Computer Concepts - Illustrated Introductory, Seventh Edition

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Computer Concepts - Illustrated Introductory,
Seventh Edition

• UNIT A
• Computer and Internet Basics

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Objectives

• Introduce digital technology
• Define computers
• Explore computer functions
• Categorize computers
• Examine personal computer systems

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Objectives

• Introduce software
• Introduce the Internet and the Web
• Understand email basics
• Talking Points Who Is Reading Your Email?

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Introducing Digital Technology

• Digital Technology includes computers and the
  Internet
• Has changed our lives
• Entertainment, information, communication
• Allows people in societies around world to
• Use innovative products
• Adjust to industries in transformation
• Watch new markets emerge
• Deal with complex issues which influence culture,
  politics, and economics

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Introducing Digital Technology

• Digital revolution
• Ongoing process of social, political, and
  economic change
• Brought about by digital technology
• Information society
• Owning, generating, and distributing information
  becomes significant economically and socially

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Introducing Digital Technology

• Digital revolution impacts tools available to you
• Computers
• Portable media devices
• Cameras and camcorders
• Cell phones
• Radios and television
• GPS
• DVD and CD players
• Digital voice recorders

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Introducing Digital Technology

• Digital revolution began in 1940s and 1950s
• Transistors
• Integrated circuits called computer chips
• Digital watches 1972
• Handheld electronic calculators - 1973
• First successful mass-produced computer - Apple
  II in 1977

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Introducing Digital Technology

• Personal computers started slowly in marketplace
• Apple I (1976) and Apple II (1977)
• No compelling software
• IBM introduced IBM PC - 1981
• Brought PCs to consumer
• Computer named Machine of the Year
• Time magazine - 1982

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Introducing Digital Technology

• Why do I need a computer?
• Create documents
• Analyze numbers
• Edit photos
• Create graphics
• Access information
• Communicate
• Network

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Introducing Digital Technology

• Digitization
• Process of converting text, numbers, sound,
  photos, and video data into data that can be
  processed by digital devices

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Defining Computers

• Computer
• Electronic device that
• accepts input
• processes data
• stores data
• produces output based on instructions in stored
  programs
• Personal Computer (PC)
• Computer system includes
• Hardware
• Peripheral devices
• Software

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Defining Computers

• Hardware
• Electronic and mechanical parts of computer
• System unit
• Core hardware in computer system
• Peripheral device
• Hardware added to computer system to expand what
  computer can do
• Software
• Computer program tells computer how to perform
  particular tasks

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Defining Computers
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Defining Computers

• Input device
• Used to input data into computer
• keyboard or mouse,
• Output device
• Makes output visible and/or usable
• Monitor, printer, or speakers
• Digital convergence
• Several technologies with distinct
  functionalities evolve to form single product

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Exploring How Computers Work

• User ID and password
• Assigned for security reasons
• Usually assigned by system administrator
• Computer program (program)
• Instructions tell computer how to carry out
  processing tasks
• Running program start program so it is ready
  for use.

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Exploring How Computers Work

• Input
• Anything put into computer
• Processing
• Working with data
• Takes place in processor
• CPU (Central Processing Unit)
• Main processor, or brain, of computer

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Exploring How Computers Work

• Memory
• Temporarily holds data waiting to be processed,
  stored, and output
• Storage
• Holds data permanently
• Not immediately needed for processing

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Exploring How Computers Work

• File
• Named collection of data on storage medium
• Hard disk, DVD, CD, flash drive
• Filename
• Can give a clue to its contents
• Consists of two parts
• Name left of period
• File extension right of period
• File extension
• Period and letters following

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Exploring How Computers Work

• Output
• Processed results produced by computer
• Reports, documents, music, graphs, pictures
• Output device displays, prints, or transmits
  results of processing

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Exploring How Computers Work

• Basic Computer Functions

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Categorizing Computers

• Computers are categorized by
• How used
• Cost
• Size
• Processing capability
• Helps purchasers make decisions

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Categorizing Computers

• Personal computers (PC)
• Desktop computers, notebooks, tablets
• Designed to meet needs of individuals, schools,
  home users, small businesses
• Wide variety of software

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Categorizing Computers

• Desktop
• Fits on or under desk
• Vertical case called Tower
• Easily upgradeable

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Categorizing Computers

• Notebook
• Move computer from place to place
• Smaller than desktop, same computing power
• Generally cost more than desktops

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Categorizing Computers

• Tablet
• Portable
• Touch sensitive screen
• Write or draw
• Many applications involved handwritten input
• Used on the go

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Categorizing Computers

• Ultra-mobile
• Small tablet
• Runs most software designed for larger computers
• Many have camera, GPS, games

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Categorizing Computers

• Handheld computer
• Essentially a personal digital assistant (PDA)
  enhanced with features
• Removable storage, email, Web access, voice
  communication, camera, GPS

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Categorizing Computers

• Workstations
• Powerful desktop computers
• Designed for specialized tasks
• Lots of processing speed
• Medical imaging, full-motion video graphics,
  design
• Mainframe computer
• Large, expensive computer used to process data
  from hundreds or thousands of users
• Supercomputer
• One of fastest computers in world when built

