Problem: You are a college student currently enrolled in ...



Problem: You are a college student currently enrolled in an introductory computer class. Your assignment is to prepare a short research paper (350-400 words) about a computer component. The requirements are that the paper be presented according to the MLA documentation style and have three references. One of the three references must be from the Web and formatted as a hyperlink on the Works Cited page. You prepare the paper shown in Figure 2-80, which discusses the system unit.

The System Unit

The system unit is a case that houses the electronic components of the computer used to process data. Although many system units resemble a box, they are available in many shapes and sizes. The case of the system unit, sometimes called a chassis, is made of metal or plastic and protects the internal electronic components from damage. All computers have a system unit (Alvarez 102).

Components of the system unit include the processor, memory modules, adapter cards, drive bays, power supply, ports, and connectors. The processor interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a computer. A memory module houses memory chips. An adapter card is a circuit board that provides connections and functions not built into the motherboard.1 A drive bay holds a disk drive. The power supply allows electricity to travel into a computer. On a personal computer, the electronic components and most storage devices reside inside the system unit. Other devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, microphone, monitor, printer, speakers, scanner, and digital camera, normally occupy space outside the system unit (How to Use a Computer). On a desktop personal computer, the system unit usually is a device separate from the monitor and keyboard. Some system units sit on top of a desk. Other models, called tower models, can stand vertically on the floor.

1 According to Wilson, four adapter cards most commonly found in desktop personal

computers today are sound cards, modem cards, video cards, and network cards (18-32).

To conserve space, an all-in-one computer houses the system unit in the same physical case as the monitor. On notebook computers, the keyboard and pointing device often occupy the area on the top of the system unit. The display attaches to the system unit by hinges. The system unit on a PDA (personal digital assistant) or handheld computer usually consumes the entire device. On these small mobile devices, the display is part of the system unit, too.

Works Cited

Alvarez, Juan. Understanding Computer Basics: Stepping Toward Literacy. Chicago: Martin Publishing, 2005.

How to Use a Computer. Shelly Cashman Series®. Course Technology. 3 Aug. 2005. wd2003/pr2/wc1.htm.

Wilson, Tracey M. “Personal Computers and their Applications.” Computing and Information Systems Weekly May 2005: 18-32.

Instructions:

1. If necessary, display formatting marks on the screen.

2. Change all margins to one inch.

3. Adjust line spacing to double.

4. Create a header to number pages.

5. Type the name and course information at the left margin. Center and type the title.

6. Set first-line indent for paragraphs in the body of the research paper.

7. Type the body of the paper as shown in Figure 2-80a and Figure 2-80b. Add the footnote as shown in Figure 2-80a. At the end of the body of the research paper, press the ENTER key and then insert a manual page break.

8. Create the works cited page (Figure 2-80c).

9. Check the spelling of the paper at once.

10. Save the document on a floppy disk using Lab 2-1 System Unit Paper as the file name.

11. Use the Select Browse Object button to go to page 3. If you have access to the Web, CTRL+click the hyperlink to test it.

12. Print the research paper. Handwrite the number of words, paragraphs, and characters in the research paper above the title of your printed research paper.

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