microsoft office 2007 – illustrated introductory, windows xp edition understanding essential...

Microsoft Office 2007 – Illustrated Introductory, Windows XP Edition

Understanding Essential Computer Concepts

ObjectivesObjectives

• Understand storage mediaUnderstand storage media

• Explore data communicationsExplore data communications

• Learn about networksLearn about networks

• Learn about security threatsLearn about security threats

• Understand system softwareUnderstand system software

• Understand application softwareUnderstand application software

2Microsoft Office 2007-Illustrated Introductory, Windows XP Edition


Understanding Storage MediaUnderstanding Storage Media

• Magnetic storage devices

• Store data as magnetized particles on mylar, which is then coated on both sides with a magnetic oxide coating



• Common magnetic storage devices • hard disks—several magnetic oxide

covered metal platters usually sealed in a case inside the computer

• tape—inexpensive, slow, archival storage for large companies who need to back up large quantities of data.

• floppy disks—flat circles of magnetic oxide-coated mylar enclosed in a hard plastic case; almost obsolete



• Optical storage devices• polycarbonate discs coated with a

reflective metal on which data is recorded using laser technology as a trail of tiny pits or dark spots in the surface of the disc

• the data that these pits or spots represent can then be “read” with a beam of laser light



• Types of optical storage devicesTypes of optical storage devices

• CD—can store 700 MB of dataCD—can store 700 MB of data

• DVD—can store between 4.7 and DVD—can store between 4.7 and 15.9 GB of data15.9 GB of data

• Blu-ray discs and HD-DVD can store Blu-ray discs and HD-DVD can store between 15 and 50 GB of databetween 15 and 50 GB of data



• Flash memory—similar to ROM except that it can be written to more than once.

• Flash memory cards• small, portable cards encased in hard

plastic to which data can be written and rewritten

• used in digital cameras, handheld computers, video game controllers, and other devices



• USB flash storage device (USB drive, flash drive)

• popular type of flash memory

• available in a wide range of sizes from 32 MB to 16 GB

• plug directly into the USB port of a personal computer

• are about the size of a pack of gum and often have a ring that you can attach to your key chain.


Erasing and Rewriting on Erasing and Rewriting on CDs and DVDsCDs and DVDs

• CD-ROMCD-ROMs are for “read-only” access.s are for “read-only” access.

• CD-RCD-R drives allow you to record data on a drives allow you to record data on a CD-R disk.CD-R disk.

• CD-RWCD-RW drives allow you to write data on a drives allow you to write data on a CD-RW disk and access and modify data.CD-RW disk and access and modify data.

• DVD-RDVD-R and and DVD+RDVD+R are recordable. are recordable.


Exploring Data CommunicationsExploring Data Communications

Data communicationsData communications is the transmission of text, is the transmission of text, numeric, voice, or video data from one computer to numeric, voice, or video data from one computer to another.another.

The four essential components of data communications The four essential components of data communications are:are:• SenderSender• ChannelChannel• ReceiverReceiver• ProtocolsProtocols



• A A sendersender is the computer that originates the is the computer that originates the message.message.

• The The messagemessage is sent over a channel, such as a is sent over a channel, such as a telephone.telephone.

• The The receiverreceiver is the computer at the message’s is the computer at the message’s destination.destination.

• ProtocolsProtocols are the rules that establish the are the rules that establish the transfer of data between sender and receiver.transfer of data between sender and receiver.



• Device driver (or simply driver) • handles the transmission protocol between a

computer and its peripheral devices • a computer program that can establish

communication because it contains information about the characteristics of your computer and of the device

• Data bus • the data path between the microprocessor,

RAM, and the peripherals along which communication travels



Components needed to connect a printer to a computerComponents needed to connect a printer to a computer



PCs have several types of ports:PCs have several types of ports:

• ParallelParallel

• SerialSerial

• SCSISCSI

• USBUSB

• MIDIMIDI

• EthernetEthernet



• Parallel port—Parallel port—transmits data eight bits at a transmits data eight bits at a timetime

• Serial portSerial port—transmits data one bit at a time—transmits data one bit at a time• SCSI SCSI (small computer system interface,

pronounced “scuzzy”) port—port—provides an provides an interface for one or more peripheral devices interface for one or more peripheral devices at the same portat the same port

• USB USB (Universal Serial Bus) port—port—a high-a high-speed serial port which allows multiple speed serial port which allows multiple connections at the same portconnections at the same port



• Sound card port—usually includes jacks Sound card port—usually includes jacks for speakers and a microphone, which are for speakers and a microphone, which are designed to work with a designed to work with a MIDI MIDI ((Musical Musical Instrument Digital InterfaceInstrument Digital Interface, pronounced , pronounced “middy”) “middy”) cardcard

• Ethernet port—Ethernet port—used to connect to used to connect to another computer, a LAN, a modem, or another computer, a LAN, a modem, or sometimes directly to the Internet; allows sometimes directly to the Internet; allows data to be transmitted at high speeds.data to be transmitted at high speeds.


