COMP6005 An Introduction to Computing Session Two: Computer Hardware Human and Computer Interaction Session Two: Computer Hardware Human and Computer Interaction

Objectives Understand the importance of computer literacy Discuss why a computer is a powerful tool Identify the types of computer users Discuss various computer applications in society Understand the importance of computer literacy Discuss why a computer is a powerful tool Identify the types of computer users Discuss various computer applications in society

Computer Literacy Having a knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses (Discovering Computers 2005) Issue 1-1, pg 9 Having a knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses (Discovering Computers 2005) Issue 1-1, pg 9

Computers As Powerful Tools Reliability Speed Consistency Accuracy Storage communications Reliability Speed Consistency Accuracy Storage communications

Quiz Get in groups of two and within the given timeframe, see how many questions you get correct from the site below Get in groups of two and within the given timeframe, see how many questions you get correct from the site below

Types of Computers Supercomputers Mainframes Midrange servers Personal computers Desktops Notebooks Mobile computers and devices Supercomputers Mainframes Midrange servers Personal computers Desktops Notebooks Mobile computers and devices

Supercomputers Fastest, most powerful computer (processing speed of more than 100 trillion instructions in a second) Most expensive Used for applications requiring complex sophisticated mathematical calculations Applications in aerospace, medicine, automotive design, online banking, weather forecasting, nuclear energy research, petroleum exploration Fastest, most powerful computer (processing speed of more than 100 trillion instructions in a second) Most expensive Used for applications requiring complex sophisticated mathematical calculations Applications in aerospace, medicine, automotive design, online banking, weather forecasting, nuclear energy research, petroleum exploration

Mainframes Large, expensive, very powerful Can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously Stores tremendous amounts of data, instructions, information Used by banks, airlines, insurance companies Also used to act as servers on a network environment Access via terminals, PCs, midrange servers, other mainframes Large, expensive, very powerful Can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously Stores tremendous amounts of data, instructions, information Used by banks, airlines, insurance companies Also used to act as servers on a network environment Access via terminals, PCs, midrange servers, other mainframes

Midrange Servers Previously referred to as minicomputers Less powerful than mainframe; more powerful than workstation Typically support several hundred (sometimes up to few thousand) connected computers at same time Previously referred to as minicomputers Less powerful than mainframe; more powerful than workstation Typically support several hundred (sometimes up to few thousand) connected computers at same time

Personal Computers (PCs) Can perform all the input, processing, output and storage by itself One simultaneous user at a time; more if networked Least expensive; Small, can fit on a desk (desktop) or on a lap (laptop) Can be powerful enough to act as a server on a network Can perform all the input, processing, output and storage by itself One simultaneous user at a time; more if networked Least expensive; Small, can fit on a desk (desktop) or on a lap (laptop) Can be powerful enough to act as a server on a network

Workstations Expensive, powerful desktop Used for work that requires intense calculation and graphics capabilities Engineering, desktop publishing, graphic art, architecture Expensive, powerful desktop Used for work that requires intense calculation and graphics capabilities Engineering, desktop publishing, graphic art, architecture

Discussion Mac vs PC Are there two different definitions of a workstation? Mac vs PC Are there two different definitions of a workstation?

Categories Of Users Home Small office/home office Mobile Large business Power Home Small office/home office Mobile Large business Power

Applications In Society Education Finance Government Health care Education Finance Government Health care Science Publishing Travel Industry Looking Ahead 1-2, pg 33

Links Reference Discovering Computers 2005 by Shelley, Cashman, Vermaat Of Interest Reference Discovering Computers 2005 by Shelley, Cashman, Vermaat Of Interest