Unit 1

Introduction to the Computer:

Hardware and Software

Unit Goals
1. To appreciate the distinction between micro, mini, and mainframe computers and
to understand our emphasis on the micro-computer;
2. To gain a lay understanding of selected hardware components (e.g. cpu, ram,
modem, etc);
3. To gain a lay understanding of ways information is stored on a microcomputer;
4. To become skilled in the use of a window; and
5. To appreciate the importance of organization, backup, and virus protection.

Many of us have learned about computers and learned to use them in a very haphazard
manner. We pick up tips and shortcuts from friends and co-workers, learning what we
need to know to accomplish the task at hand. While this approach can keep you
functioning, there are often frustrating moments (or days) when the system isnt working,
or you find yourself with strange results or formatting that seems out of control.
My goal for this introductory unit is to fill in a few of the gaps you may have on computer
terminology, the function of various components, and understanding of how information
is stored on micro-computers. This information may help you diagnose a problem when
something does go wrong or at least make it easier for you to talk with the technician
you call for assistance. Shared terminology can work wonders in communicating your
concerns and understanding the techie.
As a data manager, you may also be responsible for ordering new computer equipment
and you should know what you need so that your software works efficiently and you
have the correct features for internet access and for ensuring data security and integrity.

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1.1

Outline
Section

Topic

Page

1.

Micro versus Mini versus Mainframe Computers ..

2.

Hardware Components .
2.1
The CPU .
2.2
The Display (Monitor)
2.3
Printers and Scanners
2.4
Bits How the Computer Stores Information
2.5
ASCII, Unicode and Hexadecimal Codes
2.6
Computer Storage Terminology ..
2.7
ROM, RAM, and Read/Write Storage..
2.8
The Hard Drive
2.9
CDs, Diskettes, and Zip Disks .
2.10 Modem and Ethernet .
2.11 Ports and Cables
2.12 Care of Computers, Storage Devices, and
Printers..

1.4
1.5
1.5
1.7
1.9
1.9
1.13
1.13
1.15
1.16
1.18
1.18

3.

Software
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6

1.20
1.20
1.20
1.21
1.24
1.26
1.29

4.

The Internet and the World Wide Web (WWW)

4.1 Browser Windows
4.2 Uploading and Downloading Files

..
Disk Operating System ..
Windows
The Mouse
The Anatomy of a Window .
Managing Files in Windows ..
Some General Tips for Working on a PC.

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1.19

1.32
1.33
1.34

1.2

1. Micro versus Mini versus Mainframe Computers

In this course we will focus on the use of PC or IBM-compatible microcomputers.
The three types of computers micro-, mini- and mainframe differ basically in size and
speed. As computers get larger, they usually get faster and better able to handle large files
and programs. The distinction between micro- mini- and mainframe computers has blurred
over time. More mini-computer type power is available on micros, often called Work
Stations, that are networked together. Networking of microcomputers (linking of computers
through cable systems) allows for a distributed software environment, formerly available only
on mini and mainframe computers. One computer is designated as a server that stores
distributed software and licensing, and houses shared network drives for shared access to
files, as well as secure back-up.
The three types of computers differ in maintenance. Maintenance of mainframe computers
usually requires full time staff. Mini computers usually need a part-time or full time operator.
Microcomputers often have no operator other than the current user, and the maintenance
responsibility falls on the user. A computer network typically requires part- or full-time staff.
Micro-computers encompass everything from a PDA (personal digital assistant), a
smartphone, or a tablet PC, to laptops, desktops, and towers that allow for more drives
and cables.
There are two common types of microcomputers: MAC and PC type (or IBM-compatible)
computers. MAC computers have had traditional strengths in ease of use with a graphics
interface. MAC computers popularized the mouse, with point and click instructions, and the
pull-down menu, and more recently the touch screen. MACs were also the first to run more
than one application at the same time known as multi-tasking. The popularity and ease of
use of these features prompted software manufacturers to develop products that mimic their
features on other computer systems. The ability to do multi-tasking using the UNIX
operating system developed by AT&T computers and other competitors prompted IBM to
develop its own multi-tasking operating system, OS2. However, none of these operating
systems had the same market share as DOS, the original operating system for IBM
compatible computers.
Although each computer type has strengths and weaknesses, the same issues may not
prevail in the future. The personal computer industry is competitive, and one brand's
advantage is often another brand's target for future development. Of special note in
computing is the current market share and software usage. MACs are often felt to have
advantages and superior software for music, photo and film editing as well as fewer
problems with viruses; while PCs have the reputation of stronger computational
functioning.
Our focus in this course is use of software on a conventional laptop, desktop and or
networked PC environment.

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2. Hardware Components
A computer consists of hardware and software.
Hardware consists of the physical components of the computer, including such items as the
Central Processing Unit (CPU), motherboard, disk drives, monitor, and keyboard.
Software consists all of the programs that you and the computer use to perform tasks. An
essential piece of software on all computers is the Operating System. We will use a
WINDOWS operating system for communication between the computer and the user and a
variety of specialized applications software packages for word processing, data entry,
management and statistical analyses.
The BIOS - Sometimes the boundary between software and hardware is blurred. The BIOS
identifies the Hardware on the computer, and in early computers was part of the
HARDWARE. More recently, some BIOS are soft and can be programmed, or altered as
the HARDWARE is changed.

There are four (4) types of computer hardware.

