Northern Philippines College for Maritime, Science and Technology

Lingsat, City of San Fernando, La Union

Syllabus
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
1st Semester SY: 2008 2009
Prerequisite: None
I.
II.
III.

Course Code: Comp 1

Course Title: Introduction to computer
Course Description:
This course is intended to provide students with computer literacy who are
beginning to learn and understand highly technical field o computers.
Provide students with basic concepts on program application such as Word
Processing, Spreadsheets, Slide Presentation and basic troubleshooting of computers.
The topics presented are primarily designed to equip the students with adequate
knowledge necessary to understanding and appreciation of computers as data
processing tools. It also helps the students to familiarize themselves in the proper use of
the computers and computer ergonomics as well as its programs and system application.
It also introduces students to binary systems and Logic gates.
It also provides ideas regarding effects of computers to health.

Vision:
We envision the Northern Philippines College for Maritime, Science and Technology to be
the center of education excellence in producing graduates whose skills and
competitiveness as at par with local and international standards.
V.
Mission:
Inspired by this vision we endeavor to hold out students to become quality professionals
and workers in this respective fields of specialization whose knowledge and skills, and
values will make them standout in the extremely competitive and local global market.
VI.
Course Objective:
At the end of the semester, the student should:
Design an effective solutions to problems
- Formulates solutions the effective way.
- Explain the different steps in Computer Programming.
VII.
Credit Units: 3 Units (3 hrs Lecture)
VIII. Course Contents:
IV.

Prelim
Definition of a Computer
Types of Computer
History of Computer
Parts of a computer
How computer works?
Uses of Computer
Advantages of computer
Disadvantages of a computer
Word Processing (Microsoft Word)

Midterm
Computer Ergonomics
Binary System
Word Processing (Microsoft Excel)
Finals
Logic gates
Effects of Computer to Health
Word Processing (Microsoft PowerPoint
IX. Instructional Methodologies
Lectures and Class Discussion
Reading and Written Assignment
X. Evaluation Techniques:
Paper & pencil test
Oral Participation
Student work products/ projects
XI. Course Requirements:
Prelim, Midterm, Final Exam
Quizzes, Seatwork
Assignments
Project
XII. References:
1. Design And Analysis of Algorithm, Mc Williams, 2002
2. Algorithm Complete, Tim Mckings, 2004
Prepared by:
Mr. Romeo E. Balcita
Instructor
Noted by:
Mrs. Marie Cris S. Almoite
Dean, College of Computer Education
Approved by:
Dr.Rogelio Espiritu
Vice President for Academic Affairs

Computer
The NASA Columbia Supercomputer
A computer is a machine that manipulates data
according to a list of instructions.
The ability to store and execute lists of instructions
called programs makes computers extremely
versatile and distinguishes them from calculators.

Personal computer
A personal computer (PC) is any computer whose original
sales price, size, and capabilities make it useful for individuals,
and which is intended to be operated directly by an end user,
with no intervening computer operator.
Today a PC may be a desktop computer, a laptop computer or a tablet computer. The
most common operating systems are Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux, while
the most common microprocessors are x86-compatible CPUs, ARM architecture CPUs
and PowerPC CPUs. Software applications for personal computers include word
processing, spreadsheets, databases, games, and a myriad of personal productivity and
special-purpose software. Modern personal computers often have high-speed or dial-up
connections to the Internet, allowing access to the World Wide Web and a wide range of
other resources.
A PC may be a home computer, or may be found in an office, often connected to a local
area network. The distinguishing characteristics are that the computer is primarily used,
interactively, by one person at a time. This is in contrast to the batch processing or timesharing models which allowed large expensive systems to be used by many people,
usually at the same time, or large data processing systems which required a full-time staff
to operate efficiently.

While early PC owners usually had to write their own programs to do anything useful
with the machines, today's users have access to a wide range of commercial and noncommercial software which is easily installed.
. History of Computer
The history of computers, beginning nearly 5000 years ago, is an interesting
combination of re-invention, research, and innovation.
In 3000 B.C., the abacus was invented in China and shortly thereafter came into wide
use around the world. This simple adding device is considered by some to be the first
precursor to computers, if not the real thing. Much later, in 1622 A.D., the slide rule was
invented by William Oughtred and another giant step was taken toward the information
age.
Charles Babbage, considered by many to be the "Father of the Computer," began
creating a device referred to as the "Difference Engine" in 1822. When funding was
pulled in 1842, Babbage designed, but was never able to build, the "Analytical Engine,"
a machine that shared many aspects of modern computers, including subroutines, an
input device, etc.).
Babbages failure to build the Analytical Engine did not, fortunately, lead to its demise
altogether. In 1930 scientists built the first Analytical Engine and seven years later Alan
Turing developed the idea of a machine that could execute algorithms. Development of
computers continued through the early and mid-1900s and in 1943 the U.S. Army funded
the development of ENIAC, the prototype for modern computers. MIT built the
"Whirlwind" for the U.S. Air Force in 1955 and invented RAM in the process.
Finally, in 1971, microchips and floppy disks came into existence and a fledgling
company called Intel developed the 4004, which was dubbed by them a "computer on a
chip." Ten years later, IBM debuted a machine referred to as a "PC" which used a DOS
operating system owned (but not developed) by Microsoft. 1984 found Apple Computers
developing the Graphical User Interface (GUI), a mainstay in modern computing and the
concept upon which Microsofts Windows operating system is based.
Computer development in the 21st century includes a 1 gigabyte processor and
machines that fit in the hand carrying out billions of commands per second.
As the age of the Internet and technology progress, the developments should be even
more impressive.

Types
Desktop Computer
Dell OptiPlex desktop computer
Prior to the wide spread of PCs a computer that could fit on
a desk was considered remarkably small. Today the phrase
usually indicates a particular style of computer case.
Desktop computers come in a variety of styles ranging
from large vertical tower cases to small form factor models
that can be tucked behind an LCD monitor. In this sense,
the term 'desktop' refers specifically to a horizontallyoriented case, usually intended to have the display screen
placed on top to save space on the desk top. Most modern desktop computers have
separate screens and keyboards.

Nettop
A subtype of desktops, called nettops, was introduced by Intel in February 2008 to
describe low-cost, lean-function, desktop computers. A similar subtype of laptops (or
notebooks) are the netbooks (see below).

