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Introduction to Computers
WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
An electronic machine Accept inputs
(instructions and data) presented to it in a prescribed format from input devices, Carry out some operations on the input automatically, Supply the required results (output) in a specified format on output devices
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Diligence
Versatility Electronic Not a Substitute for Human Brain.
transaction Better working conditions for staff Better management of information Better control over costs Faster results
SUPER COMPUTERS
Most powerful,
Most expensive,
Largest in size The fastest.
forecasting, aircraft design, nuclear research, space research, seismic analysis and task that require mammoth data manipulation. An example of a supercomputer is Cray- 1 Supercomputer built by Cray Research Company.
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Mainframe
Process data at very high rates of speed
mail-order companies, and airlines Example of Mainframe computer is IBM 370 located at the University Computing Centre in the 1970s.
Mini
Mini computers are smaller in size compare to main
frame computer The cost is lower than that of Main-Frame They possess most of the features found on mainframe computers, but on a more limited scale. Used by medium size business organizations for stock control and invoicing
Micro Computers
Generally used in colleges and institute for teaching purpose. Terribly limited in what they can do when compared to the larger
models discussed above because they can only be used by one person at a time, Much slower than the larger computers, Limited in storage capacity, Excellent when used in small businesses, homes, and school classrooms, Comparatively inexpensive and easy to use Often are connected to networks of other computers. Price varies greatly depending on the capacity and features of the computer, Make up the vast majority of computers. Categorized into: desktop, Laptop, Notebook, Palmtop and PDA
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INPUT
OUTPUT
STORE
When a computer is asked to do a job, it handles the task in a very special way: (1) It accepts the information from the user. This is called input. (2) It stored the information until it is ready for use. The computer has memory chips, which are designed to hold information until it is needed. (3) It processes the information. The computer has an electronic brain called the Central Processing Unit, which is responsible for processing all data and instructions given to the computer. (4) It then returns the processed information to the user. This is called output. Every computer has special parts to do each of the jobs listed above
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Control Unit Input Unit Arithmetic & Logic Unit Output Unit
Input unit
The Input Unit consists of devices through which information to
be processed is passed on to the computer. Such devices transform source information to be processed from human readable form into internal form which are transmitted to the Central Processing Unit.
The most commonly used input devices are the keyboard and
mice. There are lots of others such as: trackballs, touch pads, touch screens, pens, joy sticks, scanners, bar code readers, video and digital cameras, web cameras and microphones.
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Output Unit
The output unit consists of devices that change the internal form of
processed information (inform of electrical pulses) from the CPU into human readable or audible form. Common output devices include: Printers Monitor Speakers Headset Video output devices
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microprocessor is the brain of the computer. The CPU consists of electronic circuits that interpret and execute instructions; it communicates with the input, output, and storage devices. It is made up of the control unit and the arithmetic and logic unit.
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The Memory
Memory, or primary storage, works with the CPU to hold instructions and data in order to be processed. Memory keeps the instructions and data temporary for whatever programs you happen to be using at the moment. Memory is the first place data and instructions are placed after being input; processed information is placed in memory to be returned to an output device. The size of your computer memory is one of the factors that determines how fast your computer will be Memory is measured in Mega bytes (MB)
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Byte
Byte
Kilobyte
KB
Megabyte
MB
Gigabyte
GB
Terabyte
TB
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Floppy disk or Floppy A round plastic surface that is coated with magnetic film. They come in 3 / size. They hold about 720k to 1440K of information. They are typically are used to install new software, save, share, and/or copy files. Floppy drives are given letters. Commonly the floppy is A, a 2nd floppy is B and the hard drive is C.
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Hard disk (drive) or HD A stack of round metal platters called disks encased in a metal air tight shell. They commonly range in sizes from 1 to 250 gigabytes . The hard drive's function is to store all the files, and software the computer will ever use. Any file or software program used by RAM most likely will come from the disk drive. DVD-ROM (digital video disk, read-only memory) DVD's are similar to CD in that they are written and read by laser. Hard drives use magnetic currents store data. However CD's and DVD's use light (laser) to write and read data on a disk. These long and short pits are then stored or etched on the surface of the disk. They can only be read by laser technology. The new DVD technology increased the amount of memory a regular CD can hold. DVD's can range in sizes from 4.34GB (1000MB=1GB) to 7.95GB.
CD-ROM (Compact disk, read-only memory) CD's function much like hard drive in that they store large amounts of memory. What separates them is their mobility and optical storage technology. Their storage capacity is also very limited compared to hard drives. The can only hold up to approximately 700 MB of information. The other big difference is that you have to have a special drive to write to CD's. Otherwise they can only be read from.
FLASH DRIVE
A small, portable flash memory card that plugs into a computers USB port and functions as a portable hard drive. USB flash d rives are touted as being easy-to-use as they are small enough to be carried in a pocket and can plug into any computer with a USB drive. USB flash drives have less storage capacity than an external hard drive, but they are smaller and more durable because they do not contain any internal moving parts. USB flash drives also are called thumb drives, jump drives, pen drives, key drives, tokens, or simply USB drives. Flash drives come with varying amounts of storage capacity eg 128MB, 256, 4.5GB. Popular brand name drives, are Lexar, Sandisk, Kingston, PNY, Iomega and LG.
