The bridge is expected to ease traffic on major roads and improve connectivity of key areas
HYDERABAD: The stage has been set for the opening of Durgam Cheruvu cable-stayed bridge at Madhapur on Friday. The bridge, along with a four-lane elevated corridor from Road No. 45 to the bridge would be inaugurated by Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) KT Rama Rao in the presence of Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy and Mayor Bonthu Rammohan.
The bridge has a span length of 233.8 m and a PSC post-tensioned box girder made completely of high-performance concrete deck. The bridge would be India’s largest extra-dosed cable-stayed bridge (in span), surpassing the 144 metre long bridge over Narmada river in Bharuch, Gujarat. Keeping in view the make in India campaign, the bridge is being designed and constructed under the EPC mode by L&T.
The bridge would cut the distance between Jubilee Hills and Madhapur. It would be Hyderabad’s first ‘hanging bridge,’ and is expected to be a major recreational point and tourist attraction for the city. The estimated cost of the project is `184 crore.
It connects the areas of Hitech City and the Financial District with other parts of the city and will ease congestion on Road No. 36 and Madhapur Road, besides reducing the distance from Jubilee Hills to Mind Space and Gachibowli by two km.
Elevated corridor to be integrated with bridge
The 1,740 metre elevated corridor is built at a cost of Rs 150 crore. It connects Road No. 45 to Mind Space junction via Durgam Cheruvu, and forms the channel to provide traffic conduit between Hitech city, Mind Space and Gachibowli and other parts of the core city.
Digital Employment Exchange of Telangana (DEET) is here to help you. DEET is an initiative of the Government of Telangana, where you could instantly apply for jobs, receive job alerts, government job alerts, walk-in interview alerts, recruitment drives and more career advice everyday. Workruit & DEET have more than 1,85,000 active vacancies available today. DEET is operated and powered by Workruit (www.workruit.com ).
Job seekers who wish to apply for the below jobs should download, register and create a profile on DEET application. DEET can be downloaded from Google Play Store at or can sign up on the website at www.tsdeet.com to apply for jobs.
Jobseekers can check for government job alerts and private job alerts in the broadcast section in the DEET application present in the left side bar. Jobseekers can view walk-in alerts of private jobs and can contact the companies and attend interviews.
Company: Eureka Forbes Ltd Position: Sales Trainee Location: Hyderabad Qualification: Inter, Graduation, Post-graduation (Both freshers & experienced are eligible) Work location: Hyderabad Salary: 10k + Incentives (CTC 1.6 to 2.0) Number of openings: 200 Contact: 9704757190
Company: Ares Technologies Job Role: Customer Care Qualification: Any Graduate Open Positions: 1,000+ Candidate must have laptop/computer, fresher or experienced, should be less than 30 years. Contact: 6305296093
Company: Swiggy Position: Delivery Executive Location: Hyderabad Qualification: Minimum 10th Bike with permanent license is mandatory Contact: 8247722841
Company: Planet PCI Infotech Ltd Position: Field technicians Location: Hyderabad, Bangalore Experience: 6 months in electrical wiring Salary: CTC 2 lakh – 3 lakh per annum Fibre optical cable installation, well-versed with wiring concepts. Email: neelima@planetpci.com
Company: Kalyani Motors – Maruti Suzuki /NEXA Position: Dealer Sales Executives (Only male candidates apply) Location: Hyderabad Qualification: Minimum Intermediate & 1 year of experience in Automobile Industry WorkExperience: 1 – 6 years in Automobiles preferred Salary: Rs 10,000 – Rs 20,000 + Attractive Incentives Age: 21 – 34 years Required skills: Showroom Sales in 2/4 Wheeler Experience is must. Contact: 9100222398 Email: recruiter4@kalyanimotors.com
Company: G4s Security Solutions India Pvt Ltd Position: Security Guard Location: Jeedimetla, Suraram Requirements: Age 18 to 39 years Height: 5’5 inches minimum Weight: 60 kgs Good eyesight No skin diseases Contact person: Vijay Kumar Contact: 9100984926
Company: Tricolor Health and Critical Care Position: Nurses Qualification: ANM,GNM,BSC Nursing, MSC Nursing Salary: 20k to 25k per month + allowances (Covid duty). Work location: Amberpet Vacancies: 20 Experience: Should have experience in managing multi-speciality ICU Contact: 9573310055
Company: Sri Dhatri Developers Position: Telecallers Qualification: Inter, Degree and above Salary: Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 + Attractive Incentives Work location: Hyderabad Contact: 9573824342
Company: Compact Systems Pvt Ltd Position: Service Delivery Coordinator Qualification: Any Degree Experience: 1- 3 years Work location: Hyderabad Contact: 9392472449
Company: 2Coms Group Position: Relationship Manager Qualification: Graduate Experience: 1-3 years Work location: Hyderabad Contact: 7980822799
Company: Avonflex Pvt Ltd Position: PPC Candidates Qualification: Any Degree Experience: Freshers Work location: Hyderabad Contact: 7660001837
Company: Team Lease Services Position: Relationship Executive (Males Preferred) Qualification: Inter / Any Degree Experience: 1-3 years Work location: Hyderabad Contact: 9573444747
Tomorrow,Xiaomiwill be holding a launch event in India to announce a couple of new smart products. Rumors have that the Chinese firm will announce at least three new devices namely,Mi Band 5, Mi Watch Revolve, andMi Smart AI Speaker. Reliable tipsterIshan Agarwal has shared the MRPs of the new wearable devices that are heading to India.
According to the tipster, the Mi Band 5 has an MRP of Rs 2,999 ($41), which indicates that may sell lower than this price. He has speculated that it could be priced at Rs 2,499 (~$34). The Mi Watch Revolve has an MRP of Rs 10,999 (~$149), claims the tipster. It could be selling for lower than Rs 9,999 (~$136). He did not share information on the pricing of the MI Smart AI Speaker.
Xiaomi Mi Band 5 and Mi Watch Revolve specifications
The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 has a 1.1-inch AMOLED color display and it has a 125mAh battery that promises up to 14 days of battery life. The device comes with support for magnetic charging. It comes with support for Bluetooth 5.0 and it has an optical heart rate sensor. There is a Mi Band 5 version with NFC in China. However, there is no confirmation whether India will be receiving the NFC variant.
Xiaomi Mi Watch Color will launch as the Mi Watch Revolve in India
The Xiaomi Mi Watch Revolve has a round-shaped 1.38-inch AMOLED display and it also comes with support for Bluetooth 5.0 and NFC connectivity. It also offers users up to 50ATM water resistance. The smartwatch has a 420mAh battery.
The fourth phase of coronavirus COVID-19 lockdown relaxations is set to end on September 30 and Unlock 5.0 will begin from October 1. It is to be noted that the Centre is yet to announce any guideline for Unlock 5.0 but it is expected that many new relaxations will be given in the next phase of unlock.
The fourth phase of coronavirus COVID-19 lockdown relaxations is set to end on September 30 and Unlock 5.0 will begin from October 1. It is to be noted that the Centre is yet to announce any guideline for Unlock 5.0 but it is expected that many new relaxations will be given in the next phase of unlock.
In the recent meeting with chief ministers of the seven worst-affected states, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the CMs that steps must be taken to implement the idea of “micro-containment” zones. The prime minister also advised the chief ministers of these states, which included Delhi too, to refrain from imposing lockdowns and curfews for one or two days a week.
As India is set to enter the festive season, speculations are rife that Centre would announce a series of relaxations and open up more activities for the public.
Notably, while issuing the guidelines for Unlock 4, the Ministry of Home Affairs had specified that individual states cannot impose lockdowns on their own without consulting the Centre.
The Congress’s youth wing on Monday said a group of its members set a tractor on fire at Rajpath, which connects the India Gate to the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, in protest against the new farm laws as the party planned to intensify protests against the legislation.
“Our country thrives on the blood and sweat of our farmers. From fighting the British to feeding the entire nation, our farmers are the nation’s backbone. On [freedom fighter] #BhagatSingh’s birth anniversary Youth Congress set ablaze a tractor in protest against the govt’s anti-farmer bills,” the Youth Congress said in a tweet.
The tractor was set afire hours before Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh of the Congress began a sit-in at Bhagat Singh’s ancestral village of Khatkar Kalan against the laws.
Farmers have been blocking the Amritsar-Delhi railway track as part of protests against the laws even as the government has insisted that they will make them self-reliant. They say the new laws could lead to an end of the minimum support prices for their produce.
The Congress has likened the laws to cancer and slow poison that will kill farmers and agriculture. It has urged all parties to come together and oppose the laws, which the party said will make farmers “slaves of big businessmen”.
The Delhi police said five people have been detained for setting the tractor afire and that the fire was doused and no one was injured in the incident.
“Today [Monday] at around 7:15 am, some [15-20] persons carrying a tractor in Tata 407 vehicle came at Rajpath, Man Singh Crossing. They offloaded the tractor and tried to set it ablaze. They claimed to be members of Youth Congress, Punjab. Appropriate legal action has been taken,” a Delhi police spokesman said. “Five persons have been detained till now and one vehicle impounded. Affiliation of these persons is being verified.”
Passersby told police the men raised slogans of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” and clicked pictures with the burning tractor. Some also went live on social media from the spot. They were also carrying effigies.
