Discover computers and their components

Discovering
Computers 2012
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 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
See Page 3 2
Discovering Computers 2012: 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 users
care, science, publishing,
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 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 5

What Is a Computer?
Page 6 6
Figure 1-2
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 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 7

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

The Components of a Computer
Page 7 9
Figure 1-3
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

What Is Input?
• Input is any data and instructions entered into the

memory of a computer
Pages 258 – 259 11

Figure 5-1
What Is Input?
• Instructions can be entered into the computer in the

form of programs, commands, and user responses
A program is a series of related
instructions that tells a computer what
tasks to perform and how to perform
them
Programs respond to commands that a

user issues
A user response is an instruction a user

issues by replying to a question
displayed by a program
Pages 258 - 259 12

What Are Input Devices
An input device
is any hardware
component that
allows users to
enter data and
instructions into
a computer
Page 260 13
The Keyboard
• A keyboard is an input device that contains keys

users press to enter data and instructions into a
computer
Page 260 14
Figure 5-2
The Keyboard
Wired Wireless
Keyboards Keyboards
USB port Bluetooth
IrDA
Page 262 15
The Keyboard
• An ergonomic keyboard has a design that reduces

the chance of wrist and hand injuries
• Ergonomics incorporates comfort, efficiency, and
safety into the design of the workplace
Page 262 16
Figure 5-4
Mouse
• A mouse is a pointing device that fits under the

palm of your hand comfortably
– Most widely used pointing device on desktop
computers
• A mouse can be wired or wireless
Pages 263 – 264 17

Figures 5-6 and 5-7
Mouse
• Mouse operations
Point Click Right-click Double-click
Rotate
Triple-click Drag Right-drag
wheel
Free-spin Press thumb

Press wheel Tilt wheel
wheel button
Page 264 18
Figure 5-8
Other Pointing Devices
Trackball
Touchpad
Pointing Stick
• A trackball is a • A touchpad is • A pointing
stationary a small, flat, stick is a
pointing rectangular pressure-
device with a pointing sensitive
ball on its top device that is pointing
or side sensitive to device shaped
pressure and like a pencil
motion eraser that is
positioned
between keys
on a keyboard
Pages 265 – 266 19

Figures 5-9 – 5-11 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 5
Touch Screens and Touch-Sensitive Pads
• A touch screen is a touch-sensitive display device
Page 266 20
Touch Screens and Touch-Sensitive Pads
Microsoft Surface Touch-sensitive pads

Figures 5-14 – 5-15
Pen Input
• With pen input, you touch a stylus or digital pen on a flat

surface to write, draw, or make selections
Page 268 22
Figure 5-16
Game Controllers
• Video games and computer games use a game controller

as the input device that directs movements and actions
of on-screen objects
Joysticks and
Gamepads Light guns
Wheels
Motion-
Dance pads sensing
controllers
Pages 270 - 271 23
Digital Cameras
• A digital camera is a mobile device that allows

users to take pictures and store them digitally
Studio cameras
Field cameras
Point-and-shoot camera
Page 272 24
Digital Cameras
• Two factors affect the quality of digital camera photos:

• Resolution is the number of horizontal
and vertical pixels in a display device
Resolution • A pixel is the smallest element in an
electronic display
Number of bits • Each pixel consists of one or more bits of

data
stored in each • The more bits used to represent a pixel,
the more colors and shades of gray that
pixel can be represented
Page 273 25
Scanners and Reading Devices
• Optical character recognition (OCR) involves reading

characters from ordinary documents
• A turnaround document is a document you return to the
company that creates and sends it
Page 279 26
Figures 5-29 – 5-30
• Optical mark
recognition (OMR)
reads hand-drawn
marks such as small
circles or rectangles
• An OMR device scans
the documents and
matches the patterns of
light
Page 279
Figure 5-31 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 5 27
• A bar code reader, also

