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Faculty of Inforation Technology Year 1
Faculty of Inforation Technology Year 1
Faculty of Inforation Technology Year 1
YEAR 1 SEMESTER 1
Registered with the Department of Higher Education as a Private Higher Education Institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997.
Registration Certificate No. 2000/HE07/008
LEARNER GUIDE
PREPARED ON BEHALF OF
RICHFIELD GRADUATE INSTITUTEOF TECHNOLOGY (PTY) LTD
Copyright © 2016
Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology (Pty) Ltd
Registration Number: 2000/000757/07
All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including
photocopying machines, without the written permission of the Institution.
MODULE: INFORMATION SYSTEMS 511 (1ST SEMESTER)
Discovering Computers Technology in a world of computers, mobile devices and the internet
1st Edition
2013
Cashman,S
ISBN: 9781285161761
, Cengage
3
LESSON PLAN ALIGNED TO MOBILE CONTENT [MOODLE]
5
INTERACTIVE ICONS USED IN THIS LEARNER GUIDE
Review Questions
6
ONE | INTRODUCTION TO USING THE COMPUTER
Learning Outcomes
Information literacy skills are used for academic purposes, such as research
papers and group presentations. They're used on the job—the ability to find,
evaluate, use and share information is an essential skill. Consumer decisions,
such as which car or vacuum cleaner to purchase, are critical. You'll also use these
skills by participating fully in a democratic society as an informed citizen by
understanding issues and voting.
An information system is not only the technology that an organization uses, but
also the way in which the organization interact with the technology and the way
i hi h the te h olog o ks ith the o ga izatio s p o ess su h as gathe i g
raw data, storing it, processing this data and making information available to the
user or to an organization.
This is the physical equipment devices used by people to communicate with each
other such as Keyboard mouse, printer and Central Processing Unit.
1.6.3 Software
1.6.4 Data
Data is raw unprocessed facts and once the computer processes data it is then
called information.
8
1.6.5 Information
1.6.6 Procedures
These are predetermined guidelines for users to follow when using the hardware
and software.
9
Figure 1 The four functions of a computer
As the Figure 1 above indicates, data about business transactions and other events are captured
into the computer through input devices such as the keyboard, the mouse, the microphone and
the modem, whereupon it is processed by the CPU (Central Processing Unit). Data entered into the
system is subjected to processing activities such as calculating, comparing, sorting, classifying and
summarizing. The above activities organize, analyze and manipulate data, thus converting it into
information for end-users. As the CPU is processing data it temporarily stores it in the Primary
Storage (also called the Main Memory). The data that has been
processed is presented to users in a way that they can
understand through output devices such as the monitor, the
printer, speakers and the modem. Here information is
transmitted to end-users and made available to them by the IDEA
output activity. The goal of information systems is the
production of appropriate information products for end-users, You can start any program by
using the start button.
which can be messages, reports, forms, and graphic images. The
Complete the following three
ph ase in a way that they can understand is deli e atel steps to start a web browser.
i se ted a o e, e ause o pute s talk o l i te s of s a d 1. Click the start button
s, the so-called machine language. 2. Click all programs
3. Click the internet
Finally a computer stores its results for later use in storage explorer
devices such as the hard disk drive (HDD), the floppy disk drive An internet explorer window
(FDD), the CD Rom drive, the DVD Rom drive etc. This ability to will be opened.
store results for future use and the ability to access these results
quickly gives the computer tremendous power in comparison to
a human being.
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1.7.3 The Information Processing Cycle
The four functions of a computer discussed above also form what is called an
information processing cycle i.e., Input – Processing – Output – Storage. As the
dotted arrow in Figure 1 above indicates, it becomes a cycle when the Storage
devices are used as input devices to provide input to the computer. In other
words, the work that you did three days ago can become input today and the
whole cycle of Input – Processing – Output – Storage starts again.
1.7.4.1 Speed
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1.7.4.2 Reliability And Consistency
1.7.4.3 Accuracy
Computers can process large amounts of data and generate error free results,
provided that the data is entered correctly. If inaccurate data is entered, the
resulting output will be incorrect. This computing principle is known as Garbage
in – Garbage out (GIGO) - points out that the accuracy of a computers output
depends on the accuracy of the input.
1.7.4.5 Communication
Most computers today have the ability of communicating with each other.
Computers with this capability can share any of the four information processing
cycle operations- input, process, output and storage.
1.7.4.6 Programmability
ONE | INTRODUCTION TO USING THE COMPUTER
12
1.8.1 Personal Computer
While early PC owners usually had to write their own programs to do anything
useful with the machines, today's users have access to a wide range of
commercial and non-commercial software, which is provided in ready-to-run or
ready-to-compile form. Since the 1980s, Microsoft and Intel have dominated
much of the personal computer market with the Wintel platform.
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1.9.1 Workstation
Prior to the wide spread of PCs a computer that could fit on a desk was considered
remarkably small. Today the phrase usually indicates a particular style of
computer case. Desktop computers come in a variety of styles ranging from large
vertical tower cases to small form factor models that can be tucked behind an LCD
monitor. In this sense, the term 'desktop' refers specifically to a horizontally-
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oriented case, usually intended to have the display screen placed on top to save
space on the desk top. Most modern desktop computers have separate screens
and keyboards.
Single unit PCs (also known as all-in-one PCs) is a subtype of desktop computers,
which combine the monitor and case of the computer within a single unit. The
monitor often utilizes a touch screen as an optional method of user input;
however detached keyboards and mice are normally still included. The inner
components of the PC are often located directly behind the monitor, and many
are built similarly to laptops.
1.9.3 Laptop
built in to a single unit. Laptops contain high capacity batteries that can power the
device for extensive periods of time, enhancing portability. Once the battery
charge is depleted, it will have to be recharged through a power outlet. In the
interest of saving power, weight and space, they usually share RAM with the video
channel, slowing their performance compared to an equivalent desktop machine.
