Learning Objectives
• Discuss computers and society today
• Reflect on the presence and impact of technology in our lives
• Understand the importance of learning about computer
What is your computer make and model? How do you use it? How many things do you do using your computer? How many hours do you spend on your computer every day? Are you happy with your computer, or do you think that it is time to get another one?
According to Webster, a computer is a programmable usually electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data (Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary 2020).
My first contact with a computer was some years ago, and I was around ten years old at that time. I remember to be amazed by that machine. “That’s so cool!” I said. “How does it work?” I asked. That time a computer used to be a little different than it uses to be today (Figure 1.1).
Figure 1.1 TK 85 personal computer from Microdigital
Source: Microdigital
I know the computer in Figure 1.1 looks like more a keyboard than a computer. However, believe or not, it was a little PC (Personal Computer) in the 80s. This PC was a clone of the English Sinclair ZX Spectrum, and its integrated motherboard had a Z80 processor, 16k of RAM, no hard disk, used a B&W TV as a monitor, a cassette recorder as a data storage unit, and an external power font. No Internet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, touch-screen, or any other modern technology default in most computers today. But, I remember having a lot of fun coding games in the BASIC programming language.
Quite different, my first daughter’s computer was an Android tablet 7-inch, touch-screen, Wi-Fi, 1GB RAM, USB ports, camera, and audio.
If you ask your parents or grandparents their first computer, probably will be surprised by the technology of that time. In the old years, we used to have less technology around us.
Nowadays, computers are everywhere! There are computers in TVs, phones, coffee-machines, wash-machines, door-bells, elevators, fire-alarms, lamps, watches, cars, and so on. Yes, they are everywhere, easing our lives (See Tech Article: The Smart Home and Our Connected Life).
Eventually, we could just ignore the presence of computers around us because they became so prevalent. However, the purpose of this book is to discuss the importance of computers for the personal and business base.
Tech Article: The Smart Home and Our Connected Life
Figure 1.2 Our connected life
Source: NewsUSA
(NewsUSA)—Almost everything today is digitally connected … whether at home or on the go. Connected technology saves you time with everything from smart phones to smart homes!
Tech Lifestyle Expert Carley Knobloch has partnered with KillerApps.com and four brands for a look at some great smart tech for 2019 that will help simplify your life.
First up … a laptop is a must! Made for today’s mobile multi-taskers, the thin and light Yoga C630 combines the power and productivity of a Windows 10 laptop with the always-on, always-connected mobility of a smartphone thanks to integrated 4G LTE and Wi-Fi support. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 850 Mobile Compute Platform, the Yoga C630 gets up to 22 hours of local video playback and features a natural pen-on-paper experience on its vibrant 13.3-inch FHD IPS touchscreen display with optional Lenovo Pen and Windows Ink.
Next, to stay connected at home, Orbi Voice is a smart speaker integrated with Amazon voice assistant, Alexa and uses the Qualcomm Wifi Mesh platform to create expansive whole home Wi-Fi coverage (up to 4500 square feet) to create an entire ecosystem of mesh Wi-Fi products. It also features premium audio technology, creating incredible room-filling sound from the audio experts at Harman Kardon. Alexa makes it easy to play music from the most popular streaming services, control other IoT devices, check traffic, weather, and so much more—without needing a separate device. It’s truly an innovative leap, and the start of a trend expected to accelerate in the 5G era.
Smart products can also help keep families safe. Fire is getting faster, but you can get ahead by installing Kidde Wire-Free Interconnect Smoke Alarms in your home. Kidde’s new interconnect alarm solution offers exceptional safety benefits without the hassle of hard-wiring or a Wi-Fi connection. The interconnect technology helps alert you to a fire no matter where you are in your home. When one alarm senses a hazard, all interconnected alarms sound throughout the home. The alarm also comes with a sealed 10-year battery, which you don’t have to worry about changing alarms batteries. Simply replace the entire alarm after 10 years.
