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Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Learning Goals
After completing this section,
you will be able to:
• List the phases of the
digital revolution.
• Identify communication
technologies.
• List the categories of
computers.
• Identify the basic parts
and functions of a
computer.
Look around. There are computers everywhere!
They can be found on desks, in people’s pockets, under
people’s arms, in offices, in stores, in banks, and in fi
movie theaters. Some computers are located where you
cannot look: inside other devices. The average person
operates more than 20 computerized devices every day.
Most people take computers for granted because this
technology has become an integral part of our lives.
The integration of computer technology into daily life
makes our society a digital society.
Understanding what computers are and how they
function are necessities for social and professional
success. Computers are used for communication, social
connections, business, industry, research, recreation,
and navigation, among other applications. The demand
for better and new digital devices continues to grow.
Sectionnoitcctione S
1.11. 1
Terms
central processing unit
(CPU)
cloud computing
computer
digital revolution
hard disk drive
hardware
input
mainframe computer
motherboard
output
peripheral device
personal computer
port
processing
random-access memory
(RAM)
read-only memory
(ROM)
server
supercomputer
volume label
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