Chapter 1

Introduction to Computers

By: Endalkachew M
Chapter 1 Objectives
Recognize the importance of
computer literacy
Identify the various types of software
Define the term computer and identify
its components
Describe the categories of computers
Explain why a computer is a
powerful tool
Determine how the elements of an
information system interact
Recognize the purpose of a network
Identify the various types of
computer users
Discuss the uses of the Internet and the
World Wide Web
Discuss computer applications in society
Recognize the difference between
installing and running a program

By: Endalkachew M
Next
 A World of Computers

What is computer literacy?

 Knowledge and understanding
of computers and their uses
 Computers are everywhere

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.03 Fig. 1-1 Next
 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

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.04 Next
 What Is a Computer?
What is the information processing cycle?
 Input
 Process
 Output
 Storage
 Communication

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.04 Fig. 1-2 Next
 The Components of a Computer
What is an _____
input device?
 Hardware used
to enter data
and instructions

Click to view Web Link,

then click Input Devices
below Chapter 1

p. 1.05 Fig. 1-3 By: Endalkachew M Next

 The Components of a Computer
What is an ______
output device?
 Hardware that
conveys
information
to a user

Click to view Web Link,

then click Output Devices
below Chapter 1

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.06 Fig. 1-3 Next
 The Components of a Computer
What is the system unit?
 Box-like case
containing
electronic
components
used to process
data

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.06 Fig. 1-3 Next
 The Components of a Computer
What are two main components on the motherboard?

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Also called a processor
Carries out instructions that tell computer what to do

Memory
Temporary holding place for data and instructions

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.06 Next
 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

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.06 Next
 The Components of a Computer
What is a floppy disk?
 Thin, circular,
flexible disk
enclosed in rigid
plastic shell

 A Zip® disk looks

similar but has
much greater
storage capability

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.06 Fig. 1-4 Next
 The Components of a Computer
What is a hard disk?
 Provides much
greater storage
capacity than a
floppy disk or
Zip® disk
 Housed inside the
system unit

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.07 Fig. 1-5 Next
 The Components of a Computer
What is a compact disc?
 Flat, round, portable metal disc
 CD-ROM
 CD-RW
 DVD-ROM
 DVD+RW

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.07 Fig. 1-6 Next
 The Components of a Computer
What is miniature storage media?

Digital
cameras
Portable, thin
memory cards
used in:
Handheld
computers

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.07 Next
 Why Is a Computer So Powerful?
What makes a computer powerful?

Storage Reliability Speed

Accuracy Communications

p. 1.08 By: Endalkachew M Next

 Networks and the Internet
What is a network?
 Collection of computers and devices connected together

Communications
Device Communications
Media
Enables a Satellites
Cables
connection
Telephone Cellular
between
lines radio
computers
One type is
a modem

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.08 Next
 Networks and the Internet
What are the reasons to network?

To share

Resources
Hardware
devices
Software
programs To save
Data
time
Information and
money

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.08 Next
 Networks and the Internet
What is a server?
 Manages the
resources on
a network
 A client accesses
the resources
on the server

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.08 Fig. 1-7 Next
 Networks and the Internet
What is the Internet?
 Worldwide collection of networks that connects
millions of computers

Click to view Web Link,

then click Internet below
Chapter 1

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.09 Fig. 1-8 Next
 Networks and the Internet
Why do users access the Internet?
1. Communications
2. Information
3. Shopping
4. Banking and Investing
5. Classes
6. Entertainment

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.10 Fig. 1-9 Next
 Networks and the Internet
What is the World Wide Web (WWW)?
 Billions of documents, called Web pages, available to
anyone connected to the Internet

A Web site is
a collection of
related Web pages
A Web page contains
text, graphics, sound,
video, and links to You can share
other Web pages information by
creating Web pages
or posting photos on
a photo community

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.11 Fig. 1-10 Next
 Computer Software

How do you install a software program?

 A program is a series of instructions that tells the
computer what to do
Step 1. Step 2. Instruct
Insert the the computer to
program disc into run the program
the CD-ROM
drive

Click to view Web Link,

then click Computer Programs Step 3.
below Chapter 1 The program executes

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.12 Fig. 1-12 Next
 Computer Software

What is a graphical user interface (GUI)?

 Allows you to
interact with the
software using
graphics and icons
 Controls how you
enter data and how
the screen displays
information

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.12 Fig. 1-13 Next
 Computer Software

What is system software?

 Programs that control the operations of the computer
and its devices

Operating System (OS)

is a set of programs
that coordinates all
activities among
computer hardware
devices and allows Utility Programs allow the user to
users to run perform maintenance-type tasks
application software usually related to managing a
computer, its devices or its programs

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.13 Next
 Computer Software

What is application software?

