TOPIC 1: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING

Sub-Topic: Introduction to Computers

A Computer is an electronic device that receives data, processes data, stores

data, and produces a result (output).
A computer system is more than a box with components; it encompasses four
major components and one minor component that make the machine fully
useful:
 Hardware (major)
 Software (major)
 Data (major)
 Users (major)
 Communication (minor)

Computer System

Computer Hardware
This is a term used to describe all the various physical devices of a computer.
Computer hardware components are tangible (they can be touched).
Computer hardware includes:
 Input devices like the keyboard and mouse,
 Processing devices like the Microprocessor Chip,
 Storage devices like the Hard disks and the CDs,
 Output devices like the monitor and the printer.

Computer Software
Software is a term for electronic instructions that tell the computer how to
perform a task.
These are a series of programs (instructions) that tell the computer what and
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how to work.
Computer software can be grouped into System software and Application
software:
 System software like the Operating system (such as Windows, Linux,
UNIX, DOS, MacOs etc.) are used to manage and coordinate all the
computer resources and activities.
 Application software (such as Games, Calculator and Media Player, Word
Processors, etc.) solve the specific or exact needs of the user.

Computer Users
Computer Users (Human-ware) refers to the people who operate and initialize
instructions to the computer system.
They design and develop computer systems, operate the computer hardware,
create the software, and establish procedures for carrying out tasks.
There are two kinds of Computer Users:
 Ordinary user - is someone without much technical knowledge of
computers but uses computers to produce information for professional or
personal tasks, enhance learning, or have fun. Ordinary users include
Computer students, Typists (Secretaries), etc.
 Professional user - is a person in a profession involving computers who
has had formal education in the technical aspects of computers; Examples
include Computer programmers, webmasters, etc.

Computer Data and Information

Data refers to raw facts and figures used to create information.
This is entered into the computer by the user via input devices, in a form suitable
for processing.
Data may consist of characters, symbols, sounds and graphics, videos etc.
Computer Information refers to the processed data that makes meaning and is
useful.
For example:
 The figure 10082006 may be input as data, but once this same figure is
converted to the format 10/08/2006, you realize that it‘s a date.

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  Computer Information is organized into files, which are collections of data
grouped together and given a name. A file that a user can open and use is
often called a document.

Computer Communication:
This refers to cables, modems, network switches, routers and all networking
hardware required in data and information transmission.
 Computer communication enables computers to connect and share
resources such as storage, processor power, information, internet among
others
 Computer communication also enables services such as communication,
eLearning, social media, teleconferencing, cloud computing among others.

The Information Processing Cycle

The information processing cycle is a series of steps the computer follows to
receive data:

 Input: The computer accepts data from some source

 Processing: The computer's processing components perform actions on or
with the data
 Output: The computer provides the results of its processing
 Storage: The computer stores the results of its processing.

Sub-Topic: World of ICTs

The meaning of ICTs
The term Information and communication Technology (ICT) combines three items
i.e. information, communication, and technology
 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) refers to the broad
range of hardware, software, network infrastructure and media that enable
the processing, storage and sharing of information among humans and
computers, locally and globally‖
 ICT devices range from radio, television, cellular phones, compact disks,
Fax machines, computers, biometric devices, internet and network
hardware and software platforms, satellite systems and so on.
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  It involves to all means which facilitate information or data capture
processing storage and output.

The use of ICTs in society

Today people use ICTs in almost every walk of life.
However, along with these advancements of science there arises the dilemma of
development of technology as it affects human individuals.
They have come with both positive and negative impacts to our society.
Computers are applied in the areas of; Education, Business, Health, security,
Politics, Communication, Entertainment / leisure, Technical and scientific uses

Uses of ICTs in the Area of Education

 In education, we use Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI), Computer Aided
Learning (CAL) and Computer Aided Assessment (CAA)
 Schools use computers to create school websites for sharing information
with the public.
 Productivity tools like desktop publishing and presentation software are
used in projects and other school activities.
 Computers are used for calculating mathematical arithmetic by students
and teachers in class.
 Students‘ Report Cards can be produced electronically by use of
computers instead of hand written ones.
 With Use of School Administration and Management Systems, records
management is made easier because all details of learners can be held on
computer, and easily retrieved, reducing administrative costs.
 Distance learning through computer based training. People get award such
as degrees without going to class.
 Teachers use simulation software to perform difficult or dangerous
experiments in class.
 Use of special facilities for students with disabilities like text to speech and
speech recognition to help blind students.

