Q.1 A.

What is Computer?

A Computer is a programmable machine. This means it can execute a programmed list of instructions and respond to new instructions that it is given.

Modern Computer
Modern computers are Electronic and Digital. The actual machinery -- wires, transistors, and circuits -is called hardware; the instructions and data are called software. All general-purpose computers require the following hardware components: Memory : Enables a computer to store, at least temporarily, data and programs. Mass Storage Device : Allows a computer to permanently retain large amounts of data. Common mass storage devices include disk drives and tape drives. InPut Device : Usually a keyboard and mouse, the input device is the conduit through which data and instructions enter a computer. OutPut Device : A display screen, printer, or other device that lets you see what the computer has accomplished. Central Processing Units (CPU) : The heart of the computer, this is the component that actually executes instructions.

Q2. Explain a few of the different ways in which computers can be categorized.

A.
Personal computer : A small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor. In addition
to the microprocessor, a personal computer has a keyboard for entering data, a monitor for displaying information, and a storage device for saving data. Workstation : A powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a more powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality monitor. MiniComputer : A multi-user computer capable of supporting from 10 to hundreds of users simultaneously. Mainframe : A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously. SuperComputer : An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions of instructions per second.

Q3. A.

List six types of computers that are designed for use by a single person.

Six main types of computers

Mobile Communications Device
Mobile phone, Pager or similar device with Internet capability.

Personal Computer
PC or Microcomputer. A small computer suitable for a single person. Examples: desktop, laptop, PDA. But microcomputers are so powerful today (processor and networking speed, memory and storage capacity) that similar computers can be used as web servers, sharing web pages over the Internet, and file servers, sharing files over a network.

Midrange Server (Formerly, MiniComputer)

A larger computer suitable for a small business or a department in a large company, serving up to hundreds of users, sharing files and printers, and storing central information such as personnel and financial accounts, and client or patient information.

Mainframe
A large computer serving thousands of users, suitable for a large corporation or government. Performs the same functions as a minicomputer.

Supercomputer
A very large and fast computer, optimized for high-speed computing. Used for predicting the weather, digital imaging such as is used on computer animation, engineering techniques such as CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and FEA (Finite Element Analysis) and simulating molecules in chemistry and biology. The microcomputer of today is as powerful as the supercomputers of one to two decades ago.

 Embedded computer
This sixth type is the Embedded computer. "The computer that is not a computer." These are the processors inside a wide variety of devices, such as digital clocks watches, digital cameras, radios and TVs with digital tuners, garage door openers, computer printers, copiers, VCRs and video storage/replay devices (e.g. Tivo), digital thermostats and appliances, and your car, to name only a few. Embedded computers generally do not have screens, keyboards or hard drives. Since we are in Detroit, the use in cars and other vehicles is of special interest. Today, one or more processors control the engine and transmission. ABS systems have one additional processor for each wheel, and the instrument panel is often controlled by another, even if you have analog instruments. For the engine, the microprocessor in the engine or powertrain controller measures the amount of air in the cylinder ("stepping on the gas" is really "stepping on the air"), calculates the matching amount of fuel, fires the fuel injector to deliver that amount of fuel, and decides when to fire the park plug. Without the level of control offered by the microprocessor, it would be impossible to meet emission and mileage standards in a car that had any kind of performance at all. If you think about the number of digital devices in your home and car, it is probably at least twenty, and often up to fifty. Clearly, there are more embedded computers than there are any of the other types.

Q4. Describe two common designs for desktop computers.

A.

There are two common designs for desktop computers. The more traditional desktop model

features a horizontally oriented system unit, which usually lies flat on the top of the user's desk. Many users place their monitor on the top of the system unit. Vertically oriented tower models have become the more popular style of desktop system. This design allows the user to place the system unit next to or under the desk, if desired.

Q5. How much do notebook computers typically weight?

A. Laptop computers typically weigh less than eight pounds and some even weigh less than three
pounds.

Q6.

List four types of computer that are designed for use by organizations, and are commonly used

by multiple people at the same time.

