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COURSE ONE: FUNDAMENTALS
Fundamentals is a term use to mean Introduction to anything. In this case we are referring to computer skills so it means introduction to computer. It is made of up six different classes / lessons which I trust at the end of it all will have laid a foundation and stated what a computer can do or how it works. Mainly, fundamentals is aimed at teaching the learner how to turn and off the computer, terms used and names and uses of different parts which make up computer system.
A computer is an electronic device or tool or equipment that is manipulated by a human being to simplify office work (Work of clerical nature). It was invented in such a way that it works like a human brain with two major types of memories i.e. conscious and sub-conscious memories. (We shall discuss these at a later stage).
CHARACTERISTICS OF A COMPUTER
- It accepts data
- Processes the entered data / information
- It stores processed data
- Retrieves (activates) the stored data and puts it on the screen / desk top to be used as if it has just been entered.
- Prints out processed or received (electronically) data on a paper or film which print out is called the “hard copy”.
- A computer works diligently (tirelessly)
- It works at a high speed
The computer system is mainly classified into two sections; Soft ware and Hard ware.
When one mentions the term “Soft ware”, this points to all the programs, which are used on all computers. Soft ware is what an individual can not touch but can use on a computer. One can move software (documents and programs) from
computer to another by having it saved on a moveable drive and then have the information retrieved.
In comparison to a human brain, a computer also has the subconscious memory. This refers to the computer’s ability to retrieve work save on it (ability to remember what was done some time back). The subconscious memory can be used if one saved information on any valid drive from which it (the information) can be read by the computer. Such drives include:- Floppy disks (Removable drives), Compact Disks (CDs), Zip drives Flash disks, memory cards, etc.
Memory(thinking ability –thoughts): This refers to a computer capacity to hold and work on or with information. Memory cannot be seen but can be used or detected. Memory is measured in units called Bytes.
a. A byte is equivalent to 8 bits made up of 0 and 1 (Binary codes)including space. b. A byte is a Kilo byte equivalent to 1000 bytes= 1 Kilo byte c. Mega byte equivalent to 1,000,000 bytes, d. Giga byte which is equivalent to 10,000,000 bytes.
STORAGE DEVICES / DRIVES:
This refers to the different devices used by a computer to store information—be it pictorial, video, audio or written. We have many different kinds of drives e.g CD Drive, Hard Drive, Floppy drive, Zip drive, to mention but a few. Below are brief notes on these drives.
- Hard Drive (Hard Disk or Fixed drive or C:): This is a device that is built into the inside of a computer that stores most the programs which were installed (loaded) on computer. It also stores files and folders which were created and savef into the computer’s memory. A hard drive is fixed—it cannot be removed unless mechanically. And it works like a person’s sub-conscious memory.
Disadvantages: Can easily break or melt if put near much heat, can only hold small volumes of data, new computers have no space for floppy drives.
- CD Drive (Compact disk) (Details as of a floppy disk but still on market— being used. CDs are round in shape and can carry different forms of data i.e written, pictorial, video or audio data.
- Memory cards: Can be used by computers, phones, radio and cameras. Will also transfer data from one garget to another. Small in physical appearance but can store a lot of data compare to a floppy drive.
- Flash drives: Mostly used today especially by mobile computer users or when one intends to shift data from one computer to another. They are more convenient as their physical size is not bulk yet can hold lots of data.
- Memory chips: These are mostly in built and integrated into the computer system for special data storage. The files that are stored on memory chips are comprised of the Random Access Memory (RAM) which help the computer respond to commands given by the user.
- Zip drive: It almost looks like a floppy in physical appearance and characteristics but can hold more data than a floppy drive. Zip drives have also phased out but way back in the early computer years, they would be used as back devices for bulk data.
NB : All storage devices have difference in storage capacities i.e. you can have ten flash disks but when one of them was with different storage ability (Memory measurement).
All removable drives can transfer electronic viruses from one computer / garget to another if not protected with antivirus programs.
COMPUTER COMPONENTS
Note: There are two words which have to be differentiated before we go into the details of a computer system i.e Components and Peripherals. Components refers to the parts which a computer cannot do without. It must have these parts in order to work well e.g. the CPU, monitor, key board, printer, mouse while peripherals refers to parts or gargets that can be attached to a computer to do specific jobs or to help it perform better e.g speakers, scanner, joysticks, camera, modems, phones etc
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The refers to the main part of the system to which all the other parts must be attached. It is the central processing unit (computes or processes all the work). It is where the hard drive and the memory chips are installed or built.
Unlike desk top computers or other bigger computer types; lap tops, iPods etc will have all the components built up in block (together) but the functions will remain the same.
Monitor (Visual Display Unit)
This looks like a TV screen. It picks signals from the computer and reflects or shows what the computer is processing.
Key board (Input device)
It’s a board with many keys used to command the computer and for data inputting (data entry or typing). Most of its functions can be exhibited by the mouse.
Data : This is another word to mean information (Characters i.e. numbers, letters, punctuation marks, symbols etc)
Network: A group of computers connected by telephone wires in order to share information.
Highlighting: this refers to the selection of items on the computer in that they will be affected by the next command given by the user.
Dragging and dropping: This refers to the movement of items from one place to another on the screen / desktop.
Hard ware refers to the physical parts (tangible) of a computer system.
Solitaire; Purpose
- The target of the game is to help the learner get familiar with dragging and dropping
- To teach the learner how to open a program by following its address
- To activate the learner’s brain to deal with a number of items at the same time
- To relax the learner’s brain in case of overwork