Deputy police commissioner Eish Singhal said: “Our men reached the spot and doused the fire before the tractor was completely burnt. The vehicle has been removed and legal action is being taken.”
Officials said the adequate police force has been deployed in the area to avoid a repeat of such an incident.
The Delhi Police have stepped up security around the city’s borders amid the ongoing farmers’ protest in Punjab and Haryana against the farm reforms. On Friday, the police prevented protesting farmers from entering Delhi through the Mayur Vihar border.
The next-gen Hyundai i20 is expected to borrow Venue’s 1.2-litre NA petrol, 1.0-litre turbo petrol and 1.5-litre diesel powertrains The Hyundai i20 Active was a more rugged crossover version of the pre-facelift version of the current-gen Elite i20, which was launched in India in March 2015. As compared to the regular i20, the first-gen i20 Active featured additions like front, rear and side plastic cladding, front and rear skid plates, roof rails, aluminum pedals and a fuel lid cover to make the car appear more macho. However, Hyundai did not upgrade the i20 Active to comply with the BS6 emission norms, and hence, the sub-4m crossover was discontinued from the market earlier this year. Now that the launch of the new-gen i20 nears, KDesign has created a rendering of what the next-gen i20 Active could end up looking like, take a look –
The rear-end of the i20 Active has been imagined, and it gets the same wraparound Z-shaped LED tail lamps that the upcoming new-gen i20 does. The tail lamps are connected together with the help of an LED bar running across the tailgate. Unlike the two-tone boot lid of the 2020 i20, this rendered car sports a completely black unit.
The biggest change made to this rendering is the fact that the car is much higher off the ground as compared to the regular new-gen i20. The car sports a new rear skid plate, as well as plastic cladding all around the body. In addition, the rendered car gets new muscular alloy wheels.
As a matter of fact, the lower half of the car seems to have been directly borrowed from the first-gen Hyundai Creta, including the 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, as well as the rear skid plate and reflectors. However, it is yet to be seen if Hyundai will introduce the crossover version of the soon-to-be-launched new-gen i20. Hyundai is expected to launch the third-gen i20 in India by the end of this year, and the updated hatch will retain its rivalry with the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Tata Altroz, Volkswagen Polo as well as the Honda Jazz.
Google Pay competes against SoftBank Group Corp.- and Ant Group Co.-backed Paytm, which was last valued at $16 billion, making it India's most valuable startup.
A spokeswoman for Google said Paytm had been removed for violating its policies on online gambling
Paytm, India's dominant digital payments startup, accused Alphabet Inc.'s Google of violating competition rules after it removed the rival's app from its Play Store on Friday for allegedly infringing its gambling policies.
"You've got a player which regulates India's digital ecosystem, while competing with many companies in the same ecosystem," said Madhur Deora, president, One97 Communications Pvt., which owns Paytm. "They have all the levers and can decide which app can be brought down and when -- how is that not a problem?"
Google Pay competes against SoftBank Group Corp.- and Ant Group Co.-backed Paytm, which was last valued at $16 billion, making it India's most valuable startup. The homegrown payments company said it has 350 million registered users and placated them in a Friday afternoon blog titled, "Your Money is Safe with us - the Paytm Android App will be back on Google Play Store shortly."
The trouble arose over a Paytm Cricket League contest unveiled on Friday morning, which allowed users to win stickers featuring their favorite cricket players and then win cash for every five stickers collected. Paytm has had a "Scratch and Win" promotion on its app all along and like many of its rivals including Google Pay and Amazon Pay, lures users with cash-back promotions.
The latest episode between Google and Paytm, bitter rivals which vie for users, merchants and market share, illustrates the competition in India's fast expanding digital economy. The country's digital payments market is forecast to surpass $1 trillion by 2023, according to Credit Suisse, even as more rivals including Facebook Inc's WhatsApp payments service seek to compete.
"Google holds a monopoly with its Play Store and this is a very random action they've taken against Paytm," said Satish Meena, a senior forecast analyst at Forrester Research Inc. "I hope this sets off a discussion that'll lead to the regulators overseeing Google's powers, especially in areas where Google itself is a competitor."
A spokeswoman for the U.S. search giant said the app had been removed for violating its policies on online gambling.
"We don't allow online casinos or support any unregulated gambling apps that facilitate sports betting," the search giant said on its official India blog. "This includes if an app leads consumers to an external website that allows them to participate in paid tournaments to win real money or cash prizes, it is a violation of our policies." It declined to comment on Paytm's specific charges.
Deora said the five-sticker game conceived by Paytm was straightforward and no more a gambling opportunity than Google Pay's own cash-back promotions. If India wants a flourishing digital ecosystem, no one player should have such inordinate power, he said.
