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Chapter

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1 chapter

Getting Familiar withComputer Basics

Are you ready to startlearning about computers?This chapter will help byintroducing you to thecomputer and showing youits benefits and uses. Youlearn about the differenttypes of computers, take atour of a typical personalcomputer, and learn thedifference betweencomputer hardware andsoftware.

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Discover the Computer........................................4

Benefits of Using a Computer............................5

What You Can Do with a Computer ................6

Types of Computers............................................10

Tour the Personal Computer ............................12

Learn About Computer Hardware ..................16

Explore Computer Software ............................17

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A computer is a device that youcan use to store, manipulate, anddisplay text, numbers, images,and sounds.

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Discover the Computer

ComputerA computer is an electronic device that is designedto work with information. The computer takesinformation in, processes that information, and thendisplays the results. In this way, a computer issimilar to a calculator, except that even the smallestcomputer is much more versatile than the mostpowerful calculator. Computers operate at amazinglyfast speeds, with a typical computer processingmillions of calculations every second.

Personal ComputerA personal computer is a small, relatively inexpensivecomputer that is designed for use by one person at atime. It allows you to perform personal tasks such ascreating documents, communicating with otherpeople, and playing games. The abbreviation PC ismost often used to refer to computers that run theMicrosoft Windows operating system, as well as todifferentiate them from Macintosh computers.

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A computer is a powerful anduseful tool because it gives you anumber of benefits, includingthe ability to quickly producehigh-quality work. It alsoenables you to learn new skillsthat are an important part oftoday’s technological world.

Benefits of Using a Computer Getting Familiar with Computer Basics chapter1

QualityThe tools that come with acomputer enable you to createhigh-quality documents anddrawings, even if you are not atypesetter or an artist. With justa few simple techniques, youcan create documents that lookprofessional or are exactly suitedto your present task.

New SkillsBecause we live in a computer age,you often require basic computerskills to accomplish many dailytasks. Typing on a keyboard, using amouse, and other basic computerskills are useful in many differentsituations and are often required byemployers.

SpeedComputers allow you to performmany everyday tasks more quickly.For example, if you mail a letter toa friend, he or she may receive it ina few days. However, if you sendan e-mail, it will be received in afew minutes. Similarly, if youmanually compose a newsletter, itmay take you a week, whereasusing a computer, it may take justan afternoon.

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Most electronic devices — suchas DVD players, camcorders,and personal stereos — only doone thing. However, becausecomputers are versatile bydesign, they enable you to domany things. For example, youcan use a computer to listen tomusic, watch movies, createflyers, research your familyhistory, educate your children,and play games.

What You Can Do with a Computer

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Monitor Your FinancesYou can use your computer toperform basic financial management.For example, you can create abudget, record expenses, balanceyour checkbook, calculate your taxes,and monitor your mortgage. If yourun a small business, you canallocate income and expenses,create financial reports, andcalculate your profit and loss.

Perform ResearchYou can use your computer andthe Internet to research almost anytopic that you can think of. Forexample, you can learn more abouta vacation destination, trace yourfamily history, access back issuesof newspapers and magazines,and compare products beforeyou buy them.

Create DocumentsYou can use your computer tocreate letters, resumes, memos,reports, newsletters, brochures,business cards, menus, flyers,invitations, and certificates.Anything that you use tocommunicate on paper, you cancreate using your computer.

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Work with NumbersYou can use a spreadsheet program to work withnumbers on your computer. For example, you cancreate a mortgage amortization schedule, calculatehow much money you need to save for retirement,monitor an investment portfolio, and create abusiness plan.

Store DataYou can use your computer, and the appropriatesoftware, to store and work with large amounts ofdata. You can track personal items such as CDs,recipes, contact information for friends and relatives,and fitness activities. For business, you can track clientsand potential clients, inventory, products, and orders.

Schedule Your TimeYou can use your computer as an electronic day-timerto record upcoming activities, birthdays, anniversaries,events, meetings, and appointments. You can also setup some scheduling programs to remind you ofapproaching events so that you do not forget them.

Teach Your ChildrenYou can use your computer to help educate yourchildren. There are many programs available that aredesigned to assist children with reading, drawing,learning math and science, solving problems, andenhancing creativity.

Getting Familiar with Computer Basics chapter1

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What You Can Do with a Computer (continued)

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Make New FriendsYou can use your computer and the Internet toenhance your social life. You can chat with otherpeople by typing messages to them, join mailing lists,find support groups, find clubs and organizations inyour area, and find a date.

