Introduction to Computing Concepts

1. Introduction to Computing Concepts CGS1100

2. What is a Computer? • An electronic device used to process data. • The most common computer today? • the Personal Computer. CGS1100 2

3. How Many Are There? CGS1100

4. How Many Internet Users Are There? CGS1100

5. Parts of a Computer System CGS1100

6. 4 Parts of a Computer System • Hardware • the physical part of the computer • Software • the programs that run the hardware • Data • raw facts that are turned into useful information • People • the individuals that use computers (the user) • the software and hardware designers CGS1100

7. 4 Categories of Hardware • The Central Processing Unit (CPU) • Intel Pentium • Memory • ROM and RAM • Measured in bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, etc. • Input and Output devices • Moves data in and moves processed information out • Storage devices • Floppy disk drive, hard disk drive, CDROM, CDR, CDRW, DVD drives, Zip drives CGS1100

8. The CPU • The Central Processing Unit • Turns data into useful information • Is connected to the motherboard • Is the brain of the computer • Not the same thing as “the box” CGS1100

9. Memory • Read Only Memory (ROM) • Contains the information needed to boot the system • Nonvolatile (data cannot be changed) • Random Access Memory (RAM) • Working memory • Volatile (is lost when machine is turned off) • The more RAM, the faster the computer will run and the more it can do • The more software you can upgrade before having to upgrade hardware CGS1100

10. Input Devices • Accept data and instructions from the user • Keyboards • Mice and Trackballs • Touch-Screen Monitors • Scanners • Microphones • Digital Cameras • IPods CGS1100

11. Output Devices • Printer • Monitor • Hard drive • Floppy Disk drive • CD’s/DVD’s • Speakers, IPods • Key Drives (USB port hard drives) Return processed information back to the user. CGS1100

12. “External” Storage • Holds data • Large storage capacity • measured in • Megabytes (Mb) • one million bytes • Gigabytes (Gb) • one billion bytes • Terabytes (Tb) • one trillion bytes • Nonvolatile CGS1100

13. Common Storage Devices • Hard drives • Floppy Disk drives • USB Drives • External Hard drives • Optical drives • Compact Disks • CD-ROM, CD-R & CD-RW • Digital Versatile Disks • DVD, DVD-R & DVD-RW • Blu-Ray? CGS1100

14. New Devices on the Horizon? • New Storage Devices • Plasma drives • Holographic imaging drives • Portable hard drives • Thumb drives • Memory sticks • Nanotubes • New GUI Devices • Microsoft Surface Or SD Cards CGS1100

15. Software • A set of instructions • When executed tells the computer and its peripheral devices • what actions to perform and • in what order to perform them CGS1100

16. Categories of Software • System Software • Operating systems, such as Windows (Windows7, Vista, XP & 2000), DOS, Linux, iMac, AS400 • Application Software & Suites • Word processing, Spreadsheets, Databases, Multimedia, Presentation & Graphics, Entertainment, Education, Utilities, Communications CGS1100

17. Sizes of Computers • Supercomputers The Cray • Mainframes IBM 360, AS400 • Minicomputers System 36/38 CGS1100

18. Sizes of Computers cont. • Microcomputers (PCs) • Workstation • Desktop • Laptop or Portable • iPads • Personal Digital Assistant (PDAs) • Tablet • eBook • SmartPhones • Blackberry • IPhones ACE CAD L2 Sony Reader iPad Amazon Kindle CGS1100

19. How Computers Work CGS1100

20. How Data is Stored • Binary Numbering System • Uses 2 digits: 0 and 1 • All data is stored within the computer as 0’s and 1’s. • Decimal Numbering System • Uses 10 digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 • Other Numbering Systems CGS1100

21. Bits & Bytes • A Bit • The smallest possible unit of data. • In binary, either a 0 or a 1. • A Nibble • A combination of 4 bits (now out of use) • A Byte • A combination of 8 bits. • Used to represent up to 256 different values. • Used to represent characters. • Ex. 0100 0001 = A (in ASCII) CGS1100

22. Text Codes • ASCII • An 8-bit coding system used on personal computers. • Unicode • A 16-bit coding system used to represent characters from almost every language in the world. CGS1100

23. How to Protect Yourself From your computer! CGS1100

24. Ergonomics CGS1100

25. Tips for PC Purchase • Review online reviews of hardware & software • Don’t skimp on memory • Purchase as much disk space as possible • Don’t forget the bundled software • Don’t forget your surroundings - Ergonomics • Insist on a price guarantee; i.e., if the price goes down within 30 days, you are entitled to the rebate • Insist on a 30-day unconditional return policy for full refund CGS1100

