Computer Fundamentals

• Lesson 3 is about computers

Computer Characteristics

• Computer speed can be measured by milliseconds, microseconds, nanoseconds, and picoseconds.
• Milliseconds are one-thousandth of a second.
• Microseconds are one-millionth of a second.
• Nanoseconds are one-billionth of a second.
• Picoseconds are one-trillionth of a second.
• Computers are accurate as long as the inputted data is correct.
• Computers have total and instant recall of data with almost unlimited capacity.
• Computers can perform almost any function with finite logical steps.
• Computers do not get tired and can perform tasks repeatedly with the same degree of efficiency.
• Computers are programmable, function as programmed, and automatically respond to specific conditions according to the instruction set.
• Computers can link to a set of connections, expanding their capabilities.

Downsides of Using Computers

• Violation of privacy
• Impact on labor force
• Health risks
• Impact on environment

Categories of Computer

• Portable computers are easily carried, such as laptops, notebooks, tablet PCs, smartphones, smartwatches, and calculators.
• A desktop computer is designed for regular use at a single location due to its size and power requirements.
• A desktop computer sits on a desk, unlike a laptop that sits on one's lap.
• A server is computer hardware or software that provides functionality for other programs or devices (clients).
• Servers are used by many users for specific tasks like running network or Internet applications.
• Servers have large memory and storage capacities, along with fast and efficient communication capabilities, also handle Internet traffic and communications.
• A mainframe computer is used primarily by large organizations for critical applications like bulk data processing.
• ENIAC, UNIVAC, and ASCC are examples of mainframe computers.
• z15 by IBM, is the latest mainframe.
• A supercomputer has a high level of performance compared to a general-purpose computer.
• Supercomputer performance is measured in floating-point operations per second (FLOPS).
• Since 2017, some supercomputers can perform over 1017 FLOPS.

Computer Users

• Users are any individuals not involved in supporting or developing a computer or service.

Generic Types of Users include

• Advanced, hardcore, or power users
• Casual or regular users
• Basic, beginner, novice, or newbie

Specific Types of Computer Users include

• List of users: Administrator, Animator, Blogger, Cracker, Developer, End user, Gamer, Graphic artist, Hacker, Leecher, Newbie, Pirate, Power user, Programmer, Script kiddie, Superuser, Tweaker, Web designer, Web surfer.

Elements of a Computer

• Hardware: physical devices that comprise a computer system
• Software: any program that tells the computer system what to do - intangible Peopleware: persons engaged in various processes of computer operations, programming, system analysis, maintenance, and implementation

Hardware

• Input devices translate human language to computer language
• The keyboard is the primary input device for entering data and issuing commands.
• Keyboards generate corresponding ASCII codes.
• Desktop computer keyboards have 101-105 keys.
• The most popular keyboard used has 101 keys QWERTY Keyboard, was invented by Christopher Latham Sholes.

Keyboard Main Parts

• Alphanumeric keys: same letters, numbers, punctuations, and symbols as on a typewriter
• Numeric keys: grouped together in a block like a calculator or adding machine
• Function keys: labeled F1-F12, with functions differing from program to program
• Navigation keys: for moving around in documents or web pages and editing text - Arrow keys, Home, End, Page Down, Delete, and Insert
• Control keys: used alone or in combination to perform certain actions - Ctrl, Alt, Windows Logo Key, & Insert

Pointing and Draw Devices

• Mouse: hand-clicked device used for pointing
• Has two types: mechanical and optical

Types of Mouse

• Mechanical: has a rubber or metal ball on its underside
• Optical: no moving mechanical parts; uses light to detect movement Other pointing/draw devices: Joystick, Trackball, Mouse Pen, Touch Pad, Gamepad, Graphics Tablet, Stylus, Touch Screen

Video and Audio Input Devices

• Video: Digital Cam, Web Cam
• Text: Bar code scanner, Image scanner, RFID
• Audio: Microphone

Output Devices

• Devices that translate information processed by the computer into a form humans understand
• Hard copy: output you can hold in your hands, produced by a printer
• Soft copy: electronic copy of data, such as a file viewed on a computer's display Output examples: Printer, monitor, speaker, modem
• The modem translates signals received through the phone into something “computer can understand"
• Transalte computer signals into something which can be "understood by the telephone lines"
• The translate process are called, Modulation and Demodulation (MODEM)

Monitor Types

• CRT (Cathode Ray Tube): display device incorporating a cathode-ray tube
• LCD (Liquid Crystal Display): display device that uses a liquid crystal film
• LED (Light Emitting Diode): flat panel display that uses an array of light-emitting diodes as pixels for a video display

System Unit or CPU

Responsible for accepting and processing data brought in by input devices "Brain" of the computer

• Two types: tower and desktop

Memory

• Storage area of a computer.
• It saves all the data, information and programs during computer processing, both temporarly and perminantly.

