The information below is necessary to finish the activities for the 1.00 Hardware and Software pages in the 8th grade workbook. Make sure you finish 1-60 in your workbook on Software, IPOS and Computer and Disk Care.

1.00 Hardware and Software

 

Application software - software designed to meet the user’s need; performs a specific task.

CD-ROM - a compact disk that reads only memory.

Channel - the media that carries or transports the message. (telephone wire, coaxial cable, microwave signal, or fiber optic)

Computer - an electronic device that receives data, processes data, stores data, and produces a result.

Control Unit- the part of the computer that directs instructions.

CPU - Central Processing Unit; the brain of the computer.

Data - new facts entered into the computer to be processed, which consist of text, numbers, sounds, and images.

Desktop computer - designed to be used on a desktop.

Disk - a storage device.

Dot Matrix Printer - Uses a pattern of dots to form words and images on paper.

Ergonomics – the science of designing equipment and workspace for a comfortable and safe working environment

File - a document stored on a disk.

File server- the central computer where the data and software for local area network computers are stored.

Hard Copy - a printed copy of output.

Hard Disk/Drive- a device that holds information such as software and files.

Hardware - physical parts of a computer.

Information Processing Cycle - the interactions of humans and computers that consist of input, processing, output, and storage.

Inkjet printer- sprays ink through small holes to form words and images on paper.

Input - the process of entering information into a computer.

IPOS - input, processing, output, and storage.

Keyboard - contains numbers, letters, symbols, and function keys; looks like a typewriter.

Laptop computer- designed to be small enough and light enough to be used on your lap.

Laser Printer- uses light beams to form words and images on paper.

Local Area Networks (LAN) - computers connected together in a relatively close location such as in the same building or department.

Mainframes and minicomputers - used by business and government to process large amounts of information.

Microcomputer- a small computer in which the central processing unit or CPU is a single silicon chip.

Modem - Modulator – Demodulator.  A device that connects the computer to a telephone line.

Network - when computers are connected to other computers that can share information and sometimes hardware (printers)

Notebook computer - designed to be used on a desktop but still small enough to be portable.

Output - Displays the results of processing.

PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) - a handheld device that is often used in conjunction with a desktop or other PC.

Personal computers - smaller and less powerful than the other types of computers.

Processing - executes instructions given to the computer.

Protocol - the rules that govern the orderly transfer of data sent.

RAM - random access memory; temporary storage.

Receiver - the computer receiving the message.

ROM - read only memory; Permanent storage.

Scanner - Prints copies like a photocopier.

Sender - the computer that is sending the message.

Service Technician - One who repairs hardware and software problems.

Soft Copy - output that is not in printed form; such as what is seen on the monitor.

Software - Programs that tell the computer what to do.

Storage - a device that holds data.

Supercomputer- most powerful computer used to do things like predict hurricanes and navigate satellites.

System software- controls the operation of a computer.

Virus Protection Software - a program that protects a computer from damaging computer viruses.

Web TV - provides easy access to the Internet without a having to have a traditional computer.

Wide Area Networks (WAN) - when local area networks are expanded to include several local area networks within a city, state, region, territory, country, continent, or the world.

  A.  Computer Basics

Unit Objectives: 1.01-1.04

What Is A Computer?

•     An electronic device that receives data, processes data, stores data, and produces a result (output).

•     A collection of electronic circuits, which can be on or off (open or closed).

–These two states of the circuit are represented by two digits, 0 and 1.

•   Called the binary system

•   Combining bits (0 and 1), you can represent any character or number.

Benefits of Using Computers

•     Error-free calculations

•     Speed

•     Flexibility

•     Storage

•     Consistency and repetition

What Is A Computer System?

•      Hardware:  the tangible, physical equipment that can be seen and touched such as:

–     Computer Case

–     Monitor

–     Keyboard and Mouse

–     Disk Drive

–     Speakers 

•       Software:  the intangible set of instructions that tell the computer what to do;

known as programs or software programs.

–     Two types:  application and system software programs

•       Data:  information entered into the computer to be processed, which consists of the following:

–     Text, numbers, sounds, and images

•       People:  the users of the computers who enter the data and use the output.

