Introduction to Computers
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Transcript of Introduction to Computers
Introduction to ComputersPart I: Parts & Smarts
A Computer Is…• A machine that takes in data and
instructions (input)• Works with the data (processing)• Gives the processed information back to
the user (output).
1960s 1980s Today
Hardware
• Physical parts of the computer you can actually touch.
• Input and output devices.
• Inner computer parts.
Input Devices
Devices that allow you to give information to a computer.
Output Devices
Devices that allow a computer to give information to the user.
Inner Computer Parts
Hard Drive
Chip
Memory
Video Card
Power Supply
CD/DVD ROM
Processing & Calculating
Temporary Memory
Permanent Storage
…until it crashes!
Information Storage• Hard Drive
– Permanent… until it crashes. – Located inside computer “tower.”
• Memory Stick– Temporary memory.– Located inside “tower.”
• CD/DVDs– Portable, inserted into CD/DVD-
ROM.– Information is “written” or
“burned” to the disc.
• Flash Drive– Portable, inserted into USB port.– About $15 for 8 GB.
Information Storage
700 floppy disks = 1 GB Flash Drive
Software• Often refers to a computer program.• You cannot physically touch software, but
it allows you to use a computer’s hardware.
• Enables you to tell a computer what to do. • Examples:– Windows Operating System– Games– Word processing programs like Microsoft
Word. – Internet browsers
Operating Systems
• Software that makes your hardware and programs run.
• The background for all other programs to run on.
• We are using Microsoft Windows XP.
• When Windows is running, this is the first thing you will see. • Contains the icons and some blank space leftover. • Icons are pictures that represent programs or files on your
computer.
The Desktop
Icons
The taskbar is a strip of buttons at the bottom of the desktop. Each button relates to tasks or windows you have open.
The Desktop
*Learn all about using Windows in the Using Windows
class.*
Open up Microsoft Word so that we can start using our keyboards!
Keyboard Practice
Using the mouse, click once on the Word icon that looks like the one above. Then press the enter key on your keyboard (it’s to the right of the letters).