1. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started1 Getting Started Essential Computing Concepts By Robert T. Grauer Maryann Barber Updated by Dr. Jehad Al Dallal 2012

2. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started2 Objectives DDescribe components of a computer system DDescribe the contribution of IBM, Microsoft, and Intel in the evolution of the PC DDistinguish between system and application software DDefine a local area network; distinguish between a server and a workstation DDefine the Internet and the World Wide Web DDraw parallels between e-commerce and traditional commerce DDescribe e-mail

3. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started3 What Is a Computer?  Microprocessor  Internal Memory  Auxiliary Storage  Input Units  Output Units

4. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started4 Any Computer System Memory Central processing unit (CPU) Input Disk Auxiliary Storage Disk Output

5. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started5 Inside the Computer  CD-ROM/Writer  DVD R/W  CPU  Expansion slots  USB flush memory and/or floppy drive  Hard disk  Memory chip  Motherboard  Power supply

6. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started6 Expansion Slots Power Supply Unit Disk Drives

7. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started7 Back of the Computer  Cooling Fan  Power Supply  Keyboard Connector  Mouse Connector  Parallel Printer Port  Video Connector 7 Back of the Computer  Cooling Fan  Power Supply  Keyboard Connector  Mouse Connector  Parallel Printer Port  Video Connector 7 Back of the Computer  Cooling Fan  Power Supply  Keyboard Connector  Mouse Connector  Parallel Printer Port  Video Connector

8. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started8 Microprocessor BBrain of the computer CCurrent chips for PC Intel (Celeron, Pentium III, Pentium IV, …) AMD (K-6 and Athlon) WWhich do I buy? Pentium or Athlon for graphic-intensive programs K-6 or Celeron for business and Internet browsing

9. 9 Internal Memory (RAM)  Volatile memory: Temporary (erased when power turned off)  Measured in bytes 1 Byte = 1 character (8 bits) 1 Kilobyte = 2 10 (~1,000 bytes) 1 Megabyte = 2 20 (~1,000,000 bytes) 1 Gigabyte = 2 30 (~1,000,000,000 bytes)  New systems need at least 1Gb of RAM Keep multiple programs & data files in memory Graphic-intensive programs demand a lot of memory

10. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started10 Auxiliary Storage (Permanent)  Auxiliary storage, secondary storage or non-volatile memory  Floppy Disk Most common is 1.44Mb LS-120 disk is 120Mb Not available in most of new computer systems. It is replaced by USB flash memory  High Capacity Removable Storage Zip disks (100 or 250Mb) Jazz Disks (1 or 2Gb) USB flash memory (current: up to 64Gb) External USB hard disk (current: up to 1Tb)  1 Terabyte (Tb) = …???  Hard (Fixed) Disk Most common are 200 –600Gb

11. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started11 Auxiliary Storage (Continued)  CD-ROM 650Mb capacity Recordable devices also available  DVD drives 4.7Gb-17Gb capacity ROM and RAM Higher capacity than CD  Tape Units Used for large, unattended back-ups

12. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started12 Input and Output Units  Keyboard  Mouse  Trackball  Scanner  Joystick  Pens  Microphone  Web camera  Monitor  Printer Ink Jet Printers Laser Printers  Speakers

13. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started13 Monitor Size and Resolution MMonitors come in different sizes: 17,” 19,” and 21”+ RResolution is expressed in pixels (such as 800 x 600 or 1024 x 768) TThe higher the resolution, the clearer you can see. Larger monitors let you run at higher resolutions: e.g., 19” to run 1024 x 768 comfortably AA graphics card (video display adapter) speeds processing

14. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started14 Purchasing Decisions  Local store versus mail order Magazines Internet  Use credit card to double warranty  30-day price guarantee  Don’t forget the software Windows included (check the version) Microsoft Office is optional

15. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started15 The PC Today  Main Components 2.7 GHz – 3.6 GHZ microprocessor 2-4 Gb RAM 500 Gb - 2Tb hard drive 1 floppy drive or Zip drive (optional) DVD / CD-ROM drive 21”- 26” monitor 1-2 Gb graphics card  Other Components Cable modem CD-RW drive Camera Microphone TV adapter Sound card/speakers USB Ports.

16. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started16 Purchasing on the Web  www.dell.com www.dell.com  www.gateway.com www.gateway.com  www.ibm.com www.ibm.com  www.pcwarehouse.com www.pcwarehouse.com  www.microwarehouse.com www.microwarehouse.com

17. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started17 Software  System Software Microsoft Windows - Operating System  Home – Windows 98, Windows Me (old)  Business – Windows NT, Windows 2000  Previous: Windows XP and Windows Vista  Current: Windows 7 replaces all previous versions Antivirus and file compression is not built into Windows and requires additional software  Application Software Microsoft Office consists of Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, FrontPage, and Publisher Different editions contain different applications

18. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started18 Antivirus Software  A computer virus attaches itself to various files and alters the way your computer works  Transmitted via an infected file or floppy disk, or more commonly through the Internet  Antivirus software can protect your computer, but it must be updated continually to detect new viruses

19. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started19 File Compression  Files are made smaller (compressed) to reduce the storage requirements and/or time required to download a file  A file compression program (such as WinZip) is required to compress one or more files into a “zipped” file or archive.  The zipped file can be converted to a self-extracting file that is expanded without the file compression program

20. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started20 The Internet  A network of networks  Began in 1969 as government project  No central authority and thus impossible to state the precise size  Worldwide and near- instantaneous access to virtually unlimited information

21. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started21 The World Wide Web  A subset of the Internet consisting of all computers with hypertext or hypermedia documents  These documents contain references (links) to other documents which may be on a different computer anywhere in the world  Began in 1991 at the Center for European Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland

22. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started22 A Client/Server Model AA server (Web server or Web site) is any computer that stores hypermedia documents and furnishes them upon request AA client is any computer that requests, then displays hypermedia documents EEvery client must be able to display every document from every server and does so through a browser (e.g., FireFox or Internet Explorer)

23. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started23 Acronyms Abound  HTTP – HyperText Transfer Protocol is used to transmit Web documents  HTTPS – Secure protocol for confidential transactions  HTML – HyperText Markup Language is the language for all Web documents  ISP – Internet service provider

24. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started24 Connecting to the Internet  At Work or School Via a Local Area Network  At Home Traditional Modem (56Kbps/V90) Cable Modem  Uses TV cable  Requires network card DSL Modem  Voice and data on the same line  Requires network card

25. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started25 http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/cezanne/bio.html Means of access Internet Address (Web site) Document Path (Directory or Folder) Uniform Resource Locator (URL)

26. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started26 URL Format  You can guess at the URL using the general form of: “www.company.com”www.company.com  Other domains include “edu,” “gov,” and “org,” but “com” is most common  Examples: www.microsoft.com www.nba.com www.whitehouse.gov www.miami.edu

27. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started27 Security and Privacy  Secure transactions Https protocol Encryption  Privacy Cookie is a small file written to your disk each time you visit a site Problem is when one site can read many cookies (e.g., DoubleClick.com)

28. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started28 E-commerce  The exchange of goods and services Buyer and seller Products and suppliers A place to “meet” Marketing to attract the buyer Accept and process the order  All of these elements are present in e-commerce and traditional commerce

29. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started29 Advantages of E-commerce  For the Seller Open 24/7 Shoppers from anywhere Virtual inventory is cheaper and extensive Lower transaction costs Target your customers  For the Buyer Open 24/7 Never leave home Easy to view and explore product line Comparison shop Web site knows you

30. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started30 E-Mail (Electronic Mail)  E-mail is simply a means of sending messages via computer  Business is using more e-mail and fax  To access, you must have a mail server and/or software  Each person has a username and pass- word  All mail programs allow you to Send, Compose, Reply, and Forward

31. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started31 Obtaining an E-mail Account  You will need an e-mail server (post office) to send and receive e-mail  You can obtain an account at school  You can pay for an account through an ISP such as AOL  You can get free email accounts: www.hotmail.com www.yahoo.com

32. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started32 Privacy and Terms of Agreement  E-mail is less private than U.S. mail If you need privacy, send a letter  Every mail server has terms that you must agree to No copyright infringements No harassing or stalking No junk mail or spamming No intentional sending of viruses

33. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started33 An E-mail Address  Every e-mail address is unique and consists of two parts, a user name and a host computer: johndoe@anyschool.edu  The@ sign is required  The host computer can be omitted if you are logged onto the same network or host computer

34. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started34 The Mail Folders  Inbox – new messages as well as messages that have been read  Outbox – messages not yet sent  Sent items – messages that have been sent (moved here from outbox)  Deleted items – messages deleted from any folder  Custom folders – additional folders created by the user

35. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started35 Parts of the E-mail Message  Header  To:  Cc:  Bcc:  Subject:  Message  Signature  Attachments

36. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started36 Additional E-mail Capabilities  Address Book Contains the e-mail addresses of frequent contacts Enables you to enter an alias (e.g., “Bob” instead of the complete address)  Distribution List A set of e-mail addresses stored under one name Ideal for your professor to e-mail the class

37. Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started37 E-mail Protocols PPOP Client – Post Office Protocol Lets you work without being connected to mail server Upload to send mail - Download to read mail Allows almost any e-mail program to access e-mail from server IIMAP – Internet Message Access Protocol Permits a "client" email program to access remote message stores as if they were local Enables user to access messages from more than one computer