Unit Number 1: Digital Literacy
Activity 4: Where will I work?
Overview
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------In order to work in a digital environment, it is important to have an understanding of and know
the terminology associated with the workstation, hardware and software.
In order to make good decisions about what computer equipment will best suit your needs for
your business, you will need to know about hardware and software.
A computer workstation is a standalone computer generally used in a business or professional
setting. These are often personal computers that are connected to a local area network in order
to share resources such as a printer. The workstation generally includes the following computer
components: monitor, keyboard, mouse and system unit.
These components perform the basic function of a computer:
Input: Any device that allows data to be entered into the computer system. Examples include a
keyboard, microphone, joystick, light pen, modem.
Processing: Completed in the "Central Processing Unit", where the raw data entered into the
computer is converted into a usable form and then temporarily stored. This is where all the
action takes place. The processing or "system" unit contains a motherboard, microprocessor,
power supply, primary memory (RAM), expansion ports or "slots".
Storage: Sometimes known as "secondary" or "auxiliary" storage. This is where information can
be stored so that it can be retrieved at a later date. Examples include a hard drive, zip drive,
floppy disk, USB storage devices.
Output: The form by which the result of the process is displayed. Examples of output devices
include a monitor, printer, speakers, modem.
We will be examining the input, processing and output devices. Storage devices will be
examined in detail later in the unit.
Input Devices
The keyboard is a device used to input data by keying it in. Although this is a very tedious
method of inputting data, it is a very common one.
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There are many other types of input devices.
Pointing devices are used to move a pointer around on the screen in order to execute
commands. The mouse is a very common pointing device, but there are many others. - mouse,
graphic tablets, joysticks, touch pads, track stick, your finger on a touch screen, stylus.
Joystick 12
Touchpad 14
Stylus13
Scanning devices read text or graphics from paper and change it into a format that the
computer can use. Although the flatbed scanner to scan pictures is common, there are several
other types of scanning devices: barcode scanner, magnetic card reader and fingerprint
scanner.
Barcode scanner 15
Magnetic card reader 16
Image input devices are as follows: Digital camera and Webcam Camcorder.
Digital camera 17
Webcam 18
Camcorder 19
Audio input devices include the microphone and speech recognition devices.
Processing
The system unit is where the processing of data is done. When you open the case, you will see a
a fan, a power supply and a large circuit board which is called the motherboard. The
motherboard holds the microprocessor, main memory, connectors, battery and support chips.
Other components such as sound and graphic cards, external storage and peripheral devices
can be attached to the mother board.
Motherboard components long description
CPU socket - the connector between the motherboard and the processor
RAM slot - the slot for adding and replacing memory chips
Floppy disk controller - circuitry to control the reading from and writing to the floppy disk drive
IDE (Integrated/Intelligent Drive Electronics) - the hard drive interface
PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) slot - connectors to add other devices such as video
cards, sound cards, modem.
AGP slot - a high speed connection for a video card
I/O (Input/Output) ports - ports used to transfer data to and from input and output devices such as
the keyboard, mouse and printer
Input/Output Ports
I/O (Input/Ouput) Ports are used to connect peripheral devices to the motherboard. Serial ports
are used for modems and digitizer tablets and parallel ports are used for printers. While serial
and parallel ports are still in use, it is becoming more common to connect peripheral devices
using a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The central processing unit (CPU) is the
brain of the computer. It is a small
processor (chip) that interprets and
executes instructions contained in
software. The processor's speed is
measured in MHz (megahertz) or GHz
(gigahertz). The faster the processor,
the faster your computer can process
instructions. A desktop processor's
speed should be at least 3.4 GHz. Two
manufacturers of CPUs are AMD
(Athlon) and the INTEL (Pentium).
Memory - RAM and ROM
RAM The computer's main memory is
random access memory or RAM. RAM
is short term memory in that it is
generally erased when the computer
is shut down. The RAM memory
determines the size and number of
programs that it can run. Current PCs
generally have 1 gigabyte (GB) of
RAM. A circuit board with additional
memory chips can be installed.
ROM
Read-only memory (ROM) is memory which can be read only and not
changed. It is used to store system programs that need to be
available to the computer at all times. The BIOS (Basic Input and
Output System) chips are an example of ROM memory - the
computer uses it in order to boot up.
Output Devices
An output device receives information from the computer and puts it into a form that a human
can use. Output can be in hard copy or soft copy.
Hard copy
Hard copy output is permanent and can be stored. Devices such as a printer or a plotter are
used to produce a hard copy.
Types of printers
Laser printers can print 30 ppm (pages per minute) and with 600 dpi (dots per inch). Laser
printers use toner which is heated and pressed on the paper. The resolution or clarity of the
image is determined by the dots per inch.
Ink Jet printers shoot droplets of ink onto the paper into order to create a character or image.
Ink Jet printers can print 29 ppm and can with 2400 dpi
Dot matrix printers are similar to a typewriter in that print is formed when a pin strikes a
ribbon.
Plotters produce graphic images by using a pen that is attached to a movable arm.
Be sure to check out the price of consumables (supplies) when purchasing a printer!
Soft copy output is transient and lost when the computer is shut off. Some examples of soft
copy are the monitor and voice output.
Flat top monitors (LCDs or liquid crystal display) have a crisp image and save a great deal of
desk space.
Traditional monitors (CRTs or cathode ray tube) can handle fast moving graphics better but use
much more desk space.
Resolution (dots per inch) and screen size are important considerations when purchasing a
monitor.
Software
Software is a set of instructions that tell the computer what to do. Software can be categorized
into:

operating system software;

applications software.
Operating system software
A computer requires an operating system (OS) in order to function. The most essential and
frequently used items (the kernel) are loaded into the main memory (RAM) and the less
frequently used are stored on the hard drive and loaded into memory when needed. The
operating system performs the following functions:

Job Management determines the order and timing in which programs run;

Task Management prioritizes the running of programs;

Data Management keeps track of where data is stored;

Device Management controls peripheral devices through software called drivers which
are installed into the operating system;

Security is provided in a multi user environment by providing passwords and scheduling
backups.
Some operating systems that you might be familiar with are:
Windows NT, ME, 2000 and XP;
Mac OS;
Unix - used in server systems in business and educational environments;
Linux - a free software available to the public to use, modify and redistribute.
Application Software
Application software are programs used to perform tasks other than run the computer. It is the
application software that allows the user to accomplish work. The following are some of the
application software that we will be using during this course.

Word processing software is used to create and edit text files with basic graphics
functions.

Spreadsheet software is used to create and edit rows and columns with numbers.
Spreadsheets are used for performing calculations such as in budgets or financial
analysis.

Database software is used to create and edit records in order to sort and filter data
according to criteria.

Presentation software is used to create slide shows with text, graphics, animations and
transitions.

Web authoring software is used to create and edit html for a web site.

Internet browser software is used to navigate on the web.

Adobe Acrobat Reader software used to read portable document files (pdf) files.
Some application software that you might be familiar with are:
Microsoft Word or Corel Word Perfect
Microsoft Excel or Corel Quattro Pro
Microsoft Access or Corel Paradox
Microsoft PowerPoint or Corel Presentation
Microsoft Front Page or Macromedia Dreamweaver
Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator