1. Computer Basics 2 Computer Basic 2 includes two lessons:
Lesson 3: Computer Performance and Features
Lesson 4: Computer Operation Systems
                     

2. Lesson 3 Computer Performance and Features Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
Identify and compare the features of different types of computers.
Explain the role of memory.
Explain the basics of computer performance and how it relates to productivity.
Describe the different types of productivity programs and their uses.
Consider a situation where you want to buy a television. There are many brands and models available in the market. You need to make a decision based on the features that you want and the price of the product. Similarly, there are different types of personal computers available in the market. They differ on the basis of features such as price, size, and speed. In addition, these factors affect the overall performance of the computer.
After you buy a television, you need to choose from different kinds of channels that are available. These channels may offer entertainment, sports, or news. You can choose to view a channel based on your preferences. In the same way, after you start using a computer, there are different types of programs available that help you perform different tasks. You can use a word processor to create documents or a spreadsheet to perform mathematical calculations. Communications programs can help you talk to people at distant locations. With entertainment programs, you can watch movies, listen to music, or play games.

3. Types of Computers
The most common computer is the Personal Computer (PC).
A personal computer is a computer that is designed for use by one person at a time.
There are four different types of computer:
Desktop
Laptop
Handheld
Tablet.
Different types of computers are available in the market today. The most common computer is the Personal Computer (PC), typically used by individuals and small businesses. A personal computer is a computer that is designed for use by one person at a time. A personal computer is used in the workplace to create documents, manage business records, and communicate with others. It is used in schools to teach lessons, research over the Internet, and work on assignments. You can also use a personal computer to play games, view videos, and listen to music. Depending on the size and the purpose of a personal computer, it can be categorized into four different types: desktop, laptop, handheld, or tablet.
You select a computer depending on the tasks that you want it to perform. For example, if you want to use the computer to edit photos or play complex games, you need a computer with a fast CPU and a good display adapter.

4. Desktop Computers
Are made up of individual components (monitor, a keyboard, a system unit, and a printer).
Are not portable.
Components of desktop computers can easily be replaced or upgraded.
Have more memory, a larger hard drive, more ports, and a bigger display than laptops and other portable computers.
Can run continuously for long periods of time.
Desktop computers are made up of individual components, such as a monitor, a keyboard, a system unit, and a printer. Desktop computers are not portable and are generally placed on the surface of a desk or a table. The components of desktop computers can easily be replaced or upgraded.
Desktop computers usually have more memory, a larger hard drive, more ports, and a bigger display than laptops and other portable computers. Desktop computers can run continuously for long periods of time.

5. Laptop Computers Are lightweight personal computers.
Are also called notebook computers.
Are small and portable.
Run on electricity or on batteries that can be recharged.
Consume more power than desktop computers.
Perform the same tasks as desktop computers.
Laptop computers are lightweight personal computers. Laptop computers are smaller in size as compared to a desktop computer and are designed for travel. Laptop computers are also called notebook computers.
The main feature of laptop computers is that they are small and portable. As the name suggests, these can easily be placed on the lap of a user. Desktop computers run on electricity only, while laptop computers run on electricity or on batteries that can be recharged. However, laptop computers consume more power than desktop computers with a similar hardware setup. Laptop computers perform the same tasks as desktop computers, but laptop computers generally cost more than desktop computers.

6. Handheld Computers
Are devices used for specific everyday tasks, such as managing personal data.
Are smaller than laptops and provide fewer features compared to desktop computers or laptops.
Can also perform basic word-processing activities and help you access the Internet.
Several handheld computer models can also work as cellular phones or digital cameras.
Handheld computers are devices used for specific everyday tasks, such as managing personal data. These are smaller than laptops and provide fewer features compared to desktop computers or laptops. These can also perform basic word-processing activities and help you access the Internet. Several handheld computer models can also work as cellular phones or digital cameras.

