Laurie ShteirLaurie ShteirTemple University CIS Dept.

Fasttrack to ComputersFasttrack to ComputersFasttrack to ComputersFasttrack to Computers

What do Computers Do???What do Computers Do???

A recipe following machineA recipe following machine Example of a program in English - 6 instructions (the Example of a program in English - 6 instructions (the

program),program),with 2 variables (J and K - the data).with 2 variables (J and K - the data). 1. move the number 1 into box J1. move the number 1 into box J 2. move the number 1 into box K2. move the number 1 into box K 3. output (print) the number in box J3. output (print) the number in box J 4. add 2 to the number in box K4. add 2 to the number in box K 5. add the number in box K to the number in box J5. add the number in box K to the number in box J 6. go to step 36. go to step 3

Personal ComputerPersonal Computer

Computer SystemComputer System

ComputerComputer HardwareHardware SoftwareSoftware CategoriesCategories

Personal ComputerPersonal Computer Mobile Computers and mobile Mobile Computers and mobile

devicesdevices Game ConsolesGame Consoles ServersServers MainframesMainframes SupercomputersSupercomputers Embedded computerEmbedded computer

InformationInformation

Information Technology(IT) is defined as a set Information Technology(IT) is defined as a set of tools that helps you work with information of tools that helps you work with information and perform tasks related to information and perform tasks related to information processingprocessing

What are some important qualitiesWhat are some important qualities AccuracyAccuracy TimelinessTimeliness RelevancyRelevancy OrganizationOrganization

SoftwareSoftware

Application SoftwareApplication Software Written to solve a particular problem or perform a specific Written to solve a particular problem or perform a specific

operationoperation Mac Write, EXCEL, FoxProMac Write, EXCEL, FoxPro

System SoftwareSystem Software Designed to coordinate the computers operations. It manages Designed to coordinate the computers operations. It manages

the activities and allows us to utilize its capabilities. A large the activities and allows us to utilize its capabilities. A large portion of system software is called the Operating Systemportion of system software is called the Operating System

DOS, Windows (Windows 3.0, 3.1, 3.11)DOS, Windows (Windows 3.0, 3.1, 3.11) Windows95, Windows 98, Windows MeWindows95, Windows 98, Windows Me Windows NT, Windows 2000 ProfessionalWindows NT, Windows 2000 Professional Windows XP (new look, redesigned start menu, multiple user Windows XP (new look, redesigned start menu, multiple user

accounts, more networking features built in)accounts, more networking features built in)

Categories of ComputersCategories of Computers

Personal ComputerPersonal Computer Desktop, tower model, workstation, laptopDesktop, tower model, workstation, laptop

Geared towards one user or connected to a networkGeared towards one user or connected to a network Around a 1,000.00 Around a 1,000.00

Several Hundred to several thousandSeveral Hundred to several thousand Basic building block is called the processorBasic building block is called the processor

PC(Windows)PC(Windows) Apple Macintosh (Mac OS)Apple Macintosh (Mac OS)

Mobile Computers and Mobile DevicesMobile Computers and Mobile Devices Laptop Computer (notebook), tablet PC, handheld Laptop Computer (notebook), tablet PC, handheld

computer,PDAs, smartphonescomputer,PDAs, smartphones A Mobile Computer:Personal Computer that you carry A Mobile Computer:Personal Computer that you carry Mobile Device: Device small enough to fit in your hand Mobile Device: Device small enough to fit in your hand Usually geared towards one personUsually geared towards one person

Categories of ComputersCategories of Computers

Game ConsolesGame ConsolesStandardStandard

HandheldHandheld

Few Hundred dollars Few Hundred dollars or lessor less

MainframeMainframeLarge, Powerful, expensiveLarge, Powerful, expensivePartial room to a full roomPartial room to a full roomCan support hundreds to thousands of Can support hundreds to thousands of

usersusers$300,000 – several million$300,000 – several million

ServersServersControls access to hardware Controls access to hardware and software on a networkand software on a networkProvides centralized storageProvides centralized storageSupport up to several thousand Support up to several thousand connected computersconnected computers

