Computer Factors Flashcards
Describe the typical computer system.
- CPU
- Ram
- Storage
- Input Devices
- Output Devices
- Power Supply
- Operating System
Describe 3 types of input devices.
- KeyBoard
- Mouse
- Touch Screen
Describe 4 types of output devices.
- Monitor
- Printer
- Speaker
- Projector
Describe 3 forms of text entry.
- Physical Keyboard
- Touch Screen
- Voice Entry
Describe the following.
* Keypads
* Handwriting recognition
* Speech recognition
Include the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Advantages of Keypads:
- They are simple and intuitive to use, and most people are familiar with them.
- They are relatively inexpensive to produce and maintain.
- They are usually compact and do not require much space.
- They provide tactile feedback, which can help users to confirm their inputs.
Disadvantages of Keypads:
- They can be limiting in terms of the number of characters or commands that can be entered.
- They may be prone to wear and tear over time, especially with frequent use.
- They may not be suitable for individuals with certain physical disabilities, such as those with limited hand dexterity.
Handwriting Recognition:
Handwriting recognition is the ability of a computer or device to interpret and convert handwritten text or symbols into digital format. It is used in various applications such as note-taking, document processing, and digital signatures.
Advantages of Handwriting Recognition:
- It allows for natural and intuitive input, as users can write in their own handwriting.
- It can be more efficient than typing, especially for those who are comfortable with handwriting.
- It can be useful for capturing handwritten notes and annotations in digital form.
Disadvantages of Handwriting Recognition:
- It may require some training or calibration to achieve accurate recognition.
- It may struggle with certain handwriting styles or illegible handwriting.
- It may not be suitable for certain applications, such as those that require precise formatting or layout.
Speech Recognition:
Speech recognition is the ability of a computer or device to interpret and convert spoken words into digital format. It is used in various applications such as virtual assistants, dictation software, and voice commands.
Advantages of Speech Recognition:
- It allows for hands-free input, which can be useful in certain situations such as driving or multitasking.
- It can be faster and more efficient than typing or writing for some users.
- It can be useful for individuals with certain physical disabilities, such as those with limited hand mobility.
Disadvantages of Speech Recognition:
- It may require training or calibration to achieve accurate recognition, especially for individuals with certain accents or speech impediments.
- It may struggle with background noise or other sources of interference.
- It may not be suitable for applications that require privacy or discretion, as spoken input may be overheard by others.
Give two examples of devices that utilize handwriting recognition.
- Smartphones & Tablets
- Electronic Signature pads
Describe the two types of numeric keypads.
- External
- Embedded
With respect to positioning and pointing describe the following.
* Mouse
* Touchpad
* Trackball & Thumbwheel
* Joystick & Keyboard Nipple
* Touchscreens
* Stylus
* Digitized Tablet
* Eye gaze
* Cursor Keys
Include the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Mouse:
Positioning: The mouse is positioned on a flat surface, usually next to a computer keyboard. It is moved by the user’s hand to control the on-screen cursor.
Advantages: Provides precise pointing control for desktop applications, good for graphic design and gaming.
Disadvantages: Requires a flat surface, not ideal for laptop use or use on-the-go.
Touchpad:
Positioning: The touchpad is built into a laptop or standalone touchpad device and is located below the keyboard or in front of the laptop.
Advantages: Ideal for laptop use, doesn’t require a flat surface, provides precise pointing control.
Disadvantages: Can be less intuitive to use for some users, not ideal for graphic design or gaming.
Trackball & Thumbwheel:
Positioning: The trackball and thumbwheel are stationary pointing devices that are manipulated with the fingers.
Advantages: Can be more comfortable for some users than a mouse or touchpad, doesn’t require a flat surface, good for gaming.
Disadvantages: Can be less precise than a mouse or touchpad, not ideal for graphic design.
Joystick & Keyboard Nipple:
Positioning: Joysticks and keyboard nipples are often built into laptops or handheld devices and are located in the center of the keyboard or below the keyboard.
Advantages: Ideal for gaming and precision pointing control, doesn’t require a flat surface.
Disadvantages: Can be less intuitive to use for some users, not ideal for graphic design.
Touchscreens:
Positioning: Touchscreens are built into devices such as smartphones and tablets and require the user’s finger or a stylus to interact with the screen.
Advantages: Intuitive and easy to use for most users, good for on
What is a page description languages used for? Give an example.
used to describe graphical elements of a document. e.g. Text, images, graphics
Describe two types of scanner.
- flat bed
- sheet
What is OCR?
Optical character recognition
With respect to memory, compare and contrast HDD vs SSD.
Technology: HDDs use spinning disks or platters to store data magnetically, while SSDs use flash memory chips to store data electronically. This means that HDDs have moving parts that can wear out over time, while SSDs have no moving parts and are generally more reliable.
Speed: SSDs are generally faster than HDDs, with faster read and write speeds and quicker access times. This makes SSDs ideal for applications that require fast data transfer, such as gaming, video editing, and other high-performance tasks.
Capacity: HDDs typically offer more storage capacity than SSDs, with sizes ranging up to several terabytes (TB). However, SSDs are available in larger sizes than before and can now offer up to several terabytes.
Durability: Due to their moving parts, HDDs are more susceptible to damage from drops, vibrations, and other physical shocks. SSDs, on the other hand, are more durable and less prone to damage from physical shocks.
Price: SSDs are generally more expensive than HDDs, especially when it comes to higher capacity models. However, the prices have been declining gradually over time and now there are several cost-effective options available.
With respect to memory, compare and contrast STM versus LTM
Capacity: STM has a limited capacity, typically around 7 items or chunks of information, whereas LTM has a virtually unlimited capacity to store information.
Duration: STM has a very short duration, usually around 20-30 seconds, while LTM can last for days, months, or even years.
Mode of processing: STM processes information in a shallow, temporary, and mainly acoustic way, while LTM processes information in a deeper, more permanent, and semantic way.
Retrieval: STM can be retrieved quickly and easily, while LTM can take longer to retrieve, especially if the information is not rehearsed or used frequently.
Encoding: STM uses primarily acoustic and visual encoding, while LTM uses a variety of encoding types such as semantic, visual, and acoustic.
Vulnerability: STM is more vulnerable to interference and decay, meaning that new information can easily replace or disrupt the old information, while LTM is more stable and resistant to interference and decay.
Describe what is meant by too slow and too fast when discussing processing speed.
“Too slow” refers to a processing speed that is insufficient for the task at hand, while “too fast” refers to a processing speed that exceeds the requirements of the task at hand.
Describe the 4 limitations of interactive performance.
Human Factors: Interactive performance can be limited by factors such as the user’s physical and cognitive abilities, as well as their experience and skill level.
Hardware: Interactive performance can be limited by the hardware used, including the processing power, memory, and graphics capabilities of the computer or device.
Software: Interactive performance can be limited by the software used, including the complexity of the program, the quality of the code, and the efficiency of the algorithms.
Network: Interactive performance can be limited by the network used, including the speed, reliability, and bandwidth of the internet or other communication networks used to transmit data between the user and the system.
