1. Lesson 1 Computer System

2. A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information. It has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data.

3. Software refers to the computer programs and related data that provide the instructions for telling the computer hardware what to do and how to do it.

4. 3 Classifications of Software  Applications software includes programs that do real work for users. For example, word processors, spreadsheets, and database management systems fall under the category of applications software.  A programming software creates another software or application.  Systems software includes the operating system and all the utilities that enable the computer to function.

5. Hardware refers to the physical components that make up a computer system.

6.  Input devices include typewriter-like keyboards; handheld devices such as the mouse, trackball, joystick, and special pen with pressure-sensitive pad; and microphones.  They also include sensors that provide information about their environment—temperature, pressure, and so forth—to a computer.  Another direct-entry mechanism is the optical laser scanner (e.g., scanners used with point-of-sale terminals in retail stores) that can read bar-coded data or optical character fonts

8. Output equipment includes video display terminals (either cathode-ray tubes or liquid crystal displays), ink-jet and laser printers, loudspeakers, and devices such as flow valves that control machinery, often in response to computer processing of sensor input data.

9. Some devices, such as video display terminals, may provide both input and output. Other examples are devices that enable the transmission and reception of data between computers—e.g., modems and network interfaces.

10. Case with hardware inside:

11. Motherboard - The video, sound, networking and more are mounted into this board. Microprocessor - This is the brain of your computer. It performs commands and instructions and controls the operation of the computer. Memory - The RAM in your system is mounted on the motherboard. This is memory that must be powered on to retain its contents. Drive controllers - The drive controllers control the interface of your system to your hard drives.

13. Hard disk drive(s) - This is where your files are permanently stored on your computer. Also, normally, your operating system is installed here

14. CD-ROM drive(s) - This is normally a read only drive where files are permanently stored. There are now read/write CD-ROM drives that use special software to allow users to read from and write to these drives.

15. Floppy drive(s) - A floppy is a small disk storage device that today typically has about 1.4 Megabytes of memory capacity.Other possible file storage devices include DVD devices, Tape backup devices, and some others.

16. Monitor - This device which operates like a TV set lets the user see how the computer is responding to their commands.

17. Keyboard - This is where the user enters text commands into the computer.

18. Mouse - A point and click interface for entering commands which works well in graphical environments.

19. Importance of Computer Education : Students get a lot of information by accessing web documentaries and video tutorials.

20. Health and Medicine : Computer technology is radically changing the tools of medicine. All medical information can now be digitized.

21. Science : Scientists have long been users of it. A new adventure among scientists is the idea of a “collaboratory”, an internet based collaborative laboratory, in which researchers all over the world can work easily together even at a distance. An example is space physics where space physicists are allowed to band together to measure the earth’s ionosphere from instruments on four parts of the world.

23. Business : Some areas of business that are undergoing rapid changes are sales and marketing, retailing, banking, stock trading, etc. Sales representatives not only need to be better educated and more knowledgeable about their customer’s businesses, but also must be comfortable with computer technology. The world of cybercash has come to banking – not only smart cards but internet banking, electronic deposit, bill paying, online stock and bond trading, etc.

25. Recreation and Entertainment: Our entertainment and pleasure-time have also been affected by computerization. For example: In movies, computer generated graphics give freedom to designers so that special effects and even imaginary characters can play a part in making movies, videos, and commercials.

27. Government: Various departments of the Government use computer for their planning, control and law enforcement activities. To name a few – Traffic, Tourism, Information & Broadcasting, Education, Aviation and many others.

28. Defense: There are many uses computers in Defense such as: 1) Controlling UAV or unmanned air-crafts an example is Predator. If you have cable I would recommend watching the shows “Future Weapons" and “Modern Marvels". The show future weapon gives an entire hour to the predator. 2) They are also used on Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) that uses GPS and Computers to help the missile get to the target. 3) Computers are used to track incoming missiles and help slew weapons systems onto the incoming target to destroy them.

30. 4) Computers are used in helping the military find out where all their assets are (Situational Awareness) and in Communications/Battle Management Systems. 5) Computers are used in the logistic and ordering functions of getting equipments to and around the battlefield. 6) Computers are used in tanks and planes and ships to target enemy forces, help run the platform and more recently to help diagnose any problems with the platforms. 7) Computers help design and test new systems.

31. Sports: In today's technologically growing society, computers are being used in nearly every activity. The best athletes pay close attention to detail. Computers can slow recorded video and allow people to study their specific movements to try to improve their tendencies and repair poor habits.

32. While some scoreboards are manually updated, most professional sports venues have very modern scoreboards that are programmed to update statistics and information immediately after the information is entered into the computer.