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PRELIM
MODULE
PRELIM
Chapter 1
Computer Definition
An electronic system designed to manipulate data. They are machines for storing, moving, adding and
subtracting, and evaluating data. All computers have four basic functions: input, processing, storage,
and output.
Electronic device that processes data, converting it into information that is useful to people.
All computers are controlled by programmed instructions, which give the machine a purpose and tell it
what to do.
A general purpose device that can be programmed to carry out a set of arithmetic or logical operations
automatically.
A programmable machine.
Characteristics of Computer
It is an automatic electronic machine
It has a memory and can manipulate data
It has logic functions
It responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner
It executes a prerecorded list of instructions called a program
Importance of Computers
In Business
Helped workers in business perform their jobs more efficiency, since their introduction in the 1980s.
Money saved for various business activities.
o For example, a small business can maintain a database of customers in its computer. The
business can then send coupons or special promotions to these customers by email. Companies
also save on paper costs when interacting through their computers. Also, a small manufacturing
company can automate part of its production line with computers. The automation process would
help the manufacturer cut back on labor costs.
Help the businessman save time.
o For example, a businessman can write a report, do a spell check, edit it and distribute the report
in just a few hours--even long distance. Previously, companies used typewriters for reports
where redactions were made on various pages. These pages then needed to be retyped until the
report was error free. Managers then needed to copy the reports and mail them to employees in
different cities. Consequently, the report writing process took much longer with a typewriter than
a computer.
Allow for greater interaction among employees, agencies, clients and customers. Managers can conduct
conference calls, show training videos and even conduct webinars or web-based seminars online with
computers. This inter-connectivity between businesses, clients or customers can even be administered
internationally.
Human resource managers can more readily collect resumes from job applicants through computers and
the Internet. Moreover, architects can create virtual models of their buildings and check for dimensional
accuracies.
In Education
Brilliant aid in teaching.
o Online education has revolutionized the education industry. Computer technology has made the
dream of distance learning, a reality. Education is no longer limited to classrooms. It has reached
far and wide, thanks to computers. Physically distant locations have come closer due to Internet
accessibility. So, even if students and teachers are not in the same premises, they can very well
communicate with one another.
Computer software helps better presentation of information.
o Internet can play an important role in education. As it is an enormous information base, it can be
harnessed for retrieval of information on a variety of subjects. The Internet can be used to refer
to information on different subjects. Both teachers and students benefit from the Internet.
Teachers can refer to it for additional information and references on the topics to be taught.
Students can refer to web sources for additional information on subjects of their interest. The
Internet helps teachers set test papers, frame questions for home assignments and decide project
topics.
Computer hard drives and storage devices are an excellent way to store data.
o Knowledge of computers can propel one's career in the right direction. Computers are a part of
almost every industry today. They are no longer limited any specific field. They are used in
networking, for information access and data storage and also in the processing and presentation
of information. Computers should be introduced early in education.
Limitations of Computer
It cannot generate information on its own.
o The concept of artificial intelligence shows that the computer can think. But still this concept is
dependent on set of instructions provided by the human beings.
It cannot correct wrong instructions.
o If you mistakenly entered P50 per hour, it cannot respond to the actual rate of P40 per hour.
Computer is dependent on prepared instructions.
o Have programs with number of steps leading to a precisely defined goal.
A computer has no capability to derive meaning from objects.
o Cannot interpret your favorite poem or your present mood.
Types of Computer
Digital
o This type of computer work by the numbers. That is, it breaks all types of information into tiny
units, and use numbers to represent those pieces of information. All information is represented
using the digits 0s and 1s. Digital computer also works in very strict sequences of steps,
processing each unit of information individually, according to the highly organized instructions it
must follow. Modern computers are digital.
Analog
o Represents data as variable across a continuous range of values. The earliest computers were
analog computers. Analog computers are used for measuring of parameters that vary
continuously in real time, such as temperature, pressure and voltage. Analog computers may be
more flexible but generally less precise than digital computers. Early analog computers were
mechanical devices, weighing several tons and using motors and gears to perform calculations.
Information System
A combination of hardware, software, infrastructure and trained personnel organized to facilitate
planning, control, coordination, and decision making in an organization.
An integrated set of components for collecting, storing, and processing data and for delivering
information, knowledge, and digital products. Business firms and other organizations rely on
information systems to carry out and manage their operations, interact with their customers and
suppliers, and compete in the marketplace. For instance, corporations use information systems to reach
their potential customers with targeted messages over the Web, to process financial accounts, and to
manage their human resources.
It has 5 parts and these are:
o People
the most important part of an information system
Our lives are touched everyday by computers- many time the contact is direct and
obvious, such as creating documents using a word processing program or when
connecting to the internet.
What you can do with computer? Instant messaging, Web-based applications, Personal
Web site, Virus protection, TV tuners and video clips, Digital photography, Music, Home
networking, Spyware, Job opportunities
o Procedure
The rules or guidelines for people to follow when using software, hardware, and data are
procedures. These procedures are typically documented in manuals written by computer
specialists. Software and hardware manufacturers provide manuals with their products.
These manuals are provided in either printed or electronic form.
o Software
Software is another name for programs
Programs are instructions that tell the computer how to process data into the form you
want
System software: Operating system, Utilities, Device drivers
Application software: Basic applications or General-purpose and Specialized applications
o Hardware
The collection of physical elements that constitutes a computer system. Computer
hardware refers to the physical parts or components of a computer such as the monitor,
mouse, keyboard, computer data storage, hard drive disk (HDD), system unit (graphic
cards, sound cards, memory, motherboard and chips), etc. all of which are physical
objects that can be touched. In contrast, software is instructions that can be stored and run
by hardware.
o Data
Raw, unprocessed facts, including text, numbers, images, and sounds.
Document files - created by word processors to save documents such as memos, term
papers, and letters.
Worksheet files - created by electronic spreadsheets to analyze things like budgets and to
predict sales.
Database files - typically created by database management programs to contain highly
structured and organized data. For example, an employee database file might contain all
the workers’ names, social security numbers, job titles, and other related pieces of
information.
Presentation files - created by presentation graphics programs to save presentation
materials. For example, a file might contain audience handouts, speaker notes, and
electronic slides.
PRELIM
Chapter 2
Want to communicate with a friend across town, in another state, or even in another country? Looking for a
long-lost friend? Looking for travel or entertainment information? Perhaps you’re researching a term paper or
exploring different career paths. Where do you start? For these and other information-related activities, most
people use the Internet and the Web.
Internet
Often referred to as the Information Superhighway because it connects millions of people across the
globe. The Internet moves ideas, data, and information through networks.
Launched in 1969 when the United States funded a project that developed a national computer network
called Advanced Research Project Agency Network (ARPANET).
The largest global network, connecting smaller networks worldwide.
Facts about the Internet:
o No one owns the Internet
o There is no Internet, Inc.
o The Internet is a network of networks.
The Web
Provides an easy-to-use, intuitive multimedia interface to connect to the Internet.
Introduced in 1991 at the Center for European Nuclear Research (CERN).
Referred to as the World Wide Web (WWW).
An information-sharing model that is built on top of the Internet.
The Internet is the actual network. It is made up of wires, cables, satellites, and rules for exchanging
information between computers connected to the network. Being connected to this network is often described as
being online. The Internet connects millions of computers and resources throughout the world. The Web is a
multimedia interface to the resources available on the Internet. Every day over a billion users from nearly every
country in the world use the Internet and the Web.
Prior to the Web, the Internet was all text—no graphics, animations, sound, or video. The Web made it possible
to include these elements. It provided a multimedia interface to resources available on the Internet. From these
early research beginnings, the Internet and the Web have evolved into one of the most powerful tools of the 21st
century.
Browsers
Are programs that provide access to Web resources.
This software connects you to remote computers, opens and transfers files, displays text and images, and
provides in one tool an uncomplicated interface to the Internet and Web documents.
Browsers allow you to explore, or to surf, the Web by easily moving from one Web site to another.
Four well-known browsers are Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Google
Chrome.
Browser is software that allows users to navigate the Web and read the multimedia formatted pages.
When connected to the Internet, a document is sent to your computer usually coded in HTML
(Hypertext Markup Language) or some variation.
o Interprets the HTML codes displaying page
May contain
Hyperlinks - allow users to quickly connect to other pages or Web sites.
Graphics
Text
Multimedia elements
The browser interprets the HTML formatting instructions and displays the document as a Web page.
Special browsers
o Mobile Browsers – designed to run on these portable devices.
o Is displayed on a very small screen and special navigational tools are required to conveniently
view Web content.
o The Apple iPhone, for example, enables you to “pinch” or “stretch” the screen with two fingers
to zoom Web content in and out.
Connect to Web sites using URL addresses (uniform resource locator).
In order for a user to access web resources, the location or address must be specified.
These addresses are called Uniform Resource Locators or URLs.
