Chapter 1 - Introduction to Computers.pdf

## chapter 1 ## Introduction to the World of Computers After completing this chapter, you will be able to do the following: 1. Explain why it is essential to learn about computers today and discuss several ways computers are integrated into our business and personal lives. 2. Define a computer and...

## chapter 1 ## Introduction to the World of Computers After completing this chapter, you will be able to do the following: 1. Explain why it is essential to learn about computers today and discuss several ways computers are integrated into our business and personal lives. 2. Define a computer and describe its primary operations. 3. List some important milestones in computer evolution. 4. Identify the major parts of a personal computer, including input, processing, output, storage, and communications hardware. 5. Define software and understand how it is used to instruct the computer what to do. 6. List the six basic types of computers, giving at least one example of each type of computer and stating what that computer might be used for. 7. Explain what a network, the Internet, and the World Wide Web are, as well as how computers, people, and Web pages are identified on the Internet. 8. Describe how to access a Web page and navigate through a Web site. 9. Discuss the societal impact of computers, including some benefits and risks related to their prominence in our society. ### outline #### Overview * Computers in Your Life * Why Learn About Computers? * Computers in the Home * Computers in Education * Computers on the Job * Computers on the Go #### What Is a Computer and What Does It Do? * Data vs. Information * Computers Then and Now * Hardware * Software * Computer Users and Professionals #### Computers to Fit Every Need * Embedded Computers * Mobile Devices * Personal Computers (PCs) * Servers * Mainframe Computers * Supercomputers #### Computer Networks and the Internet * What Are the Internet and the World Wide Web? * Accessing a Network or the Internet * Surfing the Web * Searching the Web #### E-Mail #### Computers and Society * Benefits of a Computer-Oriented Society * Risks of a Computer-Oriented Society * Differences in Online Communications * The Anonymity Factor * Information Integrity ### Computers in Your Life Computers and other forms of technology impact our daily lives in a multitude of ways. We encounter computers in stores, restaurants, and other retail establishments. We use computers and the Internet regularly to obtain information, experience online entertainment, buy products and services, and communicate with others. Many of us carry a mobile phone or other mobile device with us at all times so we can remain in touch with others on a continual basis and can access Internet information as we need it. We also use these devices to pay for purchases, play online games with others, watch TV and movies, and much, much more. Businesses also use computers extensively, such as to maintain employee and customer records, manage inventories, maintain online stores and other Web sites, process sales, control robots and other machines in factories, and provide business executives with the up-to-date information they need to make decisions. The government uses computers to support our nation's defense systems, for space exploration, for storing and organizing vital information about citizens, for law enforcement and military purposes, and other important tasks. In short, computers and computing technology are used in an endless number of ways. ### Computers in Education Today's youth can definitely be called the computing generation. From handheld gaming devices to mobile phones to computers at school and home, most children and teens today have been exposed to computers and related technology all their lives. Although the amount of computer use varies from school to school and from grade level to grade level, most students today have access to computers at school and some schools have completely integrated computers into the curriculum, such as by adopting e-book (electronic) textbooks that run on school-owned portable computers, or allowing students to bring in devices to use in class (referred to as BYOD or Bring Your Own Device). Many schools (particularly college campuses) today also have wireless hotspots that allow students to connect their personal computers or mobile devices wirelessly to the Internet from anywhere on campus. Today, students at all levels are typically required to use a computer to some extent as part of their normal coursework-such as for preparing papers, practicing skills, doing Internet research, accessing Internet content (for instance, class Web pages or their campus YouTube channel), or delivering presentations and some colleges require a computer for enrollment. ### Computers on the Job Although computers have been used on the job for years, their role is continually evolving. Computers were originally used as research tools for computer experts and scientists and then as productivity tools for office workers. Today, computers are used by all types of employees in all types of businesses-including corporate executives, retail store clerks, traveling sales professionals, artists and musicians, engineers, police officers, insurance adjusters, delivery workers, doctors and nurses, auto mechanics and repair personnel, and professional athletes. In essence, the computer has become a universal tool for on-the-job decision making, productivity, and communications. Computers are also used extensively for access control at many businesses and organizations, such as authentication systems that allow only authorized individuals to enter an office building, punch in or out of work, or access the company network via an access card or a fingerprint or hand scan. In addition to jobs that require the use of computers by employees, many new jobs have been created simply because computers exist, such as jobs in electronics manufacturing, online retailing, Internet applications, and technology-related computer support. ### Computers to Fit Every Need The types of computers available today vary from the tiny computers embedded in consumer products, to the mobile devices that do a limited number of computing tasks, to the powerful and versatile desktop and portable computers found in homes and businesses, to the superpowerful computers used to control the country's defense systems. Computers are generally classified in one of six categories, based on size, capability, and price. * **Embedded computers:** tiny computers embedded into products to perform specific functions or tasks for that product. * **Mobile devices:** mobile phones, small tablets, and other small personal devices that contain built-in computing or Internet capabilities. * **Personal computers:** fully functioning portable or desktop computers that are designed to be used by a single individual at a time. * **Servers:** computers that host data and programs available to a small group of users. * **Mainframe computers:** powerful computers used to host a large amount of data and programs available to a wide group of users. * **Supercomputers:** extremely powerful computers used for complex computations and processing. ### What Is a Computer and What Does It Do? A computer can be defined as a programmable, electronic device that accepts data, performs operations on that data, presents the results, and stores the data or results as needed. The fact that a computer is programmable means that a computer will do whatever the instructions-called the program-tell it to do. The programs used with a computer determine the tasks the computer is able to perform. The four operations described in this definition are more technically referred to as input, processing, output, and storage. These four primary operations of a computer can be defined as follows: * **Input:** entering data into the computer. * **Processing:** performing operations on the data. * **Output:** presenting the results. * **Storage:** saving data, programs, or output for future use. ### What Are the Internet and the World Wide Web? The Internet is the largest and most well-known computer network in the world. It is technically a network of networks because it consists of thousands of networks that can all access each other via the main backbone infrastructure of the Internet. Individual users connect to the Internet by connecting their computers or other devices to servers belonging to an Internet service provider (ISP)-a company that provides Internet access, usually for a fee. ISPs (which include conventional and mobile telephone companies like AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint; cable providers like Comcast and Time Warner; and stand-alone ISPs like NetZero and EarthLink) function as gateways or onramps to the Internet, providing Internet access to their subscribers. ISP servers are continually connected to a larger network, called a regional network, which, in turn, is connected to one of the major high-speed networks within a country, called a backbone network. Backbone networks within a country are connected to each other and to backbone networks in other countries. Together they form one enormous network of networks-the Internet. Tips for selecting an ISP are included in Chapter 8. ### Computers and Society Although there are a great number of benefits from having a computer-oriented society and a networked economy, there are risks as well. A variety of problems have emerged from our extensive computer use, ranging from stress and health concerns, to the proliferation of spam (unsolicited e-mails) and malware (harmful programs that can be installed on our computers without our knowledge), to security and privacy issues, to legal and ethical dilemmas. Many of the security and privacy concerns stem from the fact that so much of our personal business takes place online-or at least ends up as data in a computer database somewhere-and the potential for misuse of this data is enormous. Another concern is the repercussions of collecting such vast amounts of information electronically. Some people worry about creating a "Big Brother" situation, in which the government or another organization is watching everything that we do. Although the accumulation and distribution of information is a necessary factor of our networked economy, it is one area of great concern to many individuals. And some Internet behavior, such as downloading music or movies from an unauthorized source or viewing pornography on an office computer, can get you arrested or fired.