Types of Computers

Personal Computers - made for the individual
Desktops
Notebook / Laptops
All - in - One
Tablet PC

Mobile Computers - can work anywhere
Cell Phones
PDAs

Internet Appliances - get the information off a network, don't store as much locally
Web TV
XBOX

Workstations - powerful for companies

Servers - make programs and data available for other users through a network
Clients

Mainframes - used to handle large processing jobs

Supercomputers - ultra fast that handle trillions of computations a second

What is a Computer

All computers have input, processing, output, storage, and probably have communications. Together these are called the information processing cycle

A computer, or computer system, is a collection of hardware and software that have been designed to work together.

Hardware is the physical components

Software is the programs that run on the computer
There is system software and applications software

Input : getting your data into the computer

Data: words, pictures, sounds, numbers, movies, and other things you want to put into the computer

Input is the term used to put the data into the computer. You can use keyboards, mouse, microphone, scanner, discs, and usb connections.

Processing: transforming the data

Computers only do what you tell them to do. All they can do is carry out step by step operations.

algorithm - a step by step operation that solves a problem

programs are made up of different algorithms

The CPU (central processing unit) does all of the step by step calculations. Since the CPU needs to be able to do multiple things at a time, it uses RAM (random access memory) to store the information.

Output: getting the information to the user

Output is the term used when the computer needs to show the results of the processing. Output devices include a monitor, speakers, and a printer.

Storage: holding your data for future use

This is when the computer saves the the results of the process so they can be used again later. The processes are in RAM, which is only temporary memory. The computer must store the information onto a storage device for permanent storage.

Storage devices include: hard disk, floppy disc, ZIP disc, usb drive, CD or DVD

Communications: Moving data between computers

communications is when the computer moves data and information within the computer or between computers. A network is a group of computers that are connected together, usually for the purpose of sharing information.

Communication devices include a modem, wireless card, LAN or Ethernet card

In Class Assignment:

Suppose you are trying to create a presentation for one of your classes. Describe each of the steps in the information processing cycle and give examples of how you might use each one.

Input (at least 3 examples)
Processing (at least 5 examples)
Output (at least 3 examples)
Storage(at least 3 examples)
Communications(at least 3 examples)

Ethics and Computing

There are many ways to use computers that are unethical. It is up to YOU to use computers the right way. Ways of unethical ways to use the computer include:

Viruses
Spyware
Copying music and movies illegally
Plagiarism
Credit Card Fraud
Spam