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Software Subcomponent
Consists of all programs that tell a computer what to do. Categorized into: 1.Application 2.System 3.Programming
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Application Software
Application software or package helps you accomplish specific tasks. You can use application software to write letters, manage your finances, draw pictures, play games and much more.
Types
Word Processor Spreadsheets Database Management Presentation Graphics Communication Software Internet Browser Accounting Packages Statistical Packages Desktop Management Graphic Packages Games/Entertainment Audit Packages Tutorials
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System Software
The systems Software manage computer resources and interact with both the user and application programs. System software helps run the computer hardware and computer system. It includes: device drivers, diagnostic tools, operating systems, servers, utilities, windowing systems
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Programming Software
Programming software usually provides tools to assist a programmer in writing computer programs, and software using different programming languages in a more convenient way. The tools include: compilers, debuggers, interpreters, linkers, text editors
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Operating System
An operating system is a software component of a
computer system that is responsible for the management of various activities of the computer and the sharing of computer resources. The most important program that runs on your computer. It manages all other programs on the machine Every PC has to have one to run other applications or programs. Its the first thing loaded.
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directories on the disk, and Controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.
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power up, you should check to see that the rear power supply switch is set to the '1' position. The '0' position is OFF. If the computer still fails to power up, you should check and see that it's plugged into a working outlet and make sure that the power strip's (UPS) main power switch is in the ON position (if you have a power strip). Most power strips have an indicator lamp to let you know that they're on AND that the strip is plugged into a working outlet. Assuming that your computer is in good working order, it will come on when you push the main power button. When it powers up, the 'power' light will be lit and the hard drive activity light will be flashing/flickering. You will also hear the hard drives 'spin up' and you'll likely hear at least one fan turn on.
Now that the computer is on, you should see a 'desktop' with 1 or more
icons (little images that indicate what software/function they represent) and a background image (the background may also be a solid color or a pattern). This background image is called 'wallpaper'
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To shut down Windows XP: Click the Start button. From the Start menu, choose Turn Off Computer. Click the Turn Off button.
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About Windows
Is a Graphic user Interface - Uses pictures, symbols, or icons rather than words to represent some object or icon or function.
Supports multitask,- which means that you may use more than one program at the same time. Have standards (icons, desktop, menus, pointers and pointing devices) that are usually the same or similar in all systems and applications
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Windows Terminology
Windows XP uses the following terms to name or describe its basic components: Windows - rectangular portions of the desktop or screen that
appear as separate boxes or panes Desktop - an area of the screen where windows, icons and other elements are opened and manipulated Icons - a small graphical representation of a program, a file or other object Shortcut (or aliases) a reference to an object so you can access it from another part of the GUI. Menus - a window element that allow you to choose from a listing of choices Toolbars - a graphical version of a menu Pointer - the symbol representing the mouses business end Pointing device - a mouse, trackball or touchpad
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Desktop
Desktop = GUI metaphor to define their workplace. It is an on screen work area on which windows, icons, menus, and dialog boxes and other objects appear. Can be configured in many ways to suit needs and tastes. The way taskbar and start menu look and behave Desktop background along with sounds and messages etc.
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ICONS
They are small pictures or images that represent a program file, a data file or some command to perform a complex action. It makes easy to initiate actions, open programs and files and manipulate objects.
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Shortcuts
It is a quick and convenient way to run a frequently used programs or open a data file or folder without having to use the Start Menu or My Computer. It is nothing but a link to the actual program or file or folder. All data files that are opened by using a shortcut must have a file association. It can also reference hardware devices such as printers and storage devices.
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Taskbar
Acts as a container for other objects.
Provides a place to access programs that are opened. To restore a program that has been minimized to a fully functional window by clicking its button on the taskbar.
Start button
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Start Button
The Start Button opens the Start Menu.
Start
Button also has a shortcut menu that can be accessed by right clicking on it. This menu provides important features of windows such as windows explorer, taskbar and start menu properties, the search tool, and the ability to open the start menu as a folder.
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Current User
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Mouse Actions:
Pointing Moving the pointer around on the display unit to a particular object of interest
Right Click - clicking the right mouse button once Left Click - clicking the left mouse button once Double-click - clicking a button twice in rapid succession Dragging - holding a button down over an object while moving the mouse 43 Dropping - letting the mouse button up after a drag
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The windows keyboard has some extra keys that address windows specific functions such as opening the start menu or opening the shortcut menu. Many new style keyboards also include keys or buttons for connecting to the internet, sending and receiving emails, and adjusting the volume of the sound system separate software needed to manage them.
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Windows Key
Typing Keys
Control Keys
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Special keys
Pressing the Computer Key displays the Start Menu The arrow keys move the cursor/insertion point one character or one unit at a time in the direction of the arrow
The Num Lock Key must be on for the Numeric Key Pad to echo numeric characters
Shift
Holding down the Shift key while pressing a character converts the character to upper case
The function of the Home, End, PgDn, PgUp ky are determined by the software in use
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Keyboard Shortcuts are key combinations that can be substituted for mouse actions, and visa versa. They are fairly universal throughout Windows.