Type

Examples

1. The Box
This is the central box and
contains several components,
some optional

CPU
Hard disk (storage)
RAM (random access memory)
Video card
Ethernet card

2. Input Devices

Keyboard
Mouse
Scanner
CD-ROM, DVD-R drives
Microphone
Touch screen

3. Output Devices

Monitor
Printer
Plotter
CD or CD/DVD burner
Slide or overhead projector
Speakers

4. Input / Output Devices

Disk Drives
CD-Read/Write or DVD-R/W
Modem, Ethernet cable or Wireless card
LAN (local area network)

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1.4

2.1 The CPU

CPU stands for central processing unit and is actually a microprocessor. Microprocessors
have evolved over time with a tremendous impact on the speed of processing.
Associated with the microprocessor is a clock speed in mega-Hertz. This represents the
number of calculations that can be processed per second; one mega-Hertz corresponds to
the processing of 1 million calculations in one second. (1 MHz = 1,000,000 = 1 MIP
processes/sec). Clock speeds of early PCs were slow, and have increased dramatically.
Clock speed does not provide a true measure of processing time. Benchmarks have been
established, consisting of certain tasks performed by specific software to establish a
machines speed. Different CPUs can be compared with respect to the time taken to
perform the benchmark task.

2.2 The Display (Monitor)

The computer monitor or screen display was also called the CRT, which stands for
"cathode ray tube". LCD or liquid crystal display monitors are also in more common use,
particularly in laptop computers. LCD monitors are thinner, lighter and use less power than
the traditional CRT monitor. Current software requires color monitors.
Screen size is measured on the diagonal. For desktop machines large (wide) sizes are
available; laptop screen sizes can be more limited, though wider screens have become
more common.
Screen resolution refers to the number of pixels that can be displayed. A pixel (a
portmanteau word from picture element) is one of the many tiny dots that make up the
representation of a picture in a computer's memory. Usually the dots are so small and so
numerous that, when printed on paper or displayed on a computer monitor, they appear to
merge into a smooth image. The colour and intensity of each dot is chosen individually by
the computer to represent a small area of the picture. For example, a resolution of 640 x 640
indicates that the screen can be covered by 640 dots wide and 640 dots high. Resolution
determines the quality of graphic display on the screen, and also on the printed page.

Graphic image enlarged to

show fuzzing of image related
to enlarging pixels.

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1.5

Display settings for your monitor, including resolution, can be controlled through the Control
Panel. Your hardware and commonly used software will determine the optimal settings.
Higher resolution means more pixels in the same area and can be important for detailed
graphic images.
To check or modify your settings, go to

(Start


Settings


Control Panel and select Display.
Use the Settings Tab to control screen resolution and color settings. Recommendations for
optimal settings typically come with the original hardware and operating system setup.
Many software application packages have suggested settings for optimal display of
graphics.

Only limited
combinations
are available
for screen
resolution.
Higher
resolution
often results in
smaller icons
and print on
your desktop.
Color quality
selection
depends upon
software and
hardware.

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1.6

2.3 Printers and Scanners

2.3.1 Printers
The most common types of printers in current use are InkJet and Laser printers.
InkJet Printers
Inkjet printers transfer an image via magnetic charge. High quality graphics and a large
variety of fonts are available. Inkjet printers tend to be relatively inexpensive to purchase,
but more costly to maintain (ink cartridges are pricey!). High quality color graphics and
photo printing are available. Inkjet printers are often a good choice for home use. Print
speeds are moderate, and color photo printing options are an advantage. Inexpensive
printers that include a scanner/copier are also available.
Laser Printer
On a laser printer, the image is produced by scanning a laser beam across an electronically
charged drum. Toner, or ink, having an opposite charge and stuck to the drum, is then
transferred to the paper by pressure and heat. High quality graphics and multiple font
printing are readily available. Laser printers tend to be more expensive to purchase and
relatively expensive to maintain. These are the best choice for high speed and large volume
printing. Color laser printers are also available and in more common use again, these
tend to be costly.
Printer supplies (paper, ink cartridges, toner, etc) are often considered to be a part of
a data management budget. Keep this in mind!
Some commonly used printing terms:
Buffer Size refers to the size of the storage device inside the printer. The buffer
stores a portion of the document prior to printing.
PPM (pages per minute) describes print speed for inkjet or laser
printers (8-12 is good).
PCL stands for "printer control language". Developed by Hewlett-Packard, it is a set
of fonts and layout instructions.
Postscript is a set of fonts and layout instructions originally defined for MacIntosh
computers only.
Computers and printers communicate using a set of codes (see section 2.5). When you
purchase a new printer and first attach it to your machine you may need an accompanying
disk to load information on the printer so that it is available to your software programs.
Printers require PRINT DRIVERs. A PRINT DRIVER consists of a program that recodes
output from the Software Program to suitable patterns of dots on the paper. Print drivers are
written by the software manufacturers (not Printer manufacturers), since the software
manufacturers determine the coding table for the output. You typically need to select a
default printer to use with WORD and other software this sets up the correct print drivers.

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1.7

2.3.1 Scanners
Scanners have become an important method of transferring printed information into digital
format in recent years. Scanner technology has been improving rapidly and systems are
available everywhere and used in many ways. The basic principle of a scanner is to
analyze an image and process it in some way. Scanning of images and text (using Optical
Character Recognition or OCR) allow you to save information to a file on your computer.
You can then alter or enhance the image, or edit text, and incorporate it into a document or
print it out.
Types of Scanners:

Flatbed scanners, also called desktop scanners, are the most versatile and
commonly used home scanners.

Sheet-fed scanners are similar to flatbed scanners except the document is moved
and the scan head is immobile. This model is useful in situations with large volumes
of pages to be scanned.

Handheld scanners rely on the user to move them instead of a motorized belt. This
type of scanner typically does not provide good image quality. However, it can be
useful for quickly capturing text. These are most commonly seen for scanning bar
codes, and can be useful in research studies for processing of samples.

Drum scanners are used to capture incredibly detailed images, and are most
commonly used in the publishing industry.

Quality of scanned images and text depends upon a combination of factors:

Sharpness is a function of the quality of the optics used to make the lens and the
brightness of the light source.

Resolution is defined by the number of dots per inch (dpi). The scanner's dpi is
determined by the number of sensors in a single row (x-direction sampling rate) by
the precision of the stepper motor (y-direction sampling rate).

