Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, 13th Edition
Chapter 1:
Introduction to the World ofComputers
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Learning Objectives
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Explain why it is essential to learn about computerstoday and discuss several ways computers areintegrated into our business and personal lives.Define a computer and describe its primaryoperations.List some important milestones in computerevolution.Identify the major parts of a personal computer,including input, processing, output, storage, andcommunications hardware.Define software and understand how it is used toinstruct the computer what to do.
Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, 13th Edition
Learning Objectives
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List the six basic types of computers, giving at leastone example of each type of computer and statingwhat that computer might be used for.Explain what a network, the Internet, and the WorldWide Web are, as well as how computers, people, andWeb pages are identified on the Internet.Describe how to access a Web page and navigatethrough a Web site.Discuss the societal impact of computers, includingsome benefits and risks related to their prominencein our society.
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Overview
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This chapter covers:What computers are, how they work, and how theyare usedComputer terminologyAn overview of the history of computersThe basic types of computers in use todayAn overview of networks and the InternetSocietal impacts of computers
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Computers in Your Life
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Why learn about computers?Pervasive computing
Also known as ubiquitous computingComputers have become an integral part of ourlives
Basic computer literacyKnowing about and understanding computersand their uses is an essential skill today foreveryone
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Computers in Your Life
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Before 1980Computers were large, expensiveVery few people had access to themComputers were mostly used for high-volume processingtasks
Microcomputers in the early 80sInexpensive personal computersComputer use increased dramatically
TodayMore than 80% of US households include a computer, andmost use computers at workElectronic devices are converging into single units withmultiple capabilities
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Computers in the Home
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Computers used for a variety of tasks:Looking up information and newsExchanging e-mailShopping and paying billsWatching TV and videosDownloading music and moviesOrganizing digital photographsPlaying gamesTelecommuting
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Computers in the Home
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ConvergenceThe computer has become the central part ofhome entertainmentDual-mode mobile phones
Wireless networkingComputers can be used in nearly any location
Smart appliancesTraditional appliances with built-in computer orcommunication technology
Smart homesHousehold tasks are monitored and controlled bya main computer in the house
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Computers in the Home
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Computers in Education
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Many students today have access to computerseither in a classroom or a computer labColleges and universities are even more integrated
Wireless hotspots allow usage of personal laptopsto connect to the college networkSome colleges require a computer for enrollment
Distance learningStudents participate from locations other than thetraditional classroom setting using computers andInternet access
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Computers in Education
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Computers on the Job
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Computers have become a universal on-the-job toolfor decision-making, productivity, andcommunication
Used by all types of employeesUsed for access control and other securitymeasuresUse by service professionals is growingUsed extensively by the militaryEmployees in all lines of work need to continuallyrefresh their computer skills
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Computers on the Job
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Computers on the Go
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Computers are encountered in nearly every aspect ofdaily life
Consumer kiosksATM transactionsPOS systems at retail storesSelf-checkout systemsPortable computers or mobile devicesM-commerce systemsGPS systems
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Computers on the Go
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What Is a Computer and What Does It Do?
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Computer: A programmable, electronic device thataccepts data, performs operations on that data, andstores the data or results as needed
Computers follow instructions, called programs, whichdetermine the tasks the computer will perform
Basic operationsInput: Entering data into the computerProcessing: Performing operations on the dataOutput: Presenting the resultsStorage: Saving data, programs, or output for future useCommunications: Sending or receiving data
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What Is a Computer and What Does It Do?
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Data vs. Information
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DataRaw, unorganized factsCan be in the form of text, graphics, audio, orvideo
InformationData that has been processed into a meaningfulform
Information processingConverting data into information
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Computers Then and Now
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The computer as we know it is a fairly recentinventionThe history of computers is often referred to in termsof generationsEach new generation is characterized by a majortechnological developmentPrecomputers and early computers (before 1946)
Abacus, slide rule, mechanical calculatorPunch Card Tabulating Machine and Sorter
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Computers Then and Now
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First-generation computers (1946-1957)Enormous and powered by vacuum tubesUsed a great deal of electricity, and generated alot of heatENIAC and UNIVAC
Second-generation computers (1958-1963)Used transistorsComputers were smaller, more powerful, cheaper,more energy-efficient, and more reliablePunch cards and magnetic tape were used toinput and store data
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Computers Then and Now
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Third-generation computers (1964-1970)Used integrated circuits (ICs)Keyboards and monitors introduced
Fourth-generation computers (1971-present)Use microprocessorsIBM PC, Apple MacintoshUse keyboards, mice, monitors, and printersUse magnetic disks, flash memory, and opticaldisks for storageComputer networks, wireless technologies,Internet introduced
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Computers Then and Now
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Fifth-generation (now and the future)Infancy stageNo precise classificationMay be based on artificial intelligence (AI)Likely use voice and touch inputMay be based on optical computers and utilizenanotechnology
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Computers Then and Now
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Hardware
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Hardware: The physical parts of a computerInternal hardware
Located inside the main box (system unit) ofthe computer
External hardwareLocated outside the system unitConnect to the computer via a wired orwireless connection
There is hardware associated with all fivecomputer operations
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Hardware
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Hardware
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Input devicesUsed to input data into the computerKeyboards, mice, scanners, cameras,microphones, joysticks, touch pads, touch screens,fingerprint readers, etc.
