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Basic Computer

Understanding and Skills


Instructor: Doug Bloodworth
Email: digdug2@hotmail.com

Basic Computer
Understanding
Section 1:
Section 2:
Section 3:
Section 4:
Section 5:
Section 6:
Section 7:
Section 8:
Section 9:
what?

What is a computer?
Different Types
Different Operating Systems
Different Brands
Basic Components
How to Buy a computer
How a computer boots up
Different States of a computer
I bought a computer, now

Understanding - What is a
computer?
Computers are machines that perform
tasks or calculations according to a set of
instructions, or programs. The first fully
electronic computers, introduced in the
1940s, were huge machines that required
teams of people to operate. Compared to
those early machines, today's computers
are amazing. Not only are they thousands
of times faster, they can fit on your desk,
on your lap, or even in your pocket

Understanding What is a
computer?
Computers work through an interaction of
hardware and software. Hardware refers to the
parts of a computer that you can see and
touch, including the case and everything inside
it. The most important piece of hardware is a
tiny rectangular chip inside your computer
called the central processing unit (CPU), or
microprocessor. It's the "brain" of your
computerthe part that translates instructions
and performs calculations. Hardware items
such as your monitor, keyboard, mouse,
printer, and other components are often called
hardware devices, or devices.

Understanding What is a
computer?
The computer processes input through input
devices like mouse and keyboard.
The computer displays output through
output devices like color monitor and
printer.
Computers have become indispensable in
todays world. Millions of people use
computers all over the world.
There are several uses of computers:

Understanding What is a
computer?

Word Processing - Word Processing software automatically corrects spelling and grammar
mistakes. If the content of a document repeats you dont have to type it each time. You can
use the copy and paste features. You can printout documents and make several copies. It is
easier to read a word-processed document than a handwritten one. You can add images to
your document.
Internet - It is a network of almost all the computers in the world. You can browse through
much more information than you could do in a library. That is because computers can store
enormous amounts of information. You also have very fast and convenient access to
information. Through E-Mail you can communicate with a person sitting thousands of miles
away in seconds. There is chat software that enables one to chat with another person on a
real-time basis. Video conferencing tools are becoming readily available to the common man.
Digital video or audio composition Audio or video composition and editing have been
made much easier by computers. It no longer costs thousands of dollars of equipment to
compose music or make a film. Graphics engineers can use computers to generate short or
full-length films or even to create three-dimensional models. Anybody owning a computer
can now enter the field of media production. Special effects in science fiction and action
movies are created using computers.
Desktop publishing - With desktop publishing, you can create page layouts for entire
books on your personal computer.
Computers in Medicine - You can diagnose diseases. You can learn the cures. Software is
used in magnetic resonance imaging to examine the internal organs of the human body.
Software is used for performing surgery. Computers are used to store patient data.
Mathematical Calculations - Thanks to computers, which have computing speeds of over
a million calculations per second we can perform the biggest of mathematical calculations.
Banks - All financial transactions are done by computer software. They provide security,
speed and convenience.

Understanding What is a
computer?

Travel - One can book air tickets or railway tickets and make hotel reservations
online.
Telecommunications - Software is widely used here. Also all mobile phones have
software embedded in them.
Defense - There is software embedded in almost every weapon. Software is used for
controlling the flight and targeting in ballistic missiles. Software is used to control
access to atomic bombs.
E-Learning Instead of a book it is easier to learn from an E-learning software.
Gambling-You can gamble online instead of going to a casino.
Examinations-You can give online exams and get instant results. You can check
your examination results online.
Computers in Business - Shops and supermarkets use software, which calculate
the bills. Taxes can be calculated and paid online. Accounting is done using
computers. One can predict future trends of business using artificial intelligence
software. Software is used in major stock markets. One can do trading online. There
are fully automated factories running on software.
Certificates - Different types of certificates can be generated. It is very easy to
create and change layouts.
ATM machines - The computer software authenticates the user and dispenses cash.
Marriage - There are matrimonial sites through which one can search for a suitable
groom or bride.

Understanding What is a
computer?

News-There are many websites through which you can read the latest or old
news.
Classmates-There are many alumni websites through which you can regain
contact with your classmates.
Robotics - Robots are controlled by software.
Washing Machines - They operate using software.
Microwave Oven - They are operated by software.
Planning and Scheduling - Software can be used to store contact information,
generating plans, scheduling appointments and deadlines.
Greeting Cards - You can send and receive greetings pertaining to different
occasions.
Sports Software is used for making umpiring decisions. There are simulation
software using which a sportsperson can practice his skills. Computers are also
to identify flaws in technique.
Aero-planes Pilots train on software, which simulates flying.
Weather analysis Supercomputers are used to analyze and predict weather.