26. Networks CGS1100

27. Modems • Connect computers • Uses telephone lines from one location to another. • Measured in transfer rates of bits per second CGS1100

28. Analog Vs. Digital Sound No Sound Example of an Analog Signal Example of a Digital Signal CGS1100

29. Modem Tin can Modem Modem Analog Signal CGS1100

30. Networks • Connect computers together so that they can communicate, exchange information, and pool resources. • Are connected by nodes • Categories • Local Area Network (LAN) • Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) • Wide Area Network (WAN) • Internet CGS1100

31. Client/Server networks Shares both files and programs with the nodes. Processing is shared between the server and the nodes. What you’re on in when in the classroom! Client/Server Network CGS1100

32. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Network Peer-to-peer networks All nodes share resources equally. All nodes can act as file servers and can access common peripherals. CGS1100 32

33. The Internet CGS1100

34. National Science Foundation (NSF) net • The complement to ARPANET. • Became higher-capacity network • The backbone of the Internet • Could handle the increased user load • Developed into a much larger network sharing information among • government, • business and • commercial enterprises. CGS1100

35. Router TCP/IP Internet A Sample Internet Connection • Individual PCs are connected to a local area network. • Then connected via a router to the Internet using a TCP/IP connection • Then connected to other LANs. CGS1100 35

36. How the Internet Works • TCP/IP • Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol • The universal language of the Internet • Includes the specifications that identify individual computers and the exchange of data between computers. CGS1100

37. IP & DNS Addresses • IP (Internet Protocol) the 4-part numeric address that identifies each computer. • 10.2.2.166 • DNS (Domain Name System) the name counterpart to the IP address. • mcmanusm@nwfsc.edu • Easier to use than remembering number CGS1100

38. Internet Domains Examples: nwfsc.edu uwf.edu irs.gov yahoo.com CGS1100 38

39. Email • An exchange of electronic information • Can also include data files and program files to email messages • No expectation of privacy • Every e-mail address is unique • You can obtain an account • Through your school, • pay for an account through an ISP such as AOL, or • get free email accounts at sites like www.hotmail.com or www.yahoo.com orwww.gmail.com CGS1100 39

40. An Email Address • Consists of two parts • A username and a host computer mcmanusm@nwfsc.edu Highest-level domain Host computer Username A good Internet E-mail Address must contain the @ symbol CGS1100

41. Other Internet Features • E-commerce is the exchange of goods and services via the Internet. • It requires a buyer and seller, and a ‘place to meet’ • Advantages for the Seller • Open 24/7 • Shoppers from anywhere • Virtual inventory is cheaper and extensive • Lower transaction costs • Target your customers • Advantages for the Buyer • Open 24/7 • Never leave home • Easy to view and explore product line • Comparison shop • Web site knows you CGS1100

42. Other Internet Features cont. • News & News Groups • A form of public bulletin board • Each news group is dedicated to one particular subject • Can quickly become an annoyance! CGS1100

43. Other Internet Features cont. • FTP (File Transfer Protocol) • A tool used to copy files from one computer to another. • Allows you to upload content to a website CGS1100

44. Other Internet Features cont. • Don’t give out your name or anything personal! • Internet Relay Chat (IRC) • Chat rooms • a means of communicating with others in real time • Play Safe! CGS1100

45. Other Internet Features cont. • Social Networking Sites • FaceBook • MySpace • Twitter • LinkedIn • Yahoo! Pulse • MyLife • Classmates CGS1100

46. The World Wide Web Created in the late 1980’s at the European Particle Physics Laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland A method for incorporating footnotes, figures, and cross-references into online hypertext documents Uses HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) Other Internet Features cont. CGS1100

47. Other Internet Features cont. • HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) • a set of rules that provide the internal structure to the WWW • HTML (Hypertext Markup Language). • A page-description language that translates document formatting to formatting for the Web • HTTPS • Secure protocol for confidential transactions • URL (Uniform Resource Locator) • Internet address in a special format that can be read by HTTP. • Ex. http://www.yahoo.com CGS1100

48. Other Internet Features cont. • Web browsers make negotiating the Web easier. • Most well-known browsers • Internet Explorer 81.28% • Firefox (Mosaic/Mozilla) 12.96% • Safari (Mac & Apple World) 3.93% • Netscape Navigator (< 1%) • With IE and Firefox making up over 90% of the market Percentages from PC Magazine, January 2007 CGS1100

49. Other Internet Features cont. • Search Engines - General CGS1100

50. Other Internet Features cont. • Search Engines – Meta-Search CGS1100