 Programs that perform
specific tasks for users
 Suite
Popular software applications
bundled together as a single unit

Word
Spreadsheet
Processing

Presentation
Database
Graphics

Click to view Web Link,

then click Application Software
below Chapter 1

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.14 Fig. 1-14 Next
 Computer Software
Javascript program
What is a programmer?
 Someone who develops
application or system
software
 Programmer writes
instructions to
direct computer to
process data into
information

By: Endalkachew M
Resulting Internet application
p. 1.15 Fig. 1-15 Next
 Categories of Computers

What are the categories of computers?

Personal computers (desktop)

Mobile computers
and mobile devices

Midrange servers

Mainframe computers

Supercomputers
By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.16 Next
 Personal Computers

What are the two most popular series of personal

computers?
 PC and compatibles  Apple Macintosh
use the Windows uses the Macintosh
operating system operating system
(Mac OS)

Click to view
Web Link,
then click
Personal Computers
below Chapter 1
By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.17 Figs. 1-17–1-18 Next
 Personal Computers
What is a desktop computer?
 Designed so all of the components fit on or under
a desk or table

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.17 Fig. 1-19 Next
 Personal Computers
What is a notebook computer?
 Portable, small enough to fit on
your lap
 Also called a laptop
 Generally more expensive than
a desktop computer

Click to view Web Link,

then click Notebook Computers
below Chapter 1

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.18 Fig. 1-20 Next
 Handheld Computers
What is a tablet PC?
 Resembles a letter-sized slate
 Allows you to write on the
screen using a stylus
 Smaller version is the
modular computer

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.18 Figs. 1-21–1-22 Next
 Handheld Computers
What is a handheld computer?

Small
enough to fit
Used
in your
by mobile
hand
employees such as
meter readers and
delivery people

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.19 Next
 Handheld Computers
What is a personal digital assistant (PDA)?
 Provides personal organizer functions
 Calendar
 Appointment book
 Address book
 Calculator
 Notepad

Click to view video

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.19 Fig. 1-23 Next
 Handheld Computers

What are Web-enabled handheld computers?

 Allow you to check e-mail
and access the Internet
 Web-enabled telephone is
a “smart phone”

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.19 Fig. 1-24 Next
 Servers
What types of servers are there?
Midrange server Powerful, large
computer that supports up to a few
thousand computers

Mainframe Very powerful,

expensive computer that supports
thousands of computers

Supercomputer The fastest, most

powerful, most expensive
computer. Used for applications
requiring complex mathematical
calculations
By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.20 and 1.21 Figs. 1-25–1-27 Next
 Elements of an Information System
What are information system elements?
 People
 Procedures
 Data Step 1.
People develop
 Software procedures for
processing data
 Hardware
Step 2.
People use
software to enter
data into
computer
(hardware)
Step 3.
Software processes data and
directs hardware to store and
or output information

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.22 Fig. 1-28 Next
 Examples of Computer Usage
What are five categories of computer users?

Home Small Office/ Mobile

Home Office (SOHO)

Large Business Power

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.23 Fig. 1-29 Next
 Examples of Computer Usage
What software is available for a home user?

Web access personal finance

management

entertainment

communications

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.24 Fig. 1-30 Next
 Examples of Computer Usage
What software is available for a small
office/home office (SOHO) user?
 Local area
network (LAN)
 Productivity
software
 Specialty
software
 Web usage
 E-mail

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.26 Figs. 1-33–1-34 Next
 Examples of Computer Usage
Notebook
What is available for computers
a mobile user?
 Hardware

 Software
 Productivity
 Presentation Handheld computers
 Personal
information
manager

Web-enabled cellular
phones

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.27 Fig. 1-35 Next
 Examples of Computer Usage

What are the needs of the large business user?

Public kiosk

Web access

Network Telecommuting
Productivity software
Click to view Web
Link, then click Scheduling
Enterprise Computing
below Chapter 1

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.28 Figs. 1-37–1-40 Next
 Examples of Computer Usage

What are the needs of a power user?

 Speed and large amounts of storage
 Types of power users
 Engineers
 Architects
 Desktop publishers
 Graphic artists

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.30 Fig. 1-41 Next
 Computer Applications in Society

What are some examples

of computer applications
in society?
 Education
 Finance
 Government
 Healthcare
 Science
 Publishing
 Travel
 Industry

Click to view video

By: Endalkachew M
p. 1.31 Figs. 1-42–1-49 Next
Summary of Introduction to Computers

The importance of computer literacy

Types of software
The computer and its components

Categories of computers
Why is a computer so powerful?

Elements of an information system

What is a network?

Types of computer users

The Internet and the
World Wide Web
Computer applications in society
Installing and running a program

Chapter 1 Complete
By: Endalkachew M