Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6
Chapter 1 Outline
Characterize what a computer is and what it does
A computer is a machine that was first developed in the 1940s. Charles Babbage first designed a plan for an Analytical Engine that would be used to make certain processes go faster and use less time, resources, and space. A computer can receive input (information taken in by the computer) from an outside source. It can then process that information and perform operations on that information to produce an output (information given out by the computer). Computers communicate output with the rest of the world and can store that information in its memory.
Describe several ways computers play a critical role in modern life
Computers take tasks that would ordinarily be difficult for humans to complete in a short amount of time and with limited effort and finish them in record time and by using little memory space.
Discuss the circumstances and ideas that led to the development of the modern computer
Basically trial and error. The development of the transistor (an electronic device that performs the same function as the vacuum tube by transferring electricity across a tiny resistor) increased reliability, productivity, and efficiency and reduced space required to use the computers. Personal computers (PCs) (a.k.a. microcomputers- small digital computers based on a microprocessor and designed to be used by one person at a time) followed with the development of the microprocessor.
Explain the relationship between hardware and software
Hardware: physical parts of the computer
Software: instructions that tell the hardware what to do to transform input to output
Outline the four major types of computers in use today and describe their principal uses
Mainframes and supercomputers- SPEED AND POWER, BUT EXPENSIVE
Mainframe- expensive, refrigerator-size computers used to do complex computing jobs
Supercomputers- fast, powerful, and expensive computer used for applications that demand a great deal of power
(terminal- a combination keyboard and screen with little local processing power that transfers information to and from the computer)
Timesharing- USEFUL FOR MANY USERS AT ONE TIME
Technique by which mainframe computers communicate with several users simultaneously
Servers, workstations and PCs- DO NOT HAVE MAINFRAME CAPABILITY, BUT WORK FOR PEOPLE WHO DON’T NEED A LOT OF MEMORY/POWER
Server- a computer designed to provide software and other resources to other computers over a network
Describe how the explosive growth of the Internet is changing the way people use computers and information technology
The Internet is a global interconnected network of thousands of networks linking academic, research, government, and commercial institutions, and other organizations and individuals (a.k.a. the Net).
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Chapter 2 Outline
Outline:
What Computers Do
- Receive input. Computers accept information from the outside world.
- Process information. Computers perform arithmetic or logical operations on information.
- Produce output. Computers communicate information to the outside world.
- Store information. Computers move and store information in memory.
A Bit About Bits
- Computers can only understand information only when it has been broken into bits. A bit, or binary digit, is the smallest unit of information a computer can process. A bit can only have two values: 0 and 1.
Bit Basic
- Computers can only understand information only when it has been broken into bits. A bit, or binary digit, is the smallest unit of information a computer can process. A bit can only have two values: 0 and 1.
How It Work 2.1: Binary Numbers
- Computers can only understand information only when it has been broken into bits. A bit, or binary digit, is the smallest unit of information a computer can process. A bit can only have two values: 0 and 1.
Building with Bits
- Computers use the binary number system which consists of 0's and 1's.
- The most widley used code is ASCII. its represents each character as a uniqiw 8-bit code. Out of a sting of 8 bits, 256 unique ordered patterns can be made--enough to make unique codes for 26 letters, 10 digits, and variety of special characters.
- Computers can only understand information only when it has been broken into bits. A bit, or binary digit, is the smallest unit of information a computer can process. A bit can only have two values: 0 and 1.
How It Works 2.2: Representing the World's Languages
- ASCII was mainly designed for English only.
- The most widley used code is ASCII. its represents each character as a uniqiw 8-bit code. Out of a sting of 8 bits, 256 unique ordered patterns can be made--enough to make unique codes for 26 letters, 10 digits, and variety of special characters.
The Computer's Core: CPU and Memory
- The core of the computer is basically a collection of on/off switches designed to transform information from one from to another. The user gives the computer input and the computer gives the user output.
