1.3.

1 Positive Implications of Using

Computers to Society
• Computers have Created and widened employment
opportunities e.g.; software engineers, computer teachers,
technicians, etc.
• Improved education and research by simplifying teaching and
learning. E.g. abstract content can be made real through cyber
science technology – others are computer aided teaching and
computer aided learning, presentations software, etc.
• Improved entertainment and leisure through computer games,
music, etc for people to refresh and make-up.
• Improved communication and collaboration through computer
networks. Improved health services where computers facilitate
recording, monitoring, and diagnosis for patients.

UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 1

 1.3.1 Positive Implications of Using
Computers to Society
• Improved security through computer managed gates and
monitoring of commercial and domestic premises, detecting
and controlling crime by police.
• Reduced production time and manufacturing processes
through computer aided manufacturing and computer aided
designing which have greatly improved the quantity and
quality of life.
• Improved customer services delivery and care eg networked
computers provide 24/7 on-line services like credit cards
Improved business and investment opportunities.
• Improved data and document production, storage and
manipulation.
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 2
 1.3.2 Negative Implications of Using
Computers to Society
• Computer related crime e.g. forgeries, cyberbullying, Piracy etc.
• Increased cost of production as computers are very expensive to buy
and maintain. Computer experts can as well be expensive to hire.
• They are many health hazards e.g. can cause eye defects, Tendonitis,
RSI, etc.
• Electronic fraud: Stealing money electronically through practices like
Credit card cloning and illegal money transfers.
• Impact on Environment: Computer manufacturing processes and
computer waste are depleting natural resources and polluting the
environment.
• Hacking: Unauthorized access into computers possibly to access
information, compromising privacy. e.g. Wikileaks
• Virus threats which has made data storage and safety very unreliable.

UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 3

 1.3.2 Negative Implications of Using
Computers to Society
• Loss of employment as they take over job assignments for semi
and less skilled job functions.
• Deaths and accidents due to computer malfunctioning or
explosion.
• Erosion of human integrity and creativity as even the smallest
calculation is assigned to the computer. Other cases are
Forgeries, GMFs, test tube children, etc.
• Loss of man-hours as some workers go for unproductive
computer based leisure at the expense of their work. Cyber
terrorism.
• Moral Decay: The internet has websites with content such as
pornography, which have a bad impact on the users especially
the young children.
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 4
 1.3.3 Health concerns of computer use
• The widespread use of computers has led to some important user
health concerns:
• People who spend their workday using the computer sometimes
complain of lower back pain, muscle fatigue, and emotional
fatigue.
• A repetitive strain injury (RSI) is an injury or disorder of the
muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, and joints. Computer-
related RSIs include tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon due to some repeated
motion or stress on that tendon.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is inflammation of the nerve that
connects the forearm to the palm of the wrist. Symptoms of CTS
include burning pain when the nerve is compressed, along with
numbness and tingling in the thumb and first two fingers.
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 5
 1.3.3 Health concerns of computer use
• Factors that cause
these disorders
include prolonged
typing, prolonged
mouse usage, or
continual shifting
between the mouse
and the keyboard.
• NB: If untreated, these
Tendonitis and CTS can
lead to permanent
physical damage.

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 1.3.3 Health concerns of computer use
• Eye strain and CVS:
• Another type of health-related condition due to
computer usage is computer vision syndrome (CVS).
– You may have CVS if you have sore, tired, burning,
itching, or dry eyes; blurred or double vision; distance
blurred vision after prolonged staring at a display
device; headache or sore neck; difficulty shifting
focus between a display device and documents;
difficulty focusing on the screen image; color fringes
or after-images when you look away from the display
device; and increased sensitivity to light.

UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 7

 1.3.3 Health concerns of computer use
Computer Addiction Symptoms of a user with
computer addiction include the
• Computers can provide
following:
entertainment and enjoyment.
Some computer users, however, • Craves computer time
become obsessed with the • Irritable when not at the
computer and the Internet. computer
Computer addiction occurs • Overjoyed when at the
when the computer consumes computer
someone’s entire social life. • Unable to stop computer
Computer addiction is a growing activity
health problem but can be • Neglects family and friends
treated through therapy and
• Problems at work or school
support groups.

UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 8

 1.3.3 Health concerns of computer use
Ergonomics and Workplace Design
• Ergonomics is an applied science devoted to
incorporating comfort, efficiency, and safety into
the design of items in the workplace.
• Ergonomic studies have shown that using the
correct type and configuration of chair, keyboard,
display device, and work surface helps users work
comfortably and efficiently and helps protect their
health.

UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 9

 1.3.3 Health concerns of computer use
Ergonomics and
Workplace Design
• For the computer
work space, experts
recommend an area
of at least two feet
by four feet. Figure
below illustrates
additional
guidelines for
setting up the work
area.
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 10
 1.3.4 Green Computing
• Green computing involves reducing the electricity and environmental
waste while using a computer. People use, and often waste, resources
such as electricity and paper while using a computer.
• The United States government developed the ENERGY STAR program
to help reduce the amount of electricity used by computers and
related devices. This program encourages manufacturers to create
energy-efficient devices that require little power when they are not in
use. Computers and devices that meet the ENERGY STAR guidelines
display an ENERGY STAR label.
• Computers, monitors, and other equipment contain toxic materials
and potentially dangerous elements including lead, mercury, and
flame retardants. In a landfill, these materials release into the
environment. Recycling and refurbishing old equipment are much
safer alternatives for the environment.
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 11
 1.3.4 Green Computing
• Below are
other green
computing
suggestions

UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 12

 1.3.5 Security, reliability and resilience of
computer systems
• Resilience is the fast recovery from a degraded system state.
Computer networking community defines it as the combination of
tolerance and trustworthiness (dependability, security, performance
and survivability) of computer systems.
• The electronic components in modern computers are dependable
and reliable because they rarely break or fail.
• Organizations today often have a chief security officer (CSO) who is
responsible for the physical security of an organization’s property and
people and also is in charge of securing its computing resources. It is
critical that the CSO is included in all system development projects to
ensure that all projects adequately address information security.
• The CSO uses many of the techniques to maintain confidentiality or
limited access to information, ensure integrity and reliability of
systems and ensure uninterrupted availability of systems.
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 13
 COMPUTER MANAGEMENT
Booting of a computer
• Booting (also known as booting up) is the initial set
of operations that a computer system performs
when electrical power is switched on.
• Booting is the process of starting up a computer.
During Booting, the operating system (OS) loads
from disk into working memory (RAM) .
• The process begins when a computer or powered
on and ends when the computer is ready to
perform its normal operations.

UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 14

 Steps involved in the Boot Process
1. The power supply sends a signal to 5. The BIOS looks for
the components in the system system files on the
unit. boot device.
2. The processor finds the ROM 6. The system files and
chip(s) that contain the the kernel of the
BIOS (Basic input/output system). Operating System load
3. The BIOS performs the POST into RAM from the
(Power-On Self Test) which checks boot device.
components such as the mouse,
7. The OS loads
keyboard and adapter cards. A
configuration
series of messages may display.
information and
4. The results of the POST are
displays the welcome
compared with data in a CMOS
screen.
chip 15
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 15
 Boot Loader
• A boot loader is a program that loads the
main operating system or runtime
environment for the computer after
completion of self-tests.
• Examples of boot loaders include NTLDR,
BOOTMGR, GNU GRUB, Syslinux, e.t.c.

16
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 16
 Boot Drives
• Boot Devices / boot drive is the device/drive from
which the operating system is loaded.
• In most cases, drive C (the hard disk) is the boot drive.
• The computer BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)
supports booting from various devices.
• These include the local hard disk drive, optical drive,
floppy drive, a network interface card, and a USB
device. The BIOS allows the user to configure a boot
order.

UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 17

 Types of Booting
• There are two types of booting: Cold booting and
warm booting.
• Cold booting is the process of starting up a
computer which has been completely off. Usually, it
is initiated by switching on the power supply
buttons on the monitor and system unit /box
respectively.
• Warm Booting is the process of restarting a
computer which is already running. It is also called
rebooting.
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 18
 Reasons for warm booting
• New software installations: When you install new
software, often an on-screen prompt instructs you to
restart the computer.
• New hardware installations: When some hardware devices
like disk drives and printers are attached, the computer
might request for a reboot to reload them effectively.
• After Updating Software: Computer software and
operating system can trigger a reboot as well; more
specifically, Microsoft Windows operating systems are
outfitted with automatic updates that can be scheduled to
run at a certain time and date; therefore, a reboot
necessary in this case.

UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing 19 19

Slide
 Reasons for warm booting (cont)
• During Troubleshooting: Rebooting may be used by users,
support staff or system administrators as a technique to
work around bugs in software. A warm boot is sometimes
necessary when a program encounters an error from which
it cannot recover.
• Switching operating systems: On a multi-boot system
without a hypervisor, a reboot is required to switch
between installed operating systems.
• When the computer is freezing: A warm boot can be
necessary when the computer is responding slowly
especially when many programs have been loaded into
memory.
20
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 20
 Reasons for warm booting (cont)
• When a peripheral or hardware component has failed to
function/work
• When application software fails to work normally
• During/After installation of operating system.
• After changing use control settings(CMOS/BIOS settings)
• When a user wants to clear a programs that are loaded in
memory
• After uninstalling software
• After uninstalling hardware
• After malware/virus scanning
• When a deadlock occurs
21
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 21
 2.1.2 Computer programmes
• A computer program is a set of instructions that a
computer uses to perform a specific task, such
as word processing, accounting, or data
management. Also called an application.
• Almost everything you do on your computer
requires using a program. For example, if you want
to draw a picture, you need to use a drawing or
painting program. To write a letter, you use a word
processing program. To explore the Internet, you
use a program called a web browser. Thousands of
programs are available for Windows.
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 22
 2.1.2 Computer programmes
Starting a program
• The Start menu is the gateway to all of the
programs on your computer. To open the Start
menu, click the Start button . The left pane of the
Start menu contains a small list of programs.. To
open a program, click it.
• If you don't see the program you want to open, but
you know its name, type all or part of the name into
the search box at the bottom of the left pane.
• To browse a complete list of your programs, click
the Start button, and then click All Programs.
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 23
 File management:
Introduction
• In a physical office • Like drawers in a real filing cabinet, they
filing system you may contain several labelled folders to
store files within keep other folders (subfolders) and your
folders in a file files organized. If you create an organized
cabinet which may system of folders, it is easy to find your
have several computer files when you need them.
drawers. If you
organize the system
well, it will be easy
to find files when
you need them.
Computer disk
partitions are like
filing cabinet
drawers.
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 24
 File management: Introduction
• File management involves operations on files and folders
on a computers disks.
• File management operations include
• Creating files and folders
• Moving
• Copying
• Selecting single or multiple files (ctrl+click / Shift+click)
• Renaming
• Searching and Sorting by name, date or file extension (type)
• Printing
• Deleting
• Restoring or emptying recycle bin etc.
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 25
 2.2.1 Folders
• A folder is a named storage location where related files can
be stored. In contrast, a file is a collection of related data
saved with a given name on a storage medium.

