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Basic Computer Vocabulary. TERMS TO KNOW. PERSONAL COMPUTERS. A personal computer is used by one person at a time. Includes desktop and laptop computers, MP3 players, PDA’s, etc. PC = Microsoft Windows OS (made by IBM, Dell, Gateway...) Mac = Mac OS (made only by Apple).
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PERSONAL COMPUTERS • A personal computer is used by one person at a time. Includes desktop and laptop computers, MP3 players, PDA’s, etc. • PC = Microsoft Windows OS (made by IBM, Dell, Gateway...) • Mac = Mac OS (made only by Apple)
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU) • CPU= computer’s brain • The CPU performs calculations and carries out all the instructions you give to your computer • CPU speed is measured in: • Megahertz (MHz) - millions of CPU cycles per second • Gigahertz (GHz) - billions of CPU cylcles per second
BITS & BYTES • Computers can only process two numbers: 1 and 0. • A bit is the smallest unit of information, always either a 1 or a 0. • Eight bits make a byte • 5 page paper = 40 KB (40,000 bytes) • Movie on DVD = 5 GB (5 billion bytes)
HARDWARE • Hardware is the collection of physical devices that make up your computer system. These devices are also called components.
INPUTS & OUTPUT PORTS • Types of Ports: • USB • Firewire • Compact Flash (CF Card) • Secure Disk (SD Card) • Input = user enters information into a computer • Output = computer delivers information back to a user
Hmmm...... • Q: What are 3 hardware components that you can see outside the computer and what are 3 components hidden inside the computer? • Is it an input or output? • keyboard • mouse • printer • scanner • speakers • digital camera
RAM & ROM • A computer mainly uses 2 kinds of memory: RAM or ROM, depending on the task • ROM = permanent information, long-term memory • RAM = temporary information, short-term memory (erased when computer turns off) RAM computer chips
STORAGE DEVICES Storage devices: * hard drive * flash drive * CD’s, DVD’s, & Blue-ray * floppy disk • A computer stores information in 3 main places: RAM, ROM, or storage device • Before you save your work, the data is stored in RAM. When you save a file, you move the information from RAM to a storage device. How is RAM like short-term memory? If you had a 1GB file, where could you store it?
SOFTWARE 3 categories of software: * Operating System (OS) * Application * Utility • Software is a set of instructions that makes it possible for your computer to perform tasks. It translates your commands into the language of binary numbers. Software can also be called a program or an application. Types of Software: * web browsers * email * word processing * spreadsheet * database * presentation
OPERATING SYSTEMS Types of operating systems: Microsoft Windows Mac OS Linux Handheld OS (PDA’s MP3’s, Cell Phones, etc. • The operating system controls all the software programs and allows hardware to work properly. MS-DOS = text interface (“old school” way of input) GUI = graphical user interface that allows for point and click Name 6 types of application software and describe what each one allows you to do. What types of software program controls all the other software on your computer?
NETWORK • A computer network is a group of computers connected together. Networks allow people to share information and resources such as printers, storage devices, and Internet connections. • A network server is a powerful computer that lets users share storage space and applications In a computer network, what do you call the computer that provides shared storage space and applications to other computers? Why is it helpful for schools or companies to use a network?