Understanding - Different
Types
Different types of Computers
Based on the operational principle of computers, they are
categorized as analog computers and hybrid computers.
Analog Computers: These are almost extinct today. These
are different from a digital computer because an analog
computer can perform several mathematical operations
simultaneously. It uses continuous variables for mathematical
operations and utilizes mechanical or electrical energy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt6RVrmvh-o
Hybrid Computers: These computers are a combination of
both digital and analog computers. In this type of computers,
the digital segments perform process control by conversion of
analog signals to digital ones.

Understanding - Different
Types
Hybrid Computers Examples:
1.bomb site on a WW2 bomber. Instead of
using ones and zeros, it had a series of
continuous gears into which factors the
airplane's speed and altitude that could be
used to factor the exact time to drop the
bombs.
2.the computer used in hospitals to measure
the heartbeat of the patient. Hybrid Machines
are generally used in scientific applications or
in controlling industrial processes

Understanding - Different
Types
Following are some of the other important types of computers.
Mainframe Computers: Large organizations use mainframes
for highly critical applications such as bulk data processing and
ERP. Most of the mainframe computers have the capacities to
host multiple operating systems and operate as a number of
virtual machines and can thus substitute for several small
servers.
Microcomputers: A computer with a microprocessor and its
central processing unit is known as a microcomputer. They do
not occupy space as much as mainframes. When supplemented
with a keyboard and a mouse, microcomputers can be called as
personal computers. A monitor, a keyboard and other similar
input output devices, computer memory in the form of RAM and
a power supply unit come packaged in a microcomputer. These
computers can fit on desks or tables and serve as the best
choices for single-user tasks.

Understanding - Different
Types
Personal computers come in a variety of forms such as
desktops, laptops and personal digital assistants. Let us
look at each of these types of computers.
Desktops: A desktop is intended to be used on a single
location. The spare parts of a desktop computer are readily
available at relative lower costs. Power consumption is not
as critical as that in laptops. Desktops are widely popular
for daily use in workplaces and households.
Laptops: Similar in operation to desktops, laptop
computers are miniaturized and optimized for mobile use.
Laptops run on a single battery or an external adapter that
charges the computer batteries. They are enabled with an
inbuilt keyboard, touch pad acting as a mouse and a liquid
crystal display. Its portability and capacity to operate on
battery power have served as a boon for mobile users.

Understanding - Different
Types
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs): It is a handheld
computer and popularly known as a palmtop. It has a touch
screen and a memory card for storage of data. PDAs can
also be effectively used as portable audio players, web
browsers and smart phones. Most of them can access the
Internet by means of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi communication.
Minicomputers: In terms of size and processing capacity,
minicomputers lie in between mainframes and
microcomputers. Minicomputers are also called mid-range
systems or workstations. The term began to be popularly
used in the 1960s to refer to relatively smaller third
generation computers. They took up the space that would
be needed for a refrigerator or two and used transistor and
core memory technologies. The 12-bit PDP-8 minicomputer
of the Digital Equipment Corporation was the first
successful minicomputer.

Understanding - Different
Types

Supercomputers: The highly calculation-intensive tasks can be


effectively performed by means of supercomputers. Quantum
physics, mechanics, weather forecasting, molecular theory are
best studied by means of supercomputers. Their ability of parallel
processing and their well-designed memory hierarchy give the
supercomputers, large transaction processing powers.

Wearable Computers: A record-setting step in the evolution of


computers was the creation of wearable computers. These
computers can be worn on the body and are often used in the
study of behavior modeling and human health. Military and health
professionals have incorporated wearable computers into their
daily routine, as a part of such studies. When the users hands and
sensory organs are engaged in other activities, wearable
computers are of great help in tracking human actions. Wearable
computers are consistently in operation as they do not have to be
turned on and off and are constantly interacting with the user.

What Computer type am I?

What Computer type am I?

What Computer type am I?

What Computer type am I?

What Computer type am I?

What Computer type am I?

What Computer type am I?

What Computer type am I?

What Computer type am I?

What Computer type am I?

What Computer type am I?

Understanding - Different
Operating Systems
Operating System or OS -- is software,
consisting of programs and data, that runs
on computers, manages computer
hardware resources, and provides common
services for execution of various application
software. The operating system is the most
important type of system software in a
computer system. Without an operating
system, a user cannot run an application
program on their computer, unless the
application program is self booting.

Understanding - Different
Operating Systems
An OS has brand Name
Each Brand has different versions of
OS
Can anyone name a brand name of
an OS?

Understanding - Different
Operating Systems
Common Brands. Windows or Mac
Others: UNIX / Linux, Google Chrome OS,
Novel
Before Windows, Microsoft used Dos. Dos
was a non- GUI OS (Graphical User
Interface)
Window versions: Windows CE, Windows
3.x, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98
SE, Windows ME, Windows NT, Windows
2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows
7

Understanding - Different
Operating Systems
Mac versions: Apple DOS 3.1, Apple
System 1-7, Mac OS 8, Mac OS 9, Mac OS
10, Mac OS X
Unix/Linux got its start in 1957-- Bell Labs
found they needed an operating system
for their computer center that at the time
was running various batch jobs. The
BESYS operating system was created at
Bell Labs to deal with these needs.

