1. Introduction to Computers
Chapter 1
Introduction to Computers

2. OBJECTIVES Recognize the importance of computer literacy
Identify the components of a computer
Discuss the uses of the Internet and World Wide Web
Identify the categories of software
Describe the categories of computers
Identify the types of computer users
Discuss various computer applications in society

3. A World of Computers What is computer literacy?
Knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses

4. What Is a Computer?
Electronic device operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory
Processes data into information
Data that is organized, meaningful, and useful
Accepts data
Raw facts, figures, and symbols
Produces and stores results

5. Advantages of Using Computers
Speed
Reliability
Consistency
Storage
Communications

6. Disadvantages of Using Computers
Violation of Privacy
Impact on Labor Force
Health Risks
Impact on Environment

7. Information processing cycle
What is the information processing cycle?
Input
Process
Output
Storage
Communication

8. The Components of a Computer
Input Devices
Output Devices
System Unit
Storage Devices
Communication Devices

9. 1. Input Devices Hardware used to enter data and instructions
Widely used input devices:
Keyboard
Mouse
Microphone
Scanner
Digital Camera
PC Video Camera

10. 2. Output Devices
Hardware that conveys information to one or more people
Common output devices:
Printer
Monitor
Speakers

11. 3. System Unit
Case containing electronic components used to process data.
Motherboard or Circuit Board.
2 Components of Motherboard:
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Memory

12. CPU & Memory Processor Memory
The electronic component that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer.
Memory
Consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by those instructions

13. 4. Storage Holds data, instructions, and information for future use
Storage media
Physical material on which data, instructions, and information are stored
Storage device
Records and retrieves items to and from a storage medium
Examples
Hard Disks
USB Flash Drives CD
DVD

14. 5. Communications device
Hardware component that enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and information
E.g.: Modem
Occurs over cables, telephone lines, cellular radio networks (wireless), satellites (wireless), and other transmission media.

15. Networks and the Internet
A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together.
Allow computers to share resources:
Hardware
Software
Data
Information

16. Internet
Worldwide collection of networks that connects millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals.
Web
Billions of documents, called Web pages, available to anyone connected to the Internet

17. Internet Uses? Communications Information Shopping Banking & Investing
Education
Entertainment
Sharing information

18. Software Also called Program
Consists of a series of instructions that tells the computer what to do.
2 Types:
System Software
Application Software

19. System Software
Programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices
Serve as interface between user, the application software & computer’s hardware
2 Types:
Operating System
Utility Program

20. Operating System
is a set of programs that coordinates all activities among computer hardware devices and allows users to run application software.
Examples of operating systems for personal computers include Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS , and Unix.

21. Utility Program
allow the user to perform maintenance-type tasks usually related to managing a computer, its devices or its programs
Control Panel
ISS
Computer Management

22. Application Software Programs that perform specific tasks for users
Example:
Web browsers
Word Processors
Database Management
Project management
DTP
Web Design

23. Computer Software
System Software
Application Software
Operating System
Utility Programs

24. Categories of Computers
Personal Computers
Mobile Computers/Devices
Game Consoles
Servers
Mainframes
Supercomputers
Embedded Computers

25. Personal Computers
What are the two most popular series of personal computers?
Apple Macintosh uses the Macintosh operating system (Mac OS)
PC and compatibles use the Windows operating system

26. Mobile Computers
Notebooks/Laptops
Tablet PC
PDA
Smart Phones

27. Game Consoles
Mobile computing device designed for single-player or multiplayer video games

28. Servers What types of servers are there?
A server controls access to network resources and provides centralized storage
Mainframe Very powerful, expensive computer that supports thousands of computers
Supercomputer The fastest, most powerful, most expensive computer. Used for applications requiring complex mathematical calculations

29. Embedded Computers
A special-purpose computer that functions as a component in a larger product

30. Computer Usage What are five categories of computer users? Home User
Small Office/Home Office User
Mobile User
Power User
Large Business User

31. Home User What software is available for a home user?
Personal Finance Management
Web access
Communications
Entertainment

32. Small Office User
What software is available for a small office/home office (SOHO) user?
Productivity software
Specialty software
Web usage

33. Mobile User Hardware Software Notebook computers PDAs Smart phones
Tablet PCs
Software
Word processing
Spreadsheet
Presentation graphics software

34. Power User What are the needs of a power user?
Speed and large amounts of storage
Types of power users
Engineers
Architects
Desktop publishers
Graphic artists

35. Large Business Users What are the needs of the large business user?
Payroll
Inventory
E-commerce
Desktop publishing

36. Computer Applications in Society
Education
Finance
Government
Health Care
Science
Publishing
Travel
Manufacturing

37. Chapter Summary The computer and its components
Categories of computers
What is a network?
Types of computer users
The Internet and the World Wide Web
Types of software

38. Questions?