Function & Use of Digital Devices

Question 1

What is a personal computer?

Answer 1

A personal computer is a general-purpose computing device that is small and cheap enough for it to be used by individuals.

Question 2

What are personal computers capable of?

Answer 2

Personal computers are capable of performing most common computing tasks. By installing new software applications, they can perform completely new functions.

Question 3

What components do personal computers contain?

Answer 3

Personal computers contain individual processors, RAM and hard disk components, along with expansion ports. This makes it easy to upgrade the device to add additional capabilities.

Question 4

What are some examples of personal computers?

Answer 4

Examples of personal computers include desktops and laptops.

Question 5

What are some common uses for personal computers in the workplace?

Answer 5

In the workplace, personal computers are often used for word processing, desktop publishing, spreadsheets and database management systems. They’re also popular for creative tasks like graphics, music and film editing.

Question 6

Why are personal computers useful for creative tasks?

Answer 6

Personal computers are useful for creative tasks due to the wide availability of software, good processing capabilities and the range of available input devices.

Question 7

What are some common uses for personal computers in our personal lives?

Answer 7

In our personal lives, personal computers are commonly used for accessing the internet, such as surfing the web and email. They’re also used for gaming.

Question 8

What is a server?

Answer 8

A server is a computer that manages access to different resources and services over a network. Other devices, like personal computers, connect to the server to form a network and access the resources and services it provides.

Question 9

How are servers similar to personal computers?

Answer 9

As a device, servers are actually very similar to personal computers. However, they commonly contain a larger storage capacity, higher processing power and larger amount of memory.

Question 10

What are some examples of servers?

Answer 10

Examples of servers include web servers, mail servers, file servers and print servers.

Question 11

What is the use of a web server?

Answer 11

Web servers are used to manage access to web pages. They store web pages and associated files and send them back to the client when requested.

Question 12

What is the use of a mail server?

Answer 12

Mail servers manage access to email. They send emails across the network to the recipient’s mail server where they are stored in their mailbox. When the recipient logs into their email client, the mail server forwards the email to their computer.

Question 13

What is the use of a file server?

Answer 13

File servers store files such as word processing documents and spreadsheets so that they can be accessed from any computer on the network. Cloud storage is an example of where files are stored on a file server.

Question 14

What is the use of a print server?

Answer 14

Print servers are used to share access to a printer. By using a print server, files can be sent to print from any computer on the network without needing a printer for every computer.

Question 15

What is a mobile device?

Answer 15

A mobile device is a computing device that is designed to be portable by being compact, lightweight and capable of running for extended periods on battery power. They’re also almost always capable of connecting to the internet wirelessly.

Question 16

What is System-on-a-Chip?

Answer 16

System-on-a-Chip is a key feature of mobile devices that helps make them more compact and reduces power consumption. It integrates all the core components of the computer onto a single chip, including the CPU, GPU and RAM.

Question 17

Can mobile devices be upgraded?

Answer 17

System-on-a-Chip makes it difficult to upgrade a mobile device as all the components are integrated on the chip. It’s not like a laptop or PC where individual components can be taken out and replaced.

Question 18

What are some examples of mobile devices?

Answer 18

Examples of mobile devices include tablets and smartphones.

Question 19

What are some common uses for mobile devices?

Answer 19

Mobile devices are general-purpose devices and can perform most common computing tasks by installing different software applications or ‘apps’. The most common use is to access the internet while on the go, such as for web browsing and email access. They’re also used for playing games and organizational functions like keeping a diary of events.

Question 20

Are there any limitations to using mobile devices?

Answer 20

Mobile devices almost always use a touchscreen as the sole input, which makes them not practical for tasks like word processing. Also, their limited processing capabilities make them not practical for graphically intensive tasks like high-end gaming and film editing.

Question 21

What is an entertainment system?

Answer 21

An entertainment system is a computing device that is designed to entertain, such as watching television, listening to music and playing video games. They usually contain good hard disk storage for storing media and have built-in internet connectivity capabilities for downloading new media and accessing streaming and online gaming services.

Question 22

What are some examples of entertainment systems?