7. Tablet Computers
Are fully functional computers that allow you to write directly on the screen by using a tablet pen.
Can also use the tablet pen to perform mouse functions.
Do not need a keyboard and a mouse.
Tablet computers are fully functional computers that allow you to write directly on the screen by using a tablet pen. You can also use the tablet pen to perform mouse functions. Tablet computers, therefore, do not need a keyboard and a mouse.

8. The Role of Memory
Is a device where information can be stored and retrieved.
Can be volatile or nonvolatile
When a computer performs a task, it requires a place to store data. Memory is a device where information can be stored and retrieved. Before buying software for your computer, you need to know if your computer has enough memory to run the software properly. Computer memory can be volatile or nonvolatile.

9. The Role of Memory (cont.)
Volatile Memory: This is the temporary memory of a computer.
Nonvolatile Memory: The content stored on this type of memory is retained after the computer is turned off.
Volatile Memory: This is the temporary memory of a computer. The content stored on the temporary memory is erased when the computer is turned off. Random access memory (RAM) is an example of volatile memory. RAM stores program information and data that needs to be readily available while performing a particular task.
Nonvolatile Memory: The content stored on this type of memory is retained after the computer is turned off. An example of nonvolatile memory is read-only memory (ROM), which contains a set of instructions that need to remain unchanged for the computer to function. For example, ROM stores commands that check whether the motherboard, memory, hard drive, and other components are working when the computer is started.

10. The Role of Memory (cont) Terms used to measure memory capacity
Description
Bit
Smallest unit of information that a computer handles.
Byte
Combination of eight bits arranged in a particular sequence.
Kilobyte
One kilobyte (KB) is equal to 1,024 bytes.
Megabyte
One megabyte (MB) is equal to 1,024 KB.
Gigabyte
One gigabyte (GB) is equal to 1,024 MB.
Terabyte
One terabyte is equal to 1,024 GB.
Bit - A bit is the smallest unit of information that a computer handles. A single bit can hold only one of two values, 0 or 1. One of the two values is always present. A single bit conveys little meaningful information. However, you can obtain more meaningful information by combining consecutive bits into larger units.
Byte - A byte is a combination of eight bits arranged in a particular sequence. Each sequence represents a single character, symbol, digit, or letter. A byte forms the basic unit that is used to measure the storage capacity of a storage device.
Kilobyte - One kilobyte (KB) is equal to 1,024 bytes. Most of the user data stored in a computer, such as simple messages or a text file, occupies storage space of a few kilobytes.
Megabyte - One megabyte (MB) is equal to 1,024 KB. The amount of information contained in 1 MB is approximately equal to a complete textbook.
Gigabyte - One gigabyte (GB) is equal to 1,024 MB, which is approximately a billion bytes. Most computers today have hard disks with large capacities that are measured in gigabytes. A GB denotes a huge storage capacity. For example, a video film stored on a computer can occupy more than 1 GB of space.
Terabyte - One terabyte is equal to 1,024 GB, approximately a trillion bytes. Storage devices having capacities in terabytes are generally used by organizations that need to store large volumes of data. A terabyte is so large that a few terabytes of memory space can contain the complete text of a large number of books.

11. Computer Performance
Important factors that affect the overall performance of the computer:
CPU Speed
Hard Disk Factors
RAM

12. CPU Speed
The CPU speed is the rate at which the CPU can perform a task, such as moving data to and from RAM, or performing a numerical calculation.
The CPU is the brain of the computer and its speed is an important factor that affects the overall performance of the computer. The CPU speed is the rate at which the CPU can perform a task, such as moving data to and from RAM, or performing a numerical calculation. If you have two computers that are identical except for the CPU speed, the computer with the faster CPU completes a task more quickly.

13. Hard Disk
Hard disks differ in storage capacities as well as their speed of data storage and retrieval.
If the speed of data retrieval is fast, the computer takes less time to start and to load programs.
Additionally, the speed and size of the hard disk play an important role when a program needs to process large volumes of data.

