Computers in our everyday lives
Module 1.1
1. WHY WE USE COMPUTERS
• Efficiency – computers save the following:
✓ Time.
✓ Labour.
✓ Resources.
• Accuracy – ensured by quality programs and quality data.
✓ mass production on assembly lines.
✓ performing the same tasks over and over with 100% accuracy.
• Reliability – Computers can be relied on to do tasks
✓ Accurately.
✓ without tiring.
✓ without getting bored.
2. COMMUNICATION
• Efficiency, accuracy, and reliability of computers combined with the ability to
communicate, enable us to ...
✓ virtually eliminate time and distance as business constraints.
✓ communicate and share information in many different ways globally.
✓ save on communication costs.
✓ interact socially on a worldwide scale.
3. TYPES OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS
• When comparing computers, you should look at:
✓ How powerful they are:
➢ e.g., speed of CPU and how much RAM.
✓ What they are used for:
➢ servers / basic office applications
✓ Their size (mobility)
➢ range from huge mainframe computers to hand‑held devices.
✓ Software they use:
➢ we refer to operating systems as ‘platforms’ and to computers as ‘Linux
machines’ or ‘Windows machines’.
Copyright@SmartSummaries 1
, • Non‑portable computers
✓ Generally, consist of a system unit, monitor, mouse, and keyboard.
✓ They are:
➢ Large in size.
➢ Not meant to be moved around.
➢ Generally, more powerful than mobile or portable computers.
✓ Entry-level computer
➢ Cheapest to purchase in the range.
➢ Lower hardware specifications.
➢ Come with ‘Home editions’ of software.
✓ Types of non-portable computers:
➢ Server
➢ Desktop computer
All‑in‑one units are easier to transport and take up less space — but are more difficult
to fix or upgrade.
• Portable computers
✓ All‑in‑one design includes screen, keyboard and pointing device
✓ Incorporated in casing designed to
➢ fold (to take up less space)
➢ be easy to carry.
➢ protect delicate parts.
✓ Types of portable computers:
➢ Laptop/Notebook
➢ Tablet
➢
➢ Hybrid computer
➢ Smartphone
➢ Phablet
4. CATEGORIES OF USERS
• Personal users
✓ limited office tasks
✓ internet banking
✓ email and browsing the web
✓ social networking
✓ to skype with family and friends
✓ viewing and sharing photos
✓ for entertainment — gaming, music, viewing movies, etc.
Copyright@SmartSummaries 2
, • SOHO users (Small Office Home Office)
✓ Depends on type of business the user runs.
✓ General entry-level computer for administrative
functions:
➢ accounting or billing
➢ databases with clients, suppliers, stock, etc.
➢ electronic document archiving
➢ planning and scheduling, etc.
• Power users
✓ These users use top-of-the-range software:
➢ Hardcore gamers
➢ Architects
➢ Scientists
➢ Video editing professionals
➢ Engineers
• Mobile users
✓ Want and need to have their technology with them wherever they are.
✓ They use a smartphone or tablet for:
➢ browsing the internet and using email.
➢ playing games.
➢ reading books.
➢ navigating with GPS.
➢ taking quick notes.
➢ taking photos/video and recording sound.
5. CONVERGENCE
• The trend where separate technologies and functions that previously required
different devices are combined into a single device.
• The smartphone and the tablet are good examples of convergence.
Copyright@SmartSummaries 3
, Hardware devices
Module 1.2
1. THE INFORMATION PROCESSING CYCLE
• Input:
✓ Planning the data that needs to be collected.
✓ Deciding on the best way to capture data.
✓ Planning and creating data capture forms or instructions.
• Output:
✓ Sent directly to storage.
✓ Communicated directly to other computers.
✓ Used as an input for other programs, systems, or parts
of the same program.
✓ Used to control equipment or devices.
• Processing:
✓ Takes place only when software and data are loaded into RAM.
✓ Uses a step-by-step solution (algorithm)
✓ Uses data that has been input and creates information that can be output.
✓ Typically involves tasks such as:
➢ Searching, sorting, comparisons, decisions, and mathematical
calculations.
• Storage:
✓ Choose the correct storage media.
✓ Use security to protect sensitive data (encryption and physical safekeeping)
✓ Create and implement good backup policies.
