Introduction to using

computers and IT

Lecture 2
Diploma Part 1
 Topic & Structure of the lesson
 Two types of users
 Four types of end-users
 The components of a computer
 The categories of computers
 Elements of an Information System

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 2 (of 57)
 Learning Outcomes
• At the end of this lecture, YOU should be able to :
 Explain the importance of computer literacy
 Identify the various types of computer users
 Define computer
 Explain what is a information process cycle
 Identify the components of a computer
 Describe the categories of computers
 Determine how the elements of an IS interact
 Discuss computer applications in society

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 3 (of 57)
 Key Terms you must be able to use
If you have mastered this topic, you should be able to
use the following terms correctly in your assignments
and exams:
 User  Personal computers
 Data  Mobile computers
 Information  Mid-range servers
 Hardware  Mainframes
 Software  Supercomputers
 Bit  Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
 Byte  Information System

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 4 (of 57)
 Computers
• Where can you find computers ?
 Computers are everywhere

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 5 (of 57)
 Computer Literacy
• What is computer literacy ?
 Knowledge and understanding of computers and their
uses
 Being a computer literature, users can use computers to
improve their productivity and their value in the workplace

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 6 (of 57)
 Computer Literacy
• Who is a user ?
 Person who communicates with a computer or uses the
information that it generates
 Two types of users :
 End-user
 Power user

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 7 (of 57)
 Computer Literacy
• End-user
 A end-user with moderate technical knowledge of
Information Technology who uses computers for
education, entertainment or work-related tasks
 Four types of end-users :
 Home user
 Small Office / Home Office (SOHO) user
 Mobile user
 Large business user

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 8 (of 57)
 Computer Literacy
• Types of end-users :
 Home user
 Hardware
 Desktop
computer
 PDA

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 9 (of 57)
 Computer Literacy
• Types of end-users :
 Home user
 Software
 Business (e.g. Word processing)
 Personal Information Manager
 Web browser
 Online banking
 E-mail, Instant messaging and Chat rooms
 Reference (e.g. Encyclopedias, Medical dictionaries)
 Entertainment (e.g. Games, Greeting cards)

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 10 (of 57)
 Computer Literacy
• Types of end-users :
 Small Office / Home Office user
 Hardware
 Desktop computer
 PDA

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 11 (of 57)
 Computer Literacy
• Types of end-users :
 Small Office / Home Office user
 Software
 Business (e.g. Word processing, Spreadsheet, Database)
 Personal Information Manager
 Company specific (e.g. Accounting, Legal reference)
 Network management
 Web browser
 E-mail

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 12 (of 57)
 Computer Literacy
• Types of end-users :
 Mobile user
 Hardware
 Notebook computer
equipped with a
modem or a Tablet
PC
 Video projector
 Web-enabled PDA /
Smart phone

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 13 (of 57)
 Computer Literacy
• Types of end-users :
 Mobile user
 Software
 Business (e.g. Word processing, Spreadsheet,
Presentation Graphics)
 Personal Information Manager
 Web browser
 E-mail

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 14 (of 57)
 Computer Literacy
• Types of end-users :
 Large business user
 Hardware
 Mid-range server or mainframe
 Desktop or notebook computer
 Industry specific handheld Web access
computer
 PDA
 Kiosk

Telecommuting
AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 15 (of 57)
 Computer Literacy
• Types of end-users :
Network
 Large business user Productivity
Software
 Software
Scheduling
 Business ( e.g. Word
processing,
Spreadsheet,
Presentation Graphics)
 Personal Information
Manager
 Web browser Public Kiosk
 Network management
 E-mail

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 16 (of 57)
 Computer Literacy
• Power user
 A person who has extensive education or considerable
experience in the technical and functional aspects of using
Information Technology and Information System
 Types of power users :
 Engineers
 Scientists
 Architects
 Graphics artists
 Desktop publishers

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 17 (of 57)
 Definition
• What is a computer ?
 An electronic device, operating under the control of
instructions stored in its own memory;
 Accepts data (Input)
 Raw facts, figures and symbols
 Processes data into information (Process)
 Data that is organized, meaningful and useful for decision
making
 Produces results (Output)
 Stores the results (Storage) for future use

