LO1 Flashcards
What are holders of information?
The entities that collect, store and process information.
What is data?
Raw, unorganised facts and figures.
What is information?
Data which has been processed, organised, and structured so it has meaningful context.
Who are individual citizens in the context of information holders?
They hold information about themselves and other people and organisations they know.
What type of information do businesses hold?
They hold financial and employee information as well as customer and commercial information.
What are educational institutions?
E.g: Schools, colleges, and universities. They hold information about staff/students as well as information on what they’re teaching.
What are governments?
The departments that run the country.
They hold information on citizens and other governments.
What are charities?
An organisation that helps those who need it.
Charities collect information on donors as well as staff and donees.
What are healthcare services?
E.g: doctors surgeries, pharmacies, hospitals.
They need to keep information records of patients e.g. prescriptions.
What is a community organisation?
Often are charities but work specifically in local areas.
E.g. Religious organisations, youth clubs, sporting clubs.
How does location affect access to information?
Location can affect ability to access information.
Often rural areas have weaker mobile network coverage.
What does ‘Rural’ refer to?
Rural refers to Town and Fringe.
What does ‘Urban’ refer to?
Urban refers to Town and City.
Where is better infrastructure usually prioritized?
Better infrastructure is usually prioritized in urban areas.
What is a common issue with network coverage in rural locations?
Usually rural locations have areas where there is no or intermittent network coverage.
What can cause black spots in network coverage?
Black spots can occur in buildings due to obstruction and interference.
What is the digital global divide?
The digital global divide is the gap between people that do and don’t have access to technology.
What is the internet access situation in some developing countries?
In some developing countries, the majority of citizens don’t have access to regular internet.
What are the types of storage media?
Data can be stored on a variety of storage media, each with its own benefits and drawbacks.
What is the most common form of secondary storage in desktop computers?
A magnetic hard disk drive (HDD) is the most common form of secondary storage within desktop computers.
How does a magnetic hard disk drive (HDD) read or edit data?
A read/write head moves nanometres above the disk platter and uses the magnetic field of the platter to read or edit data.
Can hard disk drives be external?
Yes, hard disk drives can also be external and connected through a USB port.
What is an obsolete type of magnetic storage?
An obsolete type of magnetic storage is a floppy disk.
What has replaced floppy disks?
Floppy disks have been replaced by solid state devices such as USB sticks which are much faster and have a much higher capacity.
What is another type of magnetic storage still in use?
Another type of magnetic storage that is still used is magnetic tape.
What is a characteristic of magnetic tape?
Magnetic tape has a high storage capacity but data has to be accessed in order (serial access).
What is optical storage?
Optical storage uses a laser to project beams of light onto a spinning disc, allowing it to read data from a CD, DVD or Blu-Ray.
What is the speed of optical storage compared to other types?
Optical storage is the slowest of the four types of secondary storage.
Where are disc drives traditionally located?
Disc drives are traditionally internal but external disc drives can be bought for devices like laptops.
What are the characteristics of magnetic storage?
- Large CAPACITY and cheaper per gigabyte than solid state.
- Not DURABLE and not very PORTABLE when powered on because moving it can damage the device.
- Relatively quick ACCESS SPEED but slower than Solid State.
What are the characteristics of optical storage?
- Low CAPACITY: 700 MB (CD), 4.7 GB (DVD), 25 GB (Blu-ray).
- Not DURABLE because discs are very fragile and can break or scratch easily.
- Discs are thin and very PORTABLE.
- Optical discs have the Slowest ACCESS SPEED.
How are ‘Magnetic Disks’ and ‘Optical Discs’ spelled?
Magnetic Disks are spelled with a k and Optical Discs have a c.
What is solid state storage?
Solid state storage has no moving parts.
What are SSDs?
SSDs (Solid State Drives) are replacing magnetic HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) in modern computers and video game consoles because they are generally quieter, faster, and use less power. SSDs can also be external.
What is a USB flash drive?
A USB flash drive (USB stick) is a type of solid state storage used to transport files easily due to its small size.
What are memory cards?
Memory cards, like the SD card in a digital camera or a Micro SD card in a smartphone, are another example of solid state storage.
What is paper storage?
Paper storage includes printed or hand-written documents, notes, forms, schedules, and maps.
