Hardware and

Software Basics

With Dr. Poirot

Module Objectives
Describe the appropriate use of operating

systems, software applications, and

networking components.
Compare and contrast the use of various
input, processing, output, and
primary/secondary storage devices.
Explain the differences between analog
and digital technology systems and give
examples of each type of system.
Delineate and make necessary
adjustments regarding compatibility issues
and cross-platform connectivity.

Types of Devices
Digital versus Analog
A digital device uses discrete data.
Discrete data is distinct or separate.
Ex: Numbers or digits.
Most computers today are digital.

Their circuits have only two possible

states, such as Off and On or 0
and 1.

The Journey Inside from Intel's website

provides animation and video along with

Types of Devices
Digital versus Analog
An analog device operates
on continuously varying
data.
Continuously varying data
has an infinite number of
possible states.

Types of Devices
Digital versus Analog
A digital thermometer will give a

specific numerical reading when used

to measure someones body
temperature.
An old fashioned mercury
thermometers reading of someones
body temperature could be interpreted
differently by different users.

Computer Hardware
Central Processing Unit - also

called The Chip, a CPU, a

processor, or a microprocessor
Memory (RAM)
Storage Devices
Input Devices
Output Devices
View an animated illustration on
how integrated circuits or

Computer Hardware
Central Processing Unit - also called

The Chip, a CPU, a processor or a

microprocessor
Memory (RAM)
Storage Devices
Input Devices
Output Devices

Computer Hardware
Central Processing Unit - also called

The Chip, a CPU, a processor or a

microprocessor
Memory (RAM)
Storage Devices
Input Devices
Output Devices

Computer Hardware
Central Processing Unit - also called

The Chip, a CPU, a processor or a

microprocessor
Memory (RAM)
Storage Devices
Input Devices
Output Devices

CPU Types
CPU or microprocessor is often

described as the brain of a computer.

CPU is an integrated circuit or chip
which processes instructions and
data.
CPU types.

Intel Pentium II, III, IV

Intel Celeron
AMD Athlon

CPU types
CPU speed is measured by the

number of completed instruction

cycles per second
Currently, CPU speeds range from 600
megahertz (MHz or million cycles per
second) to 4 gigahertz (GHz or billion
cycles per second).

Always check new softwares

requirements for CPU type and speed

before
purchasing
Watch an animated illustration of a CPU at
Watch an animated illustration of a CPU at

Microcomputer
Platforms
All microcomputers are based on a

small number of designs (interior

architecture) or computer platforms.
PC architecture is based on the first IBM
microcomputers. Generally, PCs use
Microsoft Windows as their operating
system.
Apple computers or Macs are based on
proprietary architecture manufactured
exclusively by Apple Computer, Inc.

Microcomputer
Platforms
Compatibility refers to computers

that operate in essentially the same

way.
Compatibility across platforms is
limited! You must know which platform
your computer runs on before
purchasing software.
All software is designed for a specific
platform.
Windows, Mac or Unix versions

Memory (RAM)
RAM or Random Access Memory
Waiting room for computers CPU.
Holds instructions for processing

data, processed data, and raw data.

Ram is measured by:

Capacity (in Megabytes or Gigabytes)

Speed (in Nanoseconds)

Memory (RAM)
Amount of RAM installed will determine.
Which software applications will run
(efficiently)?
How many software applications can be
open simultaneously (multitasking ability)?
RAM upgrades are cost-effective and

easy to install.
Check your computer manual for RAM type
(DIMM, SDRAM) and speed (100, 90ns).

Memory (RAM)
All software applications will have RAM

specifications listed on their

packaging.
Many applications list both a
minimum and a recommended
amount of RAM necessary to run the
software.
Be cautious about buying software for
a system based on minimum
Visit the Memory Technology Exhibit
requirement.
at Intels Virtual museum.