Exploring Data Exploring Data CommunicationsCommunications

Computer ports and connectionsComputer ports and connections

Power connection

Mouse port

FireWire port

Network port

Phone line connection

Speaker and microphone connections

USB ports

Monitor port

Audio connection

Keyboard port


Learning about NetworksLearning about Networks

• NetworkNetwork • connects one computer to other computers and connects one computer to other computers and

peripheral devicesperipheral devices• Network interface cardNetwork interface card ( (NICNIC) )

• creates a communications channel between the creates a communications channel between the computer and the networkcomputer and the network

• a cable connects the NIC port to the networka cable connects the NIC port to the network• Network softwareNetwork software

• establishes the communications protocols that will establishes the communications protocols that will be observed on the networkbe observed on the network

• controls the traffic flow of data traveling through controls the traffic flow of data traveling through the networkthe network



• ServerServer• acts as the central storage location for programs • provides mass storage for most of the data used on the

network

• ClientClient—computers on a network dependent on a —computers on a network dependent on a serverserver

• Client/server networkClient/server network—a network with server that —a network with server that acts as the central storage locationacts as the central storage location

• Peer-to-peer networkPeer-to-peer network• a network without a server a network without a server • all of the computers are equalall of the computers are equal



• Standalone computerStandalone computer—a—a personal computer that is not connected to a network

• WorkstationWorkstation—a—a personal computer that is connected to a network

• NodeNode—any device connected to the —any device connected to the networknetwork



Network configurationNetwork configuration

Workstation

Workstation

Your local workstation

Server Printer



• LANLAN ( (local area networklocal area network))• computers and peripherals located close to each computers and peripherals located close to each

otherother• WAN WAN ((wide area networkwide area network))

• more than one LAN connected together• the Internet is the largest example of a WAN

• WLAN WLAN ((wireless local area networkwireless local area network))• computers and peripherals that use high-

frequency radio waves instead of wires to communicate and connect in a network

• Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) describes WLANs connected using a standard radio frequency established by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)



• PAN PAN ((personal area networkpersonal area network)—)—a network that allows two or more devices located close to each other to communicate or to connect a device to the Internet

• infrared technologyinfrared technology——uses infrared light waves to beam data from one device to another

• BluetoothBluetooth——uses short range radio waves to connect a device wirelessly to another device or to the Internet

• WiMAX WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access)

• allows computers to connect over many miles to a LAN

• a WiMAX tower sends signals to a WiMAX receiver built or plugged into a computer



Using modems to send and receive dataUsing modems to send and receive data

Sending site

Digital signal

Modem

Analog signal

Modem

Digital signal

Receiving site


Learning about Security ThreatsLearning about Security Threats

• Security

• refers to the steps a computer owner takes to prevent unauthorized use of or damage to the computer



• Malware• describes any program that is intended to

cause harm or convey information to others without the owner’s permission

• Viruses • harmful programs that instruct your computer

to perform destructive activities, such as erasing a disk drive

• Antivirus software (virus protection software) searches executable files for the sequences of characters that may cause harm and disinfects the files by erasing or disabling those commands



• Spyware • programs contained with other programs that track a

computer user’s Internet usage and send this data back to the company or person that created it

• usually installed without the computer user’s permission or knowledge

• Anti-spyware software detects spyware and deletes them

• Adware • software installed with another program usually with the

user’s permission• generates advertising revenue for the program’s creator

by displaying targeted ads to the program’s user



• Firewall • prevents other computers on the Internet from

accessing a computer and prevents programs on a computer from accessing the Internet without the computer user’s permission

• can be either hardware or software• router

• a device that controls traffic between network components

• usually has a built-in firewall.