Home security solutions are getting smarter and more convenient too. Schlage Encode is the newest connected device to enhance the brand’s portfolio of innovative smart locks. The deadbolt is easy to install, with a quick connection to in-home WiFi, making it even more convenient for homeowners to have secure, remote access control. The built-in Wi-Fi technology eliminates the need for an additional hub and allows users to set-up and manage the lock via the Schlage Home or Key by Amazon apps. This means users can lock and unlock their deadbolt, monitor the lock’s status, and send virtual keys to trusted friends and family, all from the convenience of their smartphone. Homeowners can create up to 100 unique guest access codes for temporary, recurring or permanent access. This information, along with the lock’s activity, can be tracked and monitored within the app, giving homeowners greater peace of mind. Through the Schlage Home app, users can also pair their deadbolt with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. When managing the lock via the Key app, users can enjoy compatibility with other platforms such as Amazon Cloud Cam, Ring video doorbell and cameras, and Alexa.
For more information, visit KillerApps.com.
Because computers are becoming more powerful, smaller, and affordable each year, more and more companies can invest in more technology. Computers play an essential role in business today, helping organizations to be more efficient and competitive. Investing in technology, companies can do more with less.
However, being the technology more and more present in the workplace, companies need professionals well qualified. Those professionals need more skills related to computers to manage and operate business functions efficiently throughout modern technology. Therefore, to succeed in a professional career today needs much more than being just a computer user. What you need to do is fundamentally understand how to use computers as a professional tool.
Understanding and getting a comprehension of computers as a professional tool is the purpose of this book. This book will help you to go through the fascinating study of computers. Learning about computers is awesome!
In the next chapters, you will see and understand how computers are made of, the concept of hardware and software, networking, the importance of the Internet today and its issues. Also, you will learn how to use the Microsoft Office for most of business daily routines, solving problems with a programming language, and much more.
If you get this book for your college class, your professor will define in the syllabus the order of chapters to be studied. However, if you would like to study in advance or if you got this book to learn by yourself, you do not have to consider the chapters in sequence. It is a technical book, not a novel or fiction book. So, you can go forward and back studying first those chapters that you interest more.
Take time to reflect, write down your notes, do the exercises, and assignments. Ask your professor every time you doubt about some specific point.
• Computer as an electronic device has been used for people from different generations
• Computers are present everywhere and have been employed for various purposes like study, work, and entertainment, to mention a few
• Because computers are primarily used for companies to improve business, it is crucial to develop computer skills for professional career success
Review Questions
1. List the computers you have in your house
2. Do you think computers are essential for people today? Why?
3. Why is it important to learn about computers?
4. Does being a computer user is enough for a professional position in a company?
Case Study: The Importance of Computers and Technology for Society
It does not matter what industry we are discussing. Technology is typically the backbone of all trades. It has become the thing that society needs because it is the way that information is stored. You can see below some aspects where computers have impacted our lives.
• Shopping—Consumers shopping at stores see how technology plays a part in their check out process. Others that are shopping online are also familiar with the way that a computer allows them to buy things without leaving their homes. This aspect has made technological innovation significant.
• Innovation—People are very dependent on the concept of technology that moves the world forward. They are excited about changes that society can embrace to communicate, work, and entertain.
• Workforce—The workforce is much more efficient with computer-based applications that are used to simplify a lot of processes that would be very time-consuming for humans. People are also able to telecommute and connect to video conferencing regardless of where they live. This possibility makes it much easier for workers to get jobs that can be done from home.
• Entertainment—Another thing that society depends on is the available entertainment. It is undoubtedly easier to stream music and movies with all the high-tech gadgets and smart devices that exist.
• Health care—It is even easier to treat patients in hospitals when information about their medical history can be accessed instantly. The advances in the tech world have made this possible. There are a lot of machines that can diagnose issues related to patients suffering. The health care world is better, and health information systems are the reason for this.
• Data—Available data allow all of these different concepts to work in a much more effective way. Information can be stored and retrieved from the cloud instantly from anywhere.
Case Questions: