Computer Concepts Overview

Unit 1: Components of a Computer System

At the end of this unit you will be able to:

Distinguish between hardware and software computer components.
Identify the hardware components of a computer system: memory, CPU, diskette, monitor, CD-ROM.
Identify the software components of a computer system: operating system, applications.
Understand the different units of storage used to measure the capacity of computer components: bit, byte, kilobyte.

The instruction for this unit it contained in the lecture above and the link below.

Data Powers of Ten - In this unit we talk about some really big numbers like 6 gigabytes, and some really small numbers like 1 bit. When you are dealing with computers the numbers can get very large and the range of numbers is so great it is easy to lose perspective. This site puts the quantities of data into perspective. For example, did you know that 2 gigabytes (the size of a small hard drive) holds about the same amount of data as two pickup trucks filled with paper.
Free On-line Dictionary of Computing - This site is a great resource for definitions of all types of computer terms. The next time you come across a computer term that is unfamiliar, go to this site and look it up! Here are some examples: LAN, CPU, Macintosh.

(The assignment for this unit is at the end of Unit 3.)