Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Using Computers: Essential Concepts CHAPTER 1 PARSONS/OJA Page 2 Computers: Mind Tools Section A

Computer Concepts 4th EditionParsons/Oja

Using Computers:Essential Concepts

CHAPTER

1 PARSONS/OJA

Page 2

Computers: Mind ToolsSection A


Section A

Section PREVIEW

Define the term “computer” Describe the relationship between computer

hardware and software

Computers: Mind ToolsChapter

1Section A

You will be able to:

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Section A


Section A

Section PREVIEW

Computers have been called “mind tools” because they enhance our ability to perform tasks that require mental ability.

Computers: Mind ToolsChapter

1Section A

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Section A


Before 1940, a computer was defined as a person who performs calculations.

The modern definition of the term “computer” emerged in the 1940’s. – developed as a response to World War

II military needs

Von Neumann’s Definition

What is a computer?

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Von Neumann, eminentmathematician,wrote a report describing plans for first computer, the EDVAC.

His report has beendescribed as themost influential paperin the history of computer science.

Von Neumann’s Definition

What is a computer?

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A computer is a device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output.

Von Neumann’s Definitionc

What is a computer?

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Computer input is whatever you put into a computer system.

Input means to feed information into a computer.– words and symbols in a document– numbers for a calculation– pictures

A computer accepts input

What kinds of input can a computer use?

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Data refers to the symbols that represent facts and ideas.

Processing is the way that a computer manipulates data.– performing calculations– sorting lists and numbers– drawing graphs

A computer processes data in a device called the central processing unit (CPU).

A computer processes data

In what ways can a computer process data?

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A computer stores data so that it will be available for processing.

Memory is an area of a computer that holds data that is waiting to be processed.

Storage is the area where data can be left on a permanent basis.

A Computer Stores Data

Why does a computer store data?

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Computer output is the results produced by the computer.– reports– documents– music– graphs– pictures

An output device displays, prints or transmits the results of processing.

A Computer Produces Output

What kinds of output does a computer produce?

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CHAPTER

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Computer System BasicsSection B


Section A

Section PREVIEW

Identify the parts of a typical microcomputer system

List the peripheral devices that are typically found on microcomputer systems

Computer System BasicsChapter

1Section B


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Section A

A computer system includes a computer, peripheral devices, and software.

Hardware refers to the computer itself. Peripheral devices are components that expand

the computer’s input, output, and storage capabilities.

Software is a set of instructions that tells the computer how to perform a particular task.

Computer System BasicsChapter

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A computer needs software to tell it how to interact with the user, and specifies how to process the user’s data.

There are many software programs that you can buy including software for producing resumes, teaching Spanish, and helping you plan your diet.

Software

Why does a computer need software?

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Section B


Computers are categorized into four categories from least to most powerful:– microcomputers– minicomputers– mainframe computers– supercomputers

A computer is categorized based on its technology, function, size, performance, and cost.

Categories of Computers

How and why are computers categorized?

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Section B



Microcomputers

Chapter

1

Microcomputers– also known as personal computers– typically found in homes and small businesses– cost about $2000– speed can exceed 500 mm operations per

second– may be stand-alone or may be connected to

other computers in order to share data and software with other users

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Section B


sCategories of Computers

Microcomputers

Chapter

1

A laptop computer islight, and runs on batteries or electricity

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Section B

A personal digital assistant (PDA) accepts infoon a touch-sensitivescreen

Desktopmicrocomputer


Minicomputers– process tasks from several people working at

terminals connected to the minicomputer A terminal is an input and output device that

resembles a microcomputer but cannot process information– costs between $5,000 and $200,000– good for small and medium-sized businesses


Minicomputers

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Section B



Minicomputers

Chapter

1

Microcomputerstores data for all users

A typical minicomputerhandles processing tasksfor multiple users.

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Mainframes– large, fast, and fairly expensive computers– used by business or government– provide centralized storage, processing, and

management for large amounts of data– like minicomputers, process requests from

terminals and can support thousands of users– often include several central processing units


Mainframes

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Hundreds of requests can be sent to a mainframe simultaneously.

Prices range from several hundred thousand dollars to over $1 million.


Mainframes

Chapter

1

Mainframecomputer

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Supercomputers– fastest and most expensive type of computer. – cost between $500,000 and $35 million– have expanded into business markets to handle

large volumes of data– process more than 1 trillion instructions per

second– create realistic animations


Supercomputers

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Section B



Supercomputers

Chapter

1

The Cray T3Esupercomputer

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Microcomputers, minicomputers, mainframe, and supercomputer systems include devices to input, process, store, and output data.

