Application of Information &

Communication Technologies

Chapter 1
Basic Introduction to
Computers
Your Interactive Guide
to the Digital World
Objectives Overview

Define the term,

Explain why computer computer, and describe Describe the five
literacy is vital to the relationship components of
success in today’s world between data and a computer
information

Discuss the advantages

Define the term,
and disadvantages Discuss the uses of the
network, and identify
that users experience Internet and World
benefits of sharing
when working with Wide Web
resources on a network
computers

See Page 3 2
:Chapter 1
for Detailed Objectives
Objectives Overview

Distinguish between system Differentiate among types, Describe the role of each
software and application sizes, and functions of element in an information
software computers in each category system

Explain how home users,

Discuss how society uses
small office/home office
computers in education,
users, mobile users, power
finance, government, health
users, and enterprise
care, science, publishing,
users each interact with
travel, and manufacturing
computers

See Page 3 3
for Detailed Objectives
A World of Computers

• Computers are everywhere

Pages 4 - 5 4
Figure 1-1
What Is a Computer?

• A computer is an electronic device, operating

under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory

Collects Produces
data Processing information
(input) (output)

Information Processing Cycle

Page 6 5
What Is a Computer?

Page 6 6
Figure 1-2
The Components of a Computer

• A computer contains many electric, electronic, and

mechanical components known as hardware
Input Device • Allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer

Output Device • Hardware component that conveys information to one or more people

• Case that contains the electronic components of the computer that

System Unit are used to process data

• Records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from storage

Storage Device media

Communications • Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and

Device information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices

Pages 6 - 8 7
The Components of a Computer

Page 7 8
Figure 1-3
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
Advantages of Disadvantages of
Using Computers Using Computers

Speed Health Risks

Reliability Violation of Privacy

Consistency Public Safety

Storage Impact on Labor Force

Communications Impact on Environment

Pages 9 - 10 9
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
• Green computing involves reducing the electricity
consumed and environmental waste generated when
using a computer
• Strategies include:
– Recycling
– Regulating manufacturing processes
– Extending the life of computers
– Immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced computers

Page 10 10
Networks and the Internet

• A network is a
collection of computers
and devices connected
together, often
wirelessly, via
communications
devices and
transmission media

Pages 10 - 11 11
Figure 1-6
Networks and the Internet

• The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that

connects millions of businesses, government agencies,
educational institutions, and individuals

Page 11 12
Figure 1-7
Networks and the Internet

• People use the Internet for a variety of reasons:

Communicate Research and Shop Bank and Invest Online Trading

Access Information

Entertainment Download Videos Share Information Web Application

Pages 12 - 13 13
Figure 1-8
Networks and the Internet

• A social networking Web site encourages

members to share their interests, ideas, stories,
photos, music, and videos with other registered
users

Page 14 14
Figure 1-9
Computer Software

• Software, also called a program, tells the

computer what tasks to perform and how to
perform them
System Software
• Operating system
• Utility program

Application Software

Pages 15 - 16 15
Figures 1-10 - 1-11
Computer Software

• Installing is the process of setting up software to

work with the computer, printer, and other
hardware

Pages 16 - 17 16
Figure 1-12
Computer Software

• A programmer develops
software or writes the
instructions that direct
the computer to
process data into
information

Page 18 17
Figure 1-13
Categories of Computers
Personal computers

Mobile computers and mobile devices

Game consoles

Servers

Mainframes

Supercomputers

Embedded computers

Page 19 18
Personal Computers

• A personal computer can perform all of its input,

processing, output, and storage activities by itself
• Two popular architectures are the PC and the
Apple
– Desktop computer

Pages 19 - 20 19
Figures 1-15 - 1-16
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Mobile Mobile
Computer Device
Personal computer you Computing device small
can carry from place enough to hold in your
to place hand

Examples include smart

Examples include
phones and PDAs, e-
notebook computers,
book readers, handheld
laptop computers,
computers, portable
netbooks, ultra-thins,
media players, and
and Tablet PCs
digital cameras

Pages 20 - 23 20
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Notebook computer

Tablet PC

Smart phones and PDAs

E-book reader

Pages 20 - 22 21
Figures 1-17 – 1-20
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Handheld computer

Portable media player

Digital camera

Pages 22 - 23 22
Figures 1-21 – 1-23
Game Consoles

• A game console is a
mobile computing
device designed for
single-player or
multiplayer video
games

Page 24 23
Figure 1-24
Servers

• A server controls access

to the hardware,
software, and other
resources on a network
– Provides a centralized
storage area for
programs, data, and
information

Page 25 24
Figure 1-25
Mainframes

• A mainframe is a large,
expensive, powerful
computer that can
handle hundreds or
thousands of connected
users simultaneously

Page 25 25
Figure 1-26
Supercomputers

• A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful

computer
– Fastest supercomputers are capable of processing
more than one quadrillion instructions in a single
second

Page 25 26
Figure 1-27
Embedded Computers

• An embedded computer is a special-purpose

computer that functions as a component in
a larger product
Consumer Home Automation Process Controllers Computer Devices
Automobiles
Electronics Devices and Robotics and Office Machines
•• Mobile and digital •• Thermostats •• Antilock brakes •• Remote monitoring •• Keyboards
telephones
telephones •• Sprinkling systems •• Engine control systems
systems •• Printers
•• Digital televisions •• Security modules •• Power monitors •• Faxes
•• Cameras monitoring systems •• Airbag controller •• Machine •• Copiers
•• Video recorders •• Appliances •• Cruise control controllers
•• DVD players and •• Lights •• Medical
recorders devices
devices
•• Answering
machines

Page 26 27
Embedded Computers

Page 26 28
Figure 1-28
Elements of an Information System

Hardwar Software Data

e

People Procedures

Page 27 29
Elements of an Information System

Page 27 30
Figure 1-29
Examples of Computer Usage

Home User Small Office/Home Mobile User

• Personal financial Office User • Connect to other computers
management • Look up information on a network or the Internet
• Web access • Send and receive e-mail • Transfer information
• Communications messages • Play video games
• Entertainment • Make telephone calls • Listen to music
• Watch movies

Pages 28 – 31 31
Figures 1-30 – 1-32
Examples of Computer Usage

Power User Enterprise User

• Work with multimedia • Communicate among
• Use industry-specific employees
software • Process high volumes
of transactions
• Blog

Pages 31 – 32 32
Figures 1-33 – 1-34
Computer Applications in Society

Education
Finance
Governmen
t Health
Pages 34 - 36 33
Figures 1-36 – 1-39
Computer Applications in Society

Science
Publishing
Travel
Manufacturing
Pages 36 - 38 34
Figures 1-40 – 1-43
Video: Computer History in a Barn

CLICK TO START

35
Summary

Basic computer Components of a

concepts computer

Many different
categories of
Networks, the Internet, computers, computer
and computer users, and computer
software applications in society
Page 39 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 36