called a bar code
scanner uses laser
beams to read bar
codes
Page 280
Figure 5-32 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 5 28
• RFID (radio frequency identification) uses radio signals to

communicate with a tag placed in or attached to an object
• An RFID reader reads information on the tag via radio waves
• RFID can track:
Tracking times of
Tracking location Employee Checking lift
runners in a Airline baggage
of soldiers wardrobes tickets of skiers
marathon
Gauging pressure
Managing Checking out Tracking toll
and temperature
inventory library books payments
of tires
Page 280 29
• Magnetic stripe card readers read the magnetic

stripe on the back of cards such as:
Credit cards
Entertainment cards
Bank cards
Other similar cards

Page 281 30
Figure 5-34
• MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) devices read text

printed with magnetized ink
• An MICR reader converts MICR characters into a form the
computer can process
• Banking industry uses MICR for check processing
Page 281 31
Figure 5-35
Biometric Input
• Biometrics authenticates a person’s identity by

verifying a personal characteristic
Face Hand
Fingerprint
recognition geometry
reader
system system
Voice Signature
Iris recognition
verification verification
system
system system
Retinal
scanners
Pages 282 - 283 32

Biometric Input
hand
geometry
system
iris
recognition
system
fingerprint
reader
Pages 282 – 283 33

Terminals
• A terminal is a computer that allows users to send data to

and/or receive information from a host computer
A POS terminal An automated A DVD kiosk is a

records purchases, teller machine self-service DVD
processes (ATM) allows users rental machine
payment, and to access their
updates inventory bank accounts
Pages 284 – 285 34

What Is Output?
• Output is data that has been processed into a

useful form
Pages 304 – 305 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 6 35

Figure 6-1
What Is Output?
• An output device is any type of hardware

component that conveys information to one or
more people
Speakers,
Display devices Printers headphones, Data projectors
and earbuds
Force-feedback
Interactive
game Tactile output
whiteboards
controllers

Storage
Storage holds data, instructions, and

information for future use
A storage medium is the physical

material on which a computer keeps
data, instructions, and information
Pages 352 - 353 37
Storage
Pages 352 – 353 38

Figure 7-1
Storage
• Capacity is the number of bytes a storage medium

can hold
Page 354 39
Figure 7-2
Storage
• A storage device is the computer hardware that

records and/or retrieves items to and from
storage media
Reading is the process
of transferring items
from a storage medium
into memory
Writing is the process of

transferring items from
memory to a storage
medium
Page 354 40
Storage
• Access time measures:

– The amount of time it
takes a storage device to
locate an item on a
storage medium
– The time required to
deliver an item from
memory to the
processor

Figure 7-4
Hard Disks
• A hard disk contains one or more inflexible, circular platters

that use magnetic particles to store data, instructions, and
information
Page 355 42
Figure 7-5
Hard Disks
• Hard disks can

store data using
longitudinal
recording or
perpendicular
recording
Page 356 43
Figure 7-6
Hard Disks
Page 359 44
Figure 7-12
Hard Disks
• RAID (redundant array of independent disks) is a

group of two or more integrated hard disks
• A network attached storage (NAS) device is a
server connected to a network with the sole
purpose of providing storage
Page 360 45
Figure 7-13
Hard Disks
An external hard disk is a separate free-

standing hard disk that connects to your
computer with a cable or wirelessly
A removable hard disk is a hard disk that

you insert and remove from a drive
Internal and external hard disks are available

in miniature sizes (miniature hard disks)
Pages 360 – 361 46
Hard Disks
• Formatting is the process of dividing the disk into tracks

and sectors so that the operating system can store and
locate data and information on the disk
Page 357 47
Figure 7-7
Hard Disks
• A head crash occurs when a read/write head

touches the surface of a platter
• Always keep a backup of your hard disk
Pages 358 – 359 48

