Module 1: Introducing Today's Technologies: Computers, Devices, the Web
MODULE 1
Conflict is present everywhere in the world around us. We experience conflict on a daily basis, and it can be minor or major.
Conflict in a story is a struggle between opposing forces. Characters must act to confront those forces and there is where conflict is born. If there is nothing to overcome, there is no story. Conflict in a story creates and drives the plot forward.
5. Digital Security and Privacy
Environmental Issues
Green computing involves reducing the electricity consumed and environmental waste generated when using a computer.
Manufacturing processes for computers and mobile devices along with e-waste, or discarded
computers and mobile devices, are depleting natural resources and polluting the environment.
Health Concerns
Two behavioral health risks are technology addiction and technology overload. Technology
addiction occurs when someone becomes obsessed with using technology. Individuals suffering from technology overload feel distressed when deprived of computers and mobile devices.
Computer and mobile device users can protect
themselves from these health risks through proper workplace design, good posture while at the computer, and appropriately spaced work breaks
Privacy
Some of these unsuspecting, innocent computer users have fallen victim to crimes committed by dangerous strangers.
Some techniques you can use to protect yourself from identity theft include shredding financial
documents before discarding them, never tapping or clicking links in unsolicited email messages, and enrolling in a credit monitoring service.
In many instances, where personal and confidential records were not protected properly, individuals have found their privacy violated and identities stolen.
Viruses and Other
Malware
any unusual changes in the performance of your computer or mobile device, it may be infected with malware.
Each of these types of malware attacks your computer or mobile device differently. Some are harmless pranks that temporarily freeze, play sounds, or display messages on your computer or mobile device.
Malware, short for malicious software, is software that acts without a user’s knowledge and deliberately alters the computer’s or mobile device’s operations.
6. Programs and Apps
In this type of conflict, a character must take on society itself, and not a single person. The character stands at odds with societal norms and realizes the necessity to work against these norms. This is an external conflict.
Developing Programs
and Apps
Software developers use a programming language or application development tool to create programs and apps.
A software developer, sometimes called a developer or programmer, is someone who develops programs and apps or writes the instructions that direct the computer or mobile device to process data into information.
Installing and
Running Programs
The user interface controls how you enter data and instructions and how information is displayed on the screen
When you instruct a computer or mobile device to run a program, the computer or mobile device loads it, which means the program’s instructions are copied from storage to memory
Mobile apps typically install automatically after you transfer the app’s files to your mobile device from its website.
Installed operating systems often include applications such as a browser, media player, and calculator.
Installing a program is the process of setting up the program to work with a computer or
mobile device, printer, and other hardware.
Applications
Give examples of man versus society conflict in the real world.
Some applications are available as both a web app and a mobile app. In this case, typically
can sync the data and activity between the web app and the mobile app
an example of an application that enables
users with an Internet connection to
access and view webpages
An application consists of programs designed to make users more productive and assist
them with personal tasks.
Operating Systems
Give examples of man versus society conflict in a literary work.
To use an application, your computer
or mobile device must be running an
operating system.
It provides a means for users
to communicate with the computer
or mobile device and other software.
An operating system is a set of programs that coordinates all the activities among computer or mobile device hardware.
7. Communications and Networks
This situation results from a protagonist working against what has been foretold for that person. While this conflict was more prevalent in stories where gods could control fate, such as in ancient Greek dramas, there are still examples of this type of conflict in more contemporary literature.
Staying in Sync
Strategies for keeping your files in sync include use a cable and software, use cloud storage and use web apps.
You can use wired or wireless methods to sync. In a wired setup, cables connect one device to another, which allows for reliable data transfer.
Syncing can be a one-way or a two-way process.
In two-way sync, any change made in one location
also is made in any other sync location.
With a one-way sync, also called mirroring, you add, change, or delete files in a destination location, called the target, without altering the same files in the original location, called the source.
When you synchronize, or sync, computers
and mobile devices, you match the files in two or more locations with each other, as shown in the figure below
Networks
Since in real life we can't say that such examples of man versus supernatural, there are some superstitions that can influence a person's life.
Give examples of these superstitions.
