COMPUTER APPRECIATION
AND ITS APPLICATION
What is a computer
It is a little machine that follows very specific instructions
over and over
A computer cannot learn and, unless told to do so, won’t
respond to anything
Computers do very complex math, very quickly.
Computers can store a vast amount of information and
retrieve it at extraordinary speeds
It can record information about everything (given it has
sufficient storage capacity)
What have computers done for us?
Made the world incredibly smaller by facilitating communications
Advanced science and medical discovery more in 10 years than in
centuries of history
Designed cars, roads, cities, clothing e.t.c
Tested transportation long before the prototypes ever left their studios
Exploded our imaginations with color and virtual reality
Controlled our market-place and caused the “Black Monday” crash
Hinted that a passenger aircraft over Saudi Arabia was an enemy and
recommended firing on it.
Opened freedom of speech to areas all over the world via the internet
Abetted fraud, laundering and gambling
Components of a computer
Adapter: most of the time it refers to a card that plugs
into the motherboard adding special capabilities not
originally found on the computer. Other times it refers to
tools to convert one connector type to another
Cables: a thick wire that connects the computer to the
external device or power
Cache: an interface between the CPU and the memory
(RAM and ROM). It helps the CPU keep running even
though the RAM may be too slow. It does this by keeping
a copy of what the processor has read/written
Components of a computer
Card slot: the slots found on the PC motherboard may be
one of five types; ISA, EISA, MCA, VESA & PCI .. Slower
adapters (like I/O boards) can be ISA. But for the best
performance, use VESA or PCI for hard drives, CD-ROMs or
Video adapters
Cards: an option (adapter) which is a printed circuit board
that plugs into the motherboard
CD-ROM: a disk made of plastic and aluminum which can
store up to 650MB of data. Usually these disks cannot be
written to, instead they often are used to distribute
software from companies.
Components of a computer
CPU: it is the central processing unit. The “brain” of the
computer. It executes commands which, eventually, we see
as a response to our input. Without the CPU, the computer
is nothing.
Disk: a storage medium to keep data while the computer is
turned off.
DRAM: RAM that uses a device called a “capacitor” to
store each bit. The problem with this is the capacitor loses
the charge very quickly. Therefore, the DRAM has to be
“refreshed” to keep the data valid. This is thus far the
cheapest RAM.
Components of a computer
DVD: the next generation CD-ROM which will store 10-20
times the current capacity
Floppy: A disk that has flexible media (the actual material
onto which the data is recorded). The material and
flexibility is a lot like that of a cassette tape.
Glidepoint: A mouse-replacement that has a little pad
that you can use to move the mouse pointer. Simply glide
your finger over the surface and the pointer will move. To
“click”, tap the pad. To “double-click” double-tap the pad.
Components of a computer
Hard disk: A medium to store data for the computer
while the power is out. It uses a hard material (typically
aluminum).
Keyboard: A typewriter-like tool that has keys. Sends
letters or commands to the computer.
Micro-processor: a CPU that composes only one chip.
Some CPUs may actually be several square feet is size;
but, the microprocessor is designed to be 100% self-
contained in a single chip.
Components of a computer
Modem: A device that will let your computer talk to other
computers through the telephone line
Monitor: The CRT or display that shows the words,
graphics, e.t.c. to the user. It is a critical part of a user’s
interface
Motherboard: A printed circuit board that has (at least)
slots to connect cards into. Often, they also include a CPU
and memory
Mouse: an input device which has one to three buttons
and when you move it, it causes the arrow in a Windows
display to move
Components of a computer
Open architecture: the original computer companies hid
their secrets from competitors by keeping their
architecture closed (proprietary). IBM made the IBM PC
an open architecture, allowing anyone to make options
for it.
Parallel: A type of port which transmits and receives
several bits of data at a time (typically 8 bits). Typically
used to connect to printers.
Components of a computer
Ports: connectors (usually in the back of the computer)
which connect to external devices (e.g. mouse, keyboard
modem, printer, display, e.t.c.)
Power supply: A basic component in the computer that
converts the outlet power into power that the computer
can use.
Printer: An external device that takes commands and
data from the computer to place on paper. There are
several types of printers: daisy-wheel, matrix, laser,
thermal, inkjet and plotter
Components of a computer
RAM: “Random Access Memory”. A pool of storage for
the CPU. It can be written to/read from in any order
(unlike a VCR tape which is serial – you have to wind to
the place you want). There are several types of RAM:
SRAM, DRAM, EDO-RAM.
ROM: “Read Only Memory”. Memory that has imprinted
in it data and programs for the CPU which cannot be
erased or written to.
Components of a computer
Scanner: An external device that is able to optically read
in printed material – kind of like a copier, but it stores the
image on the computer instead
Serial: A type of port that transmits only one bit at a
time. In order to send a byte of data, the data has to be
“turned on its side” and send out bit by bit
SRAM: RAM that does not “lose its mind” if not
refreshed. This is typically used in caches. It tends to be
much more complicated than DRAM and thus much more
costly
Components of a computer
Surge protector: A device that will isolate your computer
from outlet power problems (spikes and noise).
Trackball: A mouse replacement that is a small box with a
ball in the center. You roll the ball in the direction you
want the pointer to go
TrackPoint: A mouse replacement with a little rubber
post between the “g” and “h” keys on some laptop
computers. Gently push the post in the direction you
want the mouse pointer to go.
Components of a computer
UPS: “Uninterruptable power supply”: This is a box that is
like a surge protector but will keep you going even if you
lose power. You can plug your computer into. If you have
a brown-or black-out, this unit will keep you running for 3
minutes to an hour (certainly enough time to save your
work and shutdown the computer).
The computers used today are many times more complex
than those from twenty years ago.
