MASTERING COMPUTER STUDIES VOLUME I , livre ebook
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2016
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122
pages
English
Ebook
2016
Obtenez un accès à la bibliothèque pour le consulter en ligne En savoir plus
Publié par
Date de parution
01 janvier 2016
Nombre de lectures
0
Langue
English
Poids de l'ouvrage
15 Mo
Mastering Computer Studies Volume I is: • Easy to follow• User friendly and Practical• Enables you to focus and direct your studies towards acquiring skills at the beginner intermediate user level. D Excellent primer that uses a task-based approach with easy-to follow explanations.• Step-by-step approach that tells you how to do things in an intelligent and understandable manner.There is an in-depth Coverage of hardware and software basics.
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Publié par
Date de parution
01 janvier 2016
Nombre de lectures
0
Langue
English
Poids de l'ouvrage
15 Mo
MASTERING COMPUTER STUDIES
VOLUME I
Agwe Lucas B. Mbarika Andrew Ngwa Mberewi ArreyNjok Tabe Takang
Copyright©
All rights reserved. No reproduction or transmission of this publication without written permission from the publisher and author is allowed. The author asserts his right to be identiîed as the author of this work in accordance with the copyright law.
Second edition 2016 © Nmi Education P.O. Box 31267 Yaounde - Cameroon Email: frontdesk@nmieducation .org Website: www.nmieducation.org
Project Manager: Mela Fokam Gisele épouse NGADEHI Commissioning Editor : Makowo Momo Solange Typesetter and Cover designer: ABONGHEN Brigitte Illustration: Nmi Education
ISBN: 9956-773-55-7
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Computer Science and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are two new subjects that were introduced into the Cameroon National Curriculum in 2003. Students are expected to acquire basic concepts and skills that will provide the necessary impetus and aptitude to ît into a contemporary world ofInformation Technologyand enable them to become critical, effective and independent users ofICT. They should also be able to beneît from the opportunities and advantages thatICTprovides to support learning in other areas of the curriculum.
This second edition of Volume I of Mastering Computer Studies has been written for Form one students who are studying Computer Science for the very îrst time at the Secondary General, Technical and Commercial Education. It is the îrst textbook that treats all the topics outlined in the Form one National Syllabus for Computer Science and a lot more. It is also an introductory textbook intended to provide a solid foundation and equip students with the necessary competences required to learn the material covered in Volume II and subsequent volumes of the series.
As Regional Coordinating and Pedagogic Inspectors, the authors have brought their pro-fessional expertise to bear on the content and presentation of material contained in this Volume, which is the îrst of four Volumes. Written with the users in mind, the authors have used the competence-based approach, which suggests speciîc tasks that the users are expected to follow in order to meet the needs of a competitive and emergent informa-tion-driven economy. The book is divided intoFour Parts comprisingTen Chapters and each Part begins with general objectives followed by speciîc objectives for each chapter. The exibility of treatment of the contents in this volume allows the learners to start with any part, chapter or topic and work at their own pace till they achieve their desired goals. Once learners are through with one part, chapter or topic, they can then embark on the next one, after attempting the revision questions for that chapter, found at the end of the chapter. The last part titled ‘‘In TheComputer Laboratory’’, gives the users the opportunity to engage in hands-on practical sessions, useful for beginners.
The concepts and graphics included in the book have been carefully chosen to reect the realities of Computer Science and ICT in the society.
Mastering Computer Studies (Volume I) is highly recommended for students who are pursuing a course in either General, Technical or Commercial Education in Computer Science or ICT.
Authors
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PART ONE
Chapter 0ne
Chapter Two
Historical Development of Information and Communication Technology..............................1 The History of Computers...............................2 History of Communication...................26
PART TWOIntroduction to Computers............................39 Chapter ThreeLegal, Ethics Ethics and Health Concerns of Computer Usage.......................................40 Chapter FourComputer Applications ...50
PART THREEThe Computer System Unit...........................................56 Chapter FiveThe Main Parts of and Basic Functioning of a Computer...............................57 Chapter SixMain Components of a Computer System Unit.....70
PART FOURIn The Computer Laboratory.............................71 Chapter SevenThe Mouse and Keyboard................................77 Chapter Eight Operating System Basics.......................................85 Chapter NineWord Processing.................96 Chapter TenThe Internet........................104
DETAILED TABLE OF CONTENTS PART ONE ...........................................................1 Chapter 0ne...........................................................2 1.1 Introduction................................................3 1.2 Deînition of Terms...................................4 1.3 Evolution of Machines and Data Processing....................................................7 1.3.1 Evolution of Computers.......................16 A) The First Generation - The Vacuum Tube Generation (1944-1958).........16 B) The Second Generation – The
Transistor Generation (1959-1963) .......................................................................17 C) The Third Generation – The Integrated Circuit Generation (1964-1970)...........................................................18 D) The Fourth Generation – The Electronic (Microprocessor) Genera tion (1971 – Present )............................18 E) The Fifth Generation – The Virtual Intelligence Generation (Present – Future)..................................19 1.3.2 Types of Computers..............................20 A) The Supercomputers.............................20 B) Mainframe Comput-ers..........................21 C) Minicomputers.........................................21 D) Microcomputers......................................22 E) Embedded Computers.........................22 Exercise.......................................................24
Chapter Two.........................................................27 2.1 Introduction..............................................27 2.2 Modes of Communication.................27 2.2.1 Communication by Speech................29 2.2.2 Communication by Symbols..............33 2.3 Communication Tools...........................33 2.3.1 Traditional Communication Tools....34 2.3.2 Modern Communication Tools.........36 2.3.3 The Computer as a Communication Tool..............................................................37 Exercise.......................................................38
PART TWO .........................................................39 Chapter Three......................................................40 3.1 Introduction..............................................41 3.2 Basic Legislation Concerning the use of Computers...........................................41 3.3 Computer Crimes....................................42 3.3.1 Unauthorised Use of a Computer...42 3.3.2 Creating or Releasing a Malicious Program.....................................................42 3.3.3 Harassment and Stalking in Cyber Space...........................................................43 3.4 Basic Computer Ethics..........................43 3.5 Health and Safety Concerns on the Use of the Computer...............44 v
