1. McGraw-Hill/Irwin Copyright © 2013 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Extended Learning Module A Computer Hardware and Software

2. Mod A-2 INTRODUCTION  Information technology – any computer-based tool that people use to work with information and support the information and information- processing needs of an organization

3. Mod A-3 Six Categories of Hardware Keyboard (input) CDs (storage) Video card (connecting) CPU Cable modem (telecommunications) Monitor (output)

4. Mod A-4 Two Major Categories of Software 1. Application software – to solve specific problems or perform specific tasks 2. System software – handles tasks specific to technology management and coordinates the interaction of all technology devices  Two main types of system software  Operating system software  Utility software

5. Mod A-5 COMPUTER CATEGORIES (BY SIZE) Tablet PC Smartphone Notebook

6. Mod A-6 COMPUTER CATEGORIES (BY SIZE) Minicomputers Mainframe Supercomputer

7. Mod A-7 HARDWARE – PHYSICAL INTERFACE  Representation of information  Binary digit (bit) – smallest unit of information your computer can process  Byte – eight bits or the number of bits it takes to represent one natural character  ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) – coding system that personal computers use

8. Mod A-8 Common Input Devices

9. Mod A-9 Common Output Devices

10. Mod A-10 Common Storage Devices

11. Mod A-11 Flash Memory Cards  Flash memory drive – very small storage device that plugs into USB port  Flash memory card – high capacity storage laminated inside a small piece of plastic  Secure Digital (SD) card – most popular type of flash memory cards  Micro SD cards – often used in smartphones and tablets

12. Mod A-12 CPU and RAM

13. Mod A-13 CPU and Ram at Work

14. Mod A-14 Connectors and Ports

15. Mod A-15 Wireless Connections  Infrared IR or IrDA (infrared data association) – uses red light to send and receive information  Bluetooth – transmits information as radio waves for a distance of 30 feet  WiFi (wireless fidelity) or IEEE 802.11a, b, g or n – transmits information as radio waves for a distance of up to several miles