Types of Computers

•     Supercomputer:  most powerful

–    Used to do things like predict hurricanes and navigate satellites

•     Mainframes and minicomputers:  used by business and government to process large of information

•     Personal computers:  smaller and less powerful than the other types of computers

Personal Computers

•     Desktop computer: designed to be used on a desktop.

•     Notebook/Tablet computer:  designed to be used on a desktop but still small enough to be portable.

•     Laptop computer: designed to be small enough and light enough to be used on your lap.

Additional Types of Computers

•      PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants):  a handheld device that is often used in conjunction with a desktop or

other PC.

–     May have a special keyboard, some use a pen or stylus for entering data

-Data can be transferred to a desktop or laptop computer

•      Web TV:  provides easy access to the Internet without having to have a traditional computer.

–     Enables you to connect to the Internet and usually includes a keyboard or other device for entering and selecting data.

Data Communications

•       The technology that enables computers to communicate

•       The transmission of text, numeric, voice or video data from one machine to another.

•       Popular examples:

–     Internet, electronic messages (e-mail), faxes, and electronic or online banking

•       Four components:

–     Sender:  the computer that is sending the message.

–     Receiver:  the computer receiving the message.

–     Channel:  the media that carries or transports the message. (telephone wire, coaxial cable,

microwave signal, or fiber optic)

–     Protocol:  the rules that govern the orderly transfer of the data sent.

 

Data Communications

•      Network: when computers are connected to other computers

–     They can share information and sometimes hardware (printers)

–     Local Area Networks (LAN):  computers connected together in a relatively close location such as in the same building or department.

•    The data and software for these computers are stored on a central computer called the file server.

–     Wide Area Networks (WAN):  when local area networks are expanded to include several local area networks within a city, state, region, territory, country, continent, or the world.

 

System Components

•       Central Processing Unit (CPU):  the microprocessor, the brains of the computer.

–     Housed on a tiny silicon chip

–     Chip contains millions of switches and pathways that help your computer make important decisions.

•    CPU knows which switches to turn on and which to turn off because it receives its instructions from computer programs (software).

–     CPU has two primary sections:

•    Arithmetic/logic unit

•    Control unit

-      Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU):  performs arithmetic computations and logical operations;

by combining these two operations the ALU can execute complex tasks.

Arithmetic operations include addition, subtractions, multiplication, and division.

Logical operations involve comparisons.

•       Control Unit:  is the “boss” and coordinates all of the CPU’s activities.

–     Uses programming instructions, it controls the flow of information through the processor by controlling what happens inside the processor.

•    We communicate with the computer through programming languages.

–    COBOL, C++, or VisualBasic.net, HTML, Java Script for example.

System Components

Memory:  found on the motherboard; short term and long term.

–     Random Access Memory (RAM):  memory on the motherboard that is short term; where data, information, and program instructions are stored temporarily on a RAM chip or a set of RAM chips.

•    When the computer is turned off or if there is loss of power, what ever is stored in RAM disappears.

•    This memory know as the main memory and is considered volatile.

•    The computer can read from and write to RAM.

–     Read-Only Memory (ROM):  memory on the motherboard that is long term; where the specific instructions that are needed for the computer to operate are stored.

•    This memory is nonvolatile and your computer can only read from a ROM chip.

•    The instructions remain on the chip regardless if the power is turned on or off.

•    Most common is the BIOS ROM; where the computer uses instructions contained on this chip to boot or start the system when you turn on your computer.

 

System Components

•     Basic Controllers:  on the motherboard, a device that controls the transfer of data from the computer to a peripheral device and vice versa.

- Examples:  keyboards, mouse, monitors, and printers.

- Generally stored on one single chip.

•     Serial and Parallel Ports:  used to connect our peripheral devices to the computer; usually one serial and one parallel port on  a computer.

- Serial devices transmit data one bit at a time.

–   A modem may be connected to this port.

•    Parallel devices transfer several bits at a time.

–   A printer may be connected to this port.

 

System Components

•     Universal Serial Bus (USB):  a new standard that supports data transfer rates of up to 12 million bits per second.

–    A single USB port can be used to connect up to 127 peripheral devices

–    Expected to replace serial and parallel ports in the near future.

•     Expansion Slots:  an opening on the motherboard where a circuit board or expansion board can be inserted.

–    Examples:  Additional Memory, video cards, modem cards, and sound cards.

How Does A Computer Process Data?

•     PC system case – the metal and plastic case that houses the main system components of the computer.

•     Central to all of this is the motherboard or system board that mounts into the case.

–    Motherboard:  is a circuit board (a thin plate or board that contains electronic components) that contains many integral components.

Data Representation

•     ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange):  the most popular and widely used standardized coding system

•     Byte:  eight bits or combinations of ones and zeros represent a character.

–    MB-Megabyte or roughly 1 million bytes

–    GB-Gigabyte or roughly one billion bytes

Input, Output, & Storage Devices

•     Input device:  hardware that allows you to communicate with your computer.

•      Output device:  hardware that allows your computer to communicate with the user

•      Storage device:  allows you to store or retrieve information

Computer Input Devices

•     Keyboard

•     Mouse/Trackball

•     Joystick

•     Light pen

•     Pointing Stick

•     Touchpad

•     Touch screen

•     Bar code reader

•     Scanner

•     Microphone

•     Graphics Tablet

•     Digital Cameras

  Computer Output Devices

•     Monitor: screen that display information such as text, numbers, and pictures.

–    softcopy

•     Printer: gives you information from the computer in printed form.

–    Hardcopy

•     Speakers:  allow you to hear voice, music, and other sounds from your computer.

•     Modem:  allows you to use your computer to communicate with other computers.

Three Types of Printers

• Dot Matrix –     Gives a printed image in a pattern (matrix) of tiny ink dots. •    Less expensive and not as clear •     
• Inkjet Printer –     Better quality of printed document •Machine uses an ink cartridge and a printing element to print a finer image on the paper.
• Laser –    Best quality of printed documents •    Laser beam and an ink toner cartridge are used to produce the images. •    More expensive •    Quick

            

Storage Devices

•     Magnetic storage devices use oxide-coated plastic storage media called mylar.

–    As the disk rotates in the computer, an electromagnetic read/write head stores or retrieves data in circles called tracks.

•    Tracks are numbered from the outside to the inside and as data is stored on the disk it is stored on one of these numbered track.

•    Each track is labeled and the location is stored in a log on the disk known as a file allocation table (FAT).  

Types of Storage Devices

•     Hard Disk Drive:  used to store data inside of the computer.

–    Magnetic platter that holds a large amount of information in a form the computer can understand.

•    Accessing data is faster

•    Amount of data that can be stored is much more than what can be stored on a floppy disk.

•    Size of Hard drive is measured in megabytes or gigabytes.

Types of Storage Devices

•     Floppy Disk:  flat circles of iron oxide-coated plastic enclosed in a hard plastic case.

–    Most are 3 ½ inches and have a capacity to hold 1.44 MB or more of data.

•    Zip Disk:  capable of storing tremendous amounts of information

- They are only the size of a 3 inch disk but can hold as much as 1 gigabyte of data

 

Types of Storage Devices

•      Magnetic Tape Drives:  used for making backup copies of large volumes of data.

–     Very slow

–     Can be used to replace data that may have been lost on the hard drive

–     look similar to audio tapes.

–     Holds more than Floppy

▪ Optical discs:  use laser technology to read and write data on silver platters.

–     CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory) can store up to 800MB of information/data.

–     You can only read data from a CD

–     You can store data on a CD only if you have a CD Burner and writable CDs (CD-R or recordable CD-ROM)

–     DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) is the size of a regular CD and can be played in a regular CD or in a DVD movie player.

Systems Software

•      A group of programs that coordinate and control the resources and operations of a computer system.

–     Enables all components of the computer system to communicate.

•      Operating System (OS):  provide an interface between the user or application program and the computer hardware.

–     Win 95/98/2000

–     Mac System 6/7

•      Utility programs: help you perform housekeeping chores; complete specialized tasks related to managing the computer’s resources, file management, and so on.

•      GUI (graphical user interface):  graphical symbols       (icons) represent files, disks, programs, and other objects.

Application Software

•     Programs that work with the OS software to help you use your computer to do specific types of work.