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3.5.1 Stress............................................44 3.5.2 Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI)..............45Chapter Eight........................................................85 3.5.3 Eyestrain.....................................................45 8.1 Introduction..............................................86 3.5.4 Extremely Low Frequency (Elf) 8.3 Parts of a Window.................................87 Radiation...................................................47 8.4 The Start Menu........................................89 Exercise.......................................................49 8.5 Launching A Program...........................89 8.6 Managing Files And Folders...............90 Chapter Four........................................................50Windows..........................938.7 Customising 4.1 Introduction..............................................51 Exercise.......................................................95 4.2 Data Management and Manipula tion...............................................................51Chapter Nine........................................................96 4.3 Computer Applications........................53 9.1 Introduction.............................................97 Exercise.......................................................559.2 Getting Started.......................................97 9.3 Editing Documents.................................98 PART THREE................65.........................................9.4 Formatting Documents........................99 Chapter Five.........................................................579.5 Creating Tables.....................................101 5.1 Introduction..............................................58 9.6 Adding Graphics...................................102 5.2 Hardware....................................................58 Exercise.....................................................103 5.3 Software.....................................................60 5.4 Functioning of a Computer................61Chapter Ten......................................................104 5.4.1 Connecting the External (Peripheral) 10.1 E-Mail ......................................................105 Components of a Personal Computer 10.2 Launching a Browser..........................105 (PC)........................................................61 10.3 Creating an E-Mail Account............106 5.4.2 Communication Ports...........................61 10.4 Checking an E-Mails..........................106 5.4.3 Turning (Switching) the computer on 10.5 Composing and Sending a Mail and off........................................................62 Message...................................................108 5.4.4 What Happens Inside the Computer 10.6 Replying to Mail..................................109 .......................................................................66an Attachment.........11110.7 Downloading 5.4.5 Speciîcations of a Computer...........67 10.8 Deleting E-Mail Messages................112 Exercise......................................................69an E-Mail on a Storage10.9 Saving Device......................................................112 Chapter Six............................................................7010.10 Printing E-Mail......................................113 6.1 Introduction..............................................71 10.11 Signing Out............................................113 6.2 The Main Components of a Compu Exercise.....................................................114 ter System Unit ......................................71 6.2.1 The Power Supply Unit.........................72 6.2.2 The Disk Drive Case...............................72 6.2.3 The Mother Board..................................72 Exercise.......................................................75
PART FOUR...........................................................76 Chapter Seven......................................................77 7.1 The Mouse.................................................78 7.2 Mouse Actions.........................................79 7.3 The Computer Keyboard.....................81 Exercise.......................................................84 vi
PART
1
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
Technologïcal developments and more specïically developments ïn the area of ïnformaon and communïcaon are gradually masterminding and taking control of vital processes in the lives of human beïngs. From household to busïness and oîce acvïes, we see the great ïmpact of the advances ïn thïs area of ïnformaon and communïcaon technologïes. These developments however, have a begïnnïng. In thïs part of the book, we have made an aempt to take you down memory lane to gïve you the hïghlïghts of some of the hïstorïcal developments, whïch have led to the great tool we now have at our dïsposal – the COMPUTER and the great strïdes ïn the transmïssïon of ïnformaon or knowledge – COMMUNICATION.
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CHAPTERONE
THE HISTORY OF COMPUTERS
The computer as we have it today is as a result of various inventions to satisfy daily needs, the ultimate goal being to have an aid to the numerous processes that human beings carry out. In this chapter, you will be led through some of the major thoughts leading to the invention of the computer. You will learn of the different generations of computers and what major innovations each generationof computers contributed. Before these, some useful deînitions of some of the common terms you will encounter in the course of your studies have been given.
1.1
INTRODUCTION
The Stone Age, as we learn from history books, is the period of human development which saw the îrst use of technology, that of the use of the stone in various aspects of life. This period of history could be divided into the Paleolithic, Epipaleolithic (Mesolithic) and Neolithic eras.
Fig 1.1:Prehistoric Tools and their Uses
th The 20century on its part has been marked by a revolution brought about by the development of computer technology. This evolution of computer technology appears to be modernising every aspect of our lives. Be it in our homes, schools, ofîces, shops, cars, industries or banks, better processes are being developed that bring about radical changes through the use of the computer. These radical changes are seen in the way the computer handles the various stages of information processing, as more and more data need to be processed in various aspects of daily life.
Fig 1.2:The General Data Processing Cycle
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The basic stages in information processing can be represented on a diagram as shown on the îgure above:
No matter how astonishing the output of a computer may be, it is only acting blindly on the instructions of the user – the human being. It can only do what it has been programmed to do. Its power lies in its high speed of operation (as it can perform millions of processes in one second), its high storage capacity, its accuracy and its reliability.
1.2
DEFINITION OF TERMS
In this section, we are going to get the deînitions of some important terms that we would be using in the course of this study. a)DataThese are the raw facts (measurements, statistics, text, images, sound) that still need to be processed (manipulated, organised or arranged) into a form that can be understood and used, and later stored. Data is what we feed into the computer, for example, blood samples in a hospital, handwritten manuscript of books, population statistics, number of students in a class, etc.
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Fig 1.3:Some people involved in Data Capture
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