Module 1.1 Flashcards
Give three broad areas where computers can actually save a company money.
Computers can save on labour costs by reducing the need to employ many employees.
They can save on the cost of paper because electronic versions of documents are used instead of hard copies.
They can save on communication costs by using VoIP technologies such as Skype for communication. They are more reliable and can work 24/7/365, which leads to improved production.
Give three types of resources that can be saved through the use of computers, and refer to appropriate examples of how they can be saved.
Computers can help save on paper and paper costs in paperless offices.
Computers can control the electricity and power use in energy efficient buildings that use sensors to switch the lights and air conditioning on and off automatically depending on whether people are detected in the room (or building) or not.
Explain what is meant when it is said that computer technology virtually eliminates time and distance as business constraints.
Distance is now only relevant when transferring physical goods because of the availability of global communication.
Businesses can conduct business at any time of the day and across different time zones across the world.
How could VoIP software like Skype save a company money?
They can make overseas calls at a fraction of the cost of a traditional telephone call. People can skype instead of travelling to meetings.
Outline a situation where ICT enables you to collaborate more effectively with others.
You can ‘see’ the person you are talking to no matter where they are in the world by using video conferencing. You can share files, use the same desktop and even work on the same document simultaneously.
Name the two hardware components of a computer that generally make it more or less powerful than another computer.
CPU and RAM
What do we mean when we say a computer runs on a Linux platform?
It means the computer runs a Linux operating system.
How does a server differ from the ‘ordinary’ PCs linked in a network?
It is generally more powerful than ordinary PCs and provides services to users on a network. Other computers are intended for the users to use to type their documents directly, etc.
What are the two main advantages that a laptop computer provides over a desktop computer?
It is portable and can be used on battery power for a few hours if there is no electricity available, e.g. during a power outage.
Give two advantages of a tablet over a smartphone.
They have a larger screen (which enables more productivity applications and is great for reading or watching videos) and they have a longer battery life.
Give one reason why a person would choose to use a smartphone rather than a phablet.
A smartphone is slightly smaller than a phablet, and fits more easily into a pocket etc. The larger size of a phablet might actually be inconvenient for the user.
What is meant by the term ‘power user’? Give three typical examples of power users to support your answer.
Power users have computing needs which require top-of-the range hardware (and software) for their specific needs. In addition, they may need specific hardware related to their interests or job. A power user will also typically use all the advanced functions of the software they use.
Power users can be hardcore gamers, architects, engineers, video editing professionals and scientists.
Explain what convergence is in this context and give an example to support your answer.
Convergence refers to the trend where separate technologies and functions that required different devices in the past are combined into one single device Convergence is therefore the ‘bringing together’ or combining of multiple technologies into a single, multi-purpose device.
why do we use computers
Computers are more powerful, efficient, reliable and accurate. They save time on labour tasks and provide resources. they provide accuracy by ensuring the quality of programs and the mass production of ICT. they can perform the same tasks over and over with 100% accuracy. computers don’t get bored or tired, we can rely on them to do the tasks needed to be done.
What should a person compare when buying a computer
how powerful they are- speed of CPU and how much RAM
what they are used for- servers/ basic office applications
their size (mobility)- range from huge mainframe computers to handheld devices
the software they use- we refer to operating systems as “platforms” and to computers as “linux machines” or “windows machines”
