Chapter 1
Introduction to
Computers
Chapter 1 Objectives
Recognize the importance of
computer literacy
Describe the categories of computers
Identify the components of
a computer
Discuss the uses of the Internet and
World Wide Web
Identify the types of
computer users
Discuss various computer
applications in society
Identify the categories of software
Next
A World of Computers
#1 What is computer literacy?


Knowledge and understanding
of computers and their uses
Computers are everywhere
p. 2 - 3 Fig. 1-1
Next
What Is a Computer?
#2 How is a computer defined?

Electronic device operating under the control of
instructions stored in its own memory
Accepts data
Raw facts, figures, and
symbols
Processes data into
information
Data that is organized,
meaningful, and useful
Produces and stores results
p. 3
Next
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
#17 What are the advantages of using computers?
Speed
Reliability
Storage
p. 5
Consistency
Communications
Next
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
#18 What are the disadvantages of using computers?
p. 5
Violation of
Privacy
Impact on
Labor Force
Health Risks
Impact on
Environment
Next
What Is a Computer?
#3 What is the information processing cycle?
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



p. 5 Fig. 1-2
Input
Process
Output
Storage
Communication
Next
The Components of a Computer
#10 & #11 What is an input device?

Hardware used
to enter data
and instructions
Click to view Web Link,
click Chapter 1, Click Web Link
from left navigation,
then click Input Devices
below Chapter 1
p. 6 Fig. 1-3
Next
The Components of a Computer
#12 & #13 What is an output device?

Hardware that
conveys
information
to one or more
people
Click to view Web Link,
click Chapter 1, Click Web Link
from left navigation,
then click Output Devices
below Chapter 1
p. 7 Fig. 1-3
Next
The Components of a Computer
Add to bottom of Pg 2 (14b) What is the system unit?

p. 7 Fig. 1-3
Box-like case
containing
electronic
components
used to process
data
Next
The Components of a Computer
What are two main components on the motherboard?
#14 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Also called a processor
The electronic component that interprets and carries
out the basic instructions that operate the computer
Memory
Consists of electronic components that store
instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by
those instructions
p. 7
Next
The Components of a Computer
#15 What is storage?

Holds data, instructions, and information
for future use
Storage media (Storage Medium)
Physical material on which data, instructions,
and information are stored on
Storage device
Actually does the recording and retrievingof
items to and from a storage medium
p. 7
Next
The Components of a Computer
#15 What is storage media?
Hard Disks
CDs
Floppy Disks
Memory Cards
USB Flash Drives
p. 7
DVDs
Next
The Components of a Computer
#15 What is a storage device?
Retrieves
(reads)
Records (writes)
items to storage
items from
media
storage
media
Often function
as a source
of input
p. 7
Next
The Components of a Computer
#15 What is a floppy disk?

p. 7
Thin, circular,
flexible disk
enclosed in rigid
plastic shell
Next
The Components of a Computer
#15 What is a USB flash drive?


p. 7
Provides much
greater storage
capacity than a
floppy disk or
Zip® disk
Small and
lightweight enough
to be transported
on a keychain or
in a pocket
Next
The Components of a Computer
#15 What is a hard disk?

Provides greater storage
capacity than a
floppy disk, Zip disk, or
USB flash drive

Most are housed inside
of the system unit
p. 7 Fig. 1-4
Next
The Components of a Computer
#15 What is a compact disc?

Flat, round, portable metal disc


p. 7 Fig. 1-5
CD-ROM
DVD-ROM
Next
The Components of a Computer
#16 What is a communications device?
Hardware component that
enables a computer to
send and receive data, instructions,
and information
Click to view Web Link,
click Chapter 1, Click Web Link
from left navigation,
then click Communications
Devices below Chapter 1
p. 8
Occurs over cables, telephone
lines, cellular radio networks,
satellites, and other
transmission media
Next
Networks and the Internet

#19 A network is a collection of computers and
devices connected together
To share
Resources
Hardware
devices Software
programs
p. 8
Data
To save
Information time
and
money
Next
Networks and the Internet
#21 What is the Internet?