One main drawback of the laptop is sometimes, due to the size and configuration
of components, relatively little can be done to upgrade the overall computer from
its original design. Internal upgrades are either not manufacturer recommended,
can damage the laptop if done with poor care or knowledge, or in some cases
impossible, making the desktop PC more modular. Some internal upgrades, such
as memory and hard disks upgrades are often easy, a display or keyboard upgrade
is usually impossible. The laptop has the same access as the desktop to the wide
variety of devices, such as external displays, mice, cameras, storage devices and
keyboards, which may be attached externally through USB ports and other less
common ports such as external video.
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A subtype of notebooks, called sub notebooks, are computers with most of the
features of a standard laptop computer but smaller. They are larger than hand-
held computers, and usually run full versions of desktop/laptop operating
systems. Notebooks are sometimes considered in this category, though they are
sometimes separated in a category of their own (see below).
1.9.4 Notebook
Notebooks (also called mini notebooks or sub notebooks) are a rapidly evolving
category of small, light and inexpensive laptop computers suited for general
computing and accessing web-based applications; they are often marketed as
"companion devices," that is, to augment a user's other computer access. At their
inception in late 2007 — as smaller notebooks optimized for low weight and low
cost— notebooks omitted key features (e.g., the optical drive), featured smaller
screens and keyboards, and offered reduced specification and computing power.
Over the course of their evolution, notebooks have ranged in size from below 5 in
to over 13 in, and from ~1 kg (2-3 pounds). Often significantly less expensive than
other laptops, by mid-2009, notebooks had been offered to users "free of charge",
ONE | INTRODUCTION TO USING THE COMPUTER
with an extended service contract purchase. In the short period since their
appearance, notebooks have grown in size and features, now converging with
new smaller, lighter notebooks.
1.9.5 Tablet PC
1.9.6 Ultra-Mobile PC
The ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) is a specification for a small form factor of tablet PCs.
ONE | INTRODUCTION TO USING THE COMPUTER
17
1.9.7 Pocket PC
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Mainframes (often colloquially referred to as Big Iron) are powerful computers used mainly by
large organizations for critical applications, typically bulk data processing such as census, industry
and consumer statistics, enterprise resource planning, and financial transaction processing.
The term originally referred to the large cabinets that housed the central processing unit and main
memory of early computers. Later the term was used to distinguish high-end commercial machines
from less powerful units.
Most large-scale computer system architectures were firmly established in the 1960s and most
large computers were based on architecture established during that era up until the advent of Web
servers in the 1990s. There were several minicomputer operating systems and architectures that
arose in the 1970s and 1980s, but minicomputers are generally not considered mainframes. (UNIX
arose as a minicomputer operating system; Unix has scaled up over the years to acquire some
mainframe characteristics.) Many defining characteristics of "mainframe" were established in the
1960s, but those characteristics continue to expand and evolve to the present day.
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Writing Activity
Now that you are familiar with basic knowledge on computers and
information literacy, you are ready to appreciate the many uses of
computers and information.
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Review Questions
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KEY TERMS USED IN SECTION 1
Central Processing Unit (CPU) The CPU interprets and carries out
basic instruction that operates a computer. The CPU is also called a
processor, significantly impacts on overall computing power and
manages most of the computer operations. Most of the devices
connected to the computer communicate with the CPU in order to
carry out a task.
Data Raw unprocessed facts and once the computer processes data
it is then called information.
Desktop The area on the display screen where icons are grouped is
often referred to as the desktop because the icons are intended to
represent real objects on a real desktop.
Dot matrix printers are impact printers and they work much like the
typewriter. They produce characters on paper by impacting an inked
i o ith a at i of ti pi s i thei p i t heads. Whe a
particular pin in the print head receives a voltage it juts out and hits
the inked ribbon, which in turn comes in contact with paper. When
the voltage from the same pin mentioned above is switched off, the
pin retracts and another pin is given voltage and the process goes on
and on. Depending on the character being written on paper, different
sets of pins will receive voltage and others will not. Transistors on the
printer main board control the pins. Dot matrix printers are
becoming less popular, while inkjet and laser printers are becoming
more popular even for home users. Dot matrix printers are relatively
cheaper to purchase and operate, But they make a lot of noise,
produce documents of low quality, cannot print colour and are
extremely slow.
Input the activity of gathering and capturing raw data. For example,
in producing a payroll, the number of hours every employee works
must be collected and captured before the payroll is run
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Machine Languages The language of the CPU (The central processing
unit of the computer, which is the part that does the "thinking"). The
lowest level language. Composed of 0's and 1's
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Printer The function of a printer is to take a soft copy (or electronic
copy) on your computer and transfer it onto paper (a hard copy).
Read Only Memory (ROM) The name given to memory chips that
can store data that can only be read. The data stored on ROM chips
cannot be modified – hence the name read only. ROM is non-volatile
i.e. the contents of the computer is not lost when the computer is
turned off. ROM stores information such as the sequence of
instructions the computer follows to load the operating system and
other information when you first turn the computer on.
Storage Involves the keeping of the output for backup purposes. For
example filing the printed reports, saving the on USB, CDs etc.
Windows You can divide the screen into different areas. In each
window, you can run a different program or display a different file.
You can move windows around the display screen, and change their
shape and size at will
A Zip Disk is a type of portable magnetic media that can store from
100 MB to 750 MB of data. The larger capacity Zip disks hold about
500 times more than a standard floppy disk.
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TWO | SOFTWARE
Learning Outcomes
28
Firmware is low-level software often
stored on electrically programmable
memory devices. Firmware is given its name
because it is treated like hardware and run LEARNING OUTCOME 1
Is covered in section 2.1 to 2.5
Programming tools help conduct computing tasks in any category listed above.
For programmers, these could be tools for debugging, or reverse engineering
older legacy systems in order to check source code compatibility.
Practical computer systems divide software systems into three major classes:
system software, programming software and application software, although the
distinction is arbitrary, and often blurred.
