Chapter

One

Discovering Computers
Fundamentals,
2011 Edition
Living in a Digital World

Objectives Overview

Explain why
computer literacy
is vital to success
in today's world

Describe the five

components of a
computer

Discuss the uses of

the Internet and
World Wide Web

See Page 1
for Detailed Objectives

Discuss the
advantages and
disadvantages that
users experience
when working with
computers

Distinguish
between system
software and
application
software

Discovering Computers Fundamentals, 2011

Edition Chapter 1

Objectives Overview
Explain how home
users, small
Differentiate among
office/home office
types, sizes, and
users, mobile users,
functions of computers
power users, and
in each category
enterprise users each
interact with
computers
Discuss how society
uses computers in
education, finance,
government, health
care, science,
publishing, travel, and
manufacturing
See Page 1
for Detailed Objectives

Discovering Computers Fundamentals, 2011

Edition Chapter 1

A World of Computers
Computers are everywhere

Pages 2 - 3
Figure 1-1

Discovering Computers Fundamentals, 2011

Edition Chapter 1

What Is a Computer?
A computer is an electronic device,
operating under the control of
instructions stored in its own memory
Collects
data
(input)

Processin
g

Produces
informat
ion
(output)

Information Processing Cycle

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What Is a Computer?

Page 4
Figure 1-2

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Discovering Computers Fundamentals, 2011

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Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions,

and information to and from one or more computers or
mobile devices
Holds data, instructions, and information for future use
Case that contains the electronic components of the
computer that are used to process data
Hardware component that conveys information to one or
more people

Pages 4 - 7

Communicati
ons Device
Storage
Device
System Unit
Output
Device

A computer contains many electric, electronic,

and mechanical components known as
hardware
Input
Device
Allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer

The Components of a
Computer

The Components of a
Computer

Page 5
Figure 1-3

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Advantages and Disadvantages

of Using Computers

Page 7

Advantages of
Using Computers

Disadvantages of
Using Computers

Speed

Violation of Privacy

Reliability

Public Safety

Consistency

Impact on Labor
Force

Storage

Health Risks

Communications

Impact on
Environment

Discovering Computers Fundamentals, 2011

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Advantages and Disadvantages

of Using Computers
Green computing involves reducing the
electricity consumed and environmental
waste generated when using a computer
Strategies include:

Recycling
Regulating manufacturing processes
Extending the life of computers
Immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced
computers
Click to view Web Link,
click Chapter 1, Click Web
Link from left navigation,
then click Green Computing
below Chapter 1

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Networks and the Internet

A network is a collection of computers and
devices connected together, often wirelessly,
via communications devices and transmission
media
The Internet is a worldwide collection of
networks that connects millions of businesses,
government agencies, educational
institutions, and individuals
Click to view Web Link,
click Chapter 1, Click Web
Link from left navigation,
then click The Internet
below Chapter 1

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Networks and the Internet

Page 8
Figure 1-6

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Networks and the Internet

People use the Internet for a variety of
reasons:

Pages 8 - 9
Figure 1-7

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Networks and the Internet

A social networking Web site
encourages members to share their
interests, ideas, stories, photos, music,
and videos with other registered users
Also called an online social network

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Computer Software
Software, also called a program, tells
the computer what tasks to perform and
how to perform them

Click to view Web Link,

click Chapter 1, Click Web
Link from left navigation,
then click Windows
below Chapter 1
Pages 11 - 12
Figures 1-8 - 1-9

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Computer Software
Installing is the process of setting up
software to work with the computer,
printer, and other hardware

Pages 12 - 13
Figure 1-10

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Computer Software
A programmer develops software or
writes the instructions that direct the
computer to process data into
information

Page 13
Figure 1-11

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Categories of Computers

Pages 14 - 15

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Personal Computers
A personal computer can perform all
of its input, processing, output, and
storage activities by itself
Two popular architectures are the PC
and the Apple
Desktop computer

