What does a computer do?

Accepts data through inputting

Processes data

Stores data

Outputs data

Input Devices

• Mouse

• Keyboard

• Scanner

• Microphone

• Digital Camera

• Voice Command

• Touch Screen

Output Devices

Printer

Monitor

Speaker

Computers STORE Data in Bytes

One byte is 8 bits (a bit is an off/on switch or a zero or a one) a: 01000100

One byte holds one character, numeral, or symbol such as the letter z, the numeral 3, or the symbol *

Kilobyte 1 KB is 1 thousand bytes Megabyte 1 MB is 1 million bytes Gigabyte 1 GB is 1 billion bytes

Storage Devices

Permanent Storage Devices• Floppy Disk 1.4 MB Removable

• Zip Drive 100/250 MB Removable

• USB Storage Device 126 MB - 1 GB+ Removable

• CD-R 700 MB Removable

• DVD-R 4.7 GB Removable

• Hard Drive 60 GB ++ Not removable

Temporary Storage (stores data while processing)

• Random Access Memory - RAM

Saving your data at CCSF

Save on your zip drive or USB storage device. Use Save As the first time you are saving so

that you can indicate WHERE you will store your file/data.

Save often Remember, when you turn off your computer,

everything in RAM is removed. Back-up important files

Computers PROCESS data fast and accurately!

• Central Processing Unit (CPU)

(so called “brain” of the computer• Speed of computer is measured

in Megahertz (MHz)

• 1 Megahertz is a million cycles per second (ours are 450 MHz)

• Computers today often run at 3+ GHz Gigahertz (billion cycles per second)

Software/Programs – Instructions for the Computer

Operating System Software• Performs housekeeping tasks, saves and organizes

files, connects all the peripherals

• Microsoft Windows XP (used by CCSF Business Department)

Applications Software/Programs• Performs specific tasks

• Microsoft Office 2003 is an integrated software package containing various individual programs that do different tasks – Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint.

Three Major Programs in Microsoft Office 2003

Category Program File Ext.

Common Output

Word Processing Word .doc Letters, reports

Spreadsheets Excel .xlsBudgets, financial

projections

Database Access .mdbClient lists, inventory

Word Processing - WORD

Spreadsheets – EXCEL

Databases - ACCESS

Title Bar Displays Office Program and current file

Menu Bar Contains menu titles for pull down menus with a variety of commands

Standard Toolbar

Contains buttons (icons) you can use to perform common tasks

Formatting Toolbar

Contains buttons (icons) for changing formats including fonts, alignment

Status Bar Tells you status of what is shown on screen such as page # or line #

Task Bar Shows Start Button, Quick Launch Toolbar, and all open programs/files

Task Pane Contains commonly used commands that pertain to each application

Bars and Panes in Windows

Using Control and Shift Keys in selecting files/folders and data

Control Key

• Press as you select each one

• Selects non-contiguous (non-adjacent) files, folders, or data that are in random order

Shift Key

• Press after you select the first one and keep holding until you select the last one

• Selects files/folders and data that are next to each other (contiguous or adjacent)

Using Move and Copy

• When you move a file, folder or data, it is no longer in its original location

• When you copy a file, folder, or data, it is both in its original location and in its new location.

The Ergonomics of Using Computers

Maintain good posture

Stand up and stretch often

Rest your eyesand mind

Take risks, relax and have fun!