Chapter 1 (Topic 3): Computer Networks and the Internet

Chapter 1: Introduction to the world of computers

Topic 3: Computer Networks and the Internet

A computer network is a collection of computers and other devices that are connected together to enable users to share data hardware, and software, as well as to communicate electronically with each other. Networks allow you to share files and programs. Computers connected to a network can share equipment to reduce costs. For example, rather than buying a printer for each computer, everyone can share one central network printer. Software designed for networks lets people send and receive electronic mail with other users on the network and share databases.

Computer Network

There are two basic types of networks:

1. Local Area Network (LAN)

A Local Area Network is a group of computers that share the resources within a small geographical area. LAN is subdivided into two types of networks, peer-to-peer and client/server.

I. Peer-to-Peer

In a peer-to-peer network, everyone stores their files on their own computer, and anyone on the network can access files stored on any other computer.

II. Client/server

A client/server network, everyone stores their files on a central computer called a server. Everyone on the network can access the files stored on the server or central computer.

2. Wide Area Network (WAN)

WAN connects computers across a large geographic area. Internet is the type of Wide area network.

Basic Components/Parts in a Network:

Network Interface Card (NIC)

A network interface card is a device that physically connects each computer to the network and allows your computer to communicate to other computers and devices on the network.

Cables

Cables are the wires that physically connect the computers, printers, and other equipment on a network.

Hub/Switch

A hub or switch is a device where all the cables on a network connect.

Network Operating Software

Your operating system must provide networking capabilities. Windows XP and Windows XP Professional have peer-to-peer networking capabilities. Windows XP Professional has client/server capabilities.

What are the Internet and World Wide Web?

The Internet is the largest and most well-known network in the world. It is technically a network of networks. Computer network is linking millions of computers in the world. Internet is providing the communication between the user of computer and mobiles etc. Some of the most common Internet activities today are exchanging e-mails and accessing content located on the Web pages. A group of Web pages belonging to one company is called a Web site. Web pages are viewed using a Web browser, such as Google Chrome, Internet Explorer (IE), Opera, or Firefox. 

World Wide Web (WWW): The collection of Web pages available through the Internet.

Web page: A document, typically containing hyperlinks to other documents, located on a Web server. 

Web site: A collection of related Web pages usually belonging to an organization or company. 

Web server: A computer that is continually connected to the Internet and hosts Web pages those are accessible through the Internet. 

Web browser: A program used to view Web pages.

Accessing a Network or the Internet

Most Internet connections today are always on connections, which means the computer or other device being used to access the Internet is continually connected to the ISP’s (Internet Service Provider) computer. With a direct connection, you only need to open your Web browser to begin using the Internet. To request a Web page or other resource located on the Internet you need internet address. Internet address is a unique numeric or text-based address. The most common types of Internet addresses are IP addresses and domain names (to identify computers), URLs (to identify Web pages), and e-mail addresses (to identify people).

Domain Names and IP Addresses

IP addresses and their corresponding domain names (A text-based Internet address used to uniquely identify a computer on the Internet.) are used to identify computers available through the Internet.

.com Commercial businesses sites

.edu Educational institutions sites

.gov Government organizations sites

.net Network providers and ISPs sites

.org Noncommercial organizations sites

Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)

Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)

An Internet address (usually beginning with http://) that uniquely identifies a Web page.

URL

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How To Install Windows From USB Drive

How To Install Windows From USB Drive

It is very simple and easy to install windows from USB. First you need a software Rufus. You can download Rufus from the software page in the section of Utilities. First put a USB (minimum size required of USB is 8GB). It is a portable software does not require any installation. First of all atatch USB Drive into a USB port. Double click it and it will open. It will appear like this

Rufus

Then select ISO Image from the drop down list. It will appear like this

Click ISO Image

Then click the disk button (click to select an ISO Image...) and select the ISO file. Windows 7, Windows 8 are available in the software section. You can download these |Image files.

Final is to click the Start button. It will take some time depending ion your system speed. After completion click Don button.

Enjoy!.

To download the bootable software follow the link given below

Rufus 1.4.7 Portable

File size: 574KB

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Download WinRar 5 Final Full 32/64 Bit

Download WinRar 5 Final Full 32/64 Bit

WinRar is the best achiever software to compress large amount of files in just a single file.

WinRar (Achiever)

Download it from the link given below and see the installation and registration procedure in this post.

WinRar 5 Final Full.rar

File size: 3.35MB

1. Install winrar (32 bit or 64 bit)
2. Copy file rarreg.key and paste it into the installation directory folder (winrar) in main section.
3. Enjoy!

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Download Microsoft Windows 8 32/64 Bit

Download Microsoft Windows 8 32/64 Bit

Microsoft Windows 8 is the operating system which is designed by Microsoft Company.