Laptop
A modern mid-range HP Laptop.
A laptop computer or simply laptop, also called a notebook
computer or sometimes a notebook, is a small personal
computer designed for mobility. Usually all of the interface
hardware needed to operate the laptop, such as parallel and
serial ports, graphics card, sound channel, etc., are built in to a single unit. Most laptops
contain batteries to facilitate operation without a readily available electrical outlet. In the

interest of saving power, weight and space, they usually share RAM with the video
channel, slowing their performance compared to an equivalent desktop machine.
One main drawback of the laptop is that, due to the size and configuration of
components, relatively little can be done to upgrade the overall computer from its original
design. Some devices can be attached externally through ports (including via USB),
however internal upgrades are not recommended or in some cases impossible, making the
desktop PC more modular.
A subtype of notebooks, called subnotebooks, are computers with most of the features of
a standard laptop computer but smaller. They are larger than hand-held computers, and
usually run full versions of desktop/laptop operating systems. Ultra-Mobile PCs (UMPC)
are usually considered subnotebooks, or more specifically, subnotebook Tablet PCs (see
below). Netbooks are sometimes considered in this category, though they are sometimes
separated in a category of their own (see below).
Desktop replacements, meanwhile, are large laptops meant to replace a desktop computer
while keeping the mobility of a laptop.

Netbook
Black ASUS Eee PC in proportions comparison with tissues
Netbook PCs are small portable computers in a "clamshell"
design, that are designed specifically for wireless
communication and access to the Internet. They are generally
much lighter and cheaper than subnotebooks, and have a smaller display, between 7" and
9", with a screen resolution between 800x600 and 1024x768. The operating systems and
applications on them are usually specially modified so they can be comfortably used with
a smaller sized screen, and the OS is often based on Linux, although some Netbooks also
use Windows XP. Some Netbooks make use of their built in high speed Wireless
connectivity to offload some of their applications software to Internet servers, through the
principle of Cloud computing, as most Netbooks have small solid state storage systems
instead of hard-disks. Storage capacities are usually in the 4 to 16 GB range. One of the
first examples of such a system was the original EEE PC.

Tablet PC
HP Compaq tablet PC with
rotating/removable keyboard.
A tablet PC is a notebook or slate-shaped
mobile computer, first introduced by Pen
computing in the early 90s with their PenGo
Tablet Computer and popularized by Microsoft.
Its touchscreen or graphics tablet/screen hybrid
technology allows the user to operate the
computer with a stylus or digital pen, or a
fingertip, instead of a keyboard or mouse. The
form factor offers a more mobile way to interact with a computer. Tablet PCs are often
used where normal notebooks are impractical or unwieldy, or do not provide the needed
functionality.

Ultra-Mobile PC
Samsung Q1 Ultra-Mobile PC.
The ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) is a
specification for a small form factor
tablet PC. It was developed as a joint
development exercise by Microsoft,
Intel, and Samsung, among others.
Current UMPCs typically feature the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, Windows
Vista Home Premium Edition, or Linux operating system and low-voltage Intel Pentium
or VIA C7-M processors in the 1 GHz range.

Home Theater PC

Antec Fusion V2 home theater PC with keyboard on top.

A home theater PC (HTPC) is a convergence device that
combines the functions of a personal computer and a digital
video recorder. It is connected to a television or a televisionsized computer display and is often used as a digital photo, music, video player, TV
receiver and digital video recorder. Home theater PCs are also referred to as media center
systems or media servers. The general goal in a HTPC is usually to combine many or all
components of a home theater setup into one box. They can be purchased pre-configured
with the required hardware and software needed to add television programming to the
PC, or can be cobbled together out of discrete components as is commonly done with
Windows Media Center, GB-PVR, SageTV, Famulent or LinuxMCE.

Pocket PC
An O2 pocket PC
A pocket PC is a hardware specification for a handheld-sized
computer (personal digital assistant) that runs the Microsoft Windows
Mobile operating system. It may have the capability to run an
alternative operating system like NetBSD or Linux. It has many of the
capabilities of modern desktop PCs.
Currently there are tens of thousands of applications for handhelds adhering to the
Microsoft Pocket PC specification, many of which are freeware. Some of these devices
also include mobile phone features. Microsoft compliant Pocket PCs can also be used
with many other add-ons like GPS receivers, barcode readers, RFID readers, and
cameras. In 2007, with the release of Windows Mobile 6, Microsoft dropped the name
Pocket PC in favor of a new naming scheme. Devices without an integrated phone are
called Windows Mobile Classic instead of Pocket PC. Devices with an integrated phone

and a touch screen are called Windows Mobile Professional.

What are the different types of

computers?
TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images
An employee of NEC shows off its new desktop
computer 'Valuestar N' which takes up less space than an
A4 sized laptop.
There are a lot of terms used to describe computers. Most
of these words imply the size, expected use or capability
of the computer. While the term computer can apply to
virtually any device that has a microprocessor in it, most
people think of a computer as a device that receives input
from the user through a mouse or keyboard, processes it in some fashion and displays the
result on a screen.

PC - The personal computer (PC) defines a computer designed for general use by
a single person. While a Mac is a PC, most people relate the term with systems
that run the Windows operating system. PCs were first known as
microcomputers because they were a complete computer but built on a smaller
scale than the huge systems in use by most businesses.

Desktop - A PC that is not designed for portability. The expectation with desktop
systems are that you will set the computer up in a permanent location. Most
desktops offer more power, storage and versatility for less cost than their portable
brethren.

Laptop - Also called notebooks, laptops are portable computers that integrate the
display, keyboard, a pointing device or trackball, processor, memory and hard
drive all in a battery-operated package slightly larger than an average hardcover
book.

Palmtop - More commonly known as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs),

palmtops are tightly integrated computers that often use flash memory instead of a
hard drive for storage. These computers usually do not have keyboards but rely on
touchscreen technology for user input. Palmtops are typically smaller than a
paperback novel, very lightweight with a reasonable battery life. A slightly larger
and heavier version of the palmtop is the handheld computer.

Workstation - A desktop computer that has a more powerful processor, additional

memory and enhanced capabilities for performing a special group of task, such as
3D Graphics or game development.

Server - A computer that has been optimized to provide services to other

computers over a network. Servers usually have powerful processors, lots of
memory and large hard drives.

Mainframe - In the early days of computing, mainframes were huge computers

that could fill an entire room or even a whole floor! As the size of computers has
diminished while the power has increased, the term mainframe has fallen out of
use in favor of enterprise server. You'll still hear the term used, particularly in
large companies to describe the huge machines processing millions of transactions
every day.

Minicomputer - Another term rarely used anymore, minicomputers fall in

between microcomputers (PCs) and mainframes (enterprise servers).
Minicomputers are normally referred to as mid-range servers now.

