Student Objectives: Define computer; Identify and explain the 2 types of computers; Define Hardware and give examples; Define Software and give examples; Identify the "Father of Computers"; Identify the owners of Apple Computer and Microsoft Corporation; Explain Operating System; Explain Windows XP; Explain features of Windows XP; Explain RAM vs. ROM; Explain the 4 part process to computing; Denote the difference between the A,C, and D or E  drives.

Below are the flashcard notes for Chapter 1 and from the Computer Videos.

What is a computer?
An electronic device used to calculate and process information.

There are 2 types of computers available to home users?
1) Apple/Macs:  These are computers and software made by the Apple Corporation. Examples of these are Imacs, Apple G4's, ibooks, Macintosh, etc.
2) PC's: These are personal computers which are not Apple/Mac.  Examples of these are Compaq, IBM, Emachines, Hewlett Packard, or any other non Apple computer.

Who is the owner of Microsoft?
Bill Gates

Who created the mouse?
Doug Englebart

Who are/were the owners of Apple Computer?
Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniack

Who is the father of computers?
Charles Babbage, he created the Analytical Engine, a mechanical computer. His computer never worked.

Who is the father of computer graphics?
Ivan Sutherland.  He created the Sketchpad

What is a microprocessor? 
1) A silicon chip, which processes the computers instructions. It is also called the CPU.
2) It is measured in clock speed such as Megahertz (millions of instructions per second) or Gigahertz (billion of instructions per second).

What are the physical parts of a computer called?
1) Hardware
2) Examples of hardware are: Printer, Monitor, Speakers, Keyboard, Mouse, etc.

What is Windows XP?
1)It is the operating software.  It is used to run the computer.
2) When Windows XP starts, the computer's desktop (where all the icons are), taskbar (gray bar at bottom), and Start menu appear on the screen.

What is a gigahertz or gigabytes?
1) Gigahertz determines the speed that the computer's microprocessor processes or the amount of memory in RAM.
2) Large amounts of memory are indicated in terms of kilobytes (1,024 bytes), megabytes (1,048,576 bytes) (million bytes) , and gigabytes (billion bytes) (1,073,741,824 bytes).  Note: Megabyte and gigabyte pertains to memory and hard-drive space.

What is a GUI (gooey)?
GUI stands for Graphical User Interface, and it is software with pictures or icons.

What is the gray bar at the bottom of Windows called, where programs can be started?
The task bar

How are programs or software started?
1) By either choosing Start, then Programs from the task bar 
OR
2) Double-clicking a software (program) icon located on the desktop.

What is an Icon?
A picture representation of a software or command.

I must do 3 things in order to be a successful computer operator?
a) Read all boxes and windows
b) Point and Click the mouse
c) Remain calm

What are the Minimize, Maximize, and Close buttons?
Buttons located at the top right hand side of a window.  Minimize: (looks like a -)shrinks the window or box to the task bar;  Maximize/Restore: (looks like a square) enlarges the window or box; Close (looks like an X) closes the window or box. 

How do I resize a Window?
1) Place the mouse on the border line of the window
2) Click and hold the mouse to drag (Drag-n-Drop).

What is a menu?
1) A list of commands that appear below each title in the menu bar.
2) Just like a menu at a restaurant.

What is software?
1) A list of instructions that computers follow to perform specific tasks. Examples of software would be:  Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel,  etc.
2) The user gives instructions to the software, then the software gives instructions to the computer.  Thus, both users and software give instructions to the computers.

What is RAM?
Random Access Memory.  It temporarily stores documents until they are permanently saved.  RAM is operating while the user is working in a particular software.

What is ROM?
Rom is permanent memory that stores the computer's or software's vital registry and configuration information.

What are the 4 functions/parts of a computer?
1) Input: where information is input into the computer. (i.e.: keyboard, joystick, microphone, scanner, mouse)
2) Storage: where information or files are stored.  This may be RAM, floppy disks, or the hard drive.
3) Process: where data is processed.  This is the microprocessor (brain of the computer)
4) Output: the end result of information.  This is where it is seen.  Examples are screen, print outs, etc.)

How do I resize a window or dialog box?
The user places the mouse on the borderline of the window until it turns to a vertical or horizontal two-headed arrow.  The user then clicks and drags the mouse to adjust the window size.

What is the difference between the "A" drive and the "C" drive?
1) The "A" drive is the where the floppy disk is placed. It can only hold 1.44 MB of files.
2) The "C" drive is where the "Big Disk" is located inside the computer.  It is usually called the hard-drive.  It stores many files.
3) Note: There are other drives such as the "D" or "E" drives that may be used for CD-Roms or CD-R's or CD-RW's.  Drives "D" or "E" may also be used for DVD drives.  Large amounts of data can be stored on CD's or DVD's.

 What is a bit? 
1) Short for binary digit, the smallest unit of information on a machine. A single bit can hold only one of two values: 0 or 1. 
2) More meaningful information is obtained by combining consecutive bits into larger units. For example, a byte is composed of 8 consecutive bits.

What is a byte? 
On almost all modern computers, a byte is equal to 8 bits.
1 million bytes equals a megabyte.  1 billion bytes equals a gigabyte.