Computer and

Internet Basics
Unit A

1
 Objectives

Define Computers
Explore Computer Functions
Categorize Computers
Examine Personal Computer
Systems
Explore Data, Information, and
Files

2
 Objectives

Introduce Application and System

Software
Define Internet Basics
Connect to the Internet
Understand World Wide Web
Basics
Use Browsers
Understand E-mail Basics
3
 A Computer is a device that

accepts input
processes data
stores data
produces output

(all according to a series of stored instructions)

4
Computer system consists of:

Hardware:
microprocessor
Peripheral devices:
input and output
Software:
programs

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Computer Network

Two or more
computers that are
connected and
share data and
programs

LAN is a local area network

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 Computer Functions

Words, symbols, numbers, sound,

Input
Input pictures, program instructions

Program calculates, sorts modifies data

Process
Process
Uses microprocessor or CPU

Results of processing
Output Reports, graphs, documents, pictures
Output
Printer or monitor

Memory is temporary holding area (RAM)

Store
Store Storage is permanent (disk)
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Categorizing Computers

Cost
Cost

Usage
Usage

Size
Size

Capability
Capability
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Computers to Fit Every Need
Five basic categories

Mobile devices

Personal computers

Midrange servers

Mainframe computers

Supercomputers

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 Mobile Devices
Very small computing devices.

Usually based on a wireless phone

or pager.

Many can be used to access e-mail

and Web pages.

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 Less Powerful Computers

Handheld
Handheld computer/PDA
computer/PDA

PC/microcomputer
PC/microcomputer
Workstations
Workstations

Videogame
Videogame console
console
Sony
SonyPlayStation
PlayStation
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More Powerful Computers

Server
Supplies network computers with data
Mainframe
Large, expensive, powerful, many users
Reliability, data security, central control
important
Supercomputer
Fastest and most powerful

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Personal Computers, Contd.

Desktop computerssmall
enough
to fit on or next to a desk. Can use:

Desktop case

Tower case

All-in-one case

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Personal Computers, Contd.

Portable PCsdesigned to be
carried around.

Notebook computers

Tablet PCs (either slate or convertible)

Handheld computers (pocket computers)

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Personal Computers, Contd.

PCs designed for just network

use are referred to as network
computers (NCs) or thin clients.

Devices designed just for Internet

access are called Internet
appliances.

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 Midrange Servers

Medium-sized computers, also

called minicomputers or midrange
computers.

Fall between microcomputers and

mainframes in processing power.

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 Mainframe Computers

Standard choice for most large organizations.

Specialize in high-volume processing of

business transactions.

Also called high-end

servers or enterprise-
class servers.

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 Supercomputers
Used for applications that have extraordinary
demands for processing power.

Offer very fast speeds and extreme degrees of

accuracy.

Commonly created today by

connecting hundreds of
smaller computers
to form a
supercomputing
cluster.

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 Computer System

Peripherals

Computer + input devices + output devices + storage devices

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 System Unit

Power Supply

Storage Devices

Circuit Boards

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 Input/Output Devices

Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse
Modem
Printer
Speakers/sound card

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Storage Devices

Floppy disk drive

Hard disk drive
CD-ROM drive
DVD drive
CD writer
DVD writer
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 Data vs. Information

Data (symbols) used by computers

Information (meaningful) used by people

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 Software

The programs or instructions

used to tell the computer
hardware what to do.
System software allows a
computer to operate and run
application software.
Application software performs
specific tasks or applications.
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 Data and Information

Data = raw, unorganized facts.

Can be in the form of text, graphics,
audio, or video.

Information = data that has

been processed into a useful
form.

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 Computer Users and
Professionals
Computer users, or end users,
are the people who use a
computer to obtain information.

Programmers are computer

professionals whose job it is to
write the programs that
computers use.
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 Data

Binary number
system to define
electronic data
0 or 1
Bit
Byte (8 bits)

32
 Files

Collection of data on a storage

medium
Data file (passive)
Executable file (active)
Filename and extension

Image.jpg
Image.jpg Word.exe
Word.exe Resume.doc
Resume.doc

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 System Software

Helps the computer monitor itself

in order to function efficiently
Operating system
Master controller of all computer
activities
Popular operating systems
PCs: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS
Handhelds: Windows CE and Palm OS
Servers: Linus and UNIX
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 Platform

Microprocessor + Operating system

Mac and PC compatibility is an

issue
Apple computer = Mac platform
Original IBM computer =
Windows or PC platform

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 Application Software

Microsoft
Microsoft Excel
PowerPoint

Designed
to carry out
a particular
task

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 Internet Basics

Internet is a
collection of local,
regional, national
and international
computer networks
that are linked
together to
exchange data and
distribute
processing tasks.
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 Internet Terminology
Backbone: defines main Internet
routes
Constructed and maintained by major
telecommunications companies
TCP/IP:
Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet
Protocol

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Internet Terminology

Server software
IP Address: unique
number for each Internet
computer
Packets: small chunks of
data ready to travel the
Internet
Router: helps send along
the packets to correct
destination
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 Internet Resources
Internet Telephony
Usenet
E-commerce
Instant Messaging
Web Sites
E-mail
Internet Radio
Download Or Upload
Chat Groups
P2P file sharing 40
Modem Internet Connections

Dial-up connection via modem

(56K)
Cable modems
Network card and cable modem required
Always-on and 25 times faster than dial-up

41
 Faster Internet Connections

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital

Network)
64K or 128K
Always-on and expensive
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
Up to 125 times faster than dialup
DSS (Digital Satellite Service)
500K

Need proximity to a telephone switching station

42
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Provides internet access to businesses,
organizations and individuals
Provides telecommunications
equipment
User ID and password required
Connects you to backbone
E-mail account monthly fee
Should have local access telephone
numbers

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 World Wide Web Basics

Files interconnected via hypertext

Web pages make up a web site
Home Page
Links or hyperlinks
Web servers

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 World Wide Web Basics
URL
No spaces and Case sensitive
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
HTML (Hypertext Markup
Language)
.htm or .html file extension

http://www.cnn.com/showbiz/movies.htm
Web Web Document name
protocol server Folder and filename
standard name name extension45
Search Engines

Keywords
Keywords
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 Using Browsers
Can type URLs
HTML tags tell browser how to display web
page data
Back, forward and stop buttons
Setting a home page
Print and copy options
History list
Favorites and bookmarks
Edit and Find

Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator

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 E-mail Basics

Account = Mailbox
Message userid@computer
Attachment
Most use HTML format
Netiquette

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 E-mail System
E-mail servers
Store-and-forward technology
Types
POP (Post Office Protocol) used via ISP
IMAP (Internet Messaging Access
Protocol)
Web-based like Hotmail

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E-mail System

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 Computer and
Internet Basics
End

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