The sub-four metre model comes in both petrol and diesel engine options and will compete with the likes of Hyundai Venue, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Motors Nexon, Honda WR-V and Ford Ecosport, among others.
The petrol variant will have a 1-litre GDi delivering power of 120 PS and another 1.2-litre G1 engine with power of 83 PS, available at a price range of Rs 6.71 lakh to Rs 11.99 lakh. (Image source: Kia Motors)
South Korean auto major Kia Motors on Friday launched its compact SUV Sonet in India, priced between Rs 6.71 lakh and Rs 11.99 lakh (ex-showroom), marking its foray into the highly competitive and fast-growing segment.
The sub-four metre model comes in both petrol and diesel engine options and will compete with the likes of Hyundai Venue, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Motors Nexon, Honda WR-V and Ford Ecosport, among others.
In total, Kia Motors India said, the Sonet will be available across 17 variants, including two petrol engines, two diesel engines (WGT and VGT configurations), five transmissions and two trim levels — Tech Line and GT-Line.
The petrol variant will have a 1-litre GDi delivering power of 120 PS and another 1.2-litre G1 engine with power of 83 PS, available at a price range of Rs 6.71 lakh to Rs 11.99 lakh.
The diesel option is powered by a 1.5 litre CRDi engine and is tagged at a price range of Rs 8.05 lakh to Rs 11.99 lakh (all prices ex-showroom).
Commenting on the launch, Kia Motors India Managing Director and CEO Kookhyun Shim said Sonet, the company’s “latest made-in-India car for the world”, has already received “enthusiastic response” from Indian buyers since opening of its bookings on August 20.
“The aggressive pricing has been arrived at to bring delight and offer incredible value to the young and the young-at-heart customer of the Sonet. As our endeavour has been to ensure there is a Sonet for virtually all customers in this category, it is being offered with the widest choice in this segment,” he added.
“The launch of the Sonet in India, as we emerge from these trying times, is the result of incredible resilience and hard work of Kia’s Indian and global teams, even during the COVID-19pandemic,” Shim said.
He said Kia Motors India is not facing any supply disruption at the moment and has already started second shift for production at its plant in Andhra Pradesh.
Kia Motors India Executive Director and Chief Sales Officer Tae-Jin Park said the company is aiming to sell 1 lakh units of the compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) in the domestic market and export another 50,000 units annually in the first year of launch.
The company has so far received 25,000 bookings for Sonet.
The car will be exported to over 70 countries across the globe in regions such as the Middle East, Latin America and the ASEAN, with India being the manufacturing hub, Shim said.
The vehicle is equipped with a host of features, including a 10.25-inch HD touchscreen with navigation and live traffic information, smart pure air purifier with virus and bacteria protection, Bose premium seven-speaker sound system with subwoofer, front ventilated driver and passenger seats, remote engine start, over-the-air (OTA) map updates and wireless smartphone charger with cooling function.
The company at present uses third-party online and offline retailers to sell its products in the country
India has become a key focus of tech giants over the last few years
NEW DELHI: Apple announced Friday that it will launch its first online store in India next week, as it seeks to increase sales in one of the world’s fastest-growing smartphone markets.
The company at present uses third-party online and offline retailers to sell its products in the country.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a tweet that the company “can’t wait to connect with our customers and expand support in India.”
The Sept. 23 launch comes ahead of India’s major Hindu festival season beginning next month.
With a nearly 1.4 billion people, including millions of new Internet users every month, India has become a key focus of tech giants over the last few years.
In August, three contract manufacturers for Apple iPhones and South Korea’s Samsung applied for large-scale electronics manufacturing rights in India under a $6.5 billion incentive scheme announced by the government.
Apple assembles some smartphones at Foxconn and Wistron’s plants in two southern Indian states.
Amid the rising cases of coronavirus COVID-19, the Centre issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for a partial reopening of schools for students of Classes 9-12. However, it has made it clear that it is not mandatory for educational institutions to resume schools from September 21 (Monday). The government has asked the states to take the final call on resuming classes.
Schools in the country were closed since March 2020 in view of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, but steps are now being taken by a few states to reopen the schools in the wake of ‘Unlock 4’ guidelines announced by the Centre. Notably, some states have decided to open schools from September 21, but only for classes 9 to 12.
In August, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had issued guidelines stating that schools and colleges will remain shut till September end, but they can call in 50 per cent of their teachers for facilitating online teaching. Accordingly, students of classes 9 to 12 were allowed to visit schools on a ‘voluntary basis’ to clear their doubts.
In accordance with the same, many states and UTs have announced their decision on resumption of normal classes. While the governments of Delhi and Haryana have given a nod to the opening of schools for students of classes 9-12, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala have decided to close the schools for September too.
