Electronic Communications

Question 1

Give 4 advantages of email

Answer 1

• Quick, easy and convenient communication worldwide
• Widespread usage
• Emails can be saved as record of correspondence
• Documents can be attached and edited

Question 2

Give 5 disadvantages of email

Answer 2

• Some messages can be misinterpreted
• Spamming of commercial emails
• Privacy/security concerns as messages can be intercepted
• Limitation on size of attachments
• Systems can crash and files lost

Question 3

What does EDI stand for?

Answer 3

Electronic data interchange

Question 4

What is EDI?

Answer 4

Way for companies to do ‘paperless’ business by transferring documents through a computer network

Question 5

Give 4 advantages of EDI

Answer 5

• Saves money as no need to process paper documents
• Saves time as information is transferred digitally
• Improves customer service as documents are transferred quickly with few errors
• Expands customer base

Question 6

Give 4 disadvantages of EDI

Answer 6

• Incompatibility with some companies due to document formats
• Standards updated regularly
• Expensive initial set up
• Only trade to companies with EDI

Question 7

What is LAN?

Answer 7

A network that operates over a small area e.g. single office

Question 8

Give 5 advantages of LAN

Answer 8

• Speed (Sharing and transferring files rapidly)
• Cost (Networkable versions of software are relatively cheap)
• Security (Sensitive files are password protected)
• Resource sharing (Resources such as printers and modems can be shared)
• Workgroup computing (Allows users to work on a document concurrently)

Question 9

Give 4 disadvantages of LAN

Answer 9

• Faults (Network faults can cause loss of data)
• Users (User work dependent on network)
• Misuse (System open to hackers)
• Resources (Printers and scanners can be too far from users)

Question 10

Give 4 advantages of the internet

Answer 10

• Communication (Fast and reliable communications)
• Information (‘Treasure trove’ of information)
• Services (Banking)
• E-Commerce (Online shopping)

Question 11

Give 3 disadvantages of the internet

Answer 11

• Theft of personal information (Danger of identity theft)
• Spamming (Receiving unsolicited emails)
• Virus threat (Disrupts the functioning of computer systems)

Question 12

What is videoconference?

Answer 12

Allows you who or more locations to interact using two-way video and audio transmissions

Question 13

Give 4 advantages of videoconferencing

Answer 13

• Eliminates need for travel, saving time and money
• Visual information can be communicated
• Accelerates the decision making process
• Remote diagnostics

Question 14

Give 4 disadvantages of videoconferencing

Answer 14

• Synchronisation of time of meeting in different time zones
• Connection can often fail
• Lack of eye contact can hinder conversation
• ‘Camera shyness’ can hinder presentations