Processing devicesPerform calculations and control computer’soperationCentral processing unit (CPU) and memory
Output devicesPresent results to the userMonitors, printers, speakers, projectors, etc.
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Hardware
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Storage devicesUsed to store data on or access data from storagemediaHard drives, CD/DVD discs and drives, USB flashdrives, etc.
Communications devicesAllow users to communicate with others and toelectronically access remote informationModems, network adapters, etc.
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Hardware
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Software
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Software: The programs or instructions used to tellthe computer hardware what to do
System software: Operating system starts up thecomputer and controls its operation
Without OS computer cannot functionBoots the computer and launches programs atthe user’s directionMost use a GUI to interact with the user viawindows, icons, menus, buttons, etc.Windows, Mac OS, Linux, etc.
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Software
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Application Software
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Application software: Performs specific tasks orapplications
Creating letters, budgets, etc.Managing inventory and customer databasesEditing photographsScheduling appointmentsViewing Web pagesSending and receiving e-mailRecording / playing CDs/DVDsDesigning homesPlaying games
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Software
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Computer Users and Professionals
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Computer users (end users): People who use acomputer to obtain informationComputer professionals include:
ProgrammersSystems analystsComputer operations personnelSecurity specialists
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Quick Quiz
1. Which of the following was not a first generationcomputer?a. IBM PCb. UNIVACc. ENIAC
2. True or False: A window displayed when thecomputer needs more information from the user iscalled a dialog box.
3. Speakers are an example of a(n) _____________ device.Answers:1) a; 2) True; 3) output
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Computers to Fit Every Need
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Six basic categories of computers:Embedded computersMobile devicesPersonal computersMidrange serversMainframe computersSupercomputers
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Embedded Computers
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Embedded computer: Embedded into a product anddesigned to perform specific tasks or functions forthat productCannot be used as general-purpose
computersOften embedded into:
Household appliancesThermostatsSewing machinesA/V equipmentCars
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Mobile Devices
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Mobile device: A very small device withsome type of built-in computing orInternet capabilityTypically based on mobile phonesTypically have small screens andkeyboardsExamples:
SmartphonesHandheld gaming devicesPortable digital media players
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Personal Computers (PCs)
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Personal computer: A small computer designed to beused by one person at a time
Also called a microcomputerRange in size from desktop computers to UMPC’s
Desktop computers: Fit on or next to a deskCan use tower case, desktop case, or all-in-oneCan be PC-compatible orMacintoshNot designed to beportable
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Portable Computers
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Notebook (laptop) computers: Typically useclamshell designTablet computers: Canbe slate tablets orconvertible tabletsNetbooks: Smallnotebooks; rapidlygrowing type of PCUltra-mobile PCs (UMPCs):Handheld computers
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Thin Clients and Internet Appliances
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Thin client or network computer (NC): Devicedesigned to access a network for processing anddata storage
Lower cost, increased security and easiermaintenanceLimited or no local storageNot able to function as a computer if network isdown
Internet appliance: Specialized network computerdesigned for Internet access and/or e-mail exchange
Often set-top boxesCan include Internet-enabled gaming consoles
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Thin Clients and Internet Appliances
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Midrange Servers
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Midrange server: A medium-sized computer usedto host programs and data for a small network
Users connect via a network with acomputer, thin client, or dumb terminalMay consist of a collectionof individual circuit boardscalled bladesVirtualization: Creatingvirtual environments (oftenused to share a server forincreased efficiency)
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Mainframe Computers
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Mainframe computer: Powerful computer used byseveral large organizations to manage large amountsof centralized data
Standard choice for large organizations, hospitals,universities, large businesses, banks, governmentofficesLocated in climate-controlled data centers andconnected to the rest of the company computersvia a networkLarger, more expensive, and more powerful thanmidrange serversUsually operate 24 hours a dayAlso called high-end servers or enterprise-classservers
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Mainframe Computers
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Supercomputers
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Supercomputer: Fastest, most expensive, mostpowerful type of computer
Generally run one program at a time, as fast aspossibleCommonly built by connecting hundreds ofsmaller computers, supercomputing clusterUsed for space exploration, missile guidance,satellites, weather forecast, oil exploration,scientific research, complex Web sites, decisionsupport systems, 3D applications, etc.
