Understanding Essential Computer Concepts

Transcription

1 Microsoft Office 2007 Illustrated Introductory, Windows Vista Edition Understanding Essential Computer Concepts Objectives Learn about computers and technology Types Parts How they work 2 Defining Computers A computer is an electronic device that: accepts input processes data stores data produces output Investigating g Types of Computers Personal computers are used for general computing tasks. Hand-held computers fit in the palm of your hand and run on batteries. Mainframes are used by companies to provide centralized storage, processing, and management for large amounts of data. Supercomputers are the largest and fastest of computers, and can process an enormous volume of data. 3 4 Investigating Types of Computers Notebook computer also referred to as a laptop computer small lightweight g portable Investigating Types of Computers PDAs personal digital assistants generally used to maintain an electronic appointment book, address book, calculator, l and notepad 5 6

2 Investigating Types of Computers Supercomputers are the largest and fastest t of computers, and can process an enormous volume of data. Understanding di Terminals Terminal has a keyboard for input monitor for output processes little or no data on its own Terminal emulator personal computer, workstation, or server uses special software to imitate a terminal allows the PC to communicate with he mainframe or supercomputer 7 8 Examining Computer Systems Examining Computer Systems A computer system is made up of: Hardware the physical components Architecture or configuration is the design of the computer. As in, what does the computer consist of? the the programs or lists of instructions Specifications are the technical details about each component. As in, how big is the monitor? 9 10 Examining i Computer Systems Examining i Computer Systems Data The words, numbers, figures, sounds, and graphics that t describe people, events, things, and ideas Processing Modifying data Motherboard where processing tasks occur located inside the computer the main electronic component of the computer contains the CPU 11 12

3 Examining Computer Systems The data you type into the computer is called input. The result of the computer processing your input is called output. Peripheral devices accomplish the input, output, and storage functions. Examining Computer Systems Microprocessor a silicon chip designed to manipulate data its speed is determined by: Clock speed Word size Processor type Examining Input Devices Using Assistive Devices Some input devices are: Keyboard Mouse Trackball Touch pad Pointing stick Scanner Microphones Cordless mouse People who cannot use their arms or hands instead can use foot, head, or eye movements to control the pointer. People with poor vision can use keyboards with large keys for input, screen enlargers to enlarge the type and images on the monitor, or screen readers to read the content of the screen aloud Examining Output Devices Examining Output Devices Monitors and printers are common output devices. Factors that influence a monitor s quality are: CRT monitors and flat panel monitors are two types of monitors. Screen Size Resolution Dot Pitch 17 18

4 Examining Output Devices Investigating Data Processing Types of printers Laser Dot Matrix Inkjet Inkjet printer A computer file is a named collection of stored data. An executable file contains the instructions that tell a computer how to perform a specific task; for instance, the files that are used while the computer starts are executable. A data file is created by a user, usually with software Investigating Data Processing Investigating Data Processing Computers interpret every signal as on or off. 1 ( on ) and 0 ( off ) are referred to as bits. Eight bits is a byte.. Each byte represents a unique character. Kilobyte (KB)) = one thousand bytes Megabyte (MB)) = one million bytes Gigabyte (GB)) = one billion bytes Terabyte (TB TB) ) = one trillion bytes Investigating Data Processing Understanding Memory Each ASCII number represents an English character Computers that run the Windows operating system use the set of Extended ASCII definitions defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). ANSI standard sample ASCII code Computer memory is a set of storage locations on the motherboard. There are five types of memory: Random access memory (RAM) Cache memory Virtual memory Read-only memory Complementary metal oxide semiconductor memory (CMOS) 23 24

5 Understanding Memory RAM Temporary memory that is constantly changing while the computer is on. Also called volatile memory and temporary memory. Cache memory Special high-speed memory chip on the motherboard or CPU Stores frequently and recently accessed data and commands. 25 Understanding Memory Virtual memory is extra memory that simulates RAM if more is needed. Read-only memory (ROM) is the permanent storage location for a set of instructions the computer uses. CMOS memory is semi-permanent information about where essential software is stored. 26 Understanding Storage Media Magnetic storage devices Store data as magnetized particles on mylar, which is then coated on both sides with a magnetic oxide coating Understanding di Storage Media Common magnetic storage devices hard disks several magnetic oxide covered metal platters usually sealed in a case inside the computer tape inexpensive, slow, archival storage for large companies who need to back up large quantities of data. floppy disks flat circles of magnetic oxide-coated mylar enclosed in a hard plastic case; almost obsolete Understanding di Storage Media Understanding di Storage Media Optical storage devices polycarbonate discs coated with a reflective metal on which data is recorded using laser technology as a trail of tiny pits or dark spots in the surface of the disc the data that these pits or spots represent can then be read with a beam of laser light Types of optical storage devices CD can store 700 MB of data DVD can store between 4.7 and 15.9 GB of data Blu-ray discs and HD-DVD DVD can store between 15 and 50 GB of data 29 30

