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1
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2
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- Explain why it is essential to learn about computers today.
- Discuss several ways computers are integrated into our business and
personal lives.
- Define a computer and describe its primary operations.
- List some important milestones in computer evolution.
- Identify the major components of a personal computer, including input,
processing, output, storage, and communications hardware.
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3
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- Discuss the differences between system software and application software
and list examples of each.
- Describe the purpose of a network and explain what the Internet is.
- List the five basic types of computers, providing at least one example
for each type of computer and stating its primary use.
- Provide an overview of the societal impact of computers, including some
benefits and risks related to their prominence in society.
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4
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- Computers are so prominent in our society and will become even more so
in the future.
- Knowing something about computers can help you buy the right one for
your needs, help you get the most efficient use out of it, and give you
a higher level of comfort and confidence along the way.
- Basic computer literacy—knowing about and understanding computers and
their uses—is an essential skill today for everyone.
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5
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- At home – home computer use has increased dramatically over the last few
years.
- In education – commonly used as a student-based learning tool and
instructor presentation tool.
- In the workplace – used by all types of employees in all types of
businesses.
- On the go – people use all types of computers in day-to-day life.
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6
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- Reference – many households today have access to the Internet at home to
retrieve news and other useful information.
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7
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- Education and entertainment – for children and adults alike, computers
and the Internet offer a host of educational and entertainment
activities.
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8
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- Communications – many people exchange e-mail and instant messages from
home on a regular basis.
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9
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- Smart appliances – regular appliances with computer technology built in
are becoming more common.
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10
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- Classrooms and computer labs - most students today have access to
computers at school.
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11
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- Presentations – students and teachers often use computers and projection
equipment for classroom presentations.
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12
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- Distance learning – students today can take classes from home or
wherever they happen to be.
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13
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- Decision making – many individuals today use a computer at work to help
them evaluate alternatives and make on-the-job decisions.
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14
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- Communications – handheld and wearable computers can be used by
employees who need to record data or access data while out in the field.
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15
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- Productivity – many individuals today use a computer at work to perform
on-the-job tasks.
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16
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- Portable computers – Many people carry portable computers with them at
all times or when they travel to remain in touch with others and
Internet resources.
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17
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- GPS applications – Devices with GPS capabilities can be used for
navigational purposes.
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18
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- Self-service kiosks – Computerized kiosks are found in a wide variety of
locations today, such as hotels, retail stores, airports, and other
locations.
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19
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- Hotels, coffeehouses, and Internet cafés – Free or fee-based Internet
access is available at many hotels and coffeehouses.
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20
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- A programmable electronic device that:
- Accepts data (input)
- Performs operations on the data (processing)
- Presents the results (output)
- Stores the data and results, as needed (storage)
- Communications is sometimes considered the fifth primary computer
operation.
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21
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22
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- Precomputers and Early Computers
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23
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- First-Generation Computers
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24
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- Second-Generation Computers
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25
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- Third-Generation Computers
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26
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- Fourth-Generation Computers
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27
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- Fifth-Generation Computers
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28
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- Hardware – all of the physical parts of the computer, such as the
keyboard, screen, and printer.
- Hardware can be internal or external.
- Input device – any piece of equipment that is used to input data into
the computer.
- The main processing device for a computer is the central processing unit
(CPU).
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29
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- Output device – accepts processed data from the computer and presents it
to the user.
- Storage devices – a variety of drives and storage media used to store
data.
- Communications devices, such as modems and network adapters, allow users
to communicate electronically with others.
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31
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- Software – the programs or instructions used to tell the hardware in a
computer system what to do.
- System software – the collection off software that allows a computer to
operate.
- The main system software program is the operating system.
- Common operating systems are Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
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33
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- Application software – programs designed to allow people to perform
specific tasks using a computer.
- Can be stand-alone programs or software suites (collections of related
software).
- Can be purchased on CD or DVD, or downloaded from the Internet.
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34
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- Word-processing programs
- Spreadsheet programs
- Multimedia programs
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35
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- Games
- Web browsers
- E-mail programs
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36
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- Programming language – a set of rules used to write computer programs.
- Markup languages – indicate where text, images, hyperlinks, and other
elements on a Web page should be displayed and how they should look.
- Scripting languages – enable Web developers to include small sets of
instructions, or scripts, within the page’s HTML code.
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37
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38
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39
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- A computer network ties a group of computers together so that users can
share hardware, software, and data, as well as electronically
communicate with each other.
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40
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- The Internet is the largest and most well-known computer network in the
world.
- Networks access each other on the Internet via the main backbone
infrastructure.
- People connect to the Internet via Internet service providers (ISPs),
which are continually connected to the Internet.
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41
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- Common Internet activities include:
- Exchanging e-mail
- Viewing Web pages
- Web pages are part of the World Wide Web and are viewed with a Web
browser.
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42
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43
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- Mobile devices
- Personal computers (PCs)
- Midrange servers
- Mainframe computers
- Supercomputers
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44
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- Mobile devices – small devices with some type of built-in computing or
Internet capability.
- Typically based on cellular phones (smart phones).
- Can be used to access Web page data and exchange e-mail.
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45
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- Personal computers (PCs) – designed to be used by one person at a time.
- Widely used in homes, schools, and businesses; can be connected to
networks.
- Can be desktop PCs, portable PCs, or thin clients.
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46
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- Desktop PCs:
- The complete system unit fits on or next to a desk.
- Can use:
- Desktop case
- Tower case
- All-in-one case
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47
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- Portable PCs:
- Are smaller than typical desktop PCs and are designed to be easily
carried around.
- Can be:
- Notebook computers
- Tablet PCs
- Handheld computers
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48
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49
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- Thin clients:
- Designed to be used in conjunction with a company network.
- Typically use a network server for storage and processing.
- Also called network computers (NCs)
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50
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- Internet appliances:
- A type of network computer designed for accessing the Internet
- Can be in the form of:
- Stand-alone device
- Set-top box
- Digital media
receiver
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51
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- Midrange server – a medium-sized computer used to host programs and data
for a small network.
- Users connect to the
server using a PC,
thin client, or dumb
terminal.
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52
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- Mainframe computer – the standard choice for organizations.
- Larger, more expensive, and more powerful than midrange servers.
- Usually operate 24 hours a day and accommodate thousands of users.
- Typically runs multiple programs at one time.
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53
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- Supercomputer – the most powerful and most expensive type of computer
available.
- Generally runs one program at a time, as fast as possible.
- Used for scientific research,
military applications,
weather forecasting, and
other high-performance
applications.
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54
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- Ability to design and test buildings before construction and other
virtual applications.
- Earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment of diseases.
- Ability to shop, pay bills, research products, take online courses, and
locate information 24 hours a day.
- Faster communications and financial transactions.
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55
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- Stress and health concerns.
- Personal security and privacy issues.
- Fear of “Big Brother” situations.
- These and more are discussed in Chapters 4 through 8 of the text.
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56
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- Computers in Your Life
- What Is a Computer?
- Basic Types of Computers
- Computers, Technology, and Society
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Notes
