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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started16 Purchasing on the Web     

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started25 Means of access Internet Address (Web site) Document Path (Directory or Folder) Uniform Resource Locator (URL)

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

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)

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

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

Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started30 (Electronic Mail)  is simply a means of sending messages via computer  Business is using more 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

Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started31 Obtaining an Account  You will need an server (post office) to send and receive  You can obtain an account at school  You can pay for an account through an ISP such as AOL  You can get free accounts:

Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started32 Privacy and Terms of Agreement  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

Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started33 An Address  Every address is unique and consists of two parts, a user name and a host computer:  sign is required  The host computer can be omitted if you are logged onto the same network or host computer

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

Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started35 Parts of the Message  Header  To:  Cc:  Bcc:  Subject:  Message  Signature  Attachments

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

Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started37 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 program to access from server IIMAP – Internet Message Access Protocol Permits a "client" program to access remote message stores as if they were local Enables user to access messages from more than one computer