1. Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8 th edition Unit A: Computer and Internet Basics

2. Objectives Define computers Explore how computers work Categorize computers Examine personal computers Introduce software Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 2

3. Objectives (continued) Introduce the Internet and the Web Understand email basics Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 3

4. Defining Computers Computer  An electronic device that: Accepts input Processes data Stores data Produces output  Uses instructions in stored programs Personal computer (PC) Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 4

5. Defining Computers (continued) Computer system includes:  Hardware Electronic and mechanical parts of the computer  Peripheral devices Hardware that can be added to a computer system to expand what a computer can do  Software Computer program that tells the computer how to perform tasks Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 5

6. 6 Figure A-1: A basic computer system

7. Defining Computers (continued) Input devices: keyboard, mouse, etc. Output devices: monitor, printer, speakers, etc. Digitization  Converting text, numbers, sound, photos, and video into data that can be processed by digital devices Digital convergence  Blending several technologies into a single product Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 7

8. Exploring How Computers Work Turning on a computer  May need to enter user ID and password Computer program, or program  Instructions that tell a computer how to carry out processing tasks Central processing unit (CPU)  Main processor in a computer Memory: temporarily holds data Storage: holds data on a permanent basis Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 8

9. Exploring How Computers Work (continued) File: named collection of data that exists on a storage medium Storage medium: hard disk, CD, DVD, flash drive, etc. Turning off a computer  Microsoft Windows computer: use Start button  Apple Macintosh computer: use Apple icon Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 9

10. 10 Figure A-4: Start button in different versions of Windows

11. Categorizing Computers Personal computers include:  Desktop computers  Portable computers Notebook computers (sometimes called laptop computers) Netbooks Tablet computers Handheld computer  A personal digital assistant (PDA) with enhanced features Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 11

12. Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 12 Figure A-5: Examples of personal desktop computers

13. Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 13 Figure A-6: Examples of portable personal computers

14. Categorizing Computers (continued) Workstations  Powerful desktop computers designed for specialized tasks Mainframe computer  Large, expensive computer which can process data for thousands of users Supercomputer The term server has several meanings  Can refer to hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 14

15. Examining Personal Computers Basic parts of a desktop personal computer system  System unit  Display device: monitor  Keyboard  Mouse  Storage devices Hard disk drive USB flash drive Optical drives Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 15

16. Examining Personal Computers (continued) Basic parts of a desktop personal computer system (continued)  Sound system  Printer  Network and Internet access Modem  Web cam Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 16

17. Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 17 Figure A-9: Typical desktop computer system with examples of peripherals

18. Examining Personal Computers (continued) Portable computers  Come with built-in flat-panel monitor, keyboard, and speakers  Other devices can be connected Computer network  Two or more computers and other devices connected for sharing data and programs  LAN (local area network) Internet: the largest network in the world Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 18

19. Introducing Software Operating system (OS)  Master controller for all activities that take place within a computer system  Classified as system software Computer platform  PC platform (also called Windows platform) Windows operating system  Mac platform Macintosh OS  Linux OS Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 19

20. Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 20 Figure A-10: Popular operating systems

21. Introducing Software (continued) Graphical user interface (GUI)  Displays on-screen graphical controls Application software  Computer programs that help you use the computer to carry out tasks  Examples: Adobe Reader, Microsoft Word, or Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 Sharing files depends on system compatibility Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 21

22. Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 22 Figure A-11: Popular elements of a GUI

23. Introducing the Internet and the Web Use the Internet to communicate with others  Electronic mail (also called email)  Chat group  Instant messaging (IM)  Internet telephony Also called Voice Over IP (VoIP)  Blog Web (short for World Wide Web)  Collection of Web pages, interconnected through the use of hypertext or links Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 23

24. Introducing the Internet and the Web (continued) A browser is used to view Web pages Web site: a group of Web pages  Home page Search site: to find information on the Web  Search engine URL (Uniform Resource Locator)  Every Web page has a unique address HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)  Communications standard used to transport Web pages over the Internet Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 24

25. Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 25 Figure A-14: Viewing a Web page

26. Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 26 Figure A-15: Parts of a URL

27. Understanding Email Basics Email account  Need an email provider Such as Internet service provider, university, Gmail, Hotmail, etc.  Email address An email message has several parts  Recipient’s email address  Address of additional recipients  Message subject and body  File attachments Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 27

28. Understanding Email Basics (continued) Email is based on store-and-forward technology Email attachment  Any file that travels with an email message Netiquette (Internet etiquette)  Guidelines for maintaining civilized, effective communications online and in emails Emoticons  Symbols that can be added to a message to help convey an emotion Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 28

29. Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 29 Figure A-16: Parts of an email address

30. Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 30 Figure A-17: Parts of an email message

31. Talking Points: Who Is Reading Your E-Mail? Think of your email as a postcard rather than a letter  FBI has e-mail scanning technology  Many U.S. businesses monitor employee email  Your email may be forwarded to others  E-mail providers store backups of your email and can gather data from them  Court decisions seem to state that email messages on an organization’s system are the property of the organization Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 31

32. Summary This chapter introduced:  Computer terms and concepts  Basic parts of a computer system  Different kinds of personal computers  Various types of software  The Internet, the World Wide Web, and e- mail  Ways to preserve your privacy when using e-mail Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 32