Discovering
Computers 2012
Your Interactive Guide
to the Digital World
Objectives Overview
Explain why
computer literacy
is vital to success
in todays world
Define the term,
computer, and
describe the
relationship
between data and
information
Describe the five
components of a
computer
Discuss the
advantages and
disadvantages that
users experience
when working with
computers
Define the term,
network, and
identify benefits of
sharing resources
on a network
Discuss the uses of
the Internet and
World Wide Web
See Page 3
for Detailed Objectives
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Objectives Overview
Distinguish between
system software and
application software
Differentiate among
types, sizes, and
functions of
computers in each
category
Explain how home
users, small
office/home office
users, mobile users,
power users, and
enterprise users each
interact with
computers
See Page 3
for Detailed Objectives
Describe the role of
each element in an
information system
Discuss how society
uses computers in
education, finance,
government, health
care, science,
publishing, travel, and
manufacturing
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
A World of Computers
Computers are everywhere
Pages 4 - 5
Figure 1-1
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
What is Computer Literacy?
Also known as digital literacy
Involves having a current knowledge
and understanding of computers and
their uses.
Because the requirements that
determine computer literacy change as
technology changes, you must keep up
with these changes to remain computer
literate.
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
What Is a Computer?
A computer is an electronic device,
operating under the control of
instructions stored in its own memory
Collects
data
(input)
Processin
g
Produces
informat
ion
(output)
Information Processing Cycle
Page 6
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Information Processing Cycle
Computers:
Process data (input) into information
(output)
Carry out processes using instructions
Instructions steps that tell the computer how to
perform a particular task
A collection of related instructions organized for
a common purpose is referred to as software.
Store for future use
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
What Is a Computer?
Data
is
a
collection
of
unprocessed items
(text,
numbers,
images, audio and
video)
Information
conveys meaning
and is useful to
people
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Page 6
Figure 1-2
Pages 6 - 8
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Storage
Device
Records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from
storage media
Communicati
ons Device
Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions,
and information to and from one or more computers or
mobile devices
Case that contains the electronic components of the
computer that are used to process data
Hardware component that conveys information to one or
more people
System Unit
Output
Device
A computer contains many electric, electronic,
and mechanical components known as
hardware
Input
Device
Allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer
The Components of a
Computer
The Components of a
Computer
Page 7
Figure 1-3
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
10
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
Pages 9 - 10
Advantages of
Using Computers
Disadvantages of
Using Computers
Speed
Health Risks
Reliability
Violation of Privacy
Consistency
Public Safety
Storage
Impact on Labor
Force
Communications
Impact on
Environment
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11
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
Green computing involves reducing the
electricity consumed and environmental
waste generated when using a computer
Strategies include:
Page 10
Recycling
Regulating manufacturing processes
Extending the life of computers
Immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced
computers
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
12
Networks and the Internet
A network is a
collection of
computers and
devices connected
together, often
wirelessly, via
communications
devices and
transmission media
Pages 10 - 11
Figure 1-6
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
13
Networks and the Internet
Networks allow computers to:
Share resources such as hardware,
software, data and information
Sharing resources saves time and money
One or more computers act as a server
Controls access to the resources on a network
Mostly are clients or workstation
Request resources from the server
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
14
Networks and the Internet
The Internet is a worldwide collection of
networks that connects millions of businesses,
government agencies, educational
institutions, and individuals
Page 11
Figure 1-7
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
15
Networks and the Internet
People use the Internet for a variety of
reasons:
Communicate
Research and
Access
Information
Entertainmen
t
Pages 12 - 13
Figure 1-8
Download
Videos
Shop
Bank and
Invest
Share
Information
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Online
Trading
Web
Application
16
Networks and the Internet
A social networking Web site
encourages members to share their
interests, ideas, stories, photos, music,
and videos with other registered users
Page 14
Figure 1-9
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
17
Computer Software
Software, also called a program, tells the
computer what tasks to perform and how to
perform them
You interact with a program through its user
interface
Controls how you enter data and instructions and
how information is displayed on the screen.
