Kin 260
Computer Applications for
Kinesiology Majors
Introductory Lecture
Jackie Kiwata
Introductions
Tell us…
• Your Name
• Year in School
• Favorite Website and Why?
Overview
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Hardware
Software
Networks
Security
What do computers consist of?
Best Buy ad for Sony Laptop
Specs read:
•Intel® Centrino® Duo Processor
Technology Intel® Core™ 2 Duo
Processor
•Windows Vista™ Home Premium
•1024MB DDR2 memory
•160GB hard drive
•Dual-layer DVDs and CDs
•15.4" XBRITE-ECO™ Widescreen
(VGN-N395E/B)
The Processor
• The brain of the computer
• Interprets computer program instructions
and processes data
• Specs are given in terms of clock speed,
cache and front side bus
• E.g. 2.60 GHz (clock speed), 4MB L2
(cache), 800 MHz (bus speed)
• Back in 2001, fastest PC specs:
– 1.13 GHz
Memory
• Technically, it is any form of electronic
storage
• The faster the
memory, the faster
the overall speed of
the computer
RAM – Random Access Memory
• Memory commonly refers to fast,
temporary storage
• DDR2 memory is a form of RAM
that stands for double-data-rate
2 synchronous random access
memory
– Extremely fast type of temporary
memory
• What type of applications use
memory?
Hard Drive
Examples of devices with hard drives:
1 TB
4 GB
20 GB
Putting the numbers into
perspective
Symbol Name
Kilobyte
Abbreviation
KB
Value
1000 = 103
Megabyte
Gigabyte
Terabyte
MB
GB
TB
10002 = 106
10003 = 109
10004 = 1012
Petabyte
…
PB
10005 = 1015
Display
• 15.4" XBRITE-ECO™ Widescreen
refers to the monitor
– But monitors don’t work alone
– Must also consider the Graphics card
• High-end graphics
cards have a chip and
memory built on the
card
•The better the card,
the better the display
Computer Buying Checklist
 Decide on a price range that you can afford.
 Use the Web to read product reviews and get
smart buying tips.
 Make sure you're buying from a reputable
source.
 Buy as much RAM as you can reasonably
afford. Don't get less than 128 MB.
 Get the biggest hard drive you can
reasonably afford. Don't get less than 10 GB.
 You can cut costs by looking for a CPU that is
a few steps behind the current cutting-edge
speed processor. Don't get less than a 1.5 GHz
processor.
 Make sure your machine has at least has a a
DVD-ROM drive. If you can afford it, get a
CD-RW burner.
 Consider buying a flat-panel monitor (also
called LCD and TFT displays), which can offer
a top-quality, no-glare picture.
Software
• 2 types
• Systems Software
– Low level programs that
interact with the device at a
very basic level
• Applications Software
– Programs designed for endusers
Systems Software Example
• Operating System
• The purpose of an OS is to
organize and control
hardware and software on
a device
• May serve a variety of
purposes, interact with
users in complicated ways,
and keep up with needs
that change over time
OS Examples
Applications Software
• Sits “on top of” systems
software
• Examples:
Filename Extensions
• When applications create files, the files are given a 3 or 4
character tag
• This tag at the end of a filename indicates what kind of file it is
• Common file extensions to know:
Extension
File Type
Program
.jpg, .gif, .bmp
Image Files
Photoshop, Paint
.doc, .txt
Text Editor Files
Word
.xls
Spreadsheet Files
Excel
.ppt
Presentation Files
PowerPoint
.pdf
Page Layout File
Acrobat, Reader
.exe
Executable File
Any Program
.html, .xhtml
Web Files
Browser, Text editor
.mp3
Audio File
Itunes, Real Player
Networks
• composed of multiple connected
computers that communicate over a
wired or wireless medium to share
data and other resources
• Main types of networks:
– LAN: Local Area Network
– WAN: Wide Area Network
– Internetwork
LAN
• A network covering a small geographic
area
• High data-transfer rates
• Use of ethernet technology to connect
PCs
WAN
• A network covering a large geographic area
(i.e. country-to-country or across continents)
• Transmission through optic fiber provided by
telephone companies
Internetwork
• Connects 2 or more LANS, WANS or LAN/WAN
combination
• Most notable example is the Internet
– Requires the use of the Internet Protocol (IP) and
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
Why you need to protect your PC
PC Security in a nutshell
1. Keep Antivirus software updated
2. Use a spyware, pop-up and spam
blocker
3. Use a firewall
4. Make a rescue disk
5. Back up important data files regularly
Antivirus Software
• Programs that attempt to
identify and eliminate
malicious software
• Scans files looking for known
viruses
• Identifies suspicious behavior
from any computer program
that might indicate infection
• Issues?
Blockers
• Popup blockers
– Usually a service provided by the Internet
browser
– Embedded in software
Blockers (con’t.)
• Spam blockers
– Embedded in the
email client
– Incoming messages
are passed through
a filter and
categorized as
Safe » inbox
Unsafe/Annoying »
spam folder
Blockers (con’t.)
• Spyware blockers
– Usually comes with antivirus
software
– Some ISPs will provide for
extra $$
Firewall
• Software that prevents
unauthorized intrusion into
a network
• Inspects network traffic
• Permits or denies entry to
the network based on a set
of rules
More info
• New PC Reviews:
http://www.pcmag.com/
• Networks:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wik
i/Network
• Security:
http://pcworld.about.com
/news/Oct292003id113175.
htm