m,ia

Introduction to Computers

ObjectivesObjectives

Define the term computer

Identify the components of a computer

Explain why a computer is a powerful tool

Differentiate among the various categories of software

Describe the categories of computers and their uses

Identify the various types of computer users

p. 1.2

The Digital Revolution

Where can you find computers?

Computers are everywherep. 1.2 Fig. 1-1

What Is a Computer?

What is a computer? An electronic machine,

operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory• accepts data• manipulates the data

according to specified rules

• produces results• stores the results for

future use

p. 1.4

SoftwareThe series of

instructions that tells the hardware

how to perform tasks

HardwareThe electric,

electronic, and mechanical equipment

that makes up a computer

What is a Computer?

What are hardware and software?

p. 1.4

InputAny data or

instructions you enter into a computer

OutputData that has

been processed into informationStorage

Area in a computer that can hold data

and information for future use

CommunicationThe capability of communicating

with other computers

What is the information processing cycle?

What is a Computer?

p. 1.5

ProcessManipulate the input (data) to

produce output (information)

The Components of a Computer

What are common computer hardware components?

printer

scanner

speakerPC camera

microphonedigital camera

system unit

keyboard

modem

speaker

monitor

mouse

p. 1.5 Fig. 1-3

p. 1.5 Fig. 1-3


What is an input device? Any hardware component that allows a user to

enter data and instructions into a computer

scanner

microphone

keyboard

mouse

PC camera

digital camera

Click to view Web Linkthen click Input Devices

p. 1.6 Fig. 1-3


What is an output device? Any hardware component that can convey

information to a user

Click to view Web Linkthen click Output Devices

printer

monitor speakers


What is the system unit ? Sometimes called a

chassis A box-like case made

from metal or plastic that protects the internal electronic components of the computer from damage

Circuitry in the system unit usually is part of or is connected to a circuit board called the motherboard

p. 1.6 Fig. 1-3

CD-RW drive

CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive

hard disk drive

floppy disk drive

Zip® disk drive

External Device

Also called a peripheral

Attaches to the system unit

Internal Component

Resides inside the system unit


What are internal components and external devices?

p. 1.6

p. 1.7


What is storage? Holds data, instructions, and information for future

use

Storage Device

• Records and retrieves items to and from a storage medium

• Devices often function as source of input because they transfer items from storage into memory

Storage Medium

• Physical material on which a computer keeps the data, instructions and information

Click to view Web Linkthen click Storage Devices


What are common storage devices or drives?

CD-RW drive

hard disk drive

CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive

ZIP® drivefloppy disk drive

p. 1.7 Fig. 1-3

SpeedBillions of

operations can be carried out

in a single second

Reliability

Dependable because components have a low failure rate so

they produce consistent results

p. 1.8

Why Is a Computer So Powerful?

What characteristics make a computer powerful?

Communications

Two connected computers can share

stored data, instructions, and information

Storage

Enormous amounts of data can be stored and

made available for processing anytime it is

needed

Accuracy

If data is entered correctly and program works properly, the results are error-free —

garbage in, garbage out (GIGO) accuracy of output depends on accuracy of

input

Categories of Computers

What are the categories of computers?

p. 1.19 Fig. 1-20

Two major categories

• Desktop

• Notebook

Microprocessor

The single chip that performs all the processing functions on a personal computer

Personal Computers

What is a personal computer? A computer that can perform all of its input,

processing, output, and storage activities by itself

Contains at least

• One Input device

• One output device

• One storage device

• Memory

• A processor p. 1.19

Personal Computers

p. 1.19 Fig. 1-21 & 22 The PC and compatibles use the Windows operating system

The Apple Macintosh uses the Macintosh operating system (Mac OS)

p. 1.19 Fig. 1-21 & 22

What are the two most popular series of personal computers?

Personal Computers

What is a desktop computer?

Designed so the system unit, input devices, output devices, and any other devices fit entirely on or under a desk or table

p. 1.20 Fig. 1-23

Click to view Web Linkthen click Personal Computers

Personal Computers

What are some desktop computer variations?

Tower model

• Tall and narrow system unit that can sit on the floor vertically

p. 1.20 Fig. 1-23

Personal Computers

What are some desktop computer variations? All-in-one computer

• Less expensive desktop that combines he monitor and system unit into a single device

p. 1.21 Fig. 1-24

Personal Computers


Workstation• More expensive and powerful

desktop designed for work that requires intense calculations and graphics capabilities

Stand-alone• Can perform the information

processing cycle operations without being connected to a network

p. 1.21

Personal Computers


Server• Powerful desktop that

manages the resources on a network

Clients or workstations• Other computers on

network that access the contents of the storage area on the servers

p. 1.22 Fig. 1-25

Click to view video

Personal Computers

What is a notebook computer? Also called a laptop Portable, personal

computer small enough to fit on your lap

Generally more expensive than a desktop computer with equal capabilities

p. 1.22 Fig. 1-26

Handheld Computers

What is a handheld computer?

Also called a palmtop computer

Small computer that fits in your hand

p. 1.23 Fig. 1-27

Click to view Web Linkthen click Handheld Computers

Handheld Computers

How do you input data with a handheld computer?

