INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

Module One

Discovering Computers 2012

Your Interactive Guide To The Digital World

Objectives Overview
1. Explain why computer literacy is vital to the
success in todays world.
2. Define the term, computer, & describe the
relationship between data and information.
3. Describe the five components of a computer.
4. Discuss the advantages & disadvantages that
users experience when working computers.
5. Define the term, network, & identify benefits of
sharing resources on a network.
6. Discuss the uses of the Internet & World Wide
Web.
See Page 3
for Detailed Objectives

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1

Objectives Overview (Cont.)

7. Distinguish between system software and application
software
8. Differentiate among types, sizes, and functions of
computers in each category
9. Describe the role of each element in an information
system
10. Explain how home users, small office/home office
users, mobile users, power users, and enterprise
users each interact with computers
11. Discuss how society uses computers in education,
finance, government, health care, science, publishing,
travel, and manufacturing
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1

A World of Computers
Computers are everywhere

Pages 4 - 5
Figure 1-1

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1

What Is a Computer?
A computer is an electronic device, operating
under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory
Collects
data
(input)

Processing

Produces
information
(output)

Information Processing Cycle

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Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1

What Is a Computer?

Page 6
Figure 1-2

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1

The Components of a Computer

A computer contains many electric, electronic, and
mechanical components known as hardware
Input Device
Output Device

Allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer

Hardware component that conveys information to one or more people

System Unit

Case that contains the electronic components of the computer that

are used to process data

Storage Device

Records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from storage

media

Communications
Device

Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and

information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices

Pages 6 - 8

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1

THE COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER

Page 7
Figure 1-3

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1

Advantages and Disadvantages

of Using Computers

Pages 9 - 10

Advantages of
Using Computers

Disadvantages of
Using Computers

Speed

Health Risks

Reliability

Violation of Privacy

Consistency

Public Safety

Storage

Impact on Labor Force

Communications

Impact on Environment

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1

Advantages and Disadvantages

of Using Computers
Green computing involves reducing the electricity
consumed and environmental waste generated when
using a computer
Strategies include:

Page 10

Recycling
Regulating manufacturing processes
Extending the life of computers
Immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced computers

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Networks and the Internet

A
network
is
a
collection of computers
and devices connected
together,
often
wirelessly,
via
communications
devices
and
transmission media

Pages 10 - 11
Figure 1-6

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Networks and the Internet

The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that
connects millions of businesses, government agencies,
educational institutions, and individuals

Page 11
Figure 1-7

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Networks and the Internet

People use the Internet for a variety of reasons:

Communicate

Research and
Access Information

Entertainment

Pages 12 - 13
Figure 1-8

Download Videos

Shop

Bank and Invest

Share Information

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1

Online Trading

Web Application

13

Networks and the Internet

A social networking Web site encourages
members to share their interests, ideas, stories,
photos, music, and videos with other registered
users

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Figure 1-9

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Computer Software
Software, also called a program, tells the
computer what tasks to perform and how to
perform them
System Software
Operating system
Utility program

Application Software

Pages 15 - 16
Figures 1-10 - 1-11

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Computer Software
Installing is the process of setting up software to
work with the computer, printer, and other
hardware

Pages 16 - 17
Figure 1-12

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Computer Software
A programmer develops
software or writes the
instructions that direct
the computer to
process data into
information

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Figure 1-13

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Categories of Computers
Personal computers

Mobile computers and mobile devices

Game consoles

Servers

Mainframes

Supercomputers

Embedded computers
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Personal Computers
A personal computer can perform all of its input,
processing, output, and storage activities by itself
Two popular architectures are the PC and the
Apple
Desktop computer

Pages 19 - 20
Figures 1-15 - 1-16

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Mobile Computers and Mobile

Devices
Mobile
Computer

Pages 20 - 23

Mobile
Device
Personal computer you
can carry from place to
place

Computing device small

enough to hold in your
hand

Examples include
notebook computers,
laptop computers,
netbooks, ultra-thins,
and Tablet PCs

Examples include smart

phones and PDAs, ebook readers, handheld
computers, portable
media players, and
digital cameras

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Mobile Computers and Mobile

Devices
Notebook computer
Tablet PC
Smart phones and PDAs
E-book reader

Pages 20 - 22
Figures 1-17 1-20

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Mobile Computers and Mobile

Devices
Handheld computer
Portable media player
Digital camera

Pages 22 - 23
Figures 1-21 1-23

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Game Consoles
A game console is a
mobile computing
device designed for
single-player or
multiplayer video
games

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Figure 1-24

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Servers
A server controls access
to the hardware,
software, and other
resources on a network
Provides a centralized
storage area for
programs, data, and
information

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Figure 1-25

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Mainframes
A mainframe is a large,
expensive, powerful
computer that can
handle hundreds or
thousands of connected
users simultaneously

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Figure 1-26

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Supercomputers
A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful
computer
Fastest supercomputers are capable of processing
more than one quadrillion instructions in a single
second

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Figure 1-27

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Embedded Computers
An embedded computer is a special-purpose
computer that functions as a component in a
larger product
Consumer
Electronics
Mobile and digital
telephones
Digital televisions
Cameras
Video recorders
DVD players and
recorders
Answering
machines

Page 26

Home Automation
Devices

Automobiles

Thermostats
Sprinkling systems
Security
monitoring systems
Appliances
Lights

Antilock brakes
Engine control
modules
Airbag controller
Cruise control

Process Controllers
and Robotics
Remote monitoring
systems
Power monitors
Machine
controllers
Medical devices

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1

Computer Devices
and Office Machines
Keyboards
Printers
Faxes
Copiers

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Embedded Computers

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Elements of an Information System

Hardware

Software

People

Page 27

Data

Procedures

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Elements of an Information System

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Figure 1-29

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Examples of Computer Usage

Home User
Personal financial
management
Web access
Communications
Entertainment

Pages 28 31
Figures 1-30 1-32

Small Office/Home
Office User
Look up information
Send and receive e-mail
messages
Make telephone calls

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1

Mobile User
Connect to other computers
on a network or the Internet
Transfer information
Play video games
Listen to music
Watch movies

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Examples of Computer Usage

Pages 31 32
Figures 1-33 1-34

Power User

Enterprise User

Work with multimedia

Use industry-specific
software

Communicate among
employees
Process high volumes
of transactions
Blog

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Computer Applications in Society

Education
Finance
Government
Health Care
Pages 34 - 36
Figures 1-36 1-39

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Computer Applications in Society

Science
Publishing
Travel
Manufacturing
Pages 36 - 38
Figures 1-40 1-43

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Summary
1. Basic computer concepts
2. Components of a computer
3. Networks, the Internet, and Computer
Software
4. Many different categories of computers,
computer users, a computer applications in
society.

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