CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION COMPUTER SKILLS FOR LAWYERS

You should be familiar with the following areas

  • Meaning of Computer
  • Terminologies
  • History
  • Types of Computer
  • How to take care Computer
  • Protection of Computer from Malwares

1.1 MEANING OF COMPUTER

Computer is an electronic device, that manipulate information or data has the ability to restore, retrieve and process data.

OR

Is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory, that can accept data, process the data according to specified rules, produce results, and store the results for future use.

1.2 TERMINOLOGIES

1.2.1        Hardware

Is a part of computer which has physical structure. Computer hardware are the physical parts such as monitor, keyboard, computer storage, graphics card and motherboard.

1.2.2 Soft ware

This is a set of the instructions, data or programs used to operate computers and execute specific tasks. Opposite of hardware, which describes the physical aspects of a computer, software is a genetic term used to refer to applications, scripts and programs that run on a device.

1.2.3 Operating System (OS)

Is system software that manages computer hardware, software resources, and provides common services for computer programs. Time-sharing operating systems schedule tasks for efficient use of the system and may also include accounting software for cost allocation of processor time, mass storage, printing and other resources.

Types of Operating System

Is a group of several graphics operating system families, all of which are developed, marketed and sold by Microsoft

Is a family of open source unix-like operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux typically packed in a linux distribution. It sits underneath all of the other software on a computer, receiving requests from those programs and relaying these requests to the computer’s hardware

Developed by the American computer company Apple Inc. The OS was introduced in 1984 to run the company’s Macintosh line of personal computers (PCs). The Macintosh heralded the era of graphical user interface (GUI) systems, and it inspired Microsoft Corporation to develop its own GUI, the Windows OS.

1.3      HISTORY OF COMPUTER SYSTEM

The computer as we know it today had its beginning with a 19th century English mathematics professor name Charles Babbage. He designed the analytical Engine and it was this design that the basic framework of the computers of today are based on.

Generally speaking, computers can be classified into three generations. Each generation lasted for a certain period of time, and each gave us either a new and improved computer or an improvement to the existing computer.

1.3.1 First Generation: 1937-1946

In 1937 the first electronic digital computer was built by Dr.John V. Atanasoff and Clifford Berry. It was called the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC). In 1943 an electronic computer name the Colossus was built for the military. Other developments continued until in 1946 the first general-purpose digital computer, the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) was built. It is said that this computer weighed 30 tons, and had 18,000 vacuum tubes which was used for processing. When the computer was turned on for the first time lights dim in sections of Philadephia. Computers of this generation could only perform single task, and they had no operating system.

1.3.2 Second Generation: 1947-1962

This generation of computers used transistors instead of vacuum tubes which were more reliable. In 1951 the first computer for commercial use was introduced to the public; the Universal automatic Computer (UNIVAC). In 1953 the international Business Machine (IBM) 650 and 700 series computers made their mark in the computer world. During this generation of computers had memory and operating systems. Storage media such as tape and disk were in use also were printers for output.

1.3.3 Third Generation: 1963-present

The invention of integrated circuit brought us the third generation of computers. With this invention computers became smaller, more powerful more reliable and they are able to run many different programs at the same time. In 1980 Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-Dos) was born and in 1981 IBM introduced the personal computer (PC) for home and office use. Three years later Apple gave us the Macintosh computer with its icon driven interface and the 90s gave us windows operating system.

As a result of the various improvements to the development of the computer we have seen the computer being used in all areas of life. It is a very useful tool that will continue to experience new development as time passes.

1.4  TYPES OF COMPUTERS

1.4.1        Laptop (notebook)

Is a small, portable personal computer (PC) with a “clamshell” form factor, typically having a thin LCD or LED computer screen mounted on the inside of the upper lid of the Clamshell and an alphanumeric keyboard on the inside of the lower lid. The clamshell is opened up to use the computer. Laptops  are folded shut for transportation, and thus are suitable for mobile use.

1.4.2        Desktop

Is a person computer designed to regular use at a single location on or near a desk or table due to its size and power requirements. The most common configation has a case that houses the power supply, motherboard (a printed circuit board with a microprocessor as the central processing unit (CPU), memory, bus, and other electronic components, disk storage (usually one or more hard disk drives, and in early models afloppy disk drive; a keyboard and mouse for input and a computer monitor, speakers and often, a printer for output.

1.4.3        Smart Phones

Is a mobile that performs many of the functions of computer, typically having a touch screen interfance, internet access, and an operating system capable of running downloaded apps.

OR

Is a cellular telephone with an intergrated computerand other features not originally associated with telephones such as an operating system, web brossing, and the ability to run software applications.

1.4.4 Tablet

Is a mobile device, typically with a mobile operating system and touchscreen display processing circuitry, and a rechargeable battery in a single, thin and flat package. Tablets, being computers, do what other personal computers do, but lack some input/output abilities that other have.

1.4.5 Server

Is a computer that provides data to other computers. It may serve data systems on a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) over the internet. Many types of servers exist, including web servers, mail servers and file servers. Each type runs software specific to the purpose of the server.

1.5 TAKE CARE OF COMPUTER

  • Keep it physical clean
  • Keep it safe from malware
  • Backup your keyboard by using liquid
  • Clean your Screen
  • Don’t let water fall on your computer
  • If the computer touches water keep if off and rescue
  • Try to keep your computer cool because when over heated that might make it stop
  • Backup your Computer information by using external hard drives
  • Delete files that you don’t use

-Because the substantive law requires mechanism for their enforcement which established by the law of Civil Procedure. Lt us take this example, assume that a contract between A& B is breached. How does A get remedies under the Law of Contract Act? A has to go to Court. How does A go to the Court? If the judgment is given, how does A realize the cash? A  needs a Court Clerk. But how does A involve the court clerk? A will find out that the needs execution under Order XXI.

The conclusion is therefore that we need law of Civil Procedure in order to implement substantive Law.

1.6 PROTECTION OF COMPUTER FROM MALWARES

  • Antivirus
  • Anti Spyware
  • Restart your computer
  • Install the software updates
  • Use system restore