•     Categories:

–    Business

–    Communications

–    Graphics and Multimedia

–    Education and Reference

–    Entertainment and Leisure

–    Integrated Programs

 

Business Software

•      Word Processing

–     program that allows you to create, edit, and print text documents

•    Report, flyer, memo

•      Spreadsheet

–     Numbered Rows and Lettered Columns

–     Intersection of them = cell

•    Grade book, financial info

•     Database

–    Lets you set up an electronic filing systems

–    Enter text and numbers

•    Find, search, and printer info in different ways

–   Address book, Card Catalog

Software

•      Communications Software

–     Works with your modems or network hardware and allows your computer to communicate with other computers.

-   Exchange computer files and email

•      Graphics Software

–     Uses pictures or images to help communicate messages.

  •      Multimedia Software: combines text, graphics, animation, video, and audio.

•      Clip art Software: graphical images to be added to documents

•      Desktop Publishing Software: uses both pictures and words to give you the ability to create documents

–     Newsletters and brochures

 

Software

•     Education & Reference

–    Available on many topics

–    Help

–    Easier

–    Quicker

•    Examples: AR, Encyclopedia, etc.

•     Entertainment & Leisure

–    Fun

–    Games and simulations

–    Tests your skills

–    interactive

Integrated Software

•     Combines several software applications into one program. Includes:

–    Word Processing

–    Spreadsheet

–    Database

–    Communication

•     Examples:

–    MS Works

–    MS OFFICE

–    Lotus SmartSuite

 

 

Proper Computer Care

•      Keep food and drinks away from the computer and keyboard.

•      Avoid dusty locations.

•      Use a surge protector.

•      Keep magnets Away.

•      Do not block vents on the CPU.

•      Avoid bright sunny locations.

•      Do not move the computer while it is in use.

•      Always exit programs properly.

•      Use a virus check program on a regular basis.

Proper Diskette Care

•      Do not remove from drives while drive in running or light is on.

•      Avoid contact with magnets and electromagnetic fields.

•      Keep disks stored in a clean, cool and dry place with a protective cover.

•      Keep protective metal slider in place.

•      Use a virus check program on a regular basis.

•      Avoid hot and cold locations.

•      Make a back-up copy of your programs and files.

 

Proper CD ROM Care

•      Keep CDs stored in a clean, cool and dry place with a protective cover.

•      Avoid touching the back side of the CD; to avoid scratches.

•      Avoid hot and cold locations.

•      Make a back-up copy of your programs and files.

•      Insert into CD ROM Drive properly; label facing up.

•      Only write on CD’s with a CD Marking Pen on a label or the correct side of the CD.

 

Proper Care of Printers

•      Avoid cold, hot, and dusty locations.

•      Always use the correct ink or toner replacement.

•      Always have the proper printer cable connected to your computer.

•      Never pull paper out of a printer in motion.

•      Do not turn off the printer while printing.

•      Read the instruction manual before operating a printer.

•      Always use the proper type of paper in your printer.

  How to Maintain your Computer System

•       Start a notebook of information on your system.

–     Serial numbers

–     Vendor support telephone numbers

–     User IDs

–     Date and vendor for each equipment and software purchase.

–     Trouble log

•       Periodically review disk directories and delete unneeded files.

•       Make sure all plug-ins are secure at all times.

•       Turn off the power and disconnect the equipment form the power source before you open the inside of you computer.

•       Keep surrounding area dirt and dust free.

•       Back up files and data regularly.

•       Periodically defragment your hard disk.

•       Protect your system from computer viruses

•       Learn to use system diagnostic programs

 

Ergonomics

•      The science of designing equipment for a comfortable and safe working environment.

•       Proper Computer Ergonomics

–     Sit up straight and lean forward slightly from the waist.

–     Keep your feet flat on the floor.

–     Your body should be about a hand’s length from the front of the keyboard and centered with the keyboard.

–     Keep your fingers on the home row keys and curved.

–     Keep your wrists up, not touching the keyboard or desk.

–     Focus your eyes on the book, copy or screen.

–     Place all materials you will type on the right side of the computer and supplies on the left side.

–     Keep any items you are not using off your desk.

–     Occasionally rest your eyes and take short breaks.

–     Avoid lights that cause glare on the monitor.