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Computers:Computers:Tools for an Information AgeTools for an Information Age

Chapter 1Chapter 1Computers: Tools for an Information AgeComputers: Tools for an Information Age

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Fundamental CharacteristicsFundamental Characteristics

SpeedSpeedReliabilityReliabilityStorage CapabilityStorage CapabilityBy-productsBy-products

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Computer System ComponentsComputer System Components

HardwareHardware Equipment associated with the systemEquipment associated with the system

SoftwareSoftware Instructions that tell the hardware what to doInstructions that tell the hardware what to do

PeoplePeople Computer programmer: writes softwareComputer programmer: writes software User: purchases and uses softwareUser: purchases and uses software

Often called end-userOften called end-user

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Hardware: The Basic Components Hardware: The Basic Components of a Computerof a Computer

What is a Computer?What is a Computer?Four primary Four primary components:components: Input devicesInput devices ProcessorProcessor Output devicesOutput devices StorageStorage

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Peripheral DevicesPeripheral Devices

All hardware devices attached to the All hardware devices attached to the computercomputer Includes all input, output, and storage devicesIncludes all input, output, and storage devices

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NetworkingNetworking

Network: a system that uses Network: a system that uses communications equipment to connect communications equipment to connect computers and their resourcescomputers and their resourcesCommon network tools:Common network tools: Local Area Network (LAN)Local Area Network (LAN) ModemModem Electronic mailElectronic mail

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The InternetThe Internet

The largest and most far-flung networkThe largest and most far-flung network Connects users worldwideConnects users worldwide Not actually a network, but a collection of Not actually a network, but a collection of

thousands of networksthousands of networks

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Getting ConnectedGetting Connected

To access the Internet, connect to a To access the Internet, connect to a server computercomputer Server receives, processes, and transmits Server receives, processes, and transmits

informationinformation

Computers use a Computers use a standardstandard to communicate to communicateNeed an Need an Internet Service Provider Internet Service Provider (ISP)(ISP)

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Getting Around the InternetGetting Around the Internet

Began as a means for Department of Began as a means for Department of Defense and its research institutions to Defense and its research institutions to share informationshare information Information was text-onlyInformation was text-only Commands to navigate were obscureCommands to navigate were obscure

Now, much more visually basedNow, much more visually based Use Use browserbrowser to explore the Internet to explore the Internet World Wide WebWorld Wide Web

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Classification of ComputersClassification of Computers

Personal ComputersPersonal ComputersNotebook ComputersNotebook ComputersHandheld ComputersHandheld ComputersSupercomputersSupercomputers

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Personal Computer SystemPersonal Computer System