Intro to Computers

Technology ApplicationsPosted by Decatur Middle School with

permission by North Ridge Middle School - BISD

Use the information in this presentation to fill

out the worksheet you are given.

What is a Computer?

A computer is a machine that: receives input (data) performs processing produces output (information) storage (saves for later use)

Without any one of these the computer would be worthless

Examples of Input, Processing & Output Text typed on keyboard

Formatting & preparation for printing

Letter, book report, memo, story

Text & numbers typed on keyboard

Calculations performed in spreadsheet

Banking record, budget, grade book

Pictures scanned into computer

Cropping, formatting, enhancing in preparation for printing

Photos, collage, poster

Input

Processing Output

Disks, Disk Drives and Permanent Storage No work on the computer is stored

permanently unless it is saved from the computer’s memory to a diskette, hard drive or some other storage device.

Disk drives are identified by letter: The diskette drive is letter A The hard drive is usually letter C

Other Storage Devices CD’s

Flash Drive (Thumb Drive)Removable Media

Personal Computer Hardware Hardware refers to the pieces of

equipment that make up the computer system.

Examples of computer hardware components: Drives, Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Printer, Bus expansion slots & cards, CPU and Memory Chips, Speakers

Personal Computer Hardware(Microcomputer)

Other Types Personal Computers

(Microcomputers)

Hardware The motherboard is the largest

circuit board in the PC. It contains millions of electronic circuits on a chip of silicon.

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is a chip on the Motherboard that performs mathematical calculations and logic functions. The CPU is often called the “brain” of the computer

                                             

                    

Hardware (continued) RAM (Random Access Memory) is

temporary memory where programs and data are while they are being used.

When a document is opened it is loaded into RAM.

When you save a document the CPU copies the document that is in RAM to permanent storage.

When the power is turned off the information in RAM is lost.

The storage capacity of RAM is measured in megabytes.

Hardware (continued) Some hardware components are

primarily input devices and some are primarily output devices.

The following is a list of 10 common hardware components and whether they are input devices, output devices or both.

Input and Output Devices

A. Monitor: an output device that displays input and the results of processing.

B. Mouse: an input device that controls a pointer on the monitor. You can click the mouse to give the computer input.

C. Keyboard: an input device with letters, numbers, symbols and special keys used to input data and type text.

Input and Output Devices (cont’d)

D. Hard disk (Hard drive): permanent storage device usually installed in the system unit. It can be used to receive input and produce output.

E. Diskette Drive: a drive that can read a removable disk. It can be used to receive input and produce output.

F. CD-ROM: (Compact Disk – Read Only Memory) a disk that can be used to input data into the computer

Input and Output Devices (cont’d)

G. CD-RW (Compact Disk – Read/Write): a disk that can be used to input data (read) or output or store data (write).

H. Modem: (Modulate/Demodulate) a piece of hardware that converts an incoming signal so the computer can read it (input) and converts an outgoing signal so it can be sent over phone lines (output).

Input and Output Devices (cont’d)

I. Printers – one of most common output devices. Produces paper copy (hard copy) of output.

J. Scanners – input device which lets you create digital files from pictures, drawings or text.

Types of PrintersA. Laser – printers which use copier-like

technology to spread patterns of toner and make it stick to the paper with heat.

B. Inkjet – printers that spray ink onto paper to produce the output.

C. Plotters – printers that use needles to draw on paper. They are frequently used by engineers to produce schematic drawings.

Controlling Windows

Via the Keyboard – used to enter data and to issue commands to the computer.

Keys on the Keyboard: Function Keys: the twelve keys located

across the top of the keyboard that are labeled F1-F12. They perform specific tasks depending on the software you are using.

Escape Key: used to back out or interrupt a task.

Controlling Windows Via the Mouse – a small, hand-held

device that is used to control the pointer on the screen.

There are Seven Main Mouse Actions: Point Click Right-click Double-click Drag Right-drag Scroll

Bits and Bytes – more click here Personal computers operate through a

number of on/of switches called binary digits or bits.

Everything that a computer does is accomplished by switches that are either turned on or off.

A string of 8 bits is equal to one byte. Each byte is translated by the computer into a letter or action.

A 0 represents a switch that is turned off and a 1 represents a switch that is turned on.

File Size and Storage Capacity Computers work with digital information

– everything is converted to 0’s and 1’s Each 0 or 1 is a bit A byte is the most common

measurement of storage. 1 byte = 8 bits 1 kilobyte = 1 thousand

bytes 1 megabyte = 1 million bytes 1 gigabyte = 1 billion bytes 1 terabyte = 1 trillion bytes

Processor Speed

The speed of a computer is measured in gigahertz or megahertz.

Megahertz – millions of cycles per second

Gigahertz – billions of cycles per second

Software Software refers to the instructions that

allow a computer to run. There are two categories of software: Operating System – allows the computer to

boot; controls and manages the computer by translating instructions into a language the computer can understand. In our lab we have Windows XP

Application Software – software that allows you to perform specific tasks such as write a letter, play a game or create a spreadsheet.

Types of Computer Supercomputer (largest in size) Mainframe (Replaced by Server) Microcomputer (Personal

Computer) PC Laptop Handheld

Supercomputer Used primarily by military and

scientific agencies: weather forecasting, simulations (wind tunnel, nuclear detonation)

Used when there is a need for high speed and intensive calculation

List of top 500 supercomputers (11-2007)

Supercomputer

Supercomputer

Servers (Mainframe) Used primarily by

businesses: credit card companies, bank accounts, insurance, airline reservations)

Used when the computations are simpler but there are huge amounts of data. (simpler calculations but more of them)

Servers (Network)

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LAN and WAN

Local Area Network

Wide Area Network

Mainframe

Microcomputer Most commonly used Microcomputer is

a Personal Computer or Desktop Computer.

Usually single user machines Other Microcomputers include: video

game consoles, laptop computers, and many types of handheld devices may all be considered examples of microcomputers

Microcomputers: Handheld Devices

Handheld devices are pocket-sized computing devices that are rapidly gaining popularity as the access to information in every walk of life becomes more and more mission critical. Along with mobile computing devices such as laptops and smartphones, PDAs represent the new frontier of computing as desktop computers find less and less favour among every day users.The following are typical handhelds:

• Smartphone

• Personal digital assistant

• Mobile phone

• Handheld game console

Handheld Devices

Tungsten PDA

Nokia Smartphone

Mobile or Cell Phones

Handheld Game Console

Computer Careers Computers require specially

trained personnel to keep them running efficiently. The following are some computer related careers: Application Programmers: people who

ensure that the programs an organization needs are created, maintained and improved.

Computer Careers (cont’d) Network Administrator: people who

specialize in making sure that a company’s network operates efficiently.

Help Desk Professionals: people who are trained to provide help to users of applications.

Web site designers and programmers: people who decide what Web pages should look like and write the code to create them.