Chapter 1
Digital Technologies: Exploring a Wealth of Possibilities
Chapter Outline
1.1 Just What Is a Computer?
Key Terms
computer
analog computer
digital computer
1.2 Computers in All Shapes
and Sizes
Supercomputer
Desktop
supercomputer
petaflop
computer cluster
render farm
desktop computer
Laptop
laptop
Tablet PC
Tablet PC
Netbook
netbook
Spotlight on the Future
Podcast: Will Computers
Help Us Live Forever?
The Convergence of Computing
Devices
Take the Next Step: Activity
1.2.1
1.3 Who Is Using Computers
and How?
Our Digital World
© Paradigm Publishing, Inc.
technological
convergence
convergence device
Study Questions
What is the difference between an analog
and a digital computer?
What is an example of an analog
computer?
What is an example of a digital
computer?
What are the two broad groups of
computers?
What companies manufacture each of the
groups?
How are supercomputers used?
What do flops measure?
What industries use computer clusters and
render farms?
What peripherals are usually included in a
desktop computer setup?
What differentiates a laptop from a
desktop?
How are laptops used today?
About how much does a Tablet PC
weigh?
How are Tablet PCs used?
What type of input devices are used in a
Tablet PC?
What is the typical screen size and weight
of a netbook?
Netbooks were originally designed for
what purposes?
What operating systems are used with
netbooks? How will this change in the
near future?
What does it mean that advances in
computing power progress
exponentially?
What is the technological singularity
discussed in the podcast?
How does Kurzweil posit that technology
and biology will merge to extend
human longevity?
What is meant by technological
convergence?
What are some examples of convergence
devices?
What makes up a computer system?
How are computers used in businesses?
How are they used in homes?
Page 1 of 3
Chapter Outline
Computers Are Everywhere
Key Terms
ubiquitous computing
Finding a Career in Computing
computer engineering
(CE)
computer science (CS)
information systems (IS)
information technology
(IT)
software engineering (SE)
Take the Next Step: Activity
1.3.1
webmaster
Internet law
web designer
1.4 What Is Information
Technology?
Differentiating Between Data
and Information
The Information Processing
Cycle
data
information
information processing
cycle
Input
binary system
bit
byte
input
Processing
central processing unit
(CPU)
processing
microprocessor
computer memory
random access memory
(RAM)
cache memory
output
resolution
pixel
storage
file
Output
Storage
Our Digital World: Introduction to Computing
© Paradigm Publishing, Inc.
Study Questions
What is an example of ubiquitous
computing?
What is another term for ubiquitous
computing?
What areas of computing are
encompassed by the field of computer
engineering?
What types of work might people
working in computer science do?
What types of problems does an
information systems worker tackle?
How is information technology different
from information systems?
What do software engineers do?
What computer jobs has the Web
produced?
Why are IT departments in an
organization important?
What do they do?
What is the difference between data and
information?
What are the four parts of the information
processing cycle?
Where does it end?
How is the binary system different from
the decimal system?
What is the relationship between bits and
bytes?
How are data entered into a computer?
What are the types of input devices that
may be used?
What does the CPU do?
What are microprocessors? What do they
do? What are they made of?
How is RAM used? How long are data
stored in RAM?
How does cache memory work?
How might you receive output from your
computing device?
How does resolution relate to pixels?
What types of permanent storage are used
in today's computers?
How has permanent storage changed
through the years?
What is the basic storage unit? What
might be contained in it?
How is storage capacity measured?
Chapter 1 Study Notes
Page 2 of 3
Chapter Outline
Take the Next Step: Activity
1.4.1
Take the Next Step: Activity
1.4.2
Key Terms
DRAM
SDRAM
SDRAM
machine cycle
instruction register
Our Digital World: Introduction to Computing
© Paradigm Publishing, Inc.
Study Questions
What are the various types of RAM?
What is the machine cycle?
Chapter 1 Study Notes
Page 3 of 3