System Components

What hardware components will a computer system have?

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Section B


System Components


Chapter

1

Monitor

Mouse

Keyboard

System Unit

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System Components


Chapter

1

Floppy disk drive

CD ROM driveand a DVD drive

Floppy disk

CD-ROMand DVD disks

Hard disk drive

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Section B


Computers are based on a small number of microcomputer designs or computer platforms.

Two major computer platforms are PCs and Macs. PCs

– originally created by IBM Macs

– manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. Computers that operate the same way are

compatible.

Microcomputer Compatibility

Can all computers use the same software?

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Section B


A peripheral device is a piece of equipment added to a computer system to enhance its functionality.– printers– graphics tablets– scanners– modems

Peripheral devices come with installation instructions and specially designed software.

Peripheral Devices

Is it possible to expand a basic computer system?

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Section B


A computer network is a collection of computers and other devices that have been connected in order to share data, hardware, and software.

Network users can send messages to other users on the network and can retrieve data from a centralized storage device.

Network users must follow network security procedures.

Computer Networks

What’s different about using a network?

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Section B


Most organizations require a unique user ID and password.

A user ID is a combination of numbers and letters that serve as your identification. You can let others know your user ID so that they can send you messages.

A password is a special set of symbols known only to you and to the person who supervises the networks. You should never give out your password.

Computer Networks


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Section B


If someone knows your password and logs on sending offensive messages, it will look as though you did it.

Computer Networks


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User ID

Password

Section B


The Internet is the world’s largest computer network.– provides connections for millions of computers all

over the globe– provides many information services, the most

popular being the World Wide Web, or Web The Web is a sort of “flea market” for information

– includes weather maps, census data, product information, course syllabi, music, and images

The Internet

What’s the internet?

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Section B


The Internet

The World Wide Web

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The Internet providesaccess to the Web

Section B



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The User InterfaceSection C


Section A

Section PREVIEW

Define the term “user interface” Describe how you use interface elements such as

prompts, commands, menus, and graphical objects

Describe the resources that help you learn how to use computers and software

The User InterfaceChapter

1Section C


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Section A

The means by which humans and computers communicate is referred to as the user interface.

A good user interface is easy to learn and use.

User interfaces are still evolving.

The User InterfaceChapter

1Section C

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A user interface is a combination of hardware and software.

Software interface elements include prompts, commands, wizards, menus, dialog boxes, graphical objects, etc…

Hardware interface elements include pointing devices, keyboards, and monitors.

Interacting with a Computer

Is a user interface hardware or software?

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Section C


A prompt is a message displayed by the computer that asks for input from the user.

A sequence of prompts is sometimes used to develop a user interface called a prompted dialog.

Prompts

Why is it sometimes hard to figure out what the computer wants me to do?

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Section C


Prompts

The difficulty of a prompted dialog

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Section C

An example of difficulty in a dialogdue to ambiguityof human language


A wizard is a sequence of screens that direct you through multistep software tasks such as creating a business card.

Prompts

Using a wizard

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Section C

Business card wizard


Commands

Do I have to memorize lots of commands to use a computer?

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Section C

A command is an instruction you input to tell the computer to carry out a task.

Command words are often English words, such as print, begin, save, and erase, but they can also be more cryptic.


Commands

Do I have to memorize lots of commands to use a computer?

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Section C

Syntax specifies the sequence and punctuation for command words and parameters.

A syntax error occurs when you misspell a command word, leave out punctuation, or type the commands out of order.

A command-line interface is an interface that requires the user to type commands.


Menus and Dialog Boxes

Are menus easier to use than commands?

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Section C

A menu displays a list of commands or options. Menus were developed in response to the

difficulties people experienced with command-line user interfaces.

Submenus are additional sets of commands that the computer displays after you make a selection from the main menu.

Dialog boxes display the options associated with a command.



Are menus easier to use than commands?

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Section C

Menus make it easy toselect commandsand options



Using dialog boxes

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Section C

A dialog box displayscontrols that help youenter command parameters



Using dialog boxes

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Dialog boxes display on-screen “controls” that you manipulate to specify settings and command patterns.

Option buttons

Check boxes

Spin boxes

Drop-down lists


Graphical Objects

Why are GUIs so popular?