6 Understanding di Storage Media Flash memory similar to ROM except that it can be written to more than once. Flash memory cards small, portable cards encased in hard plastic to which data can be written and rewritten used in digital cameras, handheld computers, video game controllers, and other devices Understanding di Storage Media USB flash storage device (USB drive, flash drive) popular type of flash memory available in a wide range of sizes from 32 MB to 16 GB plug directly into the USB port of a personal computer are about the size of a pack of gum and often have a ring that you can attach to your key chain Erasing and Rewriting on CDs and DVDs CD-ROMs s are for read-only access. CD-R drives allow you to record data on a CD-R disk. CD-RW drives allow you to write data on a CD-RW disk and access and modify data. DVD-R and DVD+R are recordable. Data communications is the transmission of text, numeric, voice, or video data from one computer to another. The four essential components of data communications are: Sender Channel Receiver Protocols A sender is the computer that originates the message. The message is sent over a channel, such as a telephone. The receiver is the computer at the message s destination. Protocols are the rules that establish the transfer of data between sender and receiver. Device driver (or simply driver) handles the transmission protocol between a computer and its peripheral devices a computer program that t can establish communication because it contains information about the characteristics of your computer and of the device Data bus the data path between the microprocessor, RAM, and the peripherals along which communication travels 35 36

7 PCs have several types of ports: Parallel Serial SCSI USB MIDI Ethernet Components needed to connect a printer to a computer (types of Ports) Parallel port transmits transmits data eight bits at a time Serial port transmits transmits data one bit at a time SCSI (small computer system interface, pronounced scuzzy ) port provides provides an interface for one or more peripheral devices at the same port USB (Universal Serial Bus) port a a high- speed serial port which allows multiple connections at the same port Sound card port usually includes jacks for speakers and a microphone, which are designed to work with a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface,, pronounced middy ) card Ethernet port used to connect to another computer, a LAN, a modem, or sometimes directly to the Internet; allows data to be transmitted at high speeds Exploring Data Communications Keyboard port Audio connection Monitor port USB ports Speaker and microphone connections Computer ports and connections Power connection Mouse port FireWire port Network port Phone line connection Network connects one computer to other computers and peripheral devices Network interface card (NIC NIC) creates a communications channel between the computer and the network a cable connects the NIC port to the network Network software establishes the communications protocols that will be observed on the network controls the traffic flow of data traveling through the network 41 42

8 Server acts as the central storage location for programs provides mass storage for most of the data used on the network Client computers on a network dependent on a server Client/server network a a network with server that t acts as the central storage location Peer-to-peer network a network without a server all of the computers are equal Standalone computer aa personal computer that is not connected to a network Workstation a personal computer that t is connected to a network Node any device connected to the network Workstation Workstation Server Printer Your local workstation Network configuration LAN (local area network) ) computers and peripherals located close to each other WAN (wide area network) ) more than one LAN connected together the Internet is the largest example of a WAN WLAN (wireless local area network) computers and peripherals that use highfrequency radio waves instead of wires to communicate and connect in a network Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) describes WLANs connected using a standard radio frequency established by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) PAN (personal area network) aa networkthat that allows two or more devices located close to each other to communicate or to connect a device to the Internet t infrared technology uses infrared light waves to beam data from one device to another Bluetooth uses short range radio waves to connect a device wirelessly to another device or to the Internet WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) allows computers to connect over many miles to a LAN a WiMAX tower sends signals to a WiMAX receiver built or plugged into a computer 47 Sending site Digital signal Modem Analog signal Modem Digital signal Using modems to send and receive data Receiving site 48

