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Chapter 1: Introduction to the World of Technology – VOCABULARY Flashcards

Why Learn About Computers and Technology

  • Pervasive computing (also known as ubiquitous computing): computers are everywhere and have become an integral part of our lives.

  • Before 1980: computers were large and expensive; very few people had access; used mainly for high-volume processing tasks.

  • Today: computers are integrated into business and personal life in many ways; convergence of devices enables tasks like email on a living room TV, phone calls via a computer, and viewing Internet content on smartphones; computer literacy is essential for everyone.

Computers Today: Context and Evolution

  • Early personal computer use (timeline):

    • Early 1980s: microcomputers (inexpensive personal computers) were invented, leading to a dramatic increase in computer use.

    • Early 1990s: the World Wide Web (WWW) and graphical Web browsers were invented, increasing personal computer use.

  • Convergence: electronic devices are converging into single units with multiple capabilities (e.g., email on TV, calls via computer, Internet content on phones).

  • Computing devices in various contexts (home, education, work, mobility) reflect a broad adoption and dependence on technology.

Convergence

  • The trend toward combining multiple functions into single devices or ecosystems (e.g., smartphones, smart TVs, wearables) to perform what used to require several separate devices.

Computing Devices in the Home

  • Tasks performed by home computing devices:

    • Looking up information and news

    • Exchanging e-mail

    • Shopping and paying bills

    • Watching TV, videos, and movies

    • Downloading music and movies

    • Organizing digital photographs

    • Playing games

    • Making vacation plans

    • Other reference, productivity, or entertainment tasks

  • Common technologies:

    • Wireless networking: computers usable in nearly any location

    • Smart appliances: traditional appliances with built-in computing/communication

    • Smart homes: household tasks monitored/controlled by a central computer or smartphone

Computing Devices in Education

  • Most children/teens have used computers; schools provide access to computers; some schools integrate e-books; devices may be supplied or required; wireless hotspots enable Internet access; distance learning enables participation from off-campus locations.

  • Examples of computing devices in education (visuals illustrate devices and uses).

Computing Devices on the Job

  • Computers are universal tools across jobs: used for decision-making, productivity, communications, access control, and security.

  • Service professionals, military, and many others rely on computers; ongoing updates to computer skills are often required;

  • Some jobs exist specifically because computers exist.

Computing Devices on the Go

  • Everyday environments include:

    • Consumer kiosks, ATM transactions, POS systems, self-checkout

    • Consumer authentication systems, portable devices, smartphones, smart watches, GPS systems

  • Examples highlight how computing devices appear in daily life and how they enable various activities.

Technology and You: Restaurant iPad Ordering Systems

  • iPad ordering systems used with e-menus; customers can place and pay for orders; systems can provide more resources to customers.

What Is a Computer and What Does It Do?

  • A computer is a programmable, electronic device that:

    • Accepts data

    • Performs operations on that data

    • Stores data

  • Instructions are programs that determine the tasks the computer will perform.

  • Basic operations (IPOS cycle):

    • ext{Input: entering data into the computer}

    • ext{Processing: performing operations on the data}

    • ext{Output: presenting the results}

    • ext{Storage: saving data, programs, or outputs for future use}

    • ext{Communications: sending or receiving data}

The IPOS Cycle — The Five Primary Operations

  • The IPOS cycle comprises the five primary operations: ext{Input}, ext{Processing}, ext{Output}, ext{Storage}, ext{Communications} (IPOS).

Data vs. Information

  • Data: raw, unorganized facts; can be text, graphics, audio, or video.

  • Information: data that has been processed into a meaningful form.

  • Information processing is the conversion of data into information.

Computers Then and Now: Precomputers and Early Computers

  • The history of computers is often described in generations; each generation marks a major technological development.