Here are the states that have decided on reopening of schools from September 21:
Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government had issued a notification last week stating that students of classes 9 to 12 can visit their schools, in areas outside containment zones, on a voluntary basis, for taking guidance from their teachers. According to the Delhi government, “All schools to continue to remain closed till September 30. Students of classes 9 to 12 may be permitted to visit their schools, in areas outside containment zones only, on a voluntary basis, for taking guidance from their teachers." "This will be subjected to the written consent of their parents/guardians and will be permitted with effect from September 21 for which, SOP will be issued by the Health Ministry to be followed by the schools,” it added.
Bihar: In Bihar, an order was issued by Patna's District Magistrate Kumar Ravi allowing educational institutions to resume classes for students of classes 9 to 12 outside the containment zones. The state government had decided to impose total shutdown in containment zones till September 30.
Haryana: In Haryana, the Manohar Lal Khattar government on Monday decided to start classes for students of Classes 10 to 12 in two state-run schools in Karnal and Sonipat districts on a trial basis after the vast majority of parents of the children in these two institutes gave their go-ahead.
A vast majority of the parents gave their written consent to the decision and it has been sent to the education department, officials said. Some parents reportedly said that as their children have to appear in board examinations and despite the best efforts of the teachers during online classes students are still left with doubts which can be cleared in face-to-face interaction. Haryana Education Minister Kanwar Pal told reporters in Hisar on Sunday that the state government was ready to open schools across the state once the Centre gives its nod, adding that the state authorities will need a few days to work out the modalities in view of the ongoing COVID pandemic once the nod comes.
Andhra Pradesh: Schools in Andhra Pradesh, however, are set to resume normal classes from September 21 for students of classes 9 to 12. The school authorities recently issued guidelines as COVID-19 cases are coming down in the areas outside the containment zones. The students living outside the containment zones would be allowed to visit their schools on a voluntary basis to clear their doubts and take guidance from their teachers. They would have to submit a written consent of their parents and guardians to their respective schools.
Uttar Pradesh: In Uttar Pradesh, one of the BJP-ruled states, schools and other education institutions are likely to remain shut this month due to rising number of COVID-19 cases.
Jammu and Kashmir: Schools to reopen in the erstwhile state on a voluntary basis from September 21.
Kerala: In a bid to contain COVID-19 cases, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has decided to shut schools, colleges and other educational institutions this month.
Gujarat: After UP, Gujarat is the second BJP-ruled state which has decided against the resumption of normal classes from Monday, i.e, September 21.
Assam: In Assam, students of classes IX -XII can visit their schools, in areas outside containment zones.
Uttarakhand: The Trivndra Singh Rawat-led government has also decided to not open schools till the end of this month.
However, states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Manipur, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, Sikkim, Rajasthan, Odisha, Punjab, and others are yet to take a final decision on resuming classes.
This tutorial will help you understand how computers work and how to use them. We'll talk about how to set up a computer, the difference between hardware and software, and the types of computers you can use. We'll also explore operating systems, applications, the cloud, and a whole lot more.
Whether you're getting started with your first computer or are just looking to learn more about how they work, you'll find all of the information you need in our written lessons, videos, and interactives. When you're done, you'll have a fundamental understanding of how to use a computer. You'll also be ready to learn even more about computers with some of our other tutorials.
So what are you waiting for? Let's get started!
Lesson 2: What is a Computer?
What is a computer?
A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or data. It has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data. You may already know that you can use a computer to type documents, send email, play games, and browse the Web. You can also use it to edit or create spreadsheets, presentations, and even videos.
Watch the video below to learn about different types of computers.
Hardware vs. software
Before we talk about different types of computers, let's talk about two things all computers have in common: hardware and software.
Hardwareis any part of your computer that has aphysical structure, such as the keyboard or mouse. It also includes all of the computer's internal parts, which you can see in the image below.
Softwareis anyset of instructionsthat tells the hardwarewhat to doandhow to do it. Examples of software include web browsers, games, and word processors. Below, you can see an image of Microsoft PowerPoint, which is used to create presentations.
Everything you do on your computer will rely on both hardware and software. For example, right now you may be viewing this lesson in a web browser (software) and using your mouse (hardware) to click from page to page. As you learn about different types of computers, ask yourself about the differences in their hardware. As you progress through this tutorial, you'll see that different types of computers also often use different types of software.
What are the different types of computers?
When most people hear the word computer, they think of a personal computer such as a desktop or laptop. However, computers come in many shapes and sizes, and they perform many different functions in our daily lives. When you withdraw cash from an ATM, scan groceries at the store, or use a calculator, you're using a type of computer.
Desktop computers
Many people use desktop computers at work, home, and school. Desktop computers are designed to be placed on a desk, and they're typically made up of a few different parts, including the computer case, monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
Laptop computers
The second type of computer you may be familiar with is a laptop computer, commonly called a laptop. Laptops are battery-powered computers that are more portable than desktops, allowing you to use them almost anywhere.