Device Drivers
Operating Systems
Servers
Utilities
Window Systems
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Compilers
Debuggers
Interpreters
Linkers
Text Editors
Application software allows end users to accomplish one or more specific (not
directly computer development related) tasks. Typical applications include:
• Industrial Automation
• Business Software
• Video Games
• Quantum Chemistry and Solid State Physics Software
• Telecommunications (i.e. The Internet And Everything That Flows On It)
• Databases
• Educational Software
• Medical Software
• Molecular Modeling Software
• Image Editing
• Spreadsheets
• Simulation software
• Word Processing
• Decision Making Software
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The Operating System is responsible for starting application programs running
and finding the resources that they need. When an application program is
running, the Operating System manages the details of the hardware for it. For
example, when you type characters on the keyboard, the Operating System
determines which application program they are intended for and does the
work of getting them there.
Modern Operating Systems usually come with a user interface that enables
users to interact with the Operating Systems themselves and with application
programs.
Computer users need only to know how to perform high-level functions, such
as opening and working with programs, copying and deleting files and so on.
However, they need not worry about low-level functions such as looking up
the physical lo atio of the file i the disk s file allo atio ta le FAT), finding
the pointer address of the first block and segment, positioning the read/write
head i the p ope lo atio , eadi g the data to the i itial disk a he…Well, I
think you get the point!
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Figure 2-1 Relationship between the user, applications, the OS and
hardware
Between the hardware and the application software lays the operating system.
The operating system is a program that conducts the communication between
the various pieces of hardware like the video card, sound card, printer, the
motherboard and the applications.
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4. File management, that is, the storage of file of various storage devices to
another. It also allows all files to be easily changed and modified through the
use of text editors or some other files manipulation routines.
5. Establishment and enforcement of a priority system. That is, it determines
and maintains the order in which jobs are to be executed in the computer
system.
6. Automatic transition from job to job as directed by special control
statements.
7. Interpretation of commands and instructions.
8. Coordination and assignment of compilers, assemblers, utility programs,
and other software to the various user of the computer system.
9. Facilities easy communication between the computer system and the
computer operator (human). It also establishes data security and integrity.
The operating system directs the traffic inside the computer, deciding what
resource will be used and for how long.
Time Time in the CPU is divided into time slices which are
measured in milliseconds. Each task the CPU does is
assigned a certain number of time slices. When time
expires, another task gets a turn. The first task must wait
until it has another turn. Since time slices are so small, you
usually can't tell that any sharing is going on. Tasks can be
assigned priorities so that high priority (foreground) tasks
get more time slices than low priority (background) tasks.
Time Time in the CPU is divided into time slices which are measured in
milliseconds. Each task the CPU does is assigned a certain number of time
slices. When time expires, another task gets a turn. The first task must wait
until it has another turn. Since time slices are so small, you usually can't tell
that any sharing is going on. Tasks can be assigned priorities so that high
priority (foreground) tasks get more time slices than low priority
(background) tasks.
Memory Memory must be managed also by the operating system. All those rotating
turns of CPU use leave data waiting around in buffers. Care must be taken
not to lose data!! One way to help out the traffic jam is to use virtual
memory. This includes disk space as part of main memory. While it is slower
to put data on a hard disk, it increases the amount of data that can be held
in memory at one time. When the memory chips get full, some of the data
is paged out to the hard disk. This is called swapping. Windows uses a swap
file for this purpose.
Input and Flow control is also part of the operating system's responsibilities. The
output operating system must manage all requests to read data from disks or tape
and all writes to these and to printers.
To speed up the output to printers, most operating systems now allow for
print spooling, where the data to be printed is first put in a file. This frees
up the processor for other work in between the times data is going to the
printer. A printer can only handle so much data at a time. Without print
spooling you'd have to wait for a print job to finish before you can do
anything else. With it you can request several print jobs and go on
working. The print spool will hold all the orders and process them in turn.
System A user or administrator can check to see whether the computer or network
performance is getting overloaded. Changes could be made to the way tasks are allocated
or maybe a shopping trip is in order! System performance would include
response time (how long it takes for the computer to respond when data is
entered) and CPU utilization (comparing the time the CPU is working to the
time it is idle.)
System security Some system security is part of the operating system, though additional
software can add more security functions. For multiple users who are not
all allowed access to everything, there must be a logon or login procedure
where the user supplies a user ID and a secret password. An administrator
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must set up the permissions list of who can have access to what programs
and what data.
A graphical user interface (GUI) is a type of user interface item that allows
people to interact with programs in more ways than typing such as
computers; hand-held devices such as MP3 Players, Portable Media Players
or Gaming devices; household appliances and office equipment with images
rather than text commands. A GUI offers graphical icons, and visual indicators,
as opposed to text-based interfaces, typed command labels or text navigation
TWO | SOFTWARE
35
to fully represent the information and actions available to a user. The actions are
usually performed through direct manipulation of the graphical elements
Pointer
A symbol that appears on the display screen and that you move to select objects
and commands. Usually, the pointer appears as a small angled arrow. Text -
processing applications, however, use an I-beam pointer that is shaped like a
capital.
Pointing device
A device, such as a mouse or trackball that enables you to select objects on the
display screen.
Icons
Small pictures that represent commands, files, or windows. By moving the pointer
to the icon and pressing a mouse button, you can execute a command or convert
the icon into a window. You can also move the icons around the display screen as
if they were real objects on your desk.
Desktop
The area on the display screen where icons are grouped is often referred to as the
desktop because the icons are intended to represent real objects on a real
desktop.
Windows
You can divide the screen into different areas. In each window, you can run a
different program or display a different file. You can move windows around the
display screen, and change their shape and size at will.
Menus
Most graphical user interfaces let
you execute commands by selecting
LEARNING OUTCOME 3 a choice from a menu.
Is covered in section 2.7 to 2.9
TWO | SOFTWARE
When you switch on your computer, the computer locates the initial instructions
that start it up in the ROM BIOS instructions is to locate the device where the
Operating Systems resides and load it into main memory, a process called booting.
The process of booting was so named because it is analogous to someone pulli g
36
the selves up by the bootst aps (bootstraps is an old word for shoestrings).
