Section 2.1
• Identify hardware
• Describe processing components
• Compare and contrast input and output devices
• Compare and contrast storage devices
Section 2.2
• Identify and describe operating system software
• Identify and describe application software
• Summarize cross-platform issues
Section 2.3
• Identify types of networks
• Examine types of network connections
• Identify network hardware and software
Section 2.4
• Use a template
• Save a Web site
• Apply a theme
• Format text
• Insert a graphic
pp.
2.1
34-38
Computer Hardware
Guide to Reading
Main Ideas
Key Terms
Computer systems are
composed of users,
hardware, software, and
data. The four basic
categories of computer
hardware are processing
components and input,
output, and storage.
hardware
software
central processing unit
(CPU)
random-access memory
(RAM)
keyboard
mouse
monitor
printer
pp.
2.1
34-38
Computer Hardware
Computers and the Computer System
A computer system
consists of four parts:
hardware The physical
components of the
computer. (p. 34)
• A user
• Hardware
• Software
• Data
software The set of
instructions that tells the
computer what to do. (p. 34)
pp.
2.1
34-38
Computer Hardware
Processing Components
Power
Supply
Storage
Devices
Hard
Drive
RAM
central processing unit
(CPU) The part of the
computer where data is
processed; sometimes
referred to as the “brain” of
the computer. (p. 34)
random-access memory
(RAM) Where the computer
stores data that it is
currently processing. (p. 35)
Motherboard
CPU
pp.
2.1
34-38
Computer Hardware
Input Devices
Different kinds of devices
allow you to enter text,
commands, images, or
audio into your computer.
• Keyboards and Pointing
Devices (like a mouse)
• Graphic and Video Devices
• Audio Devices
keyboard An input device
that lets you enter text into
the computer. (p. 35)
mouse The most common
pointing device used to
enter commands into the
computer. (p. 35)
pp.
2.1
34-38
Computer Hardware
Output Devices
Output devices let users
examine the results of
processed data.
• Monitors
 CRT
 LCD
• Printers
• Speakers
monitor The part of the
computer that shows the
output in a quick, readable
form; also known as a
display screen. (p. 36)
printer A hardware device
that produces hard copy,
or output that is
permanent. (p. 37)
pp.
2.1
Computer Hardware
Storage Devices
There are several different types of storage devices
available.
• Hard Drives
• Removable Storage Devices
 Floppy Disks
 Zip Disks
 Optical Disks
 Flash Memory

Tape Backups
34-38
pp.
2.2
40-42
Computer Software
Guide to Reading
Main Ideas
Key Terms
Operating system
software allows users to
give instructions to the
computer and to execute
applications. Applications
are software packages
that help users perform
specific tasks.
basic input/output system
(BIOS)
operating system (OS)
graphical user interface
(GUI)
application software
multitasking
pp.
2.2
40-42
Computer Software
Operating System Software
The basic input/output
system (BIOS) activates
the operating system.
The OS is divided into
four major categories:
• Task management
• Memory management
• Input and output
management
• Graphic user interface
basic input/output system
(BIOS) Small program that
performs basic startup
activities, such as activating the
computer’s operating system.
(p. 40)
operating system
(OS) Software that specifies
how the computer receives and
processes input; acts as an
interface between a user and
the computer hardware. (p. 40)
graphical user interface
(GUI) Type of interface that
allows users to interact with
software by selecting words,
symbols, or graphics from a
desktop. (p. 41)
pp.
2.2
Computer Software
Operating System Software
Here are examples of a Windows and a Mac OS.
40-42
pp.
2.2
40-42
Computer Software
Application Software
Most of the time when you
use a computer, you are
using application
software.
Today’s operating
systems are capable of
multitasking. This allows
you to work with more
than one application or
document at a time.
application software
Computer programs that
allow users to perform a
specific task on the
computer; also referred to
as applications. (p. 41)
multitasking Working with
more than one application or
document at a time. (p. 41)
pp.
