ICT part 1 Flashcards
What are the basic components of a desktop PC?
Monitor, keyboard, system unit, mouse
How does a laptop compare to an A4 file in size?
Slightly larger and much heavier
What is a notebook computer?
A small laptop about the size of an oversized book, lighter and easier to carry
What is the primary purpose of a netbook?
Optimized for Internet and email access
What is a handheld computer also known as?
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or palmtop
What is a mainframe computer capable of?
Supporting hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously
What type of applications typically require supercomputers?
Specialized applications needing immense mathematical calculations
What defines an embedded computer?
Designed for and built into a specific application with limited dedicated functions
What is the primary function of a games console?
Designed specifically for playing games
List three advantages of using ICT systems.
- More productive
- Ability to deal with vast amounts of information
- Rapid transmission and reception of information
What are two types of communicating applications?
- Newsletters
- Websites
What is an example of an interactive communication application?
Social networking websites
What type of applications are surveys and school reports categorized under?
Data handling applications
Fill in the blank: A _______ is used for scientific experiments and environmental monitoring.
Measurement application
What is the most widely used input device?
Keyboard
What is the function of a mouse?
Pointing device to control the pointer on the screen
Describe a tracker ball.
An upside-down mouse where you move the ball with your thumb
What is the primary use of a joystick?
Provides control similar to a mouse, often in gaming
What is a graphics tablet used for?
Producing drawings and designs in computer-aided design
What type of scanner captures images similar to a photocopier?
Flatbed scanner
How does a digital camera store pictures?
On a memory card
What is a webcam primarily used for?
Viewing captured images on a computer
True or False: A microphone can be used for voice commands over the Internet.
True
What is Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) used for?
Interpreting pencil marks on paper
What does Optical Character Recognition (OCR) do?
Identifies printed or written text characters
What is a bar code scanner?
Reads a pattern of bars representing code numbers
What type of scanner uses unique physical characteristics for identification?
Biometric scanner
What does a magnetic stripe reader do?
Reads information from a magnetic strip on a plastic card
Fill in the blank: A smart card or Chip and PIN has a _______ embedded in it.
Microprocessor chip
What is the purpose of sensors in computing?
Input data about the environment into a computer
List two advantages of using sensors.
- Can be placed in dangerous locations
- Continuously and reliably record data
What is a disadvantage of using sensors?
Sensors cannot interpret the data
What is the primary function of sensors in data collection?
Sensors can continuously and reliably record data.
What is a major advantage of using sensors over human data collection?
Sensors can record data that people do not sense or do not sense accurately.
How do sensors facilitate data collection from remote locations?
Data can be collected by a central computer from sensors in remote locations, saving time.
What is one disadvantage of sensors?
Sensors cannot interpret the data.
What is a processor or microprocessor?
A processor or microprocessor is built into a microchip that has memory and other components.
What is the role of a graphics card?
A graphics card controls the signals going to the monitor screen.
What is the purpose of a sound card?
A sound card controls all input and output of audio.
What are monitors also known as?
Visual display units (VDUs).
What is the advantage of monitors in computer use?
Enables the use of a graphical user interface.
What is a disadvantage of monitor screens?
Screen size can limit the extent and detail of what can be seen.
What are the two main types of printers?
- Impact printers
- Non-impact printers
What do inkjet printers use to create images on paper?
Tiny dots of ink sprayed onto the paper.
What is the key advantage of laser printers?
Excellent quality and quick printing.
What is the purpose of a printer buffer?
To hold documents temporarily while the printer processes them.
What does spooling refer to in printing?
The process of queuing documents on a server for printing.
What does dpi stand for in the context of print quality?
Dots per inch.
What is the main function of photo-printers?
To print digital photographs.
What are the advantages of multi-function printers?
- Takes up less space
- Usually less expensive
- More frequently used
- Can be replaced more often
What is a plotter used for?
To draw lines on paper using differently coloured pens.
What is a data projector?
A device that projects an image from a computer screen onto a larger screen.
What do speakers do?
Output sound for various multimedia applications.
What are control devices or actuators used for?
To make events happen in control applications.
What are the considerations for selecting an ICT system for business?
- High speed processor
- Large amount of memory
- Large capacity of hard drive
- External storage devices for backup
- Type of printer
- Operating system with office tools
What is the primary function of an operating system?
To control the computer and enable application software to use hardware resources.
What are office productivity tools?
- Word processing
- Desktop publishing
- Spreadsheet
- Database
What is the function of web authoring software?
To create websites and manage web pages.
What does RAM stand for?
Random Access Memory.
What is the key difference between RAM and ROM?
RAM is volatile and can be written to, while ROM is non-volatile and cannot be changed.
What does RAID stand for?
Redundant Array of Inexpensive Drives.
What is the function of a hard disk drive (HDD)?
To store and retrieve digital information using rotating disks.
What is the typical data storage capacity of one megabyte (MB)?
1024 KB or 1,048,576 bytes.
What type of memory is cleared when the computer is turned off?
RAM.
