Introduction to Computing

 
Chapter 4

Computer Usage
Chapter 4

Computer Usage
 
Introduction

Nowadays, people and majority of firms, establishments, companies, and other related business
groups around the world rely on computer for efficient processing of their tasks such as data
processing, communicating, multimedia activities, etc.

This module will discuss and give us more information regarding the different categories of
computer users, the devices they operate to perform tasks and the process they handle. Activities
are provided at the end of the lesson.

Specific Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

- Identify the different types of computer users

Duration

Chapter 4: Computer Usage = 3 hours

(2 hours discussion; 1 hours
assessment)
Lesson Proper

COMPUTER USAGE

Every day, people around the world rely on different types of computers for a variety of
applications. To illustrate the range of uses for computers, this section takes you on a visual and
narrative tour of five categories of users:

● Home User
● Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) user
● Mobile User
● Power User
● Enterprise User

● Home User

In an increasing number of homes, the computer no longer is a convenience.

Instead, it is a basic necessity. Each family member, or home user, spends time on the
computer for different reasons that include personal financial management, Web access,
communications, and entertainment (Figure 1-30).

Personal financial management

Web Access

Figure 1-30 The home user spends

time on a computer for a variety of
reasons.

Entertainment

Communications
 On the Internet, home users access a huge amount of information,
conduct research, take college classes, pay bills, manage investments, shop, listen
to the radio, watch movies, read books, file taxes, book airline reservations, make
telephone calls, and play games (read Innovative Computing 1-2 to find out how
some retailers use the Internet to help the environment). They also communicate
with others around the world through e-mail, blogs, instant messages, and chat
rooms using personal computers, smart phones, and other mobile devices. Home
users share ideas, interests, photos, music, and videos on social networking Web
sites (read Ethics & Issues 1-3 for a related discussion). With a digital camera,
home users take photos and then send the electronic images to others. Using a
Web cam, home users easily have live video calls with friends, family members,
and others.

Many home users have a portable media player, so that they can
download music or podcasts, and listen to the music and/or audio at a later time
through earbuds attached to the player. They also usually have one or more game
consoles to play video games individually or with friends and family members.

Today’s homes also typically have one or more desktop computers. Many
home users network multiple desktop computers throughout the house, often
wirelessly. These small networks allow family members to share an Internet
connection and a printer.

Home users have a variety of software. They type letters, homework

assignments, and other documents with word processing software. Personal
finance software helps the home user with personal finances, investments, and
family budgets. Other software assists with preparing taxes, keeping a household
inventory, setting up maintenance schedules, and protecting home computers
against threats and unauthorized intrusions.

Reference
software, such as
encyclopedias, medical
dictionaries, or a road
atlas, provides valuable
information for
everyone in the family.
With entertainment
software, the home
user can play games,
compose music,
research genealogy, or
create greeting cards.
 Educational software helps adults learn to speak a foreign language and
youngsters to read, write, count, and spell.

● Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) user

Computers assist small business and home office users in managing their

resources effectively. A small office/home office (SOHO) includes any company

with fewer than 50 employees, as well as the self-employed who work from
home. Small offices include local law practices, accounting firms, travel agencies,
and florists. SOHO users typically have a desktop computer to perform some or all
of their duties. Many also have smart phones or other mobile devices to manage
appointments and contact information.

SOHO users access the Internet — often wirelessly — to look up information such
as addresses, directions, postal codes, flights (Figure 1-31a), and package shipping
rates or to send and receive e-mail messages or make telephone calls.

Many have entered the e-commerce arena and conduct business on the Web.
Their Web sites advertise products and services and may provide a means for
taking orders. Small business Web sites sometimes use a Web cam to show the
world a live view of some aspect of their business.

To save money on hardware and software, small offices often network their
computers. For example, the small office connects one printer to a network for all
employees to share.

SOHO users often work with basic business software such as word processing and
spreadsheet programs that assist with document preparation and finances (Figure
1-31b). They are likely to use other industry-specific types of software. An auto
parts store, for example, will have software that allows for looking up parts, taking
orders and payments, and updating inventory.
● Mobile User

Today, businesses and schools are expanding to serve people across the
country and around the world. Thus, increasingly more employees and students
are mobile users, who work on a computer or mobile device while away from a
main office, home office, or school (Figure 1-32). Examples of mobile users are
sales representatives, real estate agents, insurance agents, meter readers,
package delivery people, journalists, consultants, and students.