2.2
Computer Software
Cross-Platform Issues
Your computer’s hardware, operating system, and
application programs must all work together in order for
your computer to function properly.
40-42
pp.
2.3
43-46
Networks
Guide to Reading
Main Ideas
Key Terms
Networks allow computers
to share information,
messages, and software.
Dial-up, broadband, and
wireless are three types of
network connections.
network
local area network (LAN)
wide area network (WAN)
server
client
network interface card
(NIC)
modem
pp.
2.3
43-46
Networks
Types of Networks
A network can connect
two computers in a home
or millions of computers
around the world, as in
the case of the Internet.
Networks can be divided
into two basic categories:
• local area networks
• wide area networks
network A system in which
communication lines or
wireless connections are
used to connect computers
together. (p. 43)
local area network
(LAN) Type of network that
connects computers in a
single location, such as a
single department within a
company. (p. 43)
wide area network
(WAN) Network that
connects computers across
a wide geographical area,
such as a region of the
United States. (p. 43)
pp.
2.3
Networks
Types of Connections
• Dial-up Connections
• Broadband Connections
 Cable
 DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
 ISDN, T1, T3 Lines
• Wireless Connections
43-46
pp.
2.3
43-46
Networks
Network Hardware
For a network to function
properly, all the hardware
components must be
compatible.
• Client/Server Networks
• Network Interface Cards
• Modems
• Routers
server A powerful central
computer that manages files and
services for a network. (p. 45)
client In a network, the
individual computers that are
part of that network. (p. 45)
network interface card
(NIC) Provides the place to plug
the network cable into the
computer, and it creates and
sends the signal from one
network component to another.
(p. 45)
modem Hardware device that
enables a computer to send and
receive signals through
telephone wires or cable. (p. 45)
pp.
2.3
Networks
Network Hardware
In a client/server network, the server responds to the
requests of client computers.
43-46
pp.
2.3
43-46
Networks
Network Software
Networks are controlled by a specific group of software
called a network operating system, or NOS.
The NOS is responsible for managing network resources,
controlling who can access different network components,
and keeping the network running smoothly.
pp.
2.4
Creating a One Page Web Site
Guide to Reading
Main Ideas
Key Terms
Templates provide
frameworks on which to
build Web pages and
sites. Applying a theme to
a Web site helps the
pages look consistent.
Text and graphics are the
main content of most Web
sites.
folder
subfolder
template
placeholder text
theme
font
48-54
pp.
2.4
48-54
Creating a One Page Web Site
Creating and Saving a Web Page
When saving your Web
sites, you need a plan.
Develop a system of
folders and subfolders
to locate your Web pages
easily.
FrontPage offers
templates that simplify
creating Web sites. Some
templates contain
placeholder text that you
simply replace with your
own content.
folder An item that helps the
user organize files. (p. 48)
subfolder A folder contained
within a folder; used to further
organize files. (p. 48)
template A reusable pattern that
helps you place information
quickly and efficiently on a Web
page. (p. 49)
placeholder text Text often
included in templates to indicate
the type of content the user can
put in a particular location. (p.
49)
pp.
2.4
48-54
Creating a One Page Web Site
Adding Text to a Web Page
To format Web text, follow the same basic rules that you
would follow when creating a report in a word processor.
The Formatting toolbar contains buttons that allow you to
format text quickly.
Font
Style
Font Size
Italic
Bold
Alignment Buttons
Underline
pp.
2.4
Creating a One Page Web Site
Adding Graphics to a Web Page
One easy way to add
graphics to a Web page is to
use a pre-made graphic.
48-54
pp.
2.4
Creating a One Page Web Site
• Activity 2A – Using a Template and Saving Files (p. 49)
• Activity 2B – Applying a Theme (p. 51)
• Activity 2C – Inserting and Formatting Text (p. 52)
• Activity 2D – Inserting Graphics (p. 53)
48-54
Chapter 2
Resources
For more resources on this chapter, go to the Introduction
to Web Design Web site at webdesign.glencoe.com.