Software today often has a graphical user interface
(GUI pronounced gooey)
Contains text, graphics and visual images such as icons
Icon is a miniature image that represents a program, an instruction
or some other object
Pages 15 - 16
Figures 1-10 - 1-11
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
18
Computer Software
System Software consists of
the programs that control or
System Software
maintain the operations of the
Operating system
Utility program
computer and its devices
Serves as an interface between
the
user,
the
application
Application Software
software and the computers
hardware
Operating System a set of programs that coordinates all the
activities among computer hardware devices
It provides a means for users to communicate with the computer
and other software.
Utility program allows a user to perform maintenance-type tasks
usually related to managing a computer, its devices or its
programs.
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
19
Computer Software
Application Software
Consists of program designed to make
users more productive and/or assist them
with personal tasks
Includes web browser, word processing
software, spreadsheet software, database
software and presentation software.
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
20
Computer Software
Installing is the process of setting up
software to work with the computer,
printer, and other hardware
Pages 16 - 17
Figure 1-12
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
21
Computer Software
A programmer
develops software
or writes the
instructions that
direct the
computer to
process data into
information
Programming
languages include
C++, Java,
Computers 2012: Chapter 1
JavaScript, Discovering
Visual
Page 18
Figure 1-13
22
Categories of Computers
Personal computers
Mobile computers and mobile devices
Game consoles
Servers
Mainframes
Supercomputers
Embedded computers
Page 19
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Personal Computers
A personal computer can perform all
of its input, processing, output, and
storage activities by itself
Two popular architectures are the PC
and the Apple
Desktop computer
Pages 19 - 20
Figures 1-15 - 1-16
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
24
Mobile Computers and Mobile
Devices
Mobile
Compu
ter
Pages 20 - 23
Mobile
Device
Personal computer
you can carry from
place to place
Computing device
small enough to
hold in your hand
Examples include
notebook
computers,
laptop
computers,
netbooks, ultrathins, and Tablet
PCs
Examples include
smart phones and
PDAs, e-book
readers,
handheld
computers,
portable media
players, and
digital cameras
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
25
Game Consoles
A game console is
a mobile
computing device
designed for
single-player or
multiplayer video
games
Page 24
Figure 1-24
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
26
Servers
A server controls
access to the
hardware,
software, and other
resources on a
network
Provides a
centralized storage
area for programs,
data, and
information
Page 25
Figure 1-25
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
27
Mainframes
A mainframe is a
large, expensive,
powerful computer
that can handle
hundreds or
thousands of
connected users
simultaneously
Page 25
Figure 1-26
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Supercomputers
A supercomputer is the fastest, most
powerful computer
Fastest supercomputers are capable of
processing more than one quadrillion
instructions in a single second
Page 25
Figure 1-27
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Embedded Computers
An embedded computer is a specialpurpose computer that functions as a
component in a larger product
Consumer
Electronics
Mobile and
digital
telephones
Digital
televisions
Cameras
Video recorders
DVD players
and recorders
Answering
machines
Page 26
Home
Automation
Devices
Thermostats
Sprinkling
systems
Security
monitoring
systems
Appliances
Lights
Automobiles
Antilock brakes
Engine control
modules
Airbag
controller
Cruise control
Process
Controllers and
Robotics
Remote
monitoring
systems
Power monitors
Machine
controllers
Medical devices
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Computer
Devices and
Office Machines
Keyboards
Printers
Faxes
Copiers
30
Embedded Computers
Page 26
Figure 1-28
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
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Elements of an Information
System
Hardwar
e
Software
People
Page 27
Data
Procedur
es
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32
Elements of an Information
System
Page 27
Figure 1-29
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
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Examples of Computer Usage
Home User
Personal financial
management
Web access
Communications
Entertainment
Pages 28 31
Figures 1-30 1-32
Small
Office/Home
Office User
Look up information
Send and receive email messages
Make telephone calls
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Mobile User
Connect to other
computers on a
network or the Internet
Transfer information
Play video games
Listen to music
Watch movies
34
Examples of Computer Usage
Pages 31 32
Figures 1-33 1-34
Power User
Enterprise User
Work with
multimedia
Use industryspecific software
Communicate
among
employees
Process high
volumes of
transactions
Blog
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
35
Computer Applications in
Society
Education
Finance
Government
Health Care
Pages 34 - 36
Figures 1-36 1-39
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
36
Computer Applications in
Society
Science
Publishing
Travel
Manufacturing
Pages 36 - 38
Figures 1-40 1-43
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
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