2. Computers: Tools for an Information Age Chapter 1

3. 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 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. Contents Information Age Computer Literacy Where Computers Are Used Computer System Network Classifications of Computers

5. Evolving more rapidly than Industrial Age Will continue into the current century Information Age

6. Cornerstones of our Economy Land Labor Capital Information Forging a Computer-Based Society:

7. Jobs From physical to mental From muscle-power to brain-power Forging a Computer-Based Society:

8. A Computer in Your Future Where used? –Bank withdrawal –Supermarket –Drive the car Do I need a Personal Computer? –Half of Americans have one at home –Many more use at work Will I use a computer in my future career? –Almost every job will involve use of a computer

9. Computer Literacy Awareness –Importance –Versatility –Pervasiveness in our society Knowledge –What are computers –How do computers work –Terminology Interaction –Use some simple computer applications

10. The Nature of Computers Characteristics Speed Reliability Storage capability Results Productivity Decision making Cost reduction

11. Where Computers Are Used Graphics Graphs and charts Animated graphics Visual walk-through

12. Where Computers Are Used Education Teaching and testing aid Learning by doing Computer-based instruction

13. Where Computers Are Used Retailing Bar codes for pricing and inventory Shipping

14. Where Computers Are Used Energy Locate oil, coal, natural gas, and uranium Monitor the power network Meter reading

15. Where Computers Are Used Law Enforcement National fingerprint files National files on criminal Computer modeling of DNA

16. Where Computers Are Used Transportation Cars Run rapid transit systems Load containerships Track railroad cars Monitor air traffic

17. Where Computers Are Used Money Record keeping Banking by phone Credit cards

18. Where Computers Are Used Agriculture Billing Crop information Feed combinations Livestock breeding and performance

19. Where Computers Are Used Government Forecast weather Manage parks Process immigrants Social Security benefits Taxes

20. Where Computers Are Used The Home Educational tool Record keeping Letter writing Budgeting Drawing and editing pictures Newsletters Connecting with others

21. Where Computers Are Used Health and Medicine Monitor patients Electronic imaging Diagnose illnesses

22. Where Computers Are Used Robotics Perform jobs that are dangerous for humans Factory work

23. Where Computers Are Used The Human Connection Assist the disabled Assist athletes by monitoring their movements

24. Where Computers Are Used The Sciences Research Simulation Connectivity Communication Telecommuting

25. Where Computers Are Used Training Airline pilots Railroad engineers Paperwork Junk mail Term paper Record keeping

26. Computers are all around! Grocery store School Library Bank Mail We interact with computers everyday! We interact with computers everyday!

27. Computer System People Software Hardware

28. People Computer programmer – person who writes programs Users or End-users – make use of the computer’s capabilities

29. Software Programs Set of instructions that directs the hardware to do a required task and produce the desired results

30. Hardware Basic Components of a Computer

31. Computer A machine that can be programmed to accept data (input), process it into useful information (output), and store it away (in secondary storage device) for safekeeping or later reuse Process is directed by software but performed by the hardware

32. Function of Computer System Data handling IInput PProcess OOutput SStorage

33. Input devices Accept data or commands and convert them to electronic form Getting data into the computer –Typing on a keyboard –Pointing with a mouse –Scanning with a wand reader or bar-code reader –Terminal

34. Output devices Monitor or screen Text Numbers Symbols Art Photographs Video Printer Black and white Color Convert from electronic form to some other form May display the processed results Usable information

35. The Processor Central Processing Unit (CPU) Converts data to useful information Interpret and execute instructions Communicate with input, output and storage

36. Two Types of Storage Secondary storage long-term storage Primary storage or memory temporary storage

37. Memory / Primary Storage Temporary storage Holds input to be processed Holds results of processing Contains the programs to control the computer and manipulate input into output Volatile

38. Secondary Storage Long-term storage Non-volatile

39. Secondary Storage Examples Magnetic disks – read and written by magnetic disk drive –Hard disk –Diskette Optical disks – read and written by optical disk drives –CD-ROM –DVD-ROM Magnetic tape – read and written by magnetic tape drives –Primarily used for back-up

40. Computer System Computer –CPU –Memory Peripheral equipment –Connected to the computer by a cable –Input, output, storage

41. Network Definition –A system that uses communications equipment to connect computers and their resources. Types –Local area network (LAN) – connects computers in close proximity –Metropolitan are network (MAN) – connect computers between buildings in the same geographic area –Wide are network (WAN) – connects computers over great distances

42. Home Connectivity Connect home PC to other computers Use modem to convert signals between electronic (computer) and analog (voice) formats

43. Internet Collection of networks No ownership No central source for services available No comprehensive index of what information is available Individuals Businesses Organizations Libraries Research labs Government Connects Everyone!

44. Getting Connected User’s computer must connect to a server Server must communicate using TCP/IP The user can purchase access to a server from an ISP (Internet Service Provider)

45. Internet – What Can You Do? WWW – World Wide Web FTP – File Transfer Protocol E-mail UseNet IRC – Internet Relay Chat Bulletin Boards

46. World Wide Web Browser – program that allows the user to move around and explore the Internet Use the mouse to point and click on text and graphics Web page Web site Home page

47. Classifications of Computers Use the computer that fits your needs Based upon –Size –Speed –Cost –Portability –Number of simultaneous users supported –Available software –Typical use

48. Personal Computers Other names –PC –Microcomputer –Home computer Categories –Low-end functional –Fully powered –Workstations –Net computer or net box (Web TV) Desktop Models

49. Notebook Computers Portable –Lightweight –Fits in a briefcase –Battery operated Laptop –Larger –Heavier More expensive that desktop models

50. Handheld Computers Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) –Scheduling –Addresses –Handwritten input –May offer wireless e-mail and fax Pocket –More power than PDA –Runs basic productivity software

51. Other Types of Computers Mainframes –High speed –More expensive –Used to process large amounts of data quickly –Support multiple users –Does server tasks Supercomputers –Fastest speed –Most expensive