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Supercomputers
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Quick Quiz
1. A tablet PC is an example of a(n) _____________.a. Desktop computerb. Portable PCc. Internet appliance
2. True or False: The terms mainframe computer andsupercomputer are interchangeable; both refer tothe largest, most powerful computers.
3. A smartphone is an example of a(n) _____________.Answers:1) b; 2) False; 3) mobile device
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Computer Networks and the Internet
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Computer network: A collection of hardware andother devices that are connected together.
Users can share hardware, software, and dataUsers can communicate with each other
Network servers: Manage resources on a networkClients: Access resources through the network serverComputer networks exist in many sizes and types
Home networksSchool and small business networksLarge corporatePublic wireless networksThe Internet
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Computer Networks and the Internet
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What Are the Internet and theWorld Wide Web?
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Internet: The largest and most well-known computernetwork in the worldIndividuals connect to the Internet using an Internetservice provider (ISP)World Wide Web: One resource (a vast collection ofWeb pages) available through the Internet
Web sites contain Web pages stored on WebserversWeb pages viewed using a Web browser (InternetExplorer, Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera, etc.)
A wide variety of information is available through theWeb
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What Are the Internet and theWorld Wide Web?
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Accessing a Network or the Internet
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Need a modem or network adapterSome networks require a username and passwordInternet connections can be:
Direct (always-on) connectionsDial-up connections
Internet addresses are used to access resources onthe Internet
IP address: Numeric address that identifies computers(207.46.197.32)
Domain name: Text-based address that identifiescomputers (microsoft.com)Uniform resource locator (URL): Identifies Web pages(http://twitter.com/jobs/index.html)
E-mail address: Identifies people for e-mail exchange([email protected])
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IP Addresses and Domain Names
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IP addresses are numeric anduniqueDomain names: Correspond toIP addresses
Top-level domains (TLDs)identifies type of organizationor its location
Custom TLDs may soon beallowed
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Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)
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URL: Uniquely identifies a Web pageConsists of:
Protocol or standard being usedIdentification of the Web serverNames of folders in which the Web page file isstoredWeb page’s filename
Protocols:Hypertext Transfer Protocol (http://) is typicallyused to display Web pages (https:// is used forsecure Web pages)File Transfer Protocol (ftp://) is often used for fileexchange
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Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)
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E-Mail Addresses
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E-mail addresses consist of:Username: A person’s identifying name for aparticular domainThe @ symbolDomain name for the computer that will behandling the person’s e-mail (mail server)
Pronouncing Internet addresses
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Surfing the Web
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Web browser: Used to display Web pagesBrowser starting or home page: The first pagedisplayed when the browser is openedTo navigate to a Web page, you can:
Type a URL in the Address barClick a hyperlink on a displayed Web pageSelect a Favorite/Bookmark or page from theHistory list
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Surfing the Web
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Searching the Web
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Search site: Web page that helps you find Web pagescontaining the information you are seeking
Typically search using keywords • Reference sites: Lookup addresses,telephone numbers,ZIP codes, maps, etc.
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Online Video
“Searching the Web on Your iPhone”(click below to start video)
Reminder: The complete set of online videos and video podcasts are available at:www.cengage.com/computerconcepts/np/uc13
Courtesy of Google Inc.
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Electronic mail (e-mail):electronic messagesexchanged betweencomputers on anetwork
Can be conventionalor Web-basedCan contain photos,attached files, etc.
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Computers and Society
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The vast improvements in technology over the pastdecade have had a distinct impact on daily life, bothat home and at workMany benefits of a computer-oriented society:
Ability to design products before constructionleads to safer productsEarlier medical diagnosesDevices that allow challenged people to performjob tasksDocuments e-mailed or faxed in momentsDownload information, music, programs, movies,and more on demand
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Computers and Society
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Computer-oriented society also has risksComputer viruses and malwareIdentity theft and phishingPrivacy issues
Differences in online communicationsLess formal than traditionalNetiquetteEmoticons
The anonymity factorInformation Integrity
Check your source, not all information on the Internet isaccurate.
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Quick Quiz
1. Index.html is an example of a(n) _____________.a. URLb. IP addressc. Web page filename
2. True or False: All information published to Web pagesis accurate.
3. In the e-mail address [email protected], abc.com isthe _____________.
Answers:1) c; 2) False; 3) domain name
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Summary
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Computers in Your LifeWhat Is a Computer and What Does It DoComputers to Fit Every NeedComputer Networks and the InternetComputers and Society