Es una técnica de lectura rápida donde se utiliza para localizar el sentido general de la lectura o cierta parte de ella.
Consiste en dar una lectura rápida, identificando ideas o frases claves; no es necesario leer cada palabra del texto. Se lee la primera oración de cada párrafo y se trata de identificar las frases o palabras clave de cada uno de ellos. Al final se extraen y se anotan a fin de descubrir la idea general del texto.
* Utilizar la tecnica de Skimming para descubrir la ideas principales del siguiente articulo:
COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS
Learning computer and Internet concepts is partly about learning new terms. So let's start with the most basic term of all—computer.
UNDERSTANDING THE COMPUTER:
BASIC DEFINITIONS
A computer is a machine that performs four basic operations: input, processing, output, and storage. Together, these four operations are called the information-processing cycle. Input, processing, output, storage—that's what computers do. The processing function relies on input; output depends on the results of processing; and storage is where output may be kept for later use. Because these operations depend on one another, the information-processing cycle is always performed in order.
You'll often hear the term computer system, which is normally shortened to system. This term is more inclusive than computer. A computer system is a collection of related components that have been designed to work together. These components can be broken down into two major categories: hardware and software. A computer system's hardware includes the physical components of the computer, including the system unit itself, as well as keyboards, monitors, speakers, and so on.
In order for a computer system's hard-ware to function, a computer needs a program. A program is a list of instructions that tells the computer how to perform the four operations in the information-processing cycle to accomplish a task. Software includes all of the programs that give the computer its instructions. You can divide software into two categories: system software and application software. System software includes all of the programs that help the computer function properly. The most important type of system software is the computer's operating system (OS), such as Microsoft Windows. Other parts of the system software include system utilities such as Help and antivirus programs. Application software consists of all of the programs you can use to perform a task, including word-processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, e-mail, and Web browser software.
To better understand how computer system components are interrelated, you might compare a computer system with an aquarium. The computer hardware is like the fish tank, the operating system is like the water, and the software applications are like the fish. You wouldn't put fish in an empty aquarium. Fish can't survive without water, just as software applications can't function without an operating system. And without the water and fish, an aquarium is an empty box, just like computer hardware isn't much use without an operating system and applications.
Now that we have the basic terms under our belt, let's take a closer look at the operations in the information-processing cycle (input, processing, output, and storage) and at the hardware devices involved in each step.
INPUT:
GETTING DATA INTO THE COMPUTER.
In the first operation, called input, the computer accepts data. The term data refers to unorganized raw facts, which can be made up of words, numbers, images, sounds, or a combination of these.
Input devices enable you to enter data into the computer for processing. The most common input devices are the keyboard and mouse, microphones, disk drives, and devices such as scanners and digital cameras offer other ways of getting data into the computer.
PROCESSING:
TRANSFORMING DATA INTO INFORMATION.
In the second operation, called processing, computers transform data into information. Information is data that have been simplified and organized in a way that people can use. During processing, the computer's processing circuitry, called the central processing unit (CPU) or microprocessor (or just processor for short), performs operations on the input data. The processor is located within the computer system's case, also called the system unit. Even though the CPU is often referred to as the "brain" of the computer, computers don't really "think" at all. They are only capable of simple, repetitive processing actions organized into an algorithm—a series of steps that result in the solution to a problem.
Because the CPU needs to juggle multiple input/output requests at the same time, it uses memory chips to store program instructions and data. Memory is essential to the smooth operation of the CPU. A typical computer includes several different types of memory, but the most important of these is random access memory (RAM), which temporarily stores the programs and data with which the CPU interacts.
OUTPUT:
DISPLAYING INFORMATION
In the third operation, called output, the computer provides the results of the processing operation in a way that people can understand. Output devices show the results of processing operations. The most common output devices are monitors and printers, or. if the computer is processing sounds, you may hear the results on the computer's speakers.
STORAGE:
HOLDING PROGRAMS AND DATA FOR FUTURE USE
In the fourth operation, called storage, the computer saves the results of processing to be used again later. Storage devices hold all of the programs and data that the computer system uses. Most computers are equipped with the following storage devices: a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, and a CD-ROM drive and/or DVD-ROM drive. These devices are commonly not removable and are mounted inside the system unit.
Although communications hasn't traditionally been a part of the information-processing cycle, it can be considered an additional step in the process.
COMMUNICATIONS:
MOVING DATA BETWEEN COMPUTERS
Communications, which is often the fifth operation in the information-processing cycle, involves moving data within the computer or between computers. To move data between computers, communications devices are necessary. Communications devices enable computers to connect to a computer network. A network is a group of two or more computer systems connected together, usually for the purpose of sharing input/output devices and other resources.