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 18 (of 57)
 What is a computer ?
• What are the characteristics of useful Information?
 Accurate
 Relevant and meaningful
 Timely
 Concise and complete
 Organise

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 19 (of 57)
 What is a computer ?
• What is the Information Processing Cycle ?
 Input
 Any data or instructions you enter into a computer
 Process
 Manipulate the input (data) to produce output (information)
 Output
 Data that has been processed into information
 Storage
 Area in a computer that can hold data and information for
future use
 Communication
 The capability of communicating with other computers
AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 20 (of 57)
 What is a computer ?
• What are Hardware and Software ?
 Hardware
 Electric, Electronic and Mechanical components contained
in a computer
 Software
 Series of instructions that tells a computer what to do and
how to do

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 21 (of 57)
 What is a computer ?
• 5 components of a computer :
 Input device
 Hardware used to enter data and instructions
 e.g. Keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner, digital camera
 Output device
 Hardware that conveys information to one or more people
 e.g. Printer, speaker, monitor
 System unit
 Case containing electronic components used to process
data

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 22 (of 57)
 What is a computer ?
 Storage device
 Hold data, instructions and information for future use
 e.g. Floppy disk, Zip disk, hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM
 Storage media
• Physical material on which data, instructions, and information are
stored
 Storage device
• Records and retrieves items to and from storage media
 Communication device
 Hardware component that enables a computer to send and
receive data, instructions, and information
 Occurs over cables, telephone lines, cellular radio networks,
satellites and other transmission media

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 23 (of 57)
 What is a computer ?
• Advantages of using computers :
 Speed
 Reliability
 Consistency
 Storage
 Communications

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 24 (of 57)
 What is a computer ?
• Disadvantages of using computers :
 Violation of privacy
 Impact on labour force
 Health risks
 Impact on environment

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 25 (of 57)
 Categories of computers
• Categories of computers :
 Personal computers (desktop)
 Mobile computers and Mobile devices
 Game consoles
 Midrange servers
 Mainframes
 Supercomputers
 Embedded computers

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 26 (of 57)
 Categories of computers
• Personal Computers (PC)
 In a complete computer on a smallest scale
 Can perform all of its input, processing, output and storage
activities by itself
 Is a computer designed for an individual
 Contains :
 A processor
 Memory
 One or more input, output and storage devices

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 27 (of 57)
 Personal computers
• What are the two popular series of Personal
computers ?
 The PC
 The Apple

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 28 (of 57)
 Personal Computers
• The PC
 PC and PC-compatible computers have processors with
different architectures than processors in Apple computers
 PC and PC-compatible computers usually use a Windows
operating system (e.g. Windows XP, Windows ME)

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 29 (of 57)
 Personal Computers
• The Apple
 Apple computers use the
Macintosh operating system
(Mac OS)

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 30 (of 57)
 Personal Computers
• What is a desktop computer ?
 It was designed to fit all of the components, on or under a
desk or table

System
Unit
System
Unit

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 31 (of 57)
 Definition
• Mobile computers
 Mobile computer is a personal
computer that you can carry
from place to place
 The most popular is the
notebook computer

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 32 (of 57)
 Mobile Computers
• Notebook computers
 Also called a laptop computer
 Portable, small enough to fit
on your lap
 Latest notebook computers
are thin and lightweight
 Can be as powerful as the
personal computer
 Generally more expensive
than desktop computers with
equal capabilities

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 33 (of 57)
 Mobile Computers
• Notebook computers
 Also called a laptop computer
 Portable, small enough to fit
on your lap
 Latest notebook computers
are thin and lightweight
 Can be as powerful as the
personal computer
 Generally more expensive
than desktop computers with
equal capabilities

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 34 (of 57)
 Definition
• Mobile devices
 Are small enough to carry in a pocket and usually do not
have disk drives
 Able to connect to a mobile device to a personal computer
to exchange information between the computer and the
mobile device
 Some mobile devices are Internet-enabled
 Four popular types of mobile devices are Handheld
computers, PDAs, Smart phones and Smart watches

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 35 (of 57)
 Mobile Devices
• Handheld computer
 Small computer that
fits in your hand
 Also called a palmtop
or pocket pc
 Used by mobile
employees such as
meter readers and
delivery people