Answer 22

Examples of entertainment systems include digital media players, mp3 players and video game consoles.

Question 23

What is the use of a digital media player?

Answer 23

Digital media players allow us to stream digital media such as films, TV, music and images from over a network. Portable media players are similar but instead of streaming, we download the media to the device and play it off the device’s hard disk.

Question 24

What is the use of an mp3 player?

Answer 24

MP3 players are used to access and listen to thousands of music tracks on a small portable device. MP4 players can also play video. They can also be used to listen to podcasts or other forms of auditory media.

Question 25

What is the use of a video game console?

Answer 25

Video game consoles allow us to play video games. We can even use the internet to play games with and against other players from all around the world.

Question 26

What is a navigation system?

Answer 26

A navigation system is a digital device that uses GPS (Global Positioning System) to provide a real-time map of our current location and includes route planning tools to give us directions to a chosen destination. They often have added features such as identifying traffic, roadworks and accidents that might delay our journey.

Question 27

What is an example of a navigation system?

Answer 27

An example of a navigation system is an in-car satnav. These are commonly used instead of traditional maps to help direct us along the fastest route on our car journey. They can be integrated directly into the car’s dashboard or be in a standalone device.

Question 28

Are there other devices that can be used as navigation systems?

Answer 28

Nowadays we often see navigation systems built into smartphones to be used when driving, walking, cycling and taking public transport. For many people, standalone satnav devices have been completely replaced by their smartphones.

Question 29

What is a multifunctional device?

Answer 29

A multifunctional device, sometimes known as an MFD, is one that is capable of performing more than one specific function. We also often refer to these as multifunctional peripherals.

Question 30

What is an example of a multifunctional device?

Answer 30

Examples of multifunctional devices include multifunctional printers, touchscreens and force-feedback game controllers.

Question 31

What is the use of a multifunctional printer?

Answer 31

A multifunctional printer is a device that usually combines printing, scanning and faxing functions all into a single device. These are particularly popular for use in home offices for people who work from home and do not have the space or money for three separate devices.

Question 32

What is the use of a touchscreen?

Answer 32

Touchscreens are used on tablet devices to allow users to input without a separate keyboard or mouse. The screen the user views on is also how they input, by touching objects on the screen or by using an onscreen keyboard.

Question 33

What is the use of a force-feedback game controller?

Answer 33

Force-feedback game controllers are used on games consoles to allow users to control the game and receive vibration output. The vibration output is usually designed to improve the immersive experience of the game.

Question 34

What is a digital camera?

Answer 34

A digital camera is a device that is capable of taking photo and video and recording it as digital data. It does this by using a grid of photosensors that convert light into digital pixels that our computer can store.

Question 35

What are megapixels?

Answer 35

When we refer to a camera having a certain number of ‘megapixels’ (million pixels), this refers to the number of individual pixels of color that are used to record an image. The more megapixels a camera uses to record an image, the higher quality the image is.

Question 36

How do digital cameras store pictures and videos?

Answer 36

Most digital camera devices contain a built-in memory card slot to store the digital pictures and videos directly on the digital camera device. The memory card is removable, allowing us to transfer the pictures and videos to another device such as a laptop for storage and display.

Question 37

What are some examples of digital cameras?

Answer 37

Examples of digital cameras include digital still cameras and digital video cameras.

Question 38

What are some uses for digital cameras?

Answer 38

One use of digital cameras is to allow us to share pictures and videos using a computer. We often upload them to social networking profiles or send them as email attachments. We can also edit the pictures and videos on our computer using photo and video editing software.

Question 39

What are data capture and collection systems?

Answer 39

Data capture and collection systems input and store data through methods other than direct data entry. The data is entered as a result of a related activity, allowing it to be entered into a computer system directly during the data capture stage and reducing the number of human error issues.

Question 40

What are some examples of data capture and collection systems?

Answer 40

Examples of data capture and collection systems include barcode scanners, optical mark readers (OMR) and magnetic ink character readers (MICR).

Question 41

What is the use of a barcode scanner?

