Getting Familiar with Computer Basics
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03_597531_ch01.qxd 7/18/05 8:53 PM Page 2 chapter1 Getting Familiar with Computer Basics Are you ready to start learning about computers? This chapter will help by introducing you to the computer and showing you its benefits and uses. You learn about the different types of computers, take a tour of a typical personal computer, and learn the COPYRIGHTED MATERIALdifference between computer hardware and software. 03_597531_ch01.qxd 7/18/05 8:53 PM Page 3 Discover the Computer........................................4 Benefits of Using a Computer............................5 What You Can Do with a Computer ................6 Types of Computers............................................10 Tour the Personal Computer ............................12 Learn About Computer Hardware ..................16 Explore Computer Software ............................17 03_597531_ch01.qxd 7/18/05 8:53 PM Page 4 Discover the Computer A computer is a device that ROM you can use to store, manipulate, and display text, numbers, images, and sounds. A 1 e /Hom Web rites Favo ch Sear Mail Stop ard Forw Back Computer Personal Computer A computer is an electronic device that is designed to A personal computer is a small, relatively inexpensive work with information. The computer takes computer that is designed for use by one person at a information in, processes that information, and then time. It allows you to perform personal tasks such as displays the results. In this way, a computer is similar creating documents, communicating with other to a calculator, except that even the smallest people, and playing games. The abbreviation PC is computer is much more versatile than the most most often used to refer to computers that run the powerful calculator. Computers operate at amazingly Microsoft Windows operating system, as well as to fast speeds, with a typical computer processing differentiate them from Macintosh computers. millions of calculations every second. Trinitron StaffStaff Microsoft® ours ® xp HoursH Payroll TM Windows Schedule Search Favorites Web/Home Stop Mail Forward Back 1 A 4 03_597531_ch01.qxd 7/18/05 8:53 PM Page 5 Benefits of Using a Computer Getting Familiar with Computer Basics chapter1 A computer is a powerful and useful tool because it gives you a number of n informationinformatio benefits, including the technologytechnology ability to quickly produce wordword webweb processingproce high-quality work. It designdesign ssing also enables you to learn managementm databasedatabase new skills that are an anagem important part of today’s ent technological world. LifeLife ToolsTools Speed New Skills Computers allow you to perform Because we live in a computer age, many everyday tasks more quickly. you often require basic computer For example, if you mail a letter to a skills to accomplish many daily tasks. friend, he may receive it in a few Typing on a keyboard, using a days. However, if you e-mail him, he mouse, and other basic computer receives your message in a few skills are useful in many different minutes. Similarly, if you manually situations and are often required by compose a newsletter, it may take you employers. a week, whereas using a computer, it may take just an afternoon. Quality u re yo Computer AreA yout er The tools that come with a computer mpu WANT ADS skills computerco Assistant te? Manager enable you to create high-quality ra SAL required literate?lite ES documents and drawings, even if SALES y.com Marketing Instore Rep wiley.comwile SALES jimjim@ you are not a typesetter or an artist. REP Computer Com With just a few simple techniques, puter Must know you can create documents that look Knowledge computers professional or are exactly suited to an Asset your present task. 5 03_597531_ch01.qxd 7/18/05 8:53 PM Page 6 What You Can Do with a Computer DICTIONARY THESAURUS MyMyy Most electronic devices — such as MP3sMPP33ss DVD players, camcorders, and personal stereos — only do one thing. However, because computers are versatile by design, they enable at S you to do many things. For example, 2 i Fr 9 1 ur 16 Th 8 23 d 15 ly 2005 0 We 7 3 you can use a computer to listen to Ju 22 es 14 u 9 T 6 2 1 n 2 o 13 M 5 28 20 un 12 S music, watch movies, create flyers, 4 27 19 11 3 26 18 10 5 2 research your family history, educate 17 24 your children, and play games. Create Documents Perform Research You can use your computer to create You can use your computer and the letters, resumes, memos, reports, Internet to research almost any topic newsletters, brochures, business that you can think of. For example, cards, menus, flyers, invitations, and Budget you can learn more about a vacation certificates. Anything that you use to destination, trace your family history, communicate on paper, you can access back issues of newspapers create using your computer. 