dcf12 chapter 01

Your Interactive Guideto the Digital World

Discovering Computers Fundamentals,

2012 Edition

Discovering Computers Fundamentals, 2012 Edition Chapter 1

2

Objectives Overview

Explain why computer literacy is vital to

success in today's world

Describe the five components of a

computer

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages that users experience when

working with computers

Discuss the uses of the Internet and World

Wide Web

Distinguish between system software and application software

See Page 1 for Detailed Objectives


3

Objectives Overview

Differentiate among types, sizes, and functions of

computers in each category

Explain how home users, small office/home office

users, mobile users, power users, and enterprise users

each interact with computers

Discuss how society uses computers in education,

finance, government, health care, science, publishing, travel, and manufacturing

See Page 1 for Detailed Objectives


4

A World of Computers• Computers are everywhere: knowledge and

understanding of computers and their uses, or “computer literacy” is vital to success.

Pages 2 - 3 Figure 1-1

What Is a Computer?

• A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory


5Pages 3 - 4

Collects data

(input)Processing

Produces information

(output)

Information Processing Cycle


6

What Is a Computer?

Page 4 Figure 1-2


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The Components of a Computer

• A computer contains many electric, electronic, and mechanical components known as hardware

Pages 4 - 7

• Allows you to enter data and instructions into a computerInput Device

• Hardware component that conveys information to one or more peopleOutput Device

• Case that contains the electronic components of the computer that are used to process dataSystem Unit

• Holds data, instructions, and information for future useStorage Device

• Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices

Communications Device


8

Input Devices include:

• Mouse, keyboard, microphones, cameras, and scanners

• GIGO = “Garbage In, Garbage Out” (a computer’s output is only as good as its input.)

• Scanners convert printed materials to a form the computer can use.


9

The Components of a Computer

Page 5 Figure 1-3


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Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Computers

Advantages of Using Computers

Disadvantages of Using Computers

Speed

Reliability

Consistency

Storage

Communications

Violation of Privacy

Public Safety

Impact on Labor Force

Health Risks

Impact on Environment

Page 7


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Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Computers

• Green computing involves reducing the electricity consumed and environmental waste generated when using a computer

• Strategies include:– Recycling– Regulating manufacturing processes– Extending the life of computers– Immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced computers

Page 7


12

Networks and the Internet

• A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together, often wirelessly, via communications devices and transmission media

• The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that connects millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals

Page 8


13


Page 8 Figure 1-6


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• People use the Internet for a variety of reasons:


Communicate Research and Access Information

Shop Bank and Invest Online Trading

Entertainment Share Information Download Videos Web Application


15


• A social networking Web site encourages members to share their interests, ideas, stories, photos, music, and videos with other registered users– Also called an online social network

Page 10

Computer Software

• Software, also called a program, tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them


16Pages 11 - 12Figures 1-8 – 1-9

System Software• Operating system• Utility program

Application Software


17

Computer Software

• Installing is the process of setting up software to work with the computer, printer, and other hardware



18

Computer Software

• A programmer develops software or writes the instructions that direct the computer to process data into information

Page 13 Figure 1-11


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Categories of Computers

Embedded computers

Supercomputers

Mainframes

Servers

Game consoles

Mobile computers and mobile devices

Personal computers

Pages 14 - 15


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Personal Computers• We interact with computers through their “user interface” which

controls how we enter instructions and how information is displayed on the screen.

• A personal computer can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by itself

• Two popular architectures are the PC and the Apple– Desktop computer

Pages 15 - 16Figures 1-13 - 1-14


21

Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Personal computer you can carry from place to place

Examples include notebook computers, laptop computers, netbooks, and Tablet PCs

Mobile Computer

Computing device small enough to hold in your hand

Examples include smart phones and PDAs, e-book readers, handheld computers, portable media players, and digital cameras

Mobile Device

Pages 16 - 18


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Notebook computer

Tablet PC

Smart phones and PDAs

E-book readerPages 16 - 17Figures 1-15 – 1-18


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Handheld computer

Portable media player

Digital camera

Pages 17 - 18Figures 1-19 – 1-20


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Game Consoles

• A game console is a mobile computing device designed for single-player or multiplayer video games

Page 18 Figure 1-21


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Servers• A server controls access to the hardware,

software, and other resources on a network– Provides a centralized storage area for programs, data,

and information. Servers have more power, more storage space, and expanded communications capabilities.

Page 19 Figure 1-22


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Mainframes

• A mainframe is a large, expensive, powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously

Page 19 Figure 1-23


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Supercomputers

• A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful computer– Fastest supercomputers are capable of processing

more than one quadrillion instructions in a single second

Page 19 Figure 1-24


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Embedded Computers

• An embedded computer is a special-purpose computer that functions as a component in a larger product

Page 19

Consumer Electronics

Home Automation Devices

Automobiles

Process Controllers and Robotics

Computer Devices and Office Machines


29

Embedded Computers

Page 20 Figure 1-25


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Examples of Computer Usage

Home User• Personal financial

management• Web access• Communications• Entertainment

Small Office/Home Office User• Look up information• Send and receive e-mail

messages• Make telephone calls

Mobile User• Connect to other computers

on a network or the Internet• Transfer information• Play video games• Listen to music• Watch movies

Pages 20 – 23Figures 1-26 – 1-28


31

Examples of Computer Usage

Power User• Work with

multimedia• Use industry-specific

software

Enterprise User• Communicate

among employees• Process high

volumes of transactions

• Blog

Pages 23 – 24Figures 1-29 – 1-30


32

Computer Applications in Society

Education

Finance

Government

Health CarePages 24 - 26 Figures 1-31 – 1-34


33

Computer Applications in Society

Science

Publishing

Travel

ManufacturingPages 26 - 27Figures 1-35 – 1-38

34

Video: Computer History in a Barn

CLICK TO START



35

Summary

Basic computer concepts

Components of a computer

Networks, the Internet, and computer software

Many different categories of

computers, computer users, and computer

applications in society

Page 28

Your Interactive Guideto the Digital World

Discovering Computers Fundamentals,

2012 Edition

Chapter 1 Complete

dcf12 chapter 01

Documents

edition chapter

collection of computers

computers output

computer softwaresoftware

computer literacy

computera computer

computer softwareinstalling

input devices