Answer 41

Barcode scanners capture data by reading the widths of dark and light bars. When the barcode is read, it matches it to a database of products on the computer and returns information such as the price of the product. They are often used at EPOS tills in shops such as supermarkets.

Question 42

What is the use of an optical mark reader (OMR)?

Answer 42

OMR is used for inputting pre-printed forms such as lottery tickets. The OMR device can detect what numbers have been selected from the marks’ location on the form.

Question 43

What is the use of a magnetic ink character reader (MICR)?

Answer 43

MICR is used for verifying that cheques are legitimate. A special kind of magnetized ink is used to write a code on the bottom of a cheque. The MICR device reads the magnetic field of the characters to read the code and ensure it is a legitimate cheque.

Question 44

What is a communication device?

Answer 44

A communication device is used to move data between two other devices, such as two computers. It has become almost essential for all our computing systems to be able to communicate with each other, such as through the internet or other smaller networks.

Question 45

How do communication devices transmit data?

Answer 45

Communication devices allow us to transmit data between devices over a network in various ways. Sometimes through wired cabling, sometimes wirelessly.

Question 46

What are some examples of communication devices?

Answer 46

Examples of communication devices include network interface cards (NIC), wireless dongles and routers.

Question 47

What is the use of a wireless dongle?

Answer 47

Wireless dongles allow us to either transfer data to a router wirelessly as part of a local area network or connect to a mobile broadband network. We commonly use these with laptops. WiFi and even mobile broadband connectivity are often integrated directly into mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.

Question 48

What is the use of a router?

Answer 48

A router directs data to its correct destination over a large network. Wherever two networks meet, a router is required to direct the data in the right direction along the next network in order to reach its destination. We probably use a router at home to allow multiple different devices in our house to connect to the same internet connection.

Question 49

How have digital devices impacted education and training?

Answer 49

Digital devices have had major impacts on the way we learn, both inside and outside of the classroom. They have introduced new tools and methods for teaching and learning.

Question 50

What is an interactive whiteboard?

Answer 50

Interactive whiteboards are used by teachers to support teaching in front of a class. They are multifunctional devices that display output on the screen and also take input as a touchscreen to write notes and input commands.

Question 51

How have digital devices changed the way we socialize?

Answer 51

Digital devices have changed the way we socialize by introducing online tools for communicating with friends and family, such as social networking sites. These have made digital devices a fundamental part of keeping in touch with others.

Question 52

How do we use social networking sites?

Answer 52

We use personal computers and mobile devices to access social networking sites like Facebook to socialize with friends and family. These sites allow us to create networks of friends, share our views, opinions, life events and photos, and message people directly.

Question 53

What are some drawbacks of social networking?

Answer 53

Some drawbacks of social networking include being seen as distracting and time-consuming, which can affect productivity in the workplace. Some also believe it has reduced the amount of face-to-face interaction we have on a daily basis.

Question 54

What is instant messaging?

Answer 54

Instant messaging software allows us to hold real-time text-based conversations with others. It has replaced older SMS text messaging on phones for many people due to being cheaper, allowing group messages and the ability to attach files.

Question 55

What is proprietary instant messaging?

Answer 55

Instant messaging is proprietary, meaning you need the person you are messaging with to have the same IM app as you. This can lock you into a type of device if the app isn’t available on other devices.

Question 56

What is VoIP?

Answer 56

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a type of software that allows us to have real-time voice and video conversations. Skype is a popular example of this kind of software.

Question 57

Why has VoIP become popular?

Answer 57

VoIP has become popular as an alternative to traditional phone calls due to its ability to have video along with voice, hold group conversations and being much cheaper (most VoIP software is free to use). It’s particularly useful for keeping in touch with family and friends living in other countries.

Question 58

How have digital devices transformed retail?

Answer 58

Retail has been transformed by digital devices. Inside a traditional shop, data capture and collection systems are used at the till. Digital devices are also used in retail for selling online, ordering stock and many other reasons.

Question 59

What is an Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS)?

Answer 59

An Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) is a computerized checkout till that uses digital devices to record sales and take payment for those sales. Examples include barcode readers, optical mark readers, magnetic ink character readers and chip and pin devices.

