Introduction to Computing

Dr. Eric Afful-Dadzie

Slides adapted from Discovery computers 1

Objectives Overview

Define the term,

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

Discuss the advantages

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

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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 users
care, science, publishing,
each interact with
travel, and manufacturing
computers

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A World of Computers

• Computers are everywhere

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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

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What Is a Computer?

6
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

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The Components of a Computer

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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

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AI and Job Losses

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You’re on Facebook? Watch Out!
• Facebook – world’s largest social network
– As of the second quarter of 2016, Facebook had 1.71
billion monthly active users
• Problem – Identity theft and malicious software
– Examples:
• 2009 18-month hacker scam for passwords, resulted in
Trojan horse download that stole financial data
• Dec 2008 Koobface worm (allowed cyber-criminals to track and record
sensitive data about their victims)

• May 2010 Spam campaigned aimed at stealing logins

• Illustrates: Types of security attacks facing consumers
• Demonstrates: Ubiquity of hacking, malicious software

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Computers and Public Safety

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Watch out for fake Pages and apps/games

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 Management Information Systems
CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Keeping Safe on Social Media

• Pick a unique, strong password
– Use combinations of at least 6 letters
– numbers and punctuation marks
– Don’t use this password for any of your other accounts. You can also use a password safe
• Use a separate email address for social activities
• Don’t reveal your location
• Take advantage of social network privacy options
– You have a recovery question that says “what color is your dog,” and you post a picture
of your dog on your profile or relatives’ maiden names
• Don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know
• Never give out your login info (ex: email address and password)
• Log in at www.facebook.com.
• Don’t use the same password on more than one site
• Post with care
• Revoke access to any suspicious third-party apps (Candy crush, Caller ups)
• Block unwanted individuals

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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

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Networks and the Internet

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

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Networks and the Internet

• The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that

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

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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

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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

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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

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Computer Software

• Installing is the process of setting up software to

work with the computer, printer, and other
hardware

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Computer Software

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

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Categories of Computers
Personal computers

Mobile computers and mobile devices

Game consoles

Servers

Mainframes

Supercomputers

Embedded computers

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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

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Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

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

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Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Notebook computer

Tablet PC

Smart phones and PDAs

E-book reader

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Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Handheld computer

Portable media player

Digital camera

Pages 22 - 23 27
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figures 1-21 – 1-23
Game Consoles

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

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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

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Mainframes

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

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Supercomputers

• A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful

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

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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 • Sprinkling systems • Engine control 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 devices
recorders
• Answering
machines

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Embedded Computers

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Embedded Systems – Wearable Devices

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Elements of an Information System

Hardware Software Data

People Procedures

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Elements of an Information System

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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

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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 38
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figures 1-33 – 1-34
Computer Applications in Society

Education
Finance
Government
Health Care
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Computer Applications in Society

Science
Publishing
Travel
Manufacturing
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Summary

Basic computer Components of a

concepts computer

Many different
categories of
Networks, the Internet,
computers, computer
and computer software
users, and computer
applications in society
Page 39 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 41