Figure 7-11
Hard Disks
• A disk controller consists of a special-purpose chip and

electronic circuits that control the transfer of data,
instructions, and information from a disk to and from the
system bus and other components of the computer
SATA EIDE
SCSI SAS
Pages 361 - 362 49
Flash Memory Storage
• A memory card is a removable flash memory

device that you insert and remove from a slot in a
computer, mobile device, or card reader/writer
Secure Digital
CompactFlash Secure Digital
High Capacity microSD
(CF) (SD)
(SDHC)
xD Picture Memory Stick

microSDHC Memory Stick
Card Micro (M2)
Page 364 50
Pages 364 – 365 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 7 51

Figures 7-18 – 7-19
• Flash memory chips are a type of solid state

media and contain no moving parts
• Solid state drives (SSDs) have several advantages
over magnetic hard disks:
Generate less heat and

Faster access time Faster transfer rates Last longer
consume less power
Pages 362 - 363 52

• USB flash drives plug into a USB port on a

computer or mobile device
Page 367 53
Figure 7-21
• An ExpressCard module
is a removable device
that fits in an
ExpressCard slot
• Developed by the
PCMCIA
• Commonly used in
notebook computers

Figure 7-22
Cloud Storage
• Cloud storage is an Internet service that provides

storage to computer users
Page 368 55
Figure 7-23
Cloud Storage
Page 368 56
Figure 7-24
Cloud Storage
• Users subscribe to cloud storage for a variety of

reasons:
Access files from any computer
Store large files instantaneously
Allow others to access their files
View time-critical data and images immediately
Store offsite backups
Provide data center functions
Page 369 57
Optical Discs
• An optical disc consists of a flat, round, portable

disc made of metal, plastic, and lacquer that is
written and read by a laser
• Typically store software, data, digital photos,
movies, and music
• Read only vs. rewritable
Page 370 58
Figure 7-25
Networks and the Internet
• A network is a
collection of computers
and devices connected
together, often
wirelessly, via
communications
devices and
transmission media

Figure 1-6
• The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that

connects millions of businesses, government agencies,
educational institutions, and individuals
Page 11 60
Figure 1-7
• 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 61
Figure 1-8
• A social networking Web site encourages

members to share their interests, ideas, stories,
photos, music, and videos with other registered
users
Page 14 62
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 63
Figures 1-10 - 1-11
• Application software consists of programs

designed to make users more productive and/or
assist with personal tasks
To make business activities more efficient
To assist with graphics and multimedia projects
To support home, personal, and educational tasks
To facilitate communications
Page 142 64
Page 142 65
Figure 3-1
• Available in a variety of forms:

Packaged Custom Web
software software application
Open source
Shareware Freeware
software
Public-domain
software
Pages 142 – 143 66

• System software serves as the interface between

the user, the application software, and the
computer’s hardware
– Utility programs
Page 143 67
Figure 3-2
Business Software
• Business software is application software that

assists people while performing business activities
Word
Spreadsheet Database Presentation
Processing
Personal Business Business

Note Taking Information Software for Software
Manager Phones Suites
Enterprise
Project Document
Accounting Computing
Management Management
Software
Page 146 68
Graphics and Multimedia Software
Page 159 69
Figure 3-19
Computer Software
• Installing is the process of setting up software to

work with the computer, printer, and other
hardware
Pages 16 - 17 70
Figure 1-12
Computer Software
• A programmer develops
software or writes the
instructions that direct
the computer to
process data into
information

Figure 1-13
Operating Systems
• An operating system (OS) is a set of programs containing

instructions that work together to coordinate all the
activities among computer hardware resources
Start and shut
Provide a user Manage Manage
down a
interface programs memory
computer
Establish an
Coordinate Configure Monitor
Internet
tasks devices performance
connection
Provide Automatically Control a Administer

utilities update network security
Pages 398 - 399 Discovering Computers 2012: 72

Operating System Functions
• The process of starting or restarting a computer is

called booting
Cold boot Warm boot
• Turning on • Using the

a computer operating
that has system to
been restart a
powered off computer
completely