Software is then used to enhance images. Interpolation is a software process used

to increase the perceived resolution of an image. Extra pixels are created in between
the ones actually scanned. These extra pixels are an average of the adjacent pixels.

Once a document is scanned, you need software on your computer, called a driver, that
knows how to communicate with the scanner analogous to printer drivers. Most scanners
speak a common language, TWAIN, that can be interpreted by standard image editing
software packages. In addition to the driver, most scanners come with other a scanning
utility and some type of image editing application. Many scanners include Optical Character
Recognition (OCR) software. OCR allows you to scan in words from a document and
convert them into computer-based text. It uses an averaging process to determine what the
shape of a character is and match it to the correct letter or number. This is a tremendous
aid in scan data entry systems, which we will be discussing later in the course, though there
are issues in recognition of handwritten characters which must be accounted for.

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1.8

2.4 Bits and Bytes How the Computer Stores Information

The mechanics of computer function is an enormous number of "on/off" switches. In
actuality, computers know only ons and offs.
A single "on/off" switch is called a bit. The term bit comes from binary digit.
The digit 1 is assigned to on, the digit 0 is assigned to off.
Bits can be combined to obtain representations for numbers, letters, and special characters.

Base 10 Number
0
1
1
2=2
3
2
4=2
5
6
7
3
8=2
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
4
16=2
...
255

Base 2 Number
0
1
10
11
100
101
110
111
1000
1001
1010
1011
1100
1101
1110
1111
10000

11111111

(1 bit)
(2 bits)
(3 bits)

(4 bits)

(5 bits)
(8 bits = 1 byte)

A byte is a combination of 8 bits. There are 28 = 256 combinations of 8 bits, or 256

characters that can be represented by 1 byte.

2.5 ASCII, Unicode and Hexadecimal Codes

ASCII stands for American Standard Codes for Information Interchange. The ASCII codes
correspond to assignments of characters or icons (letters, number and symbols) to the 256
switch settings in a byte (8-bits). The ASCII code number is the decimal equivalent of the
binary code used for the eight switch settings. ASCII code derives from bits and bytes.
Bit

Binary digit
A bit is the smallest unit of information an on/off switch.
Recall - we use 1 to mean on and 0 to mean off.

Byte

A set of 8 bits.
A byte is the basic unit of information for microcomputers.

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1.9

The number of possible values for a byte = (2)(2)(2)(2)(2)(2)(2)(2) = 28 = 256.

The 256 values are assigned to represent letters, numbers, and characters.
It is useful to know that some ASCII codes do not have standard assignments. Although
there are 256 distinct ASCII codes, there are not an equivalent number of standard
character or icon assignments from the keyboard. Software programs may assign some or
all of these codes to specific icons or functions that differ from assignment in other software
packages. Data or text saved in one program must then be translated, or exported/imported
from one software package to another, to ensure proper translation of these codes.
ASCII codes translate the 256 numbers 0 to 255 to a standard set of symbols. The
translation depends on the language you are using. The first 128 codes (0-127) are the
standard ASCII codes. The next 128 codes (from 128-255) are called the Extended
Standard ASCII codes.

Examples of ASCII Code Assignments:

Byte representation
01000001
01011010
01100010
01111010
00110000
00110001
00110010
00111001
00001100
00011001

ASCII Code
065
090
097
122
048
049
050
057
012
027

Assigned Character
A
Z
a
z
0
1
2
9
(page break)
(end of file)

Each ASCII code has its own byte representation; i.e., its own set of eight 0/1 bit switch
settings.
You can enter ASCII codes to get special symbols in your text in some software programs
by setting the NumLock on your keyboard to on, holding down the ALT key while typing
the associated code on the number pad:

ALT <ASCII #>

For example, with Numlock on typing ALT-065 will result in A appearing; while ALT-012
will move you to a new page.

Unicode
The most common coding system in current use is Unicode. Unicode is a newer coding
scheme, also derived from assigning sets of bytes to letters, numbers and other characters.
It is an international standard which has a goal of providing the means to encode the text of
every document people want to store in computers. This includes all scripts in active use
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1.10

today, including many scripts known only by scholars, and symbols which are used in
mathematics, linguistics and other specialized fields. The creation of Unicode is an
ambitious project to replace existing character sets, many of which are too small in size and
problematic in multilingual environments. Despite technical problems and limitations and
criticism on process, today Unicode is considered the most complete character set and one
of the largest, and has become the dominant encoding scheme in internationalization of
software and multilingual environments. Many recent standards such as XML, as well as
system software such as operating systems, have adopted Unicode as an underlying
scheme to represent text.
Tables translating between different coding schemes can be easily found on the web. A list
of scripts available can be found at http://unicode.org/charts/ .
If you look at the CHARACTER MAP on your computer you can see the Unicode code for
special symbols:

Systems Tools


Character Map):
(Start


Programs


Accessories

Select font, including
specialized symbol
fonts.

Unicode for the

selected character.
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1.11

You can use the character map to select, copy and paste special characters into text,
as needed. Note that the character map will vary slightly with different versions of
Windows.
The character map is one way to include special characters in your text, in some software
programs. Other programs offer their own set of special symbols.
For example, within MS Word, special symbols can be added directly to your text from the
Insert menu:

Insert
Symbol
Select font,
including specialized
symbol fonts.

Note the convenient

recently used symbols
feature.

Unicode values are written in hexadeximal code. Hexadecimal codes are written in Base
16. A set of 4 binary switches (bits) forms one hexadecimal number. Unicode values are
written as 4 digit values, or requiring 4x4=16 bits, or the equivalent of 2 bytes for each
letter or symbol. As base 10 numbers require 10 distinct characters (0, 9), Base 16
requires 16 characters. We add A F to represent values of eleven through fifteen.
Examples of binary, decimal, and hexadecimal code are given below.