9 Learning about Security Threats Security refers to the steps a computer owner takes to prevent unauthorized use of or damage to the computer Learning about Security Threats Malware describes any program that is intended to cause harm or convey information to others without the owner s permission Viruses harmful programs that instruct your computer to perform destructive activities, such as erasing a disk drive Antivirus software (virus protection software) ) searches executable files for the sequences of characters that may cause harm and disinfects the files by erasing or disabling those commands Learning about Security Threats Spyware programs contained with other programs that track a computer user s Internet usage and send this data back to the company or person that created it usually installed without the computer user s s permission or knowledge Anti-spyware software detects spyware and deletes them Adware software installed with another program usually with the user s permission generates advertising revenue for the program s creator by displaying targeted ads to the program s user 51 Learning about Security Threats Firewall prevents other computers on the Internet from accessing a computer and prevents programs on a computer from accessing the Internet without the computer user s permission can be either hardware or software router a device that controls traffic between network components usually has a built-in firewall. software firewalls track all incoming and outgoing traffic 52 Learning about Security Threats Spoofed site a Web site set up to look like another Web site, but which does not belong to the organization portrayed in the site the URL (address on the Web) looks similar to a URL from the legitimate site usually set up to try to convince customers of the real site to enter personal information Phishing the practice of sending s to customers or potential customers of a legitimate Web site asking them to click a link in the the link leads to a spoofed site Pharming when a criminal breaks into a DNS server (a computer responsible for directing Internet traffic) and redirect any attempts to access a particular Web site to the criminal s spoofed site 53 Protecting Information with Passwords Logging in signing in with a user name and password Strong password at least eight characters consists of upper- and lowercase letters and numbers does not include common personal information 54

10 Understanding System System software helps the computer carry out it s basic operating tasks. The four types of system software are: Operating systems Utilities Device drivers Programming languages Understanding di System Operating system controls the input and output (I/O) allocates system resources manages files on storage devices guards against equipment failure Operating environment provides a graphical user interface (GUI) that acts as a liaison between the user and the computer Understanding di System Utilities a category of system software that augment the operating system by taking over some of its responsibility for allocating hardware resources Device drivers handle the transmission protocol between a computer and its peripherals when you add a device to an existing computer, part of its installation includes adding its device driver to the computer s configuration Programming languages used by a programmer to write computer instructions the instructions are translated into electrical signals that the computer can manipulate and process. Understanding di System Icons (you might see additional icons on your screen) Start button Taskbar Quick Launch toolbar Gadgets (small programs; you might see additional or different gadgets on your screen) Windows Vista starting screen Application software enables you to perform specific computer tasks Document production software includes word processing software, desktop publishing software, editors, and Web authoring software has a variety of features that assist you in writing and formatting documents, including changing the font (the style of type) and spell checking to help you avoid typographical and spelling errors Spreadsheet software a numerical analysis tool used to create a worksheet composed of a grid of columns and rows you type data into the cells, and enter mathematical formulas into other cells that reference the data 59 60

11 A wiggly red line indicates a possible spelling error Cell B5 contains result of calculation performed by spreadsheet software Graph Spell checking a document Typical worksheet with numerical data and a graph Database management software lets you collect and manage data Database a collection of information stored on one or more computers organized in a uniform format of records and fields record a collection of data items in a database field one piece of information in the record An example of a database is the online catalog of books at a library; the catalog contains one record for each book in the library, and each record contains fields that identify the title, the author, and the subjects under which the book can be classified. Graphics software allows you to create illustrations, diagrams, graphs, and charts Presentation ti software allows you to project a presentation before a group, print it out for quick reference, or transmit it to remote computers Clip art simple drawings that are included as collections with many software packages Photo editing software allows you to manipulate digital photos you can make the images brighter, add special effects to the photo, add additional images to a photo, or crop the photo to include only relevant parts of the image Multimedia authoring software allows you to record digital sound files, video files, and animations Web site creation and management software allows you to create and manage Web sites Information management software keeps track of schedules, appointments, t contacts, t and to-do lists 65 66

12 Understanding Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) Object linking and embedding (OLE) refers to the ability to use data from another file, called the source Embedding occurs when you copy and paste the source data in the new file Linking allows you to create a connection between the source data and the copy in the new file the link updates the copy every time a change is made to the source data Integration the seamless nature of OLE among some applications Homework Assignment Page 26 in the Spartan Blue Concepts section of your book. Complete questions 1-35, write answers on a sheet of paper. This will go towards your SUMMATIVE grade so take your time and do a good job! 67 68