A.
1. Network servers, 2. Mainframe computers, 3. Mini computers, 4. Super computers.

Q7. Why are mainframe systems usually limited in the number of tasks they perform?

A.

Due to lack of flexibility.

Q8.

What is the most popular use for home computers?

A. From study's and researches, most use home computers / personal computers to:
- Check Email - Check News - Check Weather Updates

Most teenagers (12-17) Use Home Computers for: - Face book - MySpace - Social Networks.

Q9.How are computer technologies used by the military?

A.

For control and deployment of weapons(missiles), for remote control of unmanned recon

vehicles, in conjunction with satellites for spying and tracking purposes, and also obviously for secure(think encrypted) communications.

Q10. How are computer technologies being used to train surgeons? A. The computer uses infra red technology to take readings of the patient's leg and generate
measurements and calculations, highlighting where surgeon needs to make the required incisions to suit that individual patient's body alignment. The surgeon can concentrate on his surgical skills, without the guesswork that has long dogged knee surgery.

Q11.

How are analog computers different from digital computers?

A. The difference between an analog and digital computer is the type of data they process. Analog
computers process measured data. A speedometer in your car is a common type of analog device. A digital computer processed discrete data (digits). In this case 0 and 1. Digital computers are most common. PC's, MAC's are digital computers. A big difference is an analog computer's output can vary even if the input is identical. A digital computer can be very precise. For instance, a gas pump might

tell you that you pumped in 5 gallons of gas but you could have gotten 4.99 gallons or 5.01 gallons. If you asked a digital computer to add 5 and 6 together, you will always get 11. A gas pump is actually a hybrid computer. Although it processes measured data, that is how much fluid has passed through the gas hose, the data displayed to you, the amount of gas and how much you owe is in a digital format. An Analog computer uses continuous variables for mathematical operations and utilizes mechanical or electrical energy.

Q12. What is a workstation? Write down its features.

A.

WorkStation

A computer that is generally manufactured to accomplish the task of the professionalism in the field of the computer technology is called as the work station. But the actual definition of the work station is that the computer that is generally developed to run different type of heavy and the professional softwares for the sake of networking and other important tasks also by the single user is called as the work station. Such computers are less powerful as compared to other typical desktop computer but it has more space to do working if compared with personal computer.

Important Features Of WorkStation

There are many important characteristic features of the workstation because it has ability to store more and can run more applications as compared to the typical work computer. Some pf ten specific and the important features of the work stations are as follows 1. The work station has very compact designed as compared to the other personal computers but it has more capacity to save the applications but it has low power compatibility. 2. Typical working computers can only do the simple calculations or the problems but the workstation can able to solve the complex and difficult problems that re the big task for the every user to do. So users can do such calculations quit conveniently. 3. One of the grate features of the work station is that users can conveniently build three directional models of digital nature that can operate over high power.

Q13. How does a dump terminal differ from an intelligent an terminal?

A. A dumb terminal has no local processing capabilities of its own. The computer it is working from
could be in another room. An intelligent terminal has local processing capability, so it does more than just act as a way of displaying things. Most old mainframe computers are attached to dumb terminals, enabling one computer to be used by many people. A PC is an intelligent terminal. It can be linked to a mainframe too, acting as a dumb terminal then, but it can be used as a standard computer too.

Q14. What is a midrange computer? Why is it called so?

A. It is small powerful multiuser system with excellent memory capabilities and processing speed. It is
less powerful than a mainframe computer but more powerful than a PC. It is just half of the main frame computer in which approximately 50 terminals can be connected and work at the same time. It is frequently used for middle level organization. Because it lies between mainframe and PC, so it is called midrange computer.

Q15. How is computer technology used in education?

A.

The Education & Computer Technology is a valuable source of information for educators, parents and students who use technology to enhance learning. As educators, we must be positive role models for our students. Students must see teachers as proficient users of technology in the classroom. Teachers must provide opportunities for students to access the Internet and the World Wide Web to develop high-quality activities with hands-on use of current technology.