1. FIRST COURSE Essential Computer Concepts

2. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition2 Objectives Compare the types of computers Describe the components of a computer system Describe input and output peripheral devices Examine data representation and the ASCII code Define memory and storage Identify the hardware and software that are used for data communications and to establish a network connection

3. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition3 Objectives Explain how Internet access, e-mail, and the World Wide Web affect the use of computers Describe potential security threats to computers and protection methods Discuss the types of system software and their functions Identify popular application software Describe how data is shared among different types of application software

4. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition4 What Is a Computer? A computer is an electronic device that accepts information and instructions from a user, manipulates the information according to the instructions, displays the information in some way, and stores the information for retrieval later

5. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition5 Types of Computers Personal computers (PCs) Desktop computers Notebook (laptop) computers Tablet PCs Handheld computers PDA (personal digital assistant) MP3 players Mainframe computers Supercomputers

6. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition6 Types of Computers

7. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition7 Computer Systems Includes computer hardware and software – Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer – Software refers to the intangible components of a computer system, particularly the programs, or lists of instructions, the computer needs to perform a specific task The design and construction of the hardware of a particular computer is referred to as its architecture or configuration The technical details about each component are called specifications

8. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition8 Processing Hardware The motherboard is the main electronic component of the computer – Circuit board which controls the specific functions – It has the processing hardware

9. XP Processing Hardware The microprocessor is one of the most important pieces of processing hardware on the motherboard – Also called CPU (Central processing Unit) – Transistor and electronic circuits on a silicon chip Cards are removable circuit boards New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition9

10. XP Processing Hardware Microprocessor Speed: – Clock speed: Is measured in MHz (million cycles per second) or GHz (billion cycles per second) – Word Size (number of bits processed per second) – Dual and Single core processor Two processors on single chip One Processor on single chip New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition10

11. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition11 Input and Output The data or instructions you type into the computer are called input The result of the computer processing your input is referred to as output Peripheral devices accomplish input and output functions

12. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition12 Input Devices You use an input device, such as a keyboard or a mouse, to input data and issue commands – Keyboard Ergonomic – Pointing device Controls the pointer Mouse – Scroll wheel Trackball Touch pad Pointing stick – Scanner

13. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition13 Output Devices Output devices show you the results of processing data – Monitor Flat panel LCD CRT – Printer Laser Inkjet Dot matrix

14. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition14 Data Representation Binary digits (bits) A series of eight bits is called a byte – Kilobyte (KB or K) – Gigabyte (GB) – Terabyte (TB) ASCII – American Standard Code for Information Interchange

15. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition15 Memory Random access memory (RAM) – Volatile memory Constantly changing as computer is on – SDRAM Synchronous dynamic RAM (synchronized with processor)

16. XP Memory Cache memory (RAM cache or CPU cache) – Special high speed memory chip on motherboard – Frequently and recently accessed data and commands are stored here Virtual memory – Simulates additional RAM New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition16

17. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition17 Memory Read-only memory (ROM) – BIOS (Basic Input Output System) Basic functionality like motherboard instructions, recognize peripherals, and start boot process – Nonvolatile memory Complementary metal oxide semiconductor memory (CMOS) – Semipermanent memory – Hardware memory changes if hardware changed – Stores date and time

18. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition18 Storage Media A computer file is a named collection of stored data An executable file contains the instructions that tell a computer how to perform a specific task A data file is created by a user

19. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition19 Storage Media Magnetic media – Hard disk

20. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition20 Storage Media – Tape – Floppy disk Optical storage device – CD – DVD – CD-R – CD-RW – CD-ROM

21. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition21 Storage Media Flash memory – Flash memory cards – USB flash storage device – USB drive (flash drive)

22. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition22 Data Communications The transmission of text, numeric, voice, or video data from one computer to another or to a peripheral device is called data communications – Sender and receiver – Channel – Protocol – Device driver (driver)

23. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition23 Data Bus This path between the microprocessor, RAM, and peripherals is called the data bus Controller card Expansion card Expansion slot

24. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition24 Networks A network connects one computer to other computers and peripheral devices, enabling you to share data and resources with others Network interface card (NIC) LAN WAN WLAN PAN WiMax

25. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition25 Telecommunications Telecommunications means communicating over a comparatively long distance using a phone line or some other data conduit – Modem Digital and analog signals – DSL

26. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition26 The Internet The Internet is the largest network in the world, connecting millions of people – Electronic mail – World Wide Web Web page Web site

27. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition27 Security Threats on Your Computer Security refers to the steps a computer owner takes to prevent unauthorized use of or damage to the computer – Malware Viruses – Antivirus software Spyware Adware Firewall Phishing Pharming

28. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition28 System Software System software manages the fundamental operations of your computer – Operating system System resource Multitasking – Utilities – Programming Languages

29. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition29 Application Software Application software enables you to perform specific computer tasks, such as document production, spreadsheet calculations, and database management – Document production software

30. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition30 Application Software – Web site creation and management software – Spreadsheet software – Database management software

31. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition31 Application Software Presentation software

32. XP New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows Vista Edition32 Application Software Photo editing software Multimedia authoring software Accounting software Information management software