Computers Are Your Future

Twelfth Edition

Chapter 1: Computers and You

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 Computers: Yesterday,
Today, and Tomorrow
• Computers
o Integral to our daily lives
o Millions use computers daily.
• Applications
o Word processors
o Internet
o Online banking
o Online classes
o GPS systems
o ATM machines
o Mobile phones
o Weather prediction
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 Computers: Yesterday,
Today, and Tomorrow
• Computers (con’t.)
o Used at:
• Home
• Work
• School
o Embedded into:
• Cars
• Phones
• Cameras

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 Computers: Yesterday,
Today, and Tomorrow
• Before computers
o There were
• No telephone answering machines
• No handheld calculators
• No fax machines
• No personal computers
o People
• Wrote letters by hand or with a typewriter
• Kept track of data and numbers in ledgers
• Communicated in person or over the telephone

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Computer Fundamentals
• Computer—device that performs
the information-processing cycle

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Computer Fundamentals
• Computer—device that performs
the information-processing cycle
• Information-processing cycle
o Consists of four basic operations:
• Input
• Processing
• Output
• Storage

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Computer Fundamentals

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Computer Fundamentals

• Computer system—group of
associated components that work
together
o Hardware
o Software

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Computer Fundamentals

• Hardware
o Physical parts of the computer
o Includes such components as the system unit,
monitor, keyboard, and printer
• Motherboard
o Circuit board that connects the central
processing unit(s) to the other system
components

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Computer Fundamentals

• System unit
o Base unit of the computer—made up of
the plastic or metal enclosure, the
motherboard, and the integrated
peripherals

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Computer Fundamentals
• Input
o First operation of the information-processing
cycle, enables the computer to accept data
o Data
• Facts that are raw and unorganized
• Entered into the computer for processing
through the use of input devices such as a
keyboard or mouse

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Computer Fundamentals
• Processing
o Second operation of the information-processing
cycle, converts data into information
o Information refers to consolidated, organized,
processed data.
o The central processing unit (CPU) processes data
into information.
o Random access memory (RAM) temporarily stores
programs and data needed by the CPU.

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Computer Fundamentals
• Output
o Third operation of the information-processing
cycle, requires output devices, such as monitors
and printers to display results for people to see
or hear

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Computer Fundamentals

• Storage
o Fourth operation of the information-processing
cycle, holds programs, software, and data that
the computer system uses
o Storage devices
• Hard drives, CD and DVD drives, and media
card readers—used with USB drives and flash
memory cards

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• https://youtu.be/Z_S2uRjLZ14?list=PL26YVK4aB4AF334p-
iCBvofby0GN1XL85

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Computer Fundamentals
• Communications
o High-speed movement of data or information
• Communication device
o Hardware component that moves data in and out of a
computer
• Network
o Connects two or more computers to share
input/output devices and other resources through the
use of a network interface card

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 Types of Computers

• Computers can be separated

into two main types:
o Individual—designed for one user at a time
o Organization—designed to be used by many
people at the same time

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 Types of Computers
• Organization computers
o Servers—enable users connected to a computer
network to have access to the network’s programs,
hardware, and data
o Clients—include the user computers connected to
the network
o Client/server network—includes the use of client
computers with centralized servers

18
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 Types of Computers
• Organization computers (con’d.)
o Minicomputers (midrange servers)—designed
to meet the needs of smaller companies or
businesses
o Mainframes—very large processing jobs to meet
the needs of large companies or agencies of the
government
o Supercomputers—able to perform extremely
high-speed processing and show underlying
patterns

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 Computers, Society, and
You
• The Digital Divide

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 Computers, Society, and
You
• Web-based applications
o Internet messaging (IM)—free, real-time
connection
• Two or more parties can use a buddy list to
identify and restrict the contacts the person
wishes to communicate with
o Social networks—include Facebook, MySpace,
LinkedIn, and Twitter

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 Computers, Society, and
You
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Computer Use

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 Computers, Society, and
You
• When using computer hardware:
o Do not plug too many devices into electrical outlets.
o Use surge protectors.
o Place hardware where it can’t fall or be damaged.
o Provide adequate space for air circulation around
hardware.
o Securely fasten computer cables, cords,
and wires.

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 Computers, Society, and
You
• Promote safety and comfort
o Position top of your monitor at eye level
o Tilt the monitor back 10 to 20 degrees
o Place it at least 20” from your eyes
o Keep your wrists flat—use a wrist rest if needed
o Rest your eyes often by focusing on an object 20 or
more feet away
o Stand and stretch periodically

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 Computers, Society, and
You
• Software programs
o Contain flaws
• Errors cause programs to run slowly or
miscalculate.
• Bugs are almost impossible to eliminate
completely.

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 Computers, Society, and
You
• Computer ethics
o Moral dilemmas relating to computer
usage
• Digital piracy
o Unauthorized reproduction and distribution of
computer-based media
• Unethical behavior
o Sending viruses, stealing credit card information,
computer stalking, and installing illegitimate
copies of software on computers

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 Computers, Society, and
You
• Computers provide those who
are disabled and
disadvantaged with added
support and opportunities
• E-learning
o Learning without requiring students to be at a
specific location at a specific time

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 Computers, Society, and
You
• Automation
o Replacement of people by machines and
computers
• Outsourcing
o Subcontracting of portions of a job to a third party to
reduce cost, time, and energy.
• Computer technology
o Aided globalization and the resulting outsourcing of
jobs, as well as structural unemployment—the
obsolescence of certain jobs.

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 Computers, Society, and
You
• Be a responsible computer
user:
o Understand how your computer use affects
others.
o Obey laws and conform to requests regarding
use of cell phones.
o Be aware of e-waste and the proper disposal
of outdated computer hardware.

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 Computers, Society, and
You
• Advances in computer
technology
o Upgrade software to obtain the latest software
features.
o Stay informed to help avoid computer viruses.

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