CSCI 104 Essential Computing

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CSCI 104 Essential Computing
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Plan for today

• Overview of Course
• Discuss Syllabus
• Get logged in
• Check our e-mail
• Start on Computer Science Concepts

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Objectives (1 of 2)

• Describe components of a computer system
• Describe the contributions and history of the
  computer
• Discuss the purchase of a computer system
• Define microprocessor, memory, and auxiliary
  storage
• Describe a digital camera
• Distinguish between system software and
  application software
• Describe the evolution of Microsoft Windows

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Objectives (2 of 2)

• Describe how to safeguard a system
• Define FTP and distinguish between a compressed
  file and a self-extracting file
• Define a local area network
• Define the Internet and the World Wide Web and
  e-mail

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Any Computer System
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The IBM PC

• A combined effort between IBM (credibility and
  marketing), Microsoft (operating system), and
  Intel (microprocessor) introduced in 1981
• IBM was a mainframe company it was hounded by
  antitrust legislation, and did not believe in the
  future of the PC (initial forecast was 250,000
  units)
• The PC was created as an open machine enabling
  independent contractors to develop hardware
  and/or software to improve it
• PC clones quickly followed and the market soon
  exploded IBM has a fraction of the market it
  created

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Parts of a PC
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Inside the PC

• All computers are based on the binary number
  system
• A bit or binary digit has one of two values, zero
  or one
• A byte is the smallest addressable unit of memory
  (8 bits)
• ASCII provides for 256(or 28) characters
• 01000001 A
• 01000010 B
• etc.
• Why not just speak English?

On
Off
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The Microprocessor

• Original chips were numbered
• 8086, 80286, 80386, 80486
• You could buy chips from multiple vendors
• Intel trademarked its chip as the Pentium
• Pentium II, Pentium III, Pentium IV
• Clock speed (MHz or GHz) differentiates chips
• Dual Core, Quad Core
• The central processing unit (cpu)

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Memory

• Transient (erased when power turned off)
• Consider a UPS (uninterrupted power supply)
• Measured in bytes
• 1 Kilobyte 210 characters (1,000 bytes)
• 1 Megabyte 220 characters (1,000,000 bytes)
• 1 Gigabyte 230 characters (1,000,000,000
  bytes)
• Comes with 256Mb up to 4Gig of RAM
• Keep multiple programs data files in memory
• Graphic-intensive programs demand a lot of memory
• The Original PC had 16Kb of memory

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Auxiliary Storage

• Floppy Disk
• No longer standard
• Hard (fixed) disk
• 30 Gb and higher
• Removable storage
• CD-ROM
• CD-R/CD-RW
• DVD/DVD-R/DVD-RW
• Zip disks
• Tape

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Input Devices
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The Monitor

• Resolution is expressed in picture elements or
  pixels (800 x 600 or 1024 x 768)
• The higher the resolution, the more you can see
  at one time.
• Larger monitors enable you to you run at higher
  resolutions e.g., 19 to run 1024 x 768
  comfortably
• A graphics card speeds processing

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Lower Resolution (800 x 600)
Displays 20 rows and 8 columns
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Higher Resolution (1024 x 768)
Displays 28 rows and 12 columns
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The Printer

• Ink Jet
• Todays entry level
• Laser
• Top-of-the line
• Four-in-one functionality
• Printer, scanner, fax, copier
• Network printer

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The Digital Camera

• An image is stored on a photosensitive computer
  chip, which converts the image to a series of
  pixels
• 4 megapixels is entry-level
• 10 megapixels is professional level
• There is no film images are stored in memory
  the more memory the more pictures
• 128Mb to 4Gig is suggested

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The Rise of the Personal Computer

• Altair 8800 1975
• Apple II 1977
• IBM PC 1981
• First Portable PC 1983
• Apple Macintosh 1984
• Palm Pilot 1000 1996
• Apple iMac 1998

(b) iMac
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The Purchase of a PC
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The Purchase of a PC
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Software

• System Software Microsoft Windows
• Linux
• Window Vista
• Windows XP Home Edition
• Windows XP Professional Edition
• What Windows does not have - File Compression,
  Antivirus, Graphical FTP
• Application Software Microsoft Office
• Core applications Word, Excel, Access, and
  PowerPoint
• Personal Information Manager Outlook
• Other applications FrontPage and Publisher

