A Brief History of Computers
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A Brief History of Computers

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Questions and Answers

What are some examples of operating systems employed in smartphones?

  • BSD and Solaris
  • Windows, Android, and iPhone (correct)
  • DOS and Ubuntu
  • Linux and UNIX

    • UNIX OS is known for its instability and is not widely used on the Internet.

    False

    Name one type of malevolent application software.

    virus

    The __________ protocol is used by ISPs to connect computers to the Internet.

    <p>hypertext transfer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following application software with their functions:

    <p>Internet Explorer = Web browser for accessing the Internet Anti-virus software = Protection against malware Safari = Web browser for Apple devices Firewall = Network security system that controls incoming and outgoing traffic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following serves as the primary processing unit in a computer?

    <p>Central Processing Unit (CPU)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The CPU is embedded in the motherboard.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What coding language is primarily used to encode data in computers?

    <p>Binary language</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Computer hardware includes the physical components, while _____ provides the programs to process data.

    <p>software</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What technology development allowed users to input data through a graphical interface?

    <p>Graphical User Interface (GUI)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following components with their correct descriptions:

    <p>Transistor = A device that can turn on or off electrical signals Peripheral Device = External devices connected to the computer USB = Universal connection standard for hardware Motherboard = Main circuit board housing the CPU</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Peripheral devices are internal components of the computer.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name one type of data source that the CPU can connect to.

    <p>Memory chips</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following devices is NOT typically used to submit data for processing?

    <p>Monitor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    RAM chips are used for storing permanent data.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a boot sequence in a computer?

    <p>To instruct the computer how to proceed upon powering on.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A __________ is typically used for storing large amounts of data in a computer.

    <p>hard drive</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which feature of Microsoft Windows OS was an improvement over DOS?

    <p>Graphic user interface</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the storage types to their descriptions:

    <p>ROM = Permanent storage RAM = Temporary storage Flash drive = Portable storage Hard drive = Mass storage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Apple's OS is known for its command-line interface.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name one common input device used for data submission.

    <p>Keyboard</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of a router?

    <p>To connect different networks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Cookies are used to send large amounts of data between computers.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do higher-speed Internet connections typically measure speed in?

    <p>Megabits per second</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes cloud computing from traditional software?

    <p>Cloud computing treats computing as a service rather than a product.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Electronic bulletin boards do not require a manager to manage the posts.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does URL stand for in Internet communications?

    <p>Uniform Resource Locator</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A _____ is a unit of data exchanged among computers.

    <p>packet</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following network terms with their descriptions:

    <p>Intranet = A local computer network limited to a single organization Internet = The largest computer network in the world Peer-to-peer networking = Network structure allowing direct connections between individual computers Domain name system = Group of computers sharing common IP addresses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Internet Relay Chat (IRC) typically involves ______ for real-time exchanges.

    <p>chat rooms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the forms of digital communication with their characteristics:

    <p>Electronic bulletin boards = Cumbersome access with a manager overseeing posts Internet Relay Chat = Real-time chat with nicknames limiting anonymity The World Wide Web = Unique URLs associated with domain names Higher-speed connections = Measured in megabits per second</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes a hub?

    <p>A device that can pass along or boost signals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    All domain names must end in .com.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between an intranet and an internet?

    <p>An intranet is a local network while the internet is a worldwide network.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    A Brief History of Computers

    • Calculating machines are predecessors to computers, dating back centuries.
    • Encoding data in binary language is ideal for computers.
    • Computers have evolved from vacuum tubes to solid state processors.
    • Data input has evolved from paper tape to graphical user interfaces (GUIs).

    Computer Language

    • Computer hardware includes the physical device, while software provides the program that processes data.
    • Programs are written in binary language.