Uses of ICTs in the Area of Business

 Computers enable people to work from home, using a computer connected
to the employer's network or via the Internet. This is known as
Telecommuting.
 Computers have created more jobs such as Computer technicians,
Computer teachers, etc.
 Buying and selling Computers and its components is a source of income to
individuals, and companies.
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  Through, Computer Aided Design (CAD), scale drawings, and excellent
designs can be created easily.
 Computers are used for sending and receiving Mobile Money and making
worldwide money transfers.
 Banks use Computers to manage transactions and Automatic Teller
Machines ATMs for 24 hours banking.
 Computers help in Business Advertisement through creating websites,
internet, flyers, brochures and billboards.
 Computers are used in typesetting business for production of document
printouts and publication of Books for sale.
 Computers are used for E-Commerce: the sale of goods and services over
the internet.

Uses of ICTs in the Area of Healthcare

 Hospitals use computers for managing and storing Records electronically,
rather than paper files.
 Hospital Administration is also aided by printing labels, allocating beds,
make appointments, staff rotas, etc
 Internet helps us get Web sites for information on health care, treatments,
conditions, etc.
 Monitoring/Diagnosis such as Heart rate, blood pressure, etc. is aided by
Computer Expert systems.
 Medical Training is facilitated by Simulation software and on-line data
sources.

Uses of ICTs in the Area of Security

 Computers aid monitoring security through cameras, Automatic number
plate recognition, etc.
 Communication systems are widely used in the military to coordinate the
personnel.
 Some computer systems can detect temperatures and alarm in case of
danger of fire outbreaks.
 Computers are used for capturing data for Police National Computer
Databases –, vehicle number plates, criminals fingerprints, etc.
 Computers are used to detect presence of illegal devices such as bombs.
 Computers are also used for controlling dangerous weapons such as
missiles.

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Uses of ICTs in the Area of Politics
 Paying government tax online through a government website
 Online forms such as vehicle registration and passport forms
 Advertising government tenders and Applying for government tenders
 Public records - A maintained database of statistical information such as
electoral register and census data can be availed online.
 Use of electronic voting during elections
 Government departments can use a computer based platform to get
feedback from the citizens.

Uses of ICTs in the Area of Communication

 E-mail: Electronic Mail sent from one person to another using connected
computers helps a lot in the area of communication.
 Video Conferencing enables people in different locations to conduct
meeting as if they are in the same location.
 Computers are used for Faxing: Sending an image of a document
electronically.
 Computers enable people to send voice, image, text and data though
telephones and mobile cell phones.
 Social Networks such as Facebook and Twitter enable people to stay in
touch with their relatives, friends and interests.

Technical and Scientific Uses of ICTs

 In Astronomy, Computers are essential tools to study the behavior of the
complex systems in space as regards to their movements, interactions etc.
 Through Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM), computers can be used to
control the production of goods in factories.
 Computers perform Telescope pointing and tracking (including error
correction), Camera operation, image download and storage, Image
reduction (the measurement of the image), and Data processing.
 Monitoring highway traffic
 Computers are used to tell schedules of water vessels, train, buses to their
respective stations. You only need to use your PDA device or cello phone
and check it out.
 Computers are used very extensively in design of roads. Roadways and
bridges are designed using software programs like CAD etc.

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Sub Topic: Implications of Using ICTs
Positive Implications of Using Computers to Society
 Computers have Created and widened employment opportunities e.g.;
software engineers, computer teachers, technicians, etc.
 Improved education and research by simplifying teaching and learning. E.g.
abstract content can be made real through cyber science technology –
others are computer aided teaching and computer aided learning,
presentations software, etc.
 Improved entertainment and leisure through computer games, music, etc
for people to refresh and make-up.
 Improved communication and collaboration through computer networks.
Improved health services where computers facilitate recording, monitoring,
and diagnosis for patients.
 Improved security through computer managed gates and monitoring of
commercial and domestic premises, detecting and controlling crime by
police.
 Reduced production time and manufacturing processes through computer
aided manufacturing and computer aided designing which have greatly
improved the quantity and quality of life.
 Improved customer services delivery and care eg networked computers
provide 24/7 on-line services like credit cards Improved business and
investment opportunities.
 Improved data and document production, storage and manipulation.