Storage

• Primary: internal memory of the computer, also known as main/temporary memory, holds data and instructions being worked on, volatile
• Secondary: external memory of a computer, non-volatile and stores data permanently, capable of storing high volumes of data (backup storage/mass storage media)

Types of Primary Memory

• RAM (Random Access Memory): read/writes or temporary memory, stores data that can either be read from or written to
• Static RAM (SRAM): retains stored information as long as power is on, higher speed than Dynamic RAM
• Dynamic RAM (DRAM): stored information in a very short time even when the power supply is on
• ROM (Read Only Memory): permanent type memory, contains all system programs for start-up operations, content not lost when power supply is off
• Programmable ROM (PROM): is programmed

ROM Chips

• Programmable ROM (PROM): PROM chip is programmable ROM, once the chip has been programmed, the recorded information cannot be changed
• Erasable ROM (EPROM): EPROM chip can be programmed again by erasing the information stored earlier in it
• Electrically Erasable ROM (EEPROM): is programmed and erased by special electrical waves in millisecond

Secondary Storage Devices

• Floppy Disks
• Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
• Magnetic Tape: a serial access storage device which allows very high data volume, useually for backups
• Flash/SSD (Solid State Drive): commonly found in mobile phones
• USB Flash Drive: removable, rewritable, and physically small.
• Optical Disk(CD,DVD, Blue Ray): which data is read and written with the help of lasers.
• Optical disks can hold data up to 185TB
• Software

Differences between System and Application Software

• System software manages system resources and serves as a platform to run application software
• System software is developed in a low-level language
• System software starts automatically at system startup and stops at shutdown
• System software is always endowed with a general purpose.
• Application software helps perform a specific set of designed functions
• Application software is developed in a high-level language, specific purpose.

Operating System

• Most important software on a computer.
• It manages the computer's memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware.
• Without an operating system, a computer is useless

Most Common Operating Systems

• Microsoft Windows: created in the mid-1980s
• MacOS: preloaded on all Macintosh computers.
• Linux: can be modified and distributed by anyone; Advantages: free, many distributions

Application Software

• Programs created to facilitate a variety of functions, including managing information, manipulating data, constructing visuals, coordinating resources, and calculating figures

Common applications:

• Microsoft suite products.
• Internet browsers.
• Mobile pieces of software like Pandora.

Peopleware

• Refers to a person relating to the use of computers directly or indirectly.
• Related parties include individuals who have direct knowledge of the computer, systems analysts, programmers, users, computers, and related parties.

Agencies

• Agencies computer generally consists of three major parties.

System Analysis and Design

• The function of this department is to analyze and design computer systems suitable for various entities.

Programming

• The function of this department is to create a software program or the analysis and design work has been made.

Operations and Services

• The function of this department is to support programs that programmers create applications and to get the desired results.

IT Department Responsibilities:

Administration, technical support, communication, programming, company website, and application development

Administration Tasks:

• Maintain computer infrastructures, assist new users with computers/software, train employees on new systems, perform software updates, renew licenses/legal documents, monitor ongoing contracts, complete statutory forms, ensure compliance with quality standards, assess potential threats, and oversee data storage

Technical Support Tasks

• Install new software/hardware, research and procure IT hardware/supplies, participate in IT inventory asset management, assist in backup and recovery of digital assets, troubleshoot network issues, create work logs, process documentation, configure phone systems, serve as an escalation resource, install video/audio conferencing, install and configure new printers/equipment, provide and install cloud-based applications/services, and repair hardware

Lesson 4 is about Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word

• It is also refered as MS-WORD (often called WORD) is a graphical word processing program that users can type with
• Purpose is to have users type and save documents
• WORD was a WYSIWYG Program (what you see is what you get)

History

• The first version of Microsoft Word was developed by CHARLES SIMONYI and RICHARD BRODIE
• Created in 1981, Was released in October 25, 1983

Microsoft Word Parts

• QUICK ACCESS TOOLBAR can be found or in the upper left corner of the window

Three Icons

Saving, restoring etc: Save, to save any changes made to the document file, to get back any changes is Undo, Redo, or restore the last to return the cancellation if changes if we have made changes to the last document file.

Title Bar

Part of Microsoft Word in the middle of the top application when, Serves to present the document names

Window Control includes

• Close: used to close the MS Word windo

• Restore Down: used to minimize the windo

• Maximize: used to display and enlarge the window in full

• Minimize: used to minimize the word window and become an active icon on the taskbar

• RIBBON: The ribbon is a collection of menis bars that have command Buttons in MS Word and have been grouped in based on their functions

• RULER: is a measuring feature on the page that functions to adjust the page's layout, both text, and objects

• WORKSHEET: If we open a new document and see a sheet of white pages, it i

• Worksheets are : also known as worksheets, workspaces, or text areas in Microsoft Word. A worksheet can be likened to a canvas

• CURSOR: Before we write on a new MS Word document, we will see a blink

• STATUS BAR: the status bar is located at the botto

Page of

Shows the total pages number

Words shows

Number of words in the document

English (United States)

The language in MS Word as well as word spelling (spelling) of the typed text

Page View

• Read Mode: there are 2 pages in the view
• Print Layout: show the actual size of the documen Web Layout, this mode serves to display document pages like the appearance on a website.

Home Tab

is organized into commands that fall under Groupings: Clipboard, Font, Paragraph, and Styles, with additional options (available in a drop down menu)

• Insert tab:The Insert tab is used to insert or add extra features to the document, such as pictures, shapes, pages, symbols The Insert commands are organized by commands that fall into these groupings: Pages, Add-ins, Media,

Explore fundamental computer concepts. This includes computer capabilities, characteristics and types of computers. Learn about computer hardware and software.