PowerPoint Presentation

Essential Computer ConceptsXP1What Is a Computer?A computer is an electronic device that:Accepts information and instructions from a userManipulates the information according to the instructionsDisplays the information in some wayStores the information for retrieval later.2XPLook at pg ECC 2-32Types of ComputersPersonal Computers (PCs)Desktop computersLaptops-they are portableHandheld computers-example? SmartphoneMainframe computersSupercomputers3XP3

4See page ECC 4-5

Tablet PC: Apples IPad2Pictures of ComputersSupercomputerXP4Personal Computers (PCs)DesktopPortable (laptops, notebooks)5

Desktop by HPLaptop by HPXP5DesktopsSize-Sits on your deskSpeed-Example-2.6 GHz AMD athlon dual-core processorCost-$300 to $3500

6

XP6PortablesLaptops-Laptops come in many brands that use Windows software such as Dell, Acer, Toshiba, IBM. Brands that use Apple software are MacBooks. Notebooks-similar to laptops but usually smaller, lighter. Example: Dell Netbook. Very small.7

XP7HandheldsPDAs (Personal Data Assistant)-Example-Blackberry-holds calendar, names and addresses, can access the internetCell phones-Iphone, the Droid (Googles answer to the Iphone)Size-can hold in your handCost-$100-$2500

8

XPApple hoping to secure a deal with China Mobile to carry the Iphone. China Mobile has 600 MILLION subscribers.8MainframesExample-the computers running MSTC, the computers running the hospital, the computers running your local bank.Cost: Several hundred thousand dollars to a million dollars9XP9SupercomputersSize-HugeSpeed-Fastest on the planet Cost-$ MillionsExample-Cray Research in Chippewa Falls WI10

XPMainframe- simple calculations, but on huge volumes of data. On the other hand, super-computers do complicated calculations like weather-forecasting etc. at very fast speeds.

10Seymour Cray standing next to the core unit of the Cray-1 computer, circa 1974, Chippewa Falls, WI.Photograph courtesy of the Charles Babbage Institute, University of Minnesota, MinneapolisCray TimelineAbout Cray's latest Supercomputer....The Jaguar11

SupercomputersXPThe Cray-1 supercomputer only performed about 160 million calculations per second. The latest Cray supercomputer called Jaguar performs one quadrillion calculations per second (one petaflop). In May of this year, they launched the company's new hybrid supercomputing system -- the Cray XK6 supercomputer. The Cray XK6 is expected to be available in the second half of 2011, and is scalable to more than 50 petaflops of computing power.

If youd like to invest in Cray Research company, it is called simply Cray on the stock market ticker tape. 11Computer SystemsInclude computer hardware and softwareHardware the physical stuff-the case, the guts insideSoftware refers to the instructions, the programs that the computer needs to perform a specific task

Specifications-The technical details about each component (See pg 2 of textbook for an example)12XPSoftware-Marie12Hardware

13The motherboard is the main electronic component of the computer

The microprocessor-the brain of a computer, also called CPU (transistors on a chip, speed)-Examples- Intel, AMD

Cards are removable circuit boards-Example- video cards, sound cardsGood pics on pg ECC 8-9.XPMicroprocessor-the Iphone-chips are made in Japan and China, phones are assembled there. But actual design and marketing takes place here in the US so most of the profit goes to Apple here in the US.Youve heard of a dual core processor. A dual core processor is 2 microprocessors on one chip so it processes information twice as fast as a single core processor.13Input and OutputInput-instructions you put in. How?With a keyboardWith a mouseWith a scanner

14XPHow do you see the results if youre blind? Braille output, voice reader1415XPOutputOutput-the results. How do you see the results?With a monitorWith a printer16

Monitor

XP16PrintersLaser-fastest, most expensive, highest qualityInkjet-sprays ink on paperDot matrix-punches dots, lowest quality

17XP17How do they do that?Computers understand only code. (0s and 1s; On or Off). They dont understand English.The code they understand uses binary digits, called bits. The code is called ASCII code.8 bits = 1 byte = 1 character1 thousand bytes = 1KB (kilobyte)1 million bytes = 1 MB (megabyte)1 billion bytes = 1 GB (gigabyte)1 trillion bytes = 1 TB (terabyte)Main point: Computers use and store A LOT of info!

