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1-Full ICT 0417 Note Theory
1-Full ICT 0417 Note Theory
com
Internal Hardware:
Motherboard
Random access memory (Ram) RAM
Read only memory (Rom)
Video Cards
Sound Cards
Internal Hard storage devices ROM
(HDD & SSD) Video Card
External Hardware:
Monitor
Keyboard Sound Card Solid State Drive
Mouse
Printer
Storage
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Internal hardware:
Motherboard:
Printed circuit board in all computers.
It allow the processor and other hardware to function and communicate with
each other
It is central to any computer system
All components plug into the motherboard
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Video card:
Allow the computer to send graphical information to video display like monitor
or television, made of memory unit, cooling mechanism and connection to
display unit.
Sound card :
Integrated circuit to board to provide a computer with ability to produce
sounds
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• Photo editing software : software allow editing digital photo stored in the
computer
• System software : Program that allow the hardware to run properly and allow the
user to communicate with the computer
• Compiler : computer program that translate program written in high level
language as a whole into machine code, the original program called the
Source Code and the program after compilation called the Object code,
Examples of high level language is Java, Python, C++ , Fortran .
• Linkers: computer program that takes one or more object files produced by
compiler and combine them into a single program. Different pieces of code
called module and the linker put all together.
• Device driver: the name of software that enable one or more hardware
device to communicate with the operating system and without driver the
device unable to work.
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Boot files: Code tells the computer what to do when the first
start up referred as BIOS (Basic input/output system.
CMOS : Chip that BIOS stored the data ( date & time and
system configuration) in non-volatile chip called CMOS
(complementary metal oxide semiconductor) this is battery
powered
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Operating systems:
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GUI
CLI
Types of computers
Advantages Disadvantages
• Lower cost because spare parts and • Not portable.
connections tend to be standard • You need to copy files if you
• Better specification (fast processor..) do some work outside.
• No much heating • More complicated than
• Less damaged can be happened laptop
because fixed in one location
• Internet access is also stable because
not moved around
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Advantages Disadvantages
• Laptop in single unit then no trilling • Easier to steal.
wires • Battery is limited life.
• Can take full advantage of Wi-Fi. • Keyboard and pointing devices
• Lightweight. can sometimes be not suitable
• Low power consumption. to use.
• Portable, can be taken anywhere and
can connect with multimedia system
3- Tablets
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4- Smartphone
Allow normal phone calls and also have OS ( iOS, Android, Windows)
functions of smartphone :
Send/receive email
Surf internet
Global positioning system GPS
Calendar functions
Telephone banking using banking Apps
VIOP – voice over internet protocol using internet
Streaming of video
Streaming of music
Social networking
Instant message
Advantages Disadvantages
Easy to carry (very small in size The small screen make pages
and lightweight difficult to read
Used to make phone calls and also Small keyboard make difficult to
connect to internet while on move type things and slow also, but this
Used anywhere sine have Wi-Fi solved in large screen
Have hundreds of Apps Web browsing can consume
Have reasonable battery life battery quickly
compared to laptop Memory is not large when you
compare with laptop
Not all websites compatible with
smartphone operating system
Easier to lose or stolen since
small size
The data transfer rate using
mobile phone networks is slower
with Wi-Fi
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4- Smartwatches
Allow users to wear a mini computer in their writs and have the functions of
smartphone
Some functions of smartwatches :
Internet connectivity , can browse& search ,
send email
Ability to make and take phone calls
Messaging using text or video
Weather forecasting
Fitness and health monitoring capability
GPS , find location , using satnav , direction to
other location
Advantages Disadvantages
Same advantages of Same disadvantages of smartphone
smartphone Smartphones are large and bulky.
It can wear in wrists Problem with battery failure or
Monitoring fitness and health empty battery.
regimes Unattractive design
The software for GPS needs to kept
up to date update
During running loss of satellite can
make an issue
During running sunlight can make it
unreadable
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Mainframe computer
Is used for large and very powerful computer system, and the main purpose
to run commercial applications such as banking, insurance where huge
amount of data.
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Vision enhancement
Low vision enhancement system ( LVES ) use video technology through
a headset connected to a computer, the system allow images to be
projected in from of the eyes, this bring the things closer by the user of
the system
Night vision enhancement ( NVE ) amplifies infrared light and visible light
so that the image can still be seen in the darkness ( military use this
technology
Robotics
Robotics mostly used in manufacturing industry, like weld car bodies ,
spray body panels, fit items
Robots appearing in many areas in our lives
One application used in drones (flying devices) used by military and
civilians.
