1. Computers and Computer Systems
Computing Fundamentals
Lesson 1, Part 1
Computer Literacy Basics
Morrison & Wells

2. How Computers Are Used Computers have changed the way: we bank
we buy groceries
we shop for toys
we do homework
play video games
watch tv and movies
communicate with each other

3. What is a Computer? An electronic device that receives data (input)
processes data
stores data
produces a result (output)

4. A Brief History of the Computer
Computers—developed in the late 1940s and early 1950s
Examples: UNIVAC and ENIAC
First used by the military and government
Less processing power than today’s iPhone, occupied small buildings, and cost millions of dollars

5. A Brief History of the Computer
Computers—developed in the mid 1950s through early 1970s
Smaller and more powerful
Still limited in what they could do
Expensive, so only major companies and government could afford them

6. A Brief History of the Computer
1971—microprocess developed by Dr. Ted Hoff
1976—Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak built the first Apple computer
1980—Bill Gates worked with IBM and developed DOS for the IBM PC
1981—PC became the choice for business

7. What is a Computer System? Hardware, Software, Data, and People
Hardware—the physical equipment that can be seen and touched.
Keyboard, processor, monitor, printer
Software—the set of instructions that tells the computer what to do.
System software programs
Application software programs

8. What is a Computer System?
Data—new facts entered into the computer to be processed
Text
Numbers
Sounds, images, and video
Entered via input device:
Keyboard
Voice activation
Storage media
Scanning

9. What is a Computer System?
People—users of the computers who enter the data and use the output

10. The Information Processing Cycle
Input Data
Process Data
Output Data
Store Data and Information

11. Classifying Computers
Special-purpose computers
Used mostly to control something else
Ex.—chip in dishwasher, airport radar system
General-purpose computers
Divided into categories—next slide

12. Classifying Computers
General-purpose computers
Desktop and notebook (laptop) computers—most widely used PCs
PC & Apple Macintosh
Server—supports few users or 100s of users
Network servers
Application servers
Web server
Database server
File server

13. Classifying Computers
General-purpose computers
Mobile devices—fit in the palm of your hand
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
Calculators
Smart Phones
Cell Phones
Electronic organizers
Handheld games

14. Classifying Computers
General-purpose computers
Tablet PC—similar to a laptop but uses a stylus or digital pen with touch screen
Mainframe computer
Used by large companies to perform tasks for many users
Supercomputer
Fastest
Used by government and large corporations
Millions of dollars

15. Classifying Computers
Other types of computer devices
Embedded computers—digital watch, MP3 player, household appliances
Portable music and media players—MP3 players and portable DVD players
Calculators
Computer Game Systems—Sony Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft XBox
Electronic book readers

16. Computing Fundamentals Lesson 1, Part 1
The End!