Pages 15 - 16
Figures 1-13 - 1-14

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Mobile Computers and Mobile

Devices

Pages 16 - 18

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Mobile Computers and Mobile

Devices

Pages 16 - 17
Figures 1-15 1-18

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Mobile Computers and Mobile

Devices

Click to view Web Link,

click Chapter 1, Click Web
Link from left navigation,
then click Digital Cameras
below Chapter 1
Pages 17 - 18
Figures 1-19 1-20

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Game Consoles
A game console is a mobile computing
device designed for single-player or
multiplayer video games

Page 18
Figure 1-21

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Servers
A server controls access to the
hardware, software, and other resources
on a network
Provides a centralized storage area for
programs, data, and information

Page 19
Figure 1-22

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Mainframes
A mainframe is a large, expensive,
powerful computer that can handle
hundreds or thousands of connected
users simultaneously

Page 19
Figure 1-23

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Supercomputers
A supercomputer is the fastest, most
powerful computer
Fastest supercomputers are capable of
processing more than one quadrillion
instructions in a single second

Page 19
Figure 1-24

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Embedded Computers
An embedded computer is a specialpurpose computer that functions as a
component in a larger product

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Embedded Computers

Page 20
Figure 1-25

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Examples of Computer Usage

Pages 20 23
Figures 1-26 1-28

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Examples of Computer Usage

Click to view Web Link,

click Chapter 1, Click Web
Link from left navigation,
then click Enterprise
Computing below Chapter 1
Pages 23 24
Figures 1-29 1-30

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Computer Applications in
Society

Pages 24 -26
Figures 1-31 1-34

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Computer Applications in
Society

Pages 26-27
Figures 1-35 1-38

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Information Systems in the

Enterprise
An information system is a set of
hardware, software, data, people, and
procedures that work together to
produce information

Pages 468 - 469

Figure 12-4

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Information Systems in the

Enterprise
A human resources
information system
(HRIS) manages one
or more human
resources functions
Employee relationship
management systems
manage
communication
between employees
and
the
Click to view
Web Link,business
click Chapter 12, Click Web
Link from left navigation,
then click ERM
below Chapter 12

Pages 470 - 471

Figure 12-7

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Information Systems in the

Enterprise
Computer-aided design (CAD) uses a
computer and special software to aid in
engineering, drafting, and design
Computer-aided engineering (CAE) uses
computers to test product designs
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) is
the use of computers to control production
equipment

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Information Systems in the

Enterprise

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Information Systems in the

Enterprise
Sales force automation (SFA)
software equips traveling salespeople
with the electronic tools they need to be
more productive

Page 472
Figure 12-9

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Information Systems in the

Enterprise
Distribution systems perform the
following functions:

Page 472

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Information Systems in the

Enterprise
Customer interaction management
(CIM) software manages the day-to-day
interactions with customers

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Information Systems in the

Enterprise
The information technology (IT) department
makes technology decisions for the enterprise
Whether to build or buy new information systems
When a computer or information system has
outlived its useful live

A chief information officer (CIO) is an

executive position that oversees the IT
department
Click to view Web Link,
click Chapter 12, Click Web
Link from left navigation,
then click IT Departments
below Chapter 12

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Information Systems in the

Enterprise
General purpose information systems
generally fall into one of five categories

Page 473

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Information Systems in the

Enterprise
Management Information
System

Pages 474 475

Figures 12-11 12-12

Decision Support System

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Information Systems in the

Enterprise

Page 476
Figure 12-13

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Information Systems in the

Enterprise

Integrated Information
Systems
Enterprise
Customer

resource
planning
provides
centralized,
integrated
software to help
manage and
coordinate
ongoing activities
Pages 477 - 478

relationship
management
manages
information about
customers,
interactions with
customers, past
purchases, and
interests

Discovering Computers Fundamentals, 2011

Edition Chapter 12

Content
management
systems are
information
systems that
combine
databases,
software, and
procedures
44

Video: Computer History in a

Barn

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Summary
Basic computer
concepts

Page 28

Components of a
computer

Many different
categories of
Networks, the
computers,
Internet, and
computer users,
computer software
and computer
applications in
society
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