Business Technology ApplicationsStanley

Computers are electronic devices that can perform tasks and calculations based on the instructions that have been given to it. Personal Computers – small enough to fit on a desk,

is relatively inexpensive and is designed for an individual user.

Laptop Computers (sometimes called notebooks) same as PC but portable

Tablet PC – special type of notebook computer that allows you to write or draw on the screen using a digital pen▪ combines the features of a traditional notebook computer with

the simplicity of pencil and paper And Mobile Devices that are small enough to carry

with you such as smart phones, PDAs, handheld computers, portable media players (iPod), and digital cameras

Supercomputer – the fastest type of computer. It can store data and perform numerous tasks simultaneously at incredible speeds.

Mainframe – less powerful and less expensive than supercomputers but are still capable of storing and processing large amounts of data.

Minicomputer – (also called a server) smaller than a mainframe, larger than a microcomputer and can support multiple users with their own terminals at the same time

Data is a collection of unprocessed items, which can include text, numbers, images, audio and video.

Information conveys meaning and is useful to people.

Computers process DATA into INFORMATION

hardware is the physical components that make up a computer. These include: input devices, storage

devices, and communication devices. Common hardware components include:

keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner, web cam, printer, monitor, speakers, hard disk drive.

Input Device is any hardware component that allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer.

Five common input devices include:1. Keyboard – contains the keys you press to enter

data into the computer2. Mouse – small handheld device that allows you to

control the movement of a small symbol on the screen called a pointer and you make selections on the screen

3. Microphone – allows you to speak into the computer4. Scanner – converts printed material into a form the

computer can use5. Web cam – digital video camera that allows you to

create movies or take pictures and store them on the computer instead of on tape or film

Output Device is any hardware component that conveys information to one ore more people. Three commonly used output devices are:1. printer – produces text and graphics

on a medium such as paper2. monitor – displays text, graphics, and

videos on a screen3. speakers – allows you to hear music,

voice, and other audio

System Unit - case that contains the electronic components of the computer that are used to process data Inside the system unit is the

motherboard which has two main components1. the processor2. memory

Central Processing Unit (CPU) – the main chip that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer.

Memory consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by those instructions▪ The number of memory locations is stated in

terms of BYTES▪ A byte is a unit of storage capable of holding a

single character

A byte is equal to 8 bits.A kilobyte (KB) is equal to 1,025 bytes or 103.

A megabyte (MB) is equal to 1,048,576 bytes or 106 .A gigabyte (GB) is equal to 1,073,741,824 bytes or 109 .Terabyte(TB) 1012, petabyte(PB) 1015, exabyte (EB) 1018, and so on.

Network is a collection of computers and devices connected together, often wirelessly, which allows computers to share information, programs, printers, or scanners. When a computer connects to a network, it is online.

Internet is a worldwide network of smaller computer networks all linked together by unique Internet Protocol addresses. It is the largest computer network, connecting millions of computers and devices around the world. World Wide Web – a system of extensively

interlinked hypertext documents: a branch of the Internet – it is one of the more popular services on the Internet▪ Web contains billions of documents called Web Pages –

contain text, graphics, animation, audio, and video HTML- HyperText Markup Language: the

standard protocol for formatting and displaying documents on the World Wide Web

Software also called a program consists of a series of related

instructions, organized for a common purpose, that tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them

1. Operating Software - software that manages the computer’s files and programs that provides a means for users to communicate with the computer and other software. Many of today’s computers use Micorsoft’s

Windows or Mac OS2. Application Software – designed to make

users more productive and/or assist them with personal tasks Type of Application Software related to

communication is a Web browser Others include word processing software,

spreadsheet software, database software, and presentation software

Software that is used to create and print documents such as letters, memos, and reports.

Software used for analysis and reporting of statistical or numerical data.

Software that allows the user to collect, store, organize, modify, and extract data.

1. Creating a birthday card for a friend

2. Balancing your checkbook3. Printing a mailing list4. Practicing math facts5. Keeping an address book6. Writing an essay about your

vacation7. Making a school newsletter8. Writing a story about

basketball

WordProcessing

Spreadsheet

Database

DesktopPublishing

Item Input(Hardware) Output(Hardware) Operating Software Application Software

Keyboard

Microsoft Word

Windows 7

Modem

Scanner

Solitaire

Speakers

Mac OS X Snow Leopard

Printer

Greeting Card Maker