McGraw-Hill Technology Education Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Exploring Computers and Their Uses Chapter 1; Lesson A Exploring Computers and Their Uses

The Computer Defined Electronic device Converts data into information Modern computers are digital Two digits combine to make data Discussion Point Moore’s Law predicts that data density on a chip, and thus power of a chip, will double every 18 months. Explore the powers of two to compare the power of today’s computer versus those of 10, 20 and 50 years ago.

Computers for Individual Use Desktop computers The most common type of computer Sits on the desk or floor Performs a variety of tasks Workstations Specialized computers Optimized for science or graphics More powerful than a desktop Teaching tip Figure 1A.1 on page 4 shows a traditional desktop PC and a “tower” model. Insider information System units are commonly called cases. Many computer enthusiasts customize or ‘mod’ their cases with windows and lights. See www.casemodgod.com for examples of cases and products. Sun Microsystems makes the most popular workstations on the planet. Sun’s systems are used in diverse applications such as medical imaging and CGI (computer generated image) animation.

Computers for Individual Use Notebook computers Small portable computers Weighs between 3 and 8 pounds About 8 ½ by 11 inches Typically as powerful as a desktop Can include a docking station Discussion point Have students contrast desktop and notebook computers. Focus on the pros and cons of each type of computer.

Computers for Individual Use Tablet computers Newest development in portable computers Input is through a pen Run specialized versions of office products Teaching tip The tablet PC was designed to simulate a piece of paper. Users interact with the tablet as if it was an unlimited paper notebook. For more information See www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/evaluation/tours/default.mspx for an example of the Tablet PC in action.

Computers for Individual Use Handheld computers Very small computers Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) Note taking or contact management Data can synchronize with a desktop Smart phones Hybrid of cell phone and PDA Web surfing, email access Insider information There are two main types of handheld computers: Palm and Pocket PC computers. Palm versions use a customized operating system that is similar to an older Macintosh. Compatibility to computers can be tricky. Pocket PC versions use a version of Windows XP. Pocket PC versions usually include versions of Word and Excel that synchronize nicely with their full size cousins. Discussion point Find a features list of a current smart phone. Have students discuss whether the feature list is too large or too small. Be sure to help the students flesh out the learning curve and complexity of the device. Teaching tip At this point, refer the students to the productivity tip on page 13. This tip helps the student determine what type of PC is best for them.

Computers for Organizations Network servers Centralized computer All other computers connect Provides access to network resources Multiple servers are called server farms Often simply a powerful desktop Teaching tip A computer server is often analogous to a waiter (server) in a restaurant. Each client asks the waiter (server) for something. The server then delivers it to the client

Computers for Organizations Mainframes Used in large organizations Handle thousands of users Users access through a terminal

Computers for Organizations Minicomputers Called midrange computers Power between mainframe and desktop Handle hundreds of users Used in smaller organizations Users access through a terminal

Computers for Organizations Supercomputers The most powerful computers made Handle large and complex calculations Process trillions of operations per second Found in research organizations Teaching tip Students have a hard time understanding trillions of calculations. A simple explanation is to add 1 trillion random numbers together in a second. Contrast the speed of a super computer to the fastest desktop computer advertised during the week of class.

Parts of the Computer System Computer systems have four parts Hardware Software Data User

Parts Of The Computer System Hardware Mechanical devices in the computer Anything that can be touched Software Tell the computer what to do Also called a program Thousands of programs exist Teaching tip Suggest to your students that the majority of people who purchase computers do so because of software. They want to email, or type letters. Nearly every reason given to purchase a computer is based on software needs.

Parts of the Computer System Data Pieces of information Computer organize and present data Users People operating the computer Most important part Tell the computer what to do Teaching tip A good exercise to relate the importance of making data meaningful is to list some random numbers on the board. Then ask what they mean. Without a title, the numbers have no meaning. Once a title is presented, the numbers make sense.

Essential Computer Hardware Computers use the same basic hardware Hardware categorized into four types

Essential Computer Hardware Processing devices Brains of the computer Carries out instructions from the program Manipulate the data Most computers have several processors Central Processing Unit (CPU) Secondary processors Processors made of silicon and copper Teaching tip The interaction between a CPU and secondary processors is much like the interaction between a boss and subordinate. The boss tells the subordinate what to do but not necessarily how to accomplish the task. The subordinate only bothers the boss when guidance or more data is needed.

Essential Computer Hardware Memory devices Stores data or programs Random Access Memory (RAM) Volatile Stores current data and programs More RAM results in a faster system Read Only Memory (ROM) Permanent storage of programs Holds the computer boot directions Insider information Intel, the manufacturer of popular CPUs, originally made RAM for mainframe and minicomputers. Today Kingston is a leading RAM manufacturer.

Essential Computer Hardware Input and output devices Allows the user to interact Input devices accept data Keyboard, mouse Output devices deliver data Monitor, printer, speakers Some devices are input and output Touch screens Teaching tip It is helpful to have examples of input and output devices in class. Stories of obscure input output devices are typically well received by the students.

Essential Computer Hardware Storage devices Hold data and programs permanently Different from RAM Magnetic storage Floppy and hard drive Uses a magnet to access data Optical storage CD and DVD drives Uses a laser to access data Insider information A new CD technology is emerging. A shorter wavelength blue laser beam is being used to burn CD’s. This allows more data to be saved on a disk. The technology is in it’s infancy but should be mature in the near future. DVD writers are available for purchase. They have not been standardized yet. Several competing formats are vying for acceptance. Of these, the DVD+RW seems to have the strongest support.

Software Runs the Machine Tells the computer what to do Reason people purchase computers Two types System software Application software

Software Runs the Machine System software Most important software Operating system Windows XP Network operating system (OS) Windows Server 2003 Utility Symantec AntiVirus

Software Runs the Machine Application software Accomplishes a specific task Most common type of software MS Word Covers most common uses of computers

Computer Data Fact with no meaning on its own Stored using the binary number system Data can be organized into files Teaching tip Figure 1A.21 on page 15 shows examples of data versus information.

Chapter 1; Lesson A End of Lesson