Question 60

What are the benefits of using an EPOS system?

Answer 60

Using an EPOS system makes the sales process quicker and more efficient. It reduces errors as staff don’t need to manually record sales and calculate total costs. Self-service EPOS systems save the business money and customers time by reducing the need for sales assistants at every till.

Question 61

How do shops use personal computers and servers for stock management?

Answer 61

Shops use personal computers and servers for stock management by connecting database management systems on servers to EPOS systems. When a product is sold, the information is sent to the server and the database is updated with the new reduced stock level. The system can also order new stock automatically.

Question 62

What are the benefits of using a stock management system?

Answer 62

Using a stock management system automates much of the process of monitoring stock and making orders, reducing the need for administrative staff and saving the business money. It also helps reduce human error in recording stock levels and ensures that shops don’t run out or order too much stock.

Question 63

How do shops use online retail websites?

Answer 63

Many shops have online retail websites or e-commerce sites that they use to sell and advertise their products over the internet. To run an online website, a business needs a web server to host the site and a personal computer to develop and maintain it.

Question 64

What are some benefits of using online retail websites?

Answer 64

Using online retail websites allows businesses to sell their products to a worldwide audience and make sales 24/7. It’s also cheaper than setting up a brick-and-mortar store.

Question 65

How do businesses use digital devices to be more efficient?

Answer 65

Businesses use digital devices in many areas to make themselves more efficient. Whether it is through holding meetings, managing finances or writing reports, digital devices play a very important role.

Question 66

How do businesses use digital devices for administration?

Answer 66

Businesses use spreadsheets and accounting software to manage their finances and personal computers to produce documents using word processors, desktop publishing and presentation software. They also use communication devices and servers to share information through email or over a local area network.

Question 67

What are the benefits of using digital devices for administration?

Answer 67

Using digital devices for administration helps make businesses more productive by reducing human error and allowing for quicker sharing of information through email and cloud storage.

Question 68

What is video conferencing?

Answer 68

Video conferencing involves using software packages like Citrix GoToMeeting to hold meetings over the internet. These packages allow multiple people to have voice and video conversations and share presentations and documents.

Question 69

What are the benefits of using video conferencing?

Answer 69

Using video conferencing saves businesses time and money by eliminating the need for employees to travel to the same location for meetings. It also supports employees working from home.

Question 70

How do businesses use digital devices for design and manufacturing?

Answer 70

Businesses in the manufacturing and construction industries use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software to produce technical drawings and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) controlled machinery to produce objects designed with CAD software.

Question 71

What are the benefits of using CAD and CAM in design and manufacturing?

Answer 71

Using CAD and CAM in design and manufacturing makes businesses more efficient by allowing easy modification of designs, quick sharing of final designs with clients via email, and reducing human error in manufacturing by using machinery that can work 24/7 without making mistakes.

Question 72

How have digital devices benefited the creative industry?

Answer 72

The creative industry has benefited a lot from the growth of digital devices. Digital devices are now used to perform most tasks within these industries, almost completely replacing the older tools once used.

Question 73

How are 3D graphics used in the film and video game industries?

Answer 73

he film and video game industries make heavy use of personal computers for the creation of 3D graphics. In the film industry, ‘CG effects’ have heavily replaced older fashioned physical effects. In the video game industry, most high-end games use 3D graphics for characters and environments.

Question 74

How are digital devices used for photo and video editing?

Answer 74

When we take photos and videos using digital cameras, we can load them onto a personal computer for editing. Professional photographers use both digital cameras and personal computers to fix lighting, remove objects or blemishes from photos and make other changes

Question 75

What is a drawback of photo editing?

Answer 75

A drawback of photo editing is that it can set unrealistic expectations of beauty when people in magazines are heavily edited. This can be particularly harmful to young people.

Question 76

How is graphic design done using digital devices?

Answer 76

Graphic designers use personal computers running graphics editing and desktop publishing software to create logos, leaflets, brochures, magazines, books and comics. This is much more efficient than doing the work by hand and allows for quick sending of data to printers to produce the final product.