18XPASCII stands for the American Standard Code for Information Interchange.18How do they store all that info?RAM-Random Access MemoryTemporaryLost when the computer is turned off (unless you save your work)

ROM-Read Only MemoryPermanentTells the computer how to boot.19XP19Where do they store all that info?20

Hard drive-usually your C: drive. Here at school you will be storing your work on the H drive and/or your flash drive.CDs and DVDs-2 things you should NEVER do! 1) Scratch or 2) Expose to high tempsDVD can store 4.7 GB-more than enough capacity for a full-length feature film. Blu-ray can store more than 5 times more (25 GB per layer).Flash drives-jump drive-from 32 MB -16 GB

XP20Two kinds of computer files:A computer file -a collection of stored data:An executable file -instructions that tell a computer how to perform a specific taskA data file -created by a user-you will be creating data files in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access).

21XP21Two kinds of SoftwareSystem SoftwareApplication softwareWindows 7Windows XPWindows VistaSafari, Lion (Apple Systems)Microsoft WordMicrosoft PowerpointMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft AccessGaming Software22XPSystem SoftwareSystem software- manages the fundamental operations of your computer. Also called an operating system. Examples-Windows XPWindows 7Lion (Apple)

23XP23The Windows Explorer Screen24

To get here, click on the folder icon in the bottom left corner of your desktop. Then click Computer.XPApplication SoftwareApplication software -enables you to write letters, make spreadsheets, create databases, create presentations, create games etc. Examples of application software are Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access and many others.Example of gaming software- Blizzard Entertainment25XPTheres an app for that.As of 2008, Blizzard company was making approximately $180 million PER MONTH for the game World of Warcraft. (Players pay $15 a month to play). They have millions of monthly subscribers.25Data CommunicationsData communications-the transmission of text, numeric, voice, or video data from one computer to another or from a computer to a peripheral (keyboards, printers etc).4 things are needed for data communications:SenderChannel-telephone cable, coaxial cable, optical fibersProtocol-rules for accurate transfer handled by a driverReceiver26XP26The Bus and Connecting to the BusData bus-The path connecting the microprocessor, RAM, and peripherals and back againThe data bus needs ports:USB port (Universal Serial Bus) -where flash drives, cameras, your IPOD connectsEthernet port-where the internet connects 27XP27NetworksA network connects one computer to other computers. Example-LAN (local area network)28

XP28TelecommunicationsCommunicating over a long distance using a phone line or some other data line. To do this you need:A modem either outside your computer or inside on the motherboard.The modem converts a computer signal (called a digital signal) to a telephone signal (called an analog signal) and back again on the other end.A phone line (through the phone company) or a dedicated subscriber line (DSL) like through the cable company. The DSL will transmit faster than a telephone line.

29XPFax machines work the same way modems do.29The InternetThe Internet is the largest network in the world. It offers:Electronic mail (email)World Wide Web (www)-lots and lots AND LOTS of information and productsInfo and products are on web pagesA collection of web pages is a web site.30XP30Threats on Your ComputerSecurity-steps a computer owner takes to prevent unauthorized use of or damage to the computer.Viruses- harmful programs. Also called malware.Antivirus software-searches files for viruses and disinfects them.

Firewall- like a locked door on your computer which prevents other computers on the internet from accessing yours without your permission.31XP31Cloud ComputingStoring data, applications, and resources on servers which you access over the Internet rather than on a users computer.Access only what you need, when you need it.Examples: Google Docs, Microsoft Web Apps, Windows Live Skydrive. Companies can also have the Cloud do automatic back-ups of their data.32XPSkydriveSpace on Windows Live servers which you access over the Internet.You can store up to 25 GB of files thereYou can store them in public or private folders or in folders that you make available to only certain peopleNeed a Windows Live ID to use it (free).See pg ECC 32 for screen display.Here is what Skydrive looks like: https://login.live.com

33XPReferencesAll photos are courtesy of Course Technology at Cengage Learning unless credit is otherwise given.YouTube clip of Mouse courtesy of YouTube.34XP