Once the operating system is up and running, it can be used to start up any
other program.
If for any reason the Operating System cannot be loaded, you will not be able
to use your computer because you cannot communicate with it. Reasons for the
Operating System not being loaded vary from the Operating System being
corrupted by a virus, for example, to the hard disk crashing and so on.
When the computer has booted (loaded the OS) successfully, the Operating
System will then start running silently. Mostly it is managing the user interface,
waiting for some input to tell it what to do.
When you first turn your computer on, it locates the ROM BIOS chip on your
motherboard. This BIOS chip has a program that was burnt into it at the factory
and it is this program that knows where to look for and how to access, the
different hardware resources, and the Operating System.
The program code on the BIOS chip is loaded into main memory and the
computer sequentially executes the same instructions. It carries out a power on
self-test of several hardware devices such as the video adapter card and other
cards in the expansion slots. It copies their configurations into main memory,
and does a quick memory count.
The program then compares the information it has gathered with the
information stored in the CMOS hip s setup p og a . If there are any
discrepancies, it halts the boot process and informs the user.
Finally the computer has to locate the Operating System. It looks in the floppy
drive first. If there is a disk in drive a, it must have Operating System files on it.
If it does, the Operating System is loaded into main memory. If the disk does
TWO | SOFTWARE
not contain any system files, the computer will halt and display the following
error message:
Non-system disk. Insert boot disk and press any key when ready.
If there is no disk in the floppy drive, the computer checks the hard drive for the
Operating System files and, once found, continued to load the Operating
System into main memory.
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2.9 IMPORTANT OPERATING SYSTEM FILES
The program mentioned in the above section, in loading the Operating System,
precisely locates and loads in memory a hidden system file on your boot disk,
called IO.SYS. After IO.SYS has been loaded in memory it also locates another
hidden system file called MSDOS.SYS and loads it as well. MSDOS.SYS in turn
locates a file called Command.com, the command interpreter, and loads it. This
file is the only Operating System file that is not hidden and is always located in
the root directory of your boot disk.
There are two other files worth mentioning, although they are not part of the
Operating System, namely, Config.sys and Autoexec.bat
Config.sys is a user-configurable text file that usually contains device drivers and
system setup values.
TWO | SOFTWARE
Application or Programme Files
Driver Files
Systems Files
Document or Text Files
Sound Files
Video or Animation Files
Graphic or Image Files
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Keeping track of what files are where is a major job. If you can't find a file, it
doesn't help to know that it is safe and secure somewhere. So an operating
system comes with basic file management commands. A user needs to be able
to create directories for storing files.
The first allows only one program to run at a time. This means that if you are
working in a spreadsheet and want to write a memo, you must shut down the
spreadsheet application and open up a word processor. This is annoying,
especially if you need to quote some data from the spreadsheet in your memo!
So new operating systems were designed that allowed multiple programs to
run at the same time.
TWO | SOFTWARE
The simplest form is multi-tasking. What this really means is that the programs
are taking turns with the processor. It allows a single user to have the
spreadsheet and the word processor open at the same time, and even more.
Now the user can see to copy data from one to the other. Much better!!
The computer must decide on how many time slices each program gets. The
active program gets the most. Next is a program that are doing things but which
aren't the foreground program. Last is a program that is open but aren't doing
39
anything. They need a little bit of time every now and then to see if they are
supposed to do something yet.
The next step up in complexity is multiple users. On a network several users can
be using the same computer or even the same program on that computer. This
is called time-sharing.
It is possible for a computer to use more than one operating system through
the use of virtual machines. "Virtual" means it's not really there. But programs
written for different operating systems are fooled into thinking their required
operating system is present.
The winner in the PC market was MS-DOS, Microsoft's Disk Operating System,
and its twin at IBM, PC-DOS, also written by Microsoft. Now it's hard to recall
TWO | SOFTWARE
those days when each computer had its own unique operating system. More on
DOS Commands.
When Microsoft Windows was developed, about two decades ago, it was not
really an Operating System; it was more of an operating environment. Windows
would rely on DOS to boot the system and was then launched through a
statement that the user had to include in his Autoexec.bat file, i.e.
C:\Windows\Win.com
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Windows came of age in the early 90s with the release of Windows for
Workgroups version 3.11, the first version of Windows to have networking
capability. The author still recalls this version of Windows with fond memories.
Hitherto, Netscape Navigator had been the dominant Web Browser, but by
releasing Windows 95 bundled with Internet Explorer, Microsoft had placed a
fatwa o Nets ape s head. Th oughout its histo , Mi osoft has de o st ated
its vision, strong survival instincts, and an uncanny ability to forecast what the
market wants. In line with this philosophical
observation, Microsoft has a proven track
record as a super-efficient killer of
competitors.
IDEA
2.14 THE WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM
Please Note: The Windows
The Windows Operating System boasts a GUI Boot Process is very
similar to the DOS Boot
(pronounced gooey) interface. The user
Process, except that apart
interacts with Windows by clicking on small from IO.SYS, MSDOS.SYS
graphic images on the screen called icons. and COMMAND.COM,
With Wi do s the e is o eed to carr Windows loads additional
commands in your head any more (Contrast files such as
DOS)? Most of the icons are designed in such a DRVSPACE.BIN,
way that they are suggestive of their function. SYSTEM.DAT, USER.DAT,
The computer icon, for example, is an image SYSTEM.INI, WIN.INI and
others. Refer to the DOS
depicting a desktop computer and the My Boot Process.
Briefcase icon in an image of a real brief case.
As a result of this, Windows is several times
more user-friendly than DOS. Through Windows, Microsoft has managed to de-
mystify computers. In the Old days of cryptic Operating Systems like UNIX,
TWO | SOFTWARE
computers were solely for power users like Engineers and Scientists. With
Windows computers are truly for everyone, including the semi-literate.
Windows 95 and Windows 98 are actual operating systems on their own. The
previous versions of Windows use DOS as the operating system and adding a
graphical user interface which will do multitasking. But with Windows 95,
Microsoft released an operating system that can take advantage of the 32-bit
processors.