Supercomputer - This type of computer usually costs hundreds of thousands or

even millions of dollars. Although some supercomputers are single computer
systems, most are comprised of multiple high performance computers working in
parallel as a single system. The best known supercomputers are built by Cray
Supercomputers.

Wearable - The latest trend in computing is wearable computers. Essentially,

common computer applications (e-mail, database, multimedia,
calendar/scheduler) are integrated into watches, cell phones, visors and even
clothing!

Hardware

An exploded view of a modern personal computer and peripherals:

1. Scanner
2. CPU (Microprocessor)
3. Primary storage (RAM)
4. Expansion cards (graphics cards, etc)
5. Power supply
6. Optical disc drive
7. Secondary storage (Hard disk)
8. Motherboard
9. Speakers
10. Monitor
11. System software
12. Application software
13. Keyboard
14. Mouse
15. External hard disk
16. Printer
A typical hardware setup of a desktop computer consists of:

computer case with power supply

central processing unit (processor)

motherboard

memory card

hard disk

video card

visual display unit (monitor)

optical disc (usually DVD-ROM or DVD Writer)

keyboard and pointing device

These components can usually be put together with little knowledge to build a computer.
The motherboard is a main part of a computer that connects all devices together. The
memory card(s), graphics card and processor are mounted directly onto the motherboard
(the processor in a socket and the memory and graphics cards in expansion slots). The
mass storage is connected to it with cables and can be installed in the computer case or in
a separate case. This is the same for the keyboard and mouse, except that they are
external and connect to the I/O panel on the back of the computer. The monitor is also
connected to the I/O panel, either through an onboard port on the motherboard, or a port
on the graphics card.
Several functions (implemented by chipsets) can be integrated into the motherboard,
typically USB and network, but also graphics and sound. Even if these are present, a
separate card can be added if what is available isn't sufficient. The graphics and sound
card can have a break out box to keep the analog parts away from the electromagnetic
radiation inside the computer case. For really large amounts of data, a tape drive can be
used or (extra) hard disks can be put together in an external case.
The hardware capabilities of personal computers can sometimes be extended by the
addition of expansion cards connected via an expansion bus. Some standard peripheral
buses often used for adding expansion cards in personal computers as of 2005 are PCI,
AGP (a high-speed PCI bus dedicated to graphics adapters), and PCI Express. Most
personal computers as of 2005 have multiple physical PCI expansion slots. Many also
include an AGP bus and expansion slot or a PCI Express bus and one or more expansion
slots, but few PCs contain both buses.

Computer case

A stripped ATX case lying on its side.

A computer case is the enclosure that contains
the main components of a computer. Cases are
usually constructed from steel, aluminium, or
plastic, although other materials such as wood,
plexiglas or fans[10] have also been used in
case designs. Cases can come in many
different sizes, or form factors. The size and shape of a computer case is usually
determined by the form factor of the motherboard that it is designed to accommodate,
since this is the largest and most central component of most computers. Consequently,
personal computer form factors typically specify only the internal dimensions and layout
of the case. Form factors for rack-mounted and blade servers may include precise
external dimensions as well, since these cases must themselves fit in specific enclosures.
Currently, the most popular form factor for desktop computers is ATX, although
microATX and small form factors have become very popular for a variety of uses.
Companies like Shuttle Inc. and AOpen have popularized small cases, for which
FlexATX is the most common motherboard size.

Central processing unit

AMD Athlon 64 CPU.

The central processing unit, or CPU, is that
part of a computer which executes software
program instructions. In older computers this circuitry was formerly on several printed
circuit boards, but in PCs is a single integrated circuit. Nearly all PCs contain a type of
CPU known as a microprocessor. The microprocessor often plugs into the motherboard

using one of many different types of sockets. IBM PC compatible computers use an x86compatible processor, usually made by Intel, AMD, VIA Technologies or Transmeta.
Apple Macintosh computers were initially built with the Motorola 680x0 family of
processors, then switched to the PowerPC series (a RISC architecture jointly developed
by Apple Computer, IBM and Motorola), but as of 2006, Apple switched again, this time
to x86-compatible processors by Intel. Modern CPUs are equipped with a fan attached
via heat sink.

Motherboard
Asus motherboard
The motherboard, also referred to as
systemboard or mainboard, is the primary
circuit board within a personal computer.
Many other components connect directly or
indirectly to the motherboard. Motherboards
usually contain one or more CPUs,
supporting circuitry - usually integrated
circuits (ICs) - providing the interface
between the CPU memory and input/output peripheral circuits, main memory, and
facilities for initial setup of the computer immediately after power-on (often called boot
firmware or, in IBM PC compatible computers, a BIOS). In many portable and embedded
personal computers, the motherboard houses nearly all of the PC's core components.
Often a motherboard will also contain one or more peripheral buses and physical
connectors for expansion purposes. Sometimes a secondary daughter board is connected
to the motherboard to provide further expandability or to satisfy space constraints.

Main memory

1GB DDR SDRAM 400 module

A PC's main memory is fast storage that is directly accessible by the CPU, and is used to
store the currently executing program and immediately needed data. PCs use
semiconductor random access memory (RAM) of various kinds such as DRAM or
SRAM as their primary storage. Which exact kind depends on cost/performance issues at
any particular time. Main memory is much faster than mass storage devices like hard
disks or optical discs, but is usually volatile, meaning it does not retain its contents
(instructions or data) in the absence of power, and is much more expensive for a given
capacity than is most mass storage. Main memory is generally not suitable for long-term
or archival data storage.

Hard disk
A Western Digital 250 GB hard disk
drive.
Mass storage devices store programs
and data even when the power is off;
they do require power to perform
read and write functions during
usage. Although semiconductor flash
memory has dropped in cost, the
prevailing form of mass storage in personal computers is still the electromechanical hard
disk.

The disk drives use a sealed head/disk assembly (HDA) which was first introduced by
IBM's "Winchester" disk system. The use of a sealed assembly allowed the use of
positive air pressure to drive out particles from the surface of the disk, which improves
reliability.
If the mass storage controller provides for expandability, a PC may also be upgraded by
the addition of extra hard disk or optical disc drives. For example, DVD-ROMs, CDROMs, and various optical disc recorders may all be added by the user to certain PCs.
Standard internal storage device interfaces are ATA, Serial ATA, SCSI, and CF+ type II in
2005.