Worldwide collection of networks that connects
millions of businesses, government agencies,
educational institutions, and individuals
Click to view Web Link,
click Chapter 1, Click Web Link
from left navigation,
then click Internet
below Chapter 1
p. 8 Fig. 1-6
Next
Networks and the Internet
21b Add to bottom of Pg. 2
Why do users access the Internet?
1. Communications
2. Information
3. Shopping
4. Banking and Investing
5. Classes
6. Entertainment
7. Download Music
8. Share Information
p. 9 Fig. 1-7
Next
Networks and the Internet
#21 What is the Web?

Billons of websites that contain billions of documents,
called Web pages, available to anyone connected to the
Internet
#21 A Web site is
a collection of
related Web pages
You can share
information by
creating Web pages
or posting photos on
a photo sharing
community
#22 A Web page contains
text, graphics, audio,
video, and links to
other Web pages
Click to view
Web Link,
click Chapter 1,
Click Web Link
from left navigation,
then click Blogs below Chapter 1
p. 10
A podcast is
recorded audio
stored on a Web site
that can be
downloaded
A blog consists of timestamped articles in
a journal format
Next
Computer Software
#4 What is software?
Consists of a series
of instructions that
tells the computer
what to do
Also called a
program
Software is installed onto your ROM (Read Only Memory). #5 ROM is
hardware. You interact with your software by using your hardware such as
mouse, keyboard, webcam, microphone, CPU, printer, monitor, etc..
p. 10
Next
Computer Software
#6 Change wording to what is GUI?
GUI is graphical user interface

Allows you to
interact with the
software using
graphics and icons

Controls how you
enter data and how
the screen displays
information
p. 10 Fig. 1-8
Next
Computer Software
What is system software?

Programs that control or maintain the operations of
the computer and its devices
#7 Operating System (OS)
is a set of programs
that coordinates all
activities among
computer hardware
devices and allows
users to run
application software
p. 10 - 11
#8 Utility Programs allow the user to
perform maintenance-type tasks
usually related to managing a
computer, its devices or its programs
Next
Computer Software
#9 What is application software?

Programs that perform
specific tasks for users
Word
Processing
Spreadsheet
Database
Presentation
Graphics
Click to view Web Link,
click Chapter 1, Click Web Link
from left navigation,
then click Application Software
below Chapter 1
p. 11 Fig. 1-9
Next
So what is the difference between the Operating
System Software and Application Software?



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The operating system of a computer is the software that allows the
computer to work.
It provides the framework under which the software applications
run.
An operating system is the type of computer system you have such
as Window 8 or Window 7, Mac OS, etc.
The applications are the software that actually allows the user to do
something with the computer.
Without the applications, all you can do is change settings and
navigate among the folders.
You can purchase software CDs from a software company or
download from a software company’s web site such as Microsoft
Office (Word, Excel), Photoshop, The Sims, Adobe Premiere,
Quickbooks, etc..
Computer Software
How do you install and run programs?
Step 1: INSTALL
When you insert a greeting
card program disc
in the CD drive for the first
time, the computer
begins the procedure of
installing the greeting
card program on the hard
disk.
Step 3: USE
The greeting card program
executes. Using this program,
you can create custom greeting
cards.
p. 11 - 12 Fig. 1-10
Step 2: RUN
Once installed, you can
instruct the computer to run
the greeting card program.
The computer transfers
instructions from the hard
disk to memory.
Next
Computer Software
What is a programmer?

Someone who develops
application or system
software

p. 12 Fig. 1-11
Programmer writes
the instructions to
direct the computer to
process data into
information
Next
Categories of Computers
#27 What are the categories of computers?
Personal Computers
(desktop)
Mobile Computers and
Mobile Devices
Game Consoles
Servers
Mainframes
Supercomputers
Embedded Computers
p. 13
Next
Now go to your textbook
and answer #28 -33
Personal Computers
What are the two most popular series of personal
computers?


