Input Devices Flashcards
What are input devices?
Input devices are hardware devices used for the entry of instructions or data into a computer.
What is a keyboard? Name it’s advantages and disadvantages.
A keyboard in an input device which is used to input text, numbers and instructions.
Advantages - visual verification, ideal for word processing softwares, shortcut (Cntrl + C)
Disadvantages - slow method for large volumes of text, inaccurate (easy to make typing mistakes), RSI.
What is a numeric keyboard? Name it’s advantages and disadvantages.
A numeric keyboard is an input device which is used for the entering of only numeric data.
Advantages - smaller than a full keyboard so its portable
Disadvantages - smaller keys, keys are arranged differently
What is a pointing device? Name it’s 3 types.
A pointing device is an input device which can be used to make selections from a graphical user interface/navigate the screen.
Types - mouses, touchpad, trackerball
What is a mouse? Name it’s advantages and disadvantages.
A mouse is an input device which is used for navigating the cursor. It can click in different ways and scroll.
Advantages - Easier than using a keyboard to select items, rapid navigation, small
Disadvantages - hard to use if user has limited wrist or finger movement, needs a flat surface
What is a touchpad? Name it’s advantages and disadvantages.
A touchpad is an input device which is used for navigating the cursor on laptops when user can’t use a mouse.
Advantages - can be used on the go, no extra device to carry, faster than a keyboard for navigation.
Disadvantages - hard to use if user has limited wrist or finger movement, harder to control cursor/pointer, could lead to RSI due to cramped conditions
What is a trackerball? Name it’s advantages and disadvantages.
A trackerball is an input device where users can navigate the cursor, it is an alternative to a mouse.You move the pointer on the screen by rolling your hand over the ball.
Advantages - Easier to use than a mouse if the user had wrist or finger problems, faster navigation than mouse, stationary as only ball moves.
Disadvantages - cost (not included with computer), takes time to get used to them.
What is a remote control? Name it’s advantages and disadvantages.
A remote control is an input device which is used for issuing instructions to control devices.
Advantages - wireless for a short line of sight distance, control devices safely from distance, enables people with disabilities to operate from distances
Disadvantages - can be blocked as they use infrared signals, , need batteries which require regular replacement, small buttons can be pressed which changes settings
What is a joystick? Name it’s advantages and disadvantages.
A joystick is an input device which is mainly used for video/computer games. It navigates the screen like a moue, and the button is used for selection.
Advantages - ideal for quick movement, can be used by disabled people
Disadvantages - entering text is very slow (like name of highest scorer), purchase them separately
What is a touch screen? Name it’s advantages and disadvantages.
A touch screen is an input device which can detect the inout of a touch on the screen using one or more fingers.
Advantages - simple, easier, ideal for limited space, tamper proof, enables faster selection than from keyboard
Disadvantages - screen can get dirty, germs can spread, smaller icons, higher cost that other input devices
What is a scanner? Name it’s advantages and disadvantages.
A scanner is an input device which is used to scan photographs and other images to put into online documents/web pages. (digitising offline documents/text)
Advantages - scan and enter text into documents without the need of re-typing, digitise old documents, used with software to improve old photos
Disadvantages - take up a lot of space, long time to digitise documents or many pages, quality of item may be poor depending on scanner resolution.
What is a digital camera? Name it’s advantages and disadvantages.
A digital camera is an input device which can be used to store digital photographs on an internal memory card and display said photo on a screen.
Advantages - no film to develop (quicker to produce a photo), no need for chemicals, large number of photos can be taken of same subject, images are in online form which can be placed in documents, easily sent from place to sent, placed on sharing sites, software to improve photos
Disadvantages - may not be as high a quality as photos from film, needs to have computer skills to take photographs properly.
What is a microphone? Name it’s advantages and disadvantages.
A microphone is an input device which is used to record audio data by converting sound signal to data.
Advantages - can be used by disabled people, improve car safety, relatively inexpensive, faster to speak than type
Disadvantages - background noise, not completely accurate, sound filed take up disk space
What is a sensor? Name it’s advantages and disadvantages.
A sensor is an input device used to measure quantities.
Advantages - readings are more accurate, readings can be taken more frequently, costs are less as no human interaction is needed, can work in dangerous environments
Disadvantages - purchase cost, dirt and grease may affect performance
What is a graphics tablet? Name it’s advantages and disadvantages.
A graphics tablet is an input device which is a flat board which you can draw or writ on using a stylus.
Advantages - used in countries where they use graphical characters for words, more accurate to draw freehand than a mouse, icons are on the tablet than the screen, so more screen space.
Disadvantages - specialist tablets are expensive, requires more desk space
