1. Computers: Tools for an Information Age
Chapter 1
Computers: Tools for an Information Age

2. Objectives Describe the three fundamental characteristics of computers
Describe at least four areas of society in which computers are used
Identify the basic components of a computer system: input, processing, output, and storage

3. Objectives List some common input, output, and storage media
Distinguish data from information
Describe the significance of networking
Explain the significance of the Internet
Explain the various classifications of computers

4. Forging a Computer-Based Society
Traditional Cornerstones of Economy:
Land
Labor
Capital
New Economic Element:
Information

5. What Is Computer Literacy?
Awareness
Knowledge
Interaction
Awareness
Becoming aware of the importance, versatility, and pervasiveness of computers in our society

6. Knowledge Interaction Learning what computers are and how they work
Learning some technical jargon
Interaction
Knowing how to use computers for some simple applications

7. Fundamental Characteristics
Speed
Reliability
Storage Capability
By-products

8. Benefits of Computers Productivity Decision Making Cost Reduction
Workers use computers to do their jobs faster and better
Many processes can be more efficiently controlled by computers
Decision Making
Helps decision makers sort out financial, geographical, and logistical factors
Cost Reduction
Helps hold down costs of labor, energy and paperwork
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9. Computer System Components
Hardware
Equipment associated with the system
Software
Instructions that tell the hardware what to do
People
Computer programmer: writes software
User: purchases and uses software
Often called end-user

10. Hardware: The Basic Components of a Computer
What is a Computer?
Four primary components:
Input devices
Processor
Output devices
Storage

11. What Is a Computer?
A machine that can be programmed to accept data, process it into useful information, and store it away
Data: raw facts representing people and events
Information: data that is organized, meaningful, and useful
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12. Input: What Goes In
Input: the data put into the computer for processing
Common input devices:
Keyboard
Mouse
Scanner
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13. Keyboard Most common input device
Generates electrical signals which are translated into characters
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14. Mouse Moves over a flat surface
Movement of mouse ball causes corresponding movement of pointer on screen
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15. Scanner Reads special letters, numbers, and symbols
Wand reader, bar code reader often used in stores
Flatbed and sheet-fed scanners scan pictures or printed documents
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16. The Processor and Memory: Data Manipulation
Also called central processing unit (CPU)
Memory (primary storage)
Closely related to, but distinct from processor
Provides temporary storage
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17. Primary Storage Used to temporarily hold data
After it is retrieved from input device and before it is processed
After it is processed and before it is released to output device
Temporary (volatile) storage
Data in memory lost if power is lost or program closed
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18. The Processor Center of activity in the computer
Consists of electronic circuits
Interprets and executes program instructions
Communicates with input, output, and storage devices
Actually transforms data into information
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19. Output: What Comes Out Output: the result produced by the CPU
Common forms of output: text, numbers, graphics, and sounds
Common output devices:
Screen (monitor): can display text, numbers, photographs, even video, in full color
Printer: produces printed reports as instructed by a program
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20. Secondary Storage Provides long-term storage Common media
Separate from memory
Common media
Magnetic disks
Optical disks
Magnetic tape
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21. Magnetic Disks The most common storage media
Diskette: 3.5” flexible diskette in plastic case
Hard Disk: more storage capacity and faster access than diskette
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22. Optical Disks
Use a laser beam to read large volumes of data inexpensively
CD-ROMs
DVD-ROMs
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23. Magnetic Tape Stores large amounts of data inexpensively
Often used for system backup
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24. Peripheral Devices All hardware devices attached to the computer
Includes all input, output, and storage devices

25. Networking
Network: a system that uses communications equipment to connect computers and their resources
Common network tools:
Local Area Network (LAN)
Modem
Electronic mail

26. Local Area Network
Personal computers in an office are connected so users can communicate
Users can operate computers independently
Can share resources and exchange data
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27. Modem
A device that allows users to communicate with other computers over telephone lines
Required when you don’t have a digital connection such as DSL or a cable modem
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28. Electronic Mail (e-mail)
Send and receive messages electronically
Can send text, pictures, links to Web sites
Can attach files for collaboration
Messages stored in computer “mailbox”
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29. The Internet The largest and most far-flung network
Connects users worldwide
Not actually a network, but a collection of thousands of networks

30. Getting Connected To access the Internet, connect to a server computer
Server receives, processes, and transmits information
Computers use a standard to communicate
Need an Internet Service Provider (ISP)

31. Internet Service Providers
The owner of a server computer
Charges a fee for access to the Internet
Fee can provide unlimited access or be based on usage
Provides the user a means to connect to the server
Once connected, you can connect to the Internet and all other server computers
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32. Computer Protocols
Provides a standard way to communicate with other computers
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) used on the Internet
Allows different types of computers to share data
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33. Getting Around the Internet
Began as a means for Department of Defense and its research institutions to share information
Information was text-only
Commands to navigate were obscure
Now, much more visually based
Use browser to explore the Internet
World Wide Web

34. Browser
Software that allows you to use a mouse to explore the Internet
Click on screen text and/or graphics to move to different locations
Most commonly used to explore the World Wide Web
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35. The World Wide Web A subset of the Internet
Actually, a standard for displaying and transmitting information
Web site: a location on the Web
Home page: the main page of a Web site
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36. Classification of Computers
Personal Computers
Notebook Computers
Handheld Computers
Midrange Computers
Mainframes
Supercomputers

37. Personal Computers Desktop computers
Also known as PCs, microcomputers, or home computers
Broken down into three categories:
Low-end computers
Fully-powered personal computers
Workstations
Network computer
Central processing unit and minimal memory
Designed to be used on a network
Sometimes called thin client
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38. PC Categories Low-end computers Fully powered computers Workstations
Fine for home users, word processing, simple games, Internet access
Fully powered computers
Good for heavy use of graphics, programming, or action-oriented games
Workstations
Very high-end computers used by engineers, financial traders, and graphic designers
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39. Notebook Computers Small, lightweight computers
Capabilities approach that of desktop computers
Similar processing and memory
Most have hard disk, and diskette or CD-ROM drive
Typically more expensive than comparable desktop computers
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40. Handheld Computers Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) Pocket PC
Keeps track of appointments, contacts, etc.
Accepts input with hand-held stylus
Pocket PC
Offers capabilities of PDAs, plus the ability to run stripped-down versions of software such as word processing and spreadsheets
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41. Midrange Computers
Multi-user computers designed to serve the needs of medium-sized organizations
Hundreds or thousands of users connected
Used for inventory, order-entry, and other company-wide applications
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42. Mainframes Very large and powerful computers
Capable of processing billions of instructions per second
Capable of handling billions of characters of data
Often used for applications with many users
Reservations systems
Large mail-order houses
servers
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43. Supercomputers The fastest and most powerful computers
Capable of processing trillions of instructions per second
Used for very sophisticated applications requiring mammoth data manipulation:
Weather forecasting
Weapons research
Special effects for movies
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44. Personal Computer System