Most computers are equipped with a modem, a communications device that enables the computer to access other com-puters and the Internet via telephone lines, cable, and even wireless connections. Most modems are housed inside the system unit.
in a typical computer system, let's look at an example of how the computer uses the basic functions of input, processing, output, and storage.
THE INFORMATION-PROCESSING CYCLE IN ACTION
Even if you haven't wondered what goes on "behind the scenes" when using a computer, the following example illustrates your role and the computer's role in each step of the information-processing cycle.
•Input. You've just finished writing a research paper for one of your classes. You think it's probably riddled with misspellings and grammatical errors, so you run your word-processing program's spell checker on it. In this example, your entire word-processed document is the input.
•Processing. A spell checker makes use of the computer's ability to perform very simple processing operations at very high speeds. To check your document's spelling, the program begins by constructing a list of all of the words in your document. Then it compares these words, one by one, with a huge list of correctly spelled words. If you've used a word that isn't in the dictionary, the program puts the word into a list of apparent misspellings.
Note that the computer isn't really "checking spelling" when it performs this operation. The computer can't check your spelling because it doesn't possess the intelligence to do so. All it can do is tell you which of the words you've used aren't in the dictionary. Ultimately, only you can decide whether a given word is misspelled.
•Output. The result of the processing operation is a list of apparent misspellings. The word apparent is important here because the program doesn't actually know whether the word is misspelled. It is able to tell only that these words aren't in its massive, built-in dictionary. But many correctly spelled words, such as proper nouns (the names of people and places), aren't likely to be found in the computer's dictionary. For this reason, the program won't make any changes without asking you to confirm them.
•Storage. Once you've corrected the spelling in your document, you save or store the revised document to disk.
In sum, computers transform data (here, a document full of misspellings) into information (a document that is free of misspellings).
Up to this point, we've been talking about computers in general. We now need to examine the specific types of computers used in a wide variety of tasks and job situations.
Consiste en dar una lectura rápida, identificando ideas o frases claves; no es necesario leer cada palabra del texto. Se lee la primera oración de cada párrafo y se trata de identificar las frases o palabras clave de cada uno de ellos. Al final se extraen y se anotan a fin de descubrir la idea general del texto.
* Utilizar la tecnica de Skimming para descubrir la ideas principales del siguiente articulo:
COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS
Learning computer and Internet concepts is partly about learning new terms. So let's start with the most basic term of all—computer.
UNDERSTANDING THE COMPUTER:
BASIC DEFINITIONS
A computer is a machine that performs four basic operations: input, processing, output, and storage. Together, these four operations are called the information-processing cycle. Input, processing, output, storage—that's what computers do. The processing function relies on input; output depends on the results of processing; and storage is where output may be kept for later use. Because these operations depend on one another, the information-processing cycle is always performed in order.
You'll often hear the term computer system, which is normally shortened to system. This term is more inclusive than computer. A computer system is a collection of related components that have been designed to work together. These components can be broken down into two major categories: hardware and software. A computer system's hardware includes the physical components of the computer, including the system unit itself, as well as keyboards, monitors, speakers, and so on.
In order for a computer system's hard-ware to function, a computer needs a program. A program is a list of instructions that tells the computer how to perform the four operations in the information-processing cycle to accomplish a task. Software includes all of the programs that give the computer its instructions. You can divide software into two categories: system software and application software. System software includes all of the programs that help the computer function properly. The most important type of system software is the computer's operating system (OS), such as Microsoft Windows. Other parts of the system software include system utilities such as Help and antivirus programs. Application software consists of all of the programs you can use to perform a task, including word-processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, e-mail, and Web browser software.
To better understand how computer system components are interrelated, you might compare a computer system with an aquarium. The computer hardware is like the fish tank, the operating system is like the water, and the software applications are like the fish. You wouldn't put fish in an empty aquarium. Fish can't survive without water, just as software applications can't function without an operating system. And without the water and fish, an aquarium is an empty box, just like computer hardware isn't much use without an operating system and applications.
Now that we have the basic terms under our belt, let's take a closer look at the operations in the information-processing cycle (input, processing, output, and storage) and at the hardware devices involved in each step.
INPUT:
GETTING DATA INTO THE COMPUTER.
In the first operation, called input, the computer accepts data. The term data refers to unorganized raw facts, which can be made up of words, numbers, images, sounds, or a combination of these.
