1. Discovering Computers 2011
Chapter 1
Introduction to
Computers

2. Chapter 1 Objectives
Recognize the importance of
computer literacy
Describe the categories of computers
Identify the components of
a computer
Identify the types of
computer users
Discuss the uses of the Internet and
World Wide Web
Discuss various computer
applications in society
Identify the categories of software
Next

3. A World of Computers
What is computer literacy?
 Knowledge and understanding
of computers and their uses
 Computers are everywhere
Maybe a better term : Computer Fluency (adaptability)
Next

4. What Is a Computer?
How is a computer defined?
 Electronic device operating under the control of
instructions stored in its own memory
Processes data into
Accepts data information
Raw facts, figures, and
Data that is organized,
symbols
meaningful, and useful
Produces and stores results
Next

5. Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
What are the advantages of using computers?
Speed Reliability Consistency
Storage Communications
Next

6. Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
What are the disadvantages of using computers?
Violation of
Public Safety
Privacy
Impact on Impact on
Health Risks
Labor Force Environment
Next

7. What Is a Computer?
What is the information processing cycle?
 Input
 Process
 Output
 Storage
 Communication
Next

8. The Components of a Computer
What is an input device?
 Hardware used
to enter data
and instructions
Next

9. The Components of a Computer
What is an output device?
 Hardware that
conveys
information
to one or more
people
Next

10. The Components of a Computer
What is the system unit?
 Case containing
electronic
components of
the computer
that are used to
process data
Next

11. The Components of a Computer
What are two main components on the motherboard?
Processor
Also called a Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The electronic component that interprets and carries
out the basic instructions that operate the computer
Memory
Consists of electronic components that store
instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by
those instructions
Next

12. The Components of a Computer
What is storage?
 Holds data, instructions, and information
for future use
Storage media
Physical material on which data, instructions,
and information are stored
Storage device
Records and retrieves items to and from
a storage medium
Next

13. The Components of a Computer
What are storage media?
Hard Disks
USB Flash Drives CDs
Memory Cards DVDs
Next

14. The Components of a Computer
What is a storage device?
Retrieves
Records (writes) (reads)
items to storage items from
media storage
Often function media
as a source
of input
Next

15. The Components of a Computer
What is a USB flash drive?
Portable storage device
Small and lightweight enough
to be transported on a keychain
or in a pocket
The average USB flash drive
can hold about 1-64 billion
characters
Next

16. The Components of a Computer
What is a hard disk?
 Provides greater storage
capacity than a
USB flash drive
 Most are housed inside
of the system unit
What is an SSD?
 Provides storage capacity
comparable to a hard disk,
but faster.
 Most are housed inside
of the system unit Next

17. The Components of a Computer
What is a compact disc?
 Flat, round, portable metal disc
 CD-ROM
 CD+/-R
 CD+/-R/W
 DVD-ROM
 DVD+/-R
 DVD+/-R/W
 CD+/-R and
DVD+/-R also
called WORM
technology [en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Write_Once_Read_Many ]
Next

18. The Components of a Computer
What is a communications device?
Hardware component that
enables a computer to
send and receive data, instructions,
and information
Occurs over cables, telephone
lines, cellular radio networks,
satellites, and other
transmission media
Next

19. Networks and the Internet
 A network is a collection of computers and devices
connected together
Used to share
Resources
Hardware
devices Software
programs
Data
To save
Information time
and
money
Next

20. Networks and the Internet
What is the Internet [DoD – 1969]?
 Worldwide collection of networks that connects
millions of businesses, government agencies,
educational institutions, and individuals
Next

21. Networks and the Internet
Why do users access the Internet
(1969)?
1. Communications
2. Information
3. Shopping
4. Banking and Investing
5. Classes
6. Entertainment
7. Download Music
8. Share Information
Next

22. Networks and the Internet
What is the Web (1989)?
 Billions of documents, called Web pages, available to
anyone connected to the Internet
A podcast is
A Web site is You can share recorded audio
a collection of information on a social stored on a Web site
related Web pages networking Web site that can be
downloaded
A Web page contains
A blog consists of time-
text, graphics, audio,
stamped articles in
video, and links to
a journal format
other Web pages
Difference between the Internet and the WWW Next

