THINGS TO REMEMBER INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

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1 PREMIER CURRICULUM SERIES Based on the Sunshine State Standards for Secondary Education, established by the State of Florida, Department of Education THINGS TO REMEMBER INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS Copyright 2009 Revision Date:12/2009

2 Lesson 1 Introduction to Computers Things to Remember The computer runs a POST test every time a user turns on the system. The RJ-11 port is for the phone. The USB port is hot swappable. The device can be plugged in and unplugged while the computer is running. A computer has 4 components of the information processing cycle. Input, processing, output and storage. One can enter data into a computer by means in addition to the mouse and keyboard. The monitor shows what one is typing and what one is accessing on the internet. A computer consists of both hardware and software. Software consists of System and Application types. A memory card is a storage device. A mouse can be used as an input device. Lesson 2 Input devices include: keyboard, mouse, trackball, pointing stick, touch pad, joystick, touch screen, speech and camera digital, video, webcam. When typing on a keyboard, it is unnecessary to press any key at the end of every line. CD-R storage devices allow you to write files to a compact disc one time. The hard drive is the part of the computer that is the main storage device. RAM is a type of memory chip that loses information when the computer is turned off. The motherboard is a main circuit board that houses the CPU. File management software, anti-virus software, and back- up software are all considered system utilities. A dialog box appears when you select a menu option that has three ellipses following it. Shareware is the type of software license which allows you to try the software for free. Application software is the type of software that does things like help you to write a letter. Lesson 3 Word processing applications help to write, edit, format and print professional looking document. Headers or footers that a user enters appear on all pages of the document. Word wrapping is a feature in word processors that make it unnecessary to press any key to advance to the next line. A word processor handles words, punctuation and format- NOT numbers. Spreadsheets consist of rows and columns

3 Introduction to Computers Things to Remember An Excel workbook can have 50 worksheets. If the value in a cell changes, the value in a related cell will change. In a spreadsheet, numbers are used to identify rows. Letters are used to identify columns. A data base consists of fields and records. Designs, animations and transitions can be added to a presentation slide. Lesson 4 The Internet enables users to communicate with people anywhere. A local access number is not important for cable connection to the Internet (but is important for dial-up connection to the Internet.) Usual ways to access the Internet from home are: dial-up and DSL, telephone, ISDN, cable, WebTV The fastest connection for home use is broad band. Web developers use HTML to create web pages. Part of a web address is the server name. A valid address has the sender s user name and the name of the provider of the service separated by symbol. Adding a web site to the Favorites list enables a user to access it quickly. The Internet allows people to work from home, download programs, and read news. The Internet started in the 1960 s with only 4 sites. Lesson 5 Defining the problem or requirement analysis is the first stage of developing an application. Designing the program is the second stage in developing software. Coding the program is the third stage. Testing and debugging is the fourth stage. Formalizing the solution is the fifth stage. Implementing and maintaining the program is the sixth stage. Coding means writing the program in an appropriate computer language. Implementing of a new software application does include training. Creating user documentation is part of Implementation. Lesson 6 Typing your message in all capital letters signifies shouting. Instant messaging is a form of communication in which you send and receive messages to friends and family. As it is very popular, people use an instant messaging short hand which is fine when writing informally. 5/7/2009

4 Introduction to Computers Things to Remember According to the Computer Ethics Board, you should not copy or use software you did not purchase, gain access to another person s computer to gain access to his or her files, or use a computer to harm others. It is important, when attaching large files to an , to compress them so the person receiving the files does not have to wait for a long time for the file to download. Viruses travelling via infect the receiving machines and contain code that send infected s from virus victims to individuals who are in their address book. Buying a friend s software program just to try it out is software piracy because its developers do not get paid. A program that disguises itself as something other than what it truly is, such as a game, and disrupts users computers is called Trojan Horse. Copyright violation is a crime one commits by copying someone else s text from the Internet and using it to make money. A worm uses the Internet to spread itself. The Internet has made identity theft easier to accomplish. Lesson 7 A Flat screen panel monitor does not emit electromagnetic fields. Entering data into a computer for hours at a time without taking a break causes Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. The best way to discard old computers is to take them to a recycling center. Web Master is the most common title for a person who manages web pages. Database administrators create and maintain data tables, queries, forma and reports. They are responsible for the integrity (accuracy) of the data and perform regular database backups. A hardware technician takes things apart and puts them back together again. Programmers develop and maintain software applications IT managers also oversee budgets of their departments. Helpdesk Specialists assist users with inquiries. Technical Writers develop user manuals, online help, tutorials associated with new application or information systems. 5/7/2009

5 Introduction to Computers Things to Remember 5/7/2009

6 Author: Brenda J. Remus Copyright 2009 Revision Date:12/2009