Computers: Tools for an Information Age

Contents
Information Age  Computer Literacy  Where Computers Are Used  Computer System  Network  Classifications of Computers


Information Age


The current age will be characterized by the ability of individuals to transfer information freely, and to have instant access to knowledge that would have been difficult or impossible to find previously.

Internet Usage - 2009

Cornerstones of our Economy



Traditional Cornerstones of Economy:

Land Labour Capital

New Economic Element:

Information

Jobs
Forging a Computer-Based Society:
 

From physical to mental From muscle-power to brain-power

Computer use


Where used?
Bank withdrawal Supermarket Drive the car

Do I need a Personal Computer?

Half of Americans have one at home Many more use at work

Will I use a computer in my future career?

Almost every job will involve use of a computer

Computer Literacy


Awareness
Importance Versatility (doing many things at the same time) Pervasiveness (general applicability)

Knowledge
What are computers How do computers work Terminology

Interaction
Use some simple computer applications

The Nature of Computers

Characteristics
  

Results
  

Speed Reliability Storage capability

Productivity Decision making Cost reduction

Benefits of Computers


Productivity
Workers use computers to do their jobs faster and better Many processes can be more efficiently controlled by computers

Decision Making
Helps decision makers sort out financial, geographical, and logistical factors

Cost Reduction
Helps hold down costs of labor, energy and paperwork

Where Computers Are Used Graphics

Graphs and charts Animated graphics Visual walk-through

Where Computers Are Used Education



Teaching and testing aid Learning by doing Computer-based instruction

 

Where Computers Are Used Retailing



Bar codes for pricing and inventory Shipping

Where Computers Are Used Energy

Locate oil, coal, natural gas, and uranium  Monitor the power network  Meter reading


Where Computers Are Used Law Enforcement



National fingerprint files National files on criminal Computer modeling of DNA

Where Computers Are Used Transportation

    

Cars Run rapid transit systems Load containerships Track railroad cars Monitor air traffic

Where Computers Are Used Money

  

Record keeping Banking by phone Credit cards

Where Computers Are Used Government

    

Forecast weather Manage parks Process immigrants Social Security benefits Taxes

Where Computers Are Used The Home

     

Educational tool Letter writing Budgeting Drawing and editing pictures Newsletters Connecting with others

Where Computers Are Used Health and Medicine

  

Monitor patients Electronic imaging Diagnose illnesses

Where Computers Are Used Robotics



Perform jobs that are dangerous for humans Factory work

Where Computers Are Used The Human Connection

 

Assist the disabled Assist athletes by monitoring their movements

Where Computers Are Used

The Sciences
Research  Simulation


Connectivity
Communication Telecommuting (work from home)

Computers are all around!

Grocery store  School  Library  Bank  Mail


We interact with computers everyday!

Computer System


A machine that can be programmed to accept data, process it into useful information, and store it away

People Software Hardware

People


Computer programmer person who writes programs Users or End-users make use of the computers capabilities

Software
 Programs

 Set

of instructions that directs the hardware to do a required task and produce the desired results

Hardware Basic Components of a Computer

Computer


A machine that can be programmed to accept data (input), process it into useful information (output), and store it away (in secondary storage device) for safekeeping or later reuse Process is directed by software but performed by the hardware

Function of Computer System

Data handling
I P O S Input Process Output Storage

Input devices


Accept data or commands and convert them to electronic form Getting data into the computer
Typing on a keyboard Pointing with a mouse Scanning with a wand reader or bar-code reader Terminal (telephones, fax, network devices - printers, work stations, routers in a VoIP network )

Output devices
Convert from electronic form to some other form May display the processed results Usable information Monitor or screen
     

Printer
 

Text Numbers Symbols Art Photographs Video

Black and white Color

The Processor
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
  

Converts data to useful information Interpret and execute instructions Communicate with input, output and storage

Two Types of Storage

 Secondary

storage long-term storage storage or memory temporary storage

 Primary

Memory / Primary Storage



Used to temporarily hold data

After it is retrieved from input device and before it is processed After it is processed and before it is released to output device

