Monks use computers to preserve their books. The information can be stored on CDs and uploaded to the Internet so that the whole world can learn from them.

The Age of Information The world depends on computers for: Banking Air Traffic Control Games Hospitals Libraries Research… What would your life be like without computers?

Microchips in Cars ABS (anti-lock braking system) uses microchips to help prevent skidding GPS (global positioning system) gives drivers directions and helps to locate stolen cars OBD (on board diagnostics) car’s computer tells you what is wrong with the engine

Flying by the Wire Fighter pilots fly so fast that they need a computer autopilot to help stabilize the jet

“Breathing” Displays The computer gives the pilot so much information that it seems like it is “alive”

Digital Information For a computer to analyze data it must translate all information into numbers.

Digital Photography A computer turns a picture into tiny blocks of light called pixels.

Binary A computer converts everything into zeros and ones (binary code). This is how a computer would count from 1 to 10:

Storing Binary Information The computer stores information by turning on or off electrical signals The smallest unit of information is a BIT Eight BITs makes one BYTE Each number or letter is one BYTE

Transistors Transistors control the amount of electricity flowing into a computer Vacuum tubes were used in computers in the early days, but they took up a lot of space, were hot and broke down a lot

Computer Chips Computer chips always check for errors A program will not run if there is an error! Computer chips always make an exact copy (music, pictures, text…)

Input vs Output Keyboard Mouse Microphone These peripherals (hardware attached to a computer) send information into a computer Printer Monitor Speakers These peripherals send information from a computer

Computer Memory ROM – Read Only Memory is permanent instructions that the computer that the computer must follow to run programs ROM is like information “carved” in stone RAM – Random Access Memory is temporary memory used while operating programs – if you don’t save, it will be lost! RAM is like information “written” on a blackboard

RAM Programs are loaded into RAM from the floppy or hard disk.

CPU The central processing unit is responsible for actually doing the computing in a computer. It is known as the “brain” of the computer

ENIAC The first generation computer was built with 18,000 vacuum tubes, cost $8 million, weighed 30 tons and was called the ENIAC – electrical, numerical, integrator and calculator.

John Von Neumann He was the first person to make computer programs This made computers faster and easier to use The smallest unit of information is a BIT Eight BITs makes one BYTE Each number or letter is one BYTE

Douglas Engelbart He invented the computer mouse in 1967

ARPAN The Advanced Research Projects Agency Network was developed by the US military for scientists to share information and eventually became the Internet

Modem This computer hardware allows computers to connect to the Internet.

Server This computer hardware manages network resources All the computers in this room are connected to one printer The server in the library controls all the printers in our school

Internet Messages Messages are divided into packets of information and then sent to Internet addresses.

Hackers To protect ourselves from hackers trying to steal computer information, we have to use firewalls, encryption and virus scanning software.

Networks Narrow band networks can only send text messages Wide band networks are able to send videos and graphics

Mind and Microchip Marriage Some people predict that in the future we will be able to put computer chips into our brains to make us smarter. Would you want a computer chip in your brain?