Computers: Tools for an Information Age

1. Computers: Tools for an Information Age Chapter 1

2. 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

3. Contents • Information Age • Computer Literacy • Where Computers Are Used • Computer System • Network • Classifications of Computers

4. Information Age • Evolving more rapidly than Industrial Age • Will continue into the current century

5. Cornerstones of our Economy • Land • Labor • Capital • Information Forging a Computer-Based Society:

6. Jobs Forging a Computer-Based Society: • From physical to mental • From muscle-power to brain-power

7. A Computer in Your Future • Where used? • Bank withdrawal • Supermarket • Drive the car • Do I need a Personal Computer? • Half of Americans have one at home • Many more use at work • Will I use a computer in my future career? • Almost every job will involve use of a computer

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

9. Characteristics Speed Reliability Storage capability Results Productivity Decision making Cost reduction The Nature of Computers

10. Where Computers Are Used Graphics Graphs and charts Animated graphics Visual walk-through

11. Where Computers Are UsedEducation • Teaching and testing aid • Learning by doing • Computer-based instruction

12. Where Computers Are UsedRetailing • Bar codes for pricing and inventory • Shipping

13. Where Computers Are UsedEnergy • Locate oil, coal, natural gas, and uranium • Monitor the power network • Meter reading

14. Where Computers Are UsedLaw Enforcement • National fingerprint files • National files on criminal • Computer modeling of DNA

15. Where Computers Are UsedTransportation • Cars • Run rapid transit systems • Load containerships • Track railroad cars • Monitor air traffic

16. Where Computers Are UsedMoney • Record keeping • Banking by phone • Credit cards

17. Billing Crop information Feed combinations Livestock breeding and performance Where Computers Are UsedAgriculture

18. Forecast weather Manage parks Process immigrants Social Security benefits Taxes Where Computers Are UsedGovernment

19. Where Computers Are UsedThe Home • Educational tool • Record keeping • Letter writing • Budgeting • Drawing and editing pictures • Newsletters • Connecting with others

20. Where Computers Are UsedHealth and Medicine • Monitor patients • Electronic imaging • Diagnose illnesses

21. Where Computers Are UsedRobotics • Perform jobs that are dangerous for humans • Factory work

22. Where Computers Are UsedThe Human Connection • Assist the disabled • Assist athletes by monitoring their movements

23. Where Computers Are Used The Sciences • Research • Simulation • Connectivity • Communication • Telecommuting

24. Where Computers Are Used Training • Airline pilots • Railroad engineers • Paperwork • Junk mail • Term paper • Record keeping

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

26. Computer System People Software Hardware

27. People • Computer programmer – person who writes programs • Users or End-users – make use of the computer’s capabilities

28. Software • Programs • Set of instructions that directs the hardware to do a required task and produce the desired results

29. HardwareBasic Components of a Computer

30. 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

31. Function of Computer System Data handling I Input P Process O Output S Storage

32. 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

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

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

35. Two Types of Storage • Secondary storage long-term storage • Primary storage or memory temporary storage

36. Memory / Primary Storage • Temporary storage • Holds input to be processed • Holds results of processing • Contains the programs to control the computer and manipulate input into output • Volatile

37. Secondary Storage • Long-term storage • Non-volatile

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

39. Computer System • Computer • CPU • Memory • Peripheral equipment • Connected to the computer by a cable • Input, output, storage

40. 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

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

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

43. 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)

44. Internet – What Can You Do? • WWW – World Wide Web • FTP – File Transfer Protocol • E-mail • UseNet • IRC – Internet Relay Chat • Bulletin Boards

45. 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

46. 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

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

48. Notebook Computers • Portable • Lightweight • Fits in a briefcase • Battery operated • Laptop • Larger • Heavier • More expensive that desktop models

49. Handheld Computers • Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) • Scheduling • Addresses • Handwritten input • May offer wireless e-mail and fax • Pocket • More power than PDA • Runs basic productivity software

50. 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