What is a computer?
A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information.
What is software?
Any set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do and how to do it
What is hardware?
Hardware is any part of your computer that has a physical structure, such as the keyboard or mouse.
How much did the first computer weigh?
The First Computer Weighed More Than 27 Tons
Her name was ENIAC, and she took up a modest 1800 square feet of space.
Who sorts the mail at the United States Post Office?
Computers Sort 95% of Mail
The U.S. Postal Service still hires individual employees to sort through addresses that are too sloppy for computers to make sense of.
Where is the any key on your keyboard?
The popular computer brand Compaq has plans to change the common computer command from “Press Any Key” to “Press Return Key” because of the overflow of callers phoning in with the question: “Where is the ‘any’ key?”
There is no any key!
What is an operating system?
An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages the computer's memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware. It also allows you to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer's language. Without an operating system, a computer is useless.
What is a motherboard?
The motherboard serves to connect all of the parts of a computer together. The CPU, memory, hard drives, and other ports and expansion cards all connect to the motherboard directly or via cables.
The motherboard is the piece of computer hardware that can be thought of as the "backbone" of the PC, or more appropriately as the "mother" that holds all the pieces together.
How much of the world's currency is on computers?
About 90% of the World’s Currency Only Exists on Computers
This means only about 10% of the global currency is actually cash.
How much did first gigabyte harddrive cost?
The First Gigabyte Drive Cost $40,000
It was released in 1980 and weighed 550 lbs. How’s that for a portable drive?
One woman called into the Canon customer service line with a complaint that her printer was not working. To gain context regarding the problem, the tech support rep asked, “Are you running it under windows?”
The caller responded promptly, “No, my printer is on my desk, next to the door -- but that’s a good point because my co-worker in the cubicle next to me is under a window and his printer is working just fine.”
What are Windows?
Microsoft created the Windows operating system in the mid-1980s. There have been many different versions of Windows, but the most recent ones are Windows 10 (released in 2015), Windows 8 (2012), Windows 7 (2009), and Windows Vista (2007). Windows comes pre-loaded on most new PCs, which helps to make it the most popular operating system in the world.
What does a cpu do?
The central processing unit (CPU) is the computer component that's responsible for interpreting and executing most of the commands from the computer's other hardware and software.
What type of material was the first computer made of?
The First Computer Mouse was Made of Wood
Doug Engelbart invented it in 1964.
When was the first transatlantic cable laid on the ocean floor?
The first cable was laid in the 1850s across the floor of the Atlantic from Valentia in western Ireland to Bay of Bulls, Trinity Bay Newfoundland.
TECH SUPPORT: "The first thing I’m going to have you do is click on the START menu at the bottom left of the screen."
CALLER: "OK … wait … your left or my left?"
What is macOS?
macOS (previously called OS X) is a line of operating systems created by Apple. It comes preloaded on all Macintosh computers, or Macs. Some of the specific versions include Mojave (released in 2018), High Sierra (2017), and Sierra (2016).
According to StatCounter Global Stats, macOS users account for less than 10% of global operating systems—much lower than the percentage of Windows users (more than 80%). One reason for this is that Apple computers tend to be more expensive. However, many people do prefer the look and feel of macOS over Windows.
What does RAM do?
Random Access Memory, or RAM (pronounced as ramm), is the physical hardware inside a computer that temporarily stores data, serving as the computer's "working" memory.
Additional RAM allows a computer to work with more information at the same time, which usually has a considerable effect on total system performance
70% of Viruses are made by_____________?
About 70% of Virus Engineers Work for Organized Crime Syndicates
This gives new weight to the importance of anti-virus and anti-malware software, and excellent virus removal services.
How many new viruses are written each month?
Hackers Write About 6,000 New Viruses Each Month
These viruses are designed to target a wide selection of operating systems, so learning to avoid viruses and malware is essential!
What does WWW mean?
Wealth of Weird Websites
What is linux?
Linux (pronounced LINN-ux) is a family of open-source operating systems, which means they can be modified and distributed by anyone around the world. This is different from proprietary software like Windows, which can only be modified by the company that owns it. The advantages of Linux are that it is free, and there are many different distributions—or versions—you can choose from.
According to StatCounter Global Stats, Linux users account for less than 2% of global operating systems. However, most servers run Linux because it's relatively easy to customize.
What is PSU?
The power supply unit is the piece of hardware that converts the power provided from the outlet into usable power for the many parts inside the computer case.
It converts the alternating current from your wall outlet into a continuous form of power called direct current that the computer components require. It also regulates overheating by controlling voltage, which might change automatically or manually depending on the power supply.
What was the name of the first known computer program?
The First Known Computer Programmer was a Woman
Her name was Ada Lovelace, and she lived in England, where she worked as a mathematician and writer. She is famous for working on the “Analytical Engine.”
What does LOL mean?
Laugh Out Loud
What does HTTP mean?
Head To This Page
What is one of the weirdest software websites today?
ZoomQuilt can be described as an enigmatic and psychedelic never-ending zooming patchwork of fantasy paintings. Viewers can control the speed of the illustration with arrows on the keyboard.
What is a video card?
The video card is an expansion card that allows the computer to send graphical information to a video display device such as a monitor, TV, or projector.
Some other names for a video card include graphics card, graphics adapter, display adapter, video adapter, video controller, and add-in boards (AIBs).
Where did the biggest computer brands get started?
Some of the Biggest Computer Brands Started in Garages
This is true for Apple, Microsoft, and HP.
What was the most expensive computer virus is history?
MyDoom is the Most Expensive Computer Virus in History
The virus cost an estimated $38.5 billion in damage and came about in January of 2006. Shortly after that, it earned a name for itself as the fastest-spreading virus ever.
What does SSD mean?
Super Speedy Disk
What was the first gaming console with software?
The Odyssey was manufactured by Magnavox and released in North America in September of 1972. It stands as the very first home video game console. The system was developed by Ralph Baer, a German-American engineer who created the ping-pong style gameplay that the Odyssey offered.
What is HDD or SSD?
Solid State Drive / Hard Disk Drive
Solid state refers to electronic circuitry that is built entirely of semiconductors. The term was originally used to define those electronics, such as a transistor radio that used semiconductors rather than vacuum tubes in its construction.
Most electronics today are built around semiconductors and chips. A solid-state drive uses, as its primary storage medium, semiconductors rather than the magnetic platters of a conventional hard drive.
True of False: People blink less when they use the computer?
People Blink Less When They Use Computers
While the average person blinks about 20 times a minute under normal circumstances, people on computers only blink about seven times a minute.
What does HTTPS mean?
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure