Computer Basics

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Computer Basics

• Donovan

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Computers

• Computers are electronic devices that can perform
  tasks and calculations based on the instructions
  that have been given to it.

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Types of Computers

• Personal Computers small enough to fit on a
  desk, is relatively inexpensive and is designed
  for an individual user.
• Laptop Computers (sometimes called notebooks)
  same as PC but portable
• Tablet PC a general purpose computer contained
  in a single panel. Uses touch screen as the input
  device.
• And Mobile Devices that are small enough to carry
  with you such as smart phones, PDAs, handheld
  computers, portable media players (iPod), and
  digital cameras

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List a few important ways computers are used
around the globe today
Means of communication Listening
to Music Social Networking Job
Searches Share photos, documents,
music Reading books Manage
schedules Planning trips Balance
checkbook Playing Games
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Computer Literacy

• Having a current knowledge and understanding of
  computers and their uses

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Computers

• Computers process DATA into INFORMATION
• Data is a collection of unprocessed items, which
  can include text, numbers, images, audio and
  video.
• Information conveys meaning and is useful to
  people.

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Computer Hardware
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Hardware

• hardware is the physical components that make up
  a computer.
• These include input devices, storage devices,
  and communication devices.
• Common hardware components include
• monitor, mouse, keyboard, hard drive, system
  unit, motherboard and chips, etc.
• Physical objects that can be touched

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Components of a Computer Hardware

• Input Device is any hardware component that
  allows you to enter data into a computer.
• Five common input devices include
• Keyboard contains the keys you press to enter
  data into the computer
• Mouse small handheld device that allows you to
  control the movement of a small symbol on the
  screen called a pointer and you make selections
  on the screen
• Microphone allows you to speak into the
  computer
• Scanner converts printed material into a form
  the computer can use
• Web cam digital video camera that allows you to
  create movies or take pictures and store them on
  the computer instead of on tape or film

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Components of a Computer

• Output Device is any hardware component that
  conveys information to one or move people.
• Three commonly used output devices are
• printer produces text and graphics on a medium
  such as paper
• monitor displays text, graphics, and videos on
  a screen
• speakers allows you to hear music, voice, and
  other audio

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Components of a Computer

• System Unit - case that contains the electronic
  components of the computer that are used to
  process data
• Inside the system unit is the motherboard which
  has two main components
• the processor
• memory

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Components of a Computer System Unit

• Central Processing Unit (CPU) the main chip
  that interprets and carries out the basic
  instructions that operate the computer
• Memory consists of electronic components that
  store instructions waiting to be executed and
  data needed by those instructions
• The number of memory locations is stated in terms
  of BYTES

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The Internet and Networks
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The Internet and Networks

• Network is a collection of computers and devices
  connected together which allows computers to
  share information, programs, printers or
  scanners.
• When a computer connects to a network it is
  online.

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The Internet and Networks

• Internet is a worldwide network of smaller
  computer networks all linked together by unique
  Internet Protocol addresses.
• It is the largest computer network, connecting
  millions of computers and devices around the
  world.

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The Internet and Networks

• World Wide Web is a system of extensively
  interlinked hypertext documents
• Web contains billions of documents called web
  pages contain text, graphics, animation, audio,
  vidoe
• HTML Hypertext Markup Language is the standard
  protocol for formatting and displaying documents
  on the World Wide Web

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Computer Software
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Computer Software

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

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Two Types of Software

• Operating Software - software that manages the
  computers files and programs that provides a
  means for users to communicate with the computer
  and other software.
• Many of todays computers use Microsofts Windows
  or
• Mac OS X
• Application Software provides the tools needed
  to complete a task
• Type of Application Software related to
  communication is a Web browser
• Others include word processing software,
  spreadsheet software, database software, and
  presentation software

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Word Processing Software

• Software that is used to create and print
  documents such as letters, memos, and reports.

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Spreadsheet Software

• Software used for analysis and reporting of
  statistical or numerical data.

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Database Software

• Software that allows the user to collect, store,
  organize, modify, and extract data.

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Test Your Knowledge

• Creating a birthday card for a friend
• Balancing your checkbook
• Printing a mailing list
• Practicing math facts
• Keeping an address book
• Writing an essay about your vacation
• Making a school newsletter
• Writing a story about basketball

Word Processing
Spreadsheet
Database
Desktop Publishing
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Test Your Knowledge
Item Input(Hardware) Output(Hardware) Operating Software Application Software
Keyboard
Microsoft Word
Windows 7
Modem
Scanner
Solitaire
Speakers
Mac OS X Snow Leopard
Printer
Greeting Card Maker