14. RAM RAM is the active memory of the computer.
The speed of retrieving data stored on RAM is very fast.
The RAM speed and the amount of RAM are important factors in personal computer performance.
RAM is the active memory of the computer. The speed of retrieving data stored on RAM is very fast and for this reason the computer uses it to store the information that is currently in use. If the amount of RAM is large enough to hold all of the information in use, this can result in faster computer performance. The RAM speed and the amount of RAM are important factors in personal computer performance. When there is not enough RAM in a computer, the computer slows down or fails to function properly.

15. Productivity Programs
You can use different computer programs to perform a variety of tasks.
Types of productivity programs:
Word-Processing and Publishing Programs
Presentation Programs
Spreadsheet Programs
Database Programs
Graphics Programs
You can use different computer programs to perform a variety of tasks. You can use computer programs to organize numbers, write letters or proposals, maintain records, create and modify images, convert text into visuals, and create magazines and brochures.

16. Word-Processing and Publishing Programs
These programs allow you:
Type in and modify text.
Use the spelling checker and the built-in thesaurus, and format the document.
Create personal and professional documents.
Word is a commonly used word-processing program.
You use word-processing programs to create and modify text-based documents. You can type in and modify text, use the spelling checker and the built-in thesaurus, and format the document. By using these programs, you can also create personal and professional documents.
Word is a commonly used word-processing program.
Publishing programs are used to combine text and graphics to create documents such as brochures, greeting cards, annual reports, books, or magazines. These programs also include word-processing and graphics features that allow you to refine parts of the document.

17. Presentation Programs
You use presentation programs to present your information in the form of slides.
You can add sound and pictures to these slides to make them more attractive and informative.
Microsoft Office PowerPoint® 2003 is a commonly used presentation program.
You use presentation programs to present your information in the form of slides. You can add sound and pictures to these slides to make them more attractive and informative.
Microsoft Office PowerPoint® 2003 is a commonly used presentation program.

18. Spreadsheet Programs
You use spreadsheet programs to create budgets, manage accounts, perform mathematical calculations, and convert numerical data into charts and graphs.
Spreadsheets store information in a table, with values spread over horizontal rows and vertical columns.
Microsoft Office Excel® 2003 is an example of a spreadsheet program.
You use spreadsheet programs to create budgets, manage accounts, perform mathematical calculations, and convert numerical data into charts and graphs. Spreadsheets store information in a table, with values spread over horizontal rows and vertical columns. Each value is stored in a cell. A cell is the intersection of a row and a column.
Microsoft Office Excel® 2003 is an example of a spreadsheet program.

19. Database Programs
You use database programs to store and manage data in an organized way.
You can also sort or search for the information stored in a database.
An example of a database program is Microsoft Office Access 2003.
You use database programs to store and manage data in an organized way. By using these programs, you can also sort or search for the information stored in a database. In addition, you can create simple reports from the data that you have stored. For example, you can use a database program to store customer details, create and manage inventory, and track sales. You can then create reports to target sales or plan customer services.
An example of a database program is Microsoft Office Access 2003.

20. Graphics Programs
You use graphics programs to create and edit drawings.
You can also use these programs to enhance photographs.
Microsoft Paint is an example of a graphics program that allows you to create drawings.
You use graphics programs to create and edit drawings. You can also use these programs to enhance photographs.
Microsoft Paint is an example of a graphics program that allows you to create drawings.

21. Communication Programs
Computers use special programs called communication programs that allow you to send and receive messages with other people in a digital format.
Example of communication programs:
messages (Hotmail, Yahoo, or Google)
Chat programs (Yahoo! Messenger)
Just as you use a telephone or postal mail to communicate with friends and family, you can also use computers to communicate with people. Computers use special programs called communication programs that allow you to send and receive messages with other people in a digital format.
use a telephone or postal mail to communicate with friends and family, you can also use computers to communicate with people.

