Technology Notes

Today’s Technology

  • Technology changes, requiring individuals to stay digitally literate.
  • Digital literacy: current knowledge of computers, mobile devices, the web, and related technologies.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

  • Technology advancements in communication and information handling improve decision-making and processes.
  • ICT facilitates information transfer and electronic communications.

Computer Generations

  • First Generation (1940-1956): Vacuum tubes for memory and CPU circuitry.
  • Second Generation: Transistors replaced vacuum tubes.
  • Third Generation (1965-1971): Integrated Circuits (ICs) replaced transistors.
  • Fourth Generation (1971-1980): Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits.
  • Fifth Generation: Ultra Large Scale Integration (ULSI) leading to microprocessors and AI.

Computer Definition

  • Electronic device that manipulates information or data under stored instructions.
  • Accepts data, processes it, produces results, and stores them.
  • Examples: Laptop, Tablet, Desktop, All-in-One Server

Information Processing Cycle

  • Input
  • Process
  • Output
  • Storage
  • Communication

Computer Components

  • Include input devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone), output devices (e.g., monitor, printer, speakers), storage devices (e.g., hard disk, USB flash drive), and communication devices (e.g., modem).

Data and Information

  • Pointing device controls a pointer on the screen.
  • Voice and video input allows speaking data/instructions and capturing live motion images.

Input Devices

  • Mouse: Selects options from on-screen menus.
    • Alternatives: Trackball, Touchpad/Trackpad.
  • Microphone: Allows speaking into the computer.
  • Web Cam: Digital video camera for creating movies or taking pictures.
  • Scanner: Converts printed text and images into a processable form.

Output Devices

  • Hardware component conveying information from computer to people.
  • Printer: Produces text and graphics on physical media.
    • 3-D printer: Prints solid objects.
  • Impact Printer: Strikes paper with inked ribbon (e.g., dot-matrix).
  • Non-Impact Printer: Does not strike paper (e.g., inkjet, laser).

Display/Monitor

  • Output device visually conveying text, graphics, and video.

Types of Monitors

  • Cathode Ray Tube (CRT): Vacuum tube with electron gun and fluorescent screen.
  • Liquid Crystal Display (LCD): Flat panel display with pixels between transparent electrodes and polarizing filters.
  • Light Emitting Diode (LED): LCD display with LED backlighting, more power-efficient.

Speakers

  • Output audio such as music and voice.
    • Includes earbuds and headphones.

System Unit

  • Case containing electronic components for processing data.
  • Motherboard: Circuit board within the system unit.
  • Processor (CPU) and Memory: Main components on the motherboard.

CPU and Memory

  • Processor (CPU): Interprets and executes instructions.
  • Memory: Stores instructions and data temporarily; erased when the computer is off.

Storage

  • Storage Media: Keeps data, instructions, and information.
  • Storage Device: Records (writes) and retrieves (reads) items to/from storage media.

Storage Examples

  • USB Flash Drive: Portable storage device.
  • Hard Disk: Greater storage capacity.
  • Optical Disc: Flat, round disc (CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray).
  • Memory Cards: Used in mobile devices; require a card reader/writer.

Why Computers Are Powerful

  • Speed: Perform billions of operations per second.
  • Reliability and Consistency: Low failure rate, consistent results.
  • Accuracy: Error-free results with correct input.
  • Communication: Sending and receiving messages.

Classifying Computers

  • Personal Computer: Single-user computer with keyboard, monitor, and storage.
  • Workstation: Powerful single-user computer.
  • Minicomputer: Multi-user computer for 10-100s of users.
  • Mainframe: Powerful multi-user computer for 100s-1000s of users.
  • Supercomputer: Extremely fast, performs millions of instructions per second.

Types of Computers

  • Desktop Computers: Placed on a desk.
  • Laptop Computers: Portable, battery-powered.
  • Tablet Computers: Handheld with touch screen.
  • Smartphones: Handheld telephones with computer capabilities.
  • Wearables: Fitness trackers, smartwatches.
  • Smart TVs: TVs with computer applications and internet streaming.