Most allow users to connect their computers wirelessly to the network. Users often are required to sign in to, or log on, a network, which means they enter a user name and password to access the network and its resources.
The server controls access to the
resources on a network.
Networks allow computers to share resources,
such as hardware, software, data, and information.
A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together, often wirelessly, via
communications devices and transmission media.
Wired and Wireless
Communications
Give examples of man versus fate conflict in a literary work.
Examples of wireless communications technologies include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,
and cellular radio
Because it is more convenient than installing
wires and cables, many users opt for wireless
communications, which sends signals through
the air or space
Wired communications often use some form of telephone wiring, coaxial cable, or fiber-optic cables to send communications signals.
Examples of communications devices are modems, wireless
access points, and routers.
A communications device is hardware capable of
transferring items from computers and devices to transmission media and vice versa.
8. Technology uses
A more contemporary type of conflict, this situation results from humans involved in a struggle with man-made machines. This is an external conflict.
Manufacturing
CAM is used by a variety of industries, including oil drilling, power generation, food production, and automobile manufacturing.
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) refers to the use of computers to assist with manufacturing processes, such as fabrication and assembly.
Publishing
The difference between a wiki and a blog is that users cannot modify original posts made by a
blogger.
A wiki is a collaborative website that allows users to create, add to, modify, or delete the
content via their browser
A podcast is recorded media that users can download or stream to a computer or portable media player.
A blog is an informal website consisting of time-stamped articles (posts) in a diary or journal
format, usually listed in reverse chronological order.
Organizations and individuals publish their thoughts and ideas using a blog, podcast, or wiki.
Travel
Many websites offer these services to the public where you can search for and compare flights and prices, order airline tickets, or reserve a
rental car. You also can print driving directions and maps from the web.
Many mobile devices, such as smart phones, also have built-in navigation systems.
As you make the journey, you may interact with a navigation system or GPS, which uses satellite signals to determine a geographic location
Science
The capability of a personal computer to recognize spoken words is a direct result of scientific experimentation with neural networks.
use computers to assist them with collecting, analyzing, and modeling data.
Health Care
As this conflict is more science fiction based, in real life we can't find such examples.
However, as technology became a big part of our lives there are some situations that man made machines affects our lives.
Find such examples.
Medical staff create labels for medicine, hospital ID bracelets, and more, enabling staff to verify dosage and access patient records by scanning the label.
Patients use computers and mobile devices to refill prescriptions, and pharmacists use computers to file insurance claims and provide customers with vital information about their medications
Doctors use email, text messaging, and other
communications services to correspond with patients
Computers and computerized devices assist doctors, nurses, and technicians with medical tests
Hospitals and doctors use computers and mobile devices to maintain and access patient
records
Entertainment
In some cases, you download the media from the web
to a computer or mobile device so that you can watch, listen to, view, or play later.
You also can create videos, take photos, or record audio and upload
(transfer) your media content to the web to share with others, such as on an online social network
You can use computers and mobile devices to listen to audio clips, watch television shows, or live performances and read a book, magazine, or newspaper and also play a games individually or with others.
Retail
Other mobile apps will check a product’s price and availability at
stores in your local area or online.
Many mobile apps make your shopping experience more convenient. Some enable you to
manage rewards, use coupons, locate stores, or pay for goods and services directly from your
phone or other mobile device
To purchase from an online retailer, a customer visits the business’s storefront, which contains product descriptions, images, and a shopping cart.
Finance
With online investing, the transaction fee for each trade usually is much less than when
trading through a broker
The advantage is you can access your
financial records from anywhere in the world.
Many people and companies use online banking or finance software to pay bills, track personal income and expenses, manage investments, and
evaluate financial plans.
Government
Employees of government agencies use computers as part of their daily routine.
People in the United States access government websites to view census data, file taxes, apply for permits and licenses, pay parking tickets, buy stamps, report crimes, apply for
financial aid, and renew vehicle registrations and driver’s licenses
Most government offices have websites to provide citizens with up-to-date information.
Digital School
Give examples of man versus machine conflict in a literary work.
Digital technology offers flexibility and a revised classroom setting such as mobile devices and tablets, virtual field trips, games and simulations, interactive whiteboard and share project.
