The Visible Computer

• Mathematician Charles Babbage sought to solve difficult equations without human error, which was a prevalent problem in his day
• Rather than building electrical calculators or computers, Babbage thought that the finest "computers" were those who performed calculations by hand with a pen, pencil, and piece of paper
• Though his early ideas were ahead of their time, Babbage's concept of doing computations mechanically assured precise figures that were eventually adopted by innovators in the mid-1900s who constructed huge computers
• Computer


  An electrical device that uses specialized programming languages created by programmers for certain tasks to conduct computations
• General-purpose computing device


  • May be used for a variety of activities, including gaming and money management
  • Microsoft Windows is often installed and may be used without any additional hardware being added
• General-purpose computing devices


  • Apple Mac
  • Apple iPad
  • Smartphone
  • Laptop
• Specific-purpose computers


  • Pocket calculator
  • Digital watch
  • Digital clock
  • Wi-Fi picture frame
  • Basic mobile phone
  • Xbox One X
  • GPS device
  • Roku
  • Point of sale (POS) system
  • Digital camera
• Computers are incorporated into a wide range of devices such as modern refrigerators, automobiles, airplanes, boats, mall lighting systems, Zambonis, and home security alarms
• Modern computer technicians must be knowledgeable about a wide range of computing devices in order to assist their clients' gadgets
• Hardware


  Physical items that can be held or touched, such as a smartphone, keyboard, or monitor
• Software


  A combination of operating system and applications
• Operating system (OS)

  Manages hardware and allows users to control the computer through windows and icons that can be accessed through clicking or touching
• User interface (UI)

  The program elements that enable interaction
• Graphical user interface (GUI)


  The UI that offers icons or pictures for choosing
• Applications (or programs)


  Enable you to do specialized tasks on a computer
• Simple computer devices, such as the menu system of a digital camera that controls picture quality, may have a minimal operating system with few functionality
• Apple iPhones provide many functions, and users may download applications and access programs from the Apple App Store to enhance their experience
• Windows PCs and macOS are examples of multipurpose computers that provide programs for a wide range of jobs
• Computing process


  1. Input

  2. Processing

  3. Output
• Central processing unit (CPU)

  The "brain" of the computer, doing the majority of processing-related activities
• A computer is a useful tool for showcasing its capabilities since its output, such as changes in display or sound playing, shows that it has received your request and carried out your orders
• Data storage


  The technique of storing a permanent duplicate of your work for future use
• Network connection


  The process of connecting one computer to several other computers to have access to resources like the internet
• Understanding the computing process is essential for computer technicians to manufacture, upgrade, and repair devices
• Steps in the computing process

  1. Power up

  2. Processing parts prepare for action

  3. You provide input

  4. Processing parts process your command

  5. Processing parts send output information to your output devices

  6. Output devices show or play the results to you

  7. Repeat Steps 3-6 until you're satisfied with the outcome

  8. Save your work

  9. Power down the computer
• Memorizing the names of the components, connectors, and terms discussed and displayed in this section is important for the CompTIA A+ 1001 exam
• Workstation computers are desk-based devices, while servers are made for storage or network-available programs
• The CompTIA A+ 1002 exam covers operating system tools and three workstation operating systems: Apple Macintosh OS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows
• The CompTIA A+ 1002 exam also covers four smartphone/tablet operating systems: Google Chrome OS, Apple iOS, Microsoft Windows, and Google Android
• Common operating system functions

  • Interacts with the hardware
  • Provides a user-friendly visual representation of the computer on a display
  • Enables users to determine the available installed programs and run, use, and shut down the programs of their choice
  • Enables users to add, move, and delete the installed programs and data
  • Provides a method to secure a system from all sorts of threats, such as data loss or improper access
• Compatibility concerns between operating systems can lead to devices that function poorly or not at all with one OS and another
• The CompTIA A+ 1002 exam covers the user interface and file structures of various operating systems
• Windows 7 interface


  • Desktop backdrop
  • Start button
  • Pinned programs
  • Open applications demonstrating transparency (Aero or Aero Glass)
• The rest of this chapter focuses on the user interface and the file structures
• User Interfaces


  • Ensure you grasp the correct names and uses of UI components before the 1002 test
  • Provides a thorough overview of various operating system desktop styles and user interfaces
• Chapter 24, "Understanding Mobile Devices," details the operating systems for mobile devices—iOS, Android, Windows, and Chrome OS
• Windows 7 interface


  A multipurpose computer with a graphical user interface
• Items visible in Windows 7 interface

  • Open applications demonstrate transparency
  • Click the Start button to get access to applications, tools, files, and folders
  • Pinned programs enable you to launch a program with a single left-click
  • Taskbar shows running programs
  • Notification area shows programs running in the background
• Left-clicking


  Selects or opens an icon
• Right-clicking


  Brings up a context menu where users may choose from a list of alternatives