Understanding Computers

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Questions and Answers

Which component of a computer refers to its physical elements?

  • Program instructions
  • Operating system
  • Software
  • Hardware (correct)

How does a computer process data into information?

  • By following instructions in its memory (correct)
  • By storing it in external drives
  • By using solely physical components
  • By ignoring user inputs

What is classified as software in a computer system?

  • Peripheral devices
  • The keyboard and monitor
  • Operating system and applications (correct)
  • Networking cables

What differentiates a laptop from a desktop computer?

<p>Size and mobility (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the collection of hardware and software that perform computing tasks?

<p>Computing infrastructure (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do software programs play in a computer's functionality?

<p>They provide instructions for hardware (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which component was primarily used in the first generation of computers?

<p>Vacuum tubes (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant innovation marked the transition from the second to the third generation of computers?

<p>The invention of the integrated circuit (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which computer was built specifically for military use in 1943?

<p>Colossus (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a key feature of computers during the first generation?

<p>No operating system (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following computers was the first available for commercial use?

<p>UNIVAC 1 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which operating system was introduced in 1980?

<p>MS-DOS (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What marked the primary advantage of computers introduced in the third generation?

<p>Ability to run multiple programs simultaneously (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who conceptualized the design of the Analytical Engine?

<p>Charles Babbage (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the function of a scanner?

<p>Copies text and images from paper into a computer. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of system software in a computer?

<p>To control the computer’s operations and devices. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about output devices is true?

<p>They present information to the user. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of application software?

<p>Web browser (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which device is used to output sound from a computer?

<p>Speaker (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does a digital camera differ from a PC video camera?

<p>It can only take still images. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the Analytical Engine designed by Charles Babbage?

<p>To solve complex mathematical problems (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How long did it take to tabulate the U.S. Census results by 1880?

<p>More than seven years (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What innovation arose as a result of the U.S. Census tabulation challenges?

<p>Punch-card based computers (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which claim about modern smartphones compared to early computers is true?

<p>They carry more computing power than early models. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the brief history of computing indicate?

<p>Computers evolved to perform a variety of functions beyond number-crunching. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant consequence of the growing U.S. population by 1880?

<p>Extended time required for census data tabulation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of an input device?

<p>To allow users to enter data into the computer (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following computers is typically the most powerful?

<p>Supercomputer (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of device is a PC Video Camera primarily used for?

<p>Recording video and audio (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a function of an output device?

<p>Entering data into the computer (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a Macintosh computer from a PC compatible?

<p>The processors and operating systems (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a mobile computer?

<p>Notebook computer (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which input device is used to create a digital image from a printed document?

<p>Scanner (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of output does a speaker provide?

<p>Audio sound (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In terms of cost, how do personal computers compare to supercomputers?

<p>Supercomputers are generally much more expensive (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not typically considered a component of computer hardware?

<p>Software applications (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a recommended practice for computer care?

<p>Using the computer during a storm. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should be done to prevent a potential virus attack?

<p>Use protective software when downloading files. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a safe practice when experiencing computer issues?

<p>Asking for help from an adult. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to keep the computer dust-free?

<p>Dust can hinder performance and cause overheating. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which task should be performed only by an adult?

<p>Reformatting the hard drive. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of scanning, defragging, and reformatting?

<p>To clean up and optimize the hard drive. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary functions of the internet?

<p>Connecting computers to networks for data exchange (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What technology paved the way for the emergence of the internet?

<p>Hyptertext technology (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the origin of the internet?

<p>It originated from a military project known as ARPANET. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of dial-up connections is emphasized in the content?

<p>Their quality can be inconsistent due to variable telephone lines. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of dial-up internet access mentioned in the text?

<p>It is relatively slow and frequently has connectivity issues. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did universities contribute to the growth of the internet?

<p>They connected to ARPANET, expanding the network. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant limitation of dial-up internet connections?

<p>They occupy the telephone line, preventing simultaneous calls. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes DSL technology?

<p>It is always connected and does not tie up phone lines. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does cable internet differ from DSL in terms of speed?

<p>Cable utilizes coaxial cables, allowing for higher speeds. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the range of connection speeds typically associated with DSL?

<p>128K to 8 mbps (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to the higher speeds of cable internet as compared to dial-up or DSL?

