Module 1.2 Flashcards
What is the difference between data and information? Express your answer in terms of the role of the computer.
Data refers to raw, unprocessed facts. Computers take data and process it into useful information.
Give two destinations for output, or ways in which output can be used.
Output can be sent directly to storage.
Output can be communicated directly to other computers.
Output can be used as input for other programs and computer systems.
Output can be used to control equipment or devices.
Why is the memory (RAM) of an ICT device so important in terms of processing?
Processing can only take place when the software and data is loaded into the memory (RAM) of the ICT device.
Give two types of processing that one might perform on data.
Searching, sorting, comparing, calculating, etc.
Give two ways in which sensitive data can be protected, besides physically restricting access to the data.
Encryption and backups (stored off-site).
Would you classify a touch screen as an input device or as an output device? Motivate your answer.
It is both. Input, as it allows the user to provide input by touching the screen, and output, as it displays output as a normal computer screen does.
Give the main advantage and the main disadvantage of using a wireless keyboard or mouse as opposed to a wired one.
A wireless keyboard/mouse clears clutter from the desk or work surface.
A wireless keyboard/mouse can be inconvenient as you can’t use the device if the batteries are flat and you don’t have spare batteries.
Give three reasons why a touch screen device is often used in restaurants.
Quicker/easier and more accurate to input data, especially with a fixed selection of options. Saves space as it serves the function of both a mouse and a keyboard.
It is easy and intuitive to use and requires very little training.
Give the two main reasons why one should buy an ergonomically designed keyboard.
Comfort / ease of use.
Safety aspects such as reducing the risk of RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) / CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome).
State where you typically find a touchpad and give two advantages of using a touchpad over a mouse.
A touchpad is a hardware device built into laptops / portable computers.
As the name ‘laptop’ suggests people often use these machines on their laps where there is no space or way to use a mouse.
Having a touchpad also means there is one less item to carry around / potentially forget.
Give five general advantages of having hard copies scanned and saved in digital format in the context of a business or office environment.
One can store and share documents digitally which means that less paper and ink are used, which is beneficial to the environment.
Large documents that consist of many pages can be scanned and collated into a single digital file (usually a PDF).
Scanned copies need less physical storage space – a hard drive can hold thousands of documents.
It is faster to use a scanner and OCR software than retyping a document.
Scanned copies can be shared electronically rather than through the slow physical process of mail or courier.
Give two scenarios where it is preferable to use RFID tags instead of conventional barcodes.
E-tolling/toll roads, stock control in shops and warehouses, pet tracking, access control systems, etc.
Your sister has a 10 MP digital camera. Explain how the term ‘resolution’ relates to this specification.
Each digital picture is made of small ‘dots’ or pixels. The resolution of the image refers to the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in the image. Multiply the two and you get the total number of pixels – in this case 10 MP or 10 mega (million) pixels.
List and describe four factors, other than the resolution, that the quality of an image taken with a digital camera depends on.
Colour depth – the number of bits used to represent a colour.
Sensor size – the bigger the sensor in a camera, the better the quality of the image. ISO rating (the camera’s sensitivity to light).
Using optical rather than digital zoom.
Do scanners and digital cameras uses the same units to measure resolution? Motivate your answer.
No, digital cameras use (mega) pixels to measure resolution and scanners measure resolution in terms of the number of dots they can scan per inch (dpi).
Explain what the specifications aspect ratio, the contrast ratio and the refresh rate refer to
The aspect ratio is the relationship between the width and height of the display e.g. 16:9 or 16:10 displays.
The contrast ratio is the relationship between the darkest black and the brightest white. Low contrast ratios produce soft, muddy images.
The refresh rate refers to how often (how quickly) the screen display is refreshed. The higher the refresh rate, the better the display.
Suppose you switch on your computer and there is no display. Give two troubleshooting steps you can take to try to solve the problem.
Check that the monitor is switched on and receiving power.
Check all the connections.
If the monitor can accept multiple inputs, check that it is set to display the correct input.
Give four specifications you might consider when purchasing a new printer, besides the type of printer, the colour factor, the cost and the warranty.
