Computer and

Internet Basics

Unit A

Objectives

Define Computers

Explore Computer Functions

Categorize Computers

Examine Personal Computer

Systems

Explore data, information, and

files

Objectives

Introduce Application and System Software

Define Internet Basics

Connect to the Internet

Understand World Wide Web Basics

Use Browsers

Understand E-mail Basics

A Computer is a device that

accepts input

processes data

stores data

produces output

(all according to a series of stored instructions)

Computer system consists of:

Hardware:

microprocessor

(inside the tower or

base)

Peripheral devices:

input and output

Software:

programs

Computer Network

Two or more

computers that are

connected and

share data and

programs

LAN is a local area network

Computer Functions

•Words, symbols, numbers, sound, pictures, program instructionsInput

•Program calculates, sorts, modifies data

•Uses microprocessor or CPUProcess

•Memory is temporary holding area (RAM)

•Storage is permanent (disk)Store

•Results of processing

•Reports, graphs, documents, pictures

•Printer or monitor

Output

Less Powerful Computers

•Smart Phone

•Videogame consoles

•PC/microcomputer

•Laptops andChromebooks

Computer System

Computer + input devices + output devices + storage devices

Peripherals

System Unit

Power Supply

Storage Devices

Circuit Boards

Input/Output Devices

Monitor

Keyboard

Mouse

Modem

Printer

Speakers, Sound card,

Graphics card

Storage Device Evolution

Floppy disk drive

Hard disk drive

CD-ROM drive

DVD drive

CD and/or DVD

writer

USB (Universal

Serial Bus

Data vs. Information

Data (symbols) used by computers

Information (meaningful) used by people

Data

Binary number

system to define

electronic data

0 or 1 (Bit)

Byte (8 bits or one

character on your

keyboard)

Files

Collection of data on a storage

medium

Data file (passive)

Executable file (active)

Filename and extension

examples:

Resume.docWord.exeImage.jpg

System Software

Helps the computer monitor itself in

order to function efficiently

Operating system (ex: Windows 98 or

Windows XP)

– Master controller of all computer activities

Popular operating systems– PCs: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS

– Smart Phones: Android OS, Apple iOS,

Blackberry OS is virus immune

– Servers: Linus and UNIX

Platform

Mac and PC compatibility is still

an issue – Apple products tend to

talk to only Apple products

Apple computer = Mac platform

Original IBM computer =

Windows or PC platform

Microprocessor + Operating system

Application Software

Microsoft PowerPointMicrosoft Excel

Designed

to carry out

a particular

task

Internet Basics:

Cyberspace/The CloudInternet is a collection of

local, regional, national and international computer networks that are linked together to exchange data and distribute processing tasks.

Plain English: Nothing more than phone lines and towers connecting computer networks (infrastructure)

Internet Terminology

Server software

IP Address: unique number for each Internet computer

Packets: small chunks of data ready to travel the Internet

Router: helps send along the packets to correct destination – makes wifipossible

Internet Resources

E-commerce

E-mail

Web Sites

Social Media

Internet Radio

Download Or Upload

Texting

Internet Connections

Cable modems– Network card and cable modem required

– Always-on and 25 times faster than dial-up

Satellite

Wifi

Faster Internet Connections

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital

Network)

– 64K or 128K

– Always-on and expensive

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) and xDSL– Up to 125 times faster than dialup

DSS (Digital Satellite Service)

– 500K

Need proximity to a telephone switching station

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Provides internet access to businesses, organizations and individuals

Provides telecommunications equipment

User ID and password required

Connects you to backbone

Email account monthly fee

Copies of everything you send and receive

World Wide Web Basics

Files interconnected via hypertext

Web pages make up a web site

Home Page

Links or hyperlinks

Web servers

World Wide Web Basics

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)– No spaces and Case sensitive

– HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)

HTML (Hypertext Markup

Language)– .htm or .html file extension

Document name

and filename

extension

Folder

name

Web

server

name

Web

protocol

standard

http://www.cnn.com/showbiz/movies.htm

Using Browsers

Can type URLs

HTML tags tell browser how to display web page data

Back, forward and stop buttons

Setting a home page

Print options

History list

Favorites and bookmarks

Edit and Find

Google Chrome Microsoft ®, Internet Explorer®

Firefox®, and more

Search Engines

Keywords

E-mail Basics

Account = Mailbox

Message

Attachment

ASCII vs HTML format

Netiquette

userid@server.three

E-mail System

E-mail servers

Store-and-forward technology

Types– POP (Post Office Protocol) used via

your ISP Ex.: ____@comcast.net

– Web-based like Gmail or Yahoo

– IMAP (Internet Message

Access Protocol)

E-mail System

TechTalk: Boot Process

Power up

ROM runs bootstrap (boot)

program

POST (Power-on self-test)– Identifies and checks peripherals

ROM loads operating system from

hard disk into RAM

Checks configuration and

customization startup routines– Safe Mode, if this process is not successful

Issue

How Private is E-Mail?