CS (140) - INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
Teacher: Dr. Shrestha
I have a little fever but I am planning on coming!
Materials for class (2)
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GOALS FOR TODAY:
Take examination (1) on materials from Chapters (1) and (2)
Learn materials from Chapters (3) and (4)
Lecture and Lab
HOMEWORKS DUE TODAY:
Introduction on yourself prepared by using WORD
Exercises based on your visit to following websites:
VIRTUAL LIBRARIES -
VIRTUAL SHOPPING MALLS -
TICKET MASTER -
MAKING IT EORK FOR YOU -
COREL OFFICE 2000 SUITES -
PRESENTATION SOFTWARE -
COMPUTER GAMES -
WEB-BASED PIMs -
Web site - http://www.mhhe.com/it/oleary/exercise.mhtml
ASSIGNMENT:
Read and review materials from Chapters (3) and (4)
Test (2) on these materials next class
Exercises on Internet
Use Wordpad and Paint to prepare a graphics embedded
invitation card
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Save days' work in your diskette !
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CHAPTER (3) - BROWSERS, PIMS, OPERATING SYSTEMS, & UTILITIES
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KEY-IDEAS
BROWSERS
Programs that connect to remote computers, open and transfer files,
display text and images, and provide an uncomplicated interface to the
Internet and the Web.
Common activities on the Internet and Web
Navigation, Finding information, and communication
Navigating the Web
Also called as surfing or browsing, it means to move from one Web site
to another. Two common ways to navigate are (1)by entering Web address in
the location box and (2)Using hyperlinks or connections between related
Web pages.
Finding information
Most Browsers contain Search facilties that connect us to Web sites that specialize in finding information:
Use of Boolean Operators: AND, OR, NOT, etc.
Communication
Most popular Internet activity, for example, e-mail.
PERSONAL INFORMATION MANAGERS (PIMs)
Also called desktop managers, these are elctronic organizers designed
to help us get organized and stay organized. Might contain features as
calendars, contacts, and tasks.
Calendar
electronic appointment book - tracks events, holidays, assignments,
and project schedules.
Contacts
Address book - records names, addresses, and telephone numbers.
Tasks
PIMs are tasks organizers, keep a to do list. They provide two basic
functions: (1) recording, displaying, ands reminding us of tasks we need
to complete and (2) recording, displaying, coordinating, and
communicating tasks assigned to a group.
OPERATING SYSTEMS
Perform three basic functions: (1) Manage resources, (2) provide a
user interface, and (3) run programs.
Windows, Mac OS, and Unix are examples of operating systems.
Windows
Most widely used operating system.
Windows <= rectangular boxes (windows)that display information etc.
Multiple windows can be open to multitask, or work with different
programs simultaneously. The desktop is the user interface provided by
Windows. Icons are used to interact with the windows operating system.
Another method is to use start menu.
Mac OS
Runs on Macintosh computers, very good with graphics and computer games.
Mac OS 8.5 includes "Sherlock" after Sherlock Holmes, detective, an
innovative search feature for locating information on the Web or on our
hard drive.
Unix
designed to run on minicomputers in network environments. Widely used
in research facilities within universities. Linux is one version of Unix
that is becomong very popular.
UTILITIES
specialized programs designed to make computing easier. While there
are hundreds of different utility programs, the most essential are:
trouble shooting, antivirus, uninstall, backup, and file compression
programs.
Windows Utilities
Can be accessed from the Systems Tools menu. Three such utilities are
Backup, Disk cleanup, and Disk Defragmenter.
Backup - to back up our hard disk
Disk Cleanup - a trooubleshooting utility for monitoring storage
capacity
Disk Defragmenter - to locate and eliminate unnecessary fragments,
rearrange files, and unused disk space.
Utility Suites
They combine several programs into one package, McAfee Office and
Norton SystemWorks are the best known.
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CHAPTER (4) - THE SYSTEM UNIT
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KEY-IDEAS
ELECTRONIC REPRESENTATION
Data and instructions are represented electronically with a two state
binary system of numbers (0 and 1). Each 0 or 1 is called a bit. A byte
consists of 8 bits and represents one character.
|
Decimal ------ Binary
0 ---------- 00000000
|
Binary Coding System
Binary coding schemes convert binary data into characters. Three such
schemes are:
|
CODE --------------- USES
ASCII --------------- microcomputers |
SYSTEM BOARD
The system board, also known as the main board and the
motherboard, connects all system components. It is a flat circuit
board covered with sockets and other electronic parts including a
variety of chips.
MICROPROCESSOR
The microprocessor plugs into the system board. It contains the
CPU and is the brain of the system unit. It has two basic
components:
(1) CONTROL UNIT and (2) ARITHMETIC LOGIC UNIT
Control unit
The control unit executes programs by directing the other system
components. It directs electronic signals between memory and the
arithmetic logic unit and between the CPU and input/output devices.
Arithmetic logic unit
The arithmetic logic unit (ALU) performs arithmetic (math) and logical
(comparison) operations.
Microprocessor chips
The capacities of a microprocessor chip are expressed in word sizes. A
word is the number of bits(such as 16, 32, and 64) that can be accessed
by the microprocessor at one time. The more bits in a word, the more
powerful and faster the microprocessor. There are two types of
microprocessor chips:
CISC - Complex Instruction Set Computer
This is the basis for Intel's Pentium and Pentium II microprocessor.
RISC - Reduced Instruction Set Computer
This is the basis for IBM and Motorola's Power PC microprocessor.
Microprocessor chips operate at very fast speeds. They can process
data and instructions in milliseconds. Super computers operate at
picoseconds.
MEMORY
There are three types of memory chips: RAM, ROM, and CMOS.
RAM - Random Access Memory - used for programs and data
ROM - Read Only Memory - used for fixed start-up instructions
CMOS - Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor - used for flexible
start-up instructions
RAM is called temporary or volatile because its contents are lost if
power is disrupted. Flash memory is a special type of RAM that retains
data even if power is disrupted.
Virtual memory is a process using the hard disk that allows very
large programs to run on systems with limited memory.
Memory cache or RAM cache acts as a very high-speed holding area for
frequently used data and information. Computer systems with memory cache
run programs faster.
SYSTEM CLOCK
The system clock controls the speed of computer operations. It is
measured in megahertz(MHz).
EXPANSION SLOTS AND CARDS
Expansion slots and cards provide an open architecture so additional devices can be added to a computer system.
Expansion Slots
Expansion slots connect the system board to expansion cards.
Expansion Cards
Expansion cards are used to provide network connections, Small
Computer System Interface (SCSI) connections, PC/TV or combined computer and
TV operations, PC cards for expanding portable computer capabilities, and more.
BUS LINES
Bus lines provide data pathways that connect various system
components. Two principal types are Industry standard Architecture, ISA
(older and slower but still widely used) and Peripheral Component
Interconnect, PCI (a very high speed local bus)
PORTS AND CABLES
Ports and cables allow external devices to connect to the system unit.
Ports
Ports are connecting sockets on the outside of the system unit. They
are used to connect keyboards, mouse, monitors, modems, and printers. the
four most common types are Serial, Parallel, Universal Serial Port (USB),
and FireWire.
Cables
Cables are used to connect external devices to the system unit via
ports.
SERIAL PORT - used for mouse, modem, and keyboard
PARALLEL PORT - used for printer, CD-ROM drive, and Zip drive
VIDEO PORT - used for monitor
USB PORT - used for modem, joystick, and scanner
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY !
TAKE CARE !