Computer

Applications

Computer Essentials
Hardware
 Computer Hardware
Temporary Data Holding

Memory
Data

Da
Processor
ta
Input Output
Da

ta
Data Data
Storage Flash memory
Hard
disk CD or DVD
Software Program Types

System Software: all the programs that

help the computer function
operating system (OS)
- including user interface
Application Software: all the programs
you can use to perform a task
productivity software
special-purpose programs
 The Physical
Components
Input devices

Processing

Output devices

Storage devices

Communications devices
 Input Devices

Keyboard

Mouse, Touch pad, Joystick

Touch screen

Digital Camera, Digital Video

Microphone, Sound card

Scanner

Barcode Reader
 Output Devices

Monitor, Video Adapter Card

Printer, Laser or Inkjet

Loudspeakers, Audio Output

Tactile Feedback, Braille

 Bits and Bytes

bit = binary digit

the basic unit of information
1 or 0

byte = 8 bits
enough combinations (28 = 256)
to store essential characters
Extended ASCII character
codes
 But modern computers
use Unicode, which is a
much greater encoding
system. It allows for
encoding of all the
languages in the world.
 Big & Way Big Bytes
Byte a grouping of eight bits
for instance --> 0110 0001
Kb (kilobyte) about 1000 bytes
Mb (megabyte) about one thousand Kb
or one million bytes
Gb (gigabyte) about one thousand Mb
or one billion bytes
Tb (terabyte) is about one thousand Gb
or one trillion bytes
 Port Types

Serial - bits flow in a single line

Parallel - several bits flow at once
SCSI - can connect up to 8 devices, fast
data transfer, found on all Macs
USB - can connect many devices, has
hot swapping capability
FireWire - like USB, higher speed & more $
IrDA - infrared, line of sight
 Motherboard
Printed circuit board with connectors

slots for
RAM chips

slots for
adapter cards

CPU

ROM chip
 Memory - RAM

Stores part of operating system

Stores part of the application
programs
Stores your files as you work on them

Never too rich, never too thin,

never too much RAM
What kind of memory?

Recommendation:
Get DDR memory. It will
give better performance
because it allows for 2
channels between CPU
and other parts.
Primary Storage Hard
disk
Size in
Gigabytes
Magnetic
technology
Fast access
 Secondary Storage -
CD/DVD
*-R - recordable burn
once
*-RW - rewritable
erase and burn again
650 MB for a CD
4.7 GB for a DVD
8.5 GB for Dual Layer
DVDs
In-expensive
 Flash memory USB
stick
Flash memory is a non-volatile computer
memory that can be electrically erased and
reprogrammed.
It is a technology that is primarily used in
memory cards and USB flash drives for general
storage and transfer of data between
computers and other digital products.
Easy to use and fairly inexpensive.
 Nostalgic Storage - Floppy
Disks
write protection tab
plastic casing liner
disk
sector hole
spindle hole

read/write opening
sliding metal shutter
 Then and Now
1982 - ABC 80 2007 Macbook Pro

Made in Sweden Made in China

 Specifications
The ABC80

3 MHz CPU

16 kb memory

No hard disc

Two big floppies for

storage instead

Monochrome monitor
 Whats next?

When man and machine merge

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