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Windows Me (Windows Millennium Edition) is an upgrade of Windows 98,
release date Sept. 14, 2000. The system resources required for this operating
system are significantly higher than previous versions of Windows.
Windows CE is for small devices like palmtop and handheld computers. Late
versions of a number of major applications are available to run on these devices.
You can link your small computer to a regular one to synchronize documents
and data.
Calendar, Windows Mail, Windows Movie Maker, and Windows Photo Gallery,
are not included in Windows 7; most are instead offered separately as part of
the free Windows Live Essentials suite.
42
programs were very simple and straight forward compared to today's elaborate
databases, word processors, schedulers, and action games.
Different computer languages have been created with which to write these
increasingly complex computer programs. They can be categorized based on how
close to normal speech they are, and thus how far from the computer's internal
language.
4th Generation Languages 4GL. Very high-level languages. These are results
oriented and include database query languages.
There are fewer options for programmers, but the
programs are much easier to write than in lower
level languages. These too must be compiled or
interpreted.
TWO | SOFTWARE
43
2.16 INTRODUCTION TO SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS
Scientists. With Windows computers are truly for everyone, including the semi-
literate.
Home/
Graphic
Productivity/Business Personal/
Design/Multimedia
Integrated
Educational
Word Computer Aided
Personal Finance
Processing Design Software
Spread Sheet Desktop
Legal
Publishing
Database Paint/Image
Tax Preparation
Editing
Presentation Video and Audio
Graphics Editing
Personal Multimedia Desktop
Information Authoring Publishing
Manager
Software Suite Web Page Paint/Image
Authoring Editing
Project Home Design/
TWO | SOFTWARE
Management Landscaping
Accounting Educational/
Reference/
Entertainment
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Software Popular Packages
Application
Microsoft Word
Word Corel Word Perfect
Processing Lotus Word Pro
Microsoft Pocket Word
Microsoft Excel
Corel Quattro Pro
Spread Sheet
Lotus 1-2-3
Microsoft Pocket Excel
Microsoft Access
Corel Paradox
Database Lotus Approach
Microsoft Visual FoxPro
Oracle
Microsoft Power-point
Presentation
Corel Presentations
Graphics
Lotus Freelance Graphics
Microsoft Outlook
Corel CENTRAL
Personal
Lotus Organizer
Information
Microsoft Pocket Outlook
Manager
Palm Desktop
Palm Multi-Mail
Microsoft Office
Software Suite Corel WordPerfect Office
Lotus Smart Suite
Project Microsoft Project
Management Primavera Sure-Track Project Manager
Intuit Quick Books
Accounting
Peachtree Complete Accounting
designed specifically for their field of work. Power users such as engineers,
architects, desktop publishers, and graphic artists for example use powerful
software that allows them to work with graphics and multimedia.
45
Here is a list of the popular graphics and multimedia equipment:
Image Editing Software allows you to create images and edit existing
professional graphic designers use it
Video and Audio editing Software allows you to edit segments of audio
images as well as the one you have created
Web Page Authoring Software helps users of all skill levels create web
presentation
pages that include graphical images, video, audio, animation and other special
effects
Chat rooms permit users to chat with each other via the computer.
Newsgroups also called a discussion, is an online area on the web where
you when one or more people are online and then allows you to exchange
separated people who use a network on the Internet to transmit audio and
video data.
46
Case Study
47
Review Questions
48
KEY TERMS USED IN SECTION 2
49
such as computers; hand-held devices such as MP3 Players, Portable
Media Players or Gaming devices; household appliances and office
equipment with images rather than text commands. A GUI offers
graphical icons, and visual indicators, as opposed to text-based
interfaces, typed command labels or text navigation to fully
represent the information and actions available to a user. The actions
are usually performed through direct manipulation of the graphical
elements
Image Editing Software Allows you to create images and edit existing
images as well as the one you have created
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Multimedia Authoring Software Also called auto ware, allow you to
combine text, graphics, audio, video and animation into an
interactive presentation.
Pointer A symbol that appears on the display screen and that you
move to select objects and commands. Usually, the pointer appears
as a small angled arrow. Text -processing applications, however, use
an I-beam pointer that is shaped like a capital
51
Video and Audio editing Software Allows you to edit segments of
audio and video clips
Web Page Authoring Software Helps users of all skill levels create
web pages that include graphical images, video, audio, animation
and other special effects
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Edition" for kids and those learning English.
52
THREE | THE SYSTEM UNIT
Learning Outcomes
54
3.2.2 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The CPU interprets and carries out basic
instruction that operates a computer. The
CPU is also called a processor, significantly LEARNING OUTCOME 3
impacts on overall computing power and Is covered in section 3.2.2
manages most of the computer operations.
Most of the devices connected to the
computer communicate with the CPU in
order to carry out a task.
time. The second instructions wait until completion of first instruction. With
Pipelining the CPU begins executing the second instruction before it completes
the first instruction thus results in faster processing.
System Clock: The CPU relies in a small chip called the System Clock to
control the timing of all computer operations. Title and number of the figure
below?
THREE | THE SYSTEM UNIT
Think Point
Since the dawn of the computing age,
people have wondered if a computer will
ever be capable of thoughts. As
computer processors and software
become more powerful, the questions is
debatable more hotly. Can computers
think? Why or why not? If computers
cannot think right now, might they be
able to think in the future? Why? How
important are common sense and the
ability to think?
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THREE | THE SYSTEM UNIT
3.2.4 Memory
The operating system and other system software used to operate the
computer
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Application programs designed to carry out a specific task e.g. word
processing
The data being processed by the application programs.
Read Only Memory (ROM) - is the name given to memory chips that
can store data that can only be read. The data stored on ROM chips cannot
be modified – hence the name read only. ROM is non-volatile i.e. the contents
of the computer is not lost when the computer is turned off. ROM stores
information such as the sequence of instructions the computer follows to
THREE | THE SYSTEM UNIT
load the operating system and other information when you first turn the
computer on.