The CPU: The Real Computer
- The CPU or processor is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, and is the primary element carrying out the computer's functions.
Working Wisdom: Green Computing
- Computers are going green now days and this is happening by using recyclable materials and energy saving features on your desk top computer or lap top.
How It Works2.3: The CPU
- The CPU or processor is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, and is the primary element carrying out the computer's functions.
- Usually there is a fan on top of the CPU to cool it down because this part of the computer gets very hot very quickly because it is being used constantly.
The Computer's Memory
- The CPU is used to store data such as software that has been installed. But the main storage of memory is in something called RAM. RAM is a form of computer data storage. Today, it takes the form of integrated circuitsthat allow stored data to be accessed in any order. The word random thus refers to the fact that any piece of data can be returned in aconstant time, regardless of its physical location and whether or not it is related to the previous piece of data.
How It Works 2.4: Memory
- RAM is a form of computer data storage. Today, it takes the form of integrated circuitsthat allow stored data to be accessed in any order. The word random thus refers to the fact that any piece of data can be returned in aconstant time, regardless of its physical location and whether or not it is related to the previous piece of data.
Buses, Ports, and Peripherals
- Buses are a group of wires that allow information to travel from one part of the computer such as RAM and move it to another part such as the CPU.
- Ports are used to plug in various external parts that are needed to use a computer such as a keyboard or a mouse.
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Chapter 3 Outline
- Input
- Keyboard
- Pointing Devices
- Reading Tools
- Digitizing Devices
- Output
- Screen Output
- Paper Output
- Fax
- Audio Output
- Controlling Machinery
- Storage
- Magnetic Tape
- Magnetic Disks
- Optical Disks
- Solid Stage Drives
- Connecting to The System
- Ports and Slots
- Internal and External Drives
- Expansion
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Chapter 4 Outline
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Chapter 5: Basic Productivity Applications
•Word processing software enables users to edit text on the screen.
•With a word processor you can control spacing, margins, headers and other visual components of the document.
•Most professional word processing programs automate footnoting, hyphenation, formatting and other processes.
•Outlining software is a powerful tool that provides clear organization.
•Spelling checkers automate the proofreading process.
•Online thesauruses and dictionaries automate the reference process.
Desktop publishing.
The Spreadsheet: Software for Simulation and Speculation
•Spreadsheet software is used for complex calculations
•The formatting of a spreadsheet
oRows that you can label
oColumns that you can label
oCells that you can enter number values in
•Options you can use to manipulate your data:
oduplicating data/patterns of data
ocreating functions from other cell's data
ocreating "what if?" scenarios
oOrganizing the data into different charts/formats
•Professional businesses use more complex software
oaccounting and financial management software
oonline banking services
oTax preparation softare
omathematic processing software
oscientific visualization software
Calcuated Risks: Computer Modelling and Simulations
•Computer modelling: using simulation technology to create virtual situations or organisms
•Uses of computer modelling:
oVideogames
oScreensaves
oFlight Training
oConstruction
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Chapter 6 Outline
Chapter 6: Graphics, Digital Media, and Multimedia
Focus on Computer Graphics
- Painting: Bitmapped Graphics
- Image Processing: Photographic Editing by Computer
- Drawing: Object-Oriented Graphics
- 3-D Modeling Software
- CAD/CAM: Turning Pictures into Products
- Presentation Graphics: Bring Lectures to Life
- Dynamic Media: Beyond the Printed Page
- Animation: Graphics in Time
- Desktop Video: Computers, Film, and TV
- Analog and Digital Video
- Video Production Goes Digital
- Data Compression
- The Synthetic Musician: Computers and Audio
- Samplers, Synthesizers, and Sequencers: Digital Audio and MIDI
- Hypertext and Hypermedia
- Interactive Multimedia: Eye, Ear, Hand, and Mind
- Interactive Multimedia: What Is It?
- Multimedia Authoring: Making Mixed Media
- Interactive Media: Visions of the Future
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