Chapter 1 Flashcards
What does Computer mean?
A computer is a machine or device that performs
processes, calculations and operations based on
instructions provided by a software or hardware
program. It is designed to execute applications and
provides a variety of solutions by combining
integrated hardware and software components.
made up of multiple parts and components that
facilitate user functionality.
computer
two primary categories of a computer
hardware and software
Physical structure that houses a
computer’s processor, memory, storage, communication
ports and peripheral devices
hardware
Includes operating system (OS) and
software applications
software
three general
categories if computers
supercomputer, main frame computer and personal computer
The fastest, largest, most
powerful and most expensive computer.
supercomputer
This is a little smaller and
less powerful than the supercomputer, but, like the
supercomputer it is also expensive.
mainframe computer
This is the computer that
most people use in their daily lives. This computer is
much smaller, less powerful and less expensive than
the supercomputer and the mainframe computer.
personal computer (pc)
a computer’s electronic and
mechanical parts. also
includes input devices, output devices, system unit,
storage devices and communication devices. Without
these components we would not be able to use the
computer.
Computer Hardware
is any hardware component
that allows you the user to enter data into the computer.
input devices
Six of the most widely used input devices
keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, digital camera, pc video camera
any
hardware component that gives
information to the user.
output devices
Three commonly used output devices
monitor, printer, speaker
The computer will not work without it. also
called programs. These are the instructions that tell the
computer what to do and how to do it. The
system software also called the operating system (OS) actually
runs the computer.
Computer Software
The two main categories
of software
system software and application software.
also called the operating system (OS) actually
runs the computer.
system software
controls all the operations of the
computer and its devices. All computers use it and without it, the
application software will not work.
computer software
The most common
OS on a Mac computer
Mac operating system
The most common
OS on a PC
windows operating system
a program that allows
users to a specific ask on the computer.
application software
Four examples of common application
software
word processing application, spreadsheet application, email application, internet application
This program allows you to
type letters, assignments and do any other written
activity on the computer.
Word processing application
microsoft excel is an example of this. One
can use this program to create charts and do
calculations.
spreadsheet application
Outlook Express is an e-mail
program that allows you to receive and send
e-mails.
email application
Internet Explorer is a
program that allows you to get connected to the
Internet and look at Web sites like the one you are
reading now.
internet application
Storage keeps data, information and instructions for use in the future.
All computers use storage to keep the software that makes the
hardware work. As a user you store a variety of data and information
on your computer or on storage media. They are the
physical materials on which data, information and instructions are
kept. When a user saves information or data to a storage medium he
or she is storing a file, and this process is called writing. When the file
is opened the process is called reading.
storage media
Common storage media
hard drive, floppy disk, cd & dvd, usb flash drive
This storage medium which looks like the
one below, is a hard drive. This medium comes with the
computer and is always inside the computer. It stores all
the programs that the computer needs to work. In
addition users store their data and information on the
hard drive.
hard drive
This storage medium is
considered to be a portable storage
medium. You put it into the computer save
your information on it, take it out, and take
it with you wherever you go.
floppy disk
These types of storage media hold much
more information than a floppy disk. They are also
considered portable storage. These types of storage
media come in different forms. This means that there are
CDs and DVDS that you can only save information on but
you cannot erase the information. In addition there are
those that can both save information on and erase the
information you have saved.
cd & dvd
This is a storage
medium that is very easy to carry around
and it also holds more data than a floppy
disk. As you can see from the picture
below it is very small when compared
with the others.
usb flash drive
Taking care of your computer is just as important as
taking care of your books. Both the internal and the
external parts of the computer have to be cared for.
Scanning, defragging and reformatting are some of the
activities performed to clean up the hard drive. These
activities are best left to a grown up and such you
should not attempt them.
computer care
Dust your computer to keep it free of dust
and dirt.
keep dust away
Do not eat or drink while working on the
computer
keep food away
Make sure your hands are clean before you
type on the keyboard of click the mouse.
use clean hands
If you are having problems with your
computer, ask for help. Do not bang or hit the computer.
treat with respect
Seeing that the computer is
connected to electricity, this means that
lightning could be conducted to your
computer through the electrical connection.
For this reason, it is best not to use your
computer during a storm.
keep off
A computer virus is a program written by
a person on purpose to harm other peoples’ computers. A
computer virus is passed from one computer o another when
you share and download files without the protection of an
antivirus software. For this reason, you should get permission
before downloading files
stop virus attack
how you handle your CDs will determine
how long they will last. Always hold the CD correctly.
handle with care
certain tasks you can perform to
ensure your computer is clean
keep dirt away, keep food away, use clean hands, treat with respect, keep off, stop virus attack, handle with care
sometimes called simply “the Net” is a worldwide system
of computer networks – a network of networks which users at any one
computer can if they can, if they have permission, get information form
any other computer (and sometimes talk directly to users at other
computers).
* It also a means of connecting a computer to any other computers are
connected over the Internet, they can send and receive all kinds of
information such as text, graphics, voice, video, and computer programs.
The Internet
Different Types of Internet Connections
dial-up, DSL, cable, wireless fidelity, satellite, cellular
cheap but
slow. A modern (internal or external) connect to the
Internet after the computer dials a phone number. This
analog signal is converted to digital via a land-line
serviced by a public telephone network. Telephone
lines are variable in quality and the connection can be
poor at times. The lines regularly experience
interference and this affect the speed, anywhere form
28k to 56k. Since a computer or other devices shares the
same line as the telephone, they can’t be active at the
same time
dial-up
stands for Digital Subscriber Line. It is
an internet connection that is always “on”. This
uses 2 lines so your phone is not tied up when
your computer is connected. There is also no need
to dial a phone number to connect. DSL uses a
router to transport data and the range of
connection speed, depending on the service
offered, is between 128k to 8 Mbps.
DSL
provides called an internet
connection through a cable modem and operates
over cable TV lines. There are different speeds
depending on if you are uploading data
transmissions or downloading. Since the coax
cable provides a much greater bandwidth over
dial-up or DSL telephone lines, you can get faster
access. Cable speeds range from 512k to 20 Mbps
cable
does not use
telephone lines or cables to connect to the internet. Instead,
it uses radio frequency. Wireless is also an always an
connection and it can be accessed from just about
anywhere. Wireless network are growing in coverage areas
by the minute so when I mean access from just about
anywhere, I really mean it . Speed will vary, and the range
between 5 Mbps to 20 Mbps.
wireless fidelity
accesses the internet via
a satellite in Earth’s orbit. The enormous
distance that a signal travels from earth to
satellite back again, provides a delayed
connection compared to cable and DSL.
Satellite connection speeds are around 512k
to 2.0 Mbps.
satellite
provides wireless
internet access through cell phones. The speeds vary
depending on the provider, but the most common are
3G and 4G speeds. A 3G is a term that describes a 3rd
generation cellular network obtaining mobile speeds
around 2.0 Mbps. 4G is the fourth generation of cellular
wireless standards. The goal 4G is to achieve peak
mobile speeds of 100 Mbps but the reality is about 21
Mbps currently.
cellular