23. Personal Computers
What are the two most popular series of personal
computers?
 Apple Macintosh
 PC and compatibles
usually uses the
use the Windows
Macintosh operating
operating system
system (Mac OS X)
Next

24. Personal Computers
What is a desktop computer?
 Designed so all of the components fit on or under
a desk or table
Next

25. Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
What is a notebook computer?
 Portable, small enough
to fit on your lap
 Also called a laptop
computer
 Generally more
expensive than desktop
computers with equal
capabilities
Next

26. Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
What is a Tablet PC?
 Resembles a letter-sized slate
 Allows you to write on the
screen using a digital pen
 Especially useful for taking
notes
Can you say UPS, FEDEX, DHL?
Next

27. Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
What is a handheld computer?
Small
enough to fit
in one Sometimes referred to
hand as an ultra-personal
computer (uPC), or an
Ultra-Mobile PC
(UMPC), or a handtop
computer
iPad, etc. !!
Next

28. Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
What is a personal digital assistant (PDA)?
 Provides personal organizer functions
 Calendar
 Appointment book
 Address book
 Calculator
 Notepad
Next

29. Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
What are smart phones?
A smart phone is
an Internet-enabled
telephone that usually
provides PDA capabilities
Like the iPhone, Treo,
Android (‘Droid) etc.
Next

30. Game Consoles
What are game consoles?
Mobile computing device designed for
single-player or multiplayer video games
Like the Xbox, Wii,
Sony PlayStation3
Next

31. Servers
What types of servers are there?
Server Controls access to network
resources and provides centralized
storage
Mainframe Very powerful,
expensive computer that supports
thousands of connected users
[Also called an Enterprise Server]
Supercomputer The fastest, most
powerful, most expensive
computer. Used for applications
requiring complex mathematical
calculations
Next

32. Embedded Computers
What is an embedded computer?
 A special-purpose computer that functions as a
component in a larger product
Next

33. Computer Software
What is software?
Consists of a series
Also called a
of instructions that
program
tells the computer
what to do and
& DATA
how to do it
Next

34. Computer Software
What is a graphical user interface (GUI)?
 Allows you to
interact with the
software using
graphics and visual
images such as
icons
 Controls how you
enter data and
instructions and
how the screen
displays
information
Next

35. Computer Software
What is system software?
 Programs that control or maintain the operations of
the computer and its devices
Operating System (OS)
is a set of programs
that coordinates all
activities among
computer hardware Utility Programs allow the user to
devices perform maintenance-type tasks
usually related to managing a
computer, its devices or its programs
Next

36. Computer Software
What is application software?
 Programs designed to make
users more productive
 Create/Produce useful data
Word
Spreadsheet
Processing
Presentation
Database
Graphics
Next

37. Computer Software
How do you install and run programs?
Step 1: INSTALL
When you insert a greeting
card program disc
in the CD drive for the first
time, the computer
begins the procedure of
installing the greeting
card program on the hard
disk.
Step 3: USE Step 2: RUN
The greeting card program Once installed, you can
executes. Using this program, instruct the computer to run
you can create custom greeting the greeting card program.
cards. The computer transfers
instructions from the hard
disk to memory.
Next

38. Computer Software
What is a programmer?
 Someone who develops
application or system
software
 Programmer writes
the instructions to
direct the computer to
process data into
information
Next

39. Categories of Computers
What are the categories of computers?
Personal Computers
(desktop)
Mobile Computers and
Mobile Devices
Game Consoles
Servers
Mainframes
Supercomputers
Embedded Computers
Next

40. Examples of Computer Usage
What software is available for a home user?
 Personal Finance Management
 Web access
 Communications
 Entertainment
 (Games)
Next

41. Examples of Computer Usage
What software is available for a small
office/home office (SOHO) user?
 Productivity
software
 Specialty
software
 Web usage
 E-mail
 (Games)
Next