Negative Implications of Using Computers to Society

 Computer related crime e.g. forgeries, cyber-bullying, Piracy etc.
 Increased cost of production as computers are very expensive to buy and
maintain. Computer experts can as well be expensive to hire.
 They are many health hazards e.g. can cause eye defects, Tendonitis, RSI,
etc.
 Electronic fraud: Stealing money electronically through practices like Credit
card cloning and illegal money transfers.
 Impact on Environment: Computer manufacturing processes and computer
waste are depleting natural resources and polluting the environment.
 Hacking: Unauthorized access into computers possibly to access
information, compromising privacy. e.g. Wikileaks
 Virus threats which has made data storage and safety very unreliable.
 Loss of employment as they take over job assignments for semi and less
skilled job functions.
 Deaths and accidents due to computer malfunctioning or explosion.
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  Erosion of human integrity and creativity as even the smallest calculation is
assigned to the computer. Other cases are Forgeries, GMFs, test tube
children, etc.
 Loss of man-hours as some workers go for unproductive computer based
leisure at the expense of their work. Cyber-terrorism.
 Moral Decay: The internet has websites with content such as pornography,
which have a bad impact on the users especially the young children.

Health concerns of computer use

The widespread use of computers has led to some important user health
concerns:
 People who spend their workday using the computer sometimes complain
of lower back pain, muscle fatigue, and emotional fatigue.
 Repetitive strain injury, Tendonitis and Carpal tunnel syndrome are caused
by prolonged typing, prolonged mouse usage, or continual shifting between
the mouse and the keyboard.
 Eye strain and computer vision syndrome: Another type of health-related
condition due to computer usage is computer vision syndrome
 Computer Addiction; Computers can provide entertainment and enjoyment.
Some computer users, however, become obsessed with the computer and
the Internet. Computer addiction occurs when the computer consumes
someone‘s entire social life.
 Computer addiction is a growing health problem but can be treated through
therapy and support groups.

Ergonomics and Workplace Design

 Ergonomics is the science of designing the job, equipment, and workplace
to fit the worker.
 Ergonomics applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order
to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.
 It also refers to incorporating comfort, efficiency and safety into the design
of hardware in a work place.
 It covers the relationship between people and their work environment.
 Ergonomic studies have shown that using the correct type and
configuration of chair, keyboard, display device, and work surface helps
users work comfortably and efficiently and helps protect their health.
 For the computer work space, experts recommend an area of at least two
feet by four feet.
 Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries,
which can develop over time and can lead to long-term disability.
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Five aspects of ergonomics
The five aspects of ergonomics include;
 Safety
 Comfort
 Ease of Use
 Productivity/Performance
 Aesthetics

Green Computing
Green computing involves reducing the electricity and environmental waste while
using a computer.
 People use, and often waste, resources such as
electricity and paper while using a computer.
 The United States government developed the energy star
program to help reduce the amount of electricity used by
computers and related devices.
 This program encourages manufacturers to create
energy-efficient devices that require little power when they are not in use.
 Computers and devices that meet the energy star guidelines display an
energy star label.
 Computers, monitors, and other equipment contain toxic materials and
potentially dangerous elements including lead, mercury, and flame
retardants.
 In a landfill, these materials release into the environment.
 Recycling and refurbishing old equipment are much safer alternatives for
the environment.

Good practices of green computing

 Use computers and devices that comply with the energy star
 Do not leave the computer unnecessarily on overnight
 Turn off all computer hardware when not in use
 Replace and use flat panel monitors instead of cathode ray tube monitors
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 Try as much as possible to minimize use of paper e.g. do away with
unnecessary printing, share work, communicate electronically etc
 Recycle and re-use old computer hardware
 Work remotely or telecommute to save on fuel and reduce pollution of the
atmosphere

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