Understanding Essential Computer Concepts

(1)

Microsoft Office 2007 – Illustrated Introductory,

Windows Vista Edition

(2)

2 Microsoft Office 2007-Illustrated

Introductory, Windows Vista Edition

•

Investigate types of computers

•

Examine computer systems

•

Examine input devices

•

Examine output devices

•

Investigate data processing

•

Understand memory

Objectives

(3)

•

Understand storage media

•

Explore data communications

•

Learn about networks

•

Learn about security threats

•

Understand system software

•

Understand application software

Objectives

(4)

Defining Computers

A

computer

is an electronic device

that:

•

accepts input

•

processes data

•

stores data

(5)

Investigating Types of

Computers

The categories of computers are:

The categories of computers are: • Personal computers_{Personal computers}

• Desktop_Desktop

• Notebook (Laptop) _{Notebook (Laptop)} • Tablet PC_{Tablet PC}

• Hand-helds_Hand-helds

• PDAs_PDAs

• MP3 players_{MP3 players} • Cell phones_{Cell phones}

• Mainframes_Mainframes

(6)

Investigating Types of

Computers

Personal

Personal computerscomputers are used for general computing tasks. are used for general computing tasks.

Hand-held

Hand-held computerscomputers fit in the palm of your hand and run fit in the palm of your hand and run on batteries.

on batteries.

Mainframes

Mainframes are used by companies to provide centralized are used by companies to provide centralized storage, processing, and management for large amounts of

storage, processing, and management for large amounts of

data.

Supercomputers

Supercomputers are the largest and fastest of computers, are the largest and fastest of computers, and can process an enormous volume of data.

(7)

Investigating Types of Computers

•

Notebook

computer

•

also referred to

as a laptop

computer

•

small

(8)

• PDAs_PDAs

• personal digital _{personal digital}

assistants

assistants

• generally used to maintain an

electronic

appointment book, address book,

(9)

Investigating Types of Computers

Supercomputers

Supercomputers are the largest and fastest of are the largest and fastest of computers, and can process an enormous

computers, and can process an enormous

volume of data.

(10)

Understanding Terminals

• Terminal_Terminal

• has a keyboard for input_{has a keyboard for input} • monitor for output_{monitor for output}

• processes little or no data on its own_{processes little or no data on its own}

• Terminal emulator_{Terminal emulator}

• personal computer, workstation, or server_{personal computer, workstation, or server} • uses special software to imitate a terminal_{uses special software to imitate a terminal} • allows the PC to communicate with he _{allows the PC to communicate with he}

mainframe or supercomputer

(11)

Examining Computer Systems

A

computer system

is made up of:

•

Hardware

—the physical components

•

Software

—the programs or lists of

instructions

(12)

Examining Computer Systems

•

Architecture

or

configuration

is the

design of the computer.

•

As in, what does the computer consist

of?

•

Specifications

are the technical details

about each component.

(13)

•

Data

• The words, numbers, figures,

sounds, and graphics that

describe people, events, things,

and ideas

•

Processing

(14)

•

Motherboard

• where processing

tasks occur

• located inside the

computer

• the main electronic

component of the

computer

(15)

Examining Computer Systems

•

The data you type into the computer is called

input

.

•

The result of the computer processing your

input is called

output

.

•

Peripheral devices

accomplish the input,

output, and storage functions.

(16)

•

Microprocessor

•

a silicon chip

designed to

manipulate data

•

its speed is

determined by:

• Clock speed_{Clock speed}

• Word size_{Word size}

(17)

Examining Input Devices

Some input devices are:

•

Keyboard

•

Mouse

•

Trackball

•

Touch pad

•

Pointing stick

•

Scanner

•

Microphones

Cordless mouse

(18)

Using Assistive Devices

• People who cannot use their arms or

hands instead can use foot, head, or

eye movements to control the pointer.

• People with poor vision can use

keyboards with large keys for input,

screen enlargers to enlarge the type

and images on the monitor, or screen

readers to read the content of the

(19)

Examining Output Devices

•

Monitors

and

printers

are common

output devices.

•

CRT monitors

and

flat panel monitors

are two types of monitors.

