Chapter 1

Introduction to
Computers
 The Digital Revolution

Where can you find computers?

p. 1.2 Fig. 1-1

 Computers are everywhere
 The Digital Revolution

What is computer literacy?

 If you are computer literate, you
have knowledge and understanding
of computers and their uses

p. 1.4
 What Is a Computer?

What is a computer?
 An electronic machine,
operating under the
control of instructions
stored in its own memory
• accepts data
• manipulates the data
according to specified
rules
• produces results
• stores the results for
future use

p. 1.4
 What is a Computer?

What are data and information?

Data
Collection of raw
unprocessed
facts, figures,
and symbols

Information
Data that is
organized,
p. 1.4 Fig. 1-2 meaningful,
and useful
 What is a Computer?

Who is a user?
 Someone that
communicates
with a
computer
 Someone who
uses the
information it
generates

p. 1.4
 What is a Computer?

What are hardware and software?

Hardware
The electric,
electronic, and Software
mechanical equipment
The series of
that makes up a
instructions that
computer
tells the hardware
how to perform
tasks

p. 1.4
 The Components of a
Computer
What are common computer hardware components?
PC camera system unit
speaker
printer
speaker

monitor

keyboard
modem
scanner
mouse

p. 1.5 Fig. 1-3

microphone
digital camera
 The Components of a
Computer
What is an input device?
 Any hardware component that allows a user to
enter data and instructions into a computer
microphone PC camera
keyboard

mouse
scanner

Click to view Web Link

then click Input Devices
digital
p. 1.5 Fig. 1-3
camera
 The Components of a
Computer
What is an output device?
 Any hardware component that can convey
information to a user
monitor speakers

printer

Click to view Web Link

then click Output Devices
p. 1.6 Fig. 1-3
 The Components of a
Computer
What is the system unit ?
 Sometimes called a CD-RW CD-ROM
chassis drive or DVD-
 A box-like case made from ROM
metal or plastic that Zip ®
drive
protects the internal disk
electronic components of drive floppy
the computer from disk
hard
damage drive
disk
 Circuitry in the system drive
unit usually is part of or is
connected to a circuit
board called the
motherboard

p. 1.6
Fig. 1-3
 The Components of a
Computer
What are two main components on the
motherboard?
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Also called a processor
• Electronic device that interprets
and carries out the basic
instructions that operate the
computer
Memory
Click to view Web Link
then click Processors
• Temporary holding place for data
p. 1.6 and instructions
 The Components of a
Computer
What is storage?
 Holds data, instructions, and information for future use

Storage Device
Storage Medium • Records and
retrieves items to
• Physical material and from a storage
on which a medium
computer keeps
the data, • Devices often
function as source of
Click to view
Web Link instructions and
input because they
then click
information
Storage Devices
p. 1.7 transfer items from
storage into memory
 The Components of a
Computer
What is a communications device?
 Enables computer users to communicate and to
exchange items such as data, instructions, and
information with another computer
 Allows you to establish a connection between two
computers and transmit items over transmission
media, such as cables,
telephone lines,
or satellites
 One type is a
modem
Click to view Web Link
then click Communications
Devices
p. 1.8 Fig. 1-3
modem
 Why Is a Computer So
Powerful?
What is a network?
 Two or more
computers
connected
together via
communications
media and devices
 The most widely
known network is
the Internet
p. 1.10 Fig. 1-10
 Technology Trailblazer

Bill Gates
 Microsoft’s chairman
and chief software
architect
 Co-founded Microsoft in
1975
 Regarded as the most
powerful person in the
computer industry
 Consistently anticipates
technological
developments and
Click to view customer needs
Web Link
then click Bill Gates
p. 1.9
 Computer Software

What is a computer program?

 A series of instructions that tells the
hardware of a computer what to do

Click to view Web Link

then click Computer Programs
p. 1.10
 Computer Software

What is system software?

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

Operating System
(OS)
Set of programs
containing instructions
that coordinate all the
activities among
computer hardware
p. 1.12 devices
 Computer Software

What is a graphical user interface (GUI)?

 Allows you to interact with the software
using visual images such as icons
icons

icons

p. 1.12 Fig. 1-13

 Computer Software

What is application software?

 Programs that perform specific tasks for users

Suite
Four popular software
applications bundled
Word together as a single unit
processing Presentation
software graphics
software

Spreadsheet Database
software software
Click to view Web Link
then click Application Software
p. 1.13
 Networks and the
Internet
What is a network?
 Collection of computers and devices connected
together via communications devices and media

p. 1.16
 Networks and the Internet

What is the Internet?

 A worldwide
collection of
networks that
links together
millions of
businesses,
government
agencies,
educational
institutions, and
individuals
Click to view Web Link
then click Internet
p. 1.17
 Networks and the Internet

Why do users access the Internet?

 E-mail
 Information
 E-mail  Meeting
 Shopping people
 Information
 Meeting people
 Entertainment
 Shopping

 Entertainment
p. 1.17 Fig. 1-18
 Networks and the
Internet
What is the World Wide Web (WWW)?
 Billions of documents, called Web pages, that are
linked together on computers throughout the world

Web site Web browser

Collection of Program used to

Web page access and view
related Web
pages Web pages
Contains text,
graphics, sound, or
video and has
connections to other
p. 1.18
Web pages
 Categories of Computers

What are the categories of computers?

p. 1.19 Fig. 1-20

 Elements of an
Information System
What is an 1. Hardware
1. Hardware
information system?

 For an information 2. Software

2. Software

system to provide
accurate, timely,
and useful
3. Data
3. Data
information, each
Click to view element must be 5. Procedures
Web Link
then click
present and all of
Women in
Technology
the elements must
work together
Click to view Web Link
then click Minorities in Technology

p. 1.27 Fig. 1-35 4b. People

4b. People (users)
(users) 4a.
4a. People
People (IT
(IT personnel)
personnel)
 Examples of Computer Usage

What is the digital divide?

 Idea that you can
separate people of the
world into two distinct
groups
• Those who have
access to technology
with the ability to use
it
• Those who do not
have access to
technology or are
without the ability to
Click to view
use it
video
p. 1.30
 Technology Trailblazer

Shawn Fanning
 As a 19-year-old
freshman computer
science major, he
developed the
Napster software
and company
 Pioneering file-
sharing concept
has implications
for all copyrighted
digital information

Click to view Web Link

then click Shawn Fanning
p. 1.30
 Examples of Computer Usage

What is telecommuting?
 A work
arrangement in
which employees
work away from a
company’s
standard
workplace
 Often
communicate with
the office using
some
communications
technology
p. 1.34 Fig. 1-44
 Computer User as a Web
Publisher
What is Web publishing?
 Making a Web page available on the Internet
 A few reasons to publish Web pages
• Provide family
information
• Provide information
about business
• Provide a resume
online
• Provide online
courses called
p. 1.36
distance-learning
Fig. 1-46 courses