Windows 8

Highly compressed file download link is give below.

Windows 8

File size: 9.07MB

Installation procedure will be upload soon...

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Download Microsoft Windows 7 32/64 bit

Microsoft Windows 7 32/64 bit

Microsoft Windows 7 is the operating system which is designed by Microsoft Company.

Windows 7

Highly compressed file download link is give below.

Windows 7

File size: 9.28MB

Installation procedure will be upload soon...

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Download USB Disk Security

USB Disk Security

USB Disk Security is the best antivirus for your computer which is used for to remove viruses and malware that could enter through USB Drive. It will protect your computer from any malicious program who try to attack via USB drive.

USB Disk Security

Download it from the link given below and see the installation and registration procedure in this post.

USB DISK SECURITY 6.8.RAR

File size: 6.64MB

Installation instructions:

First download and extract file "USB Disk Security 6.8".

1. Run 'USB Disk Security Setup.exe' and Install

2. After installation don’t open `USB Disk Security` if opened then exit the `USB Disk Security`.

3. Open the folder "Crack(Manual Patch)" and Copy 'USBGuard.exe'.

3. Go to Location C:\Program Files\USB Disk Security\... Paste... and Replace.

4. Open (USB Disk Security)'USBGuard.exe'.

5. Input name and serial which is given below to activate the product:

Name: AbeGunnerZSerial: 5550690

6. Enjoy!!

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Chapter 1: (Topic 2 Part 2) Generations of Modern Computer

Chapter 1: Introduction to the world of computers

Topic 2: (Part 2) Generations of modern computer

The evolution of a computer is often divided into generations. Each generation is characterized by impressive improvements over the previous generation in the technology used to build computers and the internal structure of computer systems and programming languages. As a result of the efficiency, speed, power, and computer memory has proportionally increased.

First Generation 1940~1955

First generation computers could solve only one problem at a time. They were powered by thousands of vacuum tubes. The most important examples of first-generation computers were The Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator or MARK-1, ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) and UNIVAC which are very expensive, size is very big.

Second Generation 1955~1965

The second generation of computers uses transistors instead of vacuum tubes. Transistor is a device composed of semiconductor material that amplifies a signal or opens or closes electronic circuits. Transistors allowed second-generation computers to be physically smaller, less expensive, more powerful, more energy-efficient, and more reliable than first-generation computers. . Today's latest microprocessor or micro-controller contains tens of millions of microscopic transistors.

Transistor

2nd Generation

Third Generation 1965~1975

The development of the Integrated Circuit (IC’s) was the feature of the third generation of computers. The computers of third generation used integrated circuits in place of transistors. Transistors were placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors, which hugely increased the speed and efficiency of computers. A single integrated circuit has many transistors, resistors as well as capacitors. Users interacted with third generation computers through keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating system, which allowed the device to run many different applications at one time.

Integrated Circuit

3rd Generation

Fourth Generation 1975~1980

The Microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers. A microprocessor contains the core processing capabilities of an entire computer on one single chip. What in the first generation filled an entire room could now fit in the palm of the hand. Most of today’s modern computers fall into this category. Fourth generation computer typically use keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, optical and magnetic drive for storage.

Micro Processor

Fifth Generation 1980~onwards

Some people believe that the fifth generation of computers has not yet begun. Because fifth generation computers have no precise classification. However, one common opinion is that fifth generation computers will be based on artificial intelligence, allowing them to think, reason, and learn. The use of parallel processing and superconductors is helping to make artificial intelligence a reality. The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that respond to natural language input and are capable of learning.

Categories of the modern computers

Hardware

All the physical parts of the computer such as keyboard, mouse, monitor etc… which are touchable can be called as hardware. Hardware components can be internal (located inside the system unit of the computer) or external (located outside the system unit and connected to the system unit via a wired or wireless connection). Furthermore hardware will discuss later.

Software

The term software refers to the programs or instructions used to tell the computer hardware what to do. We can also call that software used to control the hardware. Computers use two basic types of software: system software and application software. The differences between these types of software are discussed later.

Computer Users

Computer users are the people who use computers to perform tasks or take information. For example Microsoft word allow user to create documents such as letters and notes as well as web browser allow users to view web pages on the internet.

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Chapter 1: (Topic 2 - Part 1) What is computer and what does it do?

Chapter No 1: Introduction to the world of computers

Topic 2 (Part 1) : What is computer and what does it do?

A computer can be defined as a programmable, electronic device which is capable of receiving information (data), performs operations on that data, presents the results, and stores the data or results in the form of information or signals as needed. The fact that a computer is programmable means that a computer will do whatever the instructions called the program tell it to do.