Input devices enable you to enter data into the computer for processing. The most common input devices are the keyboard and mouse, microphones, disk drives, and devices such as scanners and digital cameras offer other ways of getting data into the computer.
PROCESSING:
TRANSFORMING DATA INTO INFORMATION.
In the second operation, called processing, computers transform data into information. Information is data that have been simplified and organized in a way that people can use. During processing, the computer's processing circuitry, called the central processing unit (CPU) or microprocessor (or just processor for short), performs operations on the input data. The processor is located within the computer system's case, also called the system unit. Even though the CPU is often referred to as the "brain" of the computer, computers don't really "think" at all. They are only capable of simple, repetitive processing actions organized into an algorithm—a series of steps that result in the solution to a problem.
Because the CPU needs to juggle multiple input/output requests at the same time, it uses memory chips to store program instructions and data. Memory is essential to the smooth operation of the CPU. A typical computer includes several different types of memory, but the most important of these is random access memory (RAM), which temporarily stores the programs and data with which the CPU interacts.
OUTPUT:
DISPLAYING INFORMATION
In the third operation, called output, the computer provides the results of the processing operation in a way that people can understand. Output devices show the results of processing operations. The most common output devices are monitors and printers, or. if the computer is processing sounds, you may hear the results on the computer's speakers.
STORAGE:
HOLDING PROGRAMS AND DATA FOR FUTURE USE
In the fourth operation, called storage, the computer saves the results of processing to be used again later. Storage devices hold all of the programs and data that the computer system uses. Most computers are equipped with the following storage devices: a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, and a CD-ROM drive and/or DVD-ROM drive. These devices are commonly not removable and are mounted inside the system unit.
Although communications hasn't traditionally been a part of the information-processing cycle, it can be considered an additional step in the process.
COMMUNICATIONS:
MOVING DATA BETWEEN COMPUTERS
Communications, which is often the fifth operation in the information-processing cycle, involves moving data within the computer or between computers. To move data between computers, communications devices are necessary. Communications devices enable computers to connect to a computer network. A network is a group of two or more computer systems connected together, usually for the purpose of sharing input/output devices and other resources.
Most computers are equipped with a modem, a communications device that enables the computer to access other com-puters and the Internet via telephone lines, cable, and even wireless connections. Most modems are housed inside the system unit.
in a typical computer system, let's look at an example of how the computer uses the basic functions of input, processing, output, and storage.
THE INFORMATION-PROCESSING CYCLE IN ACTION
Even if you haven't wondered what goes on "behind the scenes" when using a computer, the following example illustrates your role and the computer's role in each step of the information-processing cycle.
•Input. You've just finished writing a research paper for one of your classes. You think it's probably riddled with misspellings and grammatical errors, so you run your word-processing program's spell checker on it. In this example, your entire word-processed document is the input.
•Processing. A spell checker makes use of the computer's ability to perform very simple processing operations at very high speeds. To check your document's spelling, the program begins by constructing a list of all of the words in your document. Then it compares these words, one by one, with a huge list of correctly spelled words. If you've used a word that isn't in the dictionary, the program puts the word into a list of apparent misspellings.
Note that the computer isn't really "checking spelling" when it performs this operation. The computer can't check your spelling because it doesn't possess the intelligence to do so. All it can do is tell you which of the words you've used aren't in the dictionary. Ultimately, only you can decide whether a given word is misspelled.
•Output. The result of the processing operation is a list of apparent misspellings. The word apparent is important here because the program doesn't actually know whether the word is misspelled. It is able to tell only that these words aren't in its massive, built-in dictionary. But many correctly spelled words, such as proper nouns (the names of people and places), aren't likely to be found in the computer's dictionary. For this reason, the program won't make any changes without asking you to confirm them.
•Storage. Once you've corrected the spelling in your document, you save or store the revised document to disk.
In sum, computers transform data (here, a document full of misspellings) into information (a document that is free of misspellings).
Up to this point, we've been talking about computers in general. We now need to examine the specific types of computers used in a wide variety of tasks and job situations.
SKIMMING
La idea principal del anterior articulo es practicamente la definición de lo que es una computadoras y la operaciones basicas que esta realiza: las entradas, salidas, procesamiento y almacenamiento de la información a estas cuatro operaciones se les llama el ciclo de procesamiento de la información.
De la misma forma desfine el concepto de sistema de computadoras y sus dos principales componentes : "Software y Hardware" .
Por ultimo se ejemplifica las operaciones basicas realizadas por una computadora a manera de comprender mejor estos conceptos.