Examples of Binary, Decimal, and Hexadecimal Codes

Binary Code
00000000
00000011
00000101
10000000
10101000
11111111

Decimal Equivalent
0
3
5
128
168
255

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Hexadecimal Codes
0000
0003
0005
0080
00A8
00FF

1.12

2.6 Computer Storage Terminology

We consider next how units of bits and bytes of information are used to define storage
space on a computer.
One bit represents one "0/1" switch.
One byte represents 23 bits = 8 bits.
After that, we increment bytes by powers of 10.
One Kilobyte (KB)
One Megabyte (MB) =

One Gigabyte (GB)

=
210 Bytes
= 1024 Bytes
=
213 Bits
= 8192 Bits
210 Kilobytes = 1024 Kilobytes
=
220 Bytes
= 1048576 Bytes
=
223 Bits
= 8388608 Bits
=
=
=
=

210 Megabytes
220 Kilobytes
230 Bytes
233 Bits

= 1024 Megabytes
= 1048576 Kilobytes
= 1073741824 Bytes
= 8589934592 Bits

The amount of storage space available on a disk is usually described in terms of bits, bytes,
KB, MB, or GB.

2.7 RAM, ROM, and Read/Write Storage

A major component of the microcomputer is the storage device(s). All microcomputers have
systems for getting data into the computer, saving information on the computer, and getting
data back out of the computer. Data are stored on disks that may be removable or fixed in
the computer.
There are different kinds of storage:
(1) Random Access Memory
(2) Read Only Memory
(3) Read/Write storage:

(RAM)
(ROM)
Hard Disk, Floppy Disk, CD, DVD, Zip disk, plug-in
drives

Random Access Memory (RAM) is a major component of personal computers. RAM is the
fastest storage device, and is accessed at the speed of the microprocessor. Most software
has a minimum RAM requirement.
Random Access Memory can be installed on the motherboard (the motherboard is the
CPU), or installed in expansion slots in a computer.

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1.13

Special software is needed to access RAM. WINDOWS serves this purpose, allowing
access to as much RAM as is available. Most WINDOWS programs require 16 or more MB
of RAM. SAS 9.x recommends minimally 32 MB of RAM for operation. WINDOWS XP
suggests that it be operated with at least 128 MB of RAM and 1.5 GB of hard drive space
and a computer speed of minimally 300 MHz.
To check on your system:

Start
Settings
Control Panel
Performance and

Maintenance
System

Physically, RAM is a chip installed on a circuit board inside the computer box. You can
purchase additional RAM for your computer if required for newer software you are using, or
to improve operating speed and multi-tasking.
A major limitation of RAM is that it is temporary. When the computer is turned off, the
information stored in RAM is lost.
Every time you run an application (e.g., MSWord or SAS), the CPU uses RAM for retrieval
and storage of information as the application is running. This is efficient because RAM is
accessed at a high clock speed, usually close to the same clock speed as the CPU.
However, until you hit SAVE, any work that is only current in RAM will be lost if you lose
power or have some other glitch or malfunction.
Consider using the autosave feature of your software programs, so that you are at less risk
of losing your work. An autosave feature automatically saves current work in a temporary
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1.14

file at regular intervals, which can be recovered after a power loss. You can set the
frequency with which automatic saves occur:

Example using the autosave feature in MS Word 2010

File
Options
Save

You will find an option

to set the frequency of
auto saves, under:
Save AutoRecovery
info every:

Too frequent auto saves can interfere with smooth workflow, but too infrequent (e.g., set at 1
hour) can mean drastic loss of work. When you do lose power or a program shuts down on
you, as you restart the software application, the auto-saved version of the file with most of
your recent work can be accessed.

2.8 The Hard Drive

In contrast to RAM, information can be stored permanently on a hard disk.
Physically, a hard disk is a magnetic medium and can be either:




a device inside the computer box (most common)

a card in an expansion slot
an external device

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1.15

The amount of information that can be stored on a hard disk has increased substantially
over time:
Machine (Year)
80286 (1982)
80486 (1990)
P5
(1995)
Current PCs

Storage Capacity of Hard Drive

10-20 MB
200-540 MB
Gigabyte+
Many many GB

Note that I say permanently in quotes disks can be broken or destroyed; data can be
destroyed or rendered inaccessible by viruses or worms; additionally magnetic storage
may deteriorate over time.

Use My Computer

To look at total, used and free

storage on your local hard drive.
(Right-click on C: and select
Properties from the menu).
This computer has 74.4 GB total
storage for software and other
files.

2.9 CDs, Diskettes, and Zip Disks

CD-ROM stands for "Compact Disk-Read Only Memory. CD-ROM is a storage medium
based on laser technology. The storage capacity is large, on the order of one or more
gigabytes. Read only means that the hardware to write, or save, to a CD is not included. It
is not possible to write to a CD without special hardware, a CD writer, popularly known as a
CD burner.
CD-R/W stands for Compact Disk-Read/Write. However, once you have written to a CD, it
cannot be erased and overwritten like a diskette, unless you buy CDs designed for rewriting. Even re-writable CDs are not designed for continual saving and overwriting

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1.16

as you are in the process of editing and updating files. They are more suited to saving
final copies of data files and reports, especially those you dont want re-edited.
DVD (Digital Video Display) drives are a common option on computers. They are commonly
read only drives, often in combination with a CD-R/W drive; DVD-R/W drives are also
available. More and more software, especially with complex graphics (particularly games) is
distributed on DVD.
Other removable storage devices are known as diskettes or floppy disks have been pretty
much phased out.
5- " Floppy Diskette (Pretty much phased out) An electronic medium storage
device. Reading from and writing to are both possible. Storage capacity 360K - 1.2
MB.
3.5" Diskette (Typically referred to as the a: drive) also pretty much phased out.
An electronic medium storage device. Reading from and writing to are both possible.
Storage capacity 720K - 1.44 MB. Less easily damaged than 5.25" floppy diskette.
Zip Disks 100 or 250 MB ZIP disks, designed for use in 100 or 250 MB ZIP drives,
which can be an external drive, or part of the box. Note that the device size (100 or
250 MB) and disk size (100 or 250 MB) must be compatible.
Other Options
Compact Flash (USB drives), memory sticks and other compact media (e.g., micro
SD cards) are increasing versatile and vary in capacity. They are very useful to have
and can fit in your wallet or on a keychain. These attach through USB or special
drives. Prices vary with the capacity (amount of storage space); you can get a
relatively inexpensive one that can hold a lot of data.
Infra-red communication and wireless interfaces are increasingly valuable and
available.
(Tip: I recommend using USB flash drives you can fit most of your coursework on
a single, inexpensive flash drive, and back-up your work to the U: drive.)