Video card

ATI Radeon video card

The video card - otherwise
called a graphics card,
graphics adapter or video
adapter - processes and
renders the graphics output
from the computer to the
computer display, also called the visual display unit (VDU), and is an essential part of the
modern computer. On older models, and today on budget models, graphics circuitry
tended to be integrated with the motherboard but, for modern flexible machines, they are
supplied in PCI, AGP, or PCI Express format.
When the IBM PC was introduced, most existing business-oriented personal computers
used text-only display adapters and had no graphics capability. Home computers at that
time had graphics compatible with television signals, but with low resolution by modern
standards owing to the limited memory available to the eight-bit processors available at
the time.

Visual display unit

An LG flat-panel LCD monitor.
A visual display unit (also called monitor) is a piece
of electrical equipment, usually separate from the
computer case, which displays viewable images
generated by a computer without producing a
permanent record. The word "monitor" is used in
other contexts; in particular in television
broadcasting, where a television picture is displayed to a high standard. A computer
display device is usually either a cathode ray tube or some form of flat panel such as a
TFT LCD. The monitor comprises the display device, circuitry to generate a picture from
electronic signals sent by the computer, and an enclosure or case. Within the computer,
either as an integral part or a plugged-in interface, there is circuitry to convert internal
data to a format compatible with a monitor. The images from monitors originally
contained only text, but as Graphical user interfaces emerged and became common, they
began to display more images and multimedia content.

Keyboards
In computing, a keyboard is an arrangement of buttons that each correspond to a function,
letter, or number. They are the primary devices of inputing text. In most cases, they
contain an aray of keys specifically organized with the corresponding letters, numbers,
and functions printed or engraved on the button. They are generally designed around an
operators language, and many different versions for different languages exist. In English,
the most common layout is the QWERTY layout, which was originally used in
typewriters. They have evolved over time, and have been modified for use in computers
with the addition of function keys, number keys, arrow keys, and OS specific keys.
Often, specific functions can be achieved by pressing multiple keys at once or in
succession, such as inputing characters with accents or opening a task manager. Programs
use keyboard shotcuts very differently and all use different keyboard shortcuts for
different program specific operations, such as refreshing a web page in a web browser or
selecting all text in a word processor.

Pointing devices
Apple Mighty Mouse that detects the location of
your finger, when clicking, with Capacitive
sensors.
A Mouse on a computer is a small, slidable device
that users hold and slide around to point at, click,
and sometimes drag objects on screen in a
graphical user interface using a pointer on screen.
Almost all Personal Computers have mice. It may be plugged into a computer's rear
mouse socket, or as a USB device, or, more recently, may be connected wirelessly via a
USB antenna or Bluetooth antenna. In the past, they had a single button that users could
press down on the device to "click" on whatever the pointer on the screen was hovering
over. Now, however, many Mice have two or three buttons; a "right click" function button
on the mouse, which performs a secondary action on a selected object, and a scroll wheel,
which users can rotate the wheel using their fingers to "scroll" up or down. The scroll
wheel can also be pressed down, and therefore be used as a third button. Different
programs make use of these functions differently, and may scroll horizontally by default
with the scroll wheel, open different menus with different buttons, among others.
Mice traditionally detected movement and communicated with the computer with an
internal "mouse ball"; and use optical encoders to detect rotation of the ball and tell the
computer where the mouse has moved. However, these systems were subject to low
durability and accuracy. Modern mice use optical technology to directly trace movement
of the surface under the mouse and are much more accurate and durable. They work on a
wider variety of surfaces and can even operate on walls, ceilings or other non-horizontal
surfaces.

Other components
Mass storage
All computers require either fixed or removable storage for their operating system,
programs and user generated material.
Formerly the 5 1/4 inch and 3 1/2 inch floppy drive were the principal forms of
removable storage for backup of user files and distribution of software.
As memory sizes increased, the capacity of the floppy did not keep pace; the Zip drive
and other higher-capacity removable media were introduced but never became as
prevalent as the floppy drive.
By the late 1990s the optical drive, in CD and later DVD and Blu-ray Disc, became the
main method for software distribution, and writeable media provided backup and file
interchange. Floppy drives have become uncommon in desktop personal computers since
about 2000, and were dropped from many laptop systems even earlier. [11]
Early home computers used compact audio cassettes for file storage; these were at the
time a very low cost storage solution, but were displaced by floppy disk drives when
manfacturing costs dropped, by the mid 1980s.
A second generation of tape recorders was provided when Videocassette recorders were
pressed into service as backup media for larger disk drives. All these systems were less
reliable and slower than purpose-built magnetic tape drives. Such tape drives were
uncommon in consumer-type personal computers but were a necessity in business or
industrial use.
Interchange of data such as photographs from digital cameras is greatly expedited by
installation of a card reader, which often is compatible with several forms of flash
memory. It is usually faster and more convenient to move large amounts of data by
removing the card from the mobile device, instead of communicating with the mobile
device through a USB interface.

A USB flash drive today performs much of the data transfer and backup functions
formerly done with floppy drives, Zip disks and other devices. Main-stream current
operating systems for personal computers provide standard support for flash drives,
allowing interchange even between computers using different processors and operating
systems. The compact size and lack of moving parts or dirt-sensitive media, combined
with low cost for high capacity, have made flash drives a popular and useful accessory for
any personal computer user.
The operating system (e.g.: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Linux or many others) can be
located on any removable storage, but typically it is on one of the hard disks. A Live CD
is also possible, but it is very slow and is usually used for installation of the OS,
demonstrations, or problem solving. Flash-based memory is currently expensive (as of
mid-2008) but is starting to appear in laptop computers because of its low weight and low
energy consumption, compared to hard disk storage.
Computer communications

Internal modem card

Modem

Network adapter card

Router

Common peripherals and adapter cards

Headset

Joystick

Microphone

Printer

Scanner

Sound adapter card as a separate card rather than located on the motherboard

Speakers

Webcam

Software

A screenshot of the OpenOffice.org Writer software

Computer software is a general term used to describe a collection of computer programs,
procedures and documentation that perform some tasks on a computer system.[12] The
term includes application software such as word processors which perform productive
tasks for users, system software such as operating systems, which interface with hardware
to provide the necessary services for application software, and middleware which
controls and co-ordinates distributed systems.
Software applications for word processing, Internet browsing, Internet faxing, e-mail and
other digital messaging, multimedia playback, computer game play and computer
programming are common. The user of a modern personal computer may have significant
knowledge of the operating environment and application programs, but is not necessarily
interested in programming nor even able to write programs for the computer. Therefore,
most software written primarily for personal computers tends to be designed with
simplicity of use, or "user-friendliness" in mind. However, the software industry
continuously provide a wide range of new products for use in personal computers,
targeted at both the expert and the non-expert user.