What are the advantages of paper storage?
Paper is relatively inexpensive in small quantities and can be easily carried on a person.
What are the disadvantages of paper storage?
Producing paper is environmentally damaging, requires physical security methods to keep safe, and can take up a lot of space compared to small devices like USB sticks.
What is the capacity characteristic of solid state storage?
High capacity but more expensive per gigabyte than magnetic.
What is the durability characteristic of solid state storage?
Usually durable, but cheap USB sticks can snap or break.
What is the portability characteristic of solid state storage?
The small size of USB sticks and memory cards means they are very portable and can fit easily in a bag or pocket.
What is the access speed characteristic of solid state storage?
Solid state storage has the fastest access speed because they contain no moving parts.
What is the capacity characteristic of paper storage?
Low capacity as each page can only hold a certain amount of information and takes up physical space.
What is the durability characteristic of paper storage?
Poor durability as paper can easily tear and become damaged in rain.
What is the portability characteristic of paper storage?
Portability varies; single sheets can be easily folded and placed in a pocket, but large stacks can be difficult and expensive to transport.
What is the access speed characteristic of paper storage?
Paper’s access speed, in terms of searching for a specific item, is slow, especially if the paper storage has not been organized efficiently.
What are handheld devices?
Handheld devices are small, light, and possibly wearable devices that are very portable and easy to transport.
What are some examples of handheld devices?
Examples of handheld devices include smartphones, eReaders, small tablets, and smartwatches.
What are the advantages of handheld devices?
Handheld devices are light and portable, allowing for easy carrying, and they run on battery power, providing freedom of movement.
What are the disadvantages of handheld devices?
Disadvantages include low processing power, reliance on battery power, increased likelihood of being lost or damaged, and generally small memory/storage capacity.
How do handheld devices’ sizes affect their performance?
Their small size restricts the space for a powerful processor or high memory capacity.
How are handheld devices evolving?
Handheld devices are becoming more powerful over time with extra features, storage options, and network connectivity.
What are portable devices?
Portable devices are larger and more powerful than handheld devices and can be carried easily in a bag.
What are the main examples of portable devices?
Laptops and larger tablets are the main examples of portable devices.
What are the advantages of portable devices?
- Light and portable for easy transport.
- Runs on battery power for use without a power outlet.
- More powerful and versatile than handheld devices.
What are the disadvantages of portable devices?
- Lower processing power and smaller memory/storage capacity than fixed devices.
- Reliant on battery power which may last only a few hours.
Can you give examples of portable devices?
Examples of portable devices include laptops and large tablets.
What are fixed devices?
Fixed devices are bulky devices that require a constant power connection.
What is the most common example of a fixed device?
The most common example of a fixed device is a desktop computer.
What are the advantages of desktop computers?
Desktop computers have the highest processing power of commercially available home/work computers and contain sufficient cooling systems to maintain temperature.
What is another advantage of desktops and games consoles?
Desktops and games consoles have large storage capacities and can be upgraded/expanded to even larger sizes.
What is a key feature of desktop computers?
Desktop computers are very versatile and are powerful enough to be used for thousands of different purposes, from basic word processing and web browsing to server roles and data mining.
What are the disadvantages of fixed devices?
Fixed devices are reliant on a power outlet and cannot be transported whilst on.
What is a physical disadvantage of fixed devices?
They are heavy and difficult to move, and may require additional components like a monitor.
How do fixed devices compare in cost to portable devices?
Fixed devices are typically more expensive than handheld and portable devices.
List examples of fixed devices.
Examples of fixed devices include desktop computers, smart TVs, and games consoles.
What is a shared device?
A shared device allows multiple users to access data at the same time.
What is the most common example of a shared device?
Cloud storage is the most common example of a shared device.
What are some services that provide cloud storage?
Services such as Google Drive, Apple’s iCloud, and Microsoft’s One Drive provide cloud storage.
What is a data centre?
A data centre is a dedicated building that contains computer systems.
How does Facebook utilize data centres?
Facebook uses data centres across the globe to ensure their social media service is available to users every second of the day.
What is one advantage of shared devices?
They are accessible by multiple users at the same time.
Can you give an example of simultaneous access?
The database server can be accessed by employees of a bank simultaneously.