Access Time is the time required by the CPU of the computer to access one byte of
information on a device. It is good to have fast access time. The access time is measured
in milliseconds.




Early machines (e.g., 80286) had access times of 88 msec.

Today, hard disk drives have access times of 14 msec or less.
In general, the higher the storage device, the faster the access time.

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1.17

2.10 Modem and Ethernet

"Modem" is shorthand for Modulate and Demodulate. It enables two computers to
exchange data over standard telephone lines. Use of a modem requires communications
software, which performs several functions, among them:




Dialing and redialing

Logging on (connecting) to system being called
Transmission of information.

The transmission speed of a modem is expressed as the baud rate. Baud rate = # bits
that can be transferred in 1 second. The standard for a good, high-speed modem is 56K.
An Ethernet connection is a cable connection to a system, rather than a phone line.
MIPS = Million Instructions per Second. Ethernet wiring connection through a hardwire
or cable system, transmits at 10 MIPS. The backbone fiber optics network at UMASS
transmits at 100 MIPS.
Wireless connection is increasingly available, and requires the appropriate card in your
computer, as well as working within a wireless environment. Many buildings and areas on
campus have been established as wireless zones, which means that if your laptop has the
capability, you can establish an internet connection when in those areas. Check on the OIT
website for wireless zones on campus.

2.11 Ports and Cables

Port. A port is a physical location through which the computer exchanges information with
an external device (e.g., printer or modem).
A port has an address so that the computer knows where to send or receive information.
There are three types of ports and associated cables: parallel and serial ports, and USB
ports.
1. Parallel
 8 bits are simultaneously transmitted over 8 wires (or transmitted in parallel).
 Most commonly used for printers.
 Also commonly used for external disk drives.
2. Serial
 Each bit is transmitted one after the other (in serial) over a single wire.
 Most commonly used for modems.

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3. USB Universal Serial Bus Port

 Currently most common method of attaching peripheral hardware; these are
the standard method for most current laptop computers, and increasingly on
newer desktop computers, also.


Ports are typically available on rear and front (for easy access) of box, as well
as on the side of monitors.

USB supplies power to the peripherals, reducing the need for additional
power sources.

Full speed devices communicate with the PC at 12Mbps. Mice and keyboards
etc. can communicate at a lower 1.5Mbps rate.

PlugNPlay - The PC recognizes each device that is plugged in and loads the
appropriate driver. If it's a new device for which it has no driver, and doesn't
run with a generic driver, it prompts for a driver to be loaded.

No confusing special cables required for USB connections no null modem

cables, handshaking lines to mess with etc.

Supports 4 different data transfer types:- Isochronous, Control, Interrupt, Bulk

Attaching Peripheral Hardware

When you first attach new hardware (a modem, printer, disk drive, ) to your computer, you
need to set up the communications systems for the new hardware component. While much
of this has been automated a disk which steps you through the process is typically
included with new hardware you are occasionally asked to make choices, and unless you
are using a USB port, you will need to know which port you are using.
When you attach hardware to a serial or parallel port, or hook-up your computer cable or
modem connection, you typically need to restart the computer until you restart, the
newly attached component is not recognized or not found. However hardware that can be
attached through a USB port does not require restarting the computer; it will be recognized
without a reboot. Note that it is recommended that you take time to Safely Remove
Hardware that is connected through a USB port, before switching to another piece of
equipment on the USB drive. There is a chance for lost or non-readable files; or your
computer may not appropriately recognize another drive or piece of hardware that you
subsequently attach to that port.

2.12 Care of Computers, Storage Devices, and Printers

Micro computer and storage disks (both hard disks and floppy disks) will perform better,
require less maintenance, and last longer if several simple rules are followed.


First, computers must be kept clean. This means insisting on no food or drink
near the computer, and regular cleaning of dust and debris.

Second, computers should be kept at moderate temperature (between 45 and

85 degrees F). High or low temperatures may damage motherboard memory and
disk drive memory.

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Third, computers and disks must be kept clear of static. Since information is
stored via magnetic fields, static electricity can destroy stored information. Similarly,
static electricity can destroy RAM prior to installation in a computer. Computer
memory, when shipped, comes packed in static proof wrap. Special care and
grounding will minimize the chance that memory will be destroyed during installation.
Low static carpeting may be a good investment.
Finally, all computers should be connected to surge protectors. The surge
protector will prevent voltage surges from damaging the system.

3. Software
3.1 Disk Operating System
The CPU, storage devices, and other devices in a personal computer communicate with
each other via an operating system. Examples of IBM compatible operating systems
include UNIX, DOS, and OS2.
The DOS operating system was basic for most IBM compatible computers. In the past, as
recently as 1996, learning DOS commands to manage files and access to application
software was important.
Originally, WINDOWS functioned as a layer above the disk operating system, though in
new versions Windows serves as the operating system.

3.2 Windows
Windows is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) a more intuitive way to interact with a
computer. Instead of typing a command in DOS, tasks can be performed in an intuitive,
visual manner via point and click, with the help of a mouse or other input device.
Tasks such as copying a file from one disk to another can be accomplished by dragging an
icon representing the file from the icon representing one disk to the icon of another.
A GUI acts as a translator allowing the user and the computer to communicate with each
other in a way that is easy for both to understand.