Operating system

KDE 4 running on a Linux distribution.

An operating system (OS) manages
computer resources and provides
programmers with an interface used to
access those resources. An operating
system processes system data and user
input, and responds by allocating and managing tasks and internal system resources as a
service to users and programs of the system. An operating system performs basic tasks
such as controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing system requests, controlling input
and output devices, facilitating computer networking and managing files.
Common contemporary desktop OSes are Linux, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, Solaris
and PC-BSD. Mac, Linux, and Windows all have server and personal variants. With the
exception of Microsoft Windows, the designs of each of the aforementioned OSs were
inspired by, or directly inherited from, the Unix operating system. Unix was developed at
Bell Labs beginning in the late 1960s and spawned the development of numerous free
and proprietary operating systems.
Operating systems that can be found on mobile devices include Palm OS, Windows
Mobile, Familiar Linux, The ngstrm Distribution and Darwin (iPhone OS).

Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is the name of several families of software operating systems by
Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in
November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical
user interfaces (GUIs).[13][14] The most recent client version of Windows is Windows
Vista. The current server version of Windows is Windows Server 2008.

Linux

A KDE Linux desktop

Linux is a family of Unix-like
computer operating systems. Linux is
one of the most prominent examples of free software and open source development:
typically all underlying source code can be freely modified, used, and redistributed by
anyone.[15] The name "Linux" comes from the Linux kernel, started in 1991 by Linus
Torvalds. The system's utilities and libraries usually come from the GNU operating
system, announced in 1983 by Richard Stallman. The GNU contribution is the basis for
the alternative name GNU/Linux.[16]
Predominantly known for its use in servers, Linux is supported by corporations such as
Dell, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Novell, Oracle Corporation, Red Hat, and Sun
Microsystems. It is used as an operating system for a wide variety of computer hardware,
including desktop computers, supercomputers,[17] video game systems, such as the
PlayStation 3, several arcade games, and embedded devices such as mobile phones,
routers, and stage lighting systems.

Mac OS X

Mac OS X desktop
Mac OS X is a line of
graphical operating systems
developed, marketed, and
sold by Apple Inc., the latest
of which is pre-loaded on all
currently shipping under Macintosh series of personal computers. Mac OS X is the
successor to the original Mac OS, which had been Apple's primary operating system
since 1984. Unlike its predecessors, Mac OS X is a Unix-based operating system[18] built

on technology developed at NeXT from the second half of the 1980s until early 1997,
when Apple purchased the company.
The server edition, Mac OS X Server, is architecturally very similar to its desktop
counterpart but usually runs on Apple's line of Macintosh server hardware. It includes
workgroup management and administration software tools that provide simplified access
to key network services, including a mail transfer agent, a Samba server, an LDAP
server, a domain name server, and others.

Applications

GIMP raster graphics

editor
Application software
employs the capabilities
of a computer directly
and thoroughly to a task
that the user wishes to
perform. This should be
contrasted with system
software which is involved in integrating a computer's various capabilities, but typically
does not directly apply them in the performance of tasks that benefit the user. In this
context the term application refers to both the application software and its
implementation. A simple, if imperfect analogy in the world of hardware would be the
relationship of an electric light bulb (an application) to an electric power generation plant
(a system). The power plant merely generates electricity, not itself of any real use until
harnessed to an application like the electric light that performs a service that benefits the
user.
Typical examples of software applications are word processors, spreadsheets, and media
players. Multiple applications bundled together as a package are sometimes referred to as
an application suite. Microsoft Office and OpenOffice.org, which bundle together a word
processor, a spreadsheet, and several other discrete applications, are typical examples.

The separate applications in a suite usually have a user interface that has some
commonality making it easier for the user to learn and use each application. And often
they may have some capability to interact with each other in ways beneficial to the user.
For example, a spreadsheet might be able to be embedded in a word processor document
even though it had been created in the separate spreadsheet application.
End-user development tailors systems to meet the user's specific needs. User-written
software include spreadsheet templates, word processor macros, scientific simulations,
graphics and animation scripts. Even email filters are a kind of user software. Users
create this software themselves and often overlook how important it is.

Lifetime
Most personal computers are standardized to the point that purchased software is
expected to run with little or no customization for the particular computer. Many PCs are
also user-upgradeable, especially desktop and workstation class computers. Devices such
as main memory, mass storage, even the motherboard and central processing unit may be
easily replaced by an end user. This upgradeability is, however, not indefinite due to rapid
changes in the personal computer industry. A PC that was considered top-of-the-line five
or six years prior may be impractical to upgrade due to changes in industry standards.
Such a computer usually must be totally replaced once it is no longer suitable for its
purpose. This upgrade and replacement cycle is partially related to new releases of the
primary mass-market operating system, which tends to drive the acquisition of new
hardware and render obsolete previously serviceable hardware (planned obsolescence).

Parts of a Computer

Your "computer" is a collection of devices that function as a unit. The most basic collection
includes a Computer CPU, a Monitor, a Keyboard, and a Mouse. The Computer CPU is
normally a rectangular box that sits on your desktop (called a "Desktop Case") or next to your
knee under the desk (called a "Tower Case"). The computer's CPU is actually a small electronic
device inside the case but the term is often used to refer to the whole collection of electronics
inside the box.
Hardware
The hardware are the parts of computer itself including the Central Processing Unit
(CPU) and related microchips and micro-circuitry, keyboards, monitors, case and
drives (floppy, hard, CD, DVD, optical, tape, etc...). Other extra parts called
peripheral components or devices include mouse, printers, modems, scanners,