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Categorizing Computers

• Form factor
• Refers to physical attributes and intended use of
  component
• Server
• Computer hardware or specific software, or a
  combination, which serves other computers by
  supplying them with data
• Almost any type of computer can be a server

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Examining Personal Computers

• Computer system refers to a computer and its
  attached devices
• PCs vary in size and design, but typically
  contain similar elements
• System unit
• Case that holds power supply, storage and circuit
  boards, including motherboard
• Display device (monitor)

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Examining Personal Computers

• Basic computer system parts
• System unit
• Case that holds power supply, storage and circuit
  boards, including motherboard
• Display device (monitor)
• Keyboard and mouse input devices
• Storage devices
• Hard disk, disk drives, USB flash drives
• Data is read from and written to storage devices

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Examining Personal Computers

• Basic computer system parts (contd.)
• Speakers and sound cards
• Printer output device
• Modem and network cards
• Establish Internet/network connection

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Examining Personal Computers

• Computer network
• Two or more computers and other devices connected
  for purpose of sharing data and programs
• LAN (Local Area Network)
• Network located within limited geographical area
• Internet
• Largest network in world

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Introducing Software

• Computers need software to operate
• Application software help user carry out tasks
• Word processing, spreadsheets, etc.
• Windows software designed for Windows operating
  system
• Operating system software
• Master controller of all computer activities
• Classified as system software
• Helps computer monitor itself to function
  efficiently

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Introducing Software

• Platform
• Underlying hardware and software of computer
  system
• Defined by processor and OS
• Most OSs use graphical user interface (GUI)
• Manipulated by mouse
• Icons, menus, buttons

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Introducing Software
Elements of a GUI
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Introducing Software

• Sharing files depends on system compatibility
• Windows and Mac platforms originally not
  compatible
• Some application software created version for
  Windows and Mac
• Can share files if both computers use same
  software

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Introducing the Internet and the Web

• Internet offers abundant resources
• Information
• Communication
• Commerce
• Entertainment

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Introducing the Internet and the Web

• Communication
• Email (electronic mail)
• One of most popular ways to communicate
• Chat groups
• Several people communicating in real time by
  typing comments to each other
• Internet telephony
• Allows voice conversations to travel over Internet

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Introducing the Internet and the Web

• Instant Messaging (IM)
• Private version of chat

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Introducing the Internet and the Web

• Social networks
• MySpace, Facebook
• Used to stay in touch with friends, family, and
  other members of same social network
• Blog
• Written personal journal posted on Web with free
  access by general public

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Introducing the Internet and the Web

• The Web
• Collection of linked documents graphics, and
  sound accessed over Internet
• Web pages
• Part of Internet used most often
• Connected through use of hypertext or links
• Can include text, photos, video, sound, animation

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Introducing the Internet and the Web

• Browser
• Program that allows you to view Web pages on
  computer

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Introducing the Internet and the Web

• Web site
• Web pages on related topic that are grouped
  together
• Home page
• Main page of Web site
• Acts as doorway to rest of site

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Introducing the Internet and the Web

• Finding information on Web
• Search engine
• Web site providing variety of tools to help find
  information
• Keyword
• Word or phrase to describe information you are
  trying to find
• Search engine will provide links to pages that
  match keyword

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Introducing the Internet and the Web

• Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
• Unique address for Web page
• Indicates
• computer on which page is stored
• location on Web server
• folder name or names in which it is stored
• Filename and file extension
• Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
• Communications standard used to transfer
  information over Internet

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Understanding Email Basics

• Email accounts available through email providers
• Universities, Gmail, EarthLink
• Accounts include storage area called mailbox
• Email address

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Understanding Email Basics

• In order to send and receive email
• Computer must be hooked up to Internet
• Must have email software installed
• Email message parts
• Message header
• Address of receiver(s), message subtext, names of
  any attachments
• Body
• Actual message

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Understanding Email Basics

• Email message parts

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Understanding Email Basics
Email Features
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Understanding Email Basics

• Store-and-forward technology
• Communications method in which data can be stored
  until transmission is possible
• Email attachments
• In addition to body of message, you can attach
• Documents, spreadsheets, photos, video, sounds

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Understanding Email Basics

• Netiquette (Internet etiquette)
• Guidelines for maintaining civilized and
  effective communication in online discussions and
  email exchanges
• All caps considered SHOUTING AND RUDE
• Never write anything personal or damaging in an
  email
• Nonprivate form of communication

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Talking PointsWHO IS READING YOUR EMAIL?

• Who is Reading your Email?
• Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 2000
• Prohibits use of email as evidence unless judge
  approves search warrant
• No such protection offered in workplace
• Many businesses monitor email
• Patriot Act
• Relaxes rules for obtaining and implementing
  search warrant
• Easier to get email logs and addresses from email
  provider

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Talking PointsWHO IS READING YOUR EMAIL?

• Your email might become public
• Forwarding
• Technicians might see it during routine
  maintenance
• Email exchanges, including those you delete, can
  be stored as backup on server
• Some Web-based providers monitor how often you
  log in
• May monitor keystrokes to map which links you
  click

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Talking PointsWHO IS READING YOUR EMAIL?

• Think of email as postcard, rather than letter
• Save your controversial comments for face-to-face
  conversations

Computer Concepts Illustrated Introductory,
Seventh Edition