24-01-2013, 01:00 PM
COMPUTER BASICS CONCEPTS
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What is a Computer?
An electronic device that stores, retrieves,
and processes data, and can be
programmed with instructions. A
computer is composed of hardware and
software, and can exist in a variety of
sizes and configurations.
Hardware & Software
The term hardware refers to the physical
components of your computer such as the
system unit, mouse, keyboard, monitor etc.
The software is the instructions that makes
the computer work. Software is held either
on your computers hard disk, CD-ROM,
DVD or on a diskette (floppy disk) and is
loaded (i.e. copied) from the disk into the
computers RAM (Random Access Memory),
as and when required.
Hardware Components
OUTPUT DEVICES
VDU
The computer screen is used for outputting
information in an understandable format
Printers
There are many different types of printers.
In large organizations laser printers are
most commonly used due to the fact that
they can print very fast and give a very
high quality output.
Memory
ROM – Read Only Memory
Read Only Memory (ROM) as the name suggests is a special
type of memory chip that holds software that can be read
but not written to.
A good example is the ROM-BIOS chip, which contains readonly
software.
Often network cards and video cards also contain ROM
chips.
Applications software
An application program is the type of program that
you use once the operating system has been loaded.
Examples include word-processing programs,
spreadsheets and databases
Modem
Short for “MODulate/DEModulate”. The modem
sends information from your computer across the
telephone system.
The modem at the other end of the phone line,
converts the signal back into a format that can be
used by the receiving computer.
Computers in Education
CBT (Computer Based Training)
Computer Based Training (CBT) offers a low cost
solution to training needs where you need to train
a large amount of people on a single subject.
These programs are normally supplied on CD-ROM
and combine text, graphics and sound.
Packages range from general encyclopaedias right
through to learning a foreign language.
Value of Backup
The most important thing that you store
on your computer is information.
Often the contents of a hard disk can
represent years of work.
If the hard disk stops working one day you
could lose all those years of work.
For this reason it is VITAL that you take
regular backups of the information that is
stored on the computer.
Computer Virus
How to prevent virus damage
There are a number of third party antivirus
products available.
Most of these are better than the rather
rudimentary products available within
DOS and Windows, but of course you do
have to pay for them!
The main thing about your virus checker
is that it should be kept up to date.
Many companies supply updated disks on
a regular basis or allow you to receive
updates through an electronic, on-line
bulletin board.