Storage Technology
Electronic devices that store,

retrieve, and save instructions and

data.
Todays microcomputers or PCs
include several types of storage
devices.
Capacity and speed are important
considerations when selecting a new
storage device for a PC.

Storage Technology
Magnetic storage

devices store data by

magnetizing particles on a
disk or tape. They have a
limited life-span of 1 to 5
years, depending on the
device.
Optical storage devices
store data as light and dark
spots on the disk surface.
They have an unlimited lifespan.

Storage Devices
Hard Disk Drives
Capacity is measured in gigabytes

(GB or billions of bytes).

Typically permanently installed.
Used to store operating system,
application software, utilities and
data.
Magnetic storage device.
Learn more about how a hard disk drive
works from How Stuff Works

Storage Devices
Floppy Disk Drives
Capacity is 1.44 to 2.0

megabytes (MB or
millions of bytes).

Storage device with the

smallest capacity
Most portable storage
media

Magnetic storage device.

Storage Devices
CD-ROM Drives
Typically installed on all new

computer systems. (Were add-on

device until the mid 1990s).
Capacity is 600 to 750 megabytes
(MB or millions of bytes).
Most mass-produced commercial
software is packaged on a CD.

Storage Devices
CD-ROM Drives
Used more often now for backup

storage as CD-RW (read/write)

technology has become less
expensive.
Data is read from CD by a laser.
Optical storage device.
Learn how to write data, images, and
audio to a CD from Kodaks

Storage Devices
Other Types of Drives
Zip Drives Several different capacities

are available.
Tape Drives Generally used for system
backups, becoming less common.
DVD drives Can also read CDs, now
more common as a standard device on
new computer systems.
Learn more about specific hardware
components
and their functions from

Input Devices
Input is all information put into a

computer. Input can be supplied from

a variety of sources:

A person
A storage device on computer
Another computer
A peripheral device
Another piece of equipment, such as a
musical instrument or thermometer

Input Devices
Input devices gather and translate data

into a form the computer understands.

Primary input device:

Keyboard - Most common input device;

used to type in commands and data.
Mouse or trackball enhances users
ability to input commands, manipulate
text, images.
Joystick useful in education as an
adaptive or assistive input device.

Input Devices
Scanners are peripheral input

devices which allow users to import:

Text
Graphics
Images

Specialized software aids in

translating information into a format

the computer can understand and
manipulate.

Input Devices
Digital Cameras are

peripheral input devices that

allow users to create pictures
and/or movies in a digital
format.

Some require specialized

software to import images
into the computer.
Some record digital images
directly to a disk that can be
read by the computer.

Output Devices
Monitors are the most commonly

used output device.

Most monitors use a bitmap display.

Allows user to resize the display.

Divides the screen into a matrix of tiny
square dots called pixels.
The more dots a screen can display,
the higher the resolution of the
monitor.

Output Devices
Monitors are connected to a

computer system via a port

integrated on the video adapter or
graphics card.
Graphics cards convert digital data
output from software to analog data
for display on monitors.
Typically have additional memory chips
on card, 4MB to 64MB.

Output Devices
Printers
Dot matrix
Seldom used in a classroom.
Still frequently used in business.
Bubble or ink jet
Laser

Output Devices
Projection systems or classroom TVs
can display information from a
computer system on a larger screen for
whole-class instruction.

View and excellent tutorial on hardware

basics at Macromedias site.
Requires log-in and browser plug-in download.

Networks
A collection of computers and other

devices that communicate to share

data, hardware, and software.
A stand-alone computer is called a
workstation on a network.
A workstation provides access to:

Your computers local resources

Network resources

Networks

Network nodes include

workstations, printers,
and servers.

Networks
A server is a computer connected to

a network that distributes and stores

resources for other network users.
With proper licensing, many network
users can use the same applications
and data files simultaneously and
share other resources, such as
storage space or a printer.

Networks
Local Area Network (LAN)

a network located in a limited area.

