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Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 1
Getting Started
Essential ComputingConcepts
ByRobert T. GrauerMaryann Barber
Updated byDr. Jehad Al Dallal
2012
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 2
Objectives Describe components of a computer system
Describe the contribution of IBM, Microsoft, and Intel in the evolution of the PC
Distinguish between system and application software
Define a local area network; distinguish between a server and a workstation
Define the Internet and the World Wide Web
Draw parallels between e-commerce and traditional commerce
Describe e-mail
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 3
What Is a Computer?
Microprocessor Internal Memory Auxiliary Storage Input Units Output Units
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 4
Any Computer System
Memory
Central processing unit(CPU)
Input
DiskAuxiliary Storage
Disk
Output
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 5
Inside the Computer
CD-ROM/Writer DVD R/W CPU Expansion slots USB flash memory
and/or floppy drive Hard disk Memory chip Motherboard Power supply
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 6
Expansion Slots
Power Supply Unit
Disk
Drives
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 7
Back of the Computer
Cooling Fan Power Supply Keyboard Connector
Mouse Connector Parallel Printer Port Video Connector
7
Back of the Computer
Cooling Fan Power Supply Keyboard Connector
Mouse Connector Parallel Printer Port Video Connector
7
Back of the Computer
Cooling Fan Power Supply Keyboard Connector
Mouse Connector Parallel Printer Port Video Connector
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 8
Microprocessor
Brain of the computer Current chips for PC
Intel (Celeron, Pentium III, Pentium IV, …) AMD (K-6 and Athlon)
Which do I buy? Pentium or Athlon for graphic-intensive
programs K-6 or Celeron for business and Internet
browsing
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 9
Internal Memory (RAM)
Volatile memory: Temporary (erased when power turned off)
Measured in bytes 1 Byte = 1 character (8 bits) 1 Kilobyte = 210 (~1,000 bytes) 1 Megabyte = 220 (~1,000,000 bytes) 1 Gigabyte = 230 (~1,000,000,000 bytes)
New systems need at least 1GB of RAM Keep multiple programs & data files in memory Graphic-intensive programs demand a lot of memory
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 10
Auxiliary Storage (Permanent)
Auxiliary storage, secondary storage or non-volatile memory Floppy Disk
Most common is 1.44Mb LS-120 disk is 120Mb Not available in most of new computer systems. It is replaced by
USB flash memory High Capacity Removable Storage
Zip disks (100 or 250Mb) Jazz Disks (1 or 2Gb) USB flash memory (current: up to 64Gb) External USB hard disk (current: up to 1Tb)
1 Terabyte (TB) = …??? Hard (Fixed) Disk
Most common are 200 –600GB
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 11
Auxiliary Storage (Continued)
CD-ROM 650MB capacity Recordable devices also available
DVD drives 4.7GB-17Gb capacity ROM and RAM Higher capacity than CD
Tape Units Used for large, unattended back-ups
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 12
Input and Output Units
Keyboard Mouse Trackball Scanner Joystick Pens Microphone Web camera
Monitor Printer
Ink Jet Printers Laser Printers
Speakers
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 13
Monitor Size and Resolution Monitors come in different
sizes: 17,” 19,” and 21”+ Resolution is expressed in
pixels (such as 800 x 600 or 1024 x 768)
The higher the resolution, the clearer you can see. Larger monitors let you run at higher resolutions: e.g., 19” to run 1024 x 768 comfortably
A graphics card (video display adapter) speeds processing
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 14
Purchasing Decisions
Local store versus mail order Magazines Internet
Use credit card to double warranty 30-day price guarantee Don’t forget the software
Windows included (check the version) Microsoft Office is optional
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 15
The PC Today
Main Components 2.7 GHz – 3.6 GHZ
microprocessor 2-4 Gb RAM 500 Gb - 2Tb hard
drive 1 floppy drive or Zip
drive (optional) DVD / CD-ROM drive 21”- 26” monitor 1-2 Gb graphics card
Other Components Cable modem CD-RW drive Camera Microphone TV adapter Sound card/speakers USB Ports.
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 16
Purchasing on the Web
www.dell.com www.gateway.com www.ibm.com www.pcwarehouse.com www.microwarehouse.com
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 17
Software
System Software Microsoft Windows - Operating System
Home – Windows 98, Windows Me (old) Business – Windows NT, Windows 2000 Previous: Windows XP and Windows Vista Current: Windows 7 replaces all previous versions
Antivirus and file compression is not built into Windows and requires additional software
Application Software Microsoft Office consists of Word, Excel, Access,
PowerPoint, FrontPage, and Publisher Different editions contain different applications
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 18
Antivirus Software
A computer virus attaches itself to various files and alters the way your computer works
Transmitted via an infected file or floppy disk, or more commonly through the Internet
Antivirus software can protect your computer, but it must be updated continually to detect new viruses
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 19
File Compression
Files are made smaller (compressed) to reduce the storage requirements and/or time required to download a file
A file compression program (such as WinZip) is required to compress one or more files into a “zipped” file or archive.