(20)

Examining Output

Devices

Factors that influence

a monitor’s quality

are:

(21)

Examining Output Devices

Types of printers

•

Laser

•

Dot Matrix

•

Inkjet

(22)

Investigating Data Processing

• A computer

file

is a named collection

of stored data.

• An

executable file

contains the

instructions that tell a computer how

to perform a specific task; for

instance, the files that are used while

the computer starts are executable.

• A

data file

is created by a user,

(23)

•

Computers interpret every signal as

“on” or “off.”

•

1 (“on”) and 0 (“off”) are referred to as

bits

.

•

Eight bits is a

byte

. Each byte

represents a unique character.

(24)

•

Kilobyte

(

KB

) = one thousand

bytes

(25)

• Each ASCII number

represents an English character

• Computers that run the Windows

operating system use the set of Extended ASCII definitions defined by the

American National Standards Institute

(26)

Understanding Memory

•

Computer

memory

is a set of storage

locations on the motherboard.

•

There are five types of memory:

•

Random access memory (RAM)

•

Cache memory

•

Virtual memory

•

Read-only memory

•

Complementary metal oxide semiconductor

memory (CMOS)

(27)

•

RAM

•

Temporary memory that is constantly

changing while the computer is on.

•

Also called

volatile memory

and

temporary

memory

.

•

Cache memory

•

Special high-speed memory chip on the

motherboard or CPU

•

Stores frequently and recently accessed data

and commands.

(28)

•

Virtual memory

is extra memory that

simulates RAM if more is needed.

•

Read-only memory (ROM)

is the permanent

storage location for a set of instructions the

computer uses.

•

CMOS

memory is semi-permanent

information about where essential software is

stored.

(29)

Understanding Storage Media

•

Magnetic storage devices

• Store data as magnetized

particles on mylar, which is then

coated on both sides with a

(30)

•

Common magnetic storage

devices

•

hard disks

—

several magnetic oxide

covered metal platters usually sealed in

a case inside the computer

•

tape

—

inexpensive, slow, archival

storage for large companies who need

to back up large quantities of data.

•

floppy disks

—

flat circles of

(31)

Understanding Storage Media

•

Optical storage devices

• polycarbonate discs coated with a

reflective metal on which data is

recorded using laser technology

as a trail of tiny pits or dark spots

in the surface of the disc

(32)

Understanding Storage Media

•

Types of optical storage devices

•

CD—can store 700 MB of data

•

DVD—can store between 4.7 and

15.9 GB of data

• Blu-ray discs and HD-DVD can store _{Blu-ray discs and HD-DVD can store}

between 15 and 50 GB of data

(33)

Understanding Storage Media

•

Flash memory

—similar to ROM except

that it can be written to more than once.

•

Flash memory cards

• small, portable cards encased in hard

plastic to which data can be written and

rewritten

• used in digital cameras, handheld

(34)

Understanding Storage Media

• USB flash storage

device (USB drive, flash drive)

• popular type of flash memory

• available in a wide

range of sizes from 32 MB to 16 GB

• plug directly into the USB port of a

personal computer

(35)

Erasing and Rewriting on

CDs and DVDs

•

CD-ROM

s are for “read-only” access.

•

CD-R

drives allow you to record data on a CD-

drives allow you to record data on a

CD-R disk.

R disk.

•

CD-RW

drives allow you to write data on a

CD-RW disk and access and modify data.

(36)

Exploring Data Communications

Data communications

Data communications is the transmission of text, is the transmission of text, numeric, voice, or video data from one computer to

numeric, voice, or video data from one computer to

another.

The four essential components of data communications

are:

(37)

Exploring Data Communications

•

A

sender

is the computer that originates the

message.

•

The

message

is sent over a channel, such as a

telephone.

•

The

receiver

is the computer at the message’s

destination.

•

Protocols

are the rules that establish the

transfer of data between sender and receiver.