Temporary (volatile) storage

Data in memory lost if power is lost or program closed

Transforms data into information

Secondary Storage
Long-term storage  Non-volatile


Secondary Storage Examples



Magnetic disks read and written by magnetic disk drive

Hard disk Diskette

Optical disks read and written by optical disk drives

CD-ROM DVD-ROM

Magnetic tape read and written by magnetic tape drives

Primarily used for back-up

Output: What Comes Out

Output: the result produced by the CPU  Common forms of output: text, numbers, graphics, and sounds  Common output devices:


Screen (monitor): can display text, numbers, photographs, even video, in full color Printer: produces printed reports as instructed by a program
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Network


Definition
A system that uses communications equipment to connect computers and their resources.

Types
Local area network (LAN) connects computers in close proximity Metropolitan area network (MAN) connect computers between buildings in the same geographic area Wide are network (WAN) connects computers over great distances

Home Connectivity


Connect home PC to other computers Use modem to convert signals between electronic (computer) and analog (voice) formats

Modem


A device that allows users to communicate with other computers over telephone lines
Required when you dont have a digital connection such as DSL or a cable modem

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Internet

   

As of 2009, an estimated quarter of Earth's population uses the services of the Internet.
Collection of thousands of networks No ownership No central source for services available No comprehensive index of what information is available

Connects Everyone!
Individuals Businesses Organizations Libraries Research labs Government

Getting Connected


Users computer must connect to a server

Server receives, processes, and transmits information

 

Server must communicate using TCP/IP The user can purchase access to a server from an ISP (Internet Service Provider)

Internet Service Providers



The owner of a server computer

Charges a fee for access to the Internet


Fee can provide unlimited access or be based on usage

Provides the user a means to connect to the server

Once connected, you can connect to the Internet and all other server computers

Computer Protocols


Provides a standard way to communicate with other computers

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) used on the Internet Allows different types of computers to share data

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World Wide Web

Browser program that allows the user to move around and explore the Internet Use the mouse to point and click on text and graphics Web page Web site Home page

Classifications of Computers
Use the computer that fits your needs  Based upon


Size Speed Cost Portability Number of simultaneous users supported Available software Typical use

Classification of Computers
Personal Computers  Notebook Computers  Handheld Computers  Midrange Computers  Mainframes  Supercomputers


Personal Computers


Desktop computers
Also known as PCs, microcomputers, or home computers

Broken down into three categories:

Low-end computers Fully-powered personal computers Workstations

Network computer
Central processing unit and minimal memory Designed to be used on a network


Sometimes called thin client Return

PC Categories


Low-end computers
Fine for home users, word processing, simple games, Internet access

Fully powered computers

Good for heavy use of graphics, programming, or action-oriented games

Workstations
Very high-end computers used by engineers, financial traders, and graphic designers

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Notebook Computers
 

Small, lightweight computers Capabilities approach that of desktop computers

Similar processing and memory Most have hard disk, and diskette or CD-ROM drive

Typically more expensive than comparable desktop computers

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Handheld Computers


Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)

Keeps track of appointments, contacts, etc. Accepts input with hand-held stylus

Pocket PC
Offers capabilities of PDAs, plus the ability to run stripped-down versions of software such as word processing and spreadsheets
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Midrange Computers


Multi-user computers designed to serve the needs of medium-sized organizations

Hundreds or thousands of users connected Used for inventory, order-entry, and other company-wide applications

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Mainframes


Very large and powerful computers

Capable of processing billions of instructions per second Capable of handling billions of characters of data

Often used for applications with many users

Reservations systems Large mail-order houses E-mail servers
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Supercomputers


The fastest and most powerful computers

Capable of processing trillions of instructions per second

Used for very sophisticated applications requiring mammoth data manipulation:

Weather forecasting Weapons research Special effects for movies Return

Objectives
       

Describe the three fundamental characteristics of computers Describe at least four areas of society in which computers are used Identify the basic components of a computer system: input, processing, output, and storage List some common input, output, and storage media Distinguish data from information Describe the significance of networking Explain the significance of the Internet Explain the various classifications of computers