TECH 1110 -- Lecture 1 (What is a Computer?)

Byte

8 bits

Smart grid

A network for delivering electricity to consumers that includes communication technology to manage electricity distribution efficiently

Bioinformatics

Application of information technology to the field of biology

Integrated circuits

Chips that contain large numbers of transistors

All in one computer

Compact desktop computer with an integrated monitor and system unit

Microprocessor

Complex integrated circuit that contains the CPU

Video game system

Computer designed primarily to play games

Client

Computer that connects to or requests services from a server

Convertible notebook

Computer that has a screen that can swivel to fold into what resembles a notepad or tablet

Mac

Computers built by Apple and run OS X

Wearables

Computers worn on the body

Internet of Things

Connection of the physical world to the internet

ENIAC

Considered the first working, digital, general-purpose computer

GPS

Consists of 24 satellites that transmit signals which are picked up on the ground to determine the current location, time, and velocity.

ASCII

Developed in the 1960s using a 7-bit system that represented 128 characters

Game controller

Device used to interact with a video game

Smart appliances

Devices that plug into the smart grid

Binary code

Digital data represented by 0s and 1s

Stylus

Digital pen that enables you to write on a touch screen

Grid computing

Distributed computing using a group of computers in one location

Distributed computing

Distributed the processing of a task across a group of computers

Green computing

Eco-friendly use of computers and other electronics

CPU

Functions as the brain of the computer

Tablet

Handheld mobile device that falls between a notebook and a smartphone

Workstation

High-end desktop computer or one that's attached to a network in a business setting

Convergence

Integration of technology on multifunction devices

Mainframes

Large computers that perform millions of transactions in a day. Most commonly found in banks and insurance companies.

Netbook

Lightweight, inexpensive computers designed primarily for internet access

Turing machine

Machine that can perform mathematical computations

Analytical Engine

Mechanical computer designed by Charles Babbage in the 19th century using punch cards

Subnotebook

Notebook computer that is thin and light, has high-end processing and video capabilities, and a higher price tag

Data

Numbers, words, pictures, or sounds that represent facts about people, events, things, or ideas

Desktop computer

Personal computer that fits into a workspace

Mobile devices

Portable handheld computers used for business and entertainment

Notebook

Portable personal computers

Embedded computers

Present at gasoline pumps, in home appliances, self-checkout lines

Information

Processed data output

Computer

Programmable machine that turns raw data into useful information

Mobile apps

Programs that extend the functionality of mobile devices

Volunteer computing

Projects harness the processing power of hundreds of thousands of personal computers

Vacuum tubes

Resemble incandescent light bulbs, give off a lot of heat, and are unreliable

Bit

Short for binary digit, smallest unit of digital information

Minicomputers

Smallest multiuser computers which support fewer than 200 users

Unicode

Standard code on the internet and includes codes for most of the world's languages, mathematical operations, and special characters

Punch cards

Stiff pieces of paper that convey information by the presence or absence of holes

Ergonomics

Study of the relationship between workers and their workspaces

Enterprise servers

Systems that allow thousands of users to utilize the system concurrently

Ubiquitous computing

Technology recedes into the background

Turing test

Tests a machine's ability to display intelligent behavior

Moore's Law

The number of transistors that could be placed on an integrated circuit would double every two years

Transistors

Tiny electronic switches

Smart homes

Use home automation to control lighting, heating and cooling, security, entertainment, and appliances

Midrange server

Used to complete complex calculations, store customer information and transactions, or host an email system for an organization

Supercomputers

Very expensive computers that perform mathematical calculations, such as those in weather forecasting and medical research