IT Chapter 1 Part A 1.1 through 1.2 Getting started in IT

1.1 Computer systems and programs A PC consists of hardware and software Hardware is physical – monitor, floppy drive, modem, printer, cables, keyboard, etc. Software – Programs used to operate the computer system

Software Also called programs Job is to instruct computer how to operate. Sequence of instructions that describe how data is to be processed. Programs vary widely in type and function

2 types of software Application software –Accepts input from user and manipulates it for output. –Designed to perform a specific function –Examples: Word Processor, games, spreadsheets Operating Systems (OS) –Manages all other programs in a computer. –Provides environment to access resources (such as printer) on the PC –Provides tasks such as recognizing keyboard strokes sending output to printer, keeping track of files on drives, etc. –Types: Win98, 2000, NT XP, Linux, –OS are platform- specific, meaning they work with specific machines –Mac is a different platform than PC and run different OS and diff. Software.

1.1.2 Types of computers Mainframes Personal Computers Laptops

MainFrame A large central computer that has “dumb terminals” attached to interface with it. Very powerful and very expensive. Used by banks, hospitals, etc. Adv - Easy to manage – everyone connecting to same computer. Disadv – If it goes down, everyone goes down!

Personal Computers (PC) Stand-alone computers Advantages – Low cost machines, high computing ability, standard OS and GUI Disadvantages – Hard to manage all computers, security risks with so many machines, high maintenance costs

1.1.3 Connecting PC systems Network – is a group of computers connected to share resources Allows people to share printer, disk space, and connect to the internet. Networks can be a building, or even larger. Most connected by wire, but some are wireless. Homes usually use modems or DSL

1.1.4 Birth of Internet Originally designed for military use. Designed in 1957 Originally called ARPANET 1990’s is when internet took off – World wide web born ,000,00 internet hosts 1993 – Mosaic, first graphics-based browser 1996 – 10,000,000 internet hosts 2001 – over 110 million internet hosts

1.1.5 Cost of a PC In the 70’s and 80’s, pc’s cost several thousand dollars Now, you can get one for less than a thousand New pc’s are much more powerful than old ones. Internet connections much cheaper and faster than a few years ago

1.2 - Windows Desktop Environment

1.2.1 Starting up and shutting down Cold boot – Starting up from power off. Does all the tests. Warm boot – Restarting computer that has been on. Restart button or selecting restart at shutdown. Shutting down – –Start button, shut down –Ctrl-alt-del –Hold on/off button in for 5 to 10 seconds –Never turn off until computer says so. It needs to save critical data. –Many newer computers automatically shut down.

1.2.2 Windows Desktop Environment Different versions of Windows have similar desktop screen Icons – Little pictures that represents a program or task that you click on. Is actually a shortcut to open the program. Task bar – located at bottom of screen. It contains the start button. Recycle bin used to delete items (remember to empty it!) Files accessed through My Computer icon

1.2.3 working with icons To create a shortcut, right-click program and select create shortcut Click on icon and drag it to desired location To arrange icons, drag and move them. Right-click on desktop and select arrange icons… Rename icons by right-clicking and selecting rename

1.2.4 Application Window Title bar – across top of a window. It displays name of program, and has minimize and maximize buttons Menu bar- contains the drop-down menus for a program Status bar – located at bottom of screen. Shows useful information Scroll bars – used to show extra information if it will not fit on the screen at a time.

1.2.5 Resizing a window Move cursor to corner of a window, then click and drag Cursors may be changed by going to control panel and mouse

1.2.6 Switching between windows Alt-tab allows a person to switch back and forth between two or more open applications. You may also click an open document on the desktop task bar