42. Examples of Computer Usage
What is available for
a mobile user?
 Hardware
 Notebook computers
 Tablet PCs
 Internet-enabled PDAs
 Smart phones
 Software
 Word processing
 Spreadsheet
 Presentation graphics
software
Next

43. Examples of Computer Usage
What are the needs of a power user?
 Extremely fast processors
 Types of power users
 Engineers
 Scientists
 Architects
 Desktop publishers
 Graphic artists
Next

44. Examples of Computer Usage
What are the needs of the large business user?
 Payroll
 Inventory
 E-commerce
 Desktop
publishing
Next

45. Computer Applications in Society
What are some examples
of computer applications
in society?
 Education
 Finance
 Government
 Health Care
 Science
 Publishing
 Travel
 Manufacturing
Next

46. Computers, Society, and You
 Web-based applications
 Internet messaging (IM)—free, real-time
connection
 Two or more parties can use a buddy list to
identify and restrict the contacts the person
wishes to communicate with
 Social networks—include Facebook,
MySpace, LinkedIn, and Twitter
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, 46
Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

47. Computers, Society, and You
 Collaborative work
 Computer forensics—branch of forensic science
that deals with legal evidence found on
computers, and is used to find and apprehend
criminals
 Collaborative software includes:
 Google Docs—free Web-based word processor and
spreadsheet
 Wiki—collection of Web pages designed to let anyone
with access contribute or modify content
 Google Groups—free service that helps users connect,
share information, and communicate effectively over
the Web
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, 47
Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

48. Computers, Society, and You
 Advantages and Disadvantages of
Computer Use
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, 48
Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

49. Computers, Society, and You
 When using computer
hardware:
 Do not plug too many devices into electrical
outlets.
 Use surge protectors.
 Place hardware where it can’t fall or be
damaged.
 Provide adequate space for air circulation
around hardware.
 Securely fasten computer cables, cords,
and wires.
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, 49
Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

50. Computers, Society, and You
 Ergonomics—field of study
concerned with the fit between
people and their work environment
 Carpal tunnel syndrome (repetitive
strain injury or cumulative trauma
disorder)—caused by repeated
motions that damage nerves in
hands, wrists, and arms
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, 50
Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

51. Computers, Society, and You
 Promote safety and comfort
 Position top of your monitor at eye level
 Tilt the monitor back 10 to 20 degrees
 Place it at least 20” from your eyes
 Keep your wrists flat—use a wrist rest if needed
 Rest your eyes often by focusing on an object
20 or more feet away
 Stand and stretch periodically
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, 51
Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

52. Computers, Society, and You
 Software programs
 Contain flaws
 Errors cause programs to run slowly or
miscalculate.
 Bugs are almost impossible to eliminate completely.
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, 52
Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

53. Computers, Society, and You
 Computer ethics
 Moral dilemmas relating to computer
usage
 Digital piracy
 Unauthorized reproduction and distribution
of computer-based media
 Unethical behavior
 Sending viruses, stealing credit card
information, computer stalking, and
installing illegitimate copies of software on
computers
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, 53
Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

54. Computers, Society, and You
 Computers provide those
who are disabled and
disadvantaged with added
support and opportunities
 E-learning
 Learning without requiring students to be
at a specific location at a specific time
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, 54
Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

55. Computers, Society, and You
 Automation
 Replacement of people by machines and
computers
 Outsourcing
 Subcontracting of portions of a job to a third
party to reduce cost, time, and energy.
 Computer technology
 Aided globalization and the resulting
outsourcing of jobs, as well as structural
unemployment—the obsolescence of certain
jobs.
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, 55
Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

56. Computers, Society, and You
 Be a responsible computer
user:
 Understand how your computer use
affects others.
 Obey laws and conform to requests
regarding use of cell phones.
 Be aware of e-waste and the proper
disposal of outdated computer hardware.
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, 56
Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

57. Computers, Society, and You
 Advances in computer
technology
 Upgrade software to obtain the latest
software features.
 Stay informed to help avoid computer
viruses.
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, 57
Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

58. Summary of Introduction to Computers
The computer and its components
Categories of computers
What is a network?
Types of computer users
The Internet
Computer applications in society
Types of software
Chapter 1 Complete