This document provides definitions and explanations of basic computer hardware and software terms. It discusses what a computer is and the basic components involved in information processing, including input, processing, storage, and output. It then defines and describes common input devices like keyboards, mice, scanners, and microphones. Output devices covered include monitors, printers, speakers, and projectors. The document also discusses storage devices, peripherals, and some other specialized hardware like graphics tablets, biometric devices, and plotters.
2. Why Study Basic Terms?
• For some people, the computer aisles at an
electronics store can be quite a mystery!
• Prepare for the State Skills Test
• Use computers in your future with ease and
confidence
3. What is a Computer?
• An electronic device that you can use to
manipulate, store, retrieve and process data.
6. Software
• A term that is used in contrast to hardware;
everything in the computer that is not
hardware is software.
• Software allows you to:
– Process words
– Calculate numbers
– Send an e-mail
– Browse the Internet
– And many more…
7. Input
• A collection of raw data from the outside
world that is put into the computer.
• Example: The payroll clerk collects workers'
timecards so she knows how many hours each
person worked and then types the hours from
the timecards into a spreadsheet.
8. Input Devices
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Scanner
• Digital Camera
• Bar code reader
• Graphic tablets
• And many more…
9. Processing
• Manipulating data
– Bold, italicize, underline, double space in a word
processor
– Enter formulas and calculate totals in a
spreadsheet
– Edit a picture
10. Storage
• The place where data is held when it is not needed for
processing
• Storage Devices are computer components capable of
storing digital data
• Examples of Storage Devices:
– Floppy Disk (almost obsolete)
– Hard Drive
– CD, DVD
– Flash Drive
11. Output
• The results of processed data
• Examples of output:
– A printed paper
– A presentation
– Audio
– Video
• Data is entered through various forms (input) into a
computer, the data is manipulated (processing), and
then information is presented to a human (output).
15. Input and Output Devices
• As you continue, you will
review several different
input and output devices.
• You need to be able to
identify each device, tell
if it is an input or output
device and indicate what
the devices are used for.
16. Keyboard
• The most commonly used input device
• It is made up of :
– Alphabetic Keys
– Numeric Keys
– Function Keys
– Command Keys
• Connected to the computer through a
USB connection or wirelessly
17. Mouse
• A hand-operated input device that controls
the cursor on the screen as you move it
around on a desktop
• Older = ball style mouse
• Newer = “optical” technology
• Turn over your mouse. Do you see a red light?
If you do, then you are using an optical
mouse.
18. Touchpad
• An input device used to move the cursor on a
laptop computer
• As you slide your finger over the surface,
sensors underneath detect the movement,
direction and speed
• Useful when carrying a mouse is not practical
19. Trackball
• A pointing device that works like a mouse turned
upside down; the ball in on top of the device
• Advantages:
• TrackBall is stationary so it does not require much
space.
• You can place a trackball on any type of surface,
including your lap.
20. Joystick
• Joysticks are input devices, similar to a mouse,
that allow you to move the cursor in any
direction
• Joysticks were originally used by pilots as part
of an airplane's controls. Technology
developed to let gamers experience a more
realistic game environment
21. Microphone
• A microphone is used to input sound
• The sound is detected by the microphone and
an electronic signal is transmitted to the
computer
• Special hardware is used to convert the analog
data (sound) into digital data so it an be
stored and manipulated on the computer.
22. Scanner
• Scanners are used to convert images or text
on paper into a digital image format (.bmp, .gif, .jpeg)
• Scanners with optical character recognition
can convert text on paper into text that can be
edited in a word processor
23. Web Cam
• Web cam is short for ‘web camera’
• It is an input device that captures a video or
image of the scene in front of it
• Some are built into the computer (i.e. Laptop),
others are connected via USB cable
• Used for chatting online, security and tourism
(i.e. view your favorite animal at the zoo
online)
24. Graphics Tablet
• Graphics tables are used by graphics designers
and illustrators to input data
• Create accurate drawings on a screen that
could not be produced with a mouse or stylus
• Usually consists of a tablet that you draw on
and a pen that has pressure sensitive tips
allowing the artist to draw heavier and lighter
lines
25. Biometric Devices
• AKA—Access Control Devices
• Uses a body feature of a person seeking access to identify
and authorize that person
– Fingerprint scanner
– Iris scan
– Access card (can be scanned like a credit card or contain a radio
frequency transmitter used to identify the card holder)
• Britain and Germany have included a microchip in their
passport. The microchip contains electronic data unique to
each user
26. Monitor
• Most commonly used output device
• The picture on a monitor is made up of tiny
colored dots called pixels
• The quality and detail of the picture depends
on the number of pixels that the monitor can
display
27. Ink Jet Printer
• An output device that produces a hard copy by
spraying ink on paper
• Relatively cheap to buy
• Can print it both black and white or color
• Limitations:
– Slow
– Not designed for high-volume printing
– Ink cartridges are expensive
28. Laser Jet Printer
• A output device that prints similar to a photo
copy machine
• Uses powdered ink called ‘toner’ to fuse onto
the paper by heat and pressure
• Black and white versions are relatively cheap
to purchase
• Capable of quick high-volume printing
29. Speakers
• Most computers have a small internal speaker
that produces beeping sounds when you make
an error
• Computers can be fitted with a sound card
which enables sound (audio) to be output
through external speakers
30. Digital Camera
• An input device that takes photographs and
stores them as digital files on a computer
31. Projector
• A device which connects to a computer and is
used to project the output from the computer
onto a wall or screen.
32. Touch Screen
• The only device that serves as both
an input and output device
• You view the options available to you
on the screen (output) and then use
your finger to touch the option you
have chosen (input)
33. Plotter
• A large document printer which is able to
draw high quality images on very large pieces
of paper (example: 3 feet wide by 10 feet
long)
• Used by:
– Engineers
– Architects
– Map makers
Fingerprint scanner is a common biometric device on personal computers. Can be used in place of a login and password to gain access to computer files or folders. Prints stored on the computer. If the print matches, access to the computer is granted.