    Computer Hardware

    • The central processing unit (CPU) is comprised of millions of transistors.
    • Transistors use electricity to represent values of 1 or 0.
    • The CPU is an integrated circuit embedded on a circuit board called the motherboard.
    • The CPU connects to essential computer hardware including:
      • PC cards, used primarily with laptops
      • Wires that connect to memory chips, buses, peripheral devices, universal serial buses (USBs), and other sources of data.
    • Input devices include:
      • Keyboards
      • Modems, which connect to a network
      • Scanners, which convert printed information to digital format
    • Memory storage includes:
      • ROM chips, for permanent data
      • RAM chips, for temporary storage
    • Mass storage devices include:
      • Hard drives, which store large quantities of data
      • Flash or thumb drives, which connect to a computer via USB

    Computer Software

    • Boot sequence instructions guide the computer at startup.
    • The operating system (OS) runs applications, provides a graphical user interface, and allows users to interact with the computer.
    • Examples of applications include office productivity software such as Microsoft Office Suite.

    Beyond DOS: Contemporary Operating Systems

    • Microsoft Windows improved upon DOS by:
      • Adding a graphical user interface (GUI) and features like Plug and Play.
      • Creating a central registry.
      • Upgrading to 32-bit and 64-bit computing.
    • Apple's OS leveraged its Macintosh hardware's "point and click" usability.
    • Upgrades have expanded capacity of Apple's computers, including advanced graphics and file storage within folders.
    • Newer versions of OSs use UNIX as a foundation.
      • UNIX OS includes a kernel, shell, tools, and applications.
      • It's known for its stability and is the backbone of the internet.
    • Free, open-source versions include LINUX and Android.
    • Smartphones use various operating systems, including Windows, Android, and iPhone OS.

    Application Software

    • Application software (e.g., Internet Explorer or Safari) utilizes the underlying capacity of an OS.
    • Malware, such as viruses, Trojan horses, and worms, can exploit OS vulnerabilities.
    • Anti-virus software and firewalls can mitigate malware attacks.
    • Newer forms of malware, like droppers and logic bombs, continue to pose threats.

    A Brief History of the Internet

    • The internet originated as a communication network.
    • Its widespread use increased with the development of graphical interfaces like web browsers.
    • Internet service providers (ISPs) connect computers to the internet.
    • The hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) governs how data is linked between domains and locations.

    Network Language

    • Key network technology terms include:
      • Routers - connect networks together
      • Hubs - amplify and transmit communication signals
      • Packets - units of exchanged data that allow for multiple transmissions on a data line
      • Cookies - small data pieces sent by a server to a browser, often storing user preferences
      • Domain name system - a network of computers sharing a common Internet Protocol (IP) address, using extensions like .com, .net, or .org.
      • Peer-to-peer (P2P) networking - connects computers directly, where one acts as a client and the other as a server, potentially allowing for user anonymity
      • Cloud computing - provides computing services through a system of servers used for data and software storage over the internet.

    Realms of the Cyberworld

    • Networked systems include:
      • Intranets - local networks, often limited to a single organization
      • Internets - larger than intranets, typically consisting of several networks
      • The Internet - a global network

    Data Bandwidth Transfer Rates

    • Dial-up connections measure data transfer speed in terms of bands.
    • Higher-speed connections, such as cable, satellite, digital subscriber lines (DSLs), or dedicated lines, typically utilize megabits per second (Mbps) as a measurement.

    Categorizing Internet Communications

    • The World Wide Web (www) connects Internet sites, often for commercial purposes.
    • Each site has a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) and an associated domain name.
    • Older forms of digital communication provided less efficient and more complex methods of connection.
      • Electronic bulletin boards (BBs) - use a manager to moderate posts, providing greater anonymity for users.
      • Internet Relay Chat (IRC) - uses "chat rooms" for real-time exchanges, employing nicknames associated with IP addresses, limiting anonymity.

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    Description

    Explore the evolution of computers from early calculating machines to modern systems. Understand the role of binary language, CPU architecture, and the relationship between hardware and software. This quiz will test your knowledge of key concepts and advancements in computer technology.

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