CS101 : Introduction to Information Technology
Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers
Chapter 1: Objectives
1. Recognize the importance of computer literacy
2. Define the term, computer
3. Identify the components of a computer
4. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
using computers
5. Recognize the purpose of a network
6. Discuss the uses of the Internet and World
Wide Web
7. Distinguish between system software and
application software
8. Describe the categories of computers
9. Identify the elements of an information system
10. Describe the various types of computer users
11. Discuss various computer applications in society
COMPUTER LITERACY
 Awareness
o Becoming aware of the importance,
versatility, and pervasiveness of
computers in our society
 Knowledge
o Learning what computers are and how
they work
o Learning some technical jargon
 Interaction
o Knowing how to use computers for
some simple applications
COMPUTER
 Electronic device operating under the control of
instructions stored in its own memory
 Accepts data
o Raw facts, figures, and symbols
 Processes data into information
o Data that is organized, meaningful, and
useful
 Produces and stores results
COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER
Input Device
 Hardware used to enter dataand instructions
Output Device
 Hardware that conveys information
to one or morepeople
System Unit
 Casecontainingelectroniccomponentsused to
processdata

main components on the motherboard
o Processor
 Also called a Central Processing
Unit (CPU)
 The electronic component that
interprets and carries
out the basic instructions that
operate the computer
o Memory
 Consists of electronic
components that store
instructions waiting to be
executed and data needed by
those instructions
Storage Unit
 Holds data, instructions, and information
for future use
 Storage media
o Physical material on which data,
instructions, and information are stored
 Storage device
o Records and retrieves items to and from
storage media
 Floppy Disk
o Thin, circular, flexible
disk enclosed in a square- shaped
plastic shell
o Stores up to about 1.4
million characters
 USB Flash Drive
o Provides much greater storage capacity
than a
floppy disk or Zip® disk
o Small and lightweight enough to be
transported on a keychain or in a
pocket
 Hard Disk
o Provides greater storage
capacity than a
floppy disk, Zip disk, or
USB flash drive
o Most are housed inside
of the system unit.
 Compact Disk
o Flat, round, portable metal disc
 CD-ROM
 DVD-ROM
http://edmodo.com
Angielyn J. Jebulan
CS101 : Introduction to Information Technology
Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers
Communication Device
 Hardware component thatenables a computer
to send and receive data,instructions, and
information
 Occurs over cables, telephonelines, cellular
radio networks,satellites, and othertransmission
media
Advantages of Using Computers
 Speed
 Reliability
 Consistency
 Storage
 Communication
Disadvantages of Using Computers
 Violation of privacy
 Impact on labor force
 Health risks
 Impact on environment
Web






NETWORKS AND THE INTERNET
Network
 Collection of computers and devices connected
together
 Used to
o share resources
o hardware devices
o software programs
o data
o information
» saves time and money
Server
 A server manages the resources on a network
 Clients access the resources on the server
Internet
 Worldwide collection of networks that connects
millions of businesses, government agencies,
educational institutions, and individuals
 Users access the Internet for:
o Communication
o Information
o Shopping
o Banking & Investment
o Classes
o Entertainment
o Download Music
o Share Information
Billions of documents, called Web pages,
available to anyone connected to the Internet
A Web site is a collection of related Web pages
A Web page contains text, graphics, audio,
video, and links to other Web pages
You can share information by creating Web
pages or posting photos on a photo sharing
community
A blog consists of time-stamped articles ina
journal format
A podcast is recorded audio stored on a Web
sitethat can bedownloaded
COMPUTER SOFTWARE
Software
 Consists of a seriesof instructions that
tells the computerwhat to do
 Also called a program
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
 Allows you to interact with the software using
graphics and icons
 Controls how you enter data and how the
screen displays information
System Software
 Programs that control or maintain the
operations of the computer and its devices
 Operating System (OS)
o is a set of programs that coordinates all
activities among computer hardware
devices and allows users to run
application software
 Utility Programs
o allow the user to perform maintenancetype tasks usually related to managing a
computer, its devices or its programs
Application Software
 Programs that perform specific tasks for users
 Examples:
o word processing
o spreadsheet
o database
o presentation graphics
Programmer
 Someone who developsapplication or system
software
http://edmodo.com
Angielyn J. Jebulan
CS101 : Introduction to Information Technology
Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers

Programmer writesthe instructions to
direct the computer to process data into
information
CATEGORIES OF COMPUTERS
1. Personal Computers
Most Popular Series of Personal Computers
 PC and compatibles use the Windows operating
system
 Apple Macintosh uses the Macintosh operating
system (Mac OS)
Desktop Computer
 Designed so all of the components fit entirely
on or under a desk or table
Notebook Computer
 Portable, small enough to fit on your lap
 Also called a laptop computer
 Generally more expensive than a desktop
computer
Tablet PC
 Resembles a letter-sized slate
 Allows you to write on the screen using a digital
pen
 Especially useful for taking notes
Mobile Devices
 Small enough tocarry in a pocket
 Internet-enabledtelephone is a
“smart telephone”
Handheld Computer
 Small enough to fit in one hand
 Used by mobile employees such as meter
readers and delivery people
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
 Provides personal organizer functions
o Calendar
o Appointment book
o Address book
o Calculator
o Notepad
Smart Phones
 A smart phone isan Internet-enabledtelephone
that usuallyprovides PDA capabilities
2. Game Consoles
 Mobile computing device designed for singleplayer or multiplayer video games
3. Servers
 A server controls access to network resources
and provides centralized storage
4. Mainframe
 Very powerful, expensive computer that
supports thousands of computers
5. Supercomputer
 The fastest, most powerful, most expensive
computer.
 Used for applications requiring complex
mathematical calculations
6. Embedded Computer
 A special-purpose computer that functions as a
component in a larger product
Elements of an Information System
 Hardware
 Software
 Data
 People
 Procedures
Computer Applications in Society
 Education
 Finance
 Government
 Healthcare
 Science
 Publishing
 Travel
 Manufacturing
Summary of Introduction to Computers
 Basic computer concepts
 The term, Computer
 The advantages & disadvantages of using
computers
 The components of a computer
 The purpose of a network
 The uses of the Internet
 Computer Software
 Categories of computers
 Computer applications in society
http://edmodo.com
Angielyn J. Jebulan