This document provides an overview of computers and their uses. It defines what a computer is, describes its main components, and discusses different types of computers like personal computers, mobile devices, servers, and supercomputers. It also outlines how computers are used in various sectors of society like education, healthcare, manufacturing, and more. Networks and the internet are explained, and advantages and disadvantages of computer usage are presented.

1. TMX1010 END-USER COMPUTING
Sem 1 Session 2010/2011
Lecture 1:
An Overview of Computers

2. Objectives Overview
Define the
Explain why computer term, computer, and Describe the five
literacy is vital to describe the components of a
success in today’s world relationship between computer
data and information
Discuss the advantages Define the
and disadvantages that term, network, and Discuss the uses of the
users experience when identify benefits of Internet and World
working with sharing resources on a Wide Web
computers network
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3. Objectives Overview
Differentiate among types, sizes, and
Distinguish between system software Describe the role of each element in an
functions of computers in each
and application software information system
category
Explain how home users, small Discuss how society uses computers in
office/home office users, mobile education, finance, government, health
users, power users, and enterprise care, science, publishing, travel, and
users each interact with computers manufacturing
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4. A World of Computers
• Computers are everywhere
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5. What Is a Computer?
• A computer is an electronic device, operating
under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory
Collects Produces
data Processing information
(input) (output)
Information Processing Cycle
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6. What Is a Computer?
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7. The Components of a Computer
• A computer contains many electric, electronic, and
mechanical components known as hardware
Input Device • Allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer
Output Device • Hardware component that conveys information to one or more people
• Case that contains the electronic components of the computer that
System Unit are used to process data
Storage Device • Holds data, instructions, and information for future use
Communications • Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and
Device information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices
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8. The Components of a Computer
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9. Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
Advantages of Disadvantages of
Using Computers Using Computers
Speed Health Risks
Reliability Violation of Privacy
Consistency Public Safety
Storage Impact on Labor Force
Communications Impact on Environment
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10. Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
• Green computing involves reducing the electricity
consumed and environmental waste generated when
using a computer
• Strategies include:
– Recycling
– Regulating manufacturing processes
– Extending the life of computers
– Immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced computers
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11. Networks and the Internet
• A network is a
collection of computers
and devices connected
together, often
wirelessly, via
communications
devices and
transmission media
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12. Networks and the Internet
• The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that
connects millions of businesses, government
agencies, educational institutions, and individuals
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13. Networks and the Internet
• People use the Internet for a variety of reasons:
Communicate Research and Shop Bank and Invest Online Trading
Access Information
Entertainment Download Music Share Videos Web Application
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14. Networks and the Internet
• A social networking Web site encourages
members to share their
interests, ideas, stories, photos, music, and videos
with other registered users
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15. Computer Software
• Software, also called a program, tells the
computer what tasks to perform and how to
perform them
System Software
• Operating system
• Utility program
Application Software
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16. Computer Software
• Installing is the process of setting up software to
work with the computer, printer, and other
hardware
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17. Computer Software
• A programmer develops
software or writes the
instructions that direct
the computer to
process data into
information
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18. Categories of Computers
Personal computers
Mobile computers and mobile devices
Game consoles
Servers
Mainframes
Supercomputers
Embedded computers
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19. Personal Computers
• A personal computer can perform all of its
input, processing, output, and storage activities
by itself
• Two popular architectures are the PC and the
Apple
– Desktop computer
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20. Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
Mobile Mobile
Computer Device
Personal computer you Computing device small
can carry from place to enough to hold in your
place hand
Examples include Examples include smart
notebook phones, PDAs, handheld
computers, laptop computers, portable
computers, and Tablet media players, and
PCs digital cameras
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21. Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
Notebook computer
Tablet PC
Smart phone
PDA
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22. Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
Handheld computer
Portable media player
Digital camera
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23. Game Consoles
• A game console is a
mobile computing
device designed for
single-player or
multiplayer video
games
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24. Servers
• A server controls access
to the
hardware, software, an
d other resources on a
network
– Provides a centralized
storage area for
programs, data, and
information
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25. Mainframes
• A mainframe is a
large, expensive, powerf
ul computer that can
handle hundreds or
thousands of connected
users simultaneously
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26. Supercomputers
• A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful
computer
– Fastest supercomputers are capable of processing
more than one quadrillion instructions in a single
second
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27. Embedded Computers
• An embedded computer is a special-purpose
computer that functions as a component in a
larger product
Consumer Home Automation Process Controllers Computer Devices
Automobiles
Electronics Devices and Robotics and Office Machines
• Mobile and digital • Thermostats • Antilock brakes • Remote monitoring • Keyboards
telephones • Sprinkling systems • Engine control systems • Printers
• Digital televisions • Security modules • Power monitors • Faxes
• Cameras monitoring systems • Airbag controller • Machine • Copiers
• Video recorders • Appliances • Cruise control controllers
• DVD players and • Lights • Medical devices
recorders
• Answering
machines
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28. Embedded Computers
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29. Elements of an Information System
Hardware Software Data
People Procedures
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30. Elements of an Information System
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31. Examples of Computer Usage
Home User Small Office/Home Mobile User
• Personal financial management Office User • Connect to other computers on
• Web access • Look up information a network or the Internet
• Communications • Send and receive e-mail • Transfer information
• Entertainment messages • Play video games
• Make telephone calls • Listen to music
• Watch movies
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32. Examples of Computer Usage
Power User Enterprise User
• Work with multimedia • Communicate among
• Use industry-specific employees
software • Process high volumes
of transactions
• Blog
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33. Computer Applications in Society
Education
Finance
Government
Health Care
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34. Computer Applications in Society
Science
Publishing
Travel
Manufacturing
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35. Summary
Basic computer Components of a
concepts computer
Many different
Networks, the categories of
Internet, and computer computers, computer
software users, and computer
applications in society
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End of Lecture 1