(Lecture1: 8/24)Computer Basics 1 - Key Vocabulary
System Access & Course Resources
Microsoft Teams Access: Recordings of lectures are made available on Microsoft Teams.
Canvas Link & Permission: Access to the specific Microsoft Team requires clicking a link posted in Canvas. Submitting the request sends a notification to the instructor to approve access.
Fundamental Computing Concepts: Binary vs. Analog
Binary Systems:
Defined as a system operating on exactly two discrete states: $1$s and $0$s, or "on" and "off".
There are no intermediate states or settings in binary electronics.
Example: The side power button on a smartphone. Pushing the button toggles the screen into a state that is strictly either off or on.
Digital Computers: Digital computers operate strictly on binary principles ($1$s and $0$s, on and off states).
Analog Systems:
Defined as a system that operates across a continuous range of values with variable settings between extremes.
Example 1: A car radio volume knob, which allows continuous sound adjustments from quiet to maximum volume rather than step-based toggles.
Example 2: A household light dimmer switch, which permits continuous adjustment from very dim to very bright.
Core Functions of Computers & Programming Constraints
Primary Purpose of Computers: Computers ingest raw data, process that data, convert it into structured information, and present it in a form that is useful to humans.
Data Processing Examples:
Note-Taking: Ingesting unstructured notes/data and processing them by organizing and sorting them into separate categories or notebooks.
Video Processing: Videos are stored as binary data ($1$s and $0$s). The computer processes these raw binary streams and converts them into visual images rendered on a screen.
Instruction Control: Every computer, regardless of type, is controlled strictly by written instructions created by humans. A computer can only execute actions permitted by its explicit instructions.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and General Intelligence
Current AI Capabilities and Boundaries:
Modern AI systems are constrained by human programming and defined system boundaries.
AI systems can ingest, process, and apply logic to vastly larger volumes of data than an individual human creator can, but they cannot act outside their programmed boundaries.
General Intelligence:
Defined as the theoretical stage at which an artificial system achieves genuine autonomous thinking and cognitive reasoning beyond human-programmed boundaries.
Current AI does not possess general intelligence; it remains a computer system executing programmed behaviors within defined rules.
Classifications and Categories of Computer Systems
Personal Computers (PCs):
Microcomputers designed for end-user operation, including desktop systems, laptops, and mobile hardware.
Examples include tablet computers such as the Microsoft Surface and Apple iPad.
Mainframe Computers:
Historical Context: Historically required immense physical space. For example, the entire second floor of Clement Hall was once dedicated to a single mainframe computer consisting of refrigerator-sized units stacked side-by-side across the room. The computing power of that entire installation was significantly less than that of a modern smartphone.
Modern Footprint: Technological miniaturization has reduced modern mainframes to approximately the size of a suitcase.
Interface: Mainframes typically lack robust Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) and are operated via Command-Line Interfaces (CLI) or CLI-like text environments.
Primary Operational Role: Mainframes excel at asynchronously executing scheduled batch tasks (e.g., banks running end-of-day automated account processing across all accounts).
Industry Use Cases: Logistics and shipping companies, credit card issuers, utility providers, and financial banking institutions.
Servers:
Form the core backbone of corporate IT infrastructure and large enterprise facilities.
Core Functions: Host applications, store and manage centralized data, handle access control, execute automated workflows, process business transactions, and manage user authentication.
Everyday Examples: Web browsing, online media streaming, Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, online shopping portals, logging into campus workstation/library computers, and logging into institutional portals like Tech Express.
Home Servers & Self-Hosting:
Users deploy home servers using media management software (such as Jellyfin) to host self-owned physical media libraries instead of subscribing to commercial streaming platforms.
Commercial Streaming Cost Breakdown:
Monthly service costs: Netflix (~), Paramount (~), Disney+ and Hulu bundle (~), Apple TV (~–).
Subscribing to $4$ or more streaming services routinely costs to per month.
Group Aggregate Calculation: For a room of $40$ individuals each spending per month on streaming services: This equates to an aggregate spend of per month across the group.
Supercomputers:
The fastest, most powerful, and most expensive category of computers, optimized for high-capacity data processing.
Global Rankings & Locations:
#1 Fastest Supercomputer: Located in China.
#2 Fastest Supercomputer: Located in California, USA.
#3 Fastest Supercomputer: Located at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA.
Tennessee Tech High-Performance Computing Cluster: Tennessee Tech is constructing a High-Performance Computing (HPC) cluster in Crossville, scheduled for operational completion by late September.
Applications: Processing massive data sets, such as modeling epidemiological studies for COVID-19 vaccine development and meteorological climate simulations.
Quantum Computing Distinction: Quantum computers represent a distinct processing paradigm from classical supercomputers, with theoretical capabilities to disrupt cryptographic networks such as Bitcoin.
The Four Essential Components of a Computer System
1. Hardware: The physical, electronic, and mechanical parts that make up the computer system.
2. Software: The sets of instructions and programs running on the hardware that direct operations and user interaction.
3. Data: Raw facts, numbers, media files, and records processed, presented, or stored by the system.
4. Users: The human operators interacting with and directing the computer system.
Computer Hardware Architecture
Input Hardware:
Physical components used to enter data, commands, or signals into a computer system.
Standard Peripherals: Keyboards, mice, microphones (voice/audio input), and digital cameras.
Touch Interfaces: Capacitive touchscreens and digital styluses (e.g., Apple Pencil used with tablets).
Commercial & Retail Point-of-Sale (POS) Input Devices:
Magnetic stripe card readers and microchip card readers.
