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What is input devices?
An input device is any hardware device that allows a user to enter data or instructions into a computer directly.
An input device can send data to another device, but it cannot receive data from another device.
Input devices are necessary for a computer to receive commands from its users and data to process; they are under the user's control or can be direct data entry.
Keyboard
Advantages:
Fast entry of new text into a document.
Well-known method.
Easy to use for most people.
Easier to do verification checks as data is entered (can immediately compare the source document with typed data on the screen)
.Disadvantages:
It can be difficult to use if the user has limited arm/wrist use.
Slow method when compared to direct data entry.
It is a fairly large device that uses up valuable desk space.
Advantages:
Faster than standard keyboards when entering numeric data.
Because many are small devices, they are very easy to carry around.
Disadvantages:
Sometimes, they have small keys, which can make input more difficult.
Sometimes, the order of the numbers on the keypad is not intuitive or sensitive
Mouse
Advantages:
It is a faster method for choosing an option than a keyboard.
It's a very quick way of navigating through applications and the internet.
Does not need a large desk area when compared to a keyboard.
Disadvantages:
It can be more difficult for people with restricted hand/wrist movement than using a keyboard for data entry.
Easy to damage, the older type of mouse quickly becomes clogged up with dirt.
Difficult to use if no flat surface is readily available.
Touchpad
Advantages:
Faster than a keyboard for choosing options.
Used to navigate applications and the internet.
Because the touchpad is integrated into the laptop computer, there is no need for a separate mouse; this aids the portability and is a big advantage if no flat surfaces are available.
Disadvantages:
People with limited hand/wrist movement find the device difficult to use.
It can be more difficult to control the pointer when compared to a normal mouse.
Drag and drop operations are more complicated using a touchpad.
Tracker ball
Advantages:
Does not need the same fine control as a mouse.
It is easier to use than a mouse if the operator has problems with their wrist.
More accurately position the pointer on the screen.
They are more robust than a mouse.
Needs less desk space than a mouse or keyboard.
Disadvantages:
It is not supplied with the computer as a standard; therefore, it is more costly.
Users may need training because it is not standard equipment.
Remote control
Advantages:
It can be operated from any reasonable distance.
In some conditions, e.g., in chemically hazardous environments, we can control and measure from safe distances.
Disadvantages:
Difficult to use for people with limited hand/wrist movements.
Physical obstacles can easily block the signal.
Advantages:
It is easier than keyboards for screen navigation.
In some applications, the control is more realistic than using a mouse.
Disadvantages:
The on-screen pointer is more difficult to use.
Advantages:
It's a more realistic experience than both mouse and joystick.
Easier than a keyboard or joystick to control steering movements.
Disadvantages:
It is a rather expensive input device as compared to a mouse or joystick.
Steering movements tend to be over-sensitive, which gives an unrealistic feel.
Unless it is an expensive simulator, feedback to the steering wheel is non-existent.
Advantages:
Faster entry of options than using a keyboard or mouse.
Very easy method for choosing options.
User-friendly method – no training necessary in its use.
Option to expand the size of the display if necessary.
Disadvantages:
A limited number of input options are available.
This can lead to problems if an operator uses the system frequently (straining of arm muscles, RSI, etc., are all possible).
The screen can get very dirty with constant touching.
Advantages:
Images can be stored for editing at a later date.
When used with OCR, they are much faster and more accurate than typing the documents in.
It is possible to recover damaged documents by scanning and producing an acceptable copy.
Disadvantages:
Limited quality, depending on how good the scanner’s resolution is.
Fairly slow input method, especially if color mode is selected.
Advantages:
Easier to produce better-quality photographs than with a traditional camera.
Uploading photographs to a computer is faster than scanning hard copies.
Memory cards can store many thousands of photographs.
There is no need to develop film and printouts; it saves money and is more environmentally friendly.
Unwanted images can quickly be deleted from a memory card.
Disadvantages:
Need to be computer literate to know proper use.
Loss of artistry due to clever software doing all the work.
Images need to be compressed to reduce the amount of memory used.
Advantages:
It is faster to read text than it is to type it in.
It is possible to manipulate sound in real time rather than working on a completed recording.
It improves security if used as an authentication system.
Disadvantages:
Sound files use up a lot of computer memory.
Reading data is more error-prone than typing in.
Advantages:
Readings are more accurate as compared to human operators.
Readers are continuous, with no breaks in the monitoring.
Because it is a continuous process, any action or warnings needed will be initiated immediately.
Automatic systems don’t need human intervention.
Disadvantages:
Faulty sensors can give spurious results.
Most sensors are analogue; therefore, they require conversion using Analogue to Digital Convertors.
Light pens
Advantages:
Greater accuracy than touch screens
Small makes them portable and capable of being used in small spaces.
Easy-to-use technology.
Disadvantages:
Lagging problems while drawing on the screen.
It only works with CRT monitors.
Rather dated technology.
Advantages:
Faster than keying in data manually.
Error-free, no human intervention needed.
Secure information isn’t in human-readable form.
Robust, there are no moving parts.
Disadvantages:
If the card is damaged, the data is lost.
Doesn’t work at a distance.
As the information isn’t human-readable, this can be a disadvantage in some cases.
Advantages:
It is more secure than contactless cards as the PIN acts as a second security layer.
More robust system than Magnetic Stripe Cards
Disadvantages:
Be very careful so the PIN isn’t seen by anyone while being typed in.
Advantages:
No line-of-sight contact is needed.
Very robust and reliable technology.
Very fast read rate.
Bidirectional data transfer.
Bulk detection is possible.
Disadvantages:
Tag collision
As they use radio waves, they are easy to jam/interrupt.
Easy to hack into the signal.
RFID is more expensive than a comparable barcode system.
Advantages:
Very fast way of inputting survey results.
It is more accurate because there is no human intervention.
More accurate than OCR methods.
Disadvantages:
Designing the forms can be complicated to ensure the marks are correctly positioned.
If there are problems, they need to be manually checked, which can be time-consuming.
Advantages:
It is a much faster data entry system than manual typing.
No human intervention, its error free.
Disadvantages:
System has difficulty in reading different handwritings.
Still not a very accurate technique.
Advantages:
Much faster than manually keying in data.
Allow automatic stock control.
They are a tried and trusted technology.
Disadvantages:
Relatively expensive system to administer.
Not fool-proof, barcodes can be swapped between items.
Can be more easily damaged than RFID tags or magnetic stripes.
Advantages:
hold much more information than normal barcode.
fewer errors than with barcodes.
QR codes are easier to read because the cameras can even read them on a smartphone.
It is possible to encrypt QR codes.
Disadvantages:
More than one QR format is available.
QR codes can be used to transmit malicious d
LCD screens (output)
Advantages:
Very efficient, low power consumption.
Lightweight devices.
Screens can made in various sizes.
No flickering images.
Very sharp image resolution.
Disadvantages:
Colour and contrast from different angles are inconsistent.
Motion blur is a common issue.
Lower contrast than CRT monitors.
Advantages:
More people can watch as they don’t have to crowd around a laptop.
Avoids the need for several networked computers.
Disadvantages:
Images can be fuzzy.
Expensive to buy