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The number system referred to above is called the binary system, because
of its two digits 0 and 1. Each on or off digit is called a bit (binary digit) and
represents the smallest unit of data a computer can handle. By itself a bit is
not very informative but when 8 bits are grouped together as a unit they are
called a byte. A byte is very informative because it contains enough different
combinations of 0s and 1s to represent 256 individual characters including,
numbers, upper and lower case letters of the alphabet, punctuation and
other characters such as the Greek alphabet.
i.e.
In the above scenario you would not be able to communicate a third fact like
I a i a d I a playi g poke . So o e ou f ie d sees the light on, he
would assume (wrongly off course) that you are in and you are reading.
Therefore, with only one bit we would not be able to represent the alphabet,
for example, because we have twenty-six uppercase letters and twenty-six
lowercase letters, which give fifty-two unique states.
which uses all the 8 bits in a byte to
A byte is a group of 8 bits. represent characters (no parity bit is
A Kilobyte (KB) is 1024 employed). This extended ASCII code
bytes of information
is able to represent 256 characters,
A Megabyte (MB) is 1024
(Approx. 1000 bytes).
i.e. 2.The 8 bits that form one
Kilobytes or 1024 X 1024 character constitute a byte. Inside a
bytes (Approx. a million computer, the word ACE, for
Do not confuse Kilobyte (KB) with Kilobit (Kb) and Megabyte (MB) with
Megabit (Mb). Speeds over networks and modem speeds for example are
measured in Kilobits per second or Megabits per second (Kbps or Mbps).
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Data is stored on secondary storage devices in the form of files. A file is a
related set of bytes that has been given a name and is stored on a storage
device such as a floppy disk, a hard disk or CD ROM.
THREE | THE SYSTEM UNIT
60
Review Questions
61
KEY TERMS USED IN SECTION 3
62
are usually performed through direct manipulation of the graphical
elements
Image Editing Software Allows you to create images and edit existing
images as well as the one you have created
Pointer A symbol that appears on the display screen and that you
move to select objects and commands. Usually, the pointer appears
as a small angled arrow. Text -processing applications, however, use
an I-beam pointer that is shaped like a capital
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Edition" for kids and those learning English.
64
FOUR | INPUT AND OUTPUT
Learning Outcomes
1. List the various types of input and how the computer uses them
2. Define input and output
3. Explain how to use the various function keys of a keyboard and
describe its features
4. Know how a mouse and the various other pointing devices are used
and how they operate
5. Describe the different methods of source data automation
6. List and describe the various types of output devices
7. Describe the various types of printed output
8. Recognize and identify different types of display devices
9. List and explain the differences between impact and non – impact
printers
Input is any data or instructions you enter into the memory of the computer.
Once input is in memory, the CPU can access it and process the input into
output.
question posed by the computer program, such as Do you want to save the
changes made?
An input device is any hard ware device that allows you to enter data, programs
or commands, and user responses into the computer. Input devices include
keyboard, pointing devices, scanners, reading devices, and digital cameras,
audio and video input devices.
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Keyboard
It is the primary input devices on the
computer. You enter data into the
computer by pressing the keys on
LEARNING OUTCOME 1, 2, 3 & 4
the keyboard.
Is covered in section 4.1 to 4.3
Pointing Devices
A pointing device is any input device that allows you to control a pointer on the
screen. In a graphical user interface a pointer is a small symbol on the screen.
Types of pointing devices:
Mouse is an input device used to control the movement of the pointer. The
FOUR | INPUT AND OUTPUT
top of the mouse has one to four buttons, and some have a wheel on it and the
bottom of the mouse is flat and contains a multi – directional mechanism
usually a small ball.
Types of Mice
PS/2 Mouse – the PS/2 connector used by this type of mouse is the same as
the PS/2 connector used by the keyboard.
Serial Mouse – this type of mouse connects to the System Unit using a DB-9
female connector.
USB Mouse – a newer type of mouse connects to the System Unit using a USB
port.
Cordless Mouse – another new type of mouse is the cordless type, which has
no cable connecting it to the system unit but uses infrared light to communicate
with the System Unit. 66
Bus Mouse – this type of mouse is virtually obsolete. It used to come with its
own expansion card and would connect to the motherboard through this
expansion card. The rationale behind the introduction of this mouse was to
free up a COM port for use with another serial device, such as a modem. It
became obsolete however because it would waste a whole expansion slot
and it would take up an Interrupt Request-channel (IRQ)
The Microphone
The microphone is another input device. It allows the computer to receive and
record sound. The microphone is necessary for voice recognition software and
any type of software that needs to record sound.
The Scanner
Scanners allow you to transfer pictures, photographs and text into your
computer. This is an example of going from a hard copy to a soft copy (or
digital image). You can then take that digital image (also called a bitmap) and
use it in a paint program like Paint, print it out or send it out as a fax. With
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software you can convert printed
documents such as newspaper articles to text that you can use in your word
processor.
Trackball is a stationary
pointing device with a ball
mechanism on the top. To move
the pointer using the trackball you
Think Point
rotate the ball mechanism using
you thumb, finger or the palm of A biometric face recognition system
your hand re og izes the usto er’s fa e. At
Touch Pad is a small, flat, large sporting events, airports, and
FOUR | INPUT AND OUTPUT
67
Light Pen is a handheld input device that can detect the presence of
light. Some light pens require a specially designed monitor
Touch Screen, interaction with the computer is done through
touching areas of the screen with your fingers, which in turn acts as the input
device
Stylus, electronic pen is used to input data into the computer. The
pen can be used to point at onscreen objects and write or draw objects and
many handheld computer supports handwriting input through a stylus
The Modem
A modem, sometimes classified as a communication device, is an input as well
as an output device. The word modem is actually a contraction of the words
Modulator-Demodulator.
A process called modulation for placement on the telephone wire. Before the
signals reach the computer on the receiving end, they need to be converted
from analogue to digital again.