Speed Resolution
Cost per page
Paper size that can be used
Wireless capability / Has a network port
Inkjet printers are generally cheaper to buy than laser printers, but they have some disadvantages compared to laser printers. Give three of these disadvantages.
Higher running costs than laser printers.
Slower printing speeds than laser printers.
Generally, the text print quality is not as good as that of laser printers.
How does a 3D printer differ from other types of printers, in terms of what it can print?
It creates a physical, three-dimensional object.
What does it mean when we say storage is non-volatile compared to RAM which is volatile?
It means that storage retains its contents even when the power is switched off. RAM loses its contents
if it is not constantly supplied with power.
Why does storage always have to have a larger capacity than RAM?
Only programs and data that need to be processed need to be loaded into RAM.
Storage must permanently store all your programs and data, even when the computer is switched off.
Give four reasons why an external hard drive is better for backups than using optical discs (CD and DVD).
Ease of use – they can just be plugged into a USB port and used. Higher speed – faster than optical media.
Much larger capacity than optical media.
Reliability – more reliable than optical media.
Name two types of port to which you can connect an external hard drive.
USB, Thunderbolt
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of a 2.5” drive compared to a 3.5” drive.
2.5” drives can get their power from the computer using the connection cable, whilst 3.5” drives need a separate power supply.
2.5” drives generally have smaller capacities than 3.5” drives.
Give five reasons why flash drives have largely replaced optical discs (CD and DVD).
They provide much faster data access.
They are ‘industry standard’, i.e. useable with all operating systems and most devices, provided the devices have USB ports.
USB ports are found on virtually every type of computer or device, whereas a CD or DVD needs an optical drive.
They have a much larger capacity than optical media.
They are more reliable (CD and DVD discs can easily get scratched or damaged). They are easier to use in terms of adding and deleting files.
They are physically smaller and easier to carry around (e.g. fit into a pocket).
Give two reasons why many companies prohibit (stop) their employees from bringing any portable devices (such as flash drives) to work with them, besides being ‘distracted’ by them.
Their small size, large capacity and ease of use means that they make it easy for people to pirate media, copy and steal data or install illicit software on computers that are not their own.
Give two advantages and two disadvantages of an SSD over a traditional (mechanical) hard drive.
Advantages:
● SSDs are much faster than traditional hard drives.
● SSDs have the advantage of no moving parts and therefore can’t be damaged easily by being
moved whilst in use.
● SSDs are much more energy-efficient and run more quietly than traditional (mechanical) hard
drives.
Disadvantages:
● SSDs are more expensive than traditional hard drives.
● SSDs generally come in smaller capacities than traditional hard drives.
Why is a cellular connection not always as reliable as a fixed line connection?
Cellular internet connections depend on the coverage and strength of the cellular signal.
Give one reason why fibre is more reliable than ADSL.
Not affected by electronic noise / interference / EMI.
(Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is unwanted noise or interference in an electrical path or circuit caused by an outside source. It is also known as radio frequency interference.)
Give three other problems that might cause a printer not to print at all.
The wrong printer is selected in the print dialog box.
The print job has been paused.
The printer may be jammed (page stuck).
There is no ink/toner or paper left, etc.
Briefly explain what a keylogger is and why it is so dangerous.
Keyloggers are a type of software (falling under the category of spyware) that can track and record your keystrokes and even track what your mouse is doing and the places where you click on the screen.
In this way the person who installed the software can monitor what you are doing and also obtain your passwords, etc. without your knowledge or permission.
Give five benefits of using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags as opposed to barcodes in a warehouse environment.
Can be read at a distance wirelessly.
Can be scanned more quickly.
Less labour intensive to work with.
Allows items to be located within the warehouse. Can include more information (e.g. than just a price).
Why might installing software from a DVD be a problem on a newer laptop computer?
In order to save space and reduce power consumption, many newer laptop computers are not equipped with an optical drive.
Give two examples of GUI types of controls that can be used to minimise the amount of data a user has to enter in a program (and reduce the risk of typing errors).
Drop-down lists, date pickers (to choose a date from), spin edits, check boxes, radio buttons, etc.
Why would it perhaps not be a good idea to use a high-resolution webcam when you are using Skype to communicate with a friend overseas
High-resolution images use a lot of bandwidth/cap.