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 36 (of 57)
 Mobile Devices
• How can you input data with a handheld computer ?
 Keyboard
 Stylus
 Speech recognition
 Handwriting recognition

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 37 (of 57)
 Mobile Devices
• What are Web-enabled handheld computers ?
 Allows wireless Internet access

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 38 (of 57)
 Mobile Devices
• Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
 Is one of the most popular lightweight mobile devices in
use today
 Provides personal organiser functions such as :
 Calendar
 Appointment book
 Address book
 Calculator
 Notepad

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 39 (of 57)
 Mobile Devices
 Most PDAs also offer a variety of other application
software such as :
 Word processing
 Spreadsheet
 Personal finance
 Games
 Primary input device is a stylus but some PDAs do have a
built-in miniature keyboard

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 40 (of 57)
 Mobile Devices
• Smart phone
 Users can input and send
text messages, graphics,
pictures, video clips, and
sound files
 Is an Internet-enabled
telephone
 Many have a built-in or
attachable camera
 Also provides PDA
capabilities

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 41 (of 57)
 Mobile Devices
• Smart watch
 Is an Internet-enabled watch
 Has extra features such as :
 Able to adjust automatically as the
time zone changes
 Stores personal messages
 Reminds you of appointments
 Wirelessly accesses news, weather,
sports and stocks

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 42 (of 57)
 Games Consoles
• What are game consoles?
 Mobile computing
device designed for
single-player or
multiplayer video
games

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 43 (of 57)
 Midrange Servers
• Midrange servers
 More powerful and larger than a
Personal Computer
 A server controls access to
network resources and provides
centralised storage

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 44 (of 57)
 Mainframes
• Mainframes
 Large
 Expensive
 Very powerful computer that can
handle hundreds and thousands of
connected users simultaneously
 Stores tremendous amounts of
data, instructions and information
 Every major corporation uses
mainframes for business activities

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 45 (of 57)
 Mainframes

 Can act as servers in a network environment

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 46 (of 57)
 Supercomputers
• Supercomputers
 Fastest
 Most powerful computer
 Most expensive computer
 Capable of processing more
than 100 trillion instructions in a
single second
 It weigh more than 100 tons
 Can store more than 20,000
times of data and information
than an average desktop
computer
AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 47 (of 57)
 Supercomputers
 Used for applications which requires complex and
sophisticated mathematical calculations
 Also in large-scale simulations and applications such as :
 Medicine
 Aerospace
 Automotive design
 Online banking
 Weather forecasting
 Nuclear energy research
 Petroleum exploration

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 48 (of 57)
 Embedded Computers
• Embedded computers
 Is a special-purpose computer that functions as a
component in a larger product
 Embedded computer is everywhere; at home, in your car
and at work
 The following are products that contain embedded
computers :
 Consumer Electronics
 Home Automation Devices and Appliances
 Automobiles
 Process Controllers and Robotics
 Computer Devices and Office Machines
AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 49 (of 57)
 Embedded Computers
• An example of embedded computers used in car

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 50 (of 57)
 Information System
• What is an Information System ?
 For an Information System to provide accurate, timely and
useful information, each element must be present and all
of the elements must work together
 The elements of an Information System :
 Data / Information
 Hardware
 Software
 People
 Procedures

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 51 (of 57)
 Information System

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 52 (of 57)
 Computer applications in society
• What are some examples of computer applications in society ?

 Education
 Finance
 Government
 Healthcare
 Science
 Publishing
 Travel
 Industry

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 53 (of 57)
 Quick Review Question
1) Define the term computer literacy
2) Define the term a user
3) Differentiate between end-user and power user
4) Differentiate between data and information
5) List the categories of computers
6) Differentiate between notebook and desktop computers
7) Define handheld computers
8) List the five elements in an Information System

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 54 (of 57)
 Summary of Main Teaching Points
 Two types of users
 Four types of end-users
 The components of a computer
 The categories of computers
 Elements of an Information System

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 55 (of 57)
 Question and Answer Session

Q&A
AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 56 (of 57)
 What we will cover next

• Chapter 3
The Internet and WWW

AICT001-3-1 / Computer Technology Introduction to using computers and IT Slide 57 (of 57)