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Section C

Graphical objects are small pictures on the screen that you can manipulate using a mouse or other input device.

Graphical objects include icons, buttons, and windows.

IconSelected icon


Graphical Objects


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Section C

Buttons

Windows


Graphical Objects


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Section C

Graphical objects are a key element of the graphical user interfaces, or GUIs, found on most of today’s microcomputers.– display menus and prompts in addition to

graphical objects– based on metaphors that represent real-world

objects• Recycle bin


Pointing Devices

Some mice have three buttons, but others only have one or two—why?

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Section C

The mouse, the most popular pointing device, was developed by Douglas Engelbart in the early 1970’s.

When you move the mouse on your desk, a pointer–usually shaped like an arrow–moves on the screen in a way that corresponds to the mouse movement.


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Section C

Clicking - pressing the left mouse button once to select an item

Double-clicking- clicking the mouse twice in rapid succession

Dragging - moving an object by clicking the object, holding the mouse down and moving it to a new location

Pointing Devices



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Section C

PCs use either a two button or three button mouse.– left button for selecting– “right-click” may bring up a menu of actions

you can do with the object Three button mouse

– third button is rarely used– some middle buttons substitute one click for a

double-click

Pointing Devices



Keyboard

Do I need to be a good typist to use a computer?

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Section C

You should at least be familiar with the keyboard to use the computer effectively.

The keyboard contains special keys to manipulate the user interface.

You use the typing keys to input commands, respond to prompts, and type text.

The cursor indicates where the characters you type will appear.

The insertion point appears on the screen as a flashing vertical bar


Keyboard


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Section C

The numeric keypad provides a calculator-style input device for numbers and arithmetic symbols.– when activated, the keys on the keypad

produce numbers– when not activated, the keys on the keypad

move the insertion point in the direction indicated by the arrows on the keys

A toggle key switches back and forth between two modes.


Keyboard


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Section C

Function keys are located at the top of your keyboard and can be used to initiate commands.– F1 through F12 are function keys– function keys are not standardized

Keyboard shortcuts allow you to use the keyboard rather than the mouse to select menu commands.– Ctrl-X is a keyboard shortcut


Monitors

How are the monitor and user interface related?

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Section C

As you manipulate the keyboard, the computer manipulates the monitor.

A character-based display divides the screen into a grid of rectangles, each of which can display a single character.– the first microcomputer monitors – display of mainframe terminals


Monitors


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Section C

A bitmap display divides the screen into a matrix of tiny square “dots” called pixels.

Characters and graphics must be constructed of dot patterns within the screen matrix.

The more dots in the matrix, the higher the resolution.


Monitors


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Section C

Matrix of pixelsdisplayed onmonitor One pixel


Tutorials, Manuals, and Online Help

How do I learn to use the interface on my computer?

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Section C

The sources of information on Windows software include tutorials, manuals, and online Help.

A tutorial is a guided, step-by-step learning experience.

Most software includes online Help that you can access by clicking Help on the menu bar at the top of the screen.


Tutorials, Manuals, and Online Help

How do I learn to use the interface on my computer?

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Section C

Online Help providesinformation about thefeatures of a softwareapplication



CHAPTER

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User Focus Boot, Run, Browse, and Search


Section D

Chapter

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User Focus

Both beginner computer users and Macintosh users who are switching to the PC platform can benefit from a review of basic computer procedures.

User Focus Boot, Run, Browse, and Search


Boot Your Computer

What should I turn on first?

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In most cases, it does not matter what piece of equipment you turn on first.

Booting up your computer involves – flashing keyboard lights– noise from the disk drive– messages on your screen

The boot process is complete when the Windows desktop appears on your screen.

User Focus


Run programs

How do I start a program?

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The process of starting and using a software program is referred to as “running” it.

You can use one of several methods to start and run a program.

For example, if you want access to the Internet, you need to “run” your Web browser software.

User Focus


Run programs

How do I start a program?

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Starting a program

User Focus


Searching the Web

How do I find information on the Web?

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Two ways to find information on the Web– www.abcnews.com – using a Web search engine and a keyword

Popular search engines – Yahoo! (www.yahoo.com)– Lycos (www.lycos.com)– Excite (www.excite.com) – Infoseek (www.go.com).

User Focus

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Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Using Computers: Essential Concepts CHAPTER 1 PARSONS/OJA Page 2 Computers: Mind Tools Section A