Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 Human Dreams and Dream Machines Steve Roberts hit the road on Winnebiko A recumbent bike equipped with a laptop and solar panel Each day, he connected to the CompuServe network using pay phones he transmits magazine articles and book chapters Years later Roberts was exploring America on BEHEMOTH (Big Electronic Human-Energized Machine . . . Only Too Heavy), $1 million bike with seven networked computers and wireless communication capability
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 Human Dreams and Dream Machines A 1995 visit to the Computer Clubhouse (a non-profit educational center at the Museum of Science in Cambridge, MA) changed Vaughn Rogers’ life path Rogers went on to study visual communication and animation at Katherine Gibbs College to work in computer animation and video his drawing talent is enhanced with computer technology; working as an assistant manager at the Computer Clubhouse, he helps others learn to use computers to pursue their passions
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 Human Dreams and Dream Machines Patricia Walsh lost her sight at 14 but not sight of her dreams Her PC could talk using text-to-speech software, but it had nothing to say about scientific graphs and charts Fortunately, Walsh met John Gardner, a blind physics professor at Oregon State University Gardner was developing tools to make math and science accessible to visually impaired people: Tiger Tactile Graphics and Braille Embosser printed equations, formulas, and graphs as raised patterns that could be read by touch Using this technology, Walsh could once again “see” the figures that were critical to her studies in the e-mails from her professors
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 PC Basics PC Hardware Basics Built around a tiny microprocessor that controls the workings of the system This central processing unit, or CPU, is usually housed in a box Serves as command central for the entire computer system The CPU is the brains of the computer Controls the operation of the core computer components Peripheral devices (peripherals): external devices connected via cables to the system unit
System unit includes built-in memory( RAM) and a hard disk
CPU uses memory for instant access to information Hard disk serves as a longer-term storage device Stores large quantities of information A permanent fixture in the system unit
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 PC Basics Removable media: disks that can be separated from their drives Most popular types are 5-1/4 inch optical disks Look like common audio CDs A typical PC system unit includes some other kind of optical drive CD-ROM drive enables the computer to read audio CDs and CD-ROMs CD-RW drive can read CDs and also write, or burn, information onto CD media A DVD drive can read (and sometimes burn) DVD movies and high- capacity data DVDs as well as audio and data CDs
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 PC Basics Diskette drive (also known as a floppy disk drive) enables the computer to store small amounts of information on pocket- sized, plastic-covered magnetic diskettes Internal drives: included in the system unit External drives: attached to the system unit via cables A PC system might include: An external hard disk for additional storage A USB keychain flash memory device for accessing small amounts of storage
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 PC Basics Portable storage that can be shuttled easily between multiple PCs DVD/CD-RW drive for reading and writing CDs and DVDs
Other system unit components, such as:
video display card sound card network interface card modem, communicate with external devices, with other computers, and with networks
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 Entering, Editing, and Formatting Text Work on a word processing document using standard PC techniques and tools: As you type, your text is displayed on screen and stored in RAM Screen appearance is the same as the printed version – WYSIWYG Tools: Clipboard – stores text from Cut or Copy of text Find and Replace – for making repetitive changes Formatting: Change the way the words look on the page Adjust the size and shape of the text to achieve a certain look
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 PC Software Basics CPU is controlled by software—instructions that tell it what to do System software: takes care of behind-the scenes details Includes the operating system (OS) The operating system determines what your screen display looks like as you work and how you tell the computer what you want it to do Most PCs today use some version of the Microsoft Windows operating system; Macintosh computers use some version of Apple’s Mac OS
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 PC Software Basics Application programs (applications): software tools that enable you to use a computer for specific purposes Document: a file created by an application, regardless of whether it has actually been printed Applications and documents are two different types of files File: a named collection of data stored on a computer disk or some other storage medium Applications contain instructions that can be executed by the computer Sometimes called executable files Documents contain passive data rather than instructions Sometimes called data files
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 File Management Basics In Windows and the Mac OS, a file is represented by a name and an icon Extension—a string of (usually) three characters Follows a period (.) at the end of the file name Gives more information about the file’s origin or use Files can be organized into collections using folders (directories) Operating system allows you to: create folders, give them meaningful names, and store documents and other files inside them Folders can be organized hierarchically—a folder can contain other folders, which in turn can contain still more folders
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 File Management Basics Modern operating systems include Search and Find commands that can help find files no matter where they might be stored on a system Search for file names, or for words or phrases inside a document
A wide range of multimedia activities are supported
These are the largest files: videos, songs, or images Reducing file size is key to managing storage – the process is called Compression
