Understanding Computers & Computer Literacy

Computer Concepts BASICS

Lesson 1

Introducing Computers

Computers are most important invention of this past century!

Where do we use computers?School & learningVideo gamesTV, movies (instant replays & special effects!) IM, E-mail, Video-conferencing

History of the Computer

1st Computers: invented in 1940s & 1950s Great big machines (as big

as small buildings and cost millions of $$$)

Names: UNIVAC, ENIAC Power: less power than your

typical pocket calculator Up through early 1970s, only

government & corporations used these computers

1971: 1st Microprocessor Steve Job & Steve Wozniak

applied this technology to personal computers

1976: 1st Apple computer (developed by both Steves)

1981: Bill Gates introduced IBM PC

What are a Computer and Computer System? Computer: an electronic device that

Receives data (input)Process dataStores dataProduces a result (output)

Computer System: includes Hardware, Software, Data, & People

Hardware: the actual machine, wires, transistors, circuits, monitors, & printers

Software: instructions or programs used for controlling the computer

Data: text, numbers, sound, images, video Information: Process of data going into

computer (input), is processed, stored data, and output produced.

Users: People who use computers

Examples of a Computer System Input (receives data): Customer name is

entered into computer, scans ISBN, types info, uses scanner

Process: Computer uses stored instructions to process data into information

Outputs Information: a monitor or printer displays information

Stores data: data & information are stored on a disk drive or other storage device

John Smith2358 Smithville Rd.•Movie 1•Movie 2

John Smith2358 Smithville Rd.Smithville, OH 45454

•Movie 1•Movie 2

A computer is not overly complicated. It only performs 2 operations:Arithmetic: add, subtract, multiply, divide and

comparisonsLogical: And, Or, Not

Did You Know?A computer won a

World Chess Championshipplaying against a human being

Are Computers Intelligent?

No. They can only do what we ask them to do. Are there any advantages to using a computer?

– Yes! Speed: can perform billions of calculations per

second Reliability: electronic components are dependable Accuracy: IF data is entered correctly, computers

generate error-free results Storage: can store/retrieve volumes of

data/information Communications: can communicate & share

resources with other computers

Classifying Computers

Computers are either Special Purpose or General Purpose computers.Special Purpose: used to control something

else. Tiny chips are embedded in devices such as: dishwashers, airport radar system, bathroom scale

General Purpose: divided into 5 categories based upon size, function, cost, performance

General Purpose Computers Desktop Computer: designed so all components fit

on/under desk. PC & Apple (Mac) are most popular Mobile Computer: personal computers such as

notebooks (laptops). Designed to be carried from one place to another. Mobile devices: fit into the palm of your hand (PDA, hand-

helds, smart-phones) Mid-range server: (minicomputer) used by small

companies that can support hundreds of users Mainframe computer: large & expensive computer that

can support hundreds/thousands of users Supercomputer: fastest type of computer. Used by

government & large corporations to process enormous amounts of data

Computer Software

2 types of software (programs):Application software: a set of programs that

perform tasks for users Word processing, spreadsheets, databases

System software: a set of programs that controls the operations of the computer

Windows or Mac system software

Graphical User Interface (GUI): what we see when we start up Windows. Includes icons

Icon: small image that represents file, command, or other function

Communications & Networks

Electronic Communication: technology that allows computers to communicate with each other & other devicesTransmission of text, numbers, voice, video

1969: 1st message sent via telephone from computer

Electronic communication requires: Sender: computer that is sending

message Receiver: computer receiving message Channel: media that carries/transports

message (phone wire, coaxial cable, microwave signal, fiber-optic cable)

Protocol: the rules that govern the transfer of data

Networks

Networks: a group of two or more computer systems linked together via communication devicesAllows computers to “share” printers, data,

information, & programs Nodes (Clients): computers on a network Servers: computers that allocate

resources on a network

Intranet & Extranet

Many companies have intranets in their organizations

Intranet: a network put together for just certain people (company, school, etc.)Reliable network, Secure network, no

outsiders can use Extranet: systems that allow outside

organizations to access company’s internal information

The Internet

Internet: world’s largest network.Originally a network that included only the

government & universities1990: Original network (called ARPANET)

was disbanded & the Internet was born

Technology & Everyday Life

Computers have affected the way we live our lives.

They have become a necessary tool in almost every activity & type of business.

How does it affect you?School, security, gaming, research, home

appliances, TV, etc.

Computers in our Future

The future is hard to predict, but we can assume that computers will be more powerful and less expensive.

Almost every type of job will somehow involve a computer

Connectivity will continue to evolve. What is the computer of the future?