Unit 2 - Input and Output Devices

Question 1

What layout does a standard keyboard use?

Answer 1

QWERTY

Question 2

What does EPOS stand for?

Answer 2

Electronic Point Of Sale

Question 3

What does ATM stand for?

Answer 3

Automatic Teller Machine

Question 4

Give advantages of a keyboard.

Answer 4

Need little training, a skilled typist can enter data very quickly and often computers come with a keyboard supplied

Question 5

Give disadvantages of a keyboard

Answer 5

It is prone to human error since all data has to be keyed in, if you cannot touch type it can be time consuming to enter data and excessive use can lead to RSI.

Question 6

What does RSI stand for?

Answer 6

Repetitive Strain Injury

Question 7

What can a mouse be described as?

Answer 7

A ‘pointing device’

Question 8

Name 3 types of mouse

Answer 8

Infrared, mouse ball and wireless

Question 9

Give advantages of a mouse.

Answer 9

Easy to use, inexpensive and designed to fit under the human hand.

Question 10

State one disadvantage of a mouse.

Answer 10

Experienced users may find using a mouse slow, compared to using hot keys such as Ctrl + P to print

Question 11

Give a use for a joystick

Answer 11

Playing flight simulators

Question 12

What does a joystick do as you manoeuvre it?

Answer 12

It senses movements and converts them into coordinates.

Question 13

Apart from the lever, describe the other functionality that a joystick has.

Answer 13

It has a range of buttons that can carry out specific, pre-programmed actions

Question 14

Give one advantage of a joystick

Answer 14

Provides a better experience when playing a flight simulator

Question 15

What are ‘input devices’?

Answer 15

Hardware devices that allow data to be entered into a computer

Question 16

What are the two types of input devices?

Answer 16

Manual input devices

Direct input devices

Question 17

Manual input devices

Answer 17

Data is input into the computer by hand (people have to do most of the work).

Question 18

What is a Keyboard?

Answer 18

Text, numbers and instructions

Used to input data into applications

Used to enter commands into the computer

Question 19

What are Numeric keypads?

Answer 19

Used to enter numbers into a computer system

Used in: ATMs, telephones, chip and pin devices

Question 20

What is a Remote control?

Answer 20

Used to control other devices using infrared signals

Home entertainment systems use remote controls: DVD / Blu-ray players, TV etc.

Industry uses remote controls to operate machinery that might be too dangerous to get near to: activating explosives in demolition.

Question 21

What are Scanners?

Answer 21

Used to enter information on paper into a computer.

Reflects light off the hard copy in order to capture an analogue image of the document then converts it to digital format.
E.g. old photograph (analogue) -> scanner converts photo into digital data -> digital data can be stored on a computer.

Question 22

What is a Graphics tablet

Answer 22

Used by artists and designers to easily create and store digital graphics in a computer

Whatever is drawn onto tablet can be seen on a computer screen.

Allow designers to produce digital images much more accurately than if they were using a mouse.

Question 23

What are Microphones

Answer 23

Used to input analogue sounds into a digital computer.

Used in voice recognition software.

Used in gaming so that gamers can talk to each other.

Question 24

What are Digital Cameras

Answer 24

Store digital photographs on a memory card.

Built-in screen to allow for previewing

Capture video and sound

Exists in almost all modern mobile phones.

Question 25

Direct input devices

Answer 25

Data is input into the computer directly by a machine / device.

Question 26

What are

Barcode readers

Answer 26

Reads and outputs printed barcodes to a computer.

Used in supermarkets, stores

Question 27

Advantages of barcode readers

Answer 27

Advantages:
Quick & easy to change products price (all digital)

Easy to get info on system (only have to scan)

Automatic stock control.

Very accurate->no typing

Question 28

Disadvantages of barcode readers

Answer 28

Disadvantages

Expensive(each item needs a barcode / computer technology / database needed)

Can only read undamaged barcodes

Barcodes can be swapped.

Question 29

Optical mark readers (OMR)

Answer 29

Captures human-marked data

Often used to read multiple choice examinations where students shade in areas they think are correct.

Question 30

Advantages of OMR

Answer 30

Advantages

Very fast method of marking because it is automatic.

Accurate because it automatically transfers data.

Can save money from employing people.

Question 31

Disadvantages of OMR

Answer 31

Disadvantages

Forms need to be accurately designed.

Can only read shaded areas.

If forms are filled incorrectly, they cannot be read.

Question 32

Magnetic ink character recognition (MCR)

Answer 32

Read information printed in a special ink, then convert it into form that computer can understand.

Write customer account numbers on cheques.

Question 33

Advantages of MCR

Answer 33

Advantages

Cheques can be processed very quickly.

Special ink characters cannot be changed, increases security.

No manual inputs -> less errors.

Question 34

Disadvantages of MCR

Answer 34

Only limited characters can be read.

More expensive than other devices.

Question 35

Magnetic Stripes Reader

Answer 35

Read magnetics stripes that are found on back of credit cards, loyalty cards etc.

Magnetic strips contain the user’s personal details such as account no, and name.