• A folder is also known as a directory in some operating

systems and has the following features / properties:
• A folder has a name
• A folder has a path originating from a special directory called
root directory
• A folder has special access permissions for authenticated users
• A folder or directory may be created inside another folder or
directory. Such a folder or directory is called a subfolder or a
subdirectory.
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 26
 2.2.1 Folders
Creating a new folder
• To create a new folder:
• Using my computer icon, on the folder tree on the left
pane, select the location (desktop) in which you want to
create a new folder.
• 1. On the File menu tab, Click new folder
• 2. Type a new name for the folder to Replace the
temporary name, then press Enter key or click the icon
once.
• Or Right Click on the free space on the desktop,
• Point to New, click folder. Type a new name for the folder
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 27
 2.2.1 Folders
Renaming a folder or file
• Renaming refers to changing the previous name to a new
name. To rename a file or folder proceed as follows:
• Using My Computer icon, display the Explorer window.
• On the folder tree on the left pane, select the file or folder
to be renamed.
• On the File menu, click Rename. Type the new name, and
then press Enter key.
• Or Right Click on folder or file and choose Rename option
from the pop up menu.
• Or Select the file or folder icon and Press F2 function key,
Type the new name, and then press Enter key.
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 28
 2.2.1 Folders
• Deleting a folder or file
• In Windows, when you delete an item from the hard disk, it
is temporarily held in a special folder called the Recycle bin
from where it can be restored if necessary.
• Warning: Items deleted from a removable storage are not
held in the recycle bin and are completely lost.
• To delete a file or folder proceed as follows:
• Using My computer icon, display the Explorer window.
• On the folder tree on the left pane, select the item that is
to be deleted. On the File menu, click Delete.
• A message appears on the screen asking whether you
actually want to delete the item. Confirm by clicking Yes.
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 29
 2.2.1 Folders
• Restoring deleted files • Empting the recycle bin
and folders • To completely discard files and
• To restore a file or folders you deleted, you need to
folder from the recycle empty the Recycle Bin. To empty
bin to its original the Recycling Bin proceed as
location proceed as follows:
follows: • Double click the recycle Bin icon
• Double click the on the desktop to open.
Recycle Bin icon. • Choose Empty Recycle Bin from
• Select the deleted File menu.
item(s) to be restored. • Click Yes when prompted to
• Click File then Restore confirm deletion of the files.
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 30
 2.2.1 Folders
• Copying files and folders
• Cut or copy command are used to move or create a
duplicate of an item respectively. When you cut or copy an
item, it is temporarily held in a temporary storage location
known as the clipboard. To copy a file or folder:
• Using my computer icon, display the Explorer window.
• Select the file or folder to be copied.
• On the Edit menu, click copy.
• Select the drive or folder where you want the item to be
copied.
• From the edit menu, click paste. Information or item is
pasted to a new location.
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 31
 2.2.1 Folders
• To move a file or folder proceeds as follows:
• Using My computer icon, display the Explorer windows.
• On the Edit menu, click Cut.
• Select the drive or folder where you want the item moved.
• From the Edit menu, click paste.
• Move progress dialog will be displayed on the screen.
• Moving a folder
• To move a folder to a desired location:
• Click the folder and hold
• Drag and drop to the desired location

UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 32

 2.2.1 Folders
To sort files and
folders:
• Right-click any open
space within
Windows Explorer
and select Sort By.
• Choose to sort by
Name, Date More Sorting Options When you opt to
modified, Type, or view More sorting options, you can sort by
Size. dozens of different parameters, all of which
change based on what type of file you’re
• To view more sorting viewing. For example, if you’re viewing
options, click More music files, you can sort by Album, Artists,
Bit Rate, Composers, Genre, and the like
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 33
 2.2.2 Files
• Every document, picture, sound or video saved on a
computer’s storage is a file.
• A file is associated with the program that is used to read it,
so if you double-click a file that was created in Notepad, the
Notepad program starts and displays the file.
• For example, you can edit the text in a document or change
the colors in a picture.
• All files have names, and all file names consist of two parts
—the name and the extension—separated by a period. The
type of file or the program in which it was created is
indicated by the extension. The extension is a short
abbreviation of the file type. Its commonly 3 letters.
UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 34
 2.2.2 Files
• By default, Windows hides common file extensions.
• If you would prefer to see your file extensions, open My
Documents (or any folder) in Windows Explorer, and on the
Tools menu, click Folder Options, and display the View tab.
Clear the Hide extensions for known file types check box,
and then click OK to close the dialog box and apply your
settings.
• Files also have icons, which are graphic representations of
the file type. Depending on the way you’re looking at your
files, you might see a large icon, or a small icon.

UACE SUB-ICT 1: Introduction to Computing Slide 35

 2.2.2 Files
• Creating a new file
• Depending on the programs installed in your computer, you
can create different types of files such as drawings, text
document etc. To create a new text document:
• On the free space on the desktop, right click.
• Point new, click Text Document. From the list available on
application.
• Type a new name for the new file to replace the temporary
name and press Enter key. NB: In windows, file name can
contain up to 255 characters, including spaces but, with no
special symbols such as \|/:*?”<>.

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