Computers: Tools for an Information Age
Forging a Computer-Based Society
? Traditional Cornerstones of Economy:
? Land
? Labor
? Capital
? New Economic Element:
? Information
Computers in Your Life
What Is Computer Literacy?
Awareness
Knowledge
Interaction
Fundamental Characteristics
Benefits of Computers
Computer System Components
Hardware: The Basic Components of a Computer
? What is a Computer?
? Four primary components:
? Input devices
? Processor
? Output devices
? Storage
What Is a Computer and What Does It Do?
What Is a Computer and What Does It Do?
Computers are Data Processing Devices
Computer Hardware
Input Devices
Keyboard
? Most common input device
? Generates electrical signals which are translated into characters
Mouse
? Moves over a flat surface
? Movement of mouse ball causes corresponding movement of pointer on screen
Scanner
? Reads special letters, numbers, and symbols
? Wand reader, bar code reader often used in stores
? Flatbed and sheet-fed scanners scan pictures or printed documents
System Unit
The Processor and Memory:
Data Manipulation
Primary Storage
The Processor
Output: What Comes Out
Output Devices
Storage Devices
Secondary Storage
Software
Computer Software
Computer Software
Computer Platforms:
PCs and Macs
Peripheral Devices
•System Unit
•Peripheral Devices
Computer Networks and the Internet
Computer Networks and the Internet
What Are the Internet and the
World Wide Web?
What Are the Internet and the
World Wide Web?
Surfing the Web
Networking
Local Area Network
Modem
Electronic Mail (e-mail)
The Internet
Getting Around the Internet
Internet Service Providers
Browser
? Software that allows you to use a mouse to explore the Internet
? Click on screen text and/or graphics to move to different locations
? Most commonly used to explore the World Wide Web
The World Wide Web
? A subset of the Internet
? Actually, a standard for displaying and transmitting information
? Web site: a location on the Web
? Home page: the main page of a Web site
Supercomputers
Supercomputers
Mainframe
Mainframe Computers
Mainframe Computers
Minicomputer
Midrange Servers
Workstations
Personal Computers (PCs)
Portable Computers
Notebook Computers
Tablet PCs
Thin Clients and Internet Appliances
Thin Clients and Internet Appliances
Embedded Computers
Mobile Devices
Handheld Computers
? Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
? Keeps track of appointments, contacts, etc.
? Accepts input with hand-held stylus
? Pocket PC
? Offers capabilities of PDAs, plus the ability to run stripped-down versions of software such as word processing and spreadsheets
Handheld personal computers