Introduction to Modern Technologies and Computing Devices - Make Questions

Chapter 1: Introducing Today’s Technologies
Objectives Overview
Objectives Overview
Today’s Technology
Because technology changes, you must keep up with the changes to remain digitally literate
Digital literacy involves having a current knowledge and understanding of computers, mobile devices, the web, and related technologies
Computers
A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory
Computers
Laptop
Tablet
Desktop
and All-in-One
Server
Computers and Mobile Devices
Types of computers and mobile devices include:
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Mobile Computers and Desktops
A mobile computer is a portable personal computer, designed so that a user easily can carry it from place to place
A personal computer (PC) is a mobile computer or desktop that can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by itself and is intended to be used by one person at a time
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Mobile Computers and Desktops
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Figure 3-1
Mobile Computers and Desktops
A laptop, also called a notebook computer, is a thin, lightweight mobile computer with a screen in its lid and a keyboard in its base
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Figure 3-3
Mobile Computers and Desktops
A tablet is a thin, lighter-weight mobile computer that has a touch screen
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Figure 3-4
Mobile Computers and Desktops
A handheld computer is a computer small enough to fit in one hand
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Figure 3-6
Mobile Computers and Desktops
A desktop, or desktop computer, is a personal computer designed to be in a stationary location, where all of its components fit on or under a desk or table
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Figure 3-7
Servers
A server is a computer dedicated to providing one or more services to other computers or devices on a network
Rack server
Blade server
Tower server
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Figure 3-8
Servers
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Table 3-1
Servers
Virtualization is the practice of sharing or pooling computing resources, such as servers and storage devices
Server virtualization uses software to enable a physical server to emulate the hardware and computing capabilities of one or more servers, known as virtual servers
A server farm is a network of several servers together in a single location
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Servers
A mainframe is a large, expensive, powerful server that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously
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Figure 3-9
Supercomputers
A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful computer – and the most expensive
Capable of processing many trillions of instructions in a single second
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Figure 3-13
Terminals
A terminal is a computer, usually with limited processing power, that enables users to send data to and/or receive information from a server, or host computer
A thin client is a terminal that looks like a desktop but has limited capabilities and components
Most retail stores use a POS terminal to record purchases, process credit or debit cards, and update inventory
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Figure 3-10
Terminals
An ATM (automated teller machine) is a self-service banking terminal that connects to a host computer through a network
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Figure 3-11
Terminals
A self-service kiosk is a freestanding terminal that usually has a touch screen for user interaction
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Table 3-2
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing refers to an environment that provides resources and services accessed via the Internet
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Figure 3-14
Mobile Devices
A smartphone is an Internet-capable phone that usually also includes a calendar, an address book, a calculator, a notepad, games, browser, and numerous other apps
Many smartphones have touch screens. Instead of or in addition to an on-screen keyboard, some have a built-in mini keyboard on the front of the phone or a keyboard that slides in and out from behind the phone
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Mobile Devices
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Figure 3-15
Mobile Devices
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Mobile Devices
A digital camera is a mobile device that allows users to take photos and store the photographed images digitally
Smart digital camera
Point-and-shoot camera
SLR(Single lens reflexes camera)
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Figure 3-16
Mobile Devices
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Figure 3-17
Mobile Devices
Resolution is the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in a display
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Figure 3-18
Mobile Devices
A portable media player is a mobile device on which you can store, organize, and play or view digital media
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Figure 3-19
Mobile Devices
A digital media player or streaming media player is a device, typically used in a home, that streams digital media from a computer or network to a television, projector, or some other entertainment device
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Figure 3-20
Mobile Devices
An e-book reader (short for electronic book reader), or e-reader, is a mobile device that is used primarily for reading e-books and other digital publications
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Figure 3-21
Mobile Devices
A wearable device or wearable is a small, mobile computing device designed to be worn by a consumer
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Figure 3-22
Game Devices
A game console is a mobile computing device designed for single-player or multiplayer video games
A handheld game device is a small mobile device that contains a screen, speakers, controls, and game console all in one unit