What is the advantage of using a multi-function device?
It combines multiple functionalities into one device.
What is the disadvantage of multi-function devices?
If one part fails, all functions may be unavailable.
What does a sound card convert?
Analog audio input and output into digital signals.
What is the main use of a data projector?
To display images for presentations.
What is the main disadvantage of printers?
Printing is slow and expensive compared to electronic communications.
What is the purpose of project management software?
To track and chart the timelines of tasks in a project.
What does the term ‘external storage devices’ refer to?
Devices used for backing up data.
What is the primary function of actuators in control applications?
To perform physical operations when instructed by a computer.
What does RAID stand for?
Redundant Array of Inexpensive Drives
What is the purpose of RAID?
To carry multiple copies of data on different hard disk drives for data recovery
Describe external hard disks.
Built in a separate case, robust, small, lightweight, easily connected via USB
What is the storage capacity of a typical compact disc (CD)?
Around 700 MB
How is data accessed on a compact disc (CD)?
Using a laser beam in the CD drive’s read/write head
What is the storage capacity of a single-sided DVD?
Up to 4.7 GB
What is the maximum capacity of a dual-layer DVD?
Up to 18 GB
What is the difference between CD-R and CD-RW?
CD-R allows data to be written once; CD-RW can be rewritten up to 1000 times
What is DVD-RAM used for?
Can be rewritten more than 100,000 times and retains data for at least 30 years
What is the capacity of a dual-layer Blu-ray disc?
50 GB
What type of memory is flash memory?
A type of EPROM that can be read from and written to easily
What is a common use of flash memory in computers?
For the basic input/output system (BIOS)
What is the typical storage capacity of memory cards?
Up to 32 GB
What is a disadvantage of magnetic tape storage?
Offers only serial access, making data retrieval slow
What is a Local Area Network (LAN)?
A collection of computers that can share peripherals and information within a limited area
List three advantages of LAN.
- Software and data sharing
- Users can work on shared documents
- Centralized access rights control
What is a client/server network?
A network where one or more computers act as servers, providing resources to client computers
What differentiates a peer-to-peer network from a client/server network?
In a peer-to-peer network, each computer can communicate directly with every other computer
What does WLAN stand for?
Wireless Local Area Network
What is Bluetooth used for?
To enable wireless communication between devices like PDAs, mobile phones, and computers
What is an IP address?
A unique 32-bit address that identifies each computer on the Internet
What is hacking?
Unauthorized access to a computer or files to obtain personal information
What is a firewall?
A combination of hardware and software that controls network traffic
What is phishing?
An attempt to obtain personal information via fraudulent emails
How can spyware affect a user?
It logs personal information entered by the user
What is the purpose of parental control software?
To restrict children’s access to inappropriate information
What is a modem’s function?
To connect one computer to another using a telephone line
What is broadband?
A high-speed internet connection using various transmission methods
What is a VPN?
A private network that runs within public networks with encrypted traffic
What is the role of an Internet Service Provider (ISP)?
To provide access to the Internet for a fee
What are some uses of the Internet?
- Viewing web pages
- Sending and receiving email
- Online shopping
- Banking
What can you do with a search engine such as Google?
Find the page you want
What is one way to access customer support online?
Visit company websites for help and FAQs
What is an intranet?
A local version of the Internet within a company or organization
What does an intranet allow for in a company?
Centralized information about organizational procedures
What is an extranet?
An intranet that allows limited, secure access by people working off site
Name one positive effect of ICT on organizations.
Fast and flexible access to airline booking systems
What is a negative effect of ICT related to employment?
Increased unemployment due to automation
What is software piracy?
Unauthorized copying, using, or selling of software
What are the eight principles of data protection?
- Data collection must be disclosed
- Data must be used for its intended purpose
- Consent required for data disclosure
- Data must be kept secure
- Inform who is collecting data
- Access and correction rights for individuals
- No transfer to countries with weaker laws
- Compliance checking methods must exist
What can prolonged computer use lead to?
Health issues such as RSI, eye problems, backache, and fatigue
What is hacking?
Gaining unauthorized access to an ICT system
What is identity theft?
When spyware sends information about your computer to others
What is phishing?
An unsolicited email inviting you to enter personal details
What is one physical safeguard for ICT systems?
Access control using locks or biometrics
What is a firewall?
A program or device that filters information to prevent unauthorized access
Fill in the blank: Software piracy is _______.
copying, downloading, using or selling software without an appropriate license
What is ergonomic design important for?
Reducing injury to people using computers
Name one way to secure data from unauthorized access.
Use of usernames and passwords
What is data encryption?
Scrambling data during storage and transmission
What should individuals be cautious about when using the Internet?
Sharing personal data
True or False: All content on the Internet is free to download.
False
What is one consequence of poor ergonomics?
Repetitive strain injury (RSI)
What does a virus scanner do?
Prevents viruses from entering your system
What is the importance of regular eye examinations for computer users?
To prevent eye problems from prolonged screen use
What is one method to protect hardware from theft?
Clamping individual computers to desks
