LESSON 7
COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS
STRUCTURE 7.0
OBJECTIVES
7.1
INTRODUCTION
7.2
HISTORY OF COMPUTERS
7.3
SWITCHING ON A COMPUTER
7.4
USING THE KEYBOARD
7.5
USING THE MOUSE
7.6
LOGGING IN
7.7
SHUTTING DOWN
7.8
SOME IMPORTANT SOFTWARE
7.9
ASSIGNMENTS 7.9.1 CLASS ASSIGNMENTS 7.9.2 HOME ASSIGNMENTS
7.10
SUMMING UP
7.11
POSSIBLE ANSWERS TO SELF-CHECK QUESTIONS
7.12
TERMINAL QUESTIONS
7.13
REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED FURTHER READING
7.14
GLOSSARY
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7. COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS As a part of the unit on Business skills, it is important that you understand the various modern gadgets which are used in offices for enhancing the productivity and efficiency in office environment. All modern offices today work in an IT environment and hence anyone who aspires to work in an office should have knowledge of computers and other office automation equipment. It is in this context that the chapter on computer fundamentals has been included.
7.0
Objectives After going through this lesson you will be able to:
•
Identify the basic components of a computer.
•
Identify some of the most popular input/ output devices connected to a computer.
•
Understand how the different components and devices work together.
•
Be able to switch on and shut down a Windows-based computer.
•
Identify softwares that are used to run the computer.
7.1
Introduction
Today Computers have become a part of our lives. From a device that was used only by scientists and researchers 15 years ago, computers have invaded the average man’s life, and it is difficult to think of any job where they are not used. Computers can best be understood by actually using one. There is no substitute to actually using its various features and functions, rather than just reading about it. In this lesson, you will learn how to identify individual parts of a computer, switch a computer on, log in, and shut down a computer after you have finished your work. Each of these tasks is very short and simple, but special names are given to each to make it easy to refer to them. You should become familiar with each, to be able to understand and use them in your professional life.
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7.2
History of Computers
In the past 30 years, computers have developed extremely quickly, in phases that are called ‘generations’. The First Generation of computers used valves; the Second Generation introduced transistors that were more efficient and cheaper. The next development in the early sixties, when hundreds of transistors started getting put on a single silicon chip, which is called an ‘integrated chip’ and became the basis of the Third Generation. Finally, the Fourth Generation introduced very large scale integration (VLSI), where thousands of transistors could be placed on a single chip. The most popular form of the computer today, and the one on which we will be focusing in this lesson, is the Personal Computer. The PC is small in size but capable enough to handle large tasks. It can perform a diverse range of functions from keeping track of household accounts to keeping records of the stores of large manufacturing companies.
Self-check Questions 1.
Fill in the blanks: i) The first generation of computers used _________ and the second generation introduced____________. ii) There have been _____________ generations of computers till the present day.
2.
What does the fourth generation of computers mean?
3.
What is the most popular form of computer today?
4.
Modern computers are based on what fundamental building block, introduced in the Second Generation and improved significantly since then?
7.3
Switching On a Computer
Switch on the UPS (Uninterrupted power supply) / stabilizer or other device feeding power to the computer system. Switch on the monitor first; you will find a button on the lower front right edge of the device. This button is a toggle; pressing it once switches the device on, the second time switches it off. Next, switch on the computer itself. You will find that the front has a number of buttons; the buttons are located in different locations, but always on the front panel. The ‘Power’ button is usually the largest button, and is prominently placed. It is sometimes marked with a light bulb image, to denote it is the power button. Another smaller button for resetting the computer may also be 3
present. If you press that button, it is equivalent to switching the computer off and switching it on again. After you have switched the computer on, you will find that the small light on the monitor changes colour from yellow/ amber to green, and a display appears. You do not need to do anything more until all activity stops, at which time you will either be on the login page, or on the Windows screen, ready to work. We’ll cover the login page and process in the next section.
Activity 1.
7.4
Go and sit in front of the computer and switch on the computer as described above.
Using the Keyboard The image below is that of a keyboard with certain keys marked out.
1.
Function keys are special purpose keys whose function depends on the software being used. These are the keys on the top. Until you know more about these keys, you should not use them.
2.
Cursor keys are used to move the cursor up, down, left, or right. These are the four arrow keys to the lower right. You may need to use these keys in some of the application software you will use later; for now, you should just remember that these are the cursor keys.
3.
Use the ‘backspace’ key (the key with a backward pointing arrow) or the ‘Del’ key to delete whatever you have typed. If the ‘Num Lock’ key is pressed, the set of keys on the right hand of the cursor keys act like a calculator. If this is the case, the ‘Num Lock’ light on the top right of the keyboard will be on.
4.
