Highlights – Digital Literacy

An operating system (OS) is the most important program that runs on your computer. Every general-purpose computer must have an operating system to run other programs. Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track or files & directories, and controlling peripheral devices, such as disk drives and printers.

 Operating systems provide a software platform on top of which other programs can run (Microsoft Word, Publisher, Powerpoint, etc.) The application programs must be written to run on top of a particular operating system.  Your choice of operating system, therefore, determines to a great extent the applications you can run.  The most popular Operating system is Windows. Other are available, such as Linux.

Advantages of using a common OS (i.e. 90% of people use Windows) a. Easier to open, edit and create files that have come from the same operating system. b. Easier for a user to use one operating system only - so they are familiar with it. c. It may make it possible to use a variety of different hardware and software with it - e.g. Word for windows cannot be used for programs that only run on a Mac. A mouse for use with windows may not work properly on a Mac either. d. There is access to a broader community of persons having advice or custom fixes for commonly-experienced problems, and/or a larger segment of the market capable of bringing market pressures to bear on the manufacturer.

Advantages of using an uncommon OS (i.e. 10% of people use Mac) a. Some users may prefer to use specific operating systems such as a Mac. b. Many different things such as an iPod may work better with a Mac because Apple manufactures both products. c. When you use more than one operating systems, you are not as familiar with a specific one. For example, it may be hard to change something in the control panel in windows if you are used to using a Mac. a. Some users may prefer to use specific operating systems such as a Mac. b. Many different things such as an iPod may work better with a Mac because Apple manufactures both products. c. When you use more than one operating systems, you are not as familiar with a specific one. For example, it may be hard to change something in the control panel in windows if you are used to using a Mac. d. There is a larger proportion of users with a common OS, having a more appealing target for those who write or distribute viruses & malware. On the other hand, there are more chances of acquiring a virus or those fatal errors that PC's are known for. d. There is a larger proportion of users with a common OS, having a more appealing target for those who write or distribute viruses & malware. On the other hand, there are more chances of acquiring a virus or those fatal errors that PC's are known for.

Software  Operating System Software  A collection of software that manages computer hardware resources. Your computer won’t run without it (i.e. Windows).  Application Software All the computer software that causes a computer to perform useful tasks beyond the running of the computer itself. All the computer software that causes a computer to perform useful tasks beyond the running of the computer itself.

Networks  What is a Network?  A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams.  Four very common types of networks include:  Local Area Network (LAN) Local Area Network (LAN) Local Area Network (LAN)  Wide Area Network (WAN) Wide Area Network (WAN) Wide Area Network (WAN)  Personal Area Network (PAN)  Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

LAN  A Local Area Network is a network that is confined to a relatively small area. It is generally limited to a geographic area such as a writing lab, school, or building.

WAN  Wide Area Networks connect networks in larger geographic areas, such as Florida, the United States, or the world. Dedicated transoceanic cabling or satellite uplinks may be used to connect this type of global network.

PAN  Personalized Area Network connects devices within your personal space. i.e. bluetooth earpiece, Apple TV device i.e. bluetooth earpiece, Apple TV device

MAN  Metropolitan Area Network Smaller than a WAN but bigger than a LAN Smaller than a WAN but bigger than a LAN Mostly within a city Mostly within a city

Hardware vs. Software  Hardware are computer parts that are physical – you can pick up and touch them  Peripheral device – equipment connected to the CPU of a computer (i.e. printer, mouse, headphones, keyboard, USB drive)  Software is not physical. You cannot see them (i.e. programs) Operating Software – required to run your computer Operating Software – required to run your computer Application Software – different programs on your computer Application Software – different programs on your computer

Desktop Interface

4 Functions of a Computer  Input: Any device that allows raw data to be entered into the computer system.  Processing: The system unit is a metal enclosure or “case” that contains the internal components of a computer. The system unit takes raw data from the input devices, processes it into useful information, and then sends it to the output devices.  Storage: Sometimes known as "secondary" or "auxiliary" storage. This is where information can be stored so that it can be retrieved at a later date.  Output: any device that takes processed data and displays it in a meaningful way.