(38)

Exploring Data Communications

• Device driver (or simply driver)

• handles the transmission protocol between a computer and its peripheral devices

• a computer program that can establish communication because it contains

information about the characteristics of your computer and of the device

• Data bus

• the data path between the microprocessor, RAM, and the peripherals along which

(39)

Exploring Data Communications

Components needed to connect a printer to a computer

(40)

Exploring Data Communications

PCs have several types of ports:

•

Parallel

•

Serial

•

SCSI

•

USB

•

MIDI

(41)

Exploring Data Communications

•

Parallel port—

transmits data eight bits at a

time

•

Serial port

—transmits data one bit at a time

•

SCSI

(

small computer system interface

,

pronounced “scuzzy”)

port—

provides an

interface for one or more peripheral devices

at the same port

•

USB

(

Universal Serial Bus

)

port—

a high-

a

high-speed serial port which allows multiple

speed serial port which allows multiple

connections at the same port

(42)

•

Sound card port—usually includes jacks

for speakers and a microphone, which are

designed to work with a

MIDI

(

Musical

Instrument Digital Interface

, pronounced

“middy”)

card

•

Ethernet port—

used to connect to

another computer, a LAN, a modem, or

sometimes directly to the Internet; allows

data to be transmitted at high speeds.

(43)

Exploring Data

Communications

Computer ports and connections Computer ports and connections

Power connection

Mouse port

FireWire port

Network port

Phone line connection Speaker and

microphone connections

USB ports Monitor port

(44)

Learning about Networks

• Network_Network

• connects one computer to other computers and _{connects one computer to other computers and}

peripheral devices

• _{Network interface card}_{Network interface card}₍₍_NIC_NIC₎₎

• creates a communications channel between the _{creates a communications channel between the}

computer and the network

• a cable connects the NIC port to the network_{a cable connects the NIC port to the network}

• Network software_{Network software}

• establishes the communications protocols that will _{establishes the communications protocols that will}

be observed on the network

• controls the traffic flow of data traveling through _{controls the traffic flow of data traveling through}

the network

(45)

Learning about Networks

• Server_Server

• acts as the central storage location for programs

• provides mass storage for most of the data used on the network

• Client_Client—computers on a network dependent on a —computers on a network dependent on a server

server

• Client/server network_{Client/server network}—a network with server that —a network with server that acts as the central storage location

acts as the central storage location • Peer-to-peer network_{Peer-to-peer network}

(46)

Learning about Networks

•

Standalone computer

—a personal

—a

computer that is not connected to a

network

•

Workstation

—a personal computer

—a

that is connected to a network

•

Node

—any device connected to the

network

(47)

Learning about Networks

Network configuration

Network configuration Workstation

Workstation

Your local workstation

(48)

Learning about Networks

• LAN_LAN ( (local area networklocal area network))

• computers and peripherals located close to each _{computers and peripherals located close to each}

other

• WAN _WAN((wide area networkwide area network))

• more than one LAN connected together

• the Internet is the largest example of a WAN

• WLAN _WLAN((wireless local area networkwireless local area network))

• computers and peripherals that use high-frequency radio waves instead of wires to communicate and connect in a network

(49)

Learning about Networks

• PAN _PAN((personal area networkpersonal area network)—a network that )—

allows two or more devices located close to each other to communicate or to connect a device to the Internet

• infrared technology—_{infrared technology}—uses infrared light waves to beam data from one device to another

• Bluetooth—Bluetooth—uses short range radio waves to connect a device wirelessly to another device or to the Internet

• WiMAX _WiMAX(Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access)

• allows computers to connect over many miles to a LAN

(50)

Learning about Networks

Using modems to send and receive data

Using modems to send and receive data

Sending site

Digital signal

Modem

Analog signal

Modem

Digital signal

(51)

Learning about Security Threats

•

Security

• refers to the steps a computer

owner takes to prevent

(52)

• Malware

• describes any program that is intended to cause harm or convey information to others without the owner’s permission

• Viruses

• harmful programs that instruct your computer to perform destructive activities, such as

erasing a disk drive

• Antivirus software (virus protection

software) searches executable files for the

(53)

Learning about Security Threats

• Spyware

• programs contained with other programs that track a computer user’s Internet usage and send this data back to the company or person that created it

• usually installed without the computer user’s permission or knowledge

• Anti-spyware software detects spyware and deletes them

• Adware

• software installed with another program usually with the user’s permission

(54)

Learning about Security Threats

•

Firewall

• prevents other computers on the Internet from accessing a computer and prevents programs on a computer from accessing the Internet

without the computer user’s permission • can be either hardware or software

• router

• a device that controls traffic between network components

• usually has a built-in firewall.

