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).