  • Precomputers and early computers (before ~1946):

    • Abacus, slide rule, mechanical calculator

    • Punch Card Tabulating Machine and Sorter

First and Second Generation Computers

  • First-generation computers (1946-1957):

    • Enormous, powered by vacuum tubes, high electricity use, significant heat

    • Examples: ENIAC, UNIVAC

  • Second-generation computers (1958-1963):

    • Used transistors; smaller, cheaper, more energy-efficient, more reliable

    • Input via punch cards; output via punch cards and paper; storage via magnetic tape

Third and Fourth Generation Computers

  • Third-generation ( 1964-1970 ): integrated circuits (ICs) on a single silicon chip; input via keyboards; output via monitors; storage via hard drives.

  • Fourth-generation ( 1971– present): microprocessors; input via keyboards/mice; output via monitors/printers; storage via hard drives, flash memory, optical discs; networks/Internet developed.

Inside the Industry: Moore’s Law

  • Observation by Gordon Moore (1965): the number of transistors per square inch on chips doubles every two years.

  • Moore’s Law remains relevant for processors and other components.

  • Formal expression (conceptual): if N(t) is transistor count at time t, then N(t) \,\propto\, 2^{t/2} (doubling every 2 years).

Transistor Trends (illustrative graph narrative)

  • Transistor counts across generations show exponential growth, with explicit examples and milestone chips from 1971 to 2011.

  • Visuals show milestones such as multi-core processors and progressively denser integration on chips.

Fifth Generation Computers

  • Fifth generation (now and the future):

    • Often defined as AI-based; some aspects like voice and touch input are used today.

    • Future possibilities include: optical computers, nanotechnology-based tiny computers, general-purpose computers embedded into everyday devices.

Hardware

  • Hardware: the physical parts of a computer.

  • Internal hardware: located inside the main box (system unit).

  • External hardware: located outside the system unit; connects via wired or wireless connections.

  • Hardware devices relate to all five computer operations (IPOS).

Input, Processing and Output Devices

  • Input devices: keyboards, mice, scanners, cameras, microphones, pens, touch pads, touch screens, fingerprint readers, etc.

  • Processing devices: CPU (central processing unit); also includes GPUs and memory.

  • Output devices: monitors, printers, speakers, headphones, etc.

Storage and Communications Devices

  • Storage devices: hard drives, CD/DVD discs and drives, USB flash drives, etc.

  • Communications devices: enable communication with others and remote information access (modems, network adapters, routers, etc.).

Examples of Hardware

  • Visuals illustrate typical hardware configurations (in-house examples for home, education, business, and enterprise contexts).

Software

  • Software is the program or instructions that tell hardware what to do.

  • System software enables the computer to operate; includes the operating system (OS) which boots the computer and launches programs.

  • The OS controls hardware and supports user interaction via graphical interfaces (icons, buttons, tiles).

  • Common OS examples: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.

The Birth of the GUI (Graphical User Interface)

  • GUI (pronounced you-gee or gooey) enables easier use by leveraging graphics.

  • Early personal computers used text-based command-line interfaces; GUI popularized with the Apple Macintosh in the 1980s.

The GUI's Impact on Usability

  • Two key enablers: cheaper memory and faster CPUs.

  • GUI replaced command-line interfaces with windows, icons, and mouse-driven menus.

  • Early PC “killer apps” included word processing, desktop publishing, and spreadsheets, driving the PC era.

The Windows Desktop

  • The Windows desktop became the work area for Windows PCs, providing a graphical environment for applications and user interaction.

Application Software (Apps)

  • Apps perform specific tasks or applications: creating letters/budgets, managing inventory, editing photos, scheduling, viewing web pages, email, burning DVDs, designing homes, playing games, watching videos, listening to music, programming, creating web pages.

  • Examples of application software include word processors, spreadsheets, media players, image editors, browsers, and many more.

Examples of Application Software

  • Illustrative examples of common apps and suites used for various tasks.

Quick Quiz (1) (review items)

  • 1) Which of the following was not a first-generation computer? Options include IBM PC, UNIVAC, ENIAC; answer: IBM PC.

  • 2) True/False: Microsoft Windows is an example of an operating system; answer: True.

  • 3) Speakers are an example of an output device; answer: output.