Robots can perform many tasks:
Dangerous jobs ( bomb disposal )
Exploring (Volcanos)
Repetitive manufacturing job ( Cars )
Moving heavy objects
Surgical procedure
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Quantum cryptography
Cryptography is the science of making a message unintelligible to any
unauthorized user (hacker).
Quantum cryptography is based on the use of photons (light) and their
physical quantum properties
Send a message with complete privacy (encryption)
Make it much more complex to decrypt, ( enable secure
communication
Computer-assisted translation ( CAT )
• When human translators use computer software to help in translation
process
• Reduce translation time but may be not 100% accurate
Impacts on everyday life
More accurate
Multilingual
Quick translator
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Virtual reality
Artificial environment that users can interact with
General equipment to use Virtual Reality
Eye goggles – gloves – headphones – sensor - powerful computer
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1- Keyboards :
Uses :
Input of data (text, number,..) into applications software
Typing commands to the computer ( Ctrl P + Ctrl S … )
Mostly QWERTY keyboard is used
Ergonomic keyboard is used to reduce the health-related problems
like ( carpal tunnel syndrome – RSI )
Advantages Disadvantages
• Fast text entry into the document • Can be difficult to use if the user
• Easy to use has limited arm/wrist use.
• Easier to do verification checks as • Slow method when compared
the data is entered. with direct data entry
• Large device.
2-Concept Keyboard
Uses icons instead of standard letters ,
Often used in fast food restaurants one
item (example ice cream)
Fast data entry.
The keyboards are waterproof.
Certain applications.
Tamper resistant
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2. Numeric keypads
Used to enter number only
USES:
Automatic teller machines (ATMs).
Mobile phones.
Point-of-sale (POS)
Chip and PIN devices when paying by credit/debit cards
Fast entry of numeric data into a spreadsheet
Advantages Disadvantages
• Faster than standard keyboard • Sometimes have small keys, input
• Very easy to carry around more difficult.
• Sometimes the order of the
numbers on the keypad isn’t
intuitive.
Pointing devices:
1- Mouse
By moving mouse around, you can control the
position of the pointer on the screen
USES:
Opening, closing and minimizing software.
Grouping, moving and deleting files.
Controlling the position of a pointer on the screen
Advantages Disadvantages
• Faster way than using a keyboard. • More difficult for people with
• Very quick way to navigate restricted hand
applications and internet • Easy to damage
• No need large desk area. • Difficult to use if no flat surface
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2- Touchpad
Used in many laptop as a pointing device
Advantages Disadvantages
• Faster than a keyboard • People with limited hand/wrist
• No need for a separate mouse. movement find the device difficult
to use.
• Difficult to control when compared
to a mouse.
• Difficult in certain operations such
as drag and drop.
3-Tracker ball
Uses
Used in applications where the user has disability
(RSI)
Used in a control room /faster than a mouse
Used in some luxury cars to select functions such
as radio, telephone, music
Advantages Disadvantages
• Easier than a mouse. • Not supplied with computers as
• More accurate positioning. standard.
• More robust than a mouse. • User may need training
• Needs less desk space than a mouse
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4-Remote Control
Uses :
Televisions, satellite systems, most of systems
use remote controls.
Control multimedia systems.
Used in industrial applications to remotely
control processes.
Advantages Disadvantages
• Operated from any reasonable • Difficult to use if the operator has
distance. limited hand/wrist movement.
• Some chemical processes are • It is easier to block the signal.
hazardous, can select operation
from distance
5-Joystick
Uses :
Used in video/computer games.
Used in simulators
Advantages Disadvantages
• Easier than a keyboard to • More difficult to control the on-
navigate the screen screen pointer
• Control is more realistic than
using a mouse
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5-Driving wheel
Uses :
Used in video/computer games.
Used in simulators (car-driving
simulators)
Advantages Disadvantages
• Easier than a keyboard or • Expensive input device.
joystick. • Movements too sensitive.
• Actual steering wheel and other
controls operate in real life.
6- Touchscreens
Uses :
Self-service
ATMs
Point-of-sale terminals
Airports, railway stations, tourist
offices
Personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones and satellite
navigation systems
Interactive white boards in education.
Computer-based training (CBT) - on-screen testing.
Used as an output device
Advantages Disadvantages
• Faster entry. • Limited number of options
• Very easy method. available.
• User-friendly. • Can lead to problems.
