Computer Basics

1
Computer Basics
2
Systems

• In simplest terms
• Data in
• Information out
• Data with meaning
• Via application
• Via binary code
• 0
• 1
• 8 character string
• 1 byte

3
Bits and Bytes

• 8 binary character code (bits) 1 byte
• 1000 bytes 1 kilobyte 1k
• 1000 k 1 megabyte 1 meg 1mg
• 1000mg 1 gigabyte 1 gig 1gb
• 1000gig 1 terabyte 1tera
• (1024 1000)

4
Signals

• Analog
• Oldest
• Often converted to digital
• Digital
• Newer technology
• Often superior
• Light

5
Hardware Terms

• PCB
• Aka motherboard
• CPU
• speeds
• Expansion slots
• Hard drive (C)
• floppy
• cd-rom
• Dvd
• Peripherals

6
Displays

• LCD
• Laptops
• Lack of side views
• Heat
• Resiliency
• Less space
• Touch screens
• CRT
• Traditional
• Hotter
• Now flatter

7
Displays

• Performance Indicators
• DPI
• Pixels
• Color bits
• Compressions
• Resolution Sizes

8
Operating Systems

• MS
• 98, CE, XP, ME, Vista
• UNIX
• LINUX
• MAC
• PALM

9
Memory

• RAM (SDRAM)
• Random access memory
• Gone when not powered
• ROM
• Read-only memory
• BIOS
• Flash
• Blocks
• Not a drive
• Static electricity

10
Programs

• FORTRAN, COBOL, BASIC, PASCAL,
• C
• JAVA
• Applets
• Active X
• MS
• Other terms
• HTML
• HTTP
• XML

11
Viruses

• Why do they exist?
• Types?
• Consequences?
• Solutions?