Information & Basics Flashcards
Define: Accurate
Data that’s correct and without any mistakes.
Define: Correctly Targeted
The question should be aimed at the people
who are going to use it.
Define: Understandable
The meaning of any information should be clear to
the user
Define: Up-to-date
The information is current and date stamped.
Define: Relevant
Data has to be related to the task you are trying to
investigate.
Define: Complete
Has to include all the information
Define: Data
Raw facts and figures.
Define: Information
Data which has been processed and given context.
Define: Knowledge
Derived from information by applying rules.
Define: Target Resources
To gain a competitive advantage e.g. a company selling high performance cars pays for a list of owners from an insurance company rather than sending flyers to everyone.
Define: Monitoring progress
To gain a competitive advantage. E.g. a supermarket records the speed of their checkout staff. If the staff members is too slow, then they’re offered training.
Define: Spotting Trends
Looking at the data to see whether there’s a particular pattern. E.g. a super market might monitor the purchases, to see which product might be popular at certain time of the year.
Define: Report
The output from a database in which the results are presented in a way that is controlled by the user. (formatted i.e. tables/graphs/grouping/statistical summary/results of searches)
Define: Query
When you interrogate a database to find information
Define: Import/Export
Transferring data/information from one piece of software/application to another
Validation Types
Range Check Length Check Format Check Data type check Check Digit Fixed Value Presence Check
Verification Types
Double entry – having to re-input your account number, email address or the password ‘when creating the account or changing a password’
Proof reading / Read before you submit – being asked to check what you have entered is correct before being allowed to move on, i.e. ordered the right amount of items
Define: Verification
Verification is the checking that data has been copied accurately from one medium to another
Define: Validation
Ensuring data is sensible and reasonable.
Encoding: Advantages
Easier to validate.
Less hard drive space.
Encoding: Disadvantages
Coarsening data.
Value judgement.
Define: Simulation Modelling
The use of mathematical formulas to try and re-produce a real-life scenario/situation.
Define: Template
A pre-defined layout which has some images and text, which saves time from having to create from scratch.
Define: Animated Transition
This is when you give an entry effect (such as fading) when you move from one slide to another.
Define: Hyperlink
These are objects/text which when clicked upon take you to another file, image, or a different part of your current presentation.
Define: CAD - Zoom
Allows certain parts of the project to be enlarged, so you can see it in more detail
Define: CAD - Hatching/Rendering
Allows different finishes to the project
Define: CAD - Stress/Strain
Allows you to see whether there are any load problems and the stability of the project. It’s to see if it’s safe.
Define: CAD - Walkthrough
A virtual reality tour inside of the project, to see what it’s like.
Define: CAD - Wire Drawing
Outline of the design, which takes up less processing power.
Define: Internet
Network of networks
Define: Intranet
Private / closed internet / an internet inside an organisation
Define: Mail Merge
Incorporating data automatically from a database into a personalised letter.
Define: Macro
Pre-defined series of key strokes
Computer Misuse Act
Level 1: Unauthorised access
Level 2: Unauthorised access with criminal intent.
Level 3: Unauthorised modification of data.
Health Issues
Eye strain – From looking at the screen for too long or from it being wrongly adjusted.
RSI – Repetitive strain injury which can be caused by the use of non-ergonomic equipment, e.g. mouse, keyboard.
Stress – This can be caused by program/software crashing on a regular bases, causing you to lose work, or for it taking a long time to load.
Backache – Wrongly adjusted chair.
Data Protection Act
Data must be processed fairly and lawfully.
Data must not be transferred outside EU, unless the country has a similar Data Protection Act.
Data must not be kept for longer than necessary.
Data must be accurate and up-to-date.
Data must be available to the individual, if requested.
Data must be adequate, relevant and not excessive.
Data must be kept secure.
Cost of Information
Financial
- –Data Collection – Paying a company for their data research.
- –Data Entry – Cost of buying an OMR reader.
- –Data Processing – Any new equipment needed to process data.
Time
- –Data Collection – Time consuming to create a questionnaire.
- –Data Entry – The time it takes to enter the data accurately into the system can take a long time.
Human Resources
- –Data Collection – New staff employed go out and ask questions.
- –Data Entry – Hire new staff to enter data into a system.
- –Data Processing – Employing people to analyse the collected data.
Factors affecting efficiency of ICT systems
Hardware – if the system has an old processor then it will be slow.
Communication – can the ICT system communicate with different devices? Is there enough communication between the developer and the end user?
Software - is it compatible with other software on the system?
Testing – was it tested well? Has it got bugs which cause the program to crash?
Abilities to the user – have all the users been trained thoroughly in the new system?
Poor communication with the user - has there been enough communication between the developer and the user?
Advantages that ICT brings
Repetitive Processing – Carrying out the same task many times. E.g. performing a mail merge to 100 customers.
Speed of data communications – Messages can be sent across the world in seconds e.g. a live chat.
Accuracy – Calculation are carried out accurately without error. When error occurs it’s only because of human interaction. E.g. the checkout system doesn’t make mistakes.
Data storage capacity – Millions of records can be physically stored on a small disc. E.g. kindles can hold 1,000s of books.
Produce different outputs - Information can be produced in tables, graphs and charts easily. E.g. producing a colour coded map about unemployment in the south east.
Ease of updating data - Errors in data can be easily identifies and altered.
Searching and combining data – for example searching for a BMW which has a registration number starting with BN and ending with 0. This wouldn’t be a possibility with a manual method.
Loyalty Card
Identifies the card holder as a member in a loyalty program.
Loyalty Card: Advantages
Allows the supermarket to find the shopping habits of customers and then allows them to target special offers.
Keeps the customers coming back to the shop
Allows customers to collect points from using the supermarket
Gives the shop better statistics on trends.
Improves planning as allows you to see what customers are buying and where they come from which helps decides location of new stores.
Can sell the data on.
Advantages of Networking
Remote management e.g. fix some hardware software problems remotely, e.g. clear printer queues. (a good answer could gain three marks for three distinct points)
User management/monitoring e.g. Better monitoring (in real-time) of what all staff are using their
systems for.
Central auditing of transactions e.g. Auditing software keeps a record of who has logged on, when, how long, what programs and data were used and what was amended / being able to centrally audit all transactions simply.
Central backup e.g. Easier to backup data by being able to do it from one central location.
Central software installation e.g. Easier and quicker to install software as it can be done centrally
and then shared out to all stations without physically going to each one.
Greater security by having one program controlling all computer access.
Central pool of data/documents e.g. All staff can access data from a central pool of data.
Collaborative working e.g. Staff can work jointly on the same document at the same time.
Internet
The network of networks.
Frame
A Frame is a section of a web page in which semi-independent activities can take place
Advantage of HTML
—Can place graphics more accurately
—Can have more control over the layout / allows better customisation
—Likely to take up less memory / less demanding on the system
—Loads faster than using a template
—Compatibility - enables to be displayed on a number of different platforms
CAM Advantages
—Can be more accurate than hand-drawn designs - it reduces human error
—You can edit ideas, which makes it easier and cheaper to modify your design as you go along
—Design can be sent electronically elsewhere instantly
—A section of a design can be copied and pasted many times
—Can be zoomed in for more detailed sections
—Others could refer to hatching, walkthrough, etc
—No physical prototype so no wastage
CAM Disadvantages
—The software itself can be expensive so initial costs are high.
—Staff need to be trained how to use the software, which also adds to costs.
—Requires a powerful PC.
