Chapter 50 - Information Technology Flashcards
Computer
Electronic device that accepts information and instructions, processes them, and generates results
What are the advantages of a computer?
○Carry out tasks quickly
○Huge amounts of work completed in a short time
○Fewer staff required -> reduces wages bill
○Less mistakes
○Large amount of information can be stored on the computer’s memory
○Can be used for a variety of purposes
What are the disadvantages of a computer?
○Expensive
○Special training may have to be given to staff to use new software
○May cause redundancies
○Can crash -> bring business to a standstill
Hardware
Physical parts of the computer
What does the central processing unit of a computer do?
○Brains of the computer
○Controls operations and stores information
-Accepts information and instructions
-Uses the information to perform certain tasks
- Calculates results
What are the 3 main parts of the CPU?
- Control unit
- Arithmetical unit
- Memory Unit
What is the Visual Display Unit?
○The monitor
○The screen
What is the keyboard?
Used to type information on the computer screen
What is the mouse?
Hand device that allows the user to move the curser around the screen, highlight text, open/closefiles etc
What is the printer?
When connected to the computer, it can print a copy of information stored on a USB, CD or on the screen
What is the scanner?
○Allows user to scan or take a copy of a picture or text
○This is transferred onto the computer screen
What are the speakers?
To allow the user to listen to sound from the computer
Input unit
Refers to all methods used to input information into the computer
Output unit
Refers to all methods used to display information
What is ROM?
Read-only memory
○Permanent and can be used anytime the computer is on
○Information stored on ROM consisted of essential programmes needed for the computer to operate e.g. Windows 2010
What is RAM
Random Access Memory
○Information stored while the computer is on
○Data stored here is lost when computer is turned on
What should be taken into account when buying a new computer system?
- Is it necessary
- What is the total cost? Can we afford it?
- How will we pay
- Will specially trained staff be needed
- Will redundancies result? How will trade unions react?
- What after-sales service is available?
- Will we be able to use our existing software packages?
Broadband
Broad bandwith connection. Allows large amount of information to be transferred between computers at a high speed
Computer-aided design (CAD)
Use of computers and software to create plans for design of new building projects
Computer-aided manufacture (CAM)
Use of computers to control and operate machines and production systems
Computer viral
Short video shared around social media. May be dramatic or humorous to attract attention. Intended to market or advertise a particular product or service
Database
Filing system in a computer that allows information to be organised, stored and easily accessed when required
Desk top publishing (DTP)
Advanced wordprocessing computer package that allows users to create and output high-quality documents containing graphics, pics et cetera
Digital camera
Used in the normal way. But when connected to a computer, photos can be displayed on the screen, stored on CDs or are USB or printed
Graphics
Information presented on a computer in the form of graphs, charts or pictures
Hard copy
Information from the computer that had been printed out on paper
Hard drive
Part of the computer system that allows information to be stored and reused when required
Light pen
A device linked to the computer that enables the user to draw/transfer images onto the computer screen
Modem
Allows a computer to communicate directly with another computer over telephone line
Network
A number of computers connected to each other, which allows all of them to access information from one source
Podcast
Digital recording made available on the Internet for people to download
Programme
A set of instructions read and understood by the computer
Search engine
Computer program that can search through a list of programs, documents or Internet sites to find a specific keyword or information on topics
Software
Written set of instructions given to the computer to enable it to carry out various tasks
Spreadsheet
Used to prepare mathematical table such as accounts, stock records et cetera
Touchscreen
Visual display screen allows users to touch icons on the screen in order to give instructions to the computer
USB key
Universal Series Bus. It is a small, portable and easy to use device for storing large quantities of information from a computer
Virus
A programme designed to damage information and files stored on a computer
WebCam
Use in the same way as the videocamera. Images and sounds are taken and can be viewed on the screen
Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi)
Allows the computer to receive signals from the modem not directly connected to the computer — wireless connection. It receives the signal over airwaves
Wordprocessing
Using the computer to create text in the form of letters, is brochure is another documents
Proofreading
The process of checking the document for errors before it’s printed