Others use a stylus

• A stylus looks like a ballpoint pen, but uses pressure, instead of ink to write

Some have small keyboards

p. 1.23

Some support voice input

Handheld Computers

What is a personal digital assistant (PDA)? One of the most

popular handheld computers in use today

Provides personal organizer functions • Calendar• Appointment book• Address book• Calculator• Notepad

p. 1.23 Fig. 1-28

Handheld Computers

What are Web-enabled handheld computers? Allow you to access the Internet wirelessly

p. 1.24 Fig. 1-29

Web-enabled two-way pager

Web-enabled cellular telephone Web-enabled

handheld computer

Internet Appliances

What is an Internet appliance or information appliance? Computer with

limited functionality whose main purpose is to connect to the Internet from home

p. 1.24 Fig. 1-30

Mid-Range Servers

What is a mid-range server? More powerful and

larger than a workstation computer

Supports up to 4,000 users

Often connected via a personal computer or terminal

Once known as a known as a minicomputerminicomputer

p. 1.25 Fig. 1-32

Sometimes called dumb terminals• No processing

power

• Cannot stand alone

• Must be connected to a server to operate

Mid-Range Servers

What is a terminal?

Device with a monitor and keyboard used to access a server

p. 1.25

Mainframes

What is a mainframe? Large, expensive,

very powerful computer

Can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously

Stores tremendous amounts of data, instructions, and information

p. 1.26 Fig. 1-33

Supercomputers

What is a supercomputer? Fastest, most powerful computer

p. 1.26 Fig. 1-34

Able to process more than 12 trillion instructions per second

Click to view Web Linkthen click Computer Programs

Directs computer to perform alternative operations

Prints a report

Stores information on diskp. 1.10

Computer Software

What is a computer program? A series of instructions that tells the

hardware of a computer what to do

Allows you to input data and stores it in memory

Uses data in memory in calculations

Displays information on monitor

Compares values stored in memory

Computer Software

What is system software? Programs that control the operations of the

computer and its devices

Operating System (OS)

Set of programs containing instructions that coordinate all the

activities among computer hardware

devices

Utility program

Type of system software that performs a specific task, usually related to managing a computer, its devices,

or its programsp. 1.12

Click to view Web Linkthen click Application Software

Computer Software

What is application software? Programs that perform specific tasks for users

p. 1.13

Word processing

software

Spreadsheet software

Database software

Presentation graphics software

Suite

Four popular software applications bundled

together as a single unit

Spreadsheet software

Database software

Presentation graphics software

Word processing

software

1. Hardware

2. Software

1. Hardware

3. Data

1. Hardware

2. Software

4a. People (IT personnel)

1. Hardware

2. Software

3. Data

4b. People (users)

1. Hardware

2. Software

3. Data

4a. People (IT personnel)

5. Procedures

1. Hardware

2. Software

3. Data

4a. People (IT personnel)4b. People (users)

Elements of an Information System

What is an information system?

p. 1.27 Fig. 1-35

Click to view Web Linkthen click Minorities in Technology

Click to view Web Linkthen click Women in Technology

For an information system to provide accurate, timely, and useful information, each element must be present and all of the elements must work together

What is a Computer?

Who is a user? Someone that

communicates with a computer

Someone who uses the information it generates

p. 1.4

Large Business

Examples of Computer Usage

What are five categories of computer users?

p. 1.28 Fig. 1-36

HomeMobile

Small Office/Home Office

Power

p. 1.29 Fig. 1-37


What software is available for a home user?

researchfinance and business management

Web accessentertainment


How do computer companies accommodate children? Many

manufacturers design special hardware for children

p. 1.30 Fig. 1-38

p. 1.30


What is the digital divide? Idea that you can

separate people of the world into two distinct groups• Those who have

access to technology with the ability to use it

• Those who do not have access to technology or are without the ability to use itClick to view

video

Web access

spreadsheet

What hardware and software is available for a small office/home office (SOHO) user?


Desktop usage Local Area

Network (Lan) Productivity

software Specialty

software Web usagep. 1.31

Fig. 1-39


What new computer trends concern a small office/home office (SOHO) user? E-mail

• Communicate with others E-commerce

• Conduct financial business on the Web

Web cam

• Allows a SOHO user to show the world a live view of some aspect of their business

p. 1.31


What is a mobile user? Travel to and from a

main office to conduct business

Hardware

• Notebook computers

• Handheld computers

• Web-enabled cellular telephones

Software

• Productivity

• Presentationp. 1.32 Fig. 1-40


What are the needs of the large business user?

Network• Local area network (LAN)• Wide Area Network (WAN)

Large business Web site Sales management Accounting Desktop publishing Information systems

department Productivity software Scheduling Web access

p. 1.33 Fig. 1-41

p. 1.34 Fig. 1-43


What is a kiosk? A freestanding

computer Usually has

multimedia capability and a touch screen

Used by a large business to provide information to the public

Click to view video


What is telecommuting? A work

arrangement in which employees work away from a company’s standard workplace

Often communicate with the office using some communications technology

p. 1.34 Fig. 1-44


What are the needs of a power user? Requires the capabilities of a workstation or other

powerful computer Types of power users

• Engineers• Architects• Desktop publishers• Graphic artists

Typically work with multimedia• Combines text,

graphics, sound, video, an other media elements into one application

p. 1.35 Fig. 1-45

DataCollection of raw

unprocessed facts, figures, and symbols

InformationData that is organized,

meaningful, and useful

What are data and information?

p. 1.4 Fig. 1-2

Summary of Introduction to Computers

What is a computer? The components of a computer Why is a computer so powerful? Computer software Categories of computers Personal computers

Summary of Introduction to Computers (cont.) Handheld computers

Internet appliances Mid-range servers Mainframes Supercomputers

m,ia

Technology

computer powerful

computer output data

allinone computer

term computer

desktop computer variations

input data

categories of computers

connected computers