Communication
the most popular Internet activity
In business, electronic communication has become a standard, and many times preferred, way to stay in
touch with suppliers, employees, and customers.
o
o In our example e-mail, dcoats is Dan’s user name. The server
providing e-mail service for Dan is usc.edu. The top-level domain
indicates that the provider is an educational institution.
Subject - A one-line description, used to present the topic of the message.
Attachments - Many e-mail programs allow you to attach files such as
documents and image files.
Message – the message.
Signature - provides additional information about the sender. This information may
include the sender’s name, address, and telephone number.
Spam – unwanted and unsolicited e-mails. Computer viruses that can destroy your computer system
can be attached to this spam messages. Because of this, spam blockers (or spam filters) were creates.
These programs use a variety of different approaches to identify and eliminate spam.
Social networking
o One of the fastest-growing uses of the Internet.
o Connecting individuals to one another.
o Three basic categories:
Reuniting sites
are designed to connect people who have known one another but have lost
touch; for example, an old high school friend that you have not seen for
several years.
Classmates Online and Facebook.
Friend-of-a-friend sites
Are designed to bring together two people who do not know one another but
share a common friend.
Friendster and My Space
Common interest sites
Bring together individuals that share common interests or hobbies.
Flickr (images) and YouTube and Vimeo (video).
Blogs, Microblogs and Wikis
o Web blogs or Blogs
Postings that are date- and time-stamped and then arranged with the most recent items
shown first.
Like online diaries with personal information; others focus on information about a
hobby or theme, such as knitting, electronic devices, or good books.
o Microblogs
Publishes short sentences that only take a few seconds to write, rather than long
stories or posts like a traditional blog.
Twitter, very famous.
o Wikis
a Web site specially designed to allow visitors to fill in missing information or correct
inaccuracies.
“Wiki” comes from the Hawaiian word for fast, which describes the simplicity of
editing and publishing through wiki software.
Wikipedia – online encyclopedia with over 20 languages.
Searching
Search Tools
o Search Engines
Are specialized programs that assist you in locating information on the Web and the
Internet.
To find information, you go to a search service’s Web site (like Google) and use its
search engine.
Note: a recent study by the NEC Research Institute found that any one search engine
includes only a fraction of the informational sources on the Web. Therefore, it is good to
use more than one search engine when researching important topics.
o Metasearch Engines
Are programs that automatically submit your search request to several search engines
simultaneously. The metasearch engine receives the results, eliminates duplicates, orders
the hits, and then provides the edited list to you.
o Specialized Search Engines
Focus on subject-specific Websites. Specialized sites can potentially save you time by
narrowing your search.
Web Utilities
Are specialized utility programs that make using the Internet and the Web easier and safer.
Are browser-related programs that either become part of your browser or are executed from your
browser.
Examples of Web Utilities:
o Plug-ins - are programs that are automatically started and operate as a part of your browser.
o Filters - block access to selected sites.
o File Transfer Utilities - Using this software, you can copy files to your computer from specially
configured servers. This is called downloading. Also to copy files from your computer to another
computer on the Internet. This is called uploading.
o Internet security Suite - is a collection of utility programs designed to maintain your security and
privacy while you are on the Web.
ACTIVITY 1
Identify the following statement and write your answer in the space provided.
_______1. Electronic device that processes data, converting it into information that is useful to people.
_______2.This type of computer work by the numbers. That is, it breaks all types of information into tiny
_units, and use numbers to represent those pieces of information. All information is represented using
the digits 0s and 1s.
______3.Represents data as variable across a continuous range of values.
______4.Palm computers such as Personal digital assistants (PDAs) and smartphones, are amongst the
smallest computing devices.
______5.It indicates the specific address where the resource is located.
______6.These are rules for exchanging data between computers.
______7.Provides an easy-to-use, intuitive multimedia interface to connect to the Internet.
______8.Least powerful but most widely used and fastest-growing type of computers.
______9.Raw, unprocessed facts, including text, numbers, images, and sounds.
______10.Portable computers. They are lightweight computers with a thin screen.
______11.It is the transmission of electronic messages over the Internet.
______12.It is the first event in the cycle. This stage involves collection of data from external sources or
from within the system
______13.A Web site specially designed to allow visitors to fill in missing information or correct
inaccuracies.
______14.The most popular computer systems. These are also known as personal computers or simply PCs.
______15.A combination of hardware, software, infrastructure and trained personnel organized to facilitate
planning, control, coordination, and decision making in an organization.
ACTIVITY 2
ACTIVITY 3
Write a reflection paper on how an internet plays a role in the society. (Write your answer at the
back of the paper)