Keep in TouchYou can use your computer to communicate with friends,family, colleagues, and clients that you do not often seeface to face. You can send e-mail messages and instantmessages, and you can even talk to another person usinga microphone and your computer’s speakers.

Learn New Life SkillsYou can use your computer to learn new life skills.Programs are available that teach you how to speak adifferent language, play chess, cook, garden, design ahome, play a musical instrument, and design and makeclothes.

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Buy and SellYou can use your computer and the Internet to buyand sell things. Many online stores enable you topurchase anything, from books to baby accessories,and have it delivered to your door. There are alsoauction sites, such as eBay, that enable you to sellitems that you create or that you no longer need.

Create ItemsYou can use your computer to bring out your creativeside. For example, you can create your own greetingcards or wedding invitations, draw pictures,manipulate digital photos, edit digital movies, recordsounds, and compose music.

Play MediaYou can use your computer to play digital media,including music CDs, audio files, video files,animations, DVDs, music, and movies that you havedownloaded from the Internet.

Play GamesYou can use your computer to play many differenttypes of games. You can solve a puzzle, fly a plane,race a car, go on an adventure, play football orbaseball, battle aliens, plan a city, play backgammonor checkers, or deal poker.

Getting Familiar with Computer Basics chapter1

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When selecting a computer thatis best for your needs, youshould consider what purposeit will serve in your home orbusiness, and whether it shouldbe mobile for travel.

Types of Computers

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NotebookA notebook is a computer that combines the case,monitor, keyboard, and mouse in one unit. It is alsocalled a laptop or a portable. Notebooks are light —usually only four to six pounds — and so you can takethem out of your office or home. Most notebooks arejust as powerful as a desktop system.

DesktopA desktop is by far the most common type ofcomputer. Most desktop systems come with aseparate computer case, monitor, keyboard, andmouse. On older desktops, the computer case lies flaton the desk with the monitor sitting on top. Almostall newer systems use a tower case that sits upright.You can place this case either on a desk or on thefloor. Many newer desktops are Media Center PCsthat enable you to play movies, view pictures, andlisten to music through your TV and stereo.

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Handheld PCA handheld PC is a very small computer — usuallyweighing less than a pound — that you can holdcomfortably in your hand or carry in a jacket pocket. Ahandheld PC is also called a personal digital assistant(PDA) or palmtop. Most people use a handheld PC tostore their schedules and check their e-mail while out ofthe office. A newer type of handheld computer is theultra mobile PC (UMPC), which comes with a relativelylarge screen and can run a wider variety of programsthan most handheld PCs.

ServerA server is a powerful computer that acts as a centralresource for a number of other computers that areconnected to it. These other computers can be desktopsor stripped-down terminals that use the server to runprograms and store data. Some servers are mainframes,which are giant computers that run large-scale operations,such as airline reservation systems.

Tablet PCA tablet PC is a computer that looks similar to a smallnotebook. However, the tablet PC screen pivots so thatit lies on top of the keyboard, making it look like awriting tablet. You can use a digital pen to input yourdata, or select items on the screen.

Getting Familiar with Computer Basics chapter1

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Learning to use a personal computer is much easier if you know how a typical system is laidout and what each major part does.

Tour the Personal Computer

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Computer CaseThe computer case, also called the system unit or console, holds the electronic chips and devices that make the computer work. The outside of the case has an on/off switch, and the rear of the case is where you plug in the other computer components. For more information about the internal components of your computer, see Chapter 2.

MonitorThe monitor, also called the screen or display, is a TV-like device that the computer uses to display text, images, and other information.

KeyboardThe keyboard is a typewriter-like device that you use to type information and enter instructions for the computer to follow. To learn how to work the keyboard, see Chapter 4.

MouseThe mouse is a hand-operated pointing device that you use to select or move items on the screen, as well as to provide instructions for the computer to follow. To learn how to operate the mouse, see Chapter 4.

Main Personal Computer Parts

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PrinterA printer is a device that you use to print a document from a computer. Some printers are all-in-one devices that can also fax, copy, and scan documents.

SpeakersThe speakers are devices that output the sound effects, music, narration, and other audio that your computer generates. You can also use headphones so that only you can hear the computer's output.

Uninterruptible Power SupplyAn uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is a device that provides temporary power to your computer should the electricity fail. This device enables you to shut down your computer properly to avoid losing data.

Game ControllerThe game controller is a device that you can use to control the action in a computer game.

