Computer - KeehnsPlace
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Transcript Computer - KeehnsPlace
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
& learning
Video games
TV, 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 data
Stores data
Produces 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 Smith
2358 Smithville Rd.
•Movie 1
•Movie 2
A computer is not overly complicated. It
only performs 2 operations:
Arithmetic:
add, subtract, multiply, divide and
comparisons
Logical: And, Or, Not
Did You Know?
A computer won a
World Chess Championship
playing 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 devices
Transmission
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 devices
Allows
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 & universities
1990: 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?