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Hardware and Software
Basics
With Dr. Poirot
Module Objectives
 Describe the appropriate use of operating
systems, software applications, and networking
components.
 Compare and contrast the use of various input,
processing, output, and primary/secondary
storage devices.
 Explain the differences between analog and
digital technology systems and give examples of
each type of system.
 Delineate and make necessary adjustments
regarding compatibility issues and cross-platform
connectivity.
Types of Devices
Digital versus Analog
 A digital device uses discrete data.
 Discrete data is distinct or separate.
 Ex: Numbers or digits.
 Most computers today are digital. Their
circuits have only two possible states, such
as “Off” and “On” or “0” and “1”.
“The Journey Inside” from Intel's website provides
animation and video along with teacher resources.
Types of Devices
Digital versus Analog
An analog device operates on
continuously varying data.
Continuously varying data has
an infinite number of possible
states.
Types of Devices
Digital versus Analog
 A digital thermometer will give a specific
numerical reading when used to measure
someone’s body temperature.
 An old fashioned mercury thermometer’s
reading of someone’s body temperature
could be interpreted differently by
different users.
Computer Hardware
 Central Processing Unit - also called
“The Chip”, a CPU, a processor, or a
microprocessor
 Memory (RAM)
 Storage Devices
 Input Devices
 Output Devices
View an animated illustration on
how integrated circuits or “chips” are made.
Computer Hardware
 Central Processing Unit - also called “The
Chip”, a CPU, a processor or a
microprocessor
 Memory (RAM)
 Storage Devices
 Input Devices
 Output Devices
Computer Hardware
 Central Processing Unit - also called “The
Chip”, a CPU, a processor or a
microprocessor
 Memory (RAM)
 Storage Devices
 Input Devices
 Output Devices
Computer Hardware
 Central Processing Unit - also called “The
Chip”, a CPU, a processor or a
microprocessor
 Memory (RAM)
 Storage Devices
 Input Devices
 Output Devices
CPU Types
 CPU or microprocessor is often
described as the brain of a computer.
 CPU is an integrated circuit or “chip” which
processes instructions and data.
 CPU types.


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Intel Pentium II, III, IV
Intel Celeron
AMD Athlon
CPU types
 CPU speed is measured by the number of
completed instruction cycles per second
Currently, CPU speeds range from 600
megahertz (MHz or million cycles per second)
to 4 gigahertz (GHz or billion cycles per
second).
 Always check new software’s requirements
for CPU type and speed before purchasing
Watch an animated illustration of a CPU at work.
Microcomputer Platforms
 All microcomputers are based on a small
number of designs (interior architecture)
or computer platforms.
 PC architecture is based on the first IBM
microcomputers. Generally, PCs use
Microsoft Windows as their operating
system.
 Apple computers or Macs are based on
proprietary architecture manufactured
exclusively by Apple Computer, Inc.
Microcomputer Platforms
 Compatibility refers to computers that
operate in essentially the same way.
 Compatibility across platforms is limited!
You must know which platform your
computer runs on before purchasing
software.
 All software is designed for a specific
platform.
Windows, Mac or Unix versions
Memory (RAM)
RAM or Random Access Memory
 “Waiting room” for computer’s CPU.
 Holds instructions for processing data,
processed data, and raw data.
 Ram is measured by:


Capacity (in Megabytes or Gigabytes)
Speed (in Nanoseconds)
Memory (RAM)
 Amount of RAM installed will determine.
Which software applications will run
(efficiently)?
How many software applications can be open
simultaneously (multitasking ability)?
 RAM upgrades are cost-effective and
easy to install.
Check your computer manual for RAM type
(DIMM, SDRAM) and speed (100, 90ns).
Memory (RAM)
 All software applications will have RAM
specifications listed on their packaging.
 Many applications list both a minimum
and a recommended amount of RAM
necessary to run the software.
 Be cautious about buying software for a
system based on minimum requirement.
Visit the Memory Technology Exhibit
at Intel’s Virtual museum.
Storage Technology
 Electronic devices that store, retrieve, and
save instructions and data.
 Today’s microcomputers or PCs include
several types of storage devices.
 Capacity and speed are important
considerations when selecting a new
storage device for a PC.
Storage Technology
 Magnetic storage devices
store data by magnetizing
particles on a disk or tape.
They have a limited life-span
of 1 to 5 years, depending
on the device.
 Optical storage devices
store data as light and dark
spots on the disk surface.
They have an unlimited lifespan.
Storage Devices
Hard Disk Drives
 Capacity is measured in gigabytes (GB or
billions of bytes).
 Typically permanently installed.
 Used to store operating system,
application software, utilities and data.
 Magnetic storage device.
Learn more about how a hard disk drive
works from How Stuff Works website.
Storage Devices
Floppy Disk Drives
 Capacity is 1.44 to 2.0
megabytes (MB or millions
of bytes).


Storage device with the
smallest capacity
Most portable storage media
 Magnetic storage device.
Storage Devices
CD-ROM Drives
 Typically installed on all new computer
systems. (Were add-on device until the
mid 1990’s).
 Capacity is 600 to 750 megabytes
(MB or millions of bytes).
 Most mass-produced commercial software
is packaged on a CD.
Storage Devices
CD-ROM Drives
 Used more often now for backup storage
as CD-RW (read/write) technology has
become less expensive.
 Data is read from CD by a laser.
 Optical storage device.
Learn how to write data, images, and
audio to a CD from Kodak’s website.
Storage Devices
Other Types of Drives
 Zip Drives – Several different capacities are
available.
 Tape Drives – Generally used for system
backups, becoming less common.
 DVD drives – Can also read CDs, now more
common as a standard device on new computer
systems.
Learn more about specific hardware components
and their functions from Tom’s Hardware.
Input Devices
 Input is all information put into a
computer. Input can be supplied from a
variety of sources:





A person
A storage device on computer
Another computer
A peripheral device
Another piece of equipment, such as a
musical instrument or thermometer
Input Devices
 Input devices gather and translate data
into a form the computer understands.
 Primary input device:



Keyboard - Most common input device;
used to type in commands and data.
Mouse or trackball enhances user’s ability
to input commands, manipulate text, images.
Joystick useful in education as an adaptive
or assistive input device.
Input Devices
 Scanners are peripheral input devices
which allow users to import:



Text
Graphics
Images
 Specialized software aids in translating
information into a format the computer
can understand and manipulate.
Input Devices
 Digital Cameras are peripheral
input devices that allow users to
create pictures and/or movies in
a digital format.


Some require specialized
software to import images
into the computer.
Some record digital images
directly to a disk that can be read
by the computer.
Output Devices
 Monitors are the most commonly used
output device.
 Most monitors use a bitmap display.



Allows user to resize the display.
Divides the screen into a matrix of tiny
square “dots” called pixels.
The more “dots” a screen can display, the
higher the resolution of the monitor.
Output Devices
 Monitors are connected to a computer
system via a port integrated on the video
adapter or graphics card.
 Graphics cards convert digital data output
from software to analog data for display
on monitors.
Typically have additional memory chips on
card, 4MB to 64MB.
Output Devices
Printers
 Dot matrix
 Seldom used in a classroom.
 Still frequently used in business.
 Bubble or ink jet
 Laser
Output Devices
Projection systems or classroom TVs can
display information from a computer system
on a larger screen for whole-class instruction.
View and excellent tutorial on hardware basics at
Macromedia’s site.
Requires log-in and browser plug-in download.
Networks
 A collection of computers and other
devices that communicate to share data,
hardware, and software.
 A stand-alone computer is called a
workstation on a network.
 A workstation provides access to:


Your computer’s local resources
Network resources
Networks
Network nodes include
workstations, printers,
and servers.
Networks
 A server is a computer connected to a
network that distributes and stores
resources for other network users.
 With proper licensing, many network users
can use the same applications and data
files simultaneously and share other
resources, such as storage space or a
printer.
Networks
 Local Area Network (LAN) –
a network located in a limited area.