• software firewalls track all incoming and outgoing traffic


Learning about Security ThreatsLearning about Security Threats• Spoofed site

• a Web site set up to look like another Web site, but which does not belong to the organization portrayed in the site

• the URL (address on the Web) looks similar to a URL from the legitimate site

• usually set up to try to convince customers of the real site to enter personal information

• Phishing • the practice of sending e-mails to customers or potential

customers of a legitimate Web site asking them to click a link in the e-mail

• the link leads to a spoofed site• Pharming

• when a criminal breaks into a DNS server (a computer responsible for directing Internet traffic) and redirect any attempts to access a particular Web site to the criminal’s spoofed site


Protecting Information with Protecting Information with PasswordsPasswords• Logging inLogging in

• signing in with a user name and signing in with a user name and passwordpassword

• Strong passwordStrong password• at least eight charactersat least eight characters• consists of upper- and lowercase letters consists of upper- and lowercase letters

and numbersand numbers• does not include common personal does not include common personal

informationinformation


Understanding System SoftwareUnderstanding System Software

System softwareSystem software helps the computer carry out it s helps the computer carry out it s basic operating tasks.basic operating tasks.

The four types of system software are:The four types of system software are:• Operating systemsOperating systems• UtilitiesUtilities• Device driversDevice drivers• Programming languagesProgramming languages



• OperatingOperating systemsystem• controls the controls the input input and and outputoutput ( (I/OI/O))• allocates system resourcesallocates system resources• manages files on storage devicesmanages files on storage devices• guards against equipment failureguards against equipment failure

• Operating environmentOperating environment• provides a provides a graphical user interfacegraphical user interface ( (GUIGUI) )

that acts as a liaison between the user and the that acts as a liaison between the user and the computercomputer



• Utilities • a category of system software that augment the

operating system by taking over some of its responsibility for allocating hardware resources

• Device drivers• handle the transmission protocol between a computer

and its peripherals• when you add a device to an existing computer, part of

its installation includes adding its device driver to the computer’s configuration

• Programming languages• used by a programmer to write computer instructions • the instructions are translated into electrical signals that

the computer can manipulate and process.



Windows XP starting screenWindows XP starting screen

Icons (you

might see additional icons on

your screen)

Start button

Taskbar

Quick Launch toolbar

Gadgets (small programs; you might see additional or different gadgets on your screen)


Understanding Application Understanding Application SoftwareSoftware

• Application software

• enables you to perform specific computer tasks


Understanding Application Understanding Application SoftwareSoftware• Document production software

• includes word processing software, desktop publishing software, e-mail editors, and Web authoring software

• has a variety of features that assist you in writing and formatting documents, including changing the font (the style of type) and spell checking to help you avoid typographical and spelling errors

• Spreadsheet software • a numerical analysis tool• used to create a worksheet composed of a grid of

columns and rows• you type data into the cells, and enter mathematical

formulas into other cells that reference the data



Spell checking a documentSpell checking a document

A wiggly red line indicates a possible spelling error



Typical worksheet with numerical data and a graphTypical worksheet with numerical data and a graph

Cell B5 contains result of calculation performed by spreadsheet software

Graph


Understanding Application Understanding Application SoftwareSoftware• Database management software

• lets you collect and manage data

• Database • a collection of information stored on one or more

computers organized in a uniform format of records and fields

• record—a collection of data items in a database• field—one piece of information in the record • An example of a database is the online catalog of

books at a library; the catalog contains one record for each book in the library, and each record contains fields that identify the title, the author, and the subjects under which the book can be classified.


Understanding Application Understanding Application SoftwareSoftware• Graphics softwareGraphics software

• allows you to create illustrations, diagrams, allows you to create illustrations, diagrams, graphs, and chartsgraphs, and charts

• Presentation softwarePresentation software• allows you to project a presentation before a allows you to project a presentation before a

group, print it out for quick reference, or group, print it out for quick reference, or transmit it to remote computerstransmit it to remote computers

• Clip artClip art• simple drawings that are included as simple drawings that are included as

collections with many software packagescollections with many software packages


Understanding Application Understanding Application SoftwareSoftware• Photo editing software

• allows you to manipulate digital photos• you can make the images brighter, add special

effects to the photo, add additional images to a photo, or crop the photo to include only relevant parts of the image

• Multimedia authoring software • allows you to record digital sound files, video

files, and animations• Web site creation and management software

• allows you to create and manage Web sites



• Information management software

• keeps track of schedules, appointments, contacts, and “to-do” lists


Understanding Object Linking and Understanding Object Linking and Embedding (OLE)Embedding (OLE)

• Object linking and embedding (OLE) • refers to the ability to use data from another file, called

the source• Embedding

• occurs when you copy and paste the source data in the new file

• Linking • allows you to create a connection between the source

data and the copy in the new file• the link updates the copy every time a change is made

to the source data• Integration

• the seamless nature of OLE among some applications

microsoft office 2007 – illustrated introductory, windows xp edition understanding essential...

Documents

gb of data slide

video data

transfer of data

data path

microsoft office

windows xp edition slide

data communications

data communications