The zipped file can be converted to a self-extracting file that is expanded without the file compression program
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 20
The Internet
A network of networks Began in 1969 as
government project No central authority
and thus impossible to state the precise size
Worldwide and near- instantaneous access to virtually unlimited information
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 21
The World Wide Web
A subset of the Internet consisting of all computers with hypertext or hypermedia documents
These documents contain references (links) to other documents which may be on a different computer anywhere in the world
Began in 1991 at the Center for European Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 22
A Client/Server Model
A server (Web server or Web site) is any computer that stores hypermedia documents and furnishes them upon request
A client is any computer that requests, then displays hypermedia documents
Every client must be able to display every document from every server and does so through a browser (e.g., FireFox or Internet Explorer)
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 23
Acronyms Abound
HTTP – HyperText Transfer Protocol is used to transmit Web documents
HTTPS – Secure protocol for confidential transactions
HTML – HyperText Markup Language is the language for all Web documents
ISP – Internet service provider
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 24
Connecting to the Internet
At Work or School Via a Local Area Network
At Home Traditional Modem (56Kbps/V90) Cable Modem
Uses TV cable Requires network card
DSL Modem Voice and data on the same line Requires network card
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 25
http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/cezanne/bio.html
Means of access
Internet Address (Web site)
Document
Path (Directory or Folder)
Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 26
URL Format
You can guess at the URL using the general form of: “www.company.com”
Other domains include “edu,” “gov,” and “org,” but “com” is most common
Examples: www.microsoft.com www.nba.com www.whitehouse.gov www.miami.edu
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 27
Security and Privacy
Secure transactions Https protocol Encryption
Privacy Cookie is a small file written to your
disk each time you visit a site Problem is when one site can read
many cookies (e.g., DoubleClick.com)
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 28
E-commerce
The exchange of goods and services Buyer and seller Products and suppliers A place to “meet” Marketing to attract the buyer Accept and process the order
All of these elements are present in e-commerce and traditional commerce
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 29
Advantages of E-commerce
For the Seller Open 24/7 Shoppers from
anywhere Virtual inventory is
cheaper and extensive
Lower transaction costs
Target your customers
For the Buyer Open 24/7 Never leave home Easy to view and
explore product line
Comparison shop Web site knows
you
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 30
E-Mail (Electronic Mail)
E-mail is simply a means of sending messages via computer
Business is using more e-mail and fax To access, you must have a mail server
and/or software Each person has a username and pass-
word All mail programs allow you to Send,
Compose, Reply, and Forward
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 31
Obtaining an E-mail Account
You will need an e-mail server (post office) to send and receive e-mail
You can obtain an account at school You can pay for an account through an ISP
such as AOL You can get free email accounts:
www.hotmail.com www.yahoo.com
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 32
Privacy and Terms of Agreement
E-mail is less private than U.S. mail If you need privacy, send a letter
Every mail server has terms that you must agree to No copyright infringements No harassing or stalking No junk mail or spamming No intentional sending of viruses
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 33
An E-mail Address
Every e-mail address is unique and consists of two parts, a user name and a host computer: [email protected]
The@ sign is required The host computer can be omitted if
you are logged onto the same network or host computer
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 34
The Mail Folders
Inbox – new messages as well as messages that have been read
Outbox – messages not yet sent Sent items – messages that have been
sent (moved here from outbox) Deleted items – messages deleted from
any folder Custom folders – additional folders
created by the user
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 35
Parts of the E-mail Message
HeaderTo:Cc:Bcc:Subject:Message
Signature
Attachments
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 36
Additional E-mail Capabilities
Address Book Contains the e-mail addresses of frequent
contacts Enables you to enter an alias (e.g., “Bob”
instead of the complete address) Distribution List
A set of e-mail addresses stored under one name
Ideal for your professor to e-mail the class
Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 37
E-mail Protocols
POP Client – Post Office Protocol Lets you work without being connected to
mail server Upload to send mail - Download to read mail Allows almost any e-mail program to access
e-mail from server IMAP – Internet Message Access Protocol
Permits a "client" email program to access remote message stores as if they were local
Enables user to access messages from more than one computer