Modem speeds started at 2.4 Kbps (Kilobits per second) and progressed as
follows: 4.8 Kbps, then 9.6 Kbps, then 19.2 Kbps, then 33.6 Kbps up to 56
Kbps, which is the fastest analogue modem speed to date. The Kbps unit is
FOUR | INPUT AND OUTPUT
68
Optical Scanner, simply called a scanner, is a light sensitive input
device that reads printed text and graphics and then transmits the results into
a form the computer can understand.
An output device is a device that is used to get data out of the computer
system to the outside world (the human world).
69
The Monitor
The computer monitor is the most important output device. Strange as it may
look, a computer can work without a monitor but we cannot work with a
computer without a monitor.
Another way of input to handheld computer is you can attach a full sized
keyboard to your handheld computer (Portable keyboard)
Another way is you can type on the desktop and you can transfer the data
to the handheld computer
FOUR | INPUT AND OUTPUT
Output is data that has been processed into a useful form called information.
You may choose to view this information on a monitor, print it on a printer, or
listen to it through speakers or headsets. There are four common types of
outputs:
drawings, charts and photographs. Graphics can also be animated, giving them
Video consists of images that are played back at speeds that provide the
appearance of full motion
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4.4 DISPLAY DEVICES
Display device is an output device that visually conveys text, graphics and
video information. Information shown on a display device is called soft copy,
because the information exists electronically and is displayed for a temporary
period only. Display devices include:
CRT Monitors: Cathode Ray Tube monitors (CRT) are popular for desktop
Flat – Panel Display Devices: Flat-panel Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) models
computers.
are used mostly for portable computers but are also starting to be used with
desktop computers. They are expensive but take up less desk space, give out
no radiation and do not flicker. Laptops, Notebooks, Handheld Computers,
The monitor receives signals from a video display adapter card inside the
computer and it gives the user a graphical or textual display. A complete
display system consists of a video display adapter and a monitor. A video
display adapter (also called video card) is an expansion card that provides a
data pathway from the motherboard to the monitor.
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4.5 VIDEO ADAPTER CARDS
For some time in the computer industry, colours were produced digitally by
the use of three electron guns,
one red, one green and one blue
(RGB). These monitors were
driven by 8 bit adapter cards and
could produce a total of 16 Think Point
colors. Shortly after this, IBM Digital billboards often display public
came up with the idea of service advertisements, amber alerts
developing an analogue display or other valua le i for atio ’s.
FOUR | INPUT AND OUTPUT
The Super Video Graphical Array (SVGA) standard later succeeded the VGA
standard. More features and enhancements were added to the VGA
technology.
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FOUR | INPUT AND OUTPUT
73
Suggested Maximum
Standard
Resolution Possible Colors
Monochrome Display
Adapter (MDA)
Video Graphics Array
(VGA)
Extended Graphics Array
(XGA)
Super Video Graphics
Array (SVGA)
Beyond SVGA
SVGA could achieve resolutions of 800 x 600 with 256 colours or 1024 x 768
with 16 colours. However, with further enhancements, SVGA cards are now
capable of resolutions of up to 1280 x 1024 with a palette of over sixteen million
colours.
and growth.
Another very important output device is the printer. The function of a printer
is to take a soft copy (or electronic copy) on your computer and transfer it
onto paper (a hard copy).
Without a printer you would be able to type your curriculum vitae (CV) on the
o pute , fo e a ple, ut ou ould t e a le to a it to sho a
prospective employer. Imagine! There are three main types of printers i.e. dot
matrix, inkjet and laser.
Dot matrix printers are impact printers and they work much like the typewriter.
They p odu e ha a te s o pape i pa ti g a i ked i o ith a matrix
of tiny pins in their print heads. When a particular pin in the print head receives
74
a voltage it juts out and hits the inked ribbon, which in turn comes in contact
with paper. When the voltage from the same pin mentioned above is switched
off, the pin retracts and another pin is given voltage and the process goes on
and on. Depending on the character being written on paper, different sets of
pins will receive voltage and others will not. Transistors on the printer main
board control the pins. Dot matrix printers are becoming less popular, while
inkjet and laser printers are becoming more popular even for home users. Dot
matrix printers are relatively cheaper to purchase and operate, but they make
a lot of noise, produce documents of low quality, cannot print colour and are
extremely slow.
Inkjet printers work by firing streams of ink from a cartridge directly onto
paper. The cartridge has tiny holes called nozzles through which ink can be
squirted out. The quality of the printout depends on the dpi ratio (the dots per
inch ratio is a measure of print resolution). Both inkjet printers and laser
printers are capable of printing high-resolution text and graphics (300 dpi or
They make very little noise and are therefore suitable for an office
more).The main advantages of inkjet printers are:
They can print colour of high quality (although colour laser printers are still
On the other hand however, laser printers have the following notable
75
Non-impact Printers forms characters and graphics on a piece of paper without
actually striking the printer. Some spray ink, while others use heat and pressure to
create images. Because these printers do not strike the paper they are generally
quieter then the impact printers. The three commonly used non-impact printers
are Ink-jet, Photo Printers, laser, thermal printers, Portable Printer, Label and
Postage Printers and Wireless Printers.
4.6.1 Viewing the Progress of Printing
If you have sent a number of documents to be printed, you may wish to review
their progress. You can do this from the desktop Print Manager. There are two
Ope the p i te s i do sta t- printers and faxes) and select the printer
ways to do this:
that you are currently using and open it. A window appears which shows you the
progress of the various print jobs you have sent to this printer
When you start to print, a printer icon opens in the Taskbar at the bottom
right of your screen (next to the clock in the most cases). The icon remains on
the Taskbar as long as there are files being printed. When printing is complete, it
disappears
From the Print Manager screen, you can also pause or purge printing. This can be
useful if, for example, you have a long print queue and suddenly have something
urgent to print, or if the printer jams and you need to stop printing. To do this,
either click the printer menu or right click a specific file. In either case, select
what you want to do.
