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WELCOME. Computer Science 1L1. Please fill in the registration slip. Hand it in exchange for the Departmental Hand Book. Please read relevant pages _ Cs1L1. Computer Science 1L1. How to Sign On Press CTL-ALT-DEL Enter your login name (e.g. g04a3799) and your password
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WELCOME Computer Science 1L1 • Please fill in the registration slip. • Hand it in exchange for the Departmental Hand Book. • Please read relevant pages _ Cs1L1
Computer Science 1L1 • How to Sign On • Press CTL-ALT-DEL • Enter your login name (e.g. g04a3799) • and your password • BUT BEFORE YOU CLICK ON OK • click on the “advanced” tab • change the context field to indicate your group (G04.RU if your login starts with g04)
Topics of Discussion Computer Science 1L1 • Why it is important to be computer literate. • Categories of computers. • Uses of computers.
Computer Literacy • Computers are present in every aspect of daily living. • Initially we only think of computers found in the workplace or study, e.g. desktop computer. • You encounter many other computers on a daily basis, e.g. VCR, cell phone, ATM card, car.
Computer Literacy • Computers are valuable tools. • Technology advances and computers extend into every facet of our lives. • Essential to have a knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses.
What are Computers??? • Many definitions of what a computer is. • Different kinds of computers for different purposes and users. • Vary in size, expense, appearance and ability. • Standard computers • General categories
Categories of Computers • Five major groups: • Personal computers (desktop & portable) • Internet Appliances. • Mid-range computers. • Mainframe. • Supercomputers.
Personal Computer • Can perform all of its activities by itself. • Their processing power comes from a single chip… CPU (Central Processing Unit) or Microprocessor. • Two major categories: • Desktop • Portable
Desktop Computers • Designed to fit on a desk. • Tower model can be placed vertically on the floor.
Desktop Computers • More expensive and powerful desktop computer is called a workstation. • If computer is not connected to a network it is called a stand-alone computer.
Desktop Computers • Can also function as a server on a network. • A server is a computer that managers the resources on a network. • Other computers on a network are called clients. • Server is faster and has more storage space than a client.
Why use a network? • Communicating with others • Sharing resources • Such as printers and file servers • Access to on-line services • The world wide web, banking, e-commerce, entertainment • Control of remote devices
Portable Computers • Small enough to be carried easily. • Use operating system like Windows CE (Consumer Electronics) • Two types: • Laptop • Handheld
Laptop Computers • Designed for mobility. • Also called a notebook computer.
Handheld Computers • Designed to fit into your hand. • Also called palmtop computers, or pen computers, or pocket PCs • A popular type is the Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), which support personal information management applications.
Handheld computer Pen computer
Internet Appliances • Network PC (e.g. the JavaStation) • TV set-top boxes • Embedded systems connected to the Internet • Conventional appliances with Internet capability
Mercedes-Benz’s Comdex 2000 exhibition: “the ultimate mobile computing hardware”
Mid-range server • More powerful and larger than a workstation. • Support up to 4000 connected users at a time. • Access a mid-range server via a terminal. • Can be used as servers and back end processors.
Mainframe Computers • Large, expensive and very powerful. • Can handle thousands of connected users simultaneously. • Can also act as a server. • Store tremendous amounts of information.
Supercomputers • Fastest, most powerful and expensive computer. • Used for applications requiring complex, sophisticated mathematical calculations. • For example: • Weather forecasting • Nuclear energy research • Petroleum exploration • View them at http://www.top500.org/
Uses of Computers • Home user. • Small business user. • Mobile user. • Large business user. • Power user.
Home User • Entertainment. • Education. • Web.
Small Business User • Also called SOHO (Small Office/Home Office). • Accounting software. • Productivity software.
Hybrid E-Café/ Hair Salon South Africa
Mobile User • Sales reps, insurance agents, etc. • Often have laptop. • Docking station in their offices.
Notebook Docking Station
Large Business User • Hundreds of employees. • Computer network. • Own Web site. • May make use of a kiosk.
Power Users • Powerful computer. • Multimedia developers. • Graphic artists.
Recommended text • Discovering Computers 2007/2008: A Gateway to Information, Introductory Edition
Homework • Read Chapter 1 of your text book Discovering Computers.
Homework • Make sure that you can log in to the Rhodes system • Visit the course web site: • http://www.cs.ru.ac.za/courses/CSc1L1 • Visit the student online companion website • http://www.scsite.com/ • http://oc.course.com/sc/dc2007/ • and work though theTimeline link http://www.scsite.com/tdc4 • Other sites • http://www.jegsworks.com/Lessons/lessonintro.htm • http://www.computerhistory.org