digital cameras and cards (sound, colour, video) etc... Together they are often
referred to as a personal computer or PC.
Central Processing Unit - Though the term relates
to a specific chip or the processor a CPU's
performance is determined by the the rest of the
computer's circuitry and chips.
Currently the Pentium chip or processor, made by
Intel, is the most common CPU though there are many other companies that produce
processors for personal computers. Examples are the CPU made by Motorola and AMD.
With faster processors the clock speed becomes more important. Compared to some
of the first computers which operated at below 30 megahertz (MHz) the Pentium chips
began at 75 MHz in the late 1990's. Speeds now exceed 3000+ MHz or 3 gigahertz
(GHz) and different chip manufacturers use different measuring standards (check your
local computer store for the latest speed). It depends on the circuit board that the
chip is housed in, or the motherboard, as to whether you are able to upgrade to a
faster chip. The motherboard contains the circuitry and connections that allow the
various component to communicate with each other.
Though there were many computers using many different processors previous to this I
call the 80286 processor the advent of home computers as these were the processors
that made computers available for the average person. Using a processor before the
286 involved learning a proprietary system and software. Most new software are being
developed for the newest and fastest processors so it can be difficult to use an older
computer system.
Keyboard - The keyboard is used to type information into the computer or input
information. There are many different keyboard layouts and sizes with the most
common for Latin based languages being the QWERTY layout (named for the first 6
keys). The standard keyboard has 101 keys. Notebooks have embedded keys accessible
by special keys or by pressing key combinations (CTRL or Command and P for
example). Ergonomically designed keyboards are designed to make typing easier.
Some of the keys have a special use. There are referred to as command keys. The 3
most common are the Control or CTRL, Alternate or Alt and the Shift keys though there
can be more (the Windows key for example or the Command key). Each key on a

standard keyboard has one or two characters. Press the key to get the lower character
and hold Shift to get the upper.
Removable Storage and/or Disk Drives - All disks need a drive to get information off or read - and put information on the disk - or write. Each drive is designed for a
specific type of disk whether it is a CD, DVD, hard disk or floppy. Often the term 'disk'
and 'drive' are used to describe the same thing but it helps to understand that the disk
is the storage device which contains computer files - or software - and the drive is
the mechanism that runs the disk.
USB Flash drives or thumb drives work slightly differently as they use
memory cards to store information on. Digital cameras also use Flash
memory cards to store information, in this case photographs.
Mouse - Most modern computers today are run using a mouse controlled
pointer. Generally if the mouse has two buttons the left one is used to select objects
and text and the right one is used to access menus. If the mouse has one button (Mac
for instance) it controls all the activity and a mouse with a third button can be used by
specific software programs.
One type of mouse has a round ball under the bottom of the mouse that rolls and turns
two wheels which control the direction of the pointer on the screen. Another type of
mouse uses an optical system to track the movement of the mouse.
Note: It is important to clean the mouse periodically, particularly if it becomes
sluggish. A ball type mouse has a small circular panel that can be opened, allowing you
to remove the ball. Lint can be removed carefully with a tooth pick or tweezers and
the ball can be washed with mild detergent. A build up will accumulate on the small
wheels in the mouse. Use a small instrument or finger nail to scrape it off taking care
not to scratch the wheels. Track balls can be cleaned much like a mouse and touchpad can be wiped with a clean, damp cloth. An optical mouse can accumulate material
from the surface that it is in contact with which can be removed with a finger nail or
small instrument.
Monitors - The monitor shows information on the screen when you type. This is called
outputting information. When the computer needs more information it will display a
message on the screen, usually through a dialog box. Monitors come in many types and
sizes from the simple monochrome (one colour) screen to full colour screens.

Most desktop computers use a monitor with a cathode tube and most notebooks use a
liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor.
To get the full benefit of today's software with full colour graphics and animation,
computers need a color monitor with a display or graphics card.
Printers - The printer takes the information on your screen and transfers it to paper or
a hard copy. There are many different types of printers with various levels of quality.
The three basic types of printer are; dot matrix, inkjet, and laser.
Dot matrix printers work like a typewriter transferring ink from a ribbon to

paper with a series or 'matrix' of tiny pins.

Ink jet printers work like dot matrix printers but fires a stream of ink from a

cartridge directly onto the paper.

Laser printers use the same technology as a photocopier using heat to transfer

toner onto paper.

Modem - A modem is used to translate information transferred through telephone lines
or cable.
The term stands for modulate and demodulate which changes the signal from digital,
which computers use, to analog, which telephones use and then back again. A high
speed connection also requires a modem but because the information is transferred
digitally it isn't required to change the signal from digital to analog but is used to
create the connection between your computer and the computer you are connecting
with.
Modems are measured by the speed that the information is transferred. The measuring
tool is called the baud rate. Originally modems worked at speeds below 2400 baud but
today analog speeds of 56,000 are common. Cable, wireless or digital subscriber lines
(DSL) modems can transfer information much faster with rates of 300,000 baud and
up.
Modems also use Error Correction which corrects for transmission errors by constantly
checking whether the information was received properly or not and Compression
which allows for faster data transfer rates. Information is transferred in packets. Each
packet is checked for errors and is re-sent if there is an error.

Anyone who has used the Internet has noticed that at times the information travels at
different speeds. Depending on the amount of information that is being transferred
the information will arrive at it's destination at different times. The amount of
information that can travel through a line is limited. This limit is called bandwidth.
There are many more variables involved in communication technology using
computers, much of which is covered in the section on the Internet.
Scanners- Scanners allow you to transfer pictures and photographs to your computer. A
scanner 'scans' the image from the top to the bottom, one line at a time and transfers
it to the computer as a series of bits or a bitmap. You can then take that image and
use it in a paint program, send it out as a fax or print it. With optional Optical
Character Recognition (OCR) software you can convert printed documents such as
newspaper articles to text that can be used in your word processor. Most scanners use
TWAIN software that makes the scanner accessable by other software applications.
Digital cameras allow you to take digital photographs. The images are stored on a
memory chip or disk that can be transferred to your computer. Some cameras can also
capture sound and video.
Case - The case houses the microchips and circuitry that run the computer. Desktop
models usually sit under the monitor and tower models beside. They come in many
sizes, including desktop, mini, midi, and full tower. There is usually room inside to
expand or add components at a later time. By removing the cover off the case you
may find plate covered, empty slots that allow you to add cards. There are various
types of slots including IDE, ASI, USB, PCI and Firewire slots.
Notebook computers may have room to expand depending on the type of computer.
Most Notebooks also have connections or ports that allows expansion or connection to
exterior, peripheral devices such as monitor, portable hard-drives or other devices.
Cards - Cards are components added to computers to increase their capability. When
adding a peripheral device make sure that your computer has a slot of the type
needed by the device.
Sound cards allow computers to produce sound like music and voice. The older sound
cards were 8 bit then 16 bit then 32 bit. Though the human ear can't distinguish the