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3.3 The Mouse

The mouse is a pointing and selecting device. It plays a major role in a graphical user
interface. Everything that can be done with the mouse can also be done with the keyboard,
although this defeats the purpose of the GUI.

Common terms used with mouse directions:

Point:

placing the cursor (arrow) on top of a screen object by moving the

mouse.

Click:

pointing at an object and quickly clicking/pressing the (left) mouse

button; then letting go.

Double Click:

pointing at an object and (left) clicking twice rapidly.

Drag:

pointing at an object pressing and holding down the mouse button;

moving the mouse to drag the object and releasing the button
when the object is in a new place.

Select:

pulling down a menu by clicking on the menu name; moving the

pointer down to the command you want and then releasing.

Rollover:

Move the pointer over an object without clicking. This allows

rollover text if available, which describes the function of the object
or give additional information, to appear.

Most current models of the PC mouse have left and right buttons. Different menus become
available if you left-click or right-click on a file or pull-down menu. The user has options
to set which menu appears with a left or right click, as well as the appearance of the pointer
on the screen, the speed of scrolling, etc.
The cursor typically takes the shape of an arrow when you use it to point and click, and an
hourglass to indicate a program is loading or operating. The cursor returns to an arrow
when you can take the next step. Again, the user has the option of resetting the shape of
the mouse pointer.
Mouse properties, including speed of action, type of movement and screen appearance can
be reset using:

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Start
Control Panel
Appearance and Themes and selecting

Mouse Properties.

Everything that can be done with the mouse can also be done with
the keyboard.
For example, while there are many ways to select text, cut, copy and paste using the
mouse, these can also be accomplished with keyboard strokes. A few of the more useful
ones to know are:
Function
Select all
Cut
Copy
Paste

Keyboard Strokes
Ctrl-A (this means hold Ctrl Key and tap the A)
Ctrl-X
Ctrl-C
Ctrl-V

If you are ever having trouble copying/pasting between different software applications (e.g.,
from a webpage to a word processor), try using keyboard strokes in place of menu choices
and mouse actions.
Excessive mouse use can cause fatigue and repetitive strain injury and it is valuable to learn
to do some frequently performed tasks on the keyboard. Some examples are copy, cut,
paste, select all, as shown above. Other common actions include use of
ctrl <S> or F10 to save
F12 to save as etc.
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Within a software program you can often customize these commands by creating MACROS,
or programs to assign functions to keyboard strokes.
Many operations are faster and sometimes more precise with the keyboard than with a
mouse. You can also use mouse actions and keyboard controls together some examples:

Selecting a section of a document to copy can be done with the Shift key and the
mouse. Use the mouse to position the cursor at the start of the section you wish to
copy. Hold down the shift key, and use the mouse to move the cursor to the point in
the document that marks the end of the section you wish to copy and click on it.

Select columns of text to cut or copy by positioning the cursor at the start of the
columns to be selected; holding down the Alt key, and dragging the mouse over the
section of text you wish to select. This is particularly useful when editing computer
output into Word documents.

Special electronic pads and pens are available for those with wrist or other problems
making a mouse difficult to use; in addition voice recognition systems are in use and further
development to give commands and enter information orally.

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3.4 The Anatomy of a Window

Windows uses a desktop metaphor:

Computer Screen == Electronic Desktop

Graphical objects on the screen are like objects on your desk they can be moved
around to get something out of the way, or they can be covered up by a file you are
currently working on.
Keeping the desktop metaphor in mind will help make the concepts and techniques
about using windows easier to grasp. Just as you shift papers around on your desk,
cover papers allowing only the important parts to show, stack papers on top of one
another and file papers, etc. all this can be accomplished with different windows and
information within them.
Each application program on your computer can run its own window or, more commonly,
its own set of windows. Each window operates in a similar manner, although the tasks
performed may be very different.

Title Bar

Menu
Bar

Minimize
Button

Maximize
Button
Close Button

Vertical
Scroll Bar
Workspace

Horizontal Scroll Bar

Window Corner

While the type of window seen at any given time depends upon the individual
application in use many of these features are common to all windows.

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Title Bar at the top of the window, this shows the name of the program and
type of window or software.
o This is highlighted in color (usually in blue with white text) when
the window is active.
o The title bar appears in gray (or a gray-blue) when the window is inactive
when another document or program window is currently in front, and
active.

Menu Bar the horizontal bar below the title bar listing the available categories
of commands or actions which can be performed in this window.

Scroll Bars vertical and horizontal bars along the right hand and bottom edge
of a window: buttons on the scroll bar move you quickly through a window.

Minimize Button The leftmost of 3 boxes in the upper right-hand corner of a

window. The Minimize button effectively hides the window the window appears
only on the task bar at the bottom of the screen when minimized. Note this does
not close the window the program and/or document are still open and held in
active memory, just folded up, out of the way.

Maximize/Restore Button the middle of the 3 buttons in the upper right-hand

corner of a window. This shifts between maximizing a window (filling the whole
screen) and shrinking the window to fill only part of the screen so that other open
windows or the desktop may be viewed.

Close Button the button with the X used to close a window. This actually
closes the document and/or application program, and removes it from active
memory (from RAM).

Window Corner can be used to resize/reshape a window by dragging to the

desired size/shape.

The TASKBAR at the bottom of the screen indicates which windows are currently open.
The highlighted window is currently active.

At the left of the

taskbar the
Start button can
be used to
access all the
software.

Software and files that are

currently open in RAM (active
memory) show on the taskbar.
You can switch between active
windows by clicking on the item
you wish to have active in the
taskbar.

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At the right-hand side of the

taskbar, icons for features
running in the background are
displayed. These vary with
your computer setup. Typically
if you roll the cursor over the
icon, information about its
function will appear.