The rest of the keys act like they would on a typewriter. If you keep ‘Shift’ pressed while pressing another key (say, ‘j’), capital ‘J’ will get typed. If the other key you press has two characters on it, (eg, ‘/’ and ‘?’), pressing ‘Shift’ while pressing the key will lead to the second character getting typed.
5.
Pressing ‘Caps Lock’ locks the keyboard into ‘Shift’ mode until you press ‘Caps Lock’ again.
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It would be best to experiment with the keyboard when you start learning Word, Notepad, or any other Word Processing application later in this course.
Activity 2.
7.5
Sit in front of the computer with a keyboard and then identify the keys defined above.
Using the Mouse The image on the left is that of a ‘mouse’. The grey wheel in the middle is called the ‘scroll’ wheel. You can scroll up and down by rolling the wheel in applications with more than one page.
There are two buttons on the mouse – one to the left of the scroll wheel, and the other to the right of the scroll wheel. These are, respectively, called the ‘left button’ and the ‘right button’. To press and release the left button once is called to ‘left-click’, or simply, ‘click’. To press and release the right button is to ‘right-click’. To press and release the left button twice in quick succession is to ‘double-click’. These terms will be used on numerous occasions during later lessons to guide you on how to tell Windows what you’d like to do. You will find an arrow on the monitor, which moves when you move the mouse. This is the ‘pointer’. You move the mouse to move the pointer and ‘point’ to whatever you want to do, and then click, double click, or right-click the mouse buttons to give different commands. These are things you will be doing in later sessions.
Self-check Questions 5.
Fill in the blanks: i) The grey wheel in the middle of the mouse is called the ______________ ii) Pressing and releasing the left mouse button once is called a ___________. iii) To press and release the left button twice in quick succession is to ________.
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Activity 3. Sit in front of the computer with a keyboard and then identify the keys defined above.
7.6
Logging In
Logging in is an optional process. Earlier Operating Systems like Windows 95, 98 and Millennium Edition usually started without any request to log in. Even Windows 2000 and XP may or may not require you to log in. However, if required, this is what you need to do to complete this process. First, make sure you have a user ID and password for the computer. If you do not know, ask your system administrator or other person who uses the machine on a regular basis. Next, when the computer has finished booting, you will find the monitor has a screen where you have to enter your user ID and password. In Windows XP, this is what the screen looks like: In older operating systems, you will have to type in the user ID yourself. In those operating systems, the login process starts by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del (Hold down Ctrl and Alt keys together, and press Del). A new screen will come up where you can enter your user ID and password, and press enter. The computer will load your specific preferences and desktop and then await your inputs. This is what the Windows XP desktop looks like; earlier Operating Systems did not have the 3D look and feel, but were otherwise very similar.
Desktop
System Tray
Icons
Start Menu Quick Launch Menu
Task Bar
Date and Time
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Self-check Questions 6.
Fill in the blanks: i) The two essentials ____________.
7.7
for
logging
in
are
_____________
and
Shutting Down After completing your work, you need to shut the computer down.
Move the mouse so that the pointer is on the lower-left edge of the screen, where it says ‘Start’. Click ‘Start’.
On the screen that opens, you will get either of the following images:
Click on this. You will get the following screen:
Click ‘Turn Off’, and the computer will turn itself off after a couple of minutes. Activity: 4. Now shut down the computer as per the various steps mentioned above.
Self-check Questions 7.
State whether the following statement is true or false: i) If you just switch off the computer without shutting it down, it may damage the computer. True/False
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7.8
Some Important Software
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MS-WORD: Is word processing software that allows us to write, edit, format, store and print documents. We can write all our letters here.
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MS-EXCEL: Is a spreadsheet programme that allows us to perform calculations, analyze information and illustrate the same by charts or graphs. We can maintain our accounts here.
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MS-ACCESS: Is a database that allows us to store our information. We can store our records here.
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MS-POWERPOINT: Is a presentation package that helps us to create our presentations using slide shows and make them more meaningful and illustrative. We can use slides to make our presentations.
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COREL DRAW & PHOTOSHOP: These are all programmes that are design related and help us to draw, paint, etc. We can make our designs here.
This is a non-exhaustive list of various application software used for different purposes. Choice of software lies with the user depending upon his / her requirements.
Self-check Questions 8.
Fill in the blanks: i) _____________ is a word processing software whereas ___________ is a spreadsheet program. ii) _____________ software is a database. iii) _____________ and ____________ are all programmes that are design related and help us to draw, paint etc.
7.9
Assignments
7.9.1 Class assignments i)
Make yourself conversant with the operations given in the lesson by practicing on a computer.
ii)
Make a list of their different parts of the computer and specify their respective functions.
