Chapter 1

1) What is a computer? What is the information processing cycle?

A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory. Information processing cycle: (1) collect data as input; (2) process data input with program; (3) produces information as output.

2) Describe two health risks posed by computers. How might computers have a

negative effect on the environment? Health risk: Operating computer for long time requires sitting on chair with little movement for long time, which could increase rate of obesity and other related diseases such as diabetes. Operating computer usually consists of constantly typing, this might result to hand strain. Negative effects on the environment: Producing computers usually consists of use of toxic and harmful chemicals, such as cynides, mercury, and rare earths elements. Some of them is wasted and is disposed into rivers nearby. Also, as computers consist of many heavy metals, heavy metal elements of disposed computers will be dissolved into rain drops and run into soil, making plants grown nearby become harmful.
3) What is a Web application? What are some features of a Web 2.0 site?

A Web application is a Web site that allows users to access and interact with software from any computer or device that is connected to the Internet. Examples of software available as Web applications include those that allow you to send or receive e-mail messages, prepare your taxes, organize digital photos, create documents, and play games. Web sites such as social networking Web sites, blogs, and Web applications are categorized as Web 2.0 sites. The term Web 2.0 refers to Web sites that provide a means for users to share personal information (such as social networking Web sites), allow users to modify the Web site contents (such as some blogs), and/or have software built into the site for users to access
4) What are seven categories of computers? What determines how a computer is

categorized?
7 categories are: (1) personal computers, (2) mobile computers and mobile devices, (3) game consoles, (4) servers, (5)mainframes, (6)supercomputers and (7) embedded computers. A computer is categorized by its processing speed, price, volume and purpose.