PC and compatibles
use the Windows
operating system
Apple Macintosh
uses the Macintosh
operating system
(Mac OS)
Click to view Web Link,
click Chapter 1, Click
Web Link from left
navigation, then click Personal
Computers below Chapter 1
p. 14 Figs. 1-13–1-14
Next
Personal Computers
What is a desktop computer?

Designed so all of the components fit on or under
a desk or table
p. 14 Fig. 1-13
Next
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
What is a notebook computer?



Portable, small enough
to fit on your lap
Also called a laptop
computer
Generally more
expensive than a desktop
computer
p. 14 - 15 Fig. 1-15
Next
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
What is a Tablet PC?



Resembles a letter-sized slate
Allows you to write on the
screen using a digital pen
Especially useful for taking
notes
p. 15 Fig. 1-16
Next
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
What is a handheld computer?
Small
enough to fit
in one
hand
p. 15
Used
by mobile
employees such as
meter readers and
delivery people
Next
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
What is a personal digital assistant (PDA)?

Provides personal organizer functions





p. 15 Fig. 1-17
Calendar
Appointment book
Address book
Calculator
Notepad
Next
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
What are smart phones?
A smart phone is
an Internet-enabled
telephone that usually
provides PDA capabilities
p. 16 Figs. 1-18
Next
Game Consoles
What are game consoles?
Mobile computing device designed for
single-player or multiplayer video games
p. 16 Fig. 1-19
Next
Servers
#34, #35 & Pg. 19 What types of servers are
there?
A server
controls access to network
resources and provides centralized
storage
Mainframe Very powerful,
expensive computer that supports
thousands of computers
Supercomputer The fastest, most
powerful, most expensive
computer. Used for applications
requiring complex mathematical
calculations
p. 16 - 17 Figs. 1-20–1-22
Next
Embedded Computers
# 36 and Pg 19-20 What is an embedded computer?

A special-purpose computer that functions as a
component in a larger product
p. 17 - 18 Fig. 1-23
Next
Examples of Computer Usage
What





p. 18
are five categories of computer users?
Home User
Small Office/Home Office User
Mobile User
Power User
Large Business User
Next
Examples of Computer Usage
What software is available for a home user?
 Personal Finance Management
 Web access
 Communications
 Entertainment
p. 18 - 19 Fig. 1-24
Next
Examples of Computer Usage
What software is available for a small
office/home office (SOHO) user?




Productivity
software
Specialty
software
Web usage
E-mail
**A business is
considered a small
office if they have 50
or fewer employees.
p. 20 Fig. 1-25
Next
Examples of Computer Usage
What is available for
a mobile user?

Hardware





Notebook computers
PDAs
Smart phones
Tablet PCs
Software



p. 20 Fig. 1-26
Word processing
Spreadsheet
Presentation graphics
software
Next
Examples of Computer Usage
What are the needs of a power user?


Speed and large amounts of storage
Types of power users




p. 21 Fig. 1-27
Engineers
Architects
Desktop publishers
Graphic artists
Next
Examples of Computer Usage
What are the needs of the large business user?




Payroll
Inventory
E-commerce
Desktop
publishing
p. 21 - 22 Figs. 1-28–1-29
Next
# 43 Computer Applications in Society
What are some examples
of computer applications
in society?
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






Education
Finance
Government
Healthcare
Science
Publishing
Travel
Manufacturing
p. 22-25 Figs. 1-30–1-37
Next
Telesurgery Video
Robots in the Automotive Industry
Now use your textbook
to answer #44 - #52
Summary of Introduction to Computers
The computer and its components
Categories of computers
What is a network?
The Internet and the
World Wide Web
Types of computer users
Computer applications in society
Types of software
Chapter 1 Complete