fine difference between sounds produced by the more powerful sound card they allow
for more complex music and music production.
Colour cards allow computers to produce colour (with a colour monitor of course).
The first colour cards were 2 bit which produced 4 colours [CGA]. It was amazing what
could be done with those 4 colours. Next came 4 bit allowing for 16 [EGA and VGA ]
colours. Then came 16 bit allowing for 1064 colours and then 24 bit which allows for
almost 17 million colours and now 32 bit is standard allowing monitors to display
almost a billion separate colours.
Video cards allow computers to display video and animation. Some video cards allow
computers to display television as well as capture frames from video. A video card
with a digital video camera allows computers users to produce live video. A high speed
or network connection is needed for effective video transmission.
Network cards allow computers to connect together to communicate with each other.
Network cards have connections for cable, thin wire or wireless networks. For more
information see the section on Networks.
Cables connect internal components to the Motherboard, which is a board with series
of electronic path ways and connections allowing the CPU to communicate with the
other components of the computer.
Memory - Memory can be very confusing but is usually one of the easiest pieces of
hardware to add to your computer. It is common to confuse chip memory with disk
storage. An example of the difference between memory and storage would be the
difference between a table where the actual work is done (memory) and a filing
cabinet where the finished product is stored (disk). To add a bit more confusion, the
computer's hard disk can be used as temporary memory when the program needs
more than the chips can provide.
Random Access Memory or RAM is the memory that the computer uses to temporarily
store the information as it is being processed. The more information being processed
the more RAM the computer needs.
One of the first home computers used 64 kilobytes of RAM memory (Commodore 64).
Today's modern computers need a minimum of 64 Mb (recommended 128 Mb or more)
to run Windows or OS 10 with modern software.

RAM memory chips come in many different sizes and speeds and can usually be
expanded. Older computers came with 512 Kb of memory which could be expanded to
a maximum of 640 Kb. In most modern computers the memory can be expanded by
adding or replacing the memory chips depending on the processor you have and the
type of memory your computer uses. Memory chips range in size from 1 Mb to 4 Gb. As
computer technology changes the type of memory changes as well making old memory
chips obsolete. Check your computer manual to find out what kind of memory your
computer uses before purchasing new memory chips.
Software
The software is the information that the computer uses to get the job done. Software
needs to be accessed before it can be used. There are many terms used for process of
accessing software including running, executing, starting up, opening, and others.
Computer programs allow users to complete tasks. A program can also be referred to
as an application and the two words are used interchangeably.
Examples of software programs or applications would be the Operating System (DOS,
Windows 9x/Millenium/XP, O/S2, UNIX, MacOS 9.x/10.x and various others),
Wordprocessor (typing letters), Spreadsheet (financial info), Database (inventory
control and address book), Graphics program, Internet Browser, Email and many
others.
As well any document that you create, graphic you design, sound you compose, file
you make, letter you write, email you send or anything that you create on your
computer is referred to as software. All software is stored in files.
Software is stored on a disk or tape whether that disk is a floppy, hard
disk, CD, tape or one of the dozens of other storage devices available.
There are millions of different pieces of software available for almost every
conceivable need. Software is available commercially through stores and mail order
and also available on the Internet. Software is also available through an Open Source
license which allows anyone to use the Open Source software free of charge as long as
the license is maintained. If you can't find the application that you need software
development companies can custom design software for you.

The largest software companies offer packages of software or suites that include many
of the programs that the average person or business needs. Software packages or
suites contain programs that work together and share information, making it easier to
combine that information in versatile ways. For example when writing a letter you can
get the mailing address from an address book, include a letterhead from a graphics
program and included a financial chart from a spreadsheet and combine this collection
of information in the body of the letter.
The three basic types of software are; commercial, shareware and open source
software. Some software is also released into the public domain without a license.
Commercial software comes prepackaged and is available from software stores and
through the Internet.
Shareware is software developed by individual and small companies that cannot afford
to market their software world wide or by a company that wants to release a
demonstration version of their commercial product. You will have an evaluation period
in which you can decide whether to purchase the product or not. Shareware software
often is disabled in some way and has a notice attached to explain the legal
requirements for using the product.
Open Source software is created by generous programmers and released into the
public domain for public use. There is usually a copyright notice that must remain with
the software product. Open Source software is not public domain in that the company
or individual that develops the software retains ownership of the program but the
software can be used freely. Many popular Open Source applications are being
developed and upgraded regularly by individuals and companies that believe in the
Open Source concept.
Operating Systems
All computers need some sort of Operating System (OS). The majority of modern
home computers use some form of Microsoft's operating systems. The original
Microsoft operating system was called DOS (Disk Operating System) though most
computers use Windows. Windows comes in various versions beginning with version 3.x
then 95, 98, ME and currently XP. A few computers use IBM's O/S2. Apple's Mac use
their own operating system beginning with OS 1 though most modern Macs use version
8.x or 9.x. Apple's latest version is OS 10.1.x. In the past large companies and

institutions would have an operating system design exclusively for them but as the
commercial operating systems become more sophisticated the benefits of this practice
is becoming less apparent. Some computer professionals, Internet Service Providers
(ISP) and mainframe computer users use an operating system such as UNIX (or a
variant such as Linux), Windows NT or 2000 (Win2k) or one of the other network or
server based operating systems.
There are many smaller operating systems out there. The problem is that software is
currently being developed only for the main operating systems and only the newest
versions of these OS. Many older computers with unique operating systems have lots of
software already developed for them but there is very little new software being
developed for the older computers. The older proprietary operating systems are less
likely to offer technical support than the more modern operating systems.
The operating system controls the input and output or directs the flow of information
to and from the CPU. Much of this is done automatically by the system but it is
possible to modify and control your system if you need to.
When you turn your computer on it first needs to load the operating system sometimes
referred to a booting up. Basically the computer starts from scratch every time you
turn the power on.
It checks all its components and will usually display a message if there is a problem.
Loading the system is usually automatic.
Once the system is loaded the user can start the application or program that they are
going to use.
Most computer users will run Microsoft Windows, Mac OS or Linux as their operating
system. These OS are Graphic User Interface (GUI) which allows the user to control or
run the computer using a Mouse and Icons. The user simply moves the mouse on a flat
surface, rolls the trackball, or moves their hand over the touchpad to control a
pointer. They then choose the option they want by pressing a button or touching the
pad.
Without a GUI the user controls the computer using the keys on the keyboard. This is
referred to as a Command Line Interface (CLI)

Disk and Storage

Disks are used to store information. All information on computers are stored in files.
The size of a file is measured in bytes.
A byte is approximately one character (letter 'a', number '1', symbol '?' etc....).
A byte is made up of 8 bits. A bit is simply an on or an off signal which passes through
the computers circuitry. Every piece of software can be broken down into a series of
on or off signals or it's Binary Code.
About a thousand bytes is a kilobyte (Kb).
About a million bytes is a megabyte (Mb).
About a billion bytes is a gigabyte (Gb).