Computer

OR

A programmable, electronic device that accepts data input, performs processing operations on that data, and outputs and stores the results.

OR

In the easiest form, computer is an electronic device, which receives instruction from user, process it, gives outputs and save results. 

Block diagram of computer

Input: The process of data entering into the computer

Process: Performing operations on data that has been input into a computer to convert that input to output.

Process cycle

Output: Process of presenting the results

Storage: Saving data, programs for future use

Overview

Overview

Features of the computer

Today, computer is the most demanding machine in the world because of following features:

(1) High Speed

(2) Accuracy

(3) Large Storage capacity

Data vs. Information

Data (Raw, uncategorized facts) may be in the form of letter, the numbers in a monthly budget, the images in a photograph etc… when data is processed into a meaningful form, it becomes information. The conversion of data into information called Information Processing. Information processing is a very important activity today for all computer users, as well as for businesses and other organizations. 

Types of computers

There are several types of computers out there. Here’s a very short description of most common ones. Computers are generally classified in one of six categories, based on size, capability, and price.

1. Embedded computers

These computers with tiny shapes embedded into products to perform specific functions or tasks for that product. They often embedded into home appliances (such as microwave, coffee makers, DVD players, TVs). 

Embedded computer

2. Mobiles

Mobile phones and other personal pocket size devices that contains built in computing capabilities. Mobile devices used for to make a telephone calls, send text messages, browsing WebPages, take digital photos, download music or movies and other so many features. 

Smart phones

3. Personal computers (Microcomputer)

A type of computer based on microprocessor used by a one person at a time. A laptop or a notebook is a lighter and more portable version of PC that can run on batteries.

Personal computer (Desktop computer)

4. Midrange servers

Those computers who host data and program available to the small group of users calls midrange servers. A server is a central computer where users on the network can save their files and informations.

Midrange servers

5. Mainframe computers

Those powerful computer who used to host a large amount of data and programs available to a vide group of users. 

Mainframe computer

5. Super computers

These are extremely powerful computers used for complex computation and processing. A supercomputer comprised of numerous smaller computers connected together to act as a single computer.

Super computer

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Chapter No 1: (Topic 1) Introduction to the world of computers

Chapter No 1: Introduction to the world of computers

Topic 1: Introduction to the world of computers

1. Computers in our life

Today, computers are virtually everywhere in our society. People use computers and computing technology many times during the average day. They use personal computers and mobile devices both at home and to perform a variety of important daily tasks, such as to pay bills, shop manage investments, communicate with others, to research products, make travel arrangements like taxi, airplanes, check current news and weather forecast, look up phone numbers, and view maps of locations. They also use for entertainment purposes, such as playing games, watching movies, listening sound tracks. Schools, government agencies, organizations and other businesses use computers and related technologies to facilitate everyday transactions, provide better services to their customers.

Chapter 1 helps you to understand what computers are, how they work, and how people use them today. As well as gives you a brief look at how to use a computer to perform basic tasks and to access resources on the Internet and the World Wide Web.

o Computers in Home

Use of computer in home to look up information, make e-mail, shop from internet, watch TV shoes, download sound tracks and movies, searching products, pay utility bills and manage bank accounts, watch news and weather, play games , make vacation plans. Computer in home help families and develop basic computer skills in everyday life and improve the literacy (The knowledge and understanding of basic computer fundamentals) level of children’s.

Computer as Entertainment

Helping Families

Viewing Recipes

o Computers in Education

Today’s youth have access to computers either in a classroom or in a computer lab. Many schools (particularly college/universities campuses) also have wireless hotspots that allow students to use their personal computers to connect wirelessly to the college network and the Internet from anywhere on campus. Students use computer to preparing papers, doing Internet research, accessing Internet content library (like campus Web Portal/YouTube channel). Distance learning is also a way of learning distantly without being in regular face-to-face contact with a teacher in the classroom. Such as Virtual University of Pakistan, provides world-class quality education and training programs at their doorstep.

Computers in Education

o Computers on the Job

Computers are used by all types of employees in all types of businesses, including engineers, professionals, police officers, doctors and nurses, and professional athletes. In real meaning, the computer has become a universal tool for on the job decision making and communications. All employees use a computer to perform on the job tasks efficiently and accurately and also use portable computers or mobile devices to record data or communicate with others when they are out of the office.

Computers on the Job

o Computers on the Go

Custom computers are common for consumers to use ATM transactions, ticketing systems. In addition, many individuals carry a portable computer with them on a regular basis to remain in touch with others and to access information (such as driving directions, airline flight updates, movie theater times, news headlines, and many more) as needed while on the go. These portable devices are use to access Facebook and other social networking sites.

Computers on the Go

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