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Module 1
Prepared by : Mr. Koh (IICP)
The Digital Revolution
Where can you find computers?
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Computers are everywhere
Computer & Information Literacy
What is computer literacy
Sufficient computer knowledge to prepare you for
working and living in a computerised society - being
able to use a computer
What is information literacy
Knowing how to find, analyse and use information. It is
the ability to gather information from multiple sources,
select the relevant material, and organise it into a form
that will allow you to make a decision or take a specific
action.
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What Is a Computer?
How is a computer defined?
Electronic machine operating
under the control of instructions
stored in its own memory
Accepts data
Manipulates data
Produces results
Stores results
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Data and Information
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Data
Raw facts,
figures, and
symbols
Information
Data that is
organized,
meaningful,
and useful
Computer Users
Person who
communicates
with a computer
or uses the
information it
generates
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Computer Hardware and Software
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Software
Instructions that
tell hardware how
to perform tasks
Hardware
Electronic and
mechanical equipment
Information Processing Cycle
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Input

Output

Storage


Communication



Process
The Components of a Computer
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printer
scanner
speaker
PC camera
microphone
digital camera
system unit
keyboard
modem
monitor
mouse
speaker
The Components of a Computer
What is the system unit?
Box-like device
containing electronic
components
connected to
motherboard
Also called a chassis
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hard
disk
drive
(inside
case)
CD-RW
drive
CD-ROM
or DVD-
ROM
drive
Zip

drive
floppy
disk
drive
Why Is a Computer So Powerful?
What makes a computer powerful?
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SPEED

ACCURACY

STORAGE

COMUNICATIONS

RELIABILITY
Why Is a Computer So Powerful?
- Speed
In the system unit, operations occur through
electronic circuits. When data, instructions, and
information flows along these circuits, they travel at
close to the speed of light. This allows billions of
operations to be carried out in a single second.
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Why Is a Computer So Powerful?
- Reliability
The electronic components in modern computers are
dependable because they have a low failure rate. The
high reliability of the components enables the
computer to produce consistent results.
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Why Is a Computer So Powerful?
- Accuracy
Computers can process large amounts of data and
generate error-free results, provided the data is
entered correctly and the program works properly.
The term: Garbage In, Garbage Out points out that
the accuracy of a computers output depends on the
accuracy of the input.
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Why Is a Computer So Powerful?
- Storage
Many computers can store enormous amounts of data
and make this data available for processing anytime it
is needed.
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Why Is a Computer So Powerful?
- Communications
Most computers today have the capability of
communicating with other computers. Computers
with this capability can share any of the four
information processing cycle operations: input,
process, output, and storage with another computer.
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Digital Divide
Phrase used to describe the idea that people of the
world can be divided into two distinct groups:
Those who have access to technology with the ability to
use it; and
Those who do not have access to technology or are
without the ability to use it.
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Computer Software
What is a computer program?
A series of instructions that tells the computer what to
do
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Computer Software
What is system software?
Programs that control the operations of the computer
and its devices
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Operating
System (OS)



Utility
Programs
Computer Software
What is the user interface?
Controls how you
enter data and
commands and how
information displays
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Computer Software
What is a graphical user interface (GUI)?
Uses visual images such as icons
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Icon represents
program,
instruction, or
some other
object
icons
icons
Computer Software
What is application software?
Programs that perform specific tasks for users
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Word
processing
software
Spreadsheet
software
Database
software
Presentation
graphics
software
Suite
Popular software applications
bundled together as a single
unit
Spreadsheet Database
Presentation
graphics
Word
processing
Computer Software
What are shareware,
freeware, public-
domain software?
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Freeware
Software provided
at no cost
Copyrighted
Cannot resell it
as your own
Public-Domain
Software
Freeware donated for
public use
No copyright
restrictions
Shareware
Copyrighted software
distributed free for trial
period
Send payment to
developer on honor
system
What is a Network?
Collection of computers and devices
connected together

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Communications Device
Modem
Communications Media
Cables
Telephone lines
Cellular radio
Satellites
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What are the reasons to network?
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Software
programs
Hardware
devices
Data
Information
To save
time
and
money
To share
resources
Networks and the Internet
What is the Internet?
Worldwide
collection of
networks that
links millions
of computers
together
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Networks and the Internet
Why do users access the Internet?
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E-mail
Information
Shopping
Meeting people
Entertainment
What is the World Wide Web?
Billions of documents, called Web pages, linked
together on computers throughout the world
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Web page
Contains text,
graphics, sound, or
video and links to
other Web pages
Web site
Collection of
related Web
pages
Web browser
Program used to
access and view
Web pages
Categories of Computers
What are the categories of computers?
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Personal Computers
What are the two most popular series of personal computers?
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PC and compatibles use the
Windows operating system
Apple Macintosh uses
the Macintosh operating
system (Mac OS)
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Personal Computers
What is a notebook computer?
Portable, small
enough to fit
on your lap
Also called a laptop
Generally more
expensive than
a desktop computer
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Handheld Computers
What is a handheld computer?
Small computer that
fits in your hand
Also called a
palmtop or pocket
computer
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Handheld Computers
How do you input data with a
handheld computer?
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Keyboard
Stylus
Speech
recognition
Handwriting
recognition
Handheld Computers
What is a personal digital assistant (PDA)?
Provides personal
organizer functions
Calendar
Appointment book
Address book
Calculator
Notepad
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Handheld Computers
What are Web-enabled handheld computers?
Allow wireless Internet access
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Web-enabled
two-way pager
Web-enabled
cellular telephone
Web-enabled
handheld
computer
Internet Appliances
What is an Internet appliance?
Computer whose main
purpose is to connect to the
Internet
Less powerful than
Desktops & Notebooks
E.g. Nettops & Netbooks
using Intel Atom
Processors.
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Elements of an Information System
What are information
system elements?
Hardware
Software
Data
People
Procedures
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1. Hardware
2. Software
1. Hardware
3. Data
1. Hardware
2. Software
4a. People (IT personnel)
1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Data
4b. People (users)
1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Data
4a. People (IT personnel)
5. Procedures
1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Data
4a. People (IT personnel) 4b. People (users)
Examples of Computer Usage
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What are five categories of computer users?
Large Business Home
Mobile
Small Office/Home Office Power
Home Users
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What software is available for a home user?
personal
finance
management
entertainment
Web access
communications
Small Business Users
What software is available for a small office/home office
(SOHO) user?
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Web access
spreadsheet
Local area
network (LAN)
Productivity
software
Specialty
software
Web usage
E-mail
E-commerce

Mobile Users
What is available for a mobile user?
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Hardware
Notebook
computers
Handheld
computers
Web-enabled
cellular telephones
Software
Productivity
Presentation
Large Business Users
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What are the needs of the
large business user?
Network
Sales management
Accounting
Desktop publishing
Information systems
department
Productivity software
Scheduling
Web access
Telecommuting
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Examples of Computer Usage
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What are the needs of a power user?
Speed and large
amounts of storage
Types of power users
Engineers
Architects
Desktop publishers
Graphic artists