Understanding - Different
Operating Systems
Unix/Linux has many variations or
brands that have evolved since then
Brands: BSD, FreeBSD, SCO/Caldera,
Red Hat, Solaris, Linux
Linux was not started until 1991, but
it is the most noted UNIX OS

Understanding - Different
Operating Systems
Todays computers are:
1. Multi-user - A multi-user operating system allows for
multiple users to use the same computer at the same time
and different times.
2. Multiprocessing - An operating system capable of
supporting and utilizing more than one computer processor.
3. Multitasking - An operating system that is capable of
allowing multiple software processes to run at the same
time.
4. Multithreading - Operating systems that allow different
parts of a software program to run concurrently.

Understanding - Different
Operating Systems
Operating System or OS -- is software,
consisting of programs and data, that runs
on computers, manages computer
hardware resources, and provides common
services for execution of various application
software. The operating system is the most
important type of system software in a
computer system. Without an operating
system, a user cannot run an application
program on their computer, unless the
application program is self booting.

Understanding - Different
Operating Systems
Operating System or OS -- is software,
consisting of programs and data, that runs
on computers, manages computer
hardware resources, and provides common
services for execution of various application
software. The operating system is the most
important type of system software in a
computer system. Without an operating
system, a user cannot run an application
program on their computer, unless the
application program is self booting.

Understanding - Different
Operating Systems
Operating System or OS -- is software,
consisting of programs and data, that runs
on computers, manages computer
hardware resources, and provides common
services for execution of various application
software. The operating system is the most
important type of system software in a
computer system. Without an operating
system, a user cannot run an application
program on their computer, unless the
application program is self booting.

Understanding - Different
Operating Systems
Operating System or OS -- is software,
consisting of programs and data, that runs
on computers, manages computer
hardware resources, and provides common
services for execution of various application
software. The operating system is the most
important type of system software in a
computer system. Without an operating
system, a user cannot run an application
program on their computer, unless the
application program is self booting.

Understanding - Basic
Components
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/howstu
ffworks/23-computer-tour-video.htm
Motherboard
CPU Central Processing Unit
RAM Random Access Memory
Video Card Power Supply
Hard disk or drive
Optical Drive

Understanding - Basic
Components

Understanding - Basic
Components
http://www.videojug.com/film/what-c
omponents-are-inside-my-computer
Hardware and Software -- All of these
components are usually found within the
tower of a desktop computer. They are
referred to as "hardware". Hardware can
be thought of as the actual physical
components that go into the computer.
"Software" refers to the programs and
systems that operate within the hardware.

Understanding - Basic
Components

Understanding - Basic
Components
The Motherboard -- The motherboard is the heart of the
computer. It is the largest and most fundamental component
of a PC and every other component is attached to it in some
way. This is because all the different components use the
motherboard to communicate and work with each other.
The motherboard has a series of slots, sockets and
connectors for attaching the components of a PC.
In most cases, the memory, accessory cards, and CPU are
installed directly onto the motherboard. The drives and
peripherals communicate with the motherboard through
wired connections.
There are a wide range of motherboards to choose from.
They differ in features, speed, capacity and the CPU
supported. They also differ in size, shape and layout, this is
commonly referred to as the "form factor"

Understanding - Basic
Components
The CPU -- CPU stands for Central Processing
Unit. This is the brain of the computer and is
often referred to as the "processor" or the "chip".
It is found under a heat sink and fan and sits
directly on the motherboard.
The CPU directs, coordinates and communicates
with the other components and performs all of
the "thinking". It's not really thinking, what a CPU
actually does is perform mathematical
calculations. It is the software that people write
that translates those calculations into useful
functions for us.

Understanding - Basic
Components
RAM -- RAM stands for Random Access Memory,
and comes as modules in predefined amounts. It
is also found directly on the motherboard and
usually in one, two or four slots. The memory
chips store information, temporarily, for short
term use by the CPU. RAM is used to store
information for files that are actually being used
by the CPU at any given time.
The computer's RAM memory is an entirely
different thing from the hard disk "memory". The
hard disk stores information "permanently" for
long term use.

Understanding - Basic
Components
The Graphics Card -- The graphics card
or video card translates information into
the graphics and text that appear on the
monitor screen.
Most motherboards now include a slot
specifically designed for the graphics
adapter called the AGP slot. This stands
for Advanced Graphics Port.
Modern graphics adapters usually
incorporate some memory right on the
card to improve their performance.