Example of simultaneous access.
What is another advantage of data centres?
Data centres allow online services to run all hours of the day.
How does Google utilize data centres?
Google uses data centres across the world to ensure their services can be accessed all of the time.
Example of Google using data centres.
What is a benefit of cloud storage regarding physical space?
Cloud storage frees up physical space for users as the storage is usually located on third-party servers.
How do cloud storage devices benefit remote work?
Cloud storage devices allow authorised users such as clients or staff members to access information or work remotely.
What is a disadvantage of shared devices?
Shared devices are reliant on stable network connections.
What happens if a network connection is lost?
If a connection is lost, access to the device will be affected.
What is required to set up shared devices within an organization?
Setting up shared devices requires technical knowledge.
What are examples of shared devices?
Examples include Cloud Storage, Database Servers, and Data Centres.
What is the internet?
The internet is a global network of interconnected networks.
What are the methods of connecting to the internet?
There are multiple methods of connecting to the internet.
What are wired connections?
Wired connections are a method of connecting to the internet using physical cables.
What are copper cables?
Copper cables are a cheaper type of wired internet connection that may be poorly insulated and therefore susceptible to electromagnetic interference.
What is a disadvantage of copper cables?
Copper cables are more likely to suffer from attenuation (network distortion).
What is an advantage of copper cables?
Copper cables are malleable (easier to bend) and less likely to break than other cables such as fibre optic.
How does the bandwidth of copper cables compare to fibre optic cables?
Copper cables have a lower bandwidth - cannot transmit as much data at once - than fibre optic cables.
What are fibre optic cables?
Fibre optic cables are a very fast but expensive type of wired internet connection.
How do fibre optic cables transmit signals?
Signals are transmitted as waves of light through a glass tube.
What is an advantage of fibre optic cables over copper cables?
Fibre optic cables are not affected by electromagnetic interference and suffer less from attenuation.
How does the bandwidth of fibre optic cables compare to copper cables?
Fibre optic cables have a higher bandwidth - can transfer more data at one time - than copper cables.
What is a disadvantage of fibre optic cables?
Fibre optic cables are more fragile.
What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is a temporary short-range communication between devices within a limit of about 10 metres.
For example, Bluetooth can be used to transfer audio files from one smartphone to another.
What is a disadvantage of Bluetooth?
The close proximity is a disadvantage but no other hardware is required for a connection.
What are microwave connections?
Microwave connections use radio waves to send signals across a large area via microwave towers.
What is a benefit of microwave connections?
Microwave connections can transmit a large amount of data.
What is a requirement for microwave connections?
Antennas must be in the line of sight of each other with no obstructions.
What affects microwave connections?
Microwave connections are affected by bad weather, leading to higher chances of attenuation (network distortion).
What is a satellite network?
Satellite networks use point-to-multipoint communication by using satellites above the Earth’s atmosphere that receive a transmission and rebroadcast them back to Earth.
What is the distance between the communication device and the satellite?
The distance is roughly 45,000 miles, which causes a delay between data transmission and reception.
What does GSM stand for?
GSM stands for Global System for Mobile communications.
What is the purpose of GSM?
GSM is a technology that allows mobile phones to connect to a network for calls and text messages.
What are mobile technology generations?
Advances in mobile technology are classified by generations such as 4G and 5G.
What are the characteristics of each mobile technology generation?
Each generation is generally faster, more secure, and allows for new opportunities.
What is latency?
Latency is the delay when sending data across a network.
What is bandwidth?
Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data that can be sent across a network at once.
What does contention refer to in networking?
Contention refers to whether a network is dedicated (uncontended) or shared between users (contended).
What are the characteristics to consider when connecting to the internet?
The characteristics include Strength, Range, Latency, Bandwidth, Storage, Capacity, and Contention.
What is the internet?
The internet is a global network of interconnected networks.
How is the World Wide Web (WWW) different from the internet?
The World Wide Web (WWW) is a way of accessing information, using protocols such as HTTPS to view web pages.
What are the three types of World Wide Web technologies?
The three types of World Wide Web technologies are Internet, Intranet, and Extranet.
What type of access do users have on the internet?
The internet is public and users have open access.
Examples of use: Accessing web pages to shop and watch videos. Businesses may use web pages to advertise their products and allow customers to purchase items.