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3.5 Managing Files in Windows

Two key programs for file management are available with windows:

(1)
(2)

My Computer
The Windows Explorer.

Each of these programs gives a picture of the files documents, data and program files that
are stored on the various computer disks. You have a choice of VIEWS or ways of
displaying the information, using large or small icons, with or without details.
Either program can be used to copy, move, delete and open programs and documents.
My Computer looks at a particular location on the computer and displays all the folders and
files.
Windows Explorer provides, in addition, a tree diagram structure to indicate the storage
relationships among files and folders.
Windows HELP and Support can be accessed from the Start Menu on the Task Bar. It
provides a tutorial with exercises for practice on use of Windows as well as help on specified
tasks, such as copying and moving files, and creating shortcuts to programs and files.
TIP - You can learn to use both My Computer and Windows Explorer through the HELP
tutorials. I suggest you pick one or the other and get comfortable with it.

My Computer:
Views button

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In this example of My Computer, the disks and folders are displayed as large
icons. You can switch the type of display using the VIEWS button on the menu
bar.
By right-clicking on a drive and selecting Properties you get the following:

This screen allows you to:

label or name your disk
look at the amount of free
and used space on the
disk
perform disk clean-up.

Take advantage of the feature that allows you to name a disk or flash drive. This name will
appear next to the drive designation in My Computer or the Windows Explorer a great
advantage when you leave your flash drive in the computer lab!

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The Windows Explorer:

The left-hand side of the explorer

window displays a tree-diagram of
the disk drives, with folders
displayed.
Clicking on the + beside a folder or
disk drive will display all subfolders.
An open folder
on the left
indicates the folder whose contents
are displayed on the right-hand side
of the screen.

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The right-hand side of the explorer lists the

files and sub-folders in the selected
drive\directory.
In this example, the VIEW has been set on
Details. A small icon to represent the file
application type is followed by the full file name.
The file size, type and date/time saved are also
listed.
By clicking a column heading bar (Name, Size,
Type or Modified) you can sort the file listing
alphabetically (Name), by Size, by type of file, or
by date/time last saved. A second click
reverses the order. This feature makes it easy
to find files!

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3.6 Some General Tips for Working on a PC

Naming Files
Filenames have 2 levels in DOS and Windows, separated by a dot (.) or period.

The first level before the dot can be a long descriptive title including most of the
keyboard characters (exceptions include / * ? > < and perhaps others).

The 3+ letter extension after the dot is determined by the file type. For
example MS Word files all have the extension .doc, while MS Excel files use the
extension .xls and text files have the extension .txt.

Each software package has one or more extensions used to indicate the type of file.

The type of file is also indicated by the icon. For example:

is used for Word files,

for Excel, and

for text files.

Other icons and extensions are used for other software packages, many packages having
different icons for each type of file the package recognizes. These icons are recognized
by the computer once that software is installed on your machine. On rare occasion
you will have a conflict 2 software packages use the same extension with different
meaning. Youll have to choose a default.
Be careful when you rename a file; do NOT change the file extension (the part of the
name after the dot). If you rename a file and change the extension, then the software
package will not recognize the file type, and you will not be able to access the file properly.
If the 3 letter extension does not show in My Computer or the Windows Explorer, its a
good idea to turn this on:

Tools
Folder Options and selecting the View tab:

Uncheck
Hide extensions for known file types
to make sure that extensions are visible.
I recommend having this Apply to All
Folders by clicking the appropriate button.

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The first part of a file name is up to you, as the user. I recommend keeping it short and
simple. Occasionally part of a long name is lost when you send a file as an email
attachment it depends on both your email system and the recipients system. This was a
greater problem a few years ago, but you may still run into it.

Take care when naming files that you will be posting to the Web:

Web file names are CASE SENSITIVE (UPPER vs. lower case). While capitalization
is ignored in filenames in Windows, UPPER and lower case letters are read as
different characters in Web-file names.
This means that CASE and Case and case would all be read as different file
names in a web environment; on a PC they are equivalent.

In naming files to be posted on the web, use only letters, numbers, the
underscore (_), and NO SPACES. Once a space is encountered in a name on a
file posted to the web, the rest of the name is lost (so use an underscore in place of a
space). For example in place of Personal Page.html which contains a space
(allowed in Windows!) use the name Personal_Page.html when creating a
personal webpage.

Deleting Files
When you delete files or folders from the hard drive (by dragging to the Recycle Bin or
using the delete button on the keyboard or on a menu), the file (all the bits of info) is not
deleted from the disk, but information on its physical location is moved to the Recycle
Bin. This gives you the chance to retrieve the file if you have deleted it in error. Until you
empty the recycle bin, files are retrievable simply click to open the recycle bin and drag the
file icon back to another location. Note: files deleted from a removable disk, USB drive
or network drive are deleted from the list of files, and location information is NOT
moved to the recycle bin and therefore these files are not readily retrievable.
However, even when a file has been deleted and the recycle bin emptied, it may still be
retrievable. Deleting a file merely removes its name from the directory, and indicates
that the space is available for re-use, but the information is still stored on disk until it
is over-written by another file. Programs such as Norton Utilities can be used to recover
deleted files, as long as new files havent overwritten the old files.
This is both good and bad news:


Good news for the day you make that awful mistake and delete something important
you may be able to find and retrieve it;

Bad news when you think you have deleted confidential information from a
computer. You must take some other action, such as reformatting an empty disk, or
cleaning up a hard disk, so deleted data is no longer accessible, even by
specialized software.

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Opening Application Programs and Files

Application programs can be opened by using the Start Menu, e.g.,
Start
Programs
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Word 2010
This opens the program to a blank document or empty file. You can then open a stored file
from within the software package from the File menu or a toolbar icon, or create a new file.
An alternative way to open both a particular file and a software application simultaneously is
to double click on a previously saved file in either Windows Explorer or My Computer.
Additional files can be opened from within the software package using the menu or toolbar
options; or additional files can be opened from the Windows Explorer or My Computer.