If ou e new printer is plugged and play, then if you plug it into the correct port
and turn it on, windows automatically defects it and installs it. The different types
FOUR | INPUT AND OUTPUT
of printer port are outside the scope of this book, but the documentation with
your printer should make clear which port to use- the plug and sockets are
different for each kind of port. If you do not have a plug and play printer, you can
use Add Printer Wizard. Choose start – printer and faxes-window has the option
Add a printer at the top. If you using the Classic view, you see an Add new printer
icon.
In either case, click the option to open the Add Printer Wizard and follow the
instructions. You will be asked for the manufacturer and model of printer. You
may also be asked to insert the installation disk that came with your printer. You
may also ask if you want to share the printer with other networks users, and you
will be given the option to print a test page.
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4.6.4 Changing the Default Printer
Your system always has a default printer, but you can change this by taking the
Choose start- printers and faxes. The printers and faxes window will open.
following steps:
Which printers are listed depends on how your system and network has been
Select the printer that you want to make the default. (Perhaps you have
set up.
Audio is music, speech or any other, sound. Audio Output Devices are the
components of the computer that produces music, speech or any other sounds
such as beeps.
Most personal computers only have small internal speakers that output only
OUTPUT
ANDOUTPUT
low quality sound. For this reason, many personal computer users add higher
quality stereo speakers to their computers.
INPUTAND
FOUR| |INPUT
FOUR
77
Review Questions
o. Touch screen
p. Stylus
q. Microphone
r. Modem
s. Digital camera
t. Impact printer
78
KEY TERMS USED IN SECTION 4
79
are usually performed through direct manipulation of the graphical
elements
Image Editing Software Allows you to create images and edit existing
images as well as the one you have created
Pointer A symbol that appears on the display screen and that you
move to select objects and commands. Usually, the pointer appears
as a small angled arrow. Text -processing applications, however, use
an I-beam pointer that is shaped like a capital
Wikipedia for Kids The search box above searches Wikipedia "Simple
Edition" for kids and those learning English.
81
FIVE | STORAGE
Learning Outcomes
1. Define storage
2. Identify the major storage devices
3. Describe how special purpose storage devices such as smart cards
are used.
Storage refers to the media on which data, instructions and information are
kept as well as the devices that record and retrieve these items. This section
explains various storage media and storage devices. Following completion of
this chapter you will have an understanding of all four operations in the
information processing cycle: input, processing, output and storage.
For some time in the computer world, floppy disks were the best way of
transporting data from one computer to another. However, this has changed as
the threat of computer viruses being transported along with the data, has
become significant.
Floppy disks come in two different sizes 51/4 inch (almost obsolete) and 31/2
inch. The 51/4 inch disk is quite flexible (like a floppy hat), hence the name floppy
disk. The 31/2 inch disk is a bit more rigid than its 51/4 inch counterpart and some
82
people ha e eso ted to alli g it a Stiffy disk. Ho e e this te is non-
standard and is not used in well-respected international text books, so use it
with caution.
A Zip Disk is a type of portable magnetic media that can store from 100 MB to
750 MB of data. The larger capacity Zip disks hold about 500 times more than a
standard floppy disk.
When personal computers were first introduced, software programs and their
related files required relatively small amounts of storage space which could easily
fit onto a floppy 83
disk. As software became more advanced and included graphical user
interfaces and multimedia, file sizes and storage requirements increased.
Toda s ha d disks- provide far larger storage capacities and much faster
access times then any floppy disk. A hard disk usually consists of several
inflexible, circular disks, called platters, on which items are stored
electronically. A platter in a hard disk is made of aluminum, glass, or ceramic
and is coated with a material that allows items to be magnetically recorded
on its surface. On hard disks the platters, the read/write heads and the
mechanism for moving the head across the surface of the disk are enclosed
in an airtight container to prevent it from contamination. The hard disk in
most desktop computers is housed inside the systems unit. Such hard disks,
which are not portable, are considered fixed disks. Nowadays hard disks are
also removable.
A Compact Disk (CD) is a flat round portable metal storage medium that is
usually 4.75 inches in diameter and less than one-twentieth of an inch thick.
Compact disks store items such as data instructions, and information by using
microscopic pits and land that are in the middle layer of the disc. A high -
powered laser light creates the pits.
84
The compact discs operate by reflecting light through the bottom of the discs,
which is either solid gold or silver in color. The reflected light is converted into
a series of bits that the computer can process.
Land causes the light to reflect, which is read as
binary digit 1. Pit absorbs the light; this absence
of light is read as binary digit 0.
Think Point A Compact Disc stores items in a single track that
At an ever increasing rate, companies
spirals from the center of the disc to the edge of
and individuals store Web sites and
data in the cloud. the disc. As with a hard disc, this single track is
Should data kept in the cloud be divided into evenly sized sectors in which items
treated the same way as items that are stored. A CD ROM is used to read the
are kept i o e’s ho e? Why? Should information from a CD.
the government be able to access your
data in the cloud without your Although CD ROMs have huge storage capacities,
knowledge or permission? Why or but nowadays even a CD is not large enough for
why not? What types and amount of a of toda s soft a e. To eet these
personal data are you comfortable tremendous storage requirements some software
storing in cloud? Why? moved from the CD to the DVD.
Smart Cards
A smart card which is similar in size to a credit card, stores data on a thin
microprocessor embedded in the card.
roll or sheet film. The images are recorded onto the film using a device called
computer output microfilm (COM) recorder. The stored images are so small,
microfilm or microfiche reader can only read them.
85
Review Questions
86
KEY TERMS USED IN SECTION 5
Image Editing Software Allows you to create images and edit existing
images as well as the one you have created
Pointer A symbol that appears on the display screen and that you
move to select objects and commands. Usually, the pointer appears
as a small angled arrow. Text -processing applications, however, use
an I-beam pointer that is shaped like a capital
Wikipedia for Kids The search box above searches Wikipedia "Simple
Edition" for kids and those learning English.
89
SIX | ADDENDUM: CASE STUDY FOR DISCUSSION
Which transmission media would have a greater startup cost?
Which transmission media do you think is most secure?
Do the walls in the building present a problem for a wireless
network?
Does a wireless network present any health hazards?
90