The Functions of a Computer

A computer has many functions in the real world! Though one of the things to remember is a Computer can't think for itself. A computer also doesn't understand information but it understands data.

The only thing that a computer understands is 1s and 0s and whether it has power or not.

Components of a Computer 

The components of a computer consists of input devices, output devices, system unit, storage device & communication device.

Magnetic, optical and SSD are some of the technologies that are used for data storage.

Some communication devices include, optical, laser and copper technology.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Some advantages of using computer systems include speed, reliability, consistency, storage and communications.

The disadvantages of using a computer may include, health risks, violation of privacy, public safety and impact of Environment.

Network and the Internet

The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that connections millions of places such as government agencies and individuals. The Internet is the infrastructure that enables computers to connect to each other. The web is a service that runs on Internet technology.

Website - Is a collection of related pages and associated items. 

Web Server - Is a computer that delivers requested Web pages to your computer.

Web 2.0 - Refers to the Web sites that provide a means for users to interact.

Internet > The Internet was originally started as a way for scientists at different locations to share information and work together. It started out as ARPANET in September 1969 and had two main goals to allow information sharing and the ability to function if part of the network was disabled.

Today more than 550 million hosts connect to the internet.

The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) oversees research and sets guidelines and standards.

Internet 2 connects more than 200 universities and 115 companies to many users.

Evolution of the Internet - Cable Internet Service, DSL, Fiber to the Premises (FTTP), Fixed Wireless, Cellular Radio Network, Wi-Fi & Satellite Internet Services.

An IP Address is a number that uniquely identifies each computer or device connected to the Internet. Domain-Names are the text version of an IP Address. A DNS Server (Domain Name Server) translates the domain into the associated IP Address.

Computer Software 

Computers have various software applications and can be broken up into two categories - System Software and Application Software. All computers have System Software which is also commonly known as the Operating System. The second category is Application Software which is the end user software that may include Office or applications that have a specific task in a home or business environment.

Types of Users

Examples of Computer Usage; Home User, Small Office / Home Office User & Mobile Users.