C1- Computers: Tools for an Information Age We are in an information age

LandLabor CapitalInformation Bank withdrawal Supermarket Drive the car Where used? From physical to mental From muscle-power to brain-power Jobs Forging a Computer-Based Society:

 Do I need a Personal Computer?  Will I use a computer in my future career?

Computer Literacy Awareness Importance Versatility Pervasiveness in our society Knowledge What are computers How do computers work Terminology Interaction Use some simple computer applications

 Characteristics  Speed  Reliability  Storage capability  Results  Productivity  Decision making  Cost reduction

Graphs and charts Animated graphics Visual walk-through Graphics Bar codes for pricing and inventory Shipping Retailing National fingerprint files National files on criminal Computer modeling of DNA Law Enforcement Teaching and testing aid Learning by doing Computer-based instruction Education Locate oil, coal, natural gas, and uranium Monitor the power network Meter reading Energy Cars Run rapid transit systems Load containerships Track railroad cars Monitor air traffic Transportation

Record keeping Banking by phone Credit cards Money Forecast weather Manage parks Process immigrants Social Security benefits Taxes Government Monitor patients Electronic imaging Diagnose illnesses Health and Medicine Billing Crop information Feed combinations Livestock breeding and performance Agriculture Educational tool Record keeping Letter writing Budgeting Drawing and editing pictures Newsletters Connecting with others Home Perform jobs that are dangerous for humans Factory work Robotics

 The Sciences  Research  Simulation  Training  Airline pilots  Railroad engineers Connectivity Communication Telecommuting Paperwork Junk mail Term paper Record keeping

Computers are all around!  Grocery store  School  Library  Bank  Mail We interact with computers everyday! We interact with computers everyday!

Computer System  People  Computer programmer – person who writes programs  Users or End-users – make use of the computer’s capabilities  Software/Programs  Set of instructions that directs the hardware to do a required task and produce the desired results  Hardware

Hardware Basic Components of a Computer

Computer  A machine that can be programmed to accept data (input), process it into useful information (output), and store it away (in secondary storage device) for safekeeping or later reuse  Process is directed by software but performed by the hardware

Function of Computer System  Data handling   IInput  PProcess  OOutput  SStorage

Input devices  Accept data or commands and convert them to electronic form  Getting data into the computer  Typing on a keyboard  Pointing with a mouse  Scanning with a wand reader or bar-code reader  Terminal

 Monitor or screen  Text  Numbers  Symbols  Art  Photographs  Video  Printer  Black and white  Color Convert from electronic form to some other form May display the processed results Usable information

The Processor  Central Processing Unit (CPU)  Converts data to useful information  Interpret and execute instructions  Communicate with input, output and storage

Two Types of Storage  Secondary storage  long-term storage  Primary storage or memory  temporary storage

 Memory / Primary  Temporary storage  Holds input to be processed  Holds results of processing  Contains the programs to control the computer and manipulate input into output  Volatile  Secondary Storage  Long-term storage  Non-volatile

Secondary Storage Examples Hard disk Diskette Magnetic disks – read and written by magnetic disk drive CD-ROM DVD-ROM Optical disks – read and written by optical disk drives Primarily used for back-up Magnetic tape – read and written by magnetic tape drives

Computer System  Computer  CPU  Memory  Peripheral equipment  Connected to the computer by a cable  Input, output, storage

Network  Definition  A system that uses communications equipment to connect computers and their resources.  Types  Local area network (LAN) – connects computers in close proximity  Metropolitan are network (MAN) – connect computers between buildings in the same geographic area  Wide are network (WAN) – connects computers over great distances

Home Connectivity  Connect home PC to other computers  Use modem to convert signals between electronic (computer) and analog (voice) formats

Internet  Collection of networks  No ownership  No central source for services available  No comprehensive index of what information is available Individuals Businesses Organizations Libraries Research labs Government Connects Everyone!

Getting Connected  User’s computer must connect to a server  Server must communicate using TCP/IP  The user can purchase access to a server from an ISP (Internet Service Provider)

Internet – What Can You Do?  WWW – World Wide Web  FTP – File Transfer Protocol   UseNet  IRC – Internet Relay Chat  Bulletin Boards

World Wide Web Browser – program that allows the user to move around and explore the Internet Use the mouse to point and click on text and graphics Web page Web site Home page

Classifications of Computers  Use the computer that fits your needs  Based upon  Size  Speed  Cost  Portability  Number of simultaneous users supported  Available software  Typical use

Personal Computers  Other names  PC  Microcomputer  Home computer  Categories  Low-end functional  Fully powered  Workstations  Net computer or net box (Web TV)  Desktop Models

Notebook Computers  Portable  Lightweight  Fits in a briefcase  Battery operated  Laptop  Larger  Heavier  More expensive that desktop models

Handheld Computers  Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)  Scheduling  Addresses  Handwritten input  May offer wireless and fax  Pocket  More power than PDA  Runs basic productivity software

Other Types of Computers  Mainframes  High speed  More expensive  Used to process large amounts of data quickly  Support multiple users  Does server tasks  Supercomputers  Fastest speed  Most expensive

Objectives  Describe the three fundamental characteristics of computers  Describe at least four areas of society in which computers are used  Identify the basic components of a computer system: input, processing, output, and storage  List some common input, output, and storage media  Distinguish data from information  Describe the significance of networking  Explain the significance of the Internet  Explain the various classifications of computers

Contents  Information Age Information Age  Computer Literacy Computer Literacy  Where Computers Are Used Where Computers Are Used  Computer System Computer System  Network Network  Classifications of Computers Classifications of Computers