Technology in Action Chapter 1 Why Computers Matter to You: The Importance of Becoming Computer Fluent

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 2 Chapter One Objectives Computer fluency Become a savvy user and consumer Fluency helps careers Understand challenges Use future technologies

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 3 More Objectives Main functions of a computer Data vs. information Bits and bytes Hardware Main types of software Different kinds of computers

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 4 Savvy User and Consumer Avoid hackers Avoid viruses Protect privacy –Identity theft –Cookies –Firewall

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 5 Savvy User and Consumer Internet use –Search effectively –Avoid spam Technology management –Purchase decisions –Maintain and upgrade –Integrate new developments

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 6 Computers in Retail Point-of-Sale terminals –Update and search database –Data mining

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 7 Computers in the Arts Advertising – –Letters to clients –Web site Virtual performances

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 8 Computers in Medicine Patient simulators –Respond like humans –Used in teaching and training Handheld computers –Reference tool –Download and edit patient history

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 9 Computers in Criminal Justice Police and Detectives –Database searches –Computer forensics Legal Field –Forensic animations

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 10 Computers in the Classroom Internet –Research –Virtual tours Course Management –Blackboard –WebCT

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 11 Computers at Home Robots Smart devices Keep tabs on latest products

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 12 Digital Society Challenges Web cams for surveillance Privacy risks Spam Copyright issues Over-reliance on computers

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 13 Technologies of Tomorrow Nanotechnology –Extremely small-scale devices Biomedical chip implants –VeriChip Artificial intelligence –Emulates human thought Computer Functions

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 14 Four Main Computer Functions Input data Process data into information Output Storage

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 15 Data vs. Information Data Words Numbers Pictures Sounds Information Organized Presented in a meaningful way Process (616)

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 16 Bits and Bytes Binary language Binary digit = bit 8 bits = 1 byte Kilobyte (KB) Megabyte (MB) Gigabyte (GB)

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 17 Computer Hardware Input devices System unit –Central processing unit (CPU) –Memory (RAM) –Motherboard Output devices Storage

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 18 Software: Two Broad Categories System software –Operating system Application software –Word processor –Spreadsheets –Photo editors

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 19 The Operating System Bridge between hardware and software Provides user interface Platform specific Varies between Macintosh and PC Definition of OS

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 20 Specialty Computers Servers Mainframes Supercomputers Mobile devices –Laptop –PDA

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 21 Using the Book

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 22 Enhance Your Knowledge Windows OS Macintosh OS Artist display Acronyms

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 23 Why Computers Matter Topic Summary What is “computer fluent” Being a savvy computer user and consumer Computers and careers Future technologies Challenges

© 2005 Prentice Hall, Inc.Why Computers Matter 24 Why Computers Matter Topic Summary Four functions of a computer –Input, Process, Output, Storage Data and information –Differences Computer language –Bits and bytes