EMST - Living in the IT Era

Module 1
Understanding Computers and Information
Technology

Lesson 1: History and Evolution of Computers

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Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

1. Explain the history of computers.
2. Classify the different computer types.
3. Identify the common usage of computers in society
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Introduction
Computers have become ubiquitous. It comes in different forms, sizes, prices, and purposes. A day
without a computer of any form could mean unproductive and dull. While it is true that almost all of
us know and use computers, not everyone has developed nor acquired the skill of computer literacy.
Computer literacy plays a significant role for anyone to land a good job. Gaining a more profound
understanding of computers could also help us enhance how we use them.
As its name suggests, the computer was initially designed to perform complex calculations. The
abacus in Figure 1.1 is an ancient counting tool that is said to be one of the inspirations in the design
of the computing machine. Computers have evolved, and today's computers can hardly be recognized
from the designs of early computers.

Figure 1.1 First Calculating Device Abacus

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Before 1980
•Computers were large and expensive. Very few people had access to them. And computers
are primarily used for high-volume processing tasks.

Figure 1.2 First Programmable, Electronic, General-Purpose Digital Computer ENIAC – Electronic Numerical
Integrator and Computer
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Figure 1.3 First General-Purpose Electronic Digital Computer Design for Business Application
UNIVAC – Universal Automatic Computer
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Microcomputers in the early 80s

• Computers were inexpensive, and some developed personal computers. The use of
computers in these years increased radically.

Figure 1.4 Personal Computers in the early 80s

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Computers play vital roles in every aspect of our society today, from homes to business
establishments, educational, medical, and financial institutions, including research,
military, and government organizations.

At home, computers connected to the Internet are used for online bills payment, video
and music streaming, gaming, and communication. With the radical change in the work
and schooling setup caused by the Covid19 pandemic, information, and communication
technology has enabled many working individuals to perform work from home. At the
same time, students could experience continuity of learning through the online learning
modality.

The pandemic also moved most schools to shift to online modality. Computers have
made it possible for schools to deliver instruction and perform other related transactions
with students and other stakeholders despite the limitations due to health protocols.
Even before the pandemic, educational institutions already used computers to manage
the information of their students, faculty, other employees, and stakeholders. Thus,
making them more productive and efficient in their transactions.
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A computer is a programmable device that stores, retrieve, and processes data.

Humans were the original computers (human computers) who performed numerical
calculations using mechanical calculators, such as the abacus and slide rule.

Today's computers are electronic devices that accept data (input), a process that
data, produce output, and store (storage) the results (IPOS)

Data refers to raw and unorganized facts in text, graphics, audio, or video.

Information is data that is processed into a functional form.

Information processing is converting data into information.

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Six basic categories of computers

1. Embedded computers
2. Mobile devices
3. Personal computers
4. Midrange servers
5. Mainframe computers
6. Supercomputers

Embedded computers are combined into a product. These are designed to perform specific tasks or
functions in a particular product. It can't be used as a general-purpose computer and is often
embedded into household appliances, thermostats, sewing machines, A/V equipment, and cars.

Figure 1.5 Examples of Embedded Computers

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A mobile device is a tiny device with built-in computing or internet capability—examples:

Smartphones, Smart Watches, handheld gaming devices, and portable digital media players.

Figure 1.6 Examples of Mobile Devices

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A personal computer is a system designed for use by one person at a time.

Figure 1.7 Example of Personal Computer

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A midrange server is a medium-sized computer that hosts programs and data for a small network.
Originally intended to meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses, which did not
require the massive computing power of a mainframe but needed more power than commodity
servers could supply.

Figure 1.8 Examples of Midrange Servers

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A mainframe computer is an enormously powerful computer used by numerous organizations to

manage large amounts of centralized data.

Figure 1.9 Example of Mainframe Computer

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A supercomputer is the fastest, most expensive, most powerful type of computer.

Are often used to run artificial intelligence programs, supercomputing has become synonymous
with AI. This regular use is because AI programs require high-performance computing that
supercomputers offer. In other words, supercomputers can handle the types of workloads
typically needed for AI applications.

Figure 1.10 Example of Super Computer

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Computers and The Society

Immense improvements in the use of technology over the past decade have had a distinct impact on
the user's daily life, both at home and at work.

There are a lot of benefits of a computer-oriented society, but there are also some risks such as:
1. computer viruses - specific type of malware
2. malware (Malicious Software) - any intrusive software developed by cybercriminals
3. cybercrime - is any criminal activity that involves a computer, networked device or a network.
4. and privacy issues - misuse or unexpected misuse of their private or intimate information

Computer viruses is a type of malware that attaches itself to other programs, self-replicates, and
spreads from one computer to another. When a virus infects a computer, it makes copies of itself
and attaches to other files or documents. It then modifies those files and continues to spread.

Examples
1. Identity theft and phishing
2. Privacy issues