Transcript File highlights digital literacy

Highlights – Digital Literacy
An operating system (OS) is the most
important program that runs on your
computer. Every general-purpose
computer must have an operating system
to run other programs.
Operating systems perform basic tasks,
such as recognizing input from the
keyboard, sending output to the display
screen, keeping track or files & directories,
and controlling peripheral devices, such as
disk drives and printers.

Operating systems provide a software platform
on top of which other programs can run
(Microsoft Word, Publisher, Powerpoint, etc.)
The application programs must be written to run
on top of a particular operating system.
 Your choice of operating system, therefore,
determines to a great extent the applications you
can run.
 The most popular Operating system is Windows.
Other are available, such as Linux.
Advantages of using a common OS
(i.e. 90% of people use Windows)
a. Easier to open, edit and create files that have come from the same
operating system.
b. Easier for a user to use one operating system only - so they are familiar
with it.
c. It may make it possible to use a variety of different hardware and
software with it - e.g. Word for windows cannot be used for programs that
only run on a Mac. A mouse for use with windows may not work properly
on a Mac either.
d. There is access to a broader community of persons having advice or
custom fixes for commonly-experienced problems, and/or a larger segment
of the market capable of bringing market pressures to bear on the
manufacturer.
Advantages of using an uncommon OS
(i.e. 10% of people use Mac)
a. Some users may prefer to use specific operating systems such as
a Mac.
b. Many different things such as an iPod may work better with a Mac
because Apple manufactures both products.
c. When you use more than one operating systems, you are not as
familiar with a specific one. For example, it may be hard to change
something in the control panel in windows if you are used to using a
Mac.
d. There is a larger proportion of users with a common OS, having a
more appealing target for those who write or distribute viruses &
malware. On the other hand, there are more chances of acquiring a
virus or those fatal errors that PC's are known for.
Software
 Operating

System Software
A collection of software that manages computer
hardware resources. Your computer won’t run
without it (i.e. Windows).
 Application

Software
All the computer software that causes a computer to
perform useful tasks beyond the running of the
computer itself.
Networks


What is a Network?
A network consists of two or more computers
that are linked in order to share resources (such
as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow
electronic communications. The computers on a
network may be linked through cables,
telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or
infrared light beams.
 Four very common types of networks include:
 Local Area Network (LAN)
 Wide Area Network (WAN)
 Personal Area Network (PAN)
 Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
LAN
A
Local Area Network is a network that is
confined to a relatively small area. It is
generally limited to a geographic area
such as a writing lab, school, or building.
WAN
 Wide
Area Networks connect networks in
larger geographic areas, such as Florida,
the United States, or the world. Dedicated
transoceanic cabling or satellite uplinks
may be used to connect this type of global
network.
PAN
 Personalized
Area Network connects
devices within your personal space.

i.e. bluetooth earpiece, Apple TV device
MAN
 Metropolitan


Area Network
Smaller than a WAN but bigger than a LAN
Mostly within a city
Hardware vs. Software
 Hardware
are computer parts that are
physical – you can pick up and touch
them

Peripheral device – equipment connected to the CPU
of a computer (i.e. printer, mouse, headphones,
keyboard, USB drive)
 Software
is not physical. You cannot
see them (i.e. programs)


Operating Software – required to run your computer
Application Software – different programs on your computer
Desktop Interface
4 Functions of a Computer




Input: Any device that allows raw data to be entered into
the computer system.
Processing: The system unit is a metal enclosure or
“case” that contains the internal components of a
computer. The system unit takes raw data from the input
devices, processes it into useful information, and then
sends it to the output devices.
Storage: Sometimes known as "secondary" or
"auxiliary" storage. This is where information can be
stored so that it can be retrieved at a later date.
Output: any device that takes processed data and
displays it in a meaningful way.