Tablet computers
Tablet computers—or tablets—are handheld computers that are even more portable than laptops. Instead of a keyboard and mouse, tablets use a touch-sensitive screen for typing and navigation. The iPad is an example of a tablet.
Servers
A server is a computer that serves up information to other computers on a network. For example, whenever you use the Internet, you're looking at something that's stored on a server. Many businesses also use local file servers to store and share files internally.
Other types of computers
Many of today's electronics are basically specialized computers, though we don't always think of them that way. Here are a few common examples.
Smartphones: Many cell phones can do a lot of things computers can do, including browsing the Internet and playing games. They are often called smartphones.
Wearables: Wearable technology is a general term for a group of devices—including fitness trackers and smartwatches—that are designed to be worn throughout the day. These devices are often called wearables for short.
Game consoles:A game console is a specialized type of computer that is used for playing video games on your TV.
TVs: Many TVs now include applications—or apps—that let you access various types of online content. For example, you can stream video from the Internet directly onto your TV.
PCs and Macs
Personal computers come in two main styles: PC and Mac. Both are fully functional, but they have a different look and feel, and many people prefer one or the other.
PCs
This type of computer began with the original IBM PC that was introduced in 1981. Other companies began creating similar computers, which were called IBM PC Compatible (often shortened to PC). Today, this is the most common type of personal computer, and it typically includes the Microsoft Windows operating system.
Macs
The Macintosh computer was introduced in 1984, and it was the first widely sold personal computer with a graphical user interface, or GUI (pronounced gooey). All Macs are made by one company (Apple), and they almost always use the Mac OS X operating system.
Lesson 3: Basic Parts of a Computer
Introduction
The basic parts of a desktop computer are the computer case, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and power cord. Each part plays an important role whenever you use a computer.
Computer case
The computer case is the metal and plastic box that contains the main components of the computer, including the motherboard, central processing unit (CPU), and power supply. The front of the case usually has an On/Off button andone or more optical drives.
Computer cases come in different shapes and sizes. A desktop case lies flat on a desk, and the monitor usually sits on top of it. A tower case is tall and sits next to the monitor or on the floor. All-in-one computers come with the internal components built into the monitor, which eliminates the need for a separate case.
Monitor
The monitor works with a video card, located inside the computer case, to display images and text on the screen. Most monitors have control buttons that allow you to change your monitor's display settings, and some monitors also have built-in speakers.
Newer monitors usually have LCD (liquid crystal display) or LED (light-emitting diode) displays. These can be made very thin, and they are often called flat-panel displays. Older monitors use CRT (cathode ray tube) displays. CRT monitors are much larger and heavier, and they take up more desk space.
Keyboard
The keyboard is one of the main ways to communicate with a computer. There are many different types of keyboards, but most are very similar and allow you to accomplish the same basic tasks.
Click the buttons in the interactive below to learn about the different parts of the keyboard.
Mouse
The mouse is another important tool for communicating with computers. Commonly known as a pointing device, it lets you point to objects on the screen, click on them, and move them.
There are two main mouse types: optical and mechanical. The optical mouse uses an electronic eye to detect movement and is easier to clean. The mechanical mouse uses a rolling ball to detect movement and requires regular cleaning to work properly.
Mouse alternatives
There are other devices that can do the same thing as a mouse. Many people find them easier to use, and they also require less desk space than a traditional mouse. The most common mouse alternatives are below.
Trackball:A trackball has a ball that can rotate freely. Instead of moving the device like a mouse, you can roll the ball with your thumb to move the pointer.
Touchpad:A touchpad—also called atrackpad—is a touch-sensitive pad that lets you control the pointer by making a drawing motion with your finger. Touchpads are common on laptop computers.
Lesson 4: Buttons and Ports on a Computer
Introduction
Take a look at the front and back of your computer case and count the number of buttons, ports, and slots you see. Now look at your monitor and count any you find there. You probably counted at least 10, and maybe a lot more.
Each computer is different, so the buttons, ports, and sockets will vary from computer to computer. However, there are certain ones you can expect to find on most desktop computers. Learning how these ports are used will help whenever you need to connect something to your computer, like a new printer, keyboard, or mouse.
Front of a computer case
Click the buttons in the interactive below to become familiar with the front of a computer.
Back of a computer case
The back of a computer case has connection ports that are made to fit specific devices. The placement will vary from computer to computer, and many companies have their own special connectors for specific devices. Some of the ports may be color coded to help you determine which port is used with a particular device.
Click the buttons in the interactive below to become familiar with the back of a computer.
Other types of ports
There are many other types of ports, such as FireWire, Thunderbolt, and HDMI. If your computer has ports you don't recognize, you should consult your manual for more information.
Now you try it! Practice connecting the cables with the interactive game below.
Peripherals you can use with your computer
The most basic computer setup usually includes the computer case, monitor, keyboard, and mouse, but you can plug many different types of devices into the extra ports on your computer. These devices are called peripherals. Let's take a look at some of the most common ones.
Printers: A printer is used to print documents, photos, and anything else that appears on your screen. There are many types of printers, including inkjet, laser, and photo printers. There are even all-in-one printers, which can also scan and copy documents.
Scanners: A scanner allows you to copy a physical image or document and save it to your computer as a digital (computer-readable) image. Many scanners are included as part of an all-in-one printer, although you can also buy a separate flatbed or handheld scanner.
Speakers/headphones:Speakersandheadphonesare output devices, which means they send information from the computer to the user—in this case, they allow you tohear sound and music. Depending on the model, they may connect to theaudioport or theUSBport. Some monitors also have built-in speakers.
Microphones: A microphone is a type of input device, or a device that receives information from a user. You can connect a microphone to record sound or talk with someone else over the Internet. Many laptop computers come with built-in microphones.
Web cameras: Aweb camera—orwebcam—is a type of input device that can recordvideosand take pictures. It can also transmit video over the Internet inreal time, which allows forvideo chatorvideo conferencingwith someone else. Many webcams also include a microphone for this reason.
Game controllers and joysticks: A game controller is used to control computer games. There are many other types of controllers you can use, including joysticks, although you can also use your mouse and keyboard to control most games.
Digital cameras: A digital camera lets you capture pictures and videos in a digital format. By connecting the camera to your computer's USB port, you can transfer the images from the camera to the computer.
Mobile phones, MP3 players, tablet computers, and other devices: Whenever you buy an electronic device, such as a mobile phone or MP3 player, check to see if it comes with a USB cable. If it does, this means you can most likely connect it to your computer.
Lesson 5: Inside a Computer
Inside a computer
Have you ever looked inside a computer case, or seen pictures of the inside of one? The small parts may look complicated, but the inside of a computer case isn't really all that mysterious. This lesson will help you master some of the basic terminology and understand a bit more about what goes on inside a computer.
Motherboard
The motherboard is the computer's main circuit board. It's a thin plate that holds the CPU, memory, connectors for the hard drive and optical drives, expansion cards to control the video and audio, and connections to your computer's ports (such as USB ports). The motherboard connects directly or indirectly to every part of the computer.
CPU/processor
The central processing unit (CPU), also called a processor, is located inside the computer case on the motherboard. It is sometimes called the brain of the computer, and its job is to carry out commands. Whenever you press a key, click the mouse, or start an application, you're sending instructions to the CPU.
The CPU is usually a two-inch ceramic square with a silicon chip located inside. The chip is usually about the size of a thumbnail. The CPU fits into the motherboard's CPU socket, which is covered by the heat sink, an object that absorbs heat from the CPU.
A processor's speed is measured in megahertz (MHz), or millions of instructions per second; and gigahertz (GHz), or billions of instructions per second. A faster processor can execute instructions more quickly. However, the actual speed of the computer depends on the speed of many different components—not just the processor.
RAM (random access memory)
RAM is your system's short-term memory. Whenever your computer performs calculations, it temporarily stores the data in the RAM until it is needed.
This short-term memory disappears when the computer is turned off. If you're working on a document, spreadsheet, or other type of file, you'll need to save it to avoid losing it. When you save a file, the data is written to the hard drive, which acts as long-term storage.
RAM is measured in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB). The more RAM you have, the more things your computer can do at the same time. If you don't have enough RAM, you may notice that your computer is sluggish when you have several programs open. Because of this, many people add extra RAM to their computers to improve performance.
Hard drive
The hard drive is where your software, documents, and other files are stored. The hard drive is long-term storage, which means the data is still saved even if you turn the computer off or unplug it.
When you run a program or open a file, the computer copies some of the data from the hard drive onto the RAM. When you save a file, the data is copied back to the hard drive. The faster the hard drive, the faster your computer can start up and load programs.
Power supply unit
The power supply unit in a computer converts the power from the wall outlet to the type of power needed by the computer. It sends power through cables to the motherboard and other components.
If you decide to open the computer case and take a look, make sure to unplug the computer first. Before touching the inside of the computer, you should touch a grounded metal object—or a metal part of the computer casing—to discharge any static buildup. Static electricity can be transmitted through the computer circuits, which can seriously damage your machine.
Expansion cards
Most computers have expansion slots on the motherboard that allow you to add various types of expansion cards. These are sometimes called PCI (peripheral component interconnect) cards. You may never need to add any PCI cards because most motherboards have built-in video, sound, network, and other capabilities.
However, if you want to boost the performance of your computer or update the capabilities of an older computer, you can always add one or more cards. Below are some of the most common types of expansion cards.
Video card
The video card is responsible for what you see on the monitor. Most computers have a GPU (graphics processing unit) built into the motherboard instead of having a separate video card. If you like playing graphics-intensive games, you can add a faster video card to one of the expansion slots to get better performance.
Sound card
The sound card—also called an audio card—is responsible for what you hear in the speakers or headphones. Most motherboards have integrated sound, but you can upgrade to a dedicated sound card for higher-quality sound.
Network card
The network card allows your computer to communicate over a network and access the Internet. It can either connect with an Ethernet cable or through a wireless connection (often called Wi-Fi). Many motherboards have built-in network connections, and a network card can also be added to an expansion slot.
Bluetooth card (or adapter)
Bluetooth is a technology for wireless communication over short distances. It's often used in computers to communicate with wireless keyboards, mice, and printers. It's commonly built into the motherboard or included in a wireless network card. For computers that don't have Bluetooth, you can purchase a USB adapter, often called a dongle.
Lesson 6: Laptop Computers
What is a laptop computer?
A laptop is a personal computer that can be easily moved and used in a variety of locations. Most laptops are designed to have all of the functionality of a desktop computer, which means they can generally run the same software and open the same types of files. However, laptops also tend to be more expensive than comparable desktop computers.
How is a laptop different from a desktop?
Because laptops are designed for portability, there are some important differences between them and desktop computers. A laptop has an all-in-one design, with a built-in monitor, keyboard, touchpad (which replaces the mouse), and speakers. This means it is fully functional, even when no peripherals are connected. A laptop is also quicker to set up, and there are fewer cables to get in the way.
You'll also have to the option to connect a regular mouse, larger monitor, and other peripherals. This basically turns your laptop into a desktop computer, with one main difference: You can easily disconnect the peripherals and take the laptop with you wherever you go.
Here are the main differences you can expect with a laptop.
Touchpad: A touchpad—also called a trackpad—is a touch-sensitive pad that lets you control the pointer by making a drawing motion with your finger.
Battery: Every laptop has a battery, which allows you to use the laptop when it's not plugged in. Whenever you plug in the laptop, the battery recharges. Another benefit of having a battery is that it can provide backup power to the laptop if the power goes out.
AC adapter: A laptop usually has a specialized power cable called an AC adapter, which is designed to be used with that specific type of laptop.
Ports: Most laptops have the same types of ports found on desktop computers (such as USB), although they usually have fewer ports to save space. However, some ports may be different, and you may need an adapter in order to use them.
Price: Generally speaking, laptops tend to be more expensive than a desktop computer with the same internal components. While you may find that some basic laptops cost less than desktop computers, these are usually much less powerful machines.
Lesson 7: Mobile Devices
What is a mobile device?
A mobile device is a general term for any type of handheld computer. These devices are designed to be extremely portable, and they can often fit in your hand. Some mobile devices—like tablets, e-readers, and smartphones—are powerful enough to do many of the same things you can do with a desktop or laptop computer.
Tablet computers
Like laptops, tablet computers are designed to be portable. However, they provide a different computing experience. The most obvious difference is that tablet computers don't have keyboards or touchpads. Instead, the entire screen is touch-sensitive, allowing you to type on a virtual keyboard and use your finger as a mouse pointer.
Tablet computers can't necessarily do everything traditional computers can do. For many people, a traditional computer like a desktop or laptop is still needed in order to use some programs. However, the convenience of a tablet computer means it may be ideal as a second computer.
E-readers
E-book readers—also called e-readers—are similar to tablet computers, except they are mainly designed for reading e-books (digital, downloadable books). Notable examples include the Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, and Kobo. Most e-readers use an e-ink display, which is easier to read than a traditional computer display. You can even read in bright sunlight, just like if you were reading a regular book.
You don't need an e-reader to read e-books. They can also be read on tablets, smartphones, laptops, and desktops.
Smartphones
A smartphone is a more powerful version of a traditional cell phone. In addition to the same basic features—phone calls, voicemail, text messaging—smartphones can connect to the Internet over Wi-Fi or a cellular network (which requires purchasing a monthly data plan). This means you can use a smartphone for the same things you would normally do on a computer, such as checking your email, browsing the Web, or shopping online.
Most smartphones use a touch-sensitive screen,meaning there isn't a physical keyboard on the device. Instead, you'll type on a virtual keyboard and use your fingers to interact with the display. Other standard features include a high-quality digital camera and the ability to play digital music and video files. For many people, a smartphone can actually replace electronics like an old laptop, digital music player, and digital camera in the same device.