File Management
It is always a good idea to have some organized structure to storing files, otherwise you can
end up with endless lists of files to look through to find the one you want.
You can and should create FOLDERS on your disks, analogous to file folders for
storing actual papers that you are filing. Depending upon the scope of your project you may
want to organize folders by file type, date, user, or topic and various combinations of the
above.
While you are allowed by the system to give folders and files long, descriptive multi-word
titles in Windows, it is a good idea to be brief. Some applications have limits internally to file
name lengths, so part of a name can get lost.
If you will be sharing a file with other users, think about using a name that clearly
identifies you and/or the project. E.g., rather than a using name like draft1.doc a name
such as Pekow_691f_v1.doc is much more informative, and less likely to be overwritten
by another document with an identical name.

Shutting Down the Computer

Microcomputers should not be turned off without first shutting down the computer. This is
a process that closes down shared files and programs that are running in the background
before the computer is turned off. Failing to shut down will leave unnecessary temporary
files on your computer that can hamper effective operation over the long term. In addition, if
you fail to shut-down and simply turn off the power, the start-up will take longer when you
next turn on the machine, as the system works through a scan for disk errors.
It is a good idea to shut down your computer at least occasionally so that this cleanup of temporary files will take place.

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Virus Protection
A computer virus or worm is a file or segment of computer code that is designed to infect
files or systems by destroying required system files, copying endlessly and clogging up
systems or various other methods.
Virus protection software is particularly important in an environment where files are shared
through the web, email, and use of common computers in a lab. McAfee Virus protection
software is available to the UMass community once you have an OIT account. This is
distributed by CD when you obtain your account, or can be downloaded from the OIT
website.
PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE of the availability of the software, and update regularly.

4. The Internet and the World Wide Web

The Internet is the vast collection of inter-connected computer networks that use a
specified set of protocols for transmission known as the TCP/IP (Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol).
Any set of computers connected together form an internet, also known as a network. We
typically speak of a local area network (LAN) for a set of computers connected within a
company or organization. Such an intranet may also be connected to The Internet.
The World Wide Web is a system of Internet servers that support specially formatted
documents. A Web Server is a computer connected to the Internet that has a specified IP
(Internet Protocol) address, so that it can be located to provide documents via the Web.
Web documents are formatted in HyperText Markup Language (HTML). HTML is a
standardized language of computer code that lies behind all Web documents, containing the
text you see, images, links to other documents, as well as formatting instructions for display
on the screen. If you copy or save material from a web page, and try to edit it in a word
processing package such as MS Word, you might find strange things happening with
formats and spacing, and also find occasional unusual characters in the document. These
are remnants from the HTML coding. While Word has features that allow you to create an
HTML version of a document you are writing, there are specialized software packages
designed for creating and managing web pages and websites.
In addition to the World Wide Web, there are other systems using the Internet. Email is one
example of another type of connection made through the Internet that allows you to send
messages and files. Another example is FTP or File Transfer Protocols for moving files
from one computer to another without an email connection.
To connect your PC to the Internet, you need a either a modem (for a phone line
connection), an Ethernet card (for a cable connection), or wireless capability, along with
software to make the connection, an ISP (Internet Service Provider), and a web browser.
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A browser is a software program that lets you view web documents. Browsers translate
HTML-encoded files into the features (text, images, sound, motion) that you see on your
screen. Commonly used browsers are Netscape and MS Internet Explorer and Firefox.
Some ISPs (e.g., AOL) provide their own browser.

4.1 Browser Windows

Once you connect to the Web, and open your browser, you see a Window similar to the
Windows you usually work with.
Example Webpage Window:
Note icon in Title Bar
indicates an Internet
Explorer window.

Special Menu bars allow you

to navigate, or use other
special web features.

Address box indicates the

URL or web address of
the page you are viewing.

As you move the cursor (arrow) over a link the URL

appears in this lower left bar of the browser window.
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Each web page is a single document on the World Wide Web. This means it is an HTML
document stored on a web server, with an address. Every Web page address is identified
by a unique URL (Uniform Resource Locator). This provides the unique address of the web
page. You may type a URL into the address box and hit the enter key to access a page.
Or, more often, you will click on a Link provided in another web page. A link is a URL
imbedded in another document that allows you move directly to the new page.
A website is a set of interconnected web pages.

4.2 Uploading and Downloading Files

Each time you access a new page (identified by a new URL) this page must be read and
transferred to your local PC through your connection by phone line or cable or wireless
transmission. A web page can take from a fraction of a second to many, many minutes to
be read. Images or graphics tend to use many bytes and make pages load much more
slowly. The time of transfer depends upon both the size of the file, and the speed of your
connection. A cable connection seems instantaneous, while a slow modem (phone
connection) can seem interminable.
You will often want to download information from the web. This is the process of copying a
file or part of a file from an online server to your own computer. When you have
downloaded a file you have saved it, and made it available to use on your own computer,
without taking the time to connect to the web to locate and read the file again. You can also
edit and cut and paste from your saved file into reports or other documents you are creating.
You will also want to upload files to the web. This is the process of taking a file or part of a
file that you have stored on your own computer, and loading it onto a server or bulletin
board, so that it becomes available to other users of The Internet.

Using the UMass U: drive

Once you activate your UMass email account, in addition to email access you have space
available for use on a webserver for storing files, referred to as the U: drive.
Information for using this space is available at http://www.oit.umass.edu/udrive/index.html .
A few words of caution on use of the U: drive: Do not try to open files directly from the U:
drive, do not edit/save files while working from the U: drive. Errors related to brief loss of
connections can render files unusable; some file types (such as .mdb database files) are
not directly usable and will give you an error message. Always download files to your
local computer; work, edit, save then close the file and upload to the U: drive for
use at another time, another computer.

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