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