What is an intranet?
An intranet is a private network that is only accessible to authorised users (e.g. members of a business or school).
What type of access do users have on an intranet?
Intranets are private and users have closed access.
Examples of use: Schools often use an intranet to log in to that displays information for teachers and students (such as test results or upcoming events). Businesses might use an intranet for employees to see sales and performance data or for communication because it can be accessed remotely.
What is an extranet?
An extranet is a private network that is accessible using the internet but provides access only to authorised users.
What type of access do users have on an extranet?
Extranets are private and users have shared access.
Example of use: Hotel booking companies (like booking.com) use an extranet to allow hotel owners to log in via the internet to access and update their information.
What is Speed in the context of network characteristics?
Speed refers to how quickly data can be accessed.
An extranet is the slowest network to use because it must be accessed through the internet first.
What does Security mean in network characteristics?
Security relates to how likely the data will be kept secure.
An intranet is more secure than the internet because only authorised users can log in.
What are Access Levels in network characteristics?
Access levels, or permissions, refer to who can see what, in terms of data and files.
Resources on an intranet can be set so that only certain users can view them.
What does Accessibility mean in network characteristics?
Accessibility relates to how available the data is.
The internet can be accessed on any network-enabled device, at any time.
What are web pages used for?
Web pages can be used for a diverse range of purposes including advertising products, reporting information, displaying images, and eCommerce (online shopping).
What are the two types of web pages?
The two types of web pages are Static web pages and Dynamic web pages.
What is a static web page?
Static web pages contain content that is pre-built and remains the same each time the page is loaded.
What are the advantages of static web pages?
Static web pages are cheaper and easier to create and load quicker; they use basic HTML.
How can static web pages be changed?
Static web pages can be changed by the site editor but will appear the same for everyone who has access to it.
Example: A classic promotional website for a small company.
What is a dynamic web page?
Dynamic web pages are generated when they are loaded and can appear different to different users.
What are the challenges of dynamic web pages?
Dynamic web pages are harder to code but they can be linked to databases to allow them to show personalised content.
What languages are dynamic web pages written in?
Dynamic web pages are written in server-side languages like PHP.
What is an example of a dynamic web page?
The Amazon homepage is an example of a dynamic web page as personalised deals based on previous user history will be shown if you are logged in with an account.
What are blogs used for?
Blogs are used to share information with like-minded individuals, such as those who enjoy the same hobbies or beliefs.
Who else uses blogs?
Charities, game developers, and other businesses use blogs to update their customer base.
What multimedia can blogs feature?
Blogs can feature text, images, videos, and links to other sites.
What is an advantage of blogs?
Blogs allow sharing information with followers in the format of text, images, and video.
How can blogs unite people?
Blogs and vlogs can unite people with similar interests, such as a cookery blog or travel vlog.
What is a disadvantage of blogs?
Creating posts takes a lot of effort and time, especially if videos need editing.
What can happen if blogs aren’t updated regularly?
Potential customers could be lost if blogs aren’t updated regularly.
What is a challenge in building a customer base from a blog?
It can be difficult to build up a customer base directly from a blog.
What must blog posts be to engage readers?
Posts must be engaging, researched, and correct.
What is a podcast?
A podcast is a downloadable audio file, usually on a certain topic such as sports or gaming that can be listened to when convenient for the user.
Where can podcasts be found?
Spotify and Apple Music have a wide library of podcasts.
What is an advantage of podcasts regarding recording?
Podcasts are not (usually) recorded live, so they can be edited and uploaded at a certain time each week.
How do podcasts benefit listeners in terms of timing?
Podcasts can be listened to when convenient for the user, so they can’t ‘miss’ it and can catch up when is best for them.
Why are podcasts becoming more popular?
Podcasts are becoming more and more popular, so the possible audience base is growing each year.
What is one way to attract more listeners to a podcast?
Celebrity guests are one way to entice more listeners.
What is a disadvantage of recording a podcast?
It takes time to record a podcast, especially if they need to be edited to add in music or sound effects or to remove mistakes.
What challenge do podcasts face in building an audience?
It can be difficult to build up an audience directly from a podcast. Podcasts should be on a topic that interests people and spoken in an engaging way.
What is streaming?