<p>It operates over cable TV lines with greater bandwidth. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which organization was primarily responsible for laying the groundwork for the ARPANET?

<p>Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant event took place on January 1, 1983, concerning the ARPANET?

<p>ARPANET adopted TCP/IP protocols (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is widely recognized as a 'Father of the Internet'?

<p>Vint Cerf (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which year was the National Medal of Technology awarded to Vint Cerf and Robert E. Kahn?

<p>1997 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What invention is credited to Tim Berners-Lee in 1990?

<p>The World Wide Web (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the 'Picturephone' showcased at the New York World's Fair in 1964?

<p>It represented AT&amp;T's vision for future communications. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the computers of the early 1960s mentioned in the timeline?

<p>They were primitive and costly with limited memory. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Michael Bauer discover what happened to his domain Internet.org?

<p>While watching a television program (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which application is specifically classified as a spreadsheet application?

<p>Microsoft Excel (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the hard drive in a computer?

<p>To store data and software for operation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the process of 'writing' refer to in the context of storage media?

<p>Storing data into a storage medium (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not considered a common application software type according to the provided examples?

<p>Presentation Application (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When is a file considered to be 'opened' within the context of storage?

<p>When data is accessed from the file (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these applications would you use primarily for sending and receiving emails?

<p>Outlook Express (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of Internet Explorer?

<p>To connect to the Internet and view websites (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of storage media is considered outdated?

<p>Floppy Disk (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Definition of Computer

  • A computer is a device that processes data, performing calculations and operations according to software or hardware instructions.
  • It integrates hardware and software components to execute applications for varied solutions.
  • Primary components include hardware (physical parts) and software (program instructions).

Key Categories of Computers

  • Hardware: Includes the processor, memory, storage, communication ports, and peripherals.
  • Software: Comprises the operating system (OS) and application software.

Evolution of Computers

  • Birth resulted from a need for efficient data processing, such as in the 1880 U.S. Census.
  • Notable figures include Charles Babbage, who created the Analytical Engine.
  • Types include personal computers, laptops, minicomputers, mainframes, and supercomputers.

Generations of Computers

  • First Generation (1937-1946): Introduced vacuum tubes; included the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC) and ENIAC.
  • Second Generation (1947-1962): Transition to transistors; featured the UNIVAC 1 and IBM 650; development of over 100 programming languages.
  • Third Generation (1963-Present): Integration of circuits, resulting in smaller, more powerful machines; emergence of Microsoft DOS and the IBM PC.

Computer Fundamentals

  • A computer accepts, processes, and outputs data.
  • Input includes raw facts such as words, numbers, and images, while output is the processed information.

Types of Computers

  • Supercomputer: Most powerful, used for complex tasks; very expensive.
  • Mainframe: Large and powerful, used in enterprise settings; also expensive.
  • Personal Computer (PC): Widely used for daily tasks; includes both Macs and PC compatibles.

Hardware Components

  • Input Devices: Allow data entry; includes keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, and digital camera.
  • Output Devices: Deliver processed information; includes monitor, printer, and speakers.

Software Overview

  • Software consists of instructions for the computer; divided into system software (operating systems) and application software (specific tasks).
  • Common OS includes Windows and Mac; applications like Microsoft Word and Excel facilitate daily tasks.

Storage Media

  • Stores data for future use; examples include hard drives and floppy disks.
  • The process of writing saves data, while opening files retrieves it.

Computer Care

  • Essential to clean both internal and external components.
  • Regular dusting, avoiding food, maintaining clean hands, and proper usage help prolong computer lifespan.

Internet Basics

  • The internet connects computers globally, enabling data exchange; originated from ARPANET.
  • Opened to broader access when universities and institutions connected, leading to the development of the World Wide Web.

Internet Connection Types

  • Dial-Up: Cost-effective but slow; uses phone lines.
  • DSL: Digital Subscriber Line provides constant connectivity; ranges from 128 kbps to 8 mbps.
  • Cable: Offers faster speeds via cable TV lines; ranges from 512 kbps to 20 mbps.

Notable Figures in Internet Development

  • Vint Cerf, a co-designer of TCP/IP protocols, earned recognition as a "Father of the Internet."
  • Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web, facilitating user-friendly navigation and data display.

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