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Computer Basics

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Lessons


Introduction

• 1: Getting to Know Computers
• 2: Understanding Operating Systems
• 3: Understanding Applications
• 4: Web Apps and the Cloud

All About the Desktop Computer

• 5: Basic Parts of a Desktop Computer
• 6: Buttons, Sockets and Slots on a Desktop Computer
• 7: Inside a Desktop Computer

Laptop Computers and Mobile Devices

• 8: Laptop Computers and Netbooks
• 9: Getting to Know Mobile Devices

Getting Started

• 10: Setting Up a Computer
• 11: Beginning to Use Your Computer
• 12: Getting to Know the OS

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Computer Basics​

Are you new to using computers? Do you wonder what people mean when they say the Cloud, Windows, Blackberry,

Lion, etc.? Perhaps you would just like to know more about how computers work? When it comes to learning today's technology,

Computer Basics has all the basic concepts covered.
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Computer Basics


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1: Getting to Know Computers


? What is a Computer

A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or "data." It has the ability to store, retrieve,

and process data. You can use a computer to type documents, send email
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and browse the internet.You can also use it to handle spreadsheets,accounting, database management, presentations, games, and more
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Computer Basics
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1: Getting to Know Computers

Computers Simplified

For beginning computer users, the computer aisles at an electronics store can be quite a mystery, not to mention overwhelming. However, computers really aren't that mysterious. All types of computers consist of two basic parts:

• Hardware is any part of your computer that has a physical structure, such as the computer monitor or keyboard.
• Software is any set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. It is what guides the hardware and tells it how to accomplish each task. Some examples of software are web browsers, games, and word processors such as Microsoft Word.

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Microsoft Word (software)​

Anything you buy for your computer can be classified as either hardware or software. Once you learn more about these items, computers are actually very straightforward.

The first electronic computer, the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC), was developed in 1946. It took up 1,800 square feet and weighed 30 tons

A motherboard (hardware)
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Computer Basics
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1: Getting to Know Computers


What are the Different Types of Computers?

When most people hear the word "computer" they think of a personal computer such as a desktop or laptop computer. However, computers come in many shapes and sizes, and they perform many different functions in our daily lives. When you withdraw cash from an ATM, scan groceries at the store, or use a calculator, you're using a type of computer.

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Computer Basics
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1: Getting to Know Computers


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Desktop Computers


Many people use desktop computers at work, home, school, or the library
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They can be small, medium, or large in style, and usually sit on a desk
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Once you add a monitor, mouse, and a keyboard, you have what is typically known as a desktop computer
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Most desktop computers are easy to upgrade and expand, or add new parts. Another benefit of desktop computers is the cost.

If you compare a desktop and a laptop with the same features, you will most likely find that the desktop computer is priced lower
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Some desktop computers have a built-in monitor to save space. These are often called all-in-one desktop computers.

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A desktop computer
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Computer Basics
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1: Getting to Know Computers


Laptop Computers

The second type of computer that you may be familiar with is a laptop computer, or laptops as they

are often referred to. Laptops are battery or AC-powered personal computers that are more

portable than desktop computers, allowing you to use them almost anywhere
.
Since a laptop is smaller than a desktop, it's more difficult to access the internal components.

That means you may not be able to upgrade them as much as a desktop. However, it's usually

possible to add more RAM or a bigger hard drive.

A laptop computer is sometimes called a notebook computer because of its size.

A laptop computer
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Computer Basics
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1: Getting to Know Computers

Servers

A server room

A server is a computer that "serves up" information to other computers on a network. Many

businesses have file servers that employees can use to store and share files.

A server can look like a regular desktop computer, or it can be much larger.

Servers also play an important role in making the internet work: they are where web pages are

stored. When you use your browser to click a link, a web server delivers the page you requeste

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A server room
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Computer Basics
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1: Getting to Know Computers

Other Types of Computers

Today, there lots of everyday devices that are basically specialized computers, even

though we don't always think of them as computers. Here are a few common examples:

• Tablet Computers: These use a touch-sensitive screen for typing and navigation. Since they don't require a keyboard or mouse, tablet computers are even more portable than laptops. The iPad is an example of a tablet computer.
• Mobile Phones: Many mobile phones can do a lot of things a computer can do, such as browsing the internet or playing games. These phones are often called smartphones.

• Game Consoles: A game console is a specialized kind of computer that is used for playing video games. Although they are not as fully-featured as a desktop computer, many newer consoles, such as the Nintendo Wii, allow you to do non-gaming tasks like browsing the internet.

• TVs: Many TVs now include applications (or apps) that let you access various types of online content. For example, you can view your Iranjoman.ir news feed or watch streaming movies on Netflix.

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The iPad, a type of tablet computer
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Computer Basics
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1: Getting to Know Computers

PCs and Macs

Personal computers come in two main "styles": PC and Mac. Both styles are fully functional, but they do have a different look and feel, and many people prefer one or the other.

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A PC

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A Mac
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Computer Basics
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1: Getting to Know Computers

PC: This type of computer began with the original IBM PC that was introducedin 1981. Other companies began to create similar computers, which were called IBM PC Compatible (often shortened to PC). Today,this is the most common type
of personal computer, and it typically includes the Microsoft Windows operating system.


Mac: The Macintosh computer was introduced in 1984, and it was the first

widely sold personal computer with a Graphical User Interface, or GUI

(pronounced gooey). All Macs are made by one company, Apple Inc., and they almost always use the Mac OS X operating system
.
Although PC can refer to an IBM PC Compatible, the term can also be used to

refer to any personal computer, including Macs.