Figure 8-2
A boot drive is the drive from

which your computer starts
•You can boot from a boot disk
•A recovery disk contains a few system
files that will start the computer
• An operating system includes various shut down

options
Sleep mode saves any open

documents and programs to Hibernate saves any open
RAM, turns off all unneeded documents and programs to
functions, and then places a hard disk before removing
the computer in a low- power from the computer
power state

Categories of Computers
Personal computers
Mobile computers and mobile devices
Game consoles
Servers
Mainframes
Supercomputers
Embedded computers

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 77
Figures 1-15 - 1-16
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

Notebook computer
Tablet PC
Smart phones and PDAs
E-book reader
Pages 20 - 22 79
Figures 1-17 – 1-20
Handheld computer
Portable media player
Digital camera
Pages 22 - 23 80
Figures 1-21 – 1-23
Game Consoles
• A game console is a
mobile computing
device designed for
single-player or
multiplayer video
games

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

Figure 1-25
Mainframes
• A mainframe is a large,
expensive, powerful
computer that can
handle hundreds or
thousands of connected
users simultaneously

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 84
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 • 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

Embedded Computers
Page 26 86
Figure 1-28
Elements of an Information System
Hardware Software Data
People Procedures

Elements of an Information System
Page 27 88
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 89
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 90
Figures 1-33 – 1-34
Computer Applications in Society
Education
Finance
Government
Health Care
Pages 34 - 36 91
Figures 1-36 – 1-39
Computer Applications in Society
Science
Publishing
Travel
Manufacturing
Pages 36 - 38 92
Figures 1-40 – 1-43
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
Discovering
Computers 2012
Your Interactive Guide
to the Digital World
Chapter 1 Complete

Discover computers and their components

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Discovering

Define the term,

Discuss the advantages

Explain how home users,

• Computers are everywhere

• A computer is an electronic device, operating

Information Processing Cycle

Page 6 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 5

Speed Health Risks

Reliability Violation of Privacy

Consistency Public Safety

Storage Impact on Labor Force

Communications Impact on Environment

Pages 9 - 10 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 7

Page 10 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 8

• A computer contains many electric, electronic, and

• Case that contains the electronic components of the computer that

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

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

Pages 6 - 8 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 10

• Input is any data and instructions entered into the

Pages 258 – 259 11

• Instructions can be entered into the computer in the

Programs respond to commands that a

A user response is an instruction a user

Pages 258 - 259 12

• A keyboard is an input device that contains keys

USB port Bluetooth

• An ergonomic keyboard has a design that reduces

• A mouse is a pointing device that fits under the

Pages 263 – 264 17

Point Click Right-click Double-click

Free-spin Press thumb

Pages 265 – 266 19

• A touch screen is a touch-sensitive display device

Microsoft Surface Touch-sensitive pads

Page 267 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 5 21

• With pen input, you touch a stylus or digital pen on a flat

• Video games and computer games use a game controller

• A digital camera is a mobile device that allows

• Two factors affect the quality of digital camera photos:

Number of bits • Each pixel consists of one or more bits of

• Optical character recognition (OCR) involves reading

• A bar code reader, also

• RFID (radio frequency identification) uses radio signals to

• Magnetic stripe card readers read the magnetic

Other similar cards

• MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) devices read text

• Biometrics authenticates a person’s identity by

Pages 282 - 283 32

Pages 282 – 283 33

• A terminal is a computer that allows users to send data to

A POS terminal An automated A DVD kiosk is a

Pages 284 – 285 34

• Output is data that has been processed into a

Pages 304 – 305 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 6 35

• An output device is any type of hardware

Page 305 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 6 36

Storage holds data, instructions, and

A storage medium is the physical

Pages 352 – 353 38

• Capacity is the number of bytes a storage medium

• A storage device is the computer hardware that