7.9.2 Home assignments i)
Collect information about various other system software and application software used for different purposes and submit a brief write up. 8
7.10 Summing Up In this lesson, we have discussed the various components that make up a computer (monitor, keyboard, mouse), with photographs of sample devices. We also looked at how they are used. We talked about the various Generations of Computers shortly, and then walked through the process of switching on and shutting down the computer, with relevant screenshots. Some important software used for different purposes were discussed too. You would do well to find a computer and try out what you have learnt today, so that the learning is internalized.
7.11 Possible Answers to Self-check Questions 1.
Fill in the blanks: i) The first generation of computers used valves and the second generation introduced transistors. ii) There have been four generations of computers till the present day.
2.
Fourth generation introduced VLSI where thousands of transistors could be placed on a single chip.
3.
The most popular form of computer today is ‘Personal Computer’.
4.
Modern computers are based on the fundamental building block called ‘Transistors‘ introduced in the Second Generation and improved significantly since then.
5.
Fill in the blanks: i) The grey wheel in the middle of the mouse is called the scroll wheel. ii) Pressing and releasing the left mouse button once is called a click. iii) To press and release the left button twice in quick succession is to double click.
6.
Fill in the blanks: i) The two essentials for logging in are user id and password.
7.
State whether the following statement is true or false: i) If you just switch off the computer without shutting it down, it may damage the computer. True. 9
8.
Fill in the blanks: i) MS Word is a word processing software whereas MS Excel is a spreadsheet program. ii) MS Access software is a database. iii) CorelDraw and Photoshop are all programmes that are design related and help us to draw, paint etc.
7.12 Terminal Questions 1. What is a ‘mouse’, and how would you use it? 2. How would you log into the computer? 3. How would you shut the computer down?
7.13 References and Suggested Further Reading 1. Rajaraman, V. 2001. Fundamentals of Computers. Prentice Hall of India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi.
7.14 Glossary 1.
Monitor:
Display consisting of a device that takes signals from a computer and displays them on a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) screen.
2.
Keyboard:
Device consisting of a set of keys, used with a computer.
3.
Mouse:
A hand-operated electronic device that controls the coordinates of a cursor on your computer screen as you move it around.
4.
Dot Matrix Printer: A printer that represents each character as a pattern of dots from a dot matrix. Very cheap to use, usually only black and white, and not very good at printing visuals or graphics.
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5.
6.
7.
Inkjet Printer:
Laser Printer:
Hardware:
8.
Software:
9.
Operating System:
These printers work by spraying ink onto the page. They are able to print in full-colour, and are able to print in high-quality graphics. Per page cost of printing is much higher than a dot matrix printer. These printers work on the same principle as used by photocopying machines. A laser beam heats up the surface of the paper, and the ink bonds to those heated areas. Laser printers have high-quality printouts, and per page printing cost is also low. However, these printers are more expensive, and usually print only in black and white. Colour laser printers are available, but more than 25 times as expensive as inkjet printers. All the ‘hard’ parts of the computer that are basically the components and devices that you can see, touch, and feel, are collectively called ‘hardware’. Hardware alone is of no use, without electricity and software.
Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse
Dot Matrix Printer
Ink Jet Printer
All the programs that one uses on the computer, which are collections of logic and functionality that do different things based on the inputs Laser Printer the user gives, are collectively called software. Software needs hardware to be able to do anything. The Operating System is the name given to that special program that directly interacts with the hardware. All other programs/ software (called ‘Application Software’) interacts with the Operating System, which in turn interacts with the hardware. Users usually interact only with Application Software.
Operating System
10. Boot:
Windows-based computer systems need to be ‘booted’ to be able to work. The process of booting 11
‘reads’ the Operating System program (in this case, Windows) into the computer’s memory and makes it available for use. 11. Logging in:
The process of logging in helps the computer know which specific user is going to be using the computer, and in loading the user-specific settings that may have been saved earlier. This process also makes sure that no unauthorized person uses the computer.
12. Memory:
Memory is of two types – RAM (Random Access Memory), and permanent storage (usually on a device called a ‘hard disk’). RAM is much faster and is where the Operating System keeps whatever application program is being used. However, RAM gets wiped clean whenever the electricity is switched off, which is where the hard disk is required. All data that needs to be saved for future use needs to be ‘saved’ or ‘written’ to the hard disk for it to be available in future.
13. Shut Down:
Advanced Operating Systems like Windows have a number of features that help them respond faster to users. However, this leads to a need to be ‘shut down’ rather than being directly switched off. ‘Shut Down’ is a process where data which is in RAM is saved for future retrieval. Switching off the power without shutting down a computer is very risky, and could lead to errors in the computer since whatever is in RAM will be lost when the electricity is switched off.
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