Chapter 01

Chapter 1: Basic Introduction to Computers Q1: MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. A(n) ____ computer is a special-purpose computer that functions as a component in a larger product. a. smart c. embedded b. handheld d. integral ANS: C 2. A(n) ____ is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory, that can accept data, process the data according to specified rules, produce results, and store the results for future use. a. input device c. output device b. computer d. both a and c ANS: B 3. A computer contains many electric, electronic, and mechanical components known as ____. a. software c. output b. storage media d. hardware ANS: D 4. ____ consist(s) of a computer’s electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by those instructions. a. Memory c. Storage b. Transmission media d. Communications media ANS: A 5. A computer keeps data, instructions, and information on ____ media. a. communications c. reception b. storage d. reading ANS: B 6. ____ are the fastest, most powerful computers — and the most expensive. a. Embedded computers c. Mainframes b. Supercomputers d. Mobiles devices ANS: B 7. Resembling a letter-sized slate, a ____ is a special type of notebook computer you can interact with by touching the screen with your finger or a digital pen. a. mainframe c. PPA b. Tablet PC d. hotspot ANS: B

8. The ____, which is pictured in the accompanying figure, is a worldwide collection of networks that connects millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals. a. Web c. Internet b. VoIP d. cellnet

ANS: C 9. A(n) ____ computer is designed so the system unit, input devices, output devices, and any other devices fit entirely on or under a desk or table. a. desktop c. mobile b. encapsulated d. handheld ANS: A 10. A Web page can contain ____. a. text and graphics b. audio ANS: D

PTS: 1

c. video d. all of the above REF: 10

11. A(n) ____ is an informal Web site consisting of time-stamped articles in a diary or journal format, usually listed in reverse chronological order. a. blog c. chat b. podcast d. videoconference ANS: A 12. A(n) ____ is recorded audio stored on a Web site that can be downloaded to a computer or a portable media player. a. blog c. chat b. podcast d. videoconference ANS: B 13. ____ is a series of instructions that tells a computer what to do and how to do it. a. Hardware c. Appware b. Software d. A podcast ANS: B

14. With a ____, such as that pictured in the accompanying figure, you interact with the software using text, graphics, and visual images. a. command line interface (CLI) c. menu driven interface (MDI) b. graphical user interface (GUI) d. voice oriented interface (VOI) ANS: B

15. As shown in the accompanying figure, a(n) ____ device is a computing device small enough to carry in a pocket. a. integrated c. mobile b. desktop d. encapsulated ANS: C 16. When a user starts a computer, portions of the ____ (of which Microsoft Windows, shown in the accompanying figure, is an example) load into memory from the computer’s hard disk. a. application software c. graphical user interface (GUI) b. operating system d. podcast ANS: B 17. A(n) ____ system is a set of programs that coordinates all the activities among computer hardware devices. a. operating c. utility b. director d. management ANS: A 18. A(n) ____ program is a type of system software that allows a user to perform maintenance-type tasks usually related to managing a computer, its devices, or its programs. a. embedded c. utility b. maintenance d. server ANS: C

19. ____ is the process of setting up software to work with a computer, printer, and other hardware components. a. Installing c. Executing b. Running d. Entering ANS: A 20. A(n) ____ is someone who develops software or writes the instructions that direct the computer to process data into information. a. director c. programmer b. program manager d. user ANS: C 21. A ____ computer is a computer that can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by itself. a. mainframe c. terminal b. personal d. mainline ANS: B 22. ____ computers usually use a Macintosh operating system (Mac OS X). a. Apple c. PC-compatible b. PC d. All of the above ANS: A

23. A(n) ____ computer, as shown in the accompanying figure, is a portable, personal computer small enough to fit on your lap. a. handtop c. PDA b. desktop d. notebook ANS: D

MULTIPLE RESPONSE Modified Multiple Choice 1. Data is a collection of unprocessed items, which can include ____. a. text c. numbers b. images d. audio ANS: A, B, C, D 2. ____ is/are (a) commonly used input device(s). a. Speakers c. A keyboard b. A mouse d. A scanner ANS: B, C, D

3. ____ is/are a main component(s) on the motherboard. a. The UMPC c. The speakers b. The processor d. Memory ANS: B, D 4. Communications occur over ____. a. cables b. utility programs

c. cellular radio networks d. satellites

ANS: A, C, D 5. ____ are a type of system software. a. Operating systems b. Desktop publishing programs

c. Application programs d. Utility programs

ANS: A, D MODIFIED TRUE/FALSE 1. Data conveys meaning and is useful to one or more people. _________________________ ANS: F, Information

2. Communications has become an essential element of the information processing cycle. _________________________ ANS: T 3. Widely used input devices are a printer, a monitor, and speakers. _________________________ ANS: F, output

4. A(n) application system provides a means for users to communicate with a computer and other software. _________________________ ANS: F, operating

TRUE/FALSE 1. Computers process output (information) into input (data).

