to specific rules, produce information from the processing, and store the results for future use.
Hardware in a Computing Environment • Input Devices • Output Devices • System Unit • Storage Devices • storage media • Communication Devices
Advantages of Using A Computer • Speed • Reliability • Consistency • Storage • Communications
Disadvantages of computer • Violation of Privacy • Impact on Labor Force • Health Risk • Impact on Environment
Network • Collection of computers and devices connected together • Share resources such as hardware, software, data • Server/Client
The Internet • World’s largest Network • Millions of computers • Over 360 million users • World wide • Reasons for using • Sending messages (e-mail) • Accessing information • Shopping • Meeting or conversing • Entertainment • Games • Magazines • Vacation planning guides
The World Wide Web • One segment of the Internet • Contains billions of documents • Web pages • Web site • Collection of related web pages • Viewed using Web Browser • IE –Netscape
Computer Software • Software/program – series of instructions that tell computer what to do • GUI – Graphics User Interface • System Software – control operations of computer and devices • operating system – coordinates activities among computer hardware • utility programs – maintain devices and programs • Application Software – makes user more productive or assists with personal tasks
Categories of Computers • Embedded Computers • Consumer Electronics, Automobiles, Office Machines, Home Automation • Personal Computers • Desktop • Mobile Computers : • Notebook/laptop • Tablet PC (digital pen) • Mobile Devices • handheld – industry-specific • PDAs -organizers • smart phones –internet enabled phone with PDA capabilities • smart watches – internet enabled watch • Game Consoles • Nintendo’s Game Boy • Sony’s Playstation
Categories of Computers (cont) • Servers • Controls resources on a network • Centralized storage area • Mainframes • handles hundreds of thousands connected users simultaneously (DELTA) • Supercomputer • fastest most powerful (weather forecasting, nuclear energy research)
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