WeyoneSkyers

a)Explain the function of a computer.

The function of a computer is to perform tasks such as: accepting input, manipulating data, storing data, and output data.

A computer can receive input through its peripherals known as input devices. This allows a user to provide the data that will be manipulated by the computer.

Data manipulation is the processing of the data that has been input into the computer by a user. This manipulated data is then stored temporarily in RAM, or on the computer’s hard drive or various storage devices. This data can be output.

Computer output is a result of the information processed by the computer which can be soft copy or hard copy. ( page 10-11)

b)Describe the evolution of computers and the various generations it went through.

  • First Generation (1839 – 1954) - vacuum tube

The first digital electronic computer was developed. The first commercial computer had a magnetic tape storage system. It used 5200 vacuum tubes.

  • Second Generation (1954 – 1959) – transistor

NBS introduced its Standards Eastern Automatic Computer with 10,000 germanium diodes in its logic circuits. IBM introduced its first transistors. Transistors were expensive at first.

  • Third Generation Computers (1959 – 1971) – IC

The integrated circuit was developed with germanium. The first IC was the hearing aid.

  • Fourth Generation (1971 – present) – microprocessor

The first microprocessor was patented. Intel made a 8-bit microprocessors. IBM developed the first true sealed hard disk drive. Jobs developed the first Apple personal computer. Apple computer introduced Macintosh personal computer.

  • Fifth Generation (Present and future)

The development of the world wide web released by CERN.

The first browser called Mosaic in 1993.

Netscape navigator was given away for free gaining 75% of the world browser

c)Explain Moore’s Law and its importance.

Moore’s law suggests the processing power and speed of computers will double every two years. This means the number of transistors in a circuit will double each year. Moore’s law is important as it relates many electronic devices, and will allow these devices to conduct real world tasks. (

d)Describe how computers represent data using binary codes.

A computer represents data in binary code where each digit is a power of two. The binary systems uses zeros and ones which makes up the machine language. The position of each value is represented by 2. To represent numbers in the binary system, that number would then be divided by 2 until its value becomes zero. That will produce a series of 1’s and 0’s, this is the binary number system.( pages 13-14)

e)List the various types and characteristics of personal computers.

Tower Model – a computer which has its power supply, motherboard and mass storage devices stacked on top of each other in a cabinet.

Desktop Model – A computer designed to fit on top of a desk, it consists of a system unit which house a cpu, mother board and various components, a monitor and speaker for information output, and a mouse and keyboard for data input.

Notebook computer – A lightweight personal computer, which weighs approximately 6 pounds. It has a screen, speakers, usb ports, keyboard and touchpad all housed in a small case that can fit in a bag or on a person’s lap. It is very transportable because of these features. They also include rechargeable lithium based batteries, allowing for usage in the instance of a black out for varying lengths of time. Their power output can surpass that of some desktop models in the modern world.

 Hand-held computer (Palmtop, PDA) – a portable PC small enough to fit in a person’s hand. It has a small keyboard and small screen, and is specific for certain functions. It combines telephone/fax and networking features. PDA’s are pen based which uses a stylus to perform keyboard input. It can also use voice recognition technology. (

f)Give examples of other personal computing devices.

  • Smart phones
  • Tablets

g)List the various types and characteristics of multiuser computers

  • Mini computers - It has medium power, more powerful than a micro computer but less powerful than a mainframe. This allows many users to simultaneously work on the systems. They have large storage capacities, and capable of handling more input-output devices.(
  • Mainframe computer – These are designed to handle larger volumes of data and information. It can support more than a hundred users at a time. It is expensive but has great processing speed and large amounts of storage capacity and memory. (
  • Supercomputer – It has several processors running together, increasing its speed and power. It can handle large amounts of calculations beyond human capabilities. It can perform billions of instructions per second. It is used it forecasting weather, and nuclear science.

h)Explain the terms “ubiquitous computing” and “convergence”.

Ubiquitous computing is the concept of integrating computation into the environment. This would allow persons to interact with information processing devices in a natural manner. (

Convergence of technology is defined as the interlinking of computing and other information technologies such as media, content and communication networks. Convergence also refers to the phenomena of group of technologies which are developed for one use but is being utilized in many different contexts. (