Computers:

Tools for an Information Age

Objectives
Describe the three fundamental characteristics of computers
Describe at least four areas of society in which computers are used
Identify the basic components of a computer system: input, processing, output, and storage
List some common input, output, and storage media
Distinguish data from information
Describe the significance of networking
Explain the significance of the Internet
Explain the various classifications of computers
Forging a Computer-Based Society
Traditional Cornerstones of Economy:
 Land
 Labour
 Capital
New Economic Element:
 Information
What Is Computer Literacy?
Awareness
Knowledge
Interaction
Awareness
Becoming aware of the importance, versatility, and pervasiveness of computers in our society
Knowledge
Learning what computers are and how they work
Learning some technical jargon
Interaction
Knowing how to use computers for some simple applications
Fundamental Characteristics
Speed
Reliability
Storage Capability
By-products
Benefits of Computers
Productivity
 Workers use computers to do their jobs faster and better
 Many processes can be more efficiently controlled by computers
Decision Making
 Helps decision makers sort out financial, geographical, and logistical factors
Cost Reduction
 Helps hold down costs of labor, energy and paperwork
Computer System Components
Hardware
 Equipment associated with the system
Software
 Instructions that tell the hardware what to do
People
 Computer programmer: writes software
 User: purchases and uses software
Often called end-user
Hardware: The Basic Components of a Computer
What is a Computer?
Four primary components:
 Input devices
 Processor
  Output devices
 Storage
What Is a Computer?
A machine that can be programmed to accept data, process it into useful information, and store it away
 Data: raw facts representing people and events
 Information: data that is organized, meaningful, and useful
Input: What Goes In
Input: the data put into the computer for processing
Common input devices:
 Keyboard
 Mouse
 Scanner
Keyboard
Most common input device
 Generates electrical signals which are translated into characters
Mouse
Moves over a flat surface
 Movement of mouse ball causes corresponding movement of pointer on screen
Scaner
Reads special letters, numbers, and symbols
 Wand reader, bar code reader often used in stores
 Flatbed and sheet-fed scanners scan pictures or printed documents
The Processor and Memory:Data Manipulation
Processor
 Also called central processing unit (CPU)
Memory (primary storage)
 Closely related to, but distinct from processor
 Provides temporary storage
Primary Storage
Used to temporarily hold data
 After it is retrieved from input device and before it is processed
 After it is processed and before it is released to output device
Temporary (volatile) storage
 Data in memory lost if power is lost or program closed
The Processor
Center of activity in the computer
 Consists of electronic circuits
Interprets and executes program instructions
Communicates with input, output, and storage devices
Actually transforms data into information
Output: What Comes Out
Output: the result produced by the CPU
Common forms of output: text, numbers, graphics, and sounds
Common output devices:
 Screen (monitor): can display text, numbers, photographs, even video, in full color
 Printer: produces printed reports as instructed by a program
Secondary Storage
Provides long-term storage
 Separate from memory
Common media
 Magnetic disks
 Optical disks
 Magnetic tape
Magnetic Disks
The most common storage media
 Diskette: 3.5” flexible diskette in plastic case
  Hard Disk: more storage capacity and faster access than diskette
Optical Disks
Use a laser beam to read large volumes of data inexpensively
 CD-ROMs
 DVD-ROMs
Magnetic Tape
Stores large amounts of data inexpensively
Often used for system backup
Peripheral Devices
All hardware devices attached to the computer
 Includes all input, output, and storage devices
Networking
Network: a system that uses communications equipment to connect computers and their resources
Common network tools:
 Local Area Network (LAN)
 Modem
 Electronic mail
Local Area Network
Personal computers in an office are connected so users can communicate
 Users can operate computers independently
 Can share resources and exchange data
Modem
A device that allows users to communicate with other computers over telephone lines
 Required when you don’t have a digital connection such as DSL or a cable modem
Electronic Mail (e-mail)
Send and receive messages electronically
 Can send text, pictures, links to Web sites
 Can attach files for collaboration
Messages stored in computer “mailbox”
The Internet
The largest and most far-flung network
 Connects users worldwide
 Not actually a network, but a collection of thousands of networks
Getting Connected
To access the Internet, connect to a server computer
 Server receives, processes, and transmits information
Computers use a standard to communicate
Need an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Internet Service Providers
The owner of a server computer
 Charges a fee for access to the Internet
Fee can provide unlimited access or be based on usage
Provides the user a means to connect to the server
 Once connected, you can connect to the Internet and all other server computers
The owner of a server computer
 Charges a fee for access to the Internet
Fee can provide unlimited access or be based on usage
Provides the user a means to connect to the server
 Once connected, you can connect to the Internet and all other server computers
Computer Protocols
Provides a standard way to communicate with other computers
 Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) used on the Internet
 Allows different types of computers to share data
Getting Around the Internet
Began as a means for Department of Defense and its research institutions to share information
 Information was text-only
  Commands to navigate were obscure
Now, much more visually based
 Use browser to explore the Internet
 World Wide Web
Browser
Software that allows you to use a mouse to explore the Internet
 Click on screen text and/or graphics to move to different locations
 Most commonly used to explore the World Wide Web
The World Wide Web
A subset of the Internet
 Actually, a standard for displaying and transmitting information
Web site: a location on the Web
 Home page: the main page of a Web site
Classification of Computers
Personal Computers
Notebook Computers
Handheld Computers
Midrange Computers
Mainframes
Supercomputers
Personal Computers
Desktop computers
 Also known as PCs, microcomputers, or home computers
Broken down into three categories:
 Low-end computers
 Fully-powered personal computers
 Workstations
Network computer
 Central processing unit and minimal memory
 Designed to be used on a network
Sometimes called thin client
PC Categories
Low-end computers
 Fine for home users, word processing, simple games, Internet access
Fully powered computers
 Good for heavy use of graphics, programming, or action-oriented games
Workstations
 Very high-end computers used by engineers, financial traders, and graphic designers
Notebook Computers
Small, lightweight computers
Capabilities approach that of desktop computers
 Similar processing and memory
 Most have hard disk, and diskette or CD-ROM drive
Typically more expensive than comparable desktop computers
Handheld Computers
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
 Keeps track of appointments, contacts, etc.
 Accepts input with hand-held stylus
Pocket PC
 Offers capabilities of PDAs, plus the ability to run stripped-down versions of software such as
word processing and spreadsheets
Midrange Computers
Multi-user computers designed to serve the needs of medium-sized organizations
 Hundreds or thousands of users connected
 Used for inventory, order-entry, and other company-wide applications
Mainframes
 Very large and powerful computers
 Capable of processing billions of instructions per second
 Capable of handling billions of characters of data
Often used for applications with many users
 Reservations systems
 Large mail-order houses
 E-mail servers
Supercomputers
The fastest and most powerful computers
 Capable of processing trillions of instructions per second
Used for very sophisticated applications requiring mammoth data manipulation:
 Weather forecasting
 Weapons research
 Special effects for movies