Computers to Fit Every Need

  • 6 basic categories of computers: 6 categories:

    • Embedded computers (non-user)

    • Mobile devices (single user)

    • Personal computers (single user)

    • Servers (multi-user)

    • Mainframe computers (multi-user)

    • Supercomputers (multi-user)

Embedded Computers

  • An embedded computer is designed to perform specific tasks or functions within a product:

    • Household appliances

    • Thermostats

    • Sewing machines

    • Treadmills

    • Answering machines

    • Cars

    • Self-driving cars

Mobile Devices

  • A mobile device is a very small device with built-in computing/Internet capability:

    • Small screen and keyboard

    • Often uses voice or touch input

    • Capable of Internet searches, payments, document viewing

    • Examples: smartphones, handheld gaming devices, tablets, smart watches

Trend: Apple Watch (Example of a Mobile Device)

  • Designed to work with an iPhone for much functionality; supports apps via touch; supports voice input; Apple Pay enables contactless payments.

Inside the Industry: Smartphone Driver Licenses

  • Some states are testing/implementing digital driver licenses (DDLs): mobile apps with same information as paper licenses; may include additional features.

Personal Computers (PCs)

  • A personal computer (PC) is a small computer designed for one person at a time; originally called a microcomputer; available in multiple sizes/shapes.

  • Desktop computers: sit on/next to a desk; forms include tower, desktop, all-in-one; PC or Macintosh; not portable.

Portable Computers

  • Portable computers are designed to be carried easily:

    • Notebook (laptop) computers (clamshell design)

    • Tablet computers (digital pen/stylus or touch screen; no physical keyboard, but on-screen or attached keyboards)

    • Hybrid notebook-tablet computers (dual-mode)

    • Netbooks (smaller, Internet-focused)

  • Examples of portable computers illustrated.

Thin Client and Internet Appliances

  • Thin client: relies on network for much of its processing; advantages include lower cost, increased security, easier maintenance; disadvantages include limited/no local storage and dependence on network availability.

  • Internet appliance: ordinary device used for accessing the Internet; some use apps to deliver Web-based information; examples include smart TVs, refrigerators, and other appliances.

Servers

  • A server is a midrange computer used to host programs and data for a small network.

  • Users connect via a network with a computer, thin client, or dumb terminal.

  • Virtualization: creating virtual rather than actual server environments; desktop virtualization delivers a user’s desktop to their current device.

Mainframe Computers

  • A mainframe is a powerful computer used by many large organizations to manage centralized data.

  • Located in climate-controlled data centers; connected to company computers via networks; runs programs to meet wide needs and large processing tasks; virtualization is common; used for new/emerging needs such as processing data from smart meters and running social networks; also called high-end servers or enterprise-class servers.

Example of a Mainframe Computer

  • Visual representation of a mainframe computer.

Supercomputers

  • The fastest, most expensive, most powerful type of computer.

  • Typically run one program at a time, as fast as possible.

  • New applications include hosting extremely complex websites and 3D applications.

  • Very large and costly (millions of dollars per unit); often contain hundreds of thousands of processors; peak speed can reach extremely high levels (e.g., Titan).

  • Example: Titan

  • Titan contains more than 3\times 10^5 processors; peak speed is 2.7\times 10^4 calculations per second (illustrative figure from slides).

Quick Quiz (2) (review items)

  • 1) A tablet computer is an example of which category? Answer: b (portable computer).

  • 2) True/False: The terms mainframe computer and supercomputer are interchangeable. Answer: False.

  • 3) A smartphone is an example of a(n) ? Answer: mobile\ device.

Computer Networks and the Internet

  • A computer network is a collection of hardware and other devices connected together to:

    • Share hardware, software, and data

    • Communicate with each other

    • Share an Internet connection

  • Today, most computers and mobile devices connect to a computer network (examples include business, school, home, public wireless, and mobile networks).

Example of a Computer Network

  • Visual example illustrating a network layout.

What Are the Internet and the World Wide Web?