(55)

Learning about Security Threats

• Spoofed site

• a Web site set up to look like another Web site, but which does not belong to the organization portrayed in the site • the URL (address on the Web) looks similar to a URL from

the legitimate site

• usually set up to try to convince customers of the real site to enter personal information

• Phishing

• the practice of sending e-mails to customers or potential

customers of a legitimate Web site asking them to click a link in the e-mail

• the link leads to a spoofed site • Pharming

(56)

Protecting Information with

Passwords

•

Logging in

•

signing in with a user name and

password

•

Strong password

•

at least eight characters

•

consists of upper- and lowercase letters

and numbers

•

does not include common personal

information

(57)

Understanding System Software

System software

System software helps the computer carry out it s helps the computer carry out it s basic operating tasks.

basic operating tasks.

The four types of system software are:

The four types of system software are: • Operating systems_{Operating systems}

• Utilities_Utilities

• Device drivers_{Device drivers}

(58)

Understanding System Software

• Operating_Operating systemsystem

• controls the _{controls the}input input and and outputoutput ( (I/OI/O))

• _{allocates system resources}_{allocates system resources}

• manages files on storage devices_{manages files on storage devices} • guards against equipment failure_{guards against equipment failure} • Operating environment_{Operating environment}

• provides a _{provides a}graphical user interfacegraphical user interface ( (GUIGUI) )

that acts as a liaison between the user and the

computer

(59)

Understanding System Software

• Utilities

• a category of system software that augment the operating system by taking over some of its

responsibility for allocating hardware resources • Device drivers

• handle the transmission protocol between a computer and its peripherals

• when you add a device to an existing computer, part of its installation includes adding its device driver to the computer’s configuration

• Programming languages

• used by a programmer to write computer instructions • the instructions are translated into electrical signals that

(60)

Understanding System Software

Windows Vista starting screen

Windows Vista starting screen Icons (you might see additional icons on your screen) Start button Taskbar

Quick Launch toolbar

(61)

Understanding Application

Software

•

Application software

(62)

Software

• Document production software

• includes word processing software, desktop publishing software, e-mail editors, and Web authoring software • has a variety of features that assist you in writing and

formatting documents, including changing the font (the style of type) and spell checking to help you avoid

typographical and spelling errors

• Spreadsheet software

• a numerical analysis tool

• used to create a worksheet composed of a grid of columns and rows

(63)

Understanding Application

Software

Spell checking a document

Spell checking a document

A wiggly red line indicates a possible

(64)

Understanding Application

Software

Typical worksheet with numerical data and a graph

Typical worksheet with numerical data and a graph Cell B5 contains result of

calculation performed by spreadsheet software

(65)

Understanding Application

Software

• Database management software

• lets you collect and manage data

• Database

• a collection of information stored on one or more computers organized in a uniform format of records and fields

• record—a collection of data items in a database

• field—one piece of information in the record

• An example of a database is the online catalog of books at a library; the catalog contains one record for each book in the library, and each record

(66)

Understanding Application

Software

• Graphics software_{Graphics software}

• allows you to create illustrations, diagrams, _{allows you to create illustrations, diagrams,}

graphs, and charts

graphs, and charts • Presentation software_{Presentation software}

• allows you to project a presentation before a _{allows you to project a presentation before a}

group, print it out for quick reference, or

transmit it to remote computers

transmit it to remote computers • Clip art_{Clip art}

• simple drawings that are included as _{simple drawings that are included as}

collections with many software packages

(67)

Understanding Application

Software

• Photo editing software

• allows you to manipulate digital photos

• you can make the images brighter, add special effects to the photo, add additional images to a photo, or crop the photo to include only

relevant parts of the image

• Multimedia authoring software

• allows you to record digital sound files, video files, and animations

• Web site creation and management software

(68)

Understanding Application

Software

•

Information management

software

• keeps track of schedules,

(69)

Understanding Object Linking and

Embedding (OLE)

• Object linking and embedding (OLE)

• refers to the ability to use data from another file, called the source

• Embedding

• occurs when you copy and paste the source data in the new file

• Linking

• allows you to create a connection between the source data and the copy in the new file

• the link updates the copy every time a change is made to the source data

• Integration