In today's world, we use computers for all our tasks.

Our day-to-day activities: paying bills, buying groceries, using

social media, seeking entertainment, working from home, communicating with a friend, etc., can all be done using a
computer. So it is important not only to know how to use a computer, but also to understand the components of a
computer and what they do.

What is a Computer?
Computer - is an electronic device that accepts data from the user, processes it, produces results, displays them to
the users, and stores the results for future usage.

Data - is a collection of unorganized facts & figures and does not provide any further information regarding
patterns, context, etc. Hence data means "unstructured facts and figures".

Information - is a structured data i.e. organized meaningful and processed data. To process the data and convert
into information, a computer is used.

Functions of Computers
1. Receiving Input

Data is fed into computer through various input devices like keyboard, mouse, digital pens, etc. Input can also
be fed through devices like CD-ROM, pen drive, scanner, etc.

2. Processing the information

Operations on the input data are carried out based on the instructions provided in the programs.

3. Storing the information

After processing, the information gets stored in the primary or secondary storage area.

4. Producing output

The processed information and other details are communicated to the outside world through output devices like
monitor, printer, etc.

Personal computer has advanced a lot in a short period of time, and much of the advancement is due to ongoing
progresses in operating systems. Evolution of operating systems had made PCs easier to use and understand, flexible
and reliable. This chapter is the study of primary operating systems currently used in personal computers and
network servers, and their basic features.

Advantages of Computer

 Speed
 Reliability
 Consistency
 Storage
 Communications
Disadvantages of Computer

 Violation of Privacy
 Public Safety
 Impact on Labor Force
 Health Risks
 Impact on Environment
Green Computing – reducing the electricity consumed and environmental waste generated.

Strategies Included

 Recycling
 Regulating Manufacturing Processes
 Extending the life of computers
 Immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced computers

People use the Internet for a variety of reasons:

 Communicate
 Research and Access Information
 Shop Bank
 Invest Online Trading
 Entertainment
 Share Information
 Download Videos
 Web Application

Wen and Internet - social networking Web site encourages members to share their interests, ideas, stories,
photos, music, and videos with other registered users – Also called an online social network.

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

B. Application Software

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

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

Categories of Computers

 Embedded computers
 Supercomputers
 Mainframes
 Servers
 Game consoles
 Mobile computers
  Mobile devices
 Personal computers

Personal computer - can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by itself.

Personal computer - you can carry from place to place

Examples include:

 Notebook computers
 Laptop computers
 Netbooks
 Tablet PCs

Mobile Device - computing device small enough to hold in your hand

Examples include:

 Smart phones
 PDAs
 Handheld computers
 Portable media players
 Digital cameras

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

Server controls - access to the hardware, software, and other resources on a network.

Mainframe - is a large, expensive, powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users
simultaneously.

Supercomputer - is the fastest, most powerful computer.

Embedded computer - is a special-purpose computer that functions as a component in a larger product.

Home User
• Personal financial management
• Web access
• Communications
• Entertainment

Small Office/Home Office User

• Look up information
• Send and receive e-mail messages
• Make telephone calls

Mobile User
• Connect to other computers on a network or the Internet
• Transfer information
• Play video games
• Listen to music
• Watch movie
Power User
• Work with multimedia
• Use industry-specific software

Enterprise User
• Communicate among employees
• Process high volumes of transactions
• Blog

Internet - originated as ARPANET in September 1969.

Two main goals:

 Allow scientists at different physical locations to share information and work together.
 Function even if part of the network were disabled or destroyed by a disaster.

Many home and small business users connect to the Internet via high-speed broadband Internet
service:

 Cable Internet service

 DSL
 Fiber to the Premises (FTTP)
 Fixed wireless
 Wi-Fi
 Cellular Radio Network
 Satellite Internet Service

Access provider - is a business that provides individuals and organizations access to the Internet free or for a
fee.

ISP (Internet service provider)

 Regional ISPs provide Internet access to a specific geographical area.

 National ISPs provide Internet access in cities and towns nationwide.