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Disk and File Management

• A file is a set of instructions or data
• Program file Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel
• Data File Document or workbook
• Copy, move, rename or delete a file
• A folder allows us to organize our files
• May contain files and/or other folders
• A back up strategy is critical
• What (data), When (whenever it changes), Where
  (off site), How (Windows Explorer), and Who (you)

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Windows Explorer
- Sign indicate object is expanded
Milestones in Communication is selected file
Homework is the active folder
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Maintaining Your System
Windows update takes place automatically
Double click to install a printer
Double click to add new user
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Antivirus Software

• A computer virus is an actively infectious
  program that can erase data and/or alter the way
  your computer works
• Worms and Trojan horses are other types of
  infectious programs, but all are bad
• Computer viruses are spread through email, and/or
  infected floppy disks
• Windows does not include an antivirus program
  i.e., you must buy it separately and update it
  frequently

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File Transfer Protocol
Graphical FTP is not part of Windows
Where you will FTP the file
Click to upload
Selected file to FTP
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File Compression

• Create a self-extracting file from the archive
  that does not require supporting software

• Use WinZip (or compatible) program to create a
  compressed file or archive

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Introduction to Networks

• Most people work in a network environment
• Home network
• Local Area Network (LAN)
• Wide Area Network (WAN)
• The physical structure includes interface cards,
  cables, hubs, switches, and routers
• Protect your password!

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From LAN to WAN
(a) Home Network
(b) Local Area Network
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From LAN to WAN (continued)
(c) Wide Area Network
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The Internet and World Wide Web

• The Internet
• Network of networks
• Began in 1969 as a government project
• Original network had 4 computers
• No central authority and thus impossible to know
  the exact size

• The World Wide Web
• A subset of the Internet consisting of computers
  that store hypertext documents
• Invented by Tim Berners Lee who wanted to share
  notes with colleagues at the European Particle
  Physics Laboratory (CERN) in Switzerland

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A message travels the Internet

• All that matters is the beginning and ending
  address

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Acronyms Abound

• HTTP HyperText Transfer Protocol is used to
  transmit Web documents
• HTTPS Secure protocol for confidential
  transactions
• HTML The language in which all Web documents
  are displayed
• TCP/IP A suite of protocols that allows
  multiple platforms to communicate
• ISP Internet Service Provider

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A Web Site
Internet Explorer is the browser
HTTP protocol
Web address (or URL)
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The Commercialization of Cyberspace

• E-commerce is the exchange of goods and services
  via the Internet. It requires a buyer and seller,
  and a place to meet

• Advantages for the Seller
• Open 24/7
• Shoppers from anywhere
• Virtual inventory is cheaper and extensive
• Lower transaction costs
• Target your customers

• Advantages for the Buyer
• Open 24/7
• Never leave home
• Easy to view and explore product line
• Comparison shop
• Web site knows you

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E-Mail (Electronic Mail)

• E-mail is simply a means of sending messages via
  computer
• There should be no expectation of privacy
• Every e-mail address is unique and consists of
  two parts, a username and a host computer e.g.
  johndoe_at_anyschool.edu
• You can obtain an account at school, pay for an
  account through an ISP such as AOL, or get free
  email accounts at sites like www.hotmail.com or
  www.yahoo.com

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The Mail Folders

• Inbox new messages as well as messages that
  have been read
• Outbox messages not yet sent
• Sent items messages that have been sent (moved
  here from outbox)
• Deleted items messages deleted from any folder
• Custom folders additional folders created by
  the user

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Additional E-mail Capabilities

• Address Book
• Contains the e-mail addresses of frequent
  contacts
• Enables you to enter an alias (e.g., Bob
  instead of the complete address)
• Distribution List
• A set of e-mail addresses stored under one name
• Ideal for your professor to e-mail the class

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Summary

• Understand components of a computer system for
  usage and purchasing
• Distinguish between system software and
  application software
• Understand disk and file management
• Understand tools, such as antivirus software,
  FTP, and File Compression
• Learn about Networks, the Internet, WWW, and
  E-mail