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Introduction To The World of Computers - Chap01
Introduction To The World of Computers - Chap01
Introduction To The World of Computers - Chap01
Computers in education: from straight drill-andpractice programs to using the computer as an overall student-based learning tool. Colleges and universities, classrooms, computer labs, dorms, libraries
the workplace: Multinational corporation CEOs, check-out clerks, traveling salespeople, police officers, insurance adjusters, doctors and nurses, auto mechanics
the go: portable PCs, Wi-Fi hotspots, Internet cafes, ATM machines, gym ID cards, gas or parking smart cards, portable GPS, kiosks
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audio, or video
invention The history of computers is often referred to in terms of generations, from pre-computers and early computers (before 1945) to fifth generation computers (now and the future) Each new generation is characterized by a major technological development
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HARDWARE
The physical parts
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HARDWARE, CONT
Input
devices: used to input data into the computer (keyboard, mouse, scanner, electronic pen, etc.) Processing devices: perform calculations and comparisons needed for processing. The main processing device is the central processing unit (CPU) Output devices: present the results to the user (printer, monitor, speakers, etc.)
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HARDWARE, CONT
Storage devices: used to save data, programs or output; store data on storage media (floppy disks, CDs, DVDs, hard drives, flash memory cards, USB flash memory disks, etc.) Communication devices: allow the user to communicate with others and access remote information (modem, network adapters, etc.)
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SOFTWARE
The programs or
instructions used to tell the computer hardware what to do System software: allows a computer to operate Operating system: the main system software program
Boots the computer and launches programs etc. at the user s direction y Windows, Mac OS, Linux, etc.
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SOFTWARE
Application software: performs
specific tasks or
applications
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Creating letters, budgets, etc. Managing inventory and customer databases Scheduling appointments Viewing Web pages Sending and receiving e-mail Designing homes Playing games
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Computer users (end users): people who use a computer to obtain information Programmers: computer professionals whose job responsibility is to write the programs that computers use
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MOBILE DEVICES
Very small device with some type of built-in computing or Internet capability Typically based on cellular phones Smart phones can be used to access the Web and e-mail, take photos, play games, access calendars, and address books Smart watches can download information from the Internet, store data, play music files, etc.
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PERSONAL COMPUTERS
Small computer system designed to be
used by one person at a time; small enough to fit on a desktop, inside a briefcase Also called a microcomputer PC-compatible: evolved from the original IBM PC; typically runs the Windows operating system Macintosh: type of personal computer manufactured by Apple, uses the Mac OS operating system Can be desktop, notebook, tablet, or handheld computers
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DESKTOP PCS
Desktop PC: the
complete computer system fits on or next to a desk; case styles include: Tower Desktop All-in-one
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PORTABLE PCS
Portable
PC: designed to be carried around y Notebook computers (laptops) y Tablet PCs (either slate or convertible) y Handheld computers (pocket computers):
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PCs y Typically battery powered y Sometimes referred to as personal digital assistants or PDAs y Have increasing functionality
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docking stations can be used with portable PCs to easily connect other hardware, transfer or synchronize data, etc.
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MIDRANGE SERVERS
Minicomputer or
midrange computer: medium-sized computer used to host programs and data for a small network May consist of a collection of individual circuit boards called blades (blade servers)
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MAINFRAME COMPUTERS
Standard choice for large organizations, hospitals, universities, large businesses, banks, government offices Larger, more expensive, and more powerful than midrange servers; usually operate 24 hours a day Also called high-end servers or enterprise-class servers
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SUPERCOMPUTERS
Fastest, most
computer Space exploration, missile guidance, satellites, weather forecast, oil exploration, scientific research, complex Web sites, decision support systems, 3D applications Commonly built by connecting hundreds of smaller computers, supercomputing cluster
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SUPERCOMPUTERS, CONT
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of hardware and other devices that are connected together so that users can share hardware, software, and data, as well as communicate with each other Network servers: manage resources on a network Clients: computers on a network that access resources through the network server Computer networks exist in many sizes and types
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network in the world Individuals connect to the Internet using an Internet service provider (ISP) Most common Internet activities: e-mail and accessing the World Wide Web (WWW) Internet refers to the physical structure of that network, the World Wide Web is one resource (a vast collection of Web pages) available through the Internet
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modem or network adapter to physically connect your computer to the network (often built into the operating system) allows you to log on to the network and access resources a user
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Software
on the Internet y IP address numeric address that identifies computers (207.46.138.20) y Domain name text-based address that identifies computers (microsoft.com) y Uniform resource locator (URL) identifies Web pages (http://www.pbskids.org) y E-mail address identifies people for e-mail exchange (jsmith@thomson.com)
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Used to view Web pages y A universal tool for exploring and using the Internet y Can view information, download files, view videos, exchange email, etc. via Web pages y Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Firefox, Opera, etc.
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Can type a URL in the Address bar and press Enter to display the corresponding Web page y Can click a hyperlink to display the page corresponding to that hyperlink (point to a hyperlink to see the corresponding URL on the status bar) y Can select a page from the browser Favorites or History list)
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SEARCHING THE WEB search: use when you know generally what you want but do not know the URL Search sites: help you locate what you are looking for on the Internet; Google is one of the most popular sites Reference sites: use to look up addresses, telephone numbers, ZIP codes, maps, etc.
Internet
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E-MAIL
Electronic messages sent from
one user to another over the Internet or other network Can use an e-mail program such as Netscape Mail, Microsoft Outlook Express, Microsoft Outlook to send and receive e-mail Can use Web-based e-mail to send and receive email via a Web site; e-mail messages stay on the mail server and are viewed using a Web browser
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improvements in technology over the past decade have had a distinct impact on daily life, both at home and at work There are numerous benefits of a computer-oriented society, including making many tasks in our lives go much faster Risks include health, security, ethical, and privacy concerns
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Differences in online communications (don t be too casual and use good netiquette) The anonymity factor (people can be somewhat anonymous on the Internet) Information integrity (not all information on the Internet is accurate)
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