Surge ProtectorA surge protector is a device that protects your computer from damage by power fluctuations, which are most often caused by lightning.

ModemThe modem is a device that connects your computer to the Internet, either through telephone lines or TV cable. Some modems, called internal modems, reside inside the computer case.

Getting Familiar with Computer Basics chapter1Personal Computer Accessories

Besides the keyboard and mouse, most personal computers also come with a number ofaccessories.

➥continued

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Front of a Personal Computer Case

On a typical personal computer, the front of the case contains a number of buttons, indicatorlights, ports, and slots.

Tour the Personal Computer (continued)

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HP Pavilion m7750n

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Power SwitchWhen the computer is off, press the powerswitch to turn the computer on. When you havefinished working with your computer and haveshut down all of your programs, press the powerswitch again to turn off the computer.

Activity LightThe activity light flashes on and off when yourcomputer is performing a task, such as accessingthe main hard disk.

Memory Card ReadersThe memory card readers are slots into whichyou can insert various types of memory cards,which are a form of portable storage. SeeChapter 2.

Front Access PortsThe front access ports are similar to many of theports on the back of the computer (see the nextpage), but are often easier to reach.

CD or DVD DriveA CD drive is a storage device that accepts dataCDs (compact discs), which resemble musicalCDs. Most new computers have a DVD drive,which accepts data DVDs. For more information,see Chapter 2.

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Personal Computer Ports

On a typical personal computer, the rear of the case contains a number of holes and slots,called ports, into which you plug computer devices.

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Getting Familiar with Computer Basics chapter1

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Keyboard PortYou use the keyboard port to plug in the keyboard.

Mouse PortYou use the mouse port to plug in the mouse.

Monitor PortYou use the monitor port to plug in the monitor.

USB PortsYou use a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port to plugin a USB device. Many computer peripherals —including keyboards, mice, and printers — come inUSB versions.

FireWire PortYou use a FireWire port — also known as the IEEE1394 port — to plug in a FireWire device. Devicessuch as digital video cameras often use FireWireconnections.

Network PortYou use the network port to plug in a cable thatconnects to a network or to a high-speed Internetmodem. This is also called an Ethernet port.

Sound PortsYou use the sound ports to plug in sound devices,such as your speakers (the green port on mostsystems) and microphone (the pink port). Somesystems have Line In and Line Out ports to connectthe computer to external audio equipment.

TV Tuner PortsYou use TV tuner ports to connect a Media CenterPC to a TV. The TV tuner ports enable you to sendsignals to and receive signals from a TV.

FM Antenna PortYou use an FM antenna port to connect an FMantenna, which enables a Media Center PC toreceive FM radio signals.

Modem PortYou use the modem port to connect your computer’sinternal modem to your telephone system.

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Computer hardware consists ofthe physical components of yourcomputer: the parts, devices,buttons, and ports that you cantouch and physically manipulate.Computer hardware comes intwo basic varieties: external andinternal.

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Internal HardwareInternal hardware refers to hardware that residesinside the computer case. This includes the centralprocessing unit (CPU) — the brains of the computer —memory chips that are used for temporary data storagewhile you work, disk drives that are used for long-termstorage, and circuit boards that supply many of theports on the back of the computer case. You can learnmore about internal hardware devices in Chapter 2.

External HardwareExternal hardware, also known as peripherals,refers to hardware that connects to the outside ofthe computer case. The monitor, keyboard, andmouse are the most common external hardwaredevices. The printer and speakers are also popularperipherals. You can connect external hardware toyour computer through the computer portsdescribed on the previous page.

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Learn About Computer Hardware

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Computer software provides theinstructions that enable thecomputer hardware to performits tasks. Without software, yourmonitor would not displayanything, your speakers wouldremain silent, and typing on thekeyboard keys would have noeffect. Computer software comesin two basic categories:application and system.

Application SoftwareApplication software refers to the programs that youinteract with to perform specific computer tasks. Forexample, a word-processing program enables you tocreate documents such as memos and letters, agraphics program enables you to draw an image,and an e-mail program enables you to send andreceive e-mail messages.

System SoftwareSystem software refers to programs that operatebehind the scenes to ensure that your computersystem functions properly. This software is most oftenreferred to as the operating system. Some examplesof system software include Windows Vista and MacOS X. For more information about the operatingsystem, see Chapter 2.

Windows VistaWindows Vista

Explore Computer Software Getting Familiar with Computer Basics chapter1

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