Lecture 1: Basic features of a Computer

1. Computer Science Alemany High School Summer 2008 Mr. Galla Lecture 1:Basic features of a Computer

2. I. Parts of a Computer A computer is like a 3 layer cake… Applications (programs) Operating System (Windows) Hardware (Physical Computer) Miscellaneous Parts of a Computer: • Microprocessor • Operating System • RAM – DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) • Cache – SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) • Hard Drive • Mouse • Keyboard • Monitor: Cathode Ray Tube, LCD, Plasma, DLP • Printer • Scan • Digital Camera • CD-R, CD-R/W, DVD media, dual layer, blue ray, HD-DVD • 3D Graphics Card • Modem (DSL vs. cable)

3. II. Operating System • system by which the hardware is controlled and software is run • ex. MS-DOS, Win 3.x, Win 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/ VISTA • Mac OSX, Leopard

4. III. Hardware vs. Software • Hardware – any material part of the computer (case, monitor, cd-rom) • Software – any program or application that runs on the hardware

5. IV. Toggle Keys • A key that allows you to “toggle” or manipulate an action • Going back and forth between two actions • Num lock, caps lock, insert (overtype), ctrl, alt, shift

6. V. Keys Used in Conjunction with the Mouse 1. Shift Key • move files or folders • select a CONTINUOUS block or group of files or folders 2. CTRL Key • used to select files or folders which are not continuous 3. ALT Key • used to access the Menu Bar at the top of a window

7. VI. Insert vs. Backspace vs. Delete • insert overtypes • delete removes characters forwards • backspace removes characters backwards

8. VII. File Extensions • three characters added to the end of a filename that represent what type of program the file was created in • usually the file is either an application – a file that is opened in a different program, (.doc is Word, .wps is Corel Wordperfect, .pub is Publisher, .xls is Excel) • or an executable – a file that opens a program (.exe , .bat, .sys) • internet file extensions – slightly different in that they represent the type of website that you are visiting (.com is commercial, .edu is education, .gov is government, .net is network)

9. VIII. Windows XP Professional (Alemany OS in room A3) What should you know about Windows? • window – any open program, application, or message • title bar – top “line” of a window that contains the title of what is open; contains a title, minimize (small dash), maximize (square) and close (x) • icon – small graphic that opens a program or application • tool bar – a bar in any program that combines icons that lead to a specific action or function within the program • menu bar – horizontal line underneath the title bar that lists the functions and capabilities of a program (File, Edit, View, Insert, Format, Window, Help) • hint – hit the alt key on the keyboard to bring up the F in file on the menu bar

10. What should you know about Windows? (Cont’d) • task bar – the bar usually located on the bottom of the screen, includes the start button and clock • various programs can be run by clicking on them in the task bar, • including system settings for the computer (speaker, etc) • single vs. double click – DO NOT click on a file name, only the file itself! Otherwise you rename it and it becomes difficult to find • know how to drag – title bar, corner of a window, three types of arrows • Microsoft Explorer – file manager • DOS – “command prompt”; 8 characters per filename (limited and older OS) • Right Click vs. Left Click – obtains different menus