Living in a Digital World

Discovering Computers 2010

Ahmad Idrees

A World of Computers

• Computers are everywhere

2Ahmad Idrees

What Is a Computer?

• A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory

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Information Processing Cycle

What Is a Computer?

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The Components of a Computer

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The Components of a Computer

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The Components of a ComputerWhat is an input device?

Hardware used to enter dataand instructions into a computer e.g, keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner and web cam etc.

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The Components of a ComputerWhat is an output device?

Hardware that conveys information to one or morepeople e.g. printer, monitor and speakers etc.

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The Components of a Computer

What is the system unit?

Case containingElectronic componentsused to process data.

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The Components of a ComputerWhat are two main components on the motherboard?

Central Processing Unit (CPU)Central Processing Unit (CPU)Also called a processor.

The electronic component that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer.

MemoryMemoryConsists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by those instructions

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The Components of a ComputerWhat is storage?

Storage mediaStorage media

Physical material on which data, instructions, and information are stored e.g. USB flash drive,

hard disks, optical discs and memory cards..

Storage mediaStorage media

Physical material on which data, instructions, and information are stored e.g. USB flash drive,

hard disks, optical discs and memory cards..

Holds data, instructions, and information for future use

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The Components of a ComputerWhat is a USB flash drive? Provides much

greater storage capacity than a floppy disk

Portable storage device small and lightweight enough to be transported on a keychain or in a pocket.

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The Components of a ComputerWhat is a hard disk?

Provides greater storage capacity than a floppy disk or USB flash drive

Most are housed inside of the system unit

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The Components of a ComputerWhat is a optical disc? Flat, round, portable metal disc e.g. CDs, DVDs.

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The Components of a Computer

What is a communications device?

Hardware component that enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions and information

Occurs over cables, telephone lines, cellular networks, satellites, and other transmission media

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Computer Applications in Society

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Computer Applications in Society

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Computers

Advantages of Using Computers

Disadvantages of Using Computers

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Computers

• Green computing involves reducing the electricity consumed and environmental waste generated when using a computer

• Strategies include:– Recycling– Regulating manufacturing processes– Extending the life of computers– Immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced computers

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Networks and the Internet

• A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together through transmission media.

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To shareTo share

Networks and the InternetWhat are the reasons to network?

ResourcesResources

Hardware devices

Hardware devices

Software programs

Software programs

DataData To save time and

money

To save time and

moneyInformationInformation

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Networks and the InternetWhat is a server?

A server manages the resources on a network

Clients access the resources on the server

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Networks and the InternetWhat is the Internet? Worldwide collection of networks that connects

millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals

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Networks and the InternetWhat is the Web?

A Web site is a collection of

related Web pages

A Web site is a collection of

related Web pagesA Web page contains text, graphics, sound,

video, and links to other Web pages

A Web page contains text, graphics, sound,

video, and links to other Web pages

You can share information by

creating Web pages or posting photos on

a photo sharingcommunity

You can share information by

creating Web pages or posting photos on

a photo sharingcommunity

Billions of documents, called Web pages, available to anyone connected to the Internet

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Networks and the Internet

• People use the Internet for a variety of reasons:

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Computer Software

• Software, also called a program,consists of series of instructions that tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them

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Computer SoftwareWhat is system software?

Operating System (OS)Operating System (OS)is a set of programs that coordinates all activities among computer hardware devices and allows users to run application software

Operating System (OS)Operating System (OS)is a set of programs that coordinates all activities among computer hardware devices and allows users to run application software

Utility ProgramsUtility Programs allow the user to perform maintenance-type tasks usually related to managing a computer, its devices or its programs

Utility ProgramsUtility Programs allow the user to perform maintenance-type tasks usually related to managing a computer, its devices or its programs

Programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices

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Computer SoftwareWhat is application software?

Presentation Graphics

Spreadsheet

Database

Word Processing

Programs that perform specific tasks for users

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Computer Software

• A programmer develops software or writes the instructions that direct the computer to process data into information

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Categories of Computers

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Personal Computers

• A personal computer can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by itself

• Two popular architectures are the PC and the Apple– Desktop computer

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Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

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Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

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Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

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Game Consoles

• A game console is a mobile computing device designed for single-player or multiplayer video games

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Servers

• A server controls access to the hardware, software, and other resources on a network– Provides a centralized

storage area for programs, data, and information

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Mainframes

• A mainframe is a large, expensive, powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously

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Supercomputers

• A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful computer– Fastest supercomputers are capable of processing

more than one quadrillion instructions in a single second

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Embedded Computers

• An embedded computer is a special-purpose computer that functions as a component in a larger product

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Embedded Computers

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Elements of an Information System

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Elements of an Information System

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Summary

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