Fasttrack to Computers
Laurie Shteir
Temple University CIS Dept.
What do Computers Do???
 A recipe
following machine
 Example of a program in English - 6 instructions
(the program),with 2 variables (J and K - the data).






1. move the number 1 into box J
2. move the number 1 into box K
3. output (print) the number in box J
4. add 2 to the number in box K
5. add the number in box K to the number in box J
6. go to step 3
Personal Computer
Computer System




Computer
Hardware
Software
Categories







Personal Computer
Mobile Computers and mobile
devices
Game Consoles
Servers
Mainframes
Supercomputers
Embedded computer
Information






Information Technology(IT) is defined as a
set of tools that helps you work with
information and perform tasks related to
information processing
What are some important qualities
Accuracy
Timeliness
Relevancy
Organization
Software


Application Software
 Written to solve a particular problem or perform a specific
operation
 Mac Write, EXCEL, FoxPro
System Software
 Designed to coordinate the computers operations. It manages
the activities and allows us to utilize its capabilities. A large
portion of system software is called the Operating System
 DOS, Windows (Windows 3.0, 3.1, 3.11)
 Windows95, Windows 98, Windows Me
 Windows NT, Windows 2000 Professional
 Windows XP (new look, redesigned start menu, multiple user
accounts, more networking features built in)
Categories of Computers

Personal Computer

Desktop, tower model, workstation, laptop


Geared towards one user or connected to a network
Around a 1,000.00


Basic building block is called the processor
 PC(Windows)


Several Hundred to several thousand
Apple Macintosh (Mac OS)
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices




Laptop Computer (notebook), tablet PC, handheld
computer,PDAs, smartphones
A Mobile Computer:Personal Computer that you carry
Mobile Device: Device small enough to fit in your hand
Usually geared towards one person
Categories of Computers
Game Consoles
Mainframe
Standard
Handheld
Few Hundred dollars
or less
Servers
Controls access to hardware
and software on a network
Provides centralized storage
Support up to several thousand
connected computers
Large, Powerful, expensive
Partial room to a full room
Can support hundreds to thousands of
users
$300,000 – several million
Supercomputers
Fastest and most powerful
Scientific and large scale
applications in medicine,
aerospace, weather forecasting,
nuclear energy
Categories of Computers
 Embedded
Computer
Component
to a larger computer
Consumer Electronics
Home Appliances
Office Machines
How are Computers Used





Home Users
 Desktop Computers, PDAs, Productivity Software, Browser Software, Entertainment,
email
Small Office/Home Office
 Desktop Computer, PDAs, Shared Network Printer, Productivity Software, Personal
information manager, Company specific software, Browser software and email
Mobile Users
 Notebook computer + modem or a Tablet PC, Video Projector, Web-enabled PDA/smart
phone, presentation software, Personal information Manager, Browser software, E-Mail,
company specific software
Large Business Users
 Midrange server or mainframe, desktop or notebook computer, PDA,Productivity
software, Personal information manager, Network software, Web Browser, Email,
Company specific software
Power Users
 Workstations to design plans, produce applications, create graphic art and multimedia,
WEB based products, Desktop Publilshing, Multimedia authoring, computer aided
design, Photo editing, Personal information Manager, Browser Software, E-Mail
Personal Computer System
Input Hardware: Keyboard & Mouse
 Processing & Memory Hardware: Case,
Power Supply, Processor Chip, Memory
Chips, Motherboard, Expansion Slots
 Storage Hardware: Floppy Drive,
Hard Drive, CD/DVD Drive
 Output Hardware: Monitor, Speakers, Printer,
Video and Sound Cards
 Communications Hardware: Modem and
Network

Software
Copyrighted
Software
 Software License
Licenses for more than one person
Site License
Shareware
Freeware
Public-Domain Software
Rental Software
Copyright Debate
 MP3
Digital music (Moving Picture Expert
Group Layer 3)
Issues
File size
Mobility
Piracy
Record Industry
Gift of Fire
Automates tasks to be more accurate, easier
and faster
Enhances communication
Changes the way we live and do business
Security
Privacy
Dependency on large systems
Acronyms
 URL
Uniform Resource Locator
 GUI
Graphical User Interface
 HTTP: Hypertext Transfer Protocol
 HTML: Hypertext Markup Language