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Communications

Computer communications describes a process in


which two or more computers or devices transfer
data, instructions, and information

Communications
Sending device Receiving device
channel

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Communications
For successful communications, you need the following:

Sending Device: This is a device that initiates an instruction to


transmit data, instructions, or information.
Communications Device: This is a device that connects the
sending device to a communications channel.
Communications Channel: A communications channel
(transmission media) is a media or medium on which the data,
instructions, or information travel.
Communications Device: This is a device that connects the
communications channel to a receiving device.
Receiving Device: This is a device that accepts the transmission
of data, instructions, or information.
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Figure 9-1
Various Sending And Receiving Devices
Sending Devices: Examples of sending devices are mainframe computers,
servers, desktop computers, notebook computers, smart phones,
Internet-enabled portable media players, handheld game consoles, and
GPS receivers.
Communications Device: One type of communications device that
connects a communications channel to a sending or receiving device
such as a computer is a modem.
Communications Channel: Communications channel consists of
telephone and power lines, cable television and other underground lines,
microwave stations, and satellites.
Receiving Device: Examples of receiving devices are mainframe
computers, servers, desktop computers, notebook computers, smart
phones, Internet-enabled portable media players, handheld game
consoles, and GPS receivers.

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 9 3


Uses of Computer Communications
Computer communications are everywhere. Many require
that users subscribe to an Internet access provider. With
other computer communications, an organization such as a
business or school provides communications services to
employees, students, or customers.
The varieties of uses computer communications are:
These include wireless messaging services, wireless
Internet access points,
cybercafs, global positioning systems, collaboration,
groupware, voice mail, and Web services.

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Uses of Computer Communications
Wireless messaging services: Here, users can send
and receive wireless messages by means of

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Figure 9-3
Uses of Computer Communications
Text messaging (SMS) allows users to send and receive short
text messages on a phone or other mobile device or computer

Picture messaging allows users to send pictures and sound files

Video messaging allows users to send short video clips

Wireless instant messaging allows wireless users to exchange


real-time messages with one or more other users

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Uses of Computer Communications
Wireless Internet access points allow people to connect
wirelessly to the Internet from home, work, school, and
in many public locations

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Figure 9-4
Uses of Computer Communications
A cybercaf is a coffeehouse, restaurant, or other
location that provides personal computers with
Internet access to its customers

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Figure 9-5
Uses of Computer Communications
A global positioning system (GPS) is a navigation system
that consists of one or more earth-based receivers that
accept and analyze signals sent by satellites in order to
determine the GPS receivers geographic location
GPS receivers are:

Built into Available as a


Available with
many mobile handheld
new vehicles
devices device

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Uses of Computer Communications
Groupware Voice mail

Helps groups of people work Allows someone to leave a


together on projects and voice message for one or
share information over a more people
network Computer in voice mail
Component of workgroup system converts an analog
computing voice message into digital
Major feature is group form
scheduling A voice mailbox is a storage
location on a hard disk in the
voice mail system

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Uses of Computer Communications
Many programs provide a means to collaborate, or work
online, with other users connected to a server
Collaboration software includes tools that enable users to
share documents via online meetings and communicate
with other connected users

Document
Online Web
management
meetings conferences
systems

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Uses of Computer Communications
Web services enable
programmers to create
applications that
communicate with other
remote computers over
the Internet or on an
internal business network
A mashup is a Web
application that combines
services from two or
more sources

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Figure 9-8 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 9

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