Streaming is the process of receiving video/audio data in a continuous flow, allowing immediate access without waiting for the file to download entirely.
Example: The BBC provides live radio streaming online for their radio shows.
What are some examples of streamed media platforms?
Examples include YouTube for video streaming and Spotify for audio streaming.
BBC iPlayer allows users to watch ‘catch up’ programs that previously aired.
What is an advantage of streamed media?
Streaming does not require data to be downloaded entirely before use; users can watch/listen as soon as the connection starts.
What is a disadvantage of streamed media?
Streaming requires high bandwidth, which may lead to performance issues on slower devices and networks.
How does streaming affect file sharing?
Streaming is harder for users to share than downloading a file, which is used by services like Netflix as a form of piracy protection.
What is a limitation of streaming compared to downloadable media?
Streaming requires a constant network connection, while downloadable media can be used offline.
What do social media channels provide?
Social media channels provide a huge amount of data on users in an informal space.
How can organizations receive feedback through social media?
Organizations can receive feedback through user posts and comments.
What kind of real-time statistics do social media channels provide?
Real-time statistics like views, likes, and shares provide insight into user opinion.
What are some examples of social media channels?
Social media channels include traditional sites such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as business and recruitment platforms like LinkedIn.
What are discussion boards and forums used for?
Discussion boards and forums, such as Reddit, are used for users to discuss similar hobbies and interests.
What is one advantage of social media for businesses?
Social media can increase a business’ online presence as it is online 24/7 for users to comment and interact with posts.
How can posts on social media reach a large audience?
Posts can be shared between users and their contacts, allowing a post to ‘go viral’ and be seen by potentially millions of viewers.
In what formats can posts be shared on social media?
Posts can be shared in different information styles such as text, images, video, or hyperlinks to other websites.
How can businesses use social media for customer communication?
Businesses can use social media to communicate with their customers, such as direct messages on Facebook if a customer is unhappy.
What is a disadvantage of using social media for businesses?
Businesses may need to hire a social media manager to interact with customers, update posts, and remove spam.
What risk do negative posts pose on social media?
Negative posts can be shared and spread very quickly, such as if a customer complains about how a business treated them poorly.
What must businesses be cautious about when posting on social media?
Businesses must be cautious about what they post to not accidentally offend others and damage their reputation.
What are emails used for?
Emails can provide information to a large number of people almost instantly, such as advertising new products or informing customers of promotions.
What are the advantages of emails?
Emails are faster (almost instant) and cheaper (usually free) to send compared to traditional letters.
Emails allow for file attachments like images, videos, or forms.
What is an audit trail in emails?
An audit trail records communication between the company and its customers.
What is a convenience of emails?
Emails can be sent, delivered, and read at the user’s convenience on any internet-enabled device across the world.
What are the disadvantages of emails?
An internet connection is required to open and read emails, and larger attachments may not open on mobile devices.
What security risks are associated with emails?
Malware can spread through email attachments, and phishers may use emails to gain access to personal information.
Some attachments may be unreadable on different devices or operating systems.
What issue can emails face regarding delivery?
Emails may automatically go into the spam or junk folder and be deleted without being read.
What are document stores?
Document stores allow users to store online files in cloud storage.
What are some common document store services?
Common services are Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft’s OneDrive.
What is a benefit of storing documents in the cloud?
It allows users to edit and access documents from any location with an internet connection.
How do document stores facilitate collaboration?
They enable users to share and edit documents with others easily.
Do many organizations offer free cloud storage?
Yes, many organizations offer cloud storage space for free up to a certain amount.
What is a disadvantage of document stores?
They can only be accessed with an internet connection, making files unavailable during maintenance or network failure.
What do users rely on for data security in document stores?
Users rely on the cloud hosting provider, such as Microsoft and Google, to keep the data secure and available.
What are RSS Feeds?
RSS Feeds (short for Rich Site Summary) allow users to subscribe to updates from their favourite websites.
What happens when a subscribed site releases new information?
The RSS feed updates automatically to reflect the new information.
What was an example of an RSS feed service?
The BBC used to post updates for important news headlines in a subscribed user’s RSS feed.
What is the current status of RSS functionality in browsers?
As of 2020, most browsers no longer have built-in RSS functionality and it is rarely used.