2456.72 and magazines, and compare ChecksC hecks product features before you buy them. Monitor Your Finances You can use your computer to perform basic financial management. For example, you can create a My Space budget, record expenses, balance Report your checkbook, calculate your taxes, by Jade William s and monitor your mortgage. If you SEARCHING... run a small business, then you can UCTS ONS PRODUCTSPROD allocate income and expenses, VACATIONSVACATI EALOGY create financial reports, and calculate GENEALOGYGEN your profit and loss. 6 03_597531_ch01.qxd 7/18/05 8:53 PM Page 7 Getting Familiar with Computer Basics chapter1 Work with Numbers Store Data You can use a spreadsheet program to work with You can use your computer, and the appropriate numbers on your computer. For example, you can software, to store and work with large amounts of create a mortgage amortization schedule, calculate data. You can track personal items such as CDs, how much money you need to save for retirement, recipes, contact information for friends and relatives, monitor an investment portfolio, and create a and fitness activities. For business, you can track business plan. clients and potential clients, inventory, products, and orders. CDsCDs FriendsFriends ROM Mortgage s Amortization RelativesRelatives FitnessFitnes WorkWork TravelTravel ies Recipes HobbiesHobb ctures LettersLetters PicturesPi Mocha Cake RecipesRecipes Schedule Your Time Teach Your Children You can use your computer as an electronic day- You can use your computer to help educate your timer to record upcoming activities, birthdays, children. Many programs available are designed to anniversaries, events, meetings, and appointments. assist children with reading, drawing, learning math You can also set up some scheduling programs to and science, solving problems, and enhancing remind you of approaching events so that you do not creativity. forget them. WhatWhat iiss tthehe ccapitalapital ofof NNewew YYork?ork? AUG8 AlbanyAlbany ➥continued 7 03_597531_ch01.qxd 7/18/05 8:53 PM Page 8 What You Can Do with a Computer (continued) Learn New Life Skills You can use your computer to learn new life skills. Programs are available that teach you how to speak a different language, play chess, cook, garden, design a home, play a musical instrument, and design and make clothes. ROM Hi, Paul! Make New Friends How are you? You can use your computer and the Internet to enhance your social life. You can chat with other people by typing Hey, Paul! Nice to meet you! messages to them, join mailing lists, find support groups, find clubs and organizations in your area, and find a date. ROM Hi, it’s Paul! Keep In Touch BIOLOGY You can use your computer to communicate with friends, English History family, colleagues, and clients that you do not often see Intro Latin face-to-face. You can send e-mail messages and instant History messages, and you can even talk to another person using a microphone and your computer’s speakers. 8 03_597531_ch01.qxd 7/18/05 8:53 PM Page 9 Getting Familiar with Computer Basics chapter1 Buy and Sell Create Items You can use your computer and the Internet to buy You can use your computer to bring out your creative and sell things. Many online stores enable you to side. For example, you can create your own greeting purchase anything, from books to baby accessories, cards or wedding invitations, draw pictures, and have it delivered to your door. There are also manipulate digital photos, edit digital movies, record auction sites, such as eBay, that enable you to sell sounds, and compose music. items that you create or that you no longer need. KA- Our Trip to CHING! MEXICO 1 1 1 1 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 10 10 5 10 10 10 10 10 10 2010 10 1020 10 $ Play Media Play Games You can use your computer to play digital media, You can use your computer to play many different including music CDs, audio files, video files, types of games. You can solve a puzzle, fly a plane, animations, DVDs, music, and movies that you have race a car, go on an adventure, play football or downloaded from the Internet. hockey, battle aliens, plan a city, play backgammon or checkers, or deal poker. POSITIONPOSITION LAPLAP NO.NO. 1515 2/62/6 Trinitron Dimension 8100 y MyM s 3 P3sP MMP3sMP 9 03_597531_ch01.qxd 7/18/05 8:53 PM Page 10 Types of Computers When selecting a computer that is best for your needs, you should consider what purpose it will serve in your home or business, and whether it should be mobile for travel. Desktop A desktop is by far the most common type of computer. Most desktop systems come with a separate computer case, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. On older desktops, the computer case lies flat on the desk with the monitor sitting on top.