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Computers are not intelligent; they are tools that follow instructions perfectly and quickliy.

They follow instructions from the user and from the computer programmer.

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Hardware is the part of the computer that we can touch. Is the components that are interconnnected,they are independent and we can change any of them.

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The CPU ( Central Processing Unit ) is a big,green,plastic board whit a lot of chips and many other electronic components mounted on it.

The processor is the brain of the computer; it looks at the information and takes decisions based on logic.

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Memory stores information.There are various types of memory in the computer.

FIXED MEMORIES:

They normally stay inside computer.

1. HARD DISC: Also called "hard drive" , it is a set of rigid discs whit a magnetic surface.

Advantages: It can store a large amount of ddata( today around 1 TB ).

We can save and erase the information when we want.

Disadvantages; It is relatively slow: compared to other types of memory,it takes longer to read and write information.

2. RAM

This is a green plastic card wuit chips.

Advantages; It stores (writes) and retrieves (reads) quickly.

Advantages:It stores (writes) and retrieves (reads) quikly.

Disadvantages: We lose the work if there is anelectrical power cut.

Small memory capacity (around 6GB) compared to the ard disk.

PORTABLE MEMORIES:

They are easy to connect and disconnect from the computer.Also they are easy to carry.

CDs, DVDs: We call them "optical memories" because they use light to work.

Advantages: Cheap.

Disadvantages: Nor good to rewrite.

Pen drives, memory cards: They store the information in chips.

Advantages: Rewritable.

Quick.

Disadventages: More expemsive than CD or DVD.

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It's similar to the RAM.It is also a green plastic card whit chips.

It defines the format of the graphics and helps processor to process the graphics faster.

We need a powerful grapichs cards to play video games,to watch movies and for grapich design.

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Peripheals are elements of communication between the computer and the outside world (including ourselves).

ENTRY PERIPHEALS: Entry peripheals give information to the computer: screen,speakers,pinter,light bulb,motor...

A peripheal can be both entry and exit; an example is the router to connect to the intrnet.

EXIT PERIPHEALS: The computer uses the exit peripheals to give information to us or to an actuator: screen,speakers,printer,light bulb,motor...

A peripheal can be both entry and exit; an example is the router to connect to the internet.

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Software is the part of the computer that we can't touch.

It is the logic that the computer follows.

The programmer writes instructions. A set of instructions is a "program". When we use a program,the computer follows the instructions in the program, the computer follows the instructions in the program.

THE OPERATING SYSTEM ( OS )

There is one OS per computer; not more, not less.

The OS defines the internal logic for the functioning of the computer.

To program the OS, we must know which are the components of the hardware and how they are connected.

For example,when we tell the computer to switch off, the OS decides to first close the applications,then to transfer all data from the RAM to the HD, and finally to switch itself off.

Today's OS

It is stored in the hard disc (the applications are also stored in the HD).

It can manage multiple applications at the same time.

It has a graphic display, so we can interact whit the computer using a mouse.

It can connect to the internet.

Today, the most common operating systems are those sold by Microsoft: Windows Vista, Windows 7...

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Sometimes we call them "programs", but any piece of software is a program,incluiding the operating system.

Applications are programs that we use to do things on the computer, they are our tools.

You probably know a lot of them already: Word ( word processor), Excel (spreadsheet), Access (database), PowerPoint ( presentations)...

An "applications suite" is a group of applications in a package. For example: Open Office, Microsoft Office or iWork'09.

Application suites normally include a word procesor, a spreadsheet, a web browser and other applications.