22. messages
Sending messages is the exchange of messages from one computer user to another computer user.
To send an message you must have:
An Internet connection.
An account.
The account of the person to whom you want to send an .
Sending messages is the exchange of messages from one computer user to another computer user. This exchange can be within a local area or from one part of a country to another. You can send an message to or receive an message from one or several persons at any time of the day.
Sending an message is similar to making a phone call; you must have a phone connection and know the phone number of the person with whom you want to speak.
To send an message you must have an Internet connection and an account. This Internet connection is provided by an Internet service provider (ISP).
If you have an account, it will be similar to where the username is your name. is the at sign and example.com is the domain name. A domain name identifies the name and type of organization with whom you have an account.
After you have an account, you need to know the account of the person to whom you want to send an .
You can send both text and pictures through ; however, this depends on various factors, such as the type of service you have or the kind of picture you are sending.
Sending and receiving messages is an instant way of communicating with anyone. It only takes a few seconds to send and receive an . This also depends on the speed of your Internet connection.

23. E-mail messages (cont.)
You can send both text and pictures through .
messages is an instant way of communication.

24. Chat programs Allows you to send and receive messages immediately
Allow you to communicate with several people at the same time.
A commonly used communication program is MSN® Messenger.
Two other types of chat programs are voice chat and video chat.
Another type of communication is through chat programs, which allows you to send and receive messages immediately. You can use a chat program to communicate with several people at the same time. A commonly used communication program is MSN® Messenger.
When you are chatting with someone, the person on the other end receives your messages immediately.
Through chat you can also talk to the person you are chatting with. This is called voice chat.
Another form of chatting allows you to also see the person you are talking to. You use a device called a webcam to do this.
You can also share pictures and other files through MSN Messenger.

25. Educational and Entertainment Programs
Educational software is used in classrooms, offices, and homes.
Educational software is available on various topics that are applicable to different age groups.
Microsoft Encarta® is a widely used digital encyclopedia that is available on both CD-ROM and DVD-ROM.
Consider a scenario in which you want to learn a new language. However, there are no schools in your area that teach the language. With educational software program, a computer can help you learn the new language. Educational software programs often use audio-visual clips and games to make learning more effective.
Educational software is used in classrooms, offices, and homes. Educational software is available on various topics that are applicable to different age groups. For example, Microsoft Encarta® is a widely used digital encyclopedia that is available on both CD-ROM and DVD-ROM.
You can also use computers as a source of entertainment. You can use entertainment software to play games, listen to music, record music, draw pictures, and watch movies on a computer. Video CDs and DVDs that allow you to watch movies and music videos as well as listen to music are all examples of entertainment software that is used for recreation.

26. Lesson 4 – Computer Operating Systems Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
Explain the common functions of an operating system.
Identify the basic components of the Windows XP user interface.
Work with the Windows XP user interface within programs.
Manage files and folders in Microsoft® Windows® Explorer.
Perform basic file operations.
Introduction to lesson 4:
The operating system is the most important program in the computer. An operating system performs four primary functions. It manages and controls the hardware connected to a computer. It helps other programs running on a computer to use the hardware. It helps you organize and manage files and folders on the computer. It provides a user interface that allows you to interact with the hardware, the operating system itself, and other programs.
An example of an operating system is Windows XP.
Objectives of lessons 4:
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
Explain the common functions of an operating system.
Identify the basic components of the Windows XP user interface.
Work with the Windows XP user interface within programs.
Manage files and folders in Microsoft® Windows® Explorer.
Perform basic file operations.

27. Functions of an Operating System
Provides a user interface (Icons and Menus).
Provides utilities to configure your system (Backup program and setup wizard).
Helps manage computer resources.
Helps secure data by controlling user access to a computer.
Functions of an operating system:
Provides a user interface: 
Many operating systems provide visual elements, such as icons and menus, to help you interact with a computer. You can use a mouse to select icons and issue commands. For example, you can double-click a file to open it with the appropriate program.
Provides utilities to configure your system: 
A GUI-based operating system provides easy-to-use utilities to help you configure your computer. These utilities are small programs that help you perform specific functions, such as connecting to a network, managing resources, and adding new programs to your computer. For example, Windows XP provides a backup program to save your important data. In addition, it provides a user-friendly setup wizard that allows you to install hardware or software, or connect to other computers. 
Helps manage computer resources: 
An operating system helps manage hardware. Programs communicate with the operating system to work with the required hardware, such as the CPU, to complete the required tasks.
Helps secure data by controlling user access to a computer: 
An operating system allows you to secure your data. It helps you specify authentication and authorization rights to control access to your computer and its resources.
Authentication is the process by which the computer system validates a user's logon information. An operating system can help you create a username and a password, so that only those users who know the username and password can access the resources on your computer.
In addition, you can associate specific permissions to each username. This is called authorization. For example, you can prevent users from printing documents from your computer.