• The screen can get very dirty,
reduce its responsiveness
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7- Scanners:
There are two types of scanner, The most common is
flatbed scanner, also barcode scanner is another type
Uses
• Scan documents.
• Scan in old/valuable documents/books.
• Scan in photographs.
• Scan in barcodes at POS terminals.
Advantages Disadvantages
• Images can be stored for editing • Quality can be limited depend on
at a later date. resolution of the scanner.
• Much faster and more accurate. • Slow at scanning if color scanning
• Recovery damaged documents selected
and photographs.
8- Digital Camera
Digital cameras replaced with traditional based film ,
now the images stored digitally on solid state
memory , and can be transferred to computer by:
Advantages Disadvantages
• Easier to produce better-quality • The quality of photographs
photographs. depends on the number of pixels.
• Easier and faster to upload • Images compressed to reduce
photographs to a computer reader. the memory used.
• No need to print out photographs.
• Can store several hundred
photographs.
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9- Video Cameras
DV (digital video) cameras, store
compressed photo frames at speed of 25
MB per second this is known as (MOTION
JPEG)
10- Microphone
Microphone connected directly with the computer,
Sounds converted to an analogue signal then converted
into a digital signal
Uses :
Presentations.
Input in voice-recognition software
As a sensor to pick up sound.
Used in video conferencing or Voice over Internet Protocol
Advantages Disadvantages
• Faster to read text instead using • Sound files is big.
keyboard • Voice-recognition software not
• Manipulate sound. accurate
• Voice-activation system, Advantage
of improving safety. – driving cars
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11-Sensors
Sensor is a device to input data into a computer, the data is physical
quantity like temperature, light, moister, this data is analogue in nature
Computer can read only digital data , then the data from sensor should
be converted to digital using an analogue digital converter ADC
Type of sensors:
Advantages Disadvantages
• More accurate than human • Faulty sensors can give spurious
operators. results
• Readings are continuous - no break
• Any necessary action or warning will
be initiated immediately
• Systems can be automatic, removing
the need for human intervention.
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Uses
produce freehand drawings
Used in computer-aided design (CAD)
work
Advantages Disadvantages
• Modify drawings before they are • More expensive than other
input. pointing devices.
• Very accurate method of drawing. • Takes time to produce a drawing
• Can record levels of pressure. • Menus not very user-friendly.
• Larger drawings (such as A4) are
expensive to produce.
• The touch screens are damaged
easily.
13- Webcams
Uses
Conversation while chatting online.
Video conferencing
Advantages Disadvantages
Immediate face-to-face video chat Very limited features and often
Contact with each other without poor quality.
traveling Need to be connected to the
computer.
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Uses :
• Selecting objects on CRT screens
• Drawing on screen ( as example CAD Package)
Advantages Disadvantages
Greater accuracy than touch screen Problems with delay when
Small drawing on screen.
Easy-to-use Only works with CRT monitors.
Not accurate when drawing.
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Advantages Disadvantages
• Fast data entry • If the magnetic stripe gets
• Error free damaged the data is lost.
• Secure • Doesn’t work at a distance.
• Prevents access to restricted areas • Not human readable.
• Not affected by oil, water, moisture
• Very robust.
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Advantages Disadvantages
• More secure • Need to be careful to ensure PIN
• More robust isn’t read by somebody else while
typing it in.
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Uses:
Used to process bank cheque in banking operation
using system called batch processing
Advantages Disadvantages
• Offer greater security than OCR • Only certain characters can be read
• No manual input, so errors are and the number of different
reduced characters is very limited.
• The magnetic ink characters can • More expensive
still be read even if somebody
writes over them
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Advantages
• No need to write down a key or
website
• QR can store the website address
on business card or on the
magazine, train, bus
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Advantages Disadvantages
• The angle of viewing is still better • Present a safety hazard if not
than with most TFT monitors supported properly
• They work with light pens in • Run very hot and can cause fires
CAD/CAM applications • They consume more power than
modern TFT
• They can flicker, can lead to
headaches and eyesight problems
Advantages Disadvantages
• Lightweight • The angle of viewing a TFT is
• Produce less glare than CRT monitors fairly critical.
• Less radiation • Definition is sometimes not as
• Consume less power / don’t generate good as a CRT monitor.
much heat
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Multimedia projectors
Uses :
Training presentations
Advertising presentations
Home cinema systems
Advantages Disadvantages
• Many people can see a presentation • Images can sometimes be fuzzy
without crowding • Expensive
• No networked computers • Setting little difficult to setup
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