Online service provider (OSP)

 Have many members-only features.

 Popular OSPs include AOL (America Online) and MSN (Microsoft Network).

Wireless Internet service provider (WISP)

 Provides wireless Internet access to computers and mobile devices.

 May require a wireless modem.

IP address - is a number that uniquely identifies each computer or device connected to the Internet.

Domain name - is the text version of an IP address.

 Top-level domain (TLD)
World Wide Web, or Web - consists of a worldwide collection of electronic documents (Web pages).

Web site - is a collection of related Web pages and associated items.

Web server - is a computer that delivers requested Web pages to your computer.

Web 2.0 - refers to Web sites that provide a means for users to interact.

Web browser, or browser - allows users to access Web pages and Web 2.0 programs.

 Internet Explorer
 Firefox
 Opera
 Safari
 Google Chrome

Home page - is the first page that a Web site displays.

Web pages - provide links to other related Web pages.

 Surfing the Web

Downloading - is the process of receiving information.

Web page - has a unique address called a URL or Web address.

Tabbed browsing - allows you to open and view multiple Web pages in a single Web browser window.

Two types of search tools are search engines and subject directories.

 Search engine
- Finds information related to a specific topic.

 Subject directory
- Classifies Web pages in an organized set of categories.
Search engine is helpful in locating items such as:

 Images
 Videos
 Audio
 News
 Maps
 People or Business
 Blogs

There are thirteen types of Web sites:

 Portal
 News
 Informational
 Business/Marketing
 Blog
 Wiki
 Online Social Network
 Educational
 Entertainment
 Advocacy
 Web Application
 Content Aggregator
 Personal

Multimedia - refers to any application that combines text with:

 Graphics
 Animation
 Audio
 Video
 Virtual Reality
Graphic - is a digital representation of non-text information.
Graphic formats include:

 BMP
 GIF
 JPEG
 PNG
 TIFF

Thumbnail - is a small version of a larger graphic.

Animation - is the appearance of motion created by displaying a series of still images in sequence.

Audio - includes music, speech, or any other sound.

– Compressed to reduce file size
- You listen to audio on your computer using a player.

Streaming - is the process of transferring data in a continuous and even flow.

Video - consists of full-motion images that are played back at various speeds.

Virtual Reality (VR) - is the use of computers to simulate a real or imagined environment that appears as a
three-dimensional space.

Plug-in - is a program that extends the capability of a Web browser.

Web publishing - is the development and maintenance of Web pages.

E-commerce - is a business transaction that occurs over an electronic network.
- Anyone with access to a computer or mobile device, an Internet connection, and a means to pay for
purchased goods or services can participate in e-commerce.

 B2B – Business to Business

 B2C – Business to Consumer
 C2C – Consumer to Consumer

E-mail - is the transmission of messages and files via a computer network.

E-mail program - allows you to create, send, receive, forward, store, print, and delete e-mail messages.

Mailing list - is a group of e-mail names and addresses given a single name.

Subscribing - adds your e-mail name and address.

Unsubscribing - removes your name.

Instant messaging (IM) - is a real-time Internet communications service.

Chat - is a real-time typed conversation that takes place on a computer.

Chat room - is a location on an Internet server that permits users to chat with each other.
VoIP (Voice over IP) - enables users to speak to other users over the Internet
•Also called Internet telephony

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) - is permits file uploading and downloading.

Newsgroup - is an online area in which users have written discussions about a particular subject.
•Typically requires a newsreader.

Message board - is a Web-based type of discussion group.

Netiquette - is the code of acceptable Internet behavior.

Application software - consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/or assist with
personal tasks.

 To make business activities more efficient

 To assist with graphics and multimedia projects
 To support home, personal, and educational tasks
 To facilitate communications

Available in a variety of forms:

 Packaged Software
 Custom Software
 Web Application
 Open Source Software
 Shareware
 Freeware
 Public-Domain Software

System software - serves as the interface between the user, the application software, and the computer’s
hardware.
 Utility programs

Business Software – is application software that assists people while performing business activities.