About This Tutorial

In this tutorial, we'll mostly be focusing on PCs and the Windows operating system. If you're using a Mac, you may notice some differences with the way that your computer works. However, much of the information in this tutorial will still apply, no matter what kind of computer you're using.



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Computer Basics
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1: Getting to Know Computers


! Challenge

• Think about the activities you perform or want to perform using a computer (email, online shopping, etc.).
• Think about all the computers that are necessary for you to complete your day-to-day activities.
  • Is it a computer that controls the stoplights so you can drive to work?
  • How did the cashier scan and calculate your grocery items?
  • Does the coffee store you visit use a computer to order their inventory?
  • Is the weather map on television computer-generated?

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Computer Basics
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2: Understanding Operating Systems



What is an Operating System?

An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages the computer's memory, processes, and all of its software and hardware. It also allows you to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer's "language." Without an operating system, a computer is useless.




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Computer Basics
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2: Understanding Operating Systems

The Operating System's Job

You've probably heard the phrase boot your computer, but do you know what that means? Booting is the process that occurs when you press the power button to turn your computer on. During this process (which may take a minute or two), the computer does several things:

• It runs tests to make sure everything is working correctly.
• It checks for new hardware.
• It then starts up the operating system.

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Windows 7 startup screen
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Once the operating system has started up, it manages all of the software and hardware on the computer. Most of the time, there are many different programs running at the same time, and they all need to access your computer's Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory, and storage. The operating system coordinates all of this to make sure that each program gets what it needs. Without the operating system, the software wouldn't even be able to talk to the hardware, and the computer would be useless.

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Windows 7, after starting up

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Computer Basics



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2: Understanding Operating Systems

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Types of Operating Systems


Operating systems usually come preloaded on any computer that you buy
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Most people use the operating system that comes with their computer
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but it is possible to upgrade or even change operating systems
.

The three most common operating systems for personal computers are

Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X, and Linux.

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The Windows, OS X, and Linux logos

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Modern operating systems use a Graphical User Interface, or GUI (pronounced "gooey")
. A GUI lets you use your mouse to click on icons, buttons, and menus,
and everything is clearly displayed on the screen using a combination of graphics and text.

Each operating system's GUI has a different look and feel, so if you switch to a different operating system it
may seem unfamiliar at first. However, modern operating systems are designed to be easy to use, and most of the basic principles are the same.​

the Windows GUI The OS X GUI

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Before GUIs, computers had a command-line interface,

which meant the user had to type every single command to the computer,

and the computer would only display text.
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Computer Basics
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2: Understanding Operating Systems



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Microsoft Windows


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Microsoft created the Windows operating system in the mid-1980s. Over the years, there have been many different versions of Windows, but the most recent ones are Windows 8 (released in 2012), Windows 7 (2009), and Windows Vista (2007). Windows comes preloaded on most new PCs, which helps to make it the most popular operating system in the world.
If you're buying a new computer or upgrading to a newer version of Windows, you can choose from several different editions of Windows, such as Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate. You may need to do some research to decide which edition is right for you.

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Windows 7
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Computer Basics
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2: Understanding Operating Systems

Apple Mac OS X

Mac OS is a line of operating systems created by Apple Inc. It comes preloaded on all new Macintosh computers, or Macs. All of the recent versions are known as Mac OS X (pronounced Mac O-S Ten), and their specific version names are Mountain Lion (released in 2012), Lion (2011), and Snow Leopard (2009). Apple also offers a version called Mac OS X Server, which is designed to be run on servers.
According to StatCounter Global Stats, Mac OS X users account for 7.5% of the operating systems market as of January 2013 - much lower than the percentage of Windows users (over 90%). One reason for this is that Apple computers tend to be more expensive. However, many people prefer the look and feel of Mac OS X.

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Mac OS X Lion
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Computer Basics
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2: Understanding Operating Systems

Linux

Linux (pronounce LINN-ux) is a family of open source operating systems, which means that they can be modified and distributed by anyone around the world. This is very different from proprietary software like Windows, which can only be modified by the company that owns it (Microsoft). The advantages of Linux are that it is free, and there are many different distributions (or versions) that you can choose from. Each distribution has a different look and feel, and the most popular ones include Ubuntu, Mint, and Fedora.
Linux is named after Linus Torvalds, who created the Linux kernel in 1991. The kernel is the computer code that is the central part of an operating system.
According to StatCounter Global Stats, Linux users account for less than 1% of the operating systems market as of January 2013. However, most servers run Linux because it's relatively easy to customize.


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Ubuntu Linux
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Computer Basics
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2: Understanding Operating Systems
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Operating Systems for Mobile Devices


The operating systems that we've been talking about were designed to run on desktop or laptop computers. Mobile devices such as phones, tablet computers, and mp3 players are very different from desktop and laptop computers, so they run operating systems that are designed specifically for mobile devices. Examples of mobile operating systems include Apple iOS, Windows Phone, and Google Android.
Operating Systems for mobile devices generally aren't as fully-featured as those made for desktop or laptop computers, and they aren't able to run all of the same software. However, you can still do a lot of things with them, such as watching movies, browsing the internet, managing your calendar, playing games, and more.



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Apple iOS running on an iPad
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Computer Basics
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2: Understanding Operating Systems
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Challenge!

• What is an operating system? Is it software?
• Do you know what operating system your computer uses? If not, find out.
• Visit the Microsoft and Apple websites to learn more about each operating system.
• Search the internet for articles that compare Windows and Mac OS X.
• Visit the Ubuntu, Mint, and Fedora websites to learn more about each Linux distribution.

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