Computer, Internet, Web, and E-Mail Basics

Chapter Contents
Section A: Computer Basics Section B: Internet Basics Section C: Web Basics Section D: E-Mail Basics

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Section A: Computer Basics

A Computer Is Computer Categories Personal Computer Systems Data, Information, and Files Application Software and Operating System Basics

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A Computer Is
Device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output

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A Computer Is
A stored program means that a series of instructions for a computing task can be loaded into a computers memory
Allows you to switch between tasks Distinguishes a computer from other simpler devices

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Computer Categories
Computers are categorized based on criteria such as usage, cost, size, and capability
Microcomputer Personal computer Desktop computer Notebook computer Tablet computer
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Computer Categories
Handheld computer
PDA

Workstation
Computer network LAN

Videogame console
Nintendos GameCube Sonys PlayStation Microsofts Xbox
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Computer Categories
Mainframe computer
Processes data for hundreds of thousands of users

Supercomputer
One of the fastest computers in the world

Server
Supplies client computers with data

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Personal Computer Systems

A computer system refers to a computer and all the input, output, and storage devices that are connected to it

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Personal Computer Systems

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Personal Computer Systems

Peripheral devices enhance the functionality of a computer

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Data, Information, and Files

Data becomes information when it is presented in a format that people can understand and use
Digital format

A file is a named collection of data that exists on a storage medium

Data and executable files File names and file extensions
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Application Software and Operating System Basics

Application software
Set of computer programs that helps a person carry out a task

System software
Helps the computer system monitor itself and function efficiently Operating systems
Microsoft Windows Mac OS
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Application Software and Operating System Basics

Two of the most popular personal computer platforms are PCs and Macs PCs
Based on the design for the IBM PC

Macs
Based on a proprietary design for the Macintosh

PC and Mac platforms are not compatible

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Section B: Internet Basics

Internet Resources Internet Connections Internet Service Providers User IDs and Passwords

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Internet Resources
The Internet is a collection of linked computer networks Main communication routes referred to as the Internet backbone
TCP/IP

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Internet Resources
Web sites Search engines Downloads and uploads P2P file sharing

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Internet Resources
E-mail Bulletin boards
Usenet

Blogs Chat groups and instant messaging

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Internet Resources
Internet telephony E-commerce Broadcasting Remote access and control

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Internet Connections
Dial-up connection
Simple and inexpensive Signals travel over phone lines Voiceband modem

Cable Internet service

Computer signals travel over cable TV lines Cable modem 10/26/2013 Always-on connection

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Internet Connections
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)
Speeds are marginally better than dial-up

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

Up to 125 times faster than dial-up

DSS (Digital Satellite Service)

Average seed is 500 Kbps

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Internet Service Providers

Maintains equipment to provide Internet access to subscribers Where to locate a list of ISPs
Yellow Pages www.thelist.com Your computer may contain a directory

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Internet Service Providers

How to choose an ISP:
Geographical coverage Type of service Quality of service Cost of monthly service Cost of equipment and installation Extra services Customer service
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User IDs and Passwords

Designed to provide access for authorized users
A user ID serves as a persons unique identifier A password verifies your identity Case sensitive

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User IDs and Passwords

Choosing a secure password

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Section C: Web Basics

The World Wide Web Browsers Search Engines

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The World Wide Web

Collection of files that can be linked and accessed using HTTP The World Wide Web consists of:
Web pages Links Web sites Web servers

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The World Wide Web

Every Web page has a unique address, or URL HTML is the standard format for Web documents

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Browsers
Web browsers help you access Web pages
Microsoft Internet Explorer Netscape Navigator Mozilla Firefox

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Browsers
Common browser features

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Browsers
Browsers fetch and display Web pages HTML tags tell the browser how to display information on the Web page
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Browsers
To copy a passage of text from a Web page, highlight the text, click the Edit menu, then select Copy. Next, switch to your own document and use the Paste option.

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Search Engines
Web site that helps you find information Different search engines return different results

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Search Engines
A query describes the information you want to find
Keywords describe the information youre trying to find Search operators describe the relationship between keywords

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Search Engines
A topic directory is a list of topics and subtopics
Arranged in a hierarchy
CLICK TO START

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Search Engines
Search forms help you enter complex queries

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Search Engines
Some search engines accept natural language queries
Where can I find a review of The Producers?

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Section D: E-Mail Basics

E-mail Overview Netiquette Spam E-mail Technology

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E-Mail Overview
Any person with an e-mail account can send and receive e-mail messages

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E-Mail Overview
Basic e-mail activities
Writing Reading Replying Forwarding

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E-Mail Overview
E-mail attachments are files that travel with an e-mail message
E-mail software converts e-mail attachments to MIME

HTML-compliant e-mail software Additional e-mail features

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E-Mail Overview

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Netiquette
Internet etiquette
Meaningful subject Use uppercase and lowercase letters Check spelling Be careful what you send Be polite Be cautious with sarcasm and humor

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Netiquette
Use smileys and text messaging shorthand cautiously Use the Bcc function for group mailings Dont send replies to all recipients Dont send huge attachments Explain attachments Stay alert for viruses Notify recipients of viruses

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Spam
Unwanted electronic junk mail
Dont reply Dont link Guard your e-mail address Use spam filters
Automatically routes advertisements and other junk mail to appropriate folder

Report spam Change your e-mail address

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E-mail Technology
E-mail systems carry and manipulate email messages
E-mail servers Based on store-and-forward technology

Three types of e-mail systems widely used today:

POP IMAP Web-based e-mail
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E-mail Technology
Web-based e-mail accounts allow you to use a browser to access your e-mail messages

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E-mail Technology
A POP server is a computer that stores your incoming messages until they can be transferred to your hard disk
E-mail client software SMTP server

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