1. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Using Computers: Essential Concepts CHAPTER 1 PARSONS/OJA Page 2 Computers: Mind Tools Section A

2. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Section A Section PREVIEW nDefine the term “computer” nDescribe the relationship between computer hardware and software Computers: Mind Tools Chapter 1 Section A You will be able to: Page 2 Section A

3. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Section A Section PREVIEW Computers have been called “mind tools” because they enhance our ability to perform tasks that require mental ability. Computers: Mind Tools Chapter 1 Section A Page 4 Section A

4. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nBefore 1940, a computer was defined as a person who performs calculations. nThe modern definition of the term “computer” emerged in the 1940’s. –developed as a response to World War II military needs Von Neumann’s Definition What is a computer? Chapter 1 Page 4 Section A

5. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nVon Neumann, eminent mathematician, wrote a report describing plans for first computer, the EDVAC. nHis report has been described as the most influential paper in the history of computer science. Von Neumann’s Definition What is a computer? Chapter 1 Page 4 Section A

6. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja A computer is a device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output. Von Neumann’s Definitionc What is a computer? Chapter 1 Page 5 Section A

7. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nComputer input is whatever you put into a computer system. nInput means to feed information into a computer. –words and symbols in a document –numbers for a calculation –pictures A computer accepts input What kinds of input can a computer use? Chapter 1 Page 5 Section A

8. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nData refers to the symbols that represent facts and ideas. nProcessing is the way that a computer manipulates data. –performing calculations –sorting lists and numbers –drawing graphs nA computer processes data in a device called the central processing unit (CPU). A computer processes data In what ways can a computer process data? Chapter 1 Page 5 Section A

9. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nA computer stores data so that it will be available for processing. nMemory is an area of a computer that holds data that is waiting to be processed. nStorage is the area where data can be left on a permanent basis. A Computer Stores Data Why does a computer store data? Chapter 1 Page 5 Section A

10. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nComputer output is the results produced by the computer. –reports –documents –music –graphs –pictures nAn output device displays, prints or transmits the results of processing. A Computer Produces Output What kinds of output does a computer produce? Chapter 1 Page 5 Section A

11. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Using Computers: Essential Concepts CHAPTER 1 PARSONS/OJA Page 7 Computer System Basics Section B

12. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Section A Section PREVIEW nIdentify the parts of a typical microcomputer system nList the peripheral devices that are typically found on microcomputer systems Computer System Basics Chapter 1 Section B You will be able to: Page 7

13. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Section A nA computer system includes a computer, peripheral devices, and software. nHardware refers to the computer itself. nPeripheral devices are components that expand the computer’s input, output, and storage capabilities. nSoftware is a set of instructions that tells the computer how to perform a particular task. Computer System Basics Chapter 1 Section B Page 7

14. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nA computer needs software to tell it how to interact with the user, and specifies how to process the user’s data. nThere are many software programs that you can buy including software for producing resumes, teaching Spanish, and helping you plan your diet. Software Why does a computer need software? Chapter 1 Page 7 Section B

15. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nComputers are categorized into four categories from least to most powerful: –microcomputers –minicomputers –mainframe computers –supercomputers nA computer is categorized based on its technology, function, size, performance, and cost. Categories of Computers How and why are computers categorized? Chapter 1 Page 7 Section B

16. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Categories of Computers Microcomputers Chapter 1 nMicrocomputers –also known as personal computers –typically found in homes and small businesses –cost about $2000 –speed can exceed 500 mm operations per second –may be stand-alone or may be connected to other computers in order to share data and software with other users Page 8 Section B

17. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja s Categories of Computers Microcomputers Chapter 1 A laptop computer is light, and runs on batteries or electricity Page 9 Section B A personal digital assistant (PDA) accepts info on a touch-sensitive screen Desktop microcomputer

18. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nMinicomputers –process tasks from several people working at terminals connected to the minicomputer A terminal is an input and output device that resembles a microcomputer but cannot process information –costs between $5,000 and $200,000 –good for small and medium-sized businesses Categories of Computers Minicomputers Chapter 1 Page 9 Section B

19. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Categories of Computers Minicomputers Chapter 1 Microcomputer stores data for all users A typical minicomputer handles processing tasks for multiple users. Page 9 Section B

20. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nMainframes –large, fast, and fairly expensive computers –used by business or government –provide centralized storage, processing, and management for large amounts of data –like minicomputers, process requests from terminals and can support thousands of users –often include several central processing units Categories of Computers Mainframes Chapter 1 Page 10 Section B

21. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nHundreds of requests can be sent to a mainframe simultaneously. nPrices range from several hundred thousand dollars to over $1 million. Categories of Computers Mainframes Chapter 1 Mainframe computer Page 10 Section B

22. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nSupercomputers –fastest and most expensive type of computer. –cost between $500,000 and $35 million –have expanded into business markets to handle large volumes of data –process more than 1 trillion instructions per second –create realistic animations Categories of Computers Supercomputers Chapter 1 Page 11 Section B

23. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Categories of Computers Supercomputers Chapter 1 The Cray T3E supercomputer Page 11 Section B

24. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nMicrocomputers, minicomputers, mainframe, and supercomputer systems include devices to input, process, store, and output data. System Components What hardware components will a computer system have? Chapter 1 Page 12 Section B

25. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja System Components What hardware components will a computer system have? Chapter 1 Monitor Mouse Keyboard System Unit Page 12 Section B

26. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja System Components What hardware components will a computer system have? Chapter 1 Floppy disk drive CD ROM drive and a DVD drive Floppy disk CD-ROM and DVD disks Hard disk drive Page 12 Section B

27. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nComputers are based on a small number of microcomputer designs or computer platforms. nTwo major computer platforms are PCs and Macs. nPCs –originally created by IBM nMacs –manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. Computers that operate the same way are compatible. Microcomputer Compatibility Can all computers use the same software? Chapter 1 Page 13 Section B

28. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nA peripheral device is a piece of equipment added to a computer system to enhance its functionality. –printers –graphics tablets –scanners –modems nPeripheral devices come with installation instructions and specially designed software. Peripheral Devices Is it possible to expand a basic computer system? Chapter 1 Page 13 Section B

29. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nA computer network is a collection of computers and other devices that have been connected in order to share data, hardware, and software. nNetwork users can send messages to other users on the network and can retrieve data from a centralized storage device. nNetwork users must follow network security procedures. Computer Networks What’s different about using a network? Chapter 1 Page 15 Section B

30. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nMost organizations require a unique user ID and password. nA user ID is a combination of numbers and letters that serve as your identification. You can let others know your user ID so that they can send you messages. nA password is a special set of symbols known only to you and to the person who supervises the networks. You should never give out your password. Computer Networks What’s different about using a network? Chapter 1 Page 15 Section B

31. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nIf someone knows your password and logs on sending offensive messages, it will look as though you did it. Computer Networks What’s different about using a network? Chapter 1 Page 15 User ID Password Section B

32. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nThe Internet is the world’s largest computer network. –provides connections for millions of computers all over the globe –provides many information services, the most popular being the World Wide Web, or Web nThe Web is a sort of “flea market” for information –includes weather maps, census data, product information, course syllabi, music, and images The Internet What’s the internet? Chapter 1 Page 16 Section B

33. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja The Internet The World Wide Web Chapter 1 Page 16 The Internet provides access to the Web Section B

34. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Using Computers: Essential Concepts CHAPTER 1 PARSONS/OJA Page 17 The User Interface Section C

35. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Section A Section PREVIEW nDefine the term “user interface” nDescribe how you use interface elements such as prompts, commands, menus, and graphical objects nDescribe the resources that help you learn how to use computers and software The User Interface Chapter 1 Section C You will be able to: Page 17

36. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Section A nThe means by which humans and computers communicate is referred to as the user interface. nA good user interface is easy to learn and use. nUser interfaces are still evolving. The User Interface Chapter 1 Section C Page 17

37. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nA user interface is a combination of hardware and software. nSoftware interface elements include prompts, commands, wizards, menus, dialog boxes, graphical objects, etc… nHardware interface elements include pointing devices, keyboards, and monitors. Interacting with a Computer Is a user interface hardware or software? Chapter 1 Page 17 Section C

38. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nA prompt is a message displayed by the computer that asks for input from the user. nA sequence of prompts is sometimes used to develop a user interface called a prompted dialog. Prompts Why is it sometimes hard to figure out what the computer wants me to do? Chapter 1 Page 18 Section C

39. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Prompts The difficulty of a prompted dialog Chapter 1 Page 18 Section C An example of difficulty in a dialog due to ambiguity of human language

40. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja nA wizard is a sequence of screens that direct you through multistep software tasks such as creating a business card. Prompts Using a wizard Chapter 1 Page 19 Section C Business card wizard

41. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Commands Do I have to memorize lots of commands to use a computer? Chapter 1 Page 20 Section C nA command is an instruction you input to tell the computer to carry out a task. nCommand words are often English words, such as print, begin, save, and erase, but they can also be more cryptic.

42. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Commands Do I have to memorize lots of commands to use a computer? Chapter 1 Page 20 Section C nSyntax specifies the sequence and punctuation for command words and parameters. nA syntax error occurs when you misspell a command word, leave out punctuation, or type the commands out of order. nA command-line interface is an interface that requires the user to type commands.

43. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Menus and Dialog Boxes Are menus easier to use than commands? Chapter 1 Page 21 Section C A menu displays a list of commands or options. Menus were developed in response to the difficulties people experienced with command- line user interfaces. Submenus are additional sets of commands that the computer displays after you make a selection from the main menu. Dialog boxes display the options associated with a command.

44. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Menus and Dialog Boxes Are menus easier to use than commands? Chapter 1 Page 21 Section C Menus make it easy to select commands and options

45. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Menus and Dialog Boxes Using dialog boxes Chapter 1 Page 22 Section C A dialog box displays controls that help you enter command parameters

46. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Menus and Dialog Boxes Using dialog boxes Chapter 1 Page 22 Section C nDialog boxes display on-screen “controls” that you manipulate to specify settings and command patterns. Option buttons Check boxes Spin boxes Drop-down lists

47. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Graphical Objects Why are GUIs so popular? Chapter 1 Page 23 Section C nGraphical objects are small pictures on the screen that you can manipulate using a mouse or other input device. nGraphical objects include icons, buttons, and windows. Icon Selected icon

48. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Graphical Objects Why are GUIs so popular? Chapter 1 Page 23 Section C Buttons Windows

49. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Graphical Objects Why are GUIs so popular? Chapter 1 Page 24 Section C Graphical objects are a key element of the graphical user interfaces, or GUIs, found on most of today’s microcomputers. –display menus and prompts in addition to graphical objects –based on metaphors that represent real-world objects Recycle bin

50. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Pointing Devices Some mice have three buttons, but others only have one or two—why? Chapter 1 Page 25 Section C nThe mouse, the most popular pointing device, was developed by Douglas Engelbart in the early 1970’s. nWhen you move the mouse on your desk, a pointer–usually shaped like an arrow–moves on the screen in a way that corresponds to the mouse movement.

51. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Chapter 1 Page 25 Section C nClicking - pressing the left mouse button once to select an item nDouble-clicking- clicking the mouse twice in rapid succession nDragging - moving an object by clicking the object, holding the mouse down and moving it to a new location Pointing Devices Some mice have three buttons, but others only have one or two—why?

52. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Chapter 1 Page 25 Section C nPCs use either a two button or three button mouse. –left button for selecting –“right-click” may bring up a menu of actions you can do with the object nThree button mouse –third button is rarely used –some middle buttons substitute one click for a double-click Pointing Devices Some mice have three buttons, but others only have one or two—why?

53. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Keyboard Do I need to be a good typist to use a computer? Chapter 1 Page 26 Section C nYou should at least be familiar with the keyboard to use the computer effectively. nThe keyboard contains special keys to manipulate the user interface. nYou use the typing keys to input commands, respond to prompts, and type text. nThe cursor indicates where the characters you type will appear. nThe insertion point appears on the screen as a flashing vertical bar

54. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Keyboard Do I need to be a good typist to use a computer? Chapter 1 Page 26 Section C nThe numeric keypad provides a calculator-style input device for numbers and arithmetic symbols. –when activated, the keys on the keypad produce numbers –when not activated, the keys on the keypad move the insertion point in the direction indicated by the arrows on the keys A toggle key switches back and forth between two modes.

55. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Keyboard Do I need to be a good typist to use a computer? Chapter 1 Page 26 Section C nFunction keys are located at the top of your keyboard and can be used to initiate commands. –F1 through F12 are function keys –function keys are not standardized nKeyboard shortcuts allow you to use the keyboard rather than the mouse to select menu commands. –Ctrl-X is a keyboard shortcut

56. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Monitors How are the monitor and user interface related? Chapter 1 Page 28 Section C nAs you manipulate the keyboard, the computer manipulates the monitor. nA character-based display divides the screen into a grid of rectangles, each of which can display a single character. –the first microcomputer monitors –display of mainframe terminals

57. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Monitors How are the monitor and user interface related? Chapter 1 Page 28 Section C nA bitmap display divides the screen into a matrix of tiny square “dots” called pixels. nCharacters and graphics must be constructed of dot patterns within the screen matrix. nThe more dots in the matrix, the higher the resolution.

58. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Monitors How are the monitor and user interface related? Chapter 1 Page 28 Section C Matrix of pixels displayed on monitor One pixel

59. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Tutorials, Manuals, and Online Help How do I learn to use the interface on my computer? Chapter 1 Page 29 Section C nThe sources of information on Windows software include tutorials, manuals, and online Help. nA tutorial is a guided, step-by-step learning experience. nMost software includes online Help that you can access by clicking Help on the menu bar at the top of the screen.

60. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Tutorials, Manuals, and Online Help How do I learn to use the interface on my computer? Chapter 1 Page 29 Section C Online Help provides information about the features of a software application

61. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Using Computers: Essential Concepts CHAPTER 1 PARSONS/OJA Page 31 User Focus Boot, Run, Browse, and Search

62. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Section D Chapter 1 Page 31 User Focus Both beginner computer users and Macintosh users who are switching to the PC platform can benefit from a review of basic computer procedures. User Focus Boot, Run, Browse, and Search

63. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Boot Your Computer What should I turn on first? Chapter 1 Page 31 In most cases, it does not matter what piece of equipment you turn on first. Booting up your computer involves –flashing keyboard lights –noise from the disk drive –messages on your screen The boot process is complete when the Windows desktop appears on your screen. User Focus

64. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Run programs How do I start a program? Chapter 1 Page 31 The process of starting and using a software program is referred to as “running” it. You can use one of several methods to start and run a program. For example, if you want access to the Internet, you need to “run” your Web browser software. User Focus

65. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Run programs How do I start a program? Chapter 1 Page 32 Starting a program User Focus

66. Computer Concepts 4th Edition Parsons/Oja Searching the Web How do I find information on the Web? Chapter 1 Page 32 Two ways to find information on the Web –www.abcnews.com –using a Web search engine and a keyword Popular search engines –Yahoo! (www.yahoo.com) –Lycos (www.lycos.com) –Excite (www.excite.com) –Infoseek (www.go.com). User Focus