Fundamentals Of A Computer System Flashcards
Ethical Issue: hard to keep information private on the internet
- Social Media encourages the sharing of personal information
- Companies may sell personal details causing targeted adverts or spam emails
Ethical Issue: Censorship and Surveillance
- These are controversial topics as they can be used to protect children and stop terrorism however others are against them as the breach their privacy
What is internet Censorship?
- Censorship can be used to block access to certain websites such as Facebook or inappropriate websites
What is internet Surveillance?
- Surveillance is used by intelligence agencies to look out for illegal activities.
Ethical issue: social well-being
- new technology influences and pressures people to purchasing items.
- smart phones mean the work can intrude into other areas of a persons life meaning life can be stressful.
- face-to-face interaction may be neglected as more of our social lives move online.
Ethical issue: Cyber-bullying and Trolling
- these can cause distress and frustration.
- People are sometimes driven to suicide because of these attacks.
What is Cyber-bullying?
- When someone uses social media to deliberately harm someone else.
What is Trolling?
- when someone tries to cause public arguments with other online.
Ethical Issue: Health problems
- Eyestrain can be caused by looking a a screen for too long. The screen must be a good distance away and the user must take regular breaks.
- Repetitive strain injury and Back problems are a problem when posture is bad or the desk/chair is not the correct height.
Ethical issue: unequal access to technology
- a digital divide puts people at disadvantages and has increased inequalities between poor and rich countries.
Environmental issue: Natural resources
- electronics contain lots of raw materials.
- for example) plastics which use crude oil, precious metals
- the resources are not renewable and will eventually run out
Environmental issue: Energy consumtion
- electricity is needed for powering devices and in offices the require air-conditioned rooms to keep them cool requiring even more energy
- often energy is wasted as devices use power when on standby
Environmental issue: E-waste
- devices are replaced often because they break or because of policies allowing them to cheaply upgrade.
- most e-waste goes to landfill in Africa or Asia. However the waste often contains toxic chemicals which can harm wildlife.
What is a Computer System?
A device that can input, process, store and output data. It is made up of Hardware, Software, Data and various peripheral devices.
What is Hardware?
the physical parts of the computer e.g. Keyboard
What is Software?
the programs and operating systems used by a computer
What is an Input device?
A Hardware device used to give data and control signals to a computer, the data is converted from analogue to digital. e.g. mouse, keyboard, cameras
What is an output device?
A Hardware device used to communicate the results of processed data, the data is converted from digital to analogue. e.g. monitor, speaker
What is a processor?
A small chip that manipulates data to provide a suitable output.
What is storage?
A piece of equipment which data and instructions can be recorded and stored in binary form e.g. RAM
What is feedback?
When the user gets an extra output for example underlining spelling mistake
Why are computers important in the modern world?
We rely on computer systems to keep us safe, to enable us to do our jobs, to entertain us, to run our homes and to enable us to communicate with other people.
Why do computer systems need to be reliable?
Could result in death or serious injury (if the computer system is safety critical or life critical)
What is system reliability?
The ability of a computer to perform its intended operations without experiencing failure
What is system availability?
The amount of time system resources are available
What is the data protection act?
ensures that any personal data stored by a company is safe and secure
What is in the data protection act?
- data must be obtained lawfully
- data may only be held for the purpose the user declared
- data must be relevant and not excessive in relation to the purpose
- data must be accurate and up to date
- data must not be kept longer than necessary
- an individual is entitled to see what data is stored about him/her
- companies must prevent unauthorised access
- data should not be transferred without protection
What is the Copy Right and Patents act?
Makes it illegal to use software without purchasing it
What is the Health and safety at work act?
Says workers should be provided with suitable working conditions
What is the computer misuse act?
makes it illegal to:
- hack
- unauthorised data transfer
- distribute copyrighted software, music and film
- email and chat room abuse
- identity and financial abuse
- viruses
Why do computers need professional standards?
- complex computers often require teams working on them which needs organisation
- standards are needed for effective implementation
development standard: waterfall model
identify problem analyse requirement design code and test evaluation maintenance
defines specific steps that are completed when developing a computer.
development standard: RAD
Rapid application development is when a prototype is developed with customer feedback
Standards in Coding: De Facto standards
De Facto standards are proprietary standards that are so common people have to use it.
for example, QWERTY Keyboard, commenting in the code, Suitable variable names and formatting the code.
What are the standards in documentation?
Flowcharts and Logic diagrams
What are proprietary standards?
Created by a company and paid for by businesses e.g. Microsoft word or exel
What are open standards?
standards that are available to anyone and agreed by a body of professionals e.g. HTML 5
What are Industry standards?
Industry standards are standards set to make sure items meet a particular standard
What are Industry/professional/De Facto standards?
Industry standards are standards that are accepted by industry
How have hardware advances advances enabled new methods of communication among teenagers?
- computers are capable of high speed internet access
- large server farms and cheaper storage allow infrastructure for new communication
How have software advances advances enabled new methods of communication among teenagers?
- open standards allow social networking sites to operate across all platforms
- software it cheaper and easier to use
Why are computers better than humans?
- easier to analyse records and measure the performance of a business
- computers will give more consistent results
- computer software can be used in different parts/ departments of a business