Game controllers include gamepads, joysticks and wheels, dance pads, and a variety of motion-sensing controllers
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Game Devices
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Figure 3-23
Embedded Computers
An embedded computer is a special-purpose computer that functions as a component in a larger product
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Embedded Computers
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Figure 3-24
Putting It All Together
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Table 3-3
Ports and Connections
A port is the point at which a peripheral device attaches to or communicates with a computer or mobile device so that the peripheral device can send data to or receive information from the computer or mobile device
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Figure 3-25
Ports and Connections
A connector joins a cable to a port. A connector at one end of a cable attaches to a port on the computer or mobile device, and a connector at the other end of the cable attaches to a port on the peripheral device
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Ports and Connections
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Table 3-4
Ports and Connections
A USB port, short for Universal Serial Bus port, can connect up to 127 different peripheral devices together with a single connector
Instead of connecting peripheral devices directly to ports on a mobile computer, some mobile users prefer the flexibility of port replicators and docking stations
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Ports and Connections
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Figure 3-26
Ports and Connections
Instead of connecting computers and mobile devices to peripheral devices with a cable, some peripheral devices use wireless communications technologies
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Protecting Hardware
To help reduce the chances of theft, companies and schools use a variety of security measures
Physical access controls
Alarm system
Physical security devices
Security or device-tracking app
Require identification
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Figure 3-27
Protecting Hardware
Hardware can fail for a variety of reasons: aging hardware; random events such as electrical power problems; and even errors in programs or apps
Undervoltage
Overvoltage or power surge
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Protecting Hardware
A surge protector, also called a surge suppressor, uses electrical components to provide a stable current flow and minimize the chances of an overvoltage reaching the computer and other electronic equipment
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Figure 3-28
Protecting Hardware
An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is a device that contains surge protection circuits and one or more batteries that can provide power during a temporary or permanent loss of power
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Figure 3-29
Data and Information
Data and Information
A keyboard contains keys you press to enter data and instructions into a computer or mobile device
Data and Information
A pointing device is an input device that allows a user to control a small symbol on the screen called the pointer
Some mobile devices and computers enable you to speak data instructions using voice input and to capture live full-motion images using video input
Data and Information
A scanner is a light-sensing input device that converts printed text and images into a form the computer can process
Data and Information
An output device is any hardware component that conveys information from a computer or mobile device to one or more people
A printer is an output device that produces text and graphics on a physical medium, such as paper or other material
A 3-D printer can print solid objects, such as clothing, prosthetics, eyewear, implants, toys, parts, prototypes, and more
Data and Information
Data and Information
A display is an output device that visually conveys text, graphics, and video information
Data and Information
Speakers allow you to hear audio such as music, voice, and other sounds
Earbuds
Headphones
Data and Information
Data and Information
The Web
The Internet is a worldwide collection of computer networks that connects millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals
The Web
The Web
The Web
A browser is software that enables users with an Internet connection to access and view webpages on a computer or mobile device
The Web
A search engine is software that finds websites, webpages, images, videos, news, maps, and other information related to a specific topic
The Web
An online social network encourages members to share their interests, ideas, stories, photos, music, and videos with other registered users
Programs and Apps
Software, also called a program, tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them
Programs and Apps
Installing a program is the process of setting up the program to work with the computer, mobile device, printer, and/or other hardware
Once installed, you can run a program so that you can interact with it
You interact with a program through its user interface
Programs and Apps
A software developer, sometimes called a developer or programmer, is someone who develops programs and apps or writes the instructions that direct the computer or mobile device to process data into information
Communications and Networks
In the course of a day, it is likely you use, or use information generated by, one or more of these communications technologies
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Communications and Networks
A communications device is hardware capable of transferring items from computers and devices to transmission media and vice versa
Communications and Networks
Examples of wireless communications technologies include:
Communications and Networks
A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together, often wirelessly, via communications devices and transmission media
Communications and Networks
Technology Uses
Technology Users
Chapter Summary

Introduction to Modern Technologies and Computing Devices

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