LANs are found in most businesses.
Many campuses use LANs.
 A network interface card (NIC) –
a key hardware component.


Connects a workstation to the network.
A circuit board that sends data between the
workstation and the network.
Networks
 Wide Area Network (WAN) –
a network that covers a large geographical
area. TENET is a classic example.
 All types of networks require special
networking hardware and networking
software to allow different computers to
communicate with each other.
Networks
 The Internet - largest of all networks.
 Communication standards called protocols
allow for global exchange of information.


Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
Internet Protocol (IP)
 Intranets are LANs or WANs that use
these communication standards or TCP/IP.
 Special hardware (modem) and software
(browser) are required.
Options and Tradeoffs
Speed versus Cost
 How fast are you able to access and save
data on the hard drive?
 How fast will application software open?
 How quickly will software respond to
commands?
 How quickly will your printer produce a
document?
Options and Tradeoffs
Capacity versus Cost
 How many applications can you store on a
hard disk drive?
 How much data can you store on a
secondary storage device?
 How many applications can be opened
simultaneously?
Options and Tradeoffs
Quality versus Cost
 Pentium versus Celeron
 Laser printer versus Ink Jet printer
 Limited functionality editions versus full
versions of software
 15 inch monitor versus 21 inch monitor
Options and Tradeoffs
 Speed versus Cost
 Capacity versus Cost
 Quality versus Cost
 Cost-Cost-Cost
PC World online provides hardware reviews and
comparison charts that are updated each month.
Software
 Instructions and associated data, stored in
electronic format, that direct the computer
to accomplish a task.
 System software helps the computer
carry out its basic operating tasks.


Operating systems
Utilities
System Software
 An Operating System (OS) is the master
controller within a computer.
EX: Windows, MacOS, DOS, UNIX, Linux
 An operating system interacts with:
 All hardware installed in or connected to a
computer system.
 All software installed or running from a
storage device on a computer system.
System Software
 Microsoft Windows
 Most popular operating system.
 Supports a vast array of application software
and peripheral devices.
 MacOS
 For Macintosh computers.
 Proprietary system.
 Does not have same functionality and support
for software and peripheral devices.
System Software
 Network operating system (NOS)
 Manages network resources.
 Maintains security.
 Tracks user accounts.
 Handles communication between
workstations and servers.
 Popular network operating systems
Windows NT, Novell Netware, UNIX
System Software
Utilities
 Utilities augment functionality of operating
systems. Utilities includes device drivers and
Troubleshooting capabilities.
 Utilities provide file management capabilities
such as copying, moving or renaming a file.
 Norton Utilities includes an undelete function
that can recover deleted files.
 Symantec and McAfee Virus checkers add
protection for all system and data files.
Application Software
 Accomplishes specific tasks for users.
 Enables a computer to become a multi-
purpose machine.
Produce
worksheets and
reports.
Create flow charts
and graphic
organizers.
Automate record
keeping like
attendance and
grades.
Communicate
worldwide.
Application Software
 Productivity Software
 Spreadsheets
 Databases
 Presentation Software
 Document Preparation
 Word Processing
 Desktop Publishing
 Project Management Software
Application Software
 Graphics Creation and Manipulation
 Animation and 3D Graphics
 Video Editing
 Internet Connectivity
 Website Creation and Management
 Groupware
 Financial Management
 Educational Games and Tutorials
Programming Languages
 Basic building blocks of any software.
 Programming languages allow a
programmer to write instructions that a
computer can understand.
 Programming languages have some
resemblance to the English language.

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BASIC
Pascal
Fortran
C++
Java
Instructional Support
 What problems do you need solved and
which application software will help solve
the problems?
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Integrated Learning Systems
Computer Assisted Instruction
Drill, Tutorial, Simulation
Textbook Resources
Research and Information Access
What technology-based resources
are available?
 Technology Plan (District-wide)
 Technology Plan (Building)
 Curricula Plan
What technology-based
resources are available?
 Stand-alone computer(s) in the classroom
 Networked computers in the classroom
 Computer laboratory
 Computer for every kid