LANs are found in most businesses.

Many campuses use LANs.

A network interface card (NIC)

a key hardware component.

Connects a workstation to the network.

A circuit board that sends data between
the workstation and the network.

Networks
Wide Area Network (WAN)

a network that covers a large

geographical area. TENET is a classic
example.
All types of networks require special
networking hardware and
networking software to allow
different computers to communicate
with each other.

Networks
The Internet - largest of all networks.
Communication standards called

protocols allow for global exchange of

information.

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)

Internet Protocol (IP)

Intranets are LANs or WANs that use

these communication standards or TCP/IP.

Special hardware (modem) and software
(browser) are required.

Options and
Tradeoffs
Speed versus Cost
How fast are you able to access and

save data on the hard drive?

How fast will application software
open?
How quickly will software respond to
commands?
How quickly will your printer produce
a document?

Options and
Tradeoffs
Capacity versus Cost
How many applications can you store

on a hard disk drive?

How much data can you store on a
secondary storage device?
How many applications can be
opened simultaneously?

Options and Tradeoffs

Quality versus Cost
Pentium versus Celeron
Laser printer versus Ink Jet printer
Limited functionality editions versus

full versions of software

15 inch monitor versus 21 inch
monitor

Options and
Tradeoffs
Speed versus Cost
Capacity versus Cost
Quality versus Cost
Cost-Cost-Cost

PC World online provides hardware

reviews and comparison charts that are

Software
Instructions and associated data,

stored in electronic format, that

direct the computer to accomplish a
task.
System software helps the
computer carry out its basic
operating tasks.

Operating systems
Utilities

System Software
An Operating System (OS) is the

master controller within a computer.

EX: Windows, MacOS, DOS, UNIX, Linux

An operating system interacts with:

All hardware installed in or connected to
a computer system.
All software installed or running from a
storage device on a computer system.

System Software
Microsoft Windows
Most popular operating system.
Supports a vast array of application
software and peripheral devices.
MacOS

For Macintosh computers.

Proprietary system.
Does not have same functionality and
support for software and peripheral
devices.

System Software
Network operating system (NOS)
Manages network resources.
Maintains security.
Tracks user accounts.
Handles communication between
workstations and servers.
Popular network operating systems
Windows NT, Novell Netware, UNIX

System Software
Utilities
Utilities augment functionality of operating

systems. Utilities includes device drivers and

Troubleshooting capabilities.
Utilities provide file management capabilities
such as copying, moving or renaming a file.
Norton Utilities includes an undelete function
that can recover deleted files.
Symantec and McAfee Virus checkers add
protection for all system and data files.

Application Software
Accomplishes specific tasks for users.
Enables a computer to become a

multi-purpose machine.
Produce
worksheets and
reports.
Automate record
keeping like
attendance and
grades.

Create flow
charts and
graphic
organizers.
Communicate
worldwide.

Application Software
Productivity Software
Spreadsheets
Databases
Presentation Software
Document Preparation
Word Processing
Desktop Publishing
Project Management Software

Application Software
Graphics Creation and Manipulation
Animation and 3D Graphics
Video Editing
Internet Connectivity
Website Creation and Management
Groupware
Financial Management
Educational Games and Tutorials

Programming
Languages
Basic building blocks of any software.
Programming languages allow a

programmer to write instructions that

a computer can understand.
Programming languages have some
resemblance to the English language.

BASIC
Pascal
Fortran

C++
Java

Instructional Support
What problems do you need solved

and which application software will

help solve the problems?

Integrated Learning Systems

Computer Assisted Instruction
Drill, Tutorial, Simulation
Textbook Resources
Research and Information Access

What technology-based
resources are available?
Technology Plan (District-wide)
Technology Plan (Building)
Curricula Plan

What technologybased resources are

available?
Stand-alone computer(s) in the

classroom
Networked computers in the
classroom
Computer laboratory
Computer for every kid