28. Components of a Windows user interface
Desktop
Taskbar
Notification Area
Start
Windows XP provides a GUI that has a number of components to help you interact with a computer. The following are the components of a Windows user interface:
 Desktop
The desktop is an on-screen work area that uses a combination of menus and icons. The desktop includes the following components:
Wallpaper is a pattern or picture on the screen background that you can choose. You can consider it as a tablecloth placed on a table.
An icon is a small image displayed on the screen to represent an object. Icons help you perform certain computer actions without having to remember commands or type them. For example, you can click a file icon to open the file with the appropriate program.
Taskbar
The taskbar is a rectangular bar that is usually located at the bottom of the screen. You can use the taskbar to select a program running on your computer. The taskbar displays the programs in the form of taskbar buttons. The program displayed on the taskbar in the graphic is Word.
Notification Area
When the taskbar is located at the bottom of a screen, the notification area is located on the right side of the taskbar. The notification area displays the time, a volume icon, and icons of some programs running on a computer. For example, the printer shortcut icon appears after a document has been sent to the printer and disappears when the printing is complete.
Start
In Windows XP, the Start button opens the Start menu. You can use the commands on the Start menu to start a program, or to restart or shutdown the computer. The Start menu typically displays the following commands:
My Documents: When you click My Documents on the Start menu, the contents in the My Documents folder appear in a rectangular area, called the window. The window displays two specialized folders, My Pictures and My Music. You can use the My Documents folder to share your documents and also keep private the documents you do not want to share.
My Computer: When you click My Computer on the Start menu, the contents of your floppy disk, hard disk, CD-ROM drive, and network drives appear in a window. You can use the icons and menus in My Computer window to search for or open files and folders.
My Network Places: When you click My Network Places on the Start menu, the My Network Places window appears. It provides a view of all the shared computers and other resources on the network to which your computer is connected.
Control Panel: When you click Control Panel on the Start menu, the Control Panel window appears. It allows you to control the various aspects of the operating system or hardware, such as setting the system time and date, adding and removing programs, troubleshooting hardware and software, and setting keyboard characteristics.
Printers and Faxes: When you click Printers and Faxes on the Start menu, the Printers and Faxes window appears. It allows you to install and share printing resources. After you install a printer, you can print documents from your computer.
Help and Support: When you click Help and Support on the Start menu, the Help and Support Center window appears. You can use the Microsoft Help and Support Center whenever you have a question about the operating system. It is a comprehensive resource that helps you learn about Windows XP. You can use the Search or the Index feature to view all Windows Help resources, including those available on the Internet.
Search: When you click Search on the Start menu, the Search window appears . It allows you to search for a file or a folder on your computer. In addition, if you are authorized to access other computers on your network, you can search files on those computers.
Run: This allows you to start a program.

29. Working with Windows-Based Programs: Paint Open a program
Click Start
Point to All Programs
Point to Accessories
Click Paint
The Windows interface provides a combination of menus and icons that allow you to interact with a computer. You can use a mouse to make selections, and issue commands, such as opening a program. An example of a commonly used program is Microsoft Paint.
You can open the Microsoft Paint program from the Accessories menu. The Microsoft Paint program is displayed in a window.

30. Working with Windows-Based Programs: Paint Move a window
Point to the title bar
Drag the title bar
Release the mouse button
You can use the title bar to drag a window to any location on the screen. You release the mouse button when the window is at the desired place.

31. Working with Windows-Based Programs: Paint Menu Bar
A menu bar is a rectangular bar, usually at the top, in which you can select menus.
These menus contain many commands to perform various functions in a program
A window has a menu bar. A menu bar is a rectangular bar, usually at the top, in which you can select menus. These menus contain many commands to perform various functions in a program. For example, you can click the commands in the File menu to save a file or open a file.

32. Working with Windows-Based Programs: Paint Toolbar
A toolbar can be a horizontal or vertical block of on-screen buttons or icons.
You can click these buttons or icons to give commands to the program.

33. Working with Windows-Based Programs: Paint Minimize, Maximize, and Close buttons
You can click the Minimize button to remove the window from the screen and display the program as a button on the taskbar.
You can display the Microsoft Paint window by clicking the Microsoft Paint button on the taskbar.
You can click the Maximize button to expand the window so that it covers the entire screen. You will be able to view the document better.
After maximizing the window, the Maximize button becomes the Restore Down button. You can click the Restore Down button to return the window to its original size.

34. Managing Files and Folders Windows Explorer
The Windows Explorer window is often divided into two sections, called panes.
The pane on the left side, called the Folders pane, displays the structure of drives and folders on your computer.
The pane on the right is called the details pane. It displays the contents of a drive or folder.
You can select folders from the list displayed in the Folders pane to view its contents in the details pane.
Suppose you own a book shop. To manage it efficiently, you need to first categorize books based on their subject, such as management or fiction. You can then arrange these books in separate sections of a cabinet. You need to provide appropriate name to each section so that it is easier to locate a book. Similarly, in the Windows operating system, you use Windows Explorer to arrange files in appropriate folders. Windows Explorer is a program that helps you locate and open files and folders.
The Windows Explorer window is often divided into two sections, called panes. The pane on the left side, called the Folders pane, displays the structure of drives and folders on your computer. A folder is a container for programs and files in GUI interfaces. It is represented by an icon of a file folder on the screen. It can hold both files and additional folders. The pane on the right is called the details pane. It displays the contents of a drive or folder. You can select folders from the list displayed in the Folders pane to view its contents in the details pane.
In this exercise, you will explore how to manage files and folders by using Windows Explorer.

35. Screenshot of Windows Explorer

36. Performing Basic File Operations
Every file has an associated format that defines the way data is stored in the file.
The file format is identified by a period (also called a dot) appended to a file name, followed by three or four letters.
The following are some of the more common file formats:
Word documents (.doc)
Images (.gif and .jpg)
Executable programs (.exe)
Multimedia files (.wma and others)
Every file has an associated format that defines the way data is stored in the file. The file format is identified by a period (also called a dot) appended to a file name, followed by three or four letters. The following are some of the more common file formats:
Word documents (.doc)
Images (.gif and .jpg)
Executable programs (.exe)
Multimedia files (.wma and others)

37. Performing Basic File Operations (Cont.)
When you open a file, the operating system selects an appropriate program to display the contents of the file based on the file format.
For example, when you open a Word document, the operating system opens a word processor, such as Word, to display the contents of the document.
When you open a file, the operating system selects an appropriate program to display the contents of the file based on the file format. For example, when you open a Word document, the operating system opens a word processor, such as Word, to display the contents of the document.
To understand this concept of performing basic file operations, consider a scenario. You want to create a document by using WordPad. You are new to the concept of files and want to know how to create and save the file in a specific location. You also want to know how to open or delete an existing file.

38. Practices Managing Files and Folders
Please follow these steps:
Open Microsoft Digital Literacy site
Click on Computer Basics module.
Click on “Launch E-learning.
Click on the “Play” button.
Follow steps on the left screen. 1 4 2 3

39. Practices Performing Basic File Operation
Please follow these steps:
Open Microsoft Digital Literacy site
Click on Computer Basics module.
Click on “Launch E-learning.
Click on the “Play” button.
Follow steps on the left screen. 1 4 2 3

40. Questions