Through the course management system, students access course materials, grades, assessments, and a variety of collaboration tools.
Many required students to have a mobile computer or mobile device to access the school’s network or Internet wireless to access digital-only content provided by a textbook publisher.
Educators and teaching institutions use technology to assist with education.
9. Technology Users
people around the world use various technologies at home, at work, and at school. Depending on the hardware, software, and communications requirements, these users generally
can be classified in one of five categories
Each employee or customer who uses computers, mobile devices, and other technology in the enterprise is an enterprise user.
A power user is a user who requires the capabilities of a powerful computer.
A mobile user includes any person who works with computers or mobile devices while away from a main office, home, or school.
A small office user includes employees of companies with fewer than 50 employees, as well as the self-employed who work from home.
A home user is any person who spends time using technology at home.
4. The Web
Internet Communications
the web is only one of the services on the Internet. Other services on the Internet facilitate communications among users
Online Social Networks
for example, is a specific type of online social network that allows users to create an online photo album and store and share their digital photos.
Popular online social networks include Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn
An online social network, also called a social networking site, is a website that encourages members in its online community to share their interests, ideas, stories, photos, music, and videos with other registered users
Searching the Web
A search engine is software that finds websites, webpages, images, videos, news, maps, and other information related to a specific topic.
to search for specific information, including text,
photos, music, and videos.
Browsing the Web
Some widely used browsers include Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Google Chrome.
software that enables users with an Internet connection to access and view webpages on a computer or mobile device.
3. Data and Information
This conflict develops from a protagonist’s inner struggles and may depend on a character trying to decide between good and evil or overcoming self-doubt. This conflict has both internal and external aspects, as obstacles outside the protagonist's force them to deal with inner issues.
Memory and Storage
Give examples of man versus self conflict in the real world.
Storage devices often also function as a source of input and output because they transfer items from storage to memory and vice versa.
Examples of local storage media includes hard disks, solid-state drives, USB (universal serial bus) flash drives, memory cards, and optical discs. Some storage media are portable, meaning that can remove the medium from one computer and carry it to another computer.
For example, computers can store hundreds or millions of student names and addresses permanently. A computer keeps data, instructions, and information on storage media.
Memory consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed and the data needed by those instructions. Although some forms of memory are permanent, most memory keeps data and instructions temporarily, which means its contents are erased when the computer is shut off.
Output
Output methods such as printers, displays, speakers, earbuds, and headphones, memory and storage, hard disk, solid-state drives, USB flash drives, memory cards, optical discs, and cloud storage.
An output
device is any hardware component that conveys information from
a computer or mobile device to one or more people.
Input
Give examples of man versus self conflict in a literary work.
Input methods is keyboards, voice and video input and scanners.
An input device is any hardware component that allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer or mobile device.
2. Mobile and Game Devices
A mobile device is a computing device small enough to hold in your hand. Some mobile devices are Internet capable, meaning that they can connect to the Internet wirelessly. Can exchange information between the Internet and a mobile device or between a computer or network and a mobile device.
In this type of conflict, a character is tormented by natural forces such as storms or animals. This is also an external conflict.
Gaming and Digital Homes
Give examples of man versus nature conflict in the real world.
Obtaining Games: For tablets and smart phones, they can download games from an app store to a mobile computer or device. For game consoles, they can purchase or rent discs or other media that contain games download or transfer them from online stores or sign up for cloud services that stream or transfer games on demand.
the social aspect of gathering
families and friends to play together as a group or
online with each other and those around the world.
Game Devices
Some handheld game device models are Internet capable and also can communicate wirelessly with other similar devices for multiplayer gaming.
A handheld game device is small enough to fit in one hand, making it more portable than the game console.
Many game console models are Internet capable and also allow to listen to music and watch movies or view photos.
Gamers often connect the game console to a television so that can view the gameplay on the television’s screen.
A game console is a mobile computing device designed for single-player or multiplayer
video games.
Wearable Devices
With smart glasses, a user looks into an eyeglass-type device to view information or take photos and videos that are projected to a miniature screen in the user’s field of vision.
