Title: Introduction to Computers Chapter 1
1Introduction to Computers Chapter 1
- By
- Nicholas Smalarz
- Chris Cahill
- Daniel Upbin
2Outline
- What is Computer?
- Components of a Computer
- Why is a Computer so Powerful?
- Computer Applications and Society
- Examples of Computer Usage
- Networks and Internet Computer Software
- Categories of Computers
- Computer Applications and Society
3What is a Computer?
- Computer- An electronic device, operating under
the control of instructions stored in its own
memory, that can accept data, manipulate the data
according to specified rules, produce results and
store the results for future use.
4Heres A Computer!
In 1969 for 5975
In 2004 for 699
5Components of a Computer
- Hardware
- Input Devices
- Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone, Digital Camera
- Output Devices
- Monitor, Speaker, Printer
- System Unit
- The computer casing (inside includes the
motherboard with a processor and memory) - Storage Devices
- Hard Drives, CD/DVD-ROM Drives, Floppy Disk
Drives, USB Drives and memory cards - Communication Devices
- Modems, Networking Cards
6Why is a Computer so Powerful?
- Speed
- Circuits
- Billions of operations in a single second
- Reliability and Consistency
- Low failure rate
- Consistent results
- Accuracy
- Depends on input
7Why is a Computer so Powerful Cont.
- Storage
- Transfer data quickly
- Store enormous amounts of data
- Communications
- Computers can share information
- Processing cycles
- Input
- Output
- Storage
- Process
8Networks and Internet Computer Software
- Network
- Is a collection of computers and devices
connected together via communications devices and
transmission media. Networks allow computers to
share resources such as - Hardware, software, data, and information
- Internet
- Is a worldwide collection of networks that
connects millions of businesses, government
agencies, educational institutions, and
individuals. Uses for the internet include - Communicating with other people
- Access information, news, and research findings
- Shop for goods
- Banking and Investing
- Entertainment (online games, movies, music, etc.)
- Systems Software
- Consists of programs that control or maintain the
operations of the computer and its devices. - Operating System-is a set of programs that
coordinates all the activities among computer
hardware devices. - Microsofts Windows
- Apples Macintosh
9Networks and Internet Computer Software Continued
- Application Software
- Consists of programs that perform specific tasks
for users. - Popular types of application software include
- Word Processing Software
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
- Presentation graphics software
- Software Development
- A programmer is someone who develops application
or system software. - Popular program languages include
- C, C, Visual Basic .NET 2003, and JavaScript.
- Programs require thousands to millions of
instructions. - Use programming language or program development
to create computer programs.
10Examples of Computer Usage
- Home
- Small Office/Home Office
- Mobile
- Large Business
- Power
11Home/Small Office
- Home
- Desktop Computer
- PDA
- Uses
- Word Processing
- Finance
- Internet
- Educational
- Entertainment
- Communication
- Small Office
- Desktop Computers
- Network
- Uses
- Spreadsheets
- E-Mail
- Internet use
- Manage finances
12Mobile
- Types
- PDA
- Notebook Computer
- Cell Phone
- Usually wireless
- Uses
- Communication
- Presentations
- Organization
13Large Business/Power
- Large Business
- Massive network
- IT Department
- Types
- Kiosk
- Desktop
- Mobile
- Uses
- Accounting
- Business
- Network Mgt.
- Power
- Workstation
- Industry standards
- Used by
- Engineers
- Architects
- Uses
- Publishing
- Editing
- Internet
14Categories of Computers
- Personal Computers (PC)
- Is a computer that can perform all of its input,
processing, output, and activities by itself. - Two types of personal computers are
- PC (personal computer) based on the IBM personal
computer design, which Dell, Gateway, and Toshiba
manufacture. - Apple computers
- Desktop Computers
- Is designed so the system unit, input devices,
output devices, and any other devices fit
entirely on or under a desk or table. - System Unit- Is a tall and narrow tower, that
can sit upright or could lye sideways with the
system monitor on top. - Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
- A mobile computer and a mobile device are both
capable of being taking place to place by just
carrying them. A mobile device is small enough to
hold in your hand. - Notebook computers (laptop computer) is a
portable, personal computer small enough to fit
on your lap. - Tablet PC is a special type of notebook computer
that allows you to write or draw on the screen
using a digital pen.
15Categories of Computers Continued
- Midrange Servers
- Are more powerful and larger than a workstation
computer. - Store data and programs
- Typically support several hundred PCs at the
same time - Mainframes
- Are large, expensive, very powerful computers
that can handle hundreds or thousands of
connected users simultaneously. - Banks, airlines, and insurance companies use
mainframes - Supercomputers
- Are the fastest, most powerful computer-and most
expensive. - Capable of processing more than 100 trillion
instructions in a single second. - Can store more than 16,000 times the average
desktop computer. - Supercomputers are used to compute applications
in - Medicine
- Aerospace
- Weather forecasting
- Nuclear energy research
16Computer Applications and Society
- Education
- Finance
- Government
- Health Care
- Science
- Publishing
- Travel
- Industry
17Computer Applications and Society
- Education
- Is the process of acquiring knowledge. So in
todays technological world, educators turn to
computers to assist in education. - Students use software to assist with learning or
to complete assignments. - Drop in computer cost have allowed educators to
equip school science labs and classrooms with
computers. - Some schools require students to have a notebook
computer or PDA. - Learning takes place in classroom and the other
part occurs on the Web. - 70 percent of college offer some type of distance
learning classes. - Finance
- Computers are used to manage finances for
individuals and companies. - Online Banking- users can access account
balances, pay bills, copy monthly transactions
from the banks computer right into their
computers. - Web-based financial institutions
- Transfer cash to another persons account or bank
account - Companies use it for rebates and refunds
- Online Investing- buying and selling of stocks
without the use of a broker. - Transaction fees are much less than trading with
a broker
18Computer Applications and Society Continued
- Health Care
- Nearly every area of health care uses computers.
- Maintain patient records
- Monitor patient vital signs
- Assist doctors, nurses, and technicians in
medical test - To file insurance claims
- Surgeons use computer-controlled devices to aid
in some surgeries - Government
- Provides society with direction by making and
administering policies. As a part of the daily
job, government employees use computers everyday
to run there respected agencies. - About 62 of the people in the United States
access government Web sites. - File taxes
- Apply for permits and licenses
- Renew driver license
- Government computers store vital records, such as
fingerprints and criminal records.
19Computer Applications and Society Continued
- Science
- All branches of science, from biology to
astronomy to meteorology, use computers to assist
them with in - Collecting
- Analyzing
- Modeling data
- Communication with other scientist.
- Publishing
- Is the process of making works available to the
public printed in - Books
- Magazines
- Newspapers
- Publishers use computer software to layout text,
graphics, and photographs. - Journalist carry
- Notebook computers
- Digital Cameras
- Many publishers today make these printed
materials available on the internet. - Copy them to your desktop computer
- Handheld computer
- PDA
20Computer Applications and Society Continued
- Industry
- Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
- The use of computers to assist with manufacturing
processes such as fabrication and assembly.
Reason for using CAM in Industries include - Reducing product development cost
- Shorten a products time to market
- Stay ahead of competition
- CAM is used by a variety of industries that
include - Oil drilling
- Automobile Manufacturing
- Food production
- Travel
- Onboard navigation systems are built into many
cars today. - Enable the driver to
- Get directions
- Call for help (emergency situations)
- Track vehicle if stolen
- The Web allows anyone to prepare for a trip very
easily. - Purchase airline and train tickets online
- Book hotel rooms
21The End