APPRECIATION/ WINDOWS

COMPUTER (DEFINITION): Computer can be defined as

an electronic device or machine that accepts data,
process data, and communicate result as information
using instructions given.

PROPERTIES OF A COMPUTER
Properties of the computer can be said to be those
special features which the computer has, and some of
those things includes: -
Accuracy: this property of the computer makes the
computer to be accurate, i.e. it makes the computer to be
intelligent.

Speed: this makes the computer to be very fast.

Diligence: this property of the computer makes the

computer to be very strong and makes the computer to
work for a very long period of time without getting tired.

Storage: this property makes the computer to save

information for a very long period of time.

Versatility: this property makes the computer to do

different variety of work.

TYPES OF COMPUTER (BY TYPE)

There are three types of computer, and they include:
  Digital computer: it’s a type of computer that only
accepts numeric data and communicates result in
mathematical forms. E.g. calculators, etc
 Analog computer: it’s a type of computer that is
used to
measure the physical tendency or magnitude of an
item. E.g. thermometers, car speedometer, scale,
etc.
 Hybrid computer: it’s a type of computer that
combines both the favorable features of the digital
and analog computers. E.g. laptop, desktop, palm top
or notebook computers, etc.

TYPES OF COMPUTERS (BY SIZE)

SUPER COMPUTERS: Super computers are the fastest,

largest and costliest computers available. The speed is in
the 100 million instructions per second range. They tend
to be used for specific applications in weather
forecasting, aircraft design and nuclear research. Super
computers are sometimes used for time sharing as well.
Memory size is in hundreds of megabytes.

USES OF SUPERCOMPUTERS
Because of their superiority, supercomputers are not
intended for your everyday tasks. They handle exhaustive
scientific applications that require complex and real-time
processing.

 In the field of science, researchers use these

machines to compute and model properties of
biological compounds like protein and human blood.
They are also used to interpret new diseases and
strains, and predict illness behavior and treatment.
  The military use supercomputers to test new aircraft,
tanks, and a host of weaponry and camouflage. They
also use them to understand the effects they will
have on soldiers and wars. These machines are also
used to help encrypt and decrypt sensitive data.
 In entertainment, supercomputers are used to help
make a flawless online gaming experience. Games
like World of War craft demand intense processing.
When thousands of gamers around the world are
playing, supercomputers help stabilize the game
performance.
 Meteorologists use them to simulate weather
behavior. They can also be used to predict
earthquakes.
 Scientists use them to simulate and test the effects
of nuclear weapon detonation.
 Scientists also use them to simulate the events of
the Big Bang and other space related projects.
 Hollywood uses supercomputers to create realistic
animations.
 The famous supercomputers Deep Blue and Watson
defeated chess Grandmaster Gary Kasparov and quiz
expert Ken Jennings respectively.

MAINFRAMES COMPUTERS: are large and powerful

machines. However, they fall short in terms of the
computation ability seen in supercomputers. They are like
big file servers, enabling multiple users from nearby and
remote locations to access resources at the same time.
Also known as big iron, these systems can handle
massive amounts of data going in and out
simultaneously. This makes them popular with
businesses.

USES OF MAINFRAMES COMPUTERS

They are used in large organizations where thousands of
clients have to access data simultaneously.
For examples:

 Performing ATM cash withdrawals and deposits.

During the process, communication between the
mainframe and remote computer will help
accomplish the financial transactions at hand.
 Business transactions that use credit cards or pre-
paid cards.
 Online electronic transactions.
 Cloud storage.
 Handling of patient records in major hospitals.
 Making reservations and travel schedules for airline
companies.
 Manipulation and tallying of data for census and
electoral purposes.

MINI-COMPUTERS COMPUTERS: are general purpose

devices without the monumental expenses associated
with a larger system. Their processing power is below
that of mainframe systems but above the capabilities of
personal computers.

USES OF MINICOMPUTERS

 Switchboard control.
 Dedicated applications for graphics and computer
design.
  Time-sharing, to allow multiple users to interact
concurrently on a single system.
 Control and monitoring of manufacturing activities.
 Monitoring and control of laboratory equipment.

SERVERS: These are systems which are designed to

provide resources, services and functionality to client
computers in a server-client network model. Resources
provided are based on the functions of a particular
server, which may fall under these categories:
 File server
 Database server
 Print server

 FTP servers (File Transfer Protocol)


 Application server
 Web server
Their sizes will depend on purpose and tasks in the
network. Of course bigger and more multitasking
installations will require multiple system and storage
installation.

MICRO-COMPUTERS/ PERSONAL COMPUTERS (PCs):

Microcomputers are the smallest, least expensive and the
most used computer systems. They have a small
memory, less processing power, are physically smaller,
and permit fewer peripherals compared to super and
mainframe computers. They are more commonly known
as personal computers or simply PCs.

CATEGORIES OF PERSONAL COMPUTERS INCLUDE:

Desktop Computers:
Desktop computers are made up of separate components
such as: The system unit (a rectangular case that
contains important parts like the motherboard,
microprocessor, memory modules, disk drive, and optical
drive.) Monitor, Mouse, keyboard, etc.