SupercomputersSupercomputersFastest and most powerfulFastest and most powerfulScientific and large scale Scientific and large scale applications in medicine, applications in medicine, aerospace, weather forecasting, aerospace, weather forecasting, nuclear energynuclear energy

Categories of ComputersCategories of Computers

Embedded ComputerEmbedded ComputerComponent to a larger computerComponent to a larger computerConsumer ElectronicsConsumer ElectronicsHome AppliancesHome AppliancesOffice MachinesOffice Machines

How are Computers UsedHow are Computers Used Home UsersHome Users

Desktop Computers, PDAs, Productivity Software, Browser Software, Entertainment, emailDesktop Computers, PDAs, Productivity Software, Browser Software, Entertainment, email Small Office/Home OfficeSmall Office/Home Office

Desktop Computer, PDAs, Shared Network Printer, Productivity Software, Personal Desktop Computer, PDAs, Shared Network Printer, Productivity Software, Personal information manager, Company specific software, Browser software and emailinformation manager, Company specific software, Browser software and email

Mobile UsersMobile Users Notebook computer + modem or a Tablet PC, Video Projector, Web-enabled PDA/smart Notebook computer + modem or a Tablet PC, Video Projector, Web-enabled PDA/smart

phone, presentation software, Personal information Manager, Browser software, E-Mail, phone, presentation software, Personal information Manager, Browser software, E-Mail, company specific softwarecompany specific software

Large Business UsersLarge Business Users Midrange server or mainframe, desktop or notebook computer, PDA,Productivity software, Midrange server or mainframe, desktop or notebook computer, PDA,Productivity software,

Personal information manager, Network software, Web Browser, Email, Company specific Personal information manager, Network software, Web Browser, Email, Company specific softwaresoftware

Power UsersPower Users Workstations to design plans, produce applications, create graphic art and multimedia, WEB Workstations to design plans, produce applications, create graphic art and multimedia, WEB

based products, Desktop Publilshing, Multimedia authoring, computer aided design, Photo based products, Desktop Publilshing, Multimedia authoring, computer aided design, Photo editing, Personal information Manager, Browser Software, E-Mailediting, Personal information Manager, Browser Software, E-Mail

Personal Computer SystemPersonal Computer System

Input HardwareInput Hardware: Keyboard & Mouse: Keyboard & Mouse Processing & Memory HardwareProcessing & Memory Hardware: Case, : Case,

Power Supply, Processor Chip, Memory Power Supply, Processor Chip, Memory Chips, Motherboard, Expansion SlotsChips, Motherboard, Expansion Slots

Storage Hardware:Storage Hardware: Floppy Drive, Floppy Drive, Hard Drive, CD/DVD DriveHard Drive, CD/DVD Drive Output HardwareOutput Hardware: Monitor, Speakers, Printer, : Monitor, Speakers, Printer,

Video and Sound CardsVideo and Sound Cards Communications HardwareCommunications Hardware: Modem and : Modem and

NetworkNetwork

Software

Copyrighted Software Software LicenseLicenses for more than one personSite LicenseSharewareFreewarePublic-Domain SoftwareRental Software

Copyright DebateCopyright Debate

MP3MP3Digital music (Moving Picture Expert Digital music (Moving Picture Expert

Group Layer 3)Group Layer 3)IssuesIssuesFile sizeFile sizeMobilityMobilityPiracyPiracyRecord IndustryRecord Industry

Gift of FireGift of Fire

Automates tasks to be more accurate, easier Automates tasks to be more accurate, easier and fasterand faster

Enhances communicationEnhances communication

Changes the way we live and do businessChanges the way we live and do business

SecuritySecurity

PrivacyPrivacy

Dependency on large systemsDependency on large systems

AcronymsAcronyms

URLURL Uniform Resource LocatorUniform Resource Locator GUIGUI Graphical User InterfaceGraphical User Interface HTTP:HTTP: Hypertext Transfer ProtocolHypertext Transfer Protocol HTML:HTML: Hypertext Markup LanguageHypertext Markup Language