  • The Internet: the largest/most well-known computer network; users connect via an Internet Service Provider (ISP); ISPs connect to regional/backbone networks to form the Internet.

  • The World Wide Web (Web): a vast collection of web pages available through the Internet; web pages contain hyperlinks; websites contain web pages stored on web servers; web pages are viewed using a web browser (e.g., Edge, IE, Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera).

  • Web pages have a wide variety of information and uses.

Examples of Common Web Activities

  • Visuals show a range of typical web activities (browsing, searching, emailing, streaming, social media, etc.).

Accessing a Network or the Internet

  • To connect, a network adapter is needed.

  • Networks often require a username and password.

  • Internet connections can be:

    • Direct (always-on)

    • Dial-up

  • Internet addresses identify resources on the Internet: IP\ addresses\,, domain\ names; URL identifies a Web page; email addresses identify people.

IP Addresses and Domain Names

  • An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a numeric address that identifies computers (e.g., 134.170.185.46).

  • A domain name is a name that corresponds to an IP address (e.g., microsoft.com).

  • The top-level domain (TLD) identifies the type of organization or location (e.g., .com, .org, .edu).

Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)

  • A URL uniquely identifies a Web page and indicates:

    • The protocol (e.g., http://, https://, ftp://)

    • The Web server hosting the page

    • The folders/directories containing the page

    • The page’s filename

Example of a Web Page URL

  • Visual example of a typical URL structure.

E-Mail Addresses

  • An e-mail address consists of:

    • A username (identifying name within a domain)

    • The @ symbol

    • The domain name of the mail server (the computer handling the email)

  • Pronouncing Internet addresses is illustrated.

How It Works: Cloud Computing

  • Cloud computing stores resources on computers in a cloud (a network of computers) rather than on a user’s device.

  • Resources are available on demand and can be accessed from any Web-enabled device.

  • Cloud data remains accessible if the user’s device is lost or damaged (e.g., Google Docs and Google Drive).

Surfing the Web

  • A Web browser displays Web pages.

  • The browser’s starting (home) page can be changed.

  • To view a Web page:

    • Type a URL in the Address bar

    • Click a hyperlink on a Web page

    • Open a Web page from Favorites/bookmarks or History

Searching the Web

  • Search sites help locate Web pages and resources using keywords.

  • Reference sites provide addresses, telephone numbers, ZIP codes, maps, and other references; locate them via search.

E-Mail: Uses and Variants

  • Electronic mail is the exchange of electronic messages over a network.

  • E-mail can be sent/received via an installed program, a Web mail service, or an app.

  • Web-based and desktop clients include examples like Outlook, Gmail, Mail.app, and Outlook.com.

  • E-mail can include photos and attachments; mobile e-mail may incur data usage charges.

  • Other mobile communications include text messages and multimedia messages.

How E-Mail Works

  • High-level overview of e-mail routing, delivery, and receipt (details shown in class visuals).

Technology and Society: Benefits

  • Benefits of a technology-oriented society include:

    • Safer products through design-before-construction approaches

    • Earlier medical diagnoses and more effective treatment

    • Assistive devices enabling physically/visually challenged individuals to perform tasks

    • Rapid document/email/fax communication

    • On-demand access to information, music, movies, and more

Technology and Society: Risks

  • Risks include:

    • Stress and health concerns

    • Security issues: computer viruses, malware; identity theft and phishing

    • Privacy concerns: how data is collected and used; data security

    • Spam and data privacy challenges

Quick Quiz (3) (review items)

  • 1) Index.html is an example of a(n): a) URL, b) IP address, c) Web page filename. Answer: c.

  • 2) True/False: All information published to Web pages is accurate. Answer: False.

  • 3) In the e-mail address jsmith@abc.com, abc.com is the domain name. Answer: Domain name.

Summary

  • Technology in Your Life

  • What is a Computer and What Does It Do?

  • Computers to Fit Every Need

  • Computer Networks and the Internet

  • Technology and Society

  • These topics cover the foundational concepts, history, hardware/software, networks, Web concepts, and societal impact of computing.