A smartwatch can communicate with a smart phone to make and answer phone calls, read and send messages, access the web, play music, work with apps, such as fitness trackers and GPS, and more.
Wearable devices include activity trackers, smartwatches, and smart glasses. Activity trackers monitor heart rate, measure pulse, count steps, and track sleep patterns.
A wearable device or wearable is a small, mobile computing consumer device designed to be worn. These devices often communicate with a mobile device or computer.
E-Book Readers
Most e-book reader models have a touch screen, and some are Internet capable. These devices usually are smaller than tablets but larger than smartphones.
An e-book, or digital book, is an electronic version of a printed book, readable on computers and other digital devices.
Portable and Digital
Media Players
Portable media players are a mobile type of digital media player. A digital media player or streaming media player is a device, typically used in a home, that streams digital media from a computer or network to a television, projector, or some other entertainment device.
Some portable media player models have a touch screen, while others have a pad that can operate with a thumb or finger, so that can navigate through digital media, adjust volume, and customize settings.
Portable media players enable to listen to music, view photos, and watch videos, movies, and television shows. With most, can transfer the digital media from a computer or the web, if the device is Internet capable, to the portable media player.
A portable media player is a mobile device on which can store, organize, and play or view digital media.
Digital cameras
Many digital cameras also have built-in GPS, giving them the capability to record the exact location where a photo was taken and store these details with the photo.
Digital cameras often can connect to or communicate wirelessly with a computer, a Smart TV, a printer, or the Internet, enabling to access the photos on the camera without using a cable.
Can transfer images from a digital camera to a computer or device, so that you can review, modify, share, organize,or print the images.
A smart digital camera also can communicate wirelessly with other devices and include apps similar to those on
a smartphone. Many mobile computers and devices, such as tablets and smartphones, include at least one integrated digital camera.
A digital camera is a device that allows you to take photos and store the photographed
images digitally
Smartphones
Give examples of man versus nature conflict in a literary work.
Four popular types of messages that you can send with smartphones include voice messages, text messages, picture messages, and video messages.
Instead of calling someone’s phone to talk, you can send messages to others by pressing images on an on-screen keyboard on the phone, keys on the phone’s mini keyboard, or buttons on the phone’s keypad.
Instead of or in addition to a touch screen, some
smartphones have a keyboard that slides in and out from behind the phone.
Smartphones typically communicate wirelessly with other devices or computers. With most smartphone models, you also can listen to music, take photos, and record videos.
A smartphone is an Internet-capable phone that usually also includes a calendar, an address, book, a calculator, a notepad, games, and several other apps.
Computer
A situation in which two characters have opposing desires or interests. The typical scenario is a conflict between the protagonist and antagonist. This is an external conflict.
Servers
Larger corporate, government, and web applications use powerful, expensive servers to support their daily operations.
A server can support from two to several thousand connected computers and devices at the same time. Servers are available in a variety of sizes and types for both small and large business application.
Services provided by servers include storing content and controlling access to hardware, software, and other resources on a network.
A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together, often wirelessly.
A server is a computer dedicated to providing one or more services to other computers or devices on a network.
Desktop and All-in-ones
Give examples of man versus man conflict in the real world.
Some desktops and all-in-ones have displays that
support touch.
Another type of desktop called an all-in-one does not contain a tower and instead uses the same case to house the display and the processing circuitry.
A desktop, or desktop computer, is a personal computer designed to be in a stationary location, where all of its components fit on or under a desk or table.
Tablets
Tablets run on batteries or a power supply or both, however, batteries in a tablet typically last longer than
those in laptops
A tablet is a thin, lighter-weight
mobile computer that has a touch screen
Laptops
Give examples of man versus man conflict in a literary work.
Most laptops can operate on batteries or a
power supply or both.
A laptop, also called a notebook computer,
is a thin, lightweight mobile computer with
a screen in its lid and a keyboard in its base
Today's Technologies
-Technology can enable you to more efficiently and effectively access and search for
information such as share personal ideas, photos, and videos with friends, family, and others.
-Easy communicate with and meet other people, manage finances, shop for goods and services.
-Can play games or access other sources of entertainment to keep your life and activities organized.
