Class I: Fundamentals of Computing
Introduction to the Class
- Syllabus
- Texts
- Assignments
- Lab activities
- Report
- Mid-Term and Final
- Grades
Weight of Grades
- Lab activities 50%
- Computer issues report 10%
- Mid-term exam 15%
- Final exam 25%
Overview of Class I
- Identify the main elements of computers
- Examine some of the common misunderstandings in computing technology
All of the elements of computing fall into three categories:
- Hardware
- All of the physical pieces such as monitors, CD-ROM drives, and the
computer itself
- Software
- Programs such as word processors, database management programs, and
spreadsheet programs
- Data
- The information users put in and programs operate on
Measuring the Data
The tiniest element of computing is an electric current that is either
on or off. This is referred to as a 1 (on) or a 0 (off ) and constitutes
a bit.
- Byte
- Eight bits taken as a single unit. This is convenient for humans because
a byte also can describe a single letter.
Measuring the Data (cont.)
- Kilobyte or K
- One thousand bytes (actually 1024 or 210). This approximately equals
the text information on a typewritten sheet.
- Megabyte or Meg
- One million bytes (actually 1,048,576 or 220). About the text information
in the Bible.
Measuring the Data (cont.)
One billion bytes (actually 230). This approximately equals the text
and picture information in the Encyclopedia Britticannica .
- Terabyte
- One trillion bytes (actually 240). All the information needed to create
the movie Toy Story.
Where is the Information Stored?
- ROM
- RAM
- Floppy disk or diskette
- Hard Drive
- CD-ROM
- Networks
ROM
- Read Only Memory
- This memory contains the basic information the computer needs to operate.
- Not changeable by the user
RAM
- Random Access Memory
- This memory contains the programs and data that you use while computing.
- Volatile -- Gets erased every time the power is switched off.
- RAM is what is being counted when you have 4M or 8M.
Disks, Floppy Disks, or Diskettes
- Come in 5.25" and 3.5" sizes
- 3.5" disks currently hold 1.44 MB
- Magnetic media
- Subject to wear and tear from user handling and from use in the computer
Hard Drives
- A sealed drive, usually inside the computer
- Common sizes range from 200MB to 1.6 GB
- Magnetic media
- Subject to wear and tear from use in the computer, but insulated from
dust and other contaminants
- Hard drives can and do fail so data should be backed up. When hard
drives fail, all info is lost
CD-ROM drives
- CD-ROM stands for Compact Disc Read Only Memory
- Hold 680MB
- Optical media
- CD-ROMs are less vulnerable to wear and abuse than floppies, but can
fail due to dirt or scratches
- Users can only write onto a CD-ROM with specialized hardware (about
$1000)
Comparisons: Access Speed
- RAM
- Hard drive
- CD-ROM drive
- Floppy drive
Comparisons: Storage Capacity
- Fixed
- RAM generally 4-16 MB
- Hard drive generally 500 - 1.2GB
- Infinite by changing the media
- CD-ROM drive 680 MB
- Floppy drive 1.44 MB
Important Points to Remember
- If you don't save to a floppy disk or hard drive and you turn the computer
off, all of your work is lost!
- If you have been working on a document and haven't saved to disk, the
original version is still intact on the disk.
If you save your file to a disk with the same name as another file,
the new information will take the place of the old and the original version
will be irretrievable.
Introduction to Email
- Running telnet program
- find NCSA Telnet
- double-click icon
- Logging on
- Type pine
- type "C" to compose a message
- type "feurer@udel.edu" then return key on To:
line
- type a brief description of the message on the Subject: line
- type your brief message
- while holding down the control key, press "x"
to send the message
Introduction to the World Wide Web
- Double-click on the Netscape icon
- Click on the Colleges & Departments under Learning and
Research
- Select Education under Colleges
- Select Eductaional Development
- Select syllabi and then this course