Back-up of information ensures that crucial data is not lost
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 PC Network Basics Computers can be connected to a network Direct connection: a cable connects computer to another computer or device close by Remote access connection: used when computer isn’t physically close to the network Using a modem, a remote computer can connect to a network through an ordinary phone line Network can be connected to other networks Connected through cables, wireless radio transmissions, or other means The Internet: an elaborate network of interconnected networks Dramatically changing the way people work
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 Internet Basics Using the Internet, you can: Study material designed to supplement this book, including late-breaking news, interactive study aids, and multimedia simulations that can’t be printed on paper Send a message to people, around town or around the world, and receive replies almost as quickly as the recipients can read the messages and type their responses Explore vast libraries of research material, ranging from classic scholarly works to contemporary reference works, and get medical, legal, or technical advice from a wide variety of experts Listen to live radio broadcasts from around the world
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 Internet Basics Participate in discussions or play games with people all over the globe who share your interests Download free software or music clips from servers all over the world onto your computer Order a custom-built computer, car, or condominium Track hourly changes in the stock markets and buy and sell stocks based on those changes Take a course for college credit from a school thousands of miles away Publish your own writings, drawings, photos, and multimedia works so that Internet users all over the world can view them Start your own business and have a worldwide clientele
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 World Wide Web Basics The World Wide Web (WWW) makes the Internet accessible to people all over the planet Includes a wealth of multimedia content accessible through simple point-and-click programs called Web browsers Made up of millions of interlinked documents called Web pages A collection of related pages stored on the same computer is called a Web site Each Web page has a unique address Referred to as a URL (uniform resource locator) For example, the URL for this book’s home page is http://www.computerconfluence.com
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 World Wide Web Basics At the heart of the Web is the concept of hypertext Using a Web browser, you can jump from one Web page to another by clicking hyperlinks (often called just links)—words, pictures, or menu items that act as buttons Browsers have Back and Forward buttons Most browsers include tools called bookmarks or favorites for keeping personal lists of memorable sites
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 Web Search Basics Search engines are used to locate information on the Web Built around a database that catalogs Web locations based on content Some search engines use researchers to organize and evaluate Web sites Other search engines use software to search the Web and catalog information automatically Directory or subject tree: a hierarchical catalog of Web sites compiled by researchers Used to repeatedly narrow a search The search engine at Yahoo! is probably the best-known example of this technique: http://www.yahoo.com/
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 E-mail Basics When you sign up for an e-mail account, you receive: A user name (sometimes called a login name or alias) A storage area for messages (usually called a mailbox) Sign up for accounts through your school, your company, or a private Internet service provider (ISP)
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 E-mail Basics Any user can send a mail message to anyone else, regardless of whether the recipient is currently logged in —connected to the network The message will be waiting in the recipient’s inbox the next time he or she launches his or her e-mail program and logs in An e-mail message can be addressed to one person or hundreds of people Most e-mail messages are plain text, without the kinds of formatting and graphic images found in printed documents E-mail messages can carry documents, pictures, multimedia files, and other computer files as attachments
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 Internet Security Basics Despite its wonders, the Internet can be a dangerous place Once you connect a computer to a network or the Internet, you dramatically increase the risk that your system will be compromised in some way The most common form of Internet-based security risk is probably spam, or junk mail Most e-mail programs now include spam filters Viruses are a more sinister e-mail problem Another problem on the Internet is password theft A wider but related issue concerns identity (ID) theft
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 Lesson Summary PCs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they’re all made up of two things—the physical parts of the computer, called hardware, and the software instructions that tell the hardware what to do A computer’s operating system software takes care of details of the computer’s operation; application software provides specific tools for computer users PCs can be networked to other computers using cables, radio waves, or other means; a computer can also connect to a network through standard phone lines using a modem
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 Lesson Summary (continued) The Internet is a global network of computer networks used for education, commerce, and communication The most popular Internet activities are exploring the World Wide Web and communicating with electronic mail A Web browser is a PC application that provides easy access to the World Wide Web Search engines serve as indices for the Web, locating pages with subject matter that matches keywords
Computer Confluence 7/e Chapter 0 Lesson Summary (continued) Electronic mail is the most popular Internet application and enables almost instant communication among Internet users; some e-mail systems can be accessed through Web browsers The Internet is not without risks; Internet users must be prepared to deal with unsolicited (and often unsavory) e-mail, computer viruses, identity theft, and other risks