1D Barcode Scanners: Read linear barcodes such as UPC, Code 128, and Code 39.
2D Barcode Scanners: Read matrix barcodes such as QR codes.
Flatbed document and image scanners.
Weight scales (e.g., point-of-sale produce scales at Walmart used to weigh items like apples).
Bill and currency acceptors.
Output Hardware:
Peripherals that return processed information or physical mechanical actions to the user.
Standard Peripherals: Display screens/monitors, receipt printers, and audio speakers (analog output devices where sound amplitude is varied continuously).
Automated Physical Outputs: Cash and coin dispensers.
Relays: Electronic output switches used in Internet of Things (IoT) hardware to open or close electrical circuits (e.g., smart lighting switches turning power loads on or off).
Processing Hardware:
Central Processing Unit (CPU): The primary processing component ("brains") of the computer. Directs operations, instructs components when and how to execute tasks, and handles calculations. Constructed from billions of microscopic transistors—binary switches smaller than the width of a human hair.
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): Specialized processor designed for parallel handling of graphics and complex mathematical calculations.
Memory & Storage Hardware:
Random Access Memory (RAM):
High-speed memory providing workspace for currently running software applications.
Volatility: RAM is volatile memory. Removing electrical power immediately erases all data stored in RAM.
Capacity Constraints: Insufficient RAM forces the operating system to offload execution data to secondary storage, resulting in system performance degradation.
Market Conditions: RAM hardware currently incurs high procurement market costs.
Motherboard: The main silicon printed circuit board inside the computer to which the CPU, RAM, storage devices, and all expansion hardware physically connect.
Non-Volatile Storage Media:
Magnetic Media: Traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) containing spinning magnetic platters read and written by magnetic heads.
Solid-State / Flash Media: Solid-state drives and portable USB flash drives.
Optical Media: Compact Discs (CDs) and DVDs, which store binary data read using optical lasers and sensors.
Computer Software & Operating Systems
Operating System (OS):
System software that directly interfaces between computer hardware and top-level user application software.
Core System Duties: Manages access control, coordinates input/output peripherals, manages displays, and oversees network communications.
Examples: Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, Linux (including distributions like Arch Linux), and Unix.
User Interface Paradigms:
Graphical User Interface (GUI): Interface permitting interaction via visual icons, touch controls, and mouse clicks.
Command-Line Interface (CLI): Text-only interface requiring the direct typing of syntax commands.
Productivity Software: Application software structured to accomplish user tasks efficiently (e.g., Microsoft Office suite, Adobe Acrobat).
Data Classification & Real-World Applications
Data Definition: Individual facts, metrics, or records stored and queried by computer systems.
Real-World Business & Enterprise Data Types:
Geographical Data (GIS): Order delivery points, real estate sales boundaries, and location routing.
Demographic & Consumer Data: Local population income levels, purchasing power, and cultural profiles used to guide commercial real estate and retail expansion.
Cultural Data: Community values, regional media preferences, and streaming entertainment consumption trends (music and video).
Scientific Data:
Biometric and personal health tracking metrics.
Meteorological data: Weather pattern histories, atmospheric readings, and precipitation forecasts.
Agricultural data: Soil metrics, drought tracking, and dry-season forecasting for crop management.
Financial Data: Banking transaction logs, stock market feeds, tax compliance records, corporate budgets, and point-of-sale entries.
Statistical Data: Consumer behavior patterns used to refine corporate marketing campaigns.
Transportation & Traffic Data: Traffic volume studies conducted using black rubber pneumatic tubes laid across roadways. Passing vehicle tires compress the tubes to register counts, generating traffic volume data used to value commercial property and guide retail development.
System Users & Cybersecurity Dynamics
Definition of Users: The people operating, programming, and interacting with a computer system.
Cybersecurity Risk Factor: Human users represent the absolute weakest link and most significant security vulnerability in any computing infrastructure due to human error and susceptibility to manipulation.
Financial Scam Case Study: Demonstrating human vulnerability across all intelligence levels, an educated local school teacher in Putnam County fell victim to a financial scam, leading her to drain her bank accounts, take out a second mortgage on her home, and secure vehicle title loans to transfer funds to scammers.
Emerging Computing Modalities & Future Technologies
Historical Shift in Interfacing Modalities: Computing evolved from stationary desktop platforms to personal laptops, mobile smartphones (e.g., Apple iPhone), and tablet interfaces.
Natural Language Processing (NLP) & Generative AI:
Legacy Voice Assistants: Voice systems (e.g., Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, Google Assistant) historically required rigid, pre-programmed keywords ("utterances") to register actions.
Modern Conversational AI: Generative AI integrated with Natural Language Processing enables computers to participate in fluid, open-ended human conversation without requiring rigid syntax commands.
Wearable Computing Hardware & Accessibility:
Smart Glasses (e.g., Meta Smart Glasses):
Modern wearable optical hardware often prompts visual privacy concerns regarding unannounced photo or video recording.
Accessibility Applications: Serves as assistive technology for visually impaired individuals (e.g., faculty emeritus Dr. "Doc" Wells). Users can command smart glasses to read restaurant menu appetizers aloud or describe ambient physical surroundings in real time.
Camera-Integrated Earbuds (e.g., upcoming Apple AirPods Pro):
Earbuds engineered with optical cameras to process surrounding ambient context.
Functions include translating visible physical text instantly, providing spatial awareness, and verbally describing handheld objects.
Modality Security Risks: New hardware interactions carry inherent operational risks because human users—the weakest link in system security—frequently misuse or misapply hardware capabilities outside intended parameters.