✓ Create and use storage of non-IT related media (e.g., manual input forms)
Copyright@SmartSummaries 4
Module 1.1
1. WHY WE USE COMPUTERS
• Efficiency – computers save the following:
✓ Time.
✓ Labour.
✓ Resources.
• Accuracy – ensured by quality programs and quality data.
✓ mass production on assembly lines.
✓ performing the same tasks over and over with 100% accuracy.
• Reliability – Computers can be relied on to do tasks
✓ Accurately.
✓ without tiring.
✓ without getting bored.
2. COMMUNICATION
• Efficiency, accuracy, and reliability of computers combined with the ability to
communicate, enable us to ...
✓ virtually eliminate time and distance as business constraints.
✓ communicate and share information in many different ways globally.
✓ save on communication costs.
✓ interact socially on a worldwide scale.
3. TYPES OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS
• When comparing computers, you should look at:
✓ How powerful they are:
➢ e.g., speed of CPU and how much RAM.
✓ What they are used for:
➢ servers / basic office applications
✓ Their size (mobility)
➢ range from huge mainframe computers to hand‑held devices.
✓ Software they use:
➢ we refer to operating systems as ‘platforms’ and to computers as ‘Linux
machines’ or ‘Windows machines’.
Copyright@SmartSummaries 1
, • Non‑portable computers
✓ Generally, consist of a system unit, monitor, mouse, and keyboard.
✓ They are:
➢ Large in size.
➢ Not meant to be moved around.
➢ Generally, more powerful than mobile or portable computers.
✓ Entry-level computer
➢ Cheapest to purchase in the range.
➢ Lower hardware specifications.
➢ Come with ‘Home editions’ of software.
✓ Types of non-portable computers:
➢ Server
➢ Desktop computer
All‑in‑one units are easier to transport and take up less space — but are more difficult
to fix or upgrade.
• Portable computers
✓ All‑in‑one design includes screen, keyboard and pointing device
✓ Incorporated in casing designed to
➢ fold (to take up less space)
➢ be easy to carry.
➢ protect delicate parts.
✓ Types of portable computers:
➢ Laptop/Notebook
➢ Tablet
➢
➢ Hybrid computer
➢ Smartphone
➢ Phablet
4. CATEGORIES OF USERS
• Personal users
✓ limited office tasks
✓ internet banking
✓ email and browsing the web
✓ social networking
✓ to skype with family and friends
✓ viewing and sharing photos
✓ for entertainment — gaming, music, viewing movies, etc.
Copyright@SmartSummaries 2
, • SOHO users (Small Office Home Office)
✓ Depends on type of business the user runs.
✓ General entry-level computer for administrative
functions:
➢ accounting or billing
➢ databases with clients, suppliers, stock, etc.
➢ electronic document archiving
➢ planning and scheduling, etc.
• Power users
✓ These users use top-of-the-range software:
➢ Hardcore gamers
➢ Architects
➢ Scientists
➢ Video editing professionals
➢ Engineers
• Mobile users
✓ Want and need to have their technology with them wherever they are.
✓ They use a smartphone or tablet for:
➢ browsing the internet and using email.
➢ playing games.
➢ reading books.
➢ navigating with GPS.
➢ taking quick notes.
➢ taking photos/video and recording sound.
5. CONVERGENCE
• The trend where separate technologies and functions that previously required
different devices are combined into a single device.
• The smartphone and the tablet are good examples of convergence.
Copyright@SmartSummaries 3
, Hardware devices
Module 1.2
1. THE INFORMATION PROCESSING CYCLE
• Input:
✓ Planning the data that needs to be collected.
✓ Deciding on the best way to capture data.
✓ Planning and creating data capture forms or instructions.
• Output:
✓ Sent directly to storage.
✓ Communicated directly to other computers.
✓ Used as an input for other programs, systems, or parts
of the same program.
✓ Used to control equipment or devices.
• Processing:
✓ Takes place only when software and data are loaded into RAM.
✓ Uses a step-by-step solution (algorithm)
✓ Uses data that has been input and creates information that can be output.
✓ Typically involves tasks such as:
➢ Searching, sorting, comparisons, decisions, and mathematical
calculations.
• Storage:
✓ Choose the correct storage media.
✓ Use security to protect sensitive data (encryption and physical safekeeping)
✓ Create and implement good backup policies.
✓ Create and use storage of non-IT related media (e.g., manual input forms)
Copyright@SmartSummaries 4