* Editor's Note: I say 'about' because everything in computers must be divisible by 8 so

a kilobyte is actually 1,024 bytes. The reason for this goes beyond the scope of an
introductory level document but as it can cause some confusion I thought it should be
mentioned.
Disk are a common way of transporting information such as bringing files home from
work or sharing files. Floppy disks have become less useful as file sizes increase and
Compact disks (CDs) and Digital Video Devices (DVDs) are becoming more popular.
Most software is sold on a CD. Internal Hard disks are the most common storage
device.
Compact disks or CDs can store large amounts of information. One disk will store 650
Mb or about 70 or 80 minutes of music. One type is a CD-ROM which stand for Compact
Disk Read Only Memory. Another type is a CD-RW which stands for Compact Disk Read/Write. CD drives can copy information or burn information on to a blank CD.
Common Read Only CD blanks can only be written to once though more expensive
Read/Write CD's can be used over and over again.
DVD disks can store 4.5 Gb on standard disk, 8 Gb on a dual layer disk and 16 Gb on a
blue-ray disk. DVD recorders allow you to store large files, such as movies, on a single
disk.

Hard disks store the majority of information on today's modern computer. My first
hard disk stored 52 Mb, 12 more than my colleague's 40 Mb. Today the standard hard
disk stores 30 Gb or more (this number is constantly increasing). Like a floppy disk
information can be stored and deleted as necessary. As files get larger the speed that
hard disks can read and write become more important.
Flash drive or thumb drives range from 512 Mb to 8 Gb.
Floppy disk or diskette comes in two basic sizes; 5.25 inch and 3.5 inch. Both have a
low and high density versions though 3.5 inch high density disks are the most common
though many modern computers are being sold without floppy disk drives.

Disk size

Amount of storage

Approximate printed
8.5 x 11 inch pages

3.5 high density 1.44 Mb

720 pages

CD

650 Mb

a small library

DVD

4.5 Gb

a feature length movie

DVD dual layer

8 Gb

a long feature length movie with extras

There are many other storage devices including tapes, Panasonic's LS120 3.5 inch
diskettes, Iomega's Zip & Jazz disks, VCR tape and many others. Innovation in
storage technology is currently advancing rapidly.
Information is stored in an electromagnetic form much like a cassette or video tape.
Note: Keep disks away from strong electric or magnetic fields including x-rays. Be
aware of high electromagnetic areas in the room such as televisions, speakers, high
tension wires, etc... Use disks only at room temperature and keep them out of direct
sunlight. If possible avoid passing electromagnetic storage devices through airport xrays. In theory information stored on a disk will last indefinitely but the physical
storage device will wear out with usage and time so be sure to back up (copy) your
important files to a second disk..

How computer works?

Computer Uses
Uses of computer & related resources. The influence of computers is universal.
Computers are used in applications ranging from running a farm, diagnosing a
disease, and designing to constructing and launching a space vehicle. Because
the development of computers has been largely the work of scientists, it is
natural that a large body of computer applications serves the scientist. To solve
scientific problems researchers must deal with the language of science:
mathematics. To understand more deeply complex natural phenomena, scientists
must use complex mathematical relationships and volumes of data too
impossible to manage without the aid of computers. Many scientific computer
programs serve the entire population. The links included herein relate to
computers and their uses.
Advantages of online or computer-based learning

Class work can be scheduled around work and family

Reduces travel time and travel costs for off-campus students

Students may have the option to select learning materials that meets their level of
knowledge and interest

Students can study anywhere they have access to a computer and Internet
connection

Self-paced learning modules allow students to work at their own pace

Flexibility to join discussions in the bulletin board threaded discussion areas at

any hour, or visit with classmates and instructors remotely in chat rooms

Instructors and students both report eLearning fosters more interaction among
students and instructors than in large lecture courses

eLearning can accommodate different learning styles and facilitate learning

through a variety of activities

Develops knowledge of the Internet and computers skills that will help learners
throughout their lives and careers

Successfully completing online or computer-based courses builds self-knowledge

and self-confidence and encourages students to take responsibility for their
learning

Learners can test out of or skim over materials already mastered and concentrate
efforts in mastering areas containing new information and/or skills

Disadvantages of online or computer-based learning

Learners with low motivation or bad study habits may fall behind

Without the routine structures of a traditional class, students may get lost or
confused about course activities and deadlines

Students may feel isolated from the instructor and classmates

Instructor may not always be available when students are studying or need help

Slow Internet connections or older computers may make accessing course

materials frustrating

Managing computer files and online learning software can sometimes seem
complex for students with beginner-level computer skills

Hands-on or lab work is difficult to simulate in a virtual classroom

Computer effects: Health and Safety

Health and Safety is crucial to the effective operation of a computer. Stress is widely
accepted as a common and possibly the most dangerous aspect of using a computer.
It is possible to use a computer safely if a few simple rules are maintained.
Musculoskeletal problems can occur when improper office equipment is used. Chairs
should be adjustable so that legs are at a right angle. The back should have good
support for the spine and lower back. The seat should swivel and be made from fabric
that is porous.
Eye strain can be caused by staring at a fix object for extended periods of time (like a
computer). People who use glasses may have to get their prescriptions changed and
people who use bifocals can find that the line interferes with the screen and trifocals
triple the problem. Regular users of computers may develop focusing problems.
Temporary colour distortion has also been reported.
A safe working environment is crucial. Ventilation is an integral part of the new
technological workplace. Though standards are set by the manufacturer of computer
equipment the modern office has many different pieces of equipment. All electronic
equipment emit some level of electromagnetic field which, on it's own, most likely
isn't a concern but when combined with other equipment can create hazardous
working environments. Pregnant women should take extra care when working around
electromagnetic fields. Like any piece of equipment, computers should have
scheduled maintenance.
Stress is caused by many things including poor or inadequate training, monitoring, fear
of new technology, lack of control over work, physical problems, hardware problems
causing delays, poor layout of work space and the myriad of other problems that
people experience that combine to create stressful situations.
Time away from the computer during the work day is crucial! This gives the body a
chance to stretch and gives the eyes a chance to rest. Breaks should be scheduled and
followed with great discipline. Computers, even more so than television, have a
mesmerizing effect on the user so that it is easy to work right through breaks without
noticing.

There are many other issues to be discussed around computer health and safety but it
is important to understand that there are problems and solutions to those problems
that the user, administrator and manager must address.