Hardware, Software & How It All Connects
Devices, Memory, Storage, Software Concepts & Networking Fundamentals
Ever wondered why your phone slows down when you have too many apps open? Or why some software is free and some costs hundreds of dollars? Or why your Wi-Fi drops at the worst possible moment? This session answers all of that — and gives you the vocabulary to talk about technology like someone who actually knows what they are doing.
Software — Proprietary vs Open Source
Application software is the stuff you actually use — WhatsApp, Microsoft Word, Instagram, Spotify. System software runs the device — your OS is the main example.
Proprietary software is owned by a company. You pay for a license to use it. Examples: Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Pro. Open source software is free, and its code is public — anyone can see, use, or modify it. Examples: Linux, VLC Media Player, LibreOffice, Firefox.
Open source does not mean low quality. Android — your phone's OS — is open source. So is the software that runs most of the world's internet servers.
TRY IT NOW · SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
On your device right now, name one app that is proprietary and one that is open source (or free to use). Hint: most apps from major companies are proprietary; many tools used in education are open source.
CPU, RAM and Storage
Use the chef / counter / fridge analogy:
- CPU (Central Processing Unit) = the chef. It processes every instruction. A faster CPU means a more powerful device.
- RAM (Random Access Memory) = the counter space. It holds everything the chef is currently working on. More RAM means more tasks at once without slowdown. When you close an app, it leaves the counter; when you turn off the device, the counter is wiped clean.
- Storage (HDD or SSD) = the fridge. Everything saved permanently — your photos, documents, installed apps. An SSD (Solid State Drive) is faster than an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). More storage means more room to keep things.
TRY IT NOW · THE SLOWDOWN MYSTERY
Your friend says their laptop is slow. You look and see they have 4GB of RAM and 50 tabs open in Chrome. What is the real problem, and what would you suggest?
Mobile OS vs Computer OS
Mobile OS (Android, iOS): designed for touchscreens and battery efficiency. Apps are downloaded from official stores (App Store, Google Play). Limited access to the file system. Optimised for smaller screens and portability.
Computer OS (Windows, macOS, Linux): full access to the file system. Multi-window, with keyboard and mouse as the primary input. More processing power for demanding tasks. Better for creating content — video editing, coding, design, large documents.
TRY IT NOW · WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE
You need to edit a 10-minute video for a school project. Would you use your phone or a computer? Give two reasons.
Networking Basics
A network is devices connected together to share data.
- LAN (Local Area Network) — devices connected in a small area, such as your home or school.
- WAN (Wide Area Network) — a large network. The internet is the world's biggest WAN.
- Wi-Fi — a wireless connection to a network. Convenient, but can be slower than wired.
- Ethernet — a wired connection. Faster and more stable; used in offices and gaming setups.
Your home network: the router receives internet from your ISP, broadcasts Wi-Fi, and your devices connect to it.
Troubleshooting when your Wi-Fi dies:
- Is Wi-Fi turned on on your device?
- Forget the network and reconnect.
- Restart your device.
- Restart the router — unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in.
- Check whether others on the same network have the same problem. If they do, it is the network, not your device.
- Contact your ISP.
TRY IT NOW · THE WI-FI TEST
Right now, check whether your device is connected to a network. Write down the network name, the connection type (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and one way you can verify you are actually connected to the internet — not just to the network.
Session Activity — Tech Spec Challenge
Look up the specs for the device you use most — phone, laptop, or tablet. Find the CPU model, the amount of RAM, and the storage capacity. Then answer: what would you upgrade first if you could, and why?
Key Vocabulary
| Term | What it means (in plain English) |
|---|---|
| Proprietary Software | Software owned by a company that requires a paid license to use. Example: Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop. |
| Open Source Software | Software whose code is publicly available — free to use, modify, and share. Example: Linux, Firefox, VLC. |
| CPU | Central Processing Unit — the brain of the device. Processes all instructions. |
| RAM | Random Access Memory — short-term working memory. Holds data the device is actively using. Wiped when the device turns off. |
| Storage (HDD/SSD) | Long-term memory — holds everything saved permanently. SSD is faster than HDD. |
| LAN | Local Area Network — devices connected in a limited area like a home or school. |
| WAN | Wide Area Network — a large network spanning cities, countries, or the world. The internet is a WAN. |
| Router | A device that connects your home or office network to the internet and manages traffic between devices. |
Check Your Understanding
Five practice questions in the Certiport IC3 GS6 exam format. Choose the correct answer, then check the key below.
| # | Question and options |
|---|---|
| 1 | Which of the following is an example of open source software? · A) Microsoft Word · B) Adobe Photoshop · C) Mozilla Firefox · D) Apple Final Cut Pro |
| 2 | What does RAM do in a computer? · A) Stores files permanently on the device · B) Processes all device instructions · C) Holds data the device is actively working on · D) Connects the device to the internet |
| 3 | Which storage type is generally faster? · A) HDD (Hard Disk Drive) · B) SSD (Solid State Drive) · C) USB Flash Drive · D) CD-ROM |
| 4 | What is a LAN? · A) A type of wireless internet connection · B) Devices connected in a limited area like a home or school · C) A wide network spanning multiple countries · D) A type of network cable |
| 5 | Your Wi-Fi is not working. What is the FIRST troubleshooting step? · A) Call your internet service provider · B) Buy a new router · C) Check that Wi-Fi is turned on on your device · D) Restart the router immediately |
Answer key: 1-C · 2-C · 3-B · 4-B · 5-C
Real Talk
Every tech job you can think of — IT support, network engineer, software developer, data analyst, cloud architect — requires understanding hardware, software, and networking. But it goes beyond tech jobs: when you run a business, you make decisions about what devices your team uses, what software you pay for, and how your office network is set up. The person who understands these fundamentals makes better decisions and saves money. That is you, after today.