Mobile Computers:
Mobile devices have become the norm in recent years.
Most users opt for laptops and tablets due to ease of use
on the go, and battery power. E.g. Laptop computers,
tablets, smart phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA).
Note: A personal digital assistant, also known as a
handheld PC, is a variety mobile device which functions
as a personal information manager.

Wearable Gadgets:
Like the term suggests, wearable computers, or simply
wearables, are miniature devices that are designed to be
worn or attached onto your body. They typically provide
specific functions like health monitoring. E.g: smart
watches, smart glasses, smart clothes, smart shoes. etc

ADVANTAGES/ USES OF COMPUTER

 Computer has the ability to accept, process data
 It has the ability to retrieve data or information
 It has the ability to save or store information or data
 Computer creates provision of skilled jobs
opportunities
 Prevents duplication of papers in the offices
 It helps to do some advance calculation
 It is also used for the measurement of both physical
and mental tendencies.
 Computer is used for playing games
 Computer is used for banking
 Computer is used for browsing
 Computer is used for designing
 It’s also used for downloading
 It is used for booking flights, hotels, transport, etc
 It is used for shopping
 It is used for internet calls
 It is used for video calls
 It is used for watching movies
 It is used for project works
 It is used for distant learning
 It is used for presentation

DISADVANTAGES OF COMPUTER
 High Cost of Maintenance: computer as an
electronic device needs to be maintained. So as to
prevent it from damage or virus.
 Computer creates unemployment or it reduces
employment in the society
 Loss of data
 It sometimes miss calculates data which will leads to
wrong information or result
 It discourages manual way of doing things
(traditional way of working)
 Information mismanagement (unauthorized access to
information)
 VIRUS: Viruses are unwanted programs that hide
themselves in the computer to help distort the
normal function of the computer.

COMPUTER COMPONENTS
The computer components are the HARDWARE &
SOFTWARE
HARDWARE: these are the physical component of the
computer that we can see and touch. E.g. monitor,
mouse, keyboard, cpu, printer, scanner, etc.

Components of Hardware

INPUT DEVICES: this comprises of devices that are used

to give instructions to the computer. E.g. mouse,
keyboard, joystick, touch pad, light pen, scanner, etc.

OUTPUT DEVICE: These are devices that show the result

of instruction been given to the computer. E.g. monitor,
printer, speaker, projector etc.

STORAGE DEVICES: this is a property of the computer

that allows a computer user to save his or her work in the
computer. There are two components of the storage
device and they are: internal & removable or external
devices

 Internal drives: this is a drive in the computer that

enables savings inside the computer, e.g. hard disc
drive (HDD)

 Removable / External drives: this comprises of

drives that allows savings in the computer and can
be taking away from one place to another. E.g. flash
drives, diskettes, blank CD’s and DVD’s, memory
cards, etc.

Readable drives: these are drives that read other

drives or disc. E.g. CD/DVD-Rom, floppy disc drives
(FDD), card reader, universal serial bus (USB).
 SOFTWARE
These are physical component of the computer that we
can see but cannot touch. E.g. Corel draw, Mavis beacon,
Microsoft office, AutoCAD, etc

Types of software
There are two types of software, they includes:
 Application software
 System software/ operating system

Application software:
Application software, or simply applications, are
often called productivity programs or end-user programs
because they enable the user to complete tasks, such as
creating documents, spreadsheets, databases and
publications, doing online research, sending email,
designing graphics, running businesses, and even playing
games!

These are software that are been designed for use, we as

computer users we use this software to do our own work,
e.g. Corel draw, Mavis beacon, photo shop, AutoCAD, etc

System software/ operating system:

Systems software includes the programs that are
dedicated to managing the computer itself, such as the
operating system, file management utilities, and disk
operating system (or DOS). The operating system
manages the computer hardware resources in addition to
applications and data. Without systems software installed
in our computers we would have to type the instructions
for everything we wanted the computer to do!
System software allows the computer to do some work
on its own, in other words, it is that software that runs the
day to day activity of your computer and it allows other
software (application software) to work.
Furthermore Operating systems are programs that
control the overall functioning of a computer.

TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEM

 Windows
 Mac OS
 Linux
 IOS
 Android, etc

WINDOWS
Definition: Windows is an operating system, which offers
streamed line ways of doing things.

Versions/ Types of windows:

 Windows 95
 Windows 98
 Windows 2000
 Windows Millennium
 Windows XP
 Windows vista
 Windows 7
 Windows 8
 Windows 10
 Windows 12

FEATURES OF WINDOWS
 Taskbar
 Desktop
  Desktop icons
 Desktop gadgets

WINDOWS ACCESSORIES/ TOOLS

 Calculator
 Magnifier
 Onscreen keyboard
 Notepad
 WordPad
 Internet Explorer
 Windows Media Player
 Sound recorder
 Paint

Paint is a feature in Windows that you can

use to create drawings on a blank drawing
area or in existing pictures.