Computer and Internet Basics

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Computer and Internet Basics

• Unit A

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Objectives

• Define Computers
• Explore Computer Functions
• Categorize Computers
• Examine Personal Computer Systems
• Explore Data, Information, and Files

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Objectives

• Introduce Application and System Software
• Define Internet Basics
• Connect to the Internet
• Understand World Wide Web Basics
• Use Browsers
• Understand E-mail Basics

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A Computer is a device that

• accepts input
• processes data
• stores data
• produces output

(all according to a series of stored instructions)
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Computer system consists of

• Hardware microprocessor
• Peripheral devices input and output
• Software programs

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Computer Network

• Two or more computers that are connected and
  share data and programs

LAN is a local area network
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Computer Functions
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Categorizing Computers
Cost
Usage
Size
Capability
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Computers to Fit Every Need

• Five basic categories
• Mobile devices
• Personal computers
• Midrange servers
• Mainframe computers
• Supercomputers

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Mobile Devices

• Very small computing devices.
• Usually based on a wireless phone or pager.
• Many can be used to access e-mail and Web pages.

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Less Powerful Computers

• Videogame console
• Sony PlayStation

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More Powerful Computers

• Server
• Supplies network computers with data
• Mainframe
• Large, expensive, powerful, many users
• Reliability, data security, central control
  important
• Supercomputer
• Fastest and most powerful

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Personal Computers, Contd.

• Desktop computerssmall enough to fit on or next
  to a desk. Can use
• Desktop case
• Tower case
• All-in-one case

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Personal Computers, Contd.

• Portable PCsdesigned to be carried around.
• Notebook computers
• Tablet PCs (either slate or convertible)
• Handheld computers (pocket computers)

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Personal Computers, Contd.

• PCs designed for just network use are referred to
  as network computers (NCs) or thin clients.
• Devices designed just for Internet access are
  called Internet appliances.

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Midrange Servers

• Medium-sized computers, also called minicomputers
  or midrange computers.
• Fall between microcomputers and mainframes in
  processing power.

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Mainframe Computers

• Standard choice for most large organizations.
• Specialize in high-volume processing of business
  transactions.
• Also called high-endservers or enterprise-class
  servers.

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Supercomputers

• Used for applications that have extraordinary
  demands for processing power.
• Offer very fast speeds and extreme degrees of
  accuracy.
• Commonly created today by connecting hundreds of
  smaller computers to form a supercomputing
  cluster.

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Computer System
Peripherals
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System Unit
Power Supply
Storage Devices
Circuit Boards
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Input/Output Devices

• Monitor
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Modem
• Printer
• Speakers/sound card

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Storage Devices

• Floppy disk drive
• Hard disk drive
• CD-ROM drive
• DVD drive
• CD writer
• DVD writer

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Data vs. Information
Data (symbols) used by computers
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Software

• The programs or instructions used to tell the
  computer hardware what to do.
• System software allows a computer to operate and
  run application software.
• Application software performs specific tasks or
  applications.

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Data and Information

• Data raw, unorganized facts.
• Can be in the form of text, graphics, audio, or
  video.
• Information data that has been processed into a
  useful form.

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Computer Users and Professionals

• Computer users, or end users, are the people who
  use a computer to obtain information.
• Programmers are computer professionals whose job
  it is to write the programs that computers use.

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Data

• Binary number system to define electronic data
• 0 or 1
• Bit
• Byte (8 bits)

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Files

• Collection of data on a storage medium
• Data file (passive)
• Executable file (active)
• Filename and extension

Resume.doc
Word.exe
Image.jpg
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System Software

• Helps the computer monitor itself in order to
  function efficiently
• Operating system
• Master controller of all computer activities
• Popular operating systems
• PCs Microsoft Windows, Mac OS
• Handhelds Windows CE and Palm OS
• Servers Linus and UNIX

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Platform
Microprocessor Operating system

• Mac and PC compatibility is an issue
• Apple computer Mac platform
• Original IBM computer Windows or PC platform

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Application Software
Designed to carry out a particular task
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Internet Basics

• Internet is a collection of local, regional,
  national and international computer networks that
  are linked together to exchange data and
  distribute processing tasks.

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Internet Terminology

• Backbone defines main Internet routes
• Constructed and maintained by major
  telecommunications companies
• TCP/IP
• Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol

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Internet Terminology

• Server software
• IP Address unique number for each Internet
  computer
• Packets small chunks of data ready to travel the
  Internet
• Router helps send along the packets to correct
  destination

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Internet Resources
Internet Telephony
Usenet
E-commerce
Instant Messaging
Web Sites
E-mail
Internet Radio
Download Or Upload
Chat Groups
P2P file sharing
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Modem Internet Connections

• Dial-up connection via modem (56K)
• Cable modems
• Network card and cable modem required
• Always-on and 25 times faster than dial-up

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Faster Internet Connections

• ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)
• 64K or 128K
• Always-on and expensive
• DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
• Up to 125 times faster than dialup
• DSS (Digital Satellite Service)
• 500K

Need proximity to a telephone switching station
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Internet Service Provider (ISP)

• Provides internet access to businesses,
  organizations and individuals
• Provides telecommunications equipment
• User ID and password required
• Connects you to backbone
• E-mail account monthly fee
• Should have local access telephone numbers

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World Wide Web Basics

• Files interconnected via hypertext
• Web pages make up a web site
• Home Page
• Links or hyperlinks
• Web servers

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World Wide Web Basics

• URL
• No spaces and Case sensitive
• HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
• HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)
• .htm or .html file extension

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Search Engines

• Keywords

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Using Browsers

• Can type URLs
• HTML tags tell browser how to display web page
  data
• Back, forward and stop buttons
• Setting a home page
• Print and copy options
• History list
• Favorites and bookmarks
• Edit and Find

Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape
Navigator
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E-mail Basics

• Account Mailbox
• Message
• Attachment
• Most use HTML format
• Netiquette

userid_at_computer
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E-mail System

• E-mail servers
• Store-and-forward technology
• Types
• POP (Post Office Protocol) used via ISP
• IMAP (Internet Messaging Access Protocol)
• Web-based like Hotmail

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E-mail System
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Computer and Internet Basics

• End