This document provides an overview of essential computer concepts, including the components of a computer system, types of computers, input and output devices, data representation and storage, networking, security threats, system software, and popular application software. It describes the basic hardware and software components that make up a computer system and how they work together, along with common peripheral devices, file formats, and network technologies. The document is intended to introduce foundational computer literacy topics.

1. FIRST COURSE
Essential
Computer
Concepts

2. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 2
XPObjectives
• Compare the types of computers
• Describe the components of a computer system
• Describe input and output peripheral devices
• Examine data representation and the ASCII code
• Define memory and storage
• Identify the hardware and software that are used
for data communications and to establish a network
connection

3. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 3
XPObjectives
• Explain how Internet access, e-mail, and the
World Wide Web affect the use of computers
• Describe potential security threats to computers
and protection methods
• Discuss the types of system software and their
functions
• Identify popular application software
• Describe how data is shared among different
types of application software

4. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 4
XPWhat Is a Computer?
• A computer is an electronic device that accepts
information and instructions from a user,
manipulates the information according to the
instructions, displays the information in some
way, and stores the information for retrieval
later

5. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 5
XPTypes of Computers
• Personal computers (PCs)
• Desktop computers
• Notebook (laptop) computers
• Tablet PCs
• Handheld computers
• PDA (personal digital assistant)
• MP3 players
• Mainframe computers
• Supercomputers

6. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 6
XPTypes of Computers

7. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 7
XPComputer Systems
• Includes computer hardware and software
– Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer
– Software refers to the intangible components of a computer
system, particularly the programs, or lists of instructions, the
computer needs to perform a specific task
• The design and construction of the hardware of a
particular computer is referred to as its architecture or
configuration
• The technical details about each component are called
specifications

8. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 8
XPProcessing Hardware
• The motherboard is the
main electronic
component of the
computer
– Circuit board
• The microprocessor is
one of the most
important pieces of
processing hardware on
the motherboard
• Cards are removable
circuit boards

9. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 9
XPInput and Output
• The data or instructions you type into the
computer are called input
• The result of the computer processing your input
is referred to as output
• Peripheral devices accomplish input and output
functions

10. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 10
XPInput Devices
• You use an input device, such as a keyboard or a mouse,
to input data and issue commands
– Keyboard
• Ergonomic
– Pointing device
• Controls the pointer
• Mouse
– Scroll wheel
• Trackball
• Touch pad
• Pointing stick
– Scanner

11. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 11
XPOutput Devices
• Output devices show you
the results of processing
data
– Monitor
• Flat panel
• LCD
• CRT
– Printer
• Laser
• Inkjet
• Dot matrix

12. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 12
XPData Representation
• Binary digits (bits)
• A series of eight bits is called a byte
– Kilobyte (KB or K)
– Gigabyte (GB)
– Terabyte (TB)
• ASCII
– American Standard Code for Information Interchange

13. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 13
XPMemory
• Random access memory (RAM)
– Volatile memory
– SDRAM
• Cache memory (RAM cache or CPU cache)
• Virtual memory

14. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 14
XPMemory
• Read-only memory (ROM)
– BIOS
– Nonvolatile memory
• Complementary metal oxide semiconductor
memory (CMOS)
• Semipermanent memory

15. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 15
XPStorage Media
• 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
• A data file is created by a user

16. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 16
XPStorage Media
• Magnetic media
– Hard disk

17. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 17
XPStorage Media
– Tape
– Floppy disk
• Optical storage device
– CD
– DVD
– CD-R
– CD-RW
– CD-ROM

18. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 18
XPStorage Media
• Flash memory
– Flash memory cards
– USB flash storage device
– USB drive (flash drive)

19. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 19
XPData Communications
• The transmission of text, numeric, voice, or video
data from one computer to another or to a
peripheral device is called data communications
– Sender and receiver
– Channel
– Protocol
– Device driver (driver)

20. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 20
XPData Bus
• This path between the microprocessor, RAM,
and peripherals is called the data bus
• Controller card
• Expansion card
• Expansion slot

21. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 21
XPNetworks
• A network connects one computer to other
computers and peripheral devices, enabling you
to share data and resources with others
• Network interface card (NIC)
• LAN
• WAN
• WLAN
• PAN
• WiMax

22. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 22
XPTelecommunications
• Telecommunications means communicating
over a comparatively long distance using a phone
line or some other data conduit
– Modem
• Digital and analog signals
– DSL

23. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 23
XPThe Internet
• The Internet is the largest
network in the world,
connecting millions of
people
– Electronic mail
– World Wide Web
• Web page
• Web site

24. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 24
XPSecurity Threats on Your Computer
• Security refers to the steps a
computer owner takes to
prevent unauthorized use of
or damage to the computer
– Malware
• Viruses
– Antivirus software
• Spyware
• Adware
• Firewall
• Phishing
• Pharming

25. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 25
XPSystem Software
• System software
manages the
fundamental operations
of your computer
– Operating system
• System resource
• Multitasking
– Utilities
– Programming Languages

26. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 26
XPApplication Software
• Application software enables you to perform
specific computer tasks, such as document
production, spreadsheet calculations, and
database management
– Document production software

27. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 27
XPApplication Software
– Web site creation and management software
– Spreadsheet software
– Database management software

28. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 28
XPApplication Software
• Presentation software

29. New Perspectives on Microsoft Office 2007: Windows XP Edition 29
XPApplication Software
• Photo editing software
• Multimedia authoring software
• Accounting software
• Information management software