Understanding - Basic
Components
The Power Supply -- This supplies
power to the other components,
which is why it has so many wires
coming out of it.
It is usually positioned at the back
top corner of the computer case. The
power supply has a fan built into it to
keep itself and the computer cool.

Understanding - Basic
Components
The Hard Disk -- A hard disk - which is also called a
"hard drive" - is much like a filing cabinet. The
programs and data are stored on the hard disk and the
computer accesses them as they are needed. When
the computer accesses the hard drive, it is reading
and moving the stored information into the RAM
memory. That memory is the temporary workspace.
However, the original file is still on the hard disk and is
left undisturbed until the file is saved.
When the computer stores or "saves" information, it
writes the data to the hard disk. That process results
in the old file being replaced or modified with the new
information. If you save data to a new file, or install
new software, the information is written to the disk in
an available, unused portion of the disk.

Understanding - Basic
Components
The Optical Drive -- The optical
drive is often called a DVD drive, or a
CD drive. It sits at the front of the
computer for ease of access, and
uses a laser to read and write
information to CD's and DVD's

Understanding - How to Buy a


computer

What is important to any computer purchase?


1.
2.
3.

Ram if money is tight, buy more RAM by choosing a lesser CPU or smaller hard drive.
For Window7 buy 2 GB 4 GB.
CPU or processor a multi-core CPU is mandatory today in desktops and laptop. CPU
speed is less important today because they are all very fast.
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/common_cpus.html
Hard drive Get the largest you can (250 500 GB). The fastest hard drives is not
always better. Computers dislike heat, slower hard drives product less heat and last
longer in home environments. SATA hard drive 7200RPM is a good choice.

What is important to you as a individual?


1.

What do I want this computer for: general home/school computer (internet, email,
Office suite software, some video/audio use), High use AutoCad or Multimedia with
audio and video editing, or Gaming. Gaming computers are like hot-rod car fast,
strong, and expensive. Most general home/school computers can do most games
very well.

2.

Desktop, Laptop, or minicomputer (Tablet, IPAD, Multimedia phone)?

Desktop: will generally out last a laptop, faster and perform better than
laptop, and cheaper to work on and find replacement parts.

Laptop: Always buy the 3 year warranty on laptops. If you keep Laptop
cool, they last longer. Handle your power supply cord gently over time, it
will need replacing. Laptops are nice on portability, but just expect to
replace it sooner than a desktop

Minicomputer very convenient and fun. They are not full functioning PCs.
Fun to have in addition to your desktop or laptop. Example: (your desktop
have your music file on it, you your minicomputer to play files from it)

Understanding - How to Buy a


computer
Unless you have a geek in the family, I would
not recommend buying a used computer.
Know who you are buying from: Wal-Mart does
not make computers, so if you have trouble
after your 30 days are up, what do you do?
Buying from a local company can have it
advantages in support, but you will pay more.
Buying from major brands like: HP and Dell is
nice to. They offer you 24 hour support,
online self-help, online training and
instruction, online computer analysis, etc.

Understanding - How to Buy a


computer
Do you need a blue-ray player? They drive the
cost up on computers, so ask yourself will I ever
use it.
Most monitors companies offer will meet your
needs. There are many types and quality of
monitors, but most new computers come with a
descent 18-20 inch monitor.
An external USB drive is nice to have for bakups.
Of course you can use your DVD writer or online
service for backups.
Printers The all-in-one printers (Copier, Scan,
and Print) are the way to go. For printing
pictures, I recommend using a commercial
service. It is hard to buy photo paper and ink for
what companies can do it for you.

Understanding - How to Buy a


computer
Today, most computers come with everything
you need. There are not a lot of accessories
that people need to buy extra
Make sure it comes with a wired Optical Mouse
and wired keyboard. Wireless is nice, but you
will soon get tired of replacing batteries
Most computes have a standard sound card
and speakers, which meets most peoples
needs
Web-Cam very nice in saving long distance
calls

Understanding - How to Buy a


computer
For Desktops, you might want to
consider a wireless adapter (just
incase you can hardwire it)
Have fun.

Understanding - How a
computer boots up

Understanding - Different
States of a computer

Understanding - I bought a
computer, now what?

Basic Computer Skills


Section
Section
Section
Section
Section
Section
Section
Section
Section
Section
Section
Section

1: What is My Desktop?
2: Basic Desktop Navigation
3: Start button
4: My Files
5: Customizing Your Desktop
5: Control Panel
6: Administration Tools
7: Working With Folders and Files
8: Working With Programs
9: Managing Windows
10: Logging On and Off Windows
11: Protecting Your computer

Basic Computer Skills Cover


Use a mouse to point, click and
double-click
Keyboard and typing tips
Opening and closing software files
Accessing a CD-ROM
Locating a saved file
How to copy and paste files or text

TBD

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