Shortcuts can be found on most Windows application menus as shown on the Left. These are some of the most widely used shortcut keys. Ctrl+Z means, for example, press the Ctrl key and the letter Z key at the same time. Case does not matter.
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CTRL+V
CTRL+Z DELETE SHIFT+DELETE CTRL+A
F1
F2 F3 F4 F5
Display Help.
Rename selected item. Search for a file or folder. Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer. Refresh the active window.
ALT+F4
CTRL+ESC SHIFT+F10 TAB ALT+ Underlined letter
Close the active item, or quit the active program. If no programs are open this command will Quit Windows XP.
Display the Start menu. Display the shortcut menu for the selected item. Move through the active controls (buttons, textboxes, etc.) on a window or dialog box. Carry out the corresponding command or select the corresponding option. This is usually 49 on a menu or command button.
Parts of a Window
A window is an area on your desktop within which all Windows-based programs run
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Parts of a window
Control Box The control box provides a menu that enables you to restore, move, size, minimize, maximize, or close a window. The frame separates the window from the desktop. You resize the window by dragging its borders outward to expand it and inward to contract it. The title bar displays the name of the current file and the name of the current program. Use the Minimize button to temporarily decrease the size of a window or remove a window from view. While a window is minimized, its title appears on the taskbar. Click the Maximize button and the window will fill the screen. After you maximize a window, if you click the Restore button, the window will return to its former size. Click the Close button to exit the window and close the program. The menu bar displays the program menu. You send commands to the program by using the menu. Toolbars generally display right below the menu, but you can drag them and display them along any of the window borders. You use the icons on the toolbars to send commands to the program. The work area is located in the center of the window. You perform most of your work in the work area. The status bar provides you with information about the status of your program. Window frame
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Starting a program
Click the Start button, located in the lower left corner of your screen. Highlight Programs. The Program menu will appear. Move to the Program menu and highlight the program you want to start. If you see a right pointer next to your selection, a submenu will appear. Refine your choice by highlighting the appropriate selection on the submenu. Continue until you get to the final submenu.` Click the program name to start the program. Note: A chevron at the bottom of the list of options means that there are additional options. To view the additional options, click the chevron.
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Quitting/Close/Exit a program
After saving your work, Click the Close button in the upperright corner of the window i.e. {x}
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You can then double click hierarchically on any of the items to see its contents (files)
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File:Folders are used to organize the data stored on your drives. Related files are stored in
the same folder.
Folder: Any information stored in the drive is stored as file with a given file name.
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5. 6. 7.
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*Note :
The file Name should not be more than 255 characters (alphanumeric)
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(B) To open document from within a program 1. On the File menu click Open 2. To open a document in a different folder, click the arrow next to the Look in box, and then click the disk that contains the folder. 3. Click the folder that contains document you want to open. You may have to scroll to see more folders. 4. Click the document you want to open, and then click open. Note: You can also open documents from the document menu, where many programs save a list of recently opened documents. (X) To open a document by using the Documents menu 1. Click the start button, and then point to documents 2. Click the name the name of the document you want to open.
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Right-click anywhere on the Windows desktop. A context menu will appear. Choose Properties. The Display Properties dialog box will appear. Click the Screen Saver tab. The Screen Saver field provides the list of available screen savers. Select the screen saver you want from the list. Click Preview to preview your screen saver. Click Esc to return to the Display Properties dialog box. In the Wait field, set the number of minutes of inactivity before the screen saver starts. Click OK.
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Time Zone: Click the Time Zone tab. Choose the correct time zone from the drop-down menu. If you want the clock to automatically adjust to daylight saving time, check the box on the screen. Click the Apply button. Click OK.
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Getting Help
To get Help Click the Start button, and then click Help. The list of Help topics appears. You can use tabs in Help to search for information in several ways. When you open Help by using the Start menu, or the Help menu in My Computer or Windows Explorer, you see Help for Windows in general. If you use the Help menu in a program, such as WordPad, Paint, or Microsoft Word, the Help you see is for that program. To find Help through the Contents Click the Contents tab to find topics grouped by subject, and then follow the instructions on your screen. To return to the list of tropics, click Help Topics. To find Help through the Contents Click the Index tab find specific topics listed alphabetically, and then follow the instructions on your screen. To return to the list of topics, click Help Topics. To find Help topics containing a word or phrase Click the Find tab to find all the topics that contains a specific word or phrase, and then follow the instruction on your screen. To return to the list of topics click Help Topics. To get Help on a specific item For information about an item in a dialog box, click [?], and then click them. A pop-up explanation appears. Click it to make it disappear.
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EXERCISES
Create a shortcut on your desktop that when double clicked will run Microsoft Word. Use Word Pad to create a file named practice1 and save it on your desktop. Copy the practice1 file from your desktop to the My documents folder. Change your desktop Wall Paper
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END
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