ANS: F 2. You insert and remove an external hard disk from the computer or a device connected to the computer.

ANS: F

3. A USB flash drive, like the one in the accompanying figure, is a portable storage device that can hold about 4 billion characters but is small and lightweight enough to be transported on a keychain or in a pocket.

ANS: T 4. A hard disk provides much less storage capacity than a USB flash drive, like the one shown in the accompanying figure.

ANS: F 5. A Web page is a collection of related Web sites.

ANS: F 6. You interact with a program through its user interface.

ANS: T 7. Application software consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices.

ANS: F 8. When you buy a computer, it usually has some software preinstalled on its hard disk.

ANS: T 9. Once a program is in memory, the computer can carry out, or execute, the instructions in the program.

ANS: T

10. A computer’s size, speed, processing power, and price determine the category it best fits.

ANS: T 11. Due to slowly changing technology, the distinction among categories of computers is always clear-cut.

ANS: F

12. The most popular type of mobile computer is the desktop computer, like the one in the accompanying figure.

ANS: F

13. You can often connect a device, like the one shown in the accompanying figure, to a personal computer to exchange information.

ANS: T 14. Mobile devices, like that shown in the accompanying figure, usually store programs and data permanently on memory inside the system unit or on small storage media such as memory cards.

ANS: T 15. A handheld computer, like the one in the accompanying figure, is a computer small enough to fit in one hand while you operate it with the other hand.

ANS: T 16. With a handheld game console, the controls, screen, and speakers are built into the device.

ANS: T 17. A server is a handheld Internet-enabled device.

ANS: F

18. Most major corporations use supercomputers for daily business activities.

COMPLETION 1.

A(n) ____________________ device is any hardware component that allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer.

4. A(n) ____________________ device is any hardware component that conveys information to one or more people.

5. A(n) ____________________ device, like the one in the accompanying figure, records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from storage media.

6. The ____________________ unit is a case that contains electronic components of a computer that are used to process data.

7. The ____________________ is the electronic component that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer.

8. A(n) ____________________ is a handheld device that is used primarily for reading digital books.

9. ____________________ provide personal organization functions such as a calendar, appointment book, address book, calculator, and notepad.

10. A(n) ____________________ controls access to the hardware, software, and other resources on a network and provides a centralized storage area for programs, data, and information.

11. A(n) ____________________ is a large, expensive, powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously.

12. Consumer electronics, office machines, and automobiles all can contain ____________________ computers.

ESSAY

1. Discuss what storage devices are, including an explanation of storage media, USB flash drives, hard disks, optical discs, and memory cards in your answer.

2. Explain in detail at least three advantages of using computers.

ANS: Benefits of computers are possible because computers have the advantages of speed, reliability, consistency, storage, and communications.

• Speed: When data, instructions, and information flow along electronic circuits in a computer, they travel at incredibly fast speeds. Many computers process billions or trillions of operations in a single second.

• Reliability: The electronic components in modern computers are dependable and reliable because they rarely break or fail.

• Consistency: Given the same input and processes, a computer will produce the same results — consistently. Computers generate error-free results, provided the input is correct and the instructions work.

• Storage: Computers store enormous amounts of data and make this data available for processing anytime it is needed.

• Communications: Most computers today can communicate with other computers, often wirelessly.

Computers allow users to communicate with one another.

3. Explain in detail at least three disadvantages of using computers.

ANS: Some disadvantages of computers relate to the violation of privacy, public safety, the impact on the labor force, health risks, and the impact on the environment.

• Violation of Privacy: In many instances, where personal and confidential records stored on computers were not protected properly, individuals have found their privacy violated and identities stolen.

• Public Safety: Adults, teens, and children around the world are using computers to share publicly their photos, videos, journals, music, and other personal information. Some of these unsuspecting, innocent computer users have fallen victim to crimes committed by dangerous strangers.

• Impact on Labor Force: Although computers have improved productivity and created an entire industry with hundreds of thousands of new jobs, the skills of millions of employees have been replaced by computers. Thus, it is crucial that workers keep their education up-to-date. A separate impact on the labor force is that some companies are outsourcing jobs to foreign countries instead of keeping their homeland labor force employed.

• Health Risks: Prolonged or improper computer use can lead to health injuries or disorders.

Computer users can protect themselves from health risks through proper workplace design, good posture while at the computer, and appropriately spaced work breaks. Two behavioral health risks are computer addiction and technology overload. Computer addiction occurs when someone becomes obsessed with using a computer. Individuals suffering from technology overload feel distressed when deprived of computers and mobile devices.

• Impact on Environment: Computer manufacturing processes and computer waste are depleting natural resources and polluting the environment. Green computing involves reducing the electricity consumed and environmental waste generated when using a computer. Strategies that support green computing include recycling, regulating manufacturing processes, extending the life of computers, and immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced computers.