Mobile users often have mobile computers and/or mobile devices. With these
computers and devices, the mobile user connects to other computers on a
network or the Internet, often wirelessly accessing services such as e-mail and the
Web. Mobile users can transfer information between their mobile device and
another computer, such as one at the main office or school. For entertainment,
 the mobile user plays video games on a handheld game console and listens to
music or watches movies on a portable media player.

The mobile user works with basic business software such as word processing.
With presentation software, the mobile user can create and deliver presentations
to a large audience by connecting a mobile computer or device to a video
projector that displays the presentation on a full screen. Many scaled-down
programs are available for mobile devices such as smartphones.

Figure 1-32
Mobile users have
a variety of mobile
computers and
devices so that
they can work, do
homework,send
messages,
connect to the
Internet, or play
games while
away from a wired

With these computers and devices, the mobile user connects to other computers
on a network or the Internet, often wirelessly accessing services such as e-mail and the
Web. Mobile users can transfer information between their mobile device and another
computer, such as one at the main office or school. For entertainment, the mobile user
plays video games on a handheld game console and listens to music or watches movies
on a portable media player.

The mobile user works with basic business software such as word processing. With
presentation software, the mobile user can create and deliver presentations to a large
audience by connecting a mobile computer or device to a video projector that displays the
presentation on a full screen. Many scaled-down programs are available for mobile
devices such as smartphones.
● Power User

Another category of user, called a power user, requires the capabilities of a

workstation or other type of powerful computer. Examples of power users include
engineers, scientists, architects, desktop publishers, and graphic artists (Figure 1-33).

Power users often work with multimedia, combining text, graphics, audio, and
video into one application. These users need computers with extremely fast processors
because of the nature of their work.

The power user’s workstation often contains industry-specific software. For

example, engineers and architects use software to draft and design floor plans,
mechanical assemblies, or vehicles. A desktop publisher uses software to prepare
marketing literature. A graphic artist uses software to create sophisticated drawings. This
software usually is expensive because of its specialized design.

Power users exist in all types of businesses. Some work at home. Their computers
typically have network connections and Internet access.

Figure 1-33
This graphic
artist uses a
powerful
computer to
develop
computer
games.

● Enterprise User

An enterprise has hundreds or thousands of employees or customers that work in or

do business with offices across a region, the country, or the world. Each employee or
customer who uses a computer in the enterprise is an enterprise user (Figure 1-34).

Many large companies use the words, enterprise computing, to refer to the huge
network of computers that meets their diverse computing needs. The network facilitates
communications among employees at all locations. Users access the network of servers
or mainframes through desktop computers, mobile computers, and mobile devices.

Enterprises use computers and the computer network to process high volumes of
transactions in a single day. Although they may differ in size and in the products or ser
vices offered, all generally use computers for basic business activities. For example, they
bill millions of customers, prepare payroll for thousands of employees, and manage
thousands of items in inventory. Some enterprises use blogs to open communications
among employees, customers, and/or vendors.

Enterprises typically have e-commerce Web sites, allowing customers and

vendors to conduct business online. The Web site also showcases products, services, and
other company information.

The marketing department in an enterprise uses desktop publishing software to

prepare marketing literature. The accounting department uses software for accounts
receivable, accounts payable, billing, general ledger, and payroll activities.

The employees in the information technology (IT) department keep the computers
and the network running. They determine when the company requires new hardware or
software.

Enterprise users work with word processing, spreadsheet, database, and

presentation software. They also may use calendar programs to post their schedules on
the network. And, they might use smart phones or mobile devices to maintain contact
information. E-mail programs and Web browsers enable communications among
employees, vendors, and customers.

Many employees of enterprises telecommute. Telecommuting is a work

arrangement in which employees work away from a company’s standard workplace and
often communicate with the office through the computer. Employees who telecommute
have flexible work schedules so that they can combine work and personal
responsibilities, such as child care.

Figure 1-34 An enterprise can have hundreds or thousands of users in offices across a
region, the country, or the world.
Putting It All Together

The previous topics discussed the hardware and software requirements for the
home user, small office/home office user, mobile user, power user, and enterprise user.
The table in Figure 1-35 summarizes these requirements.
Figure 1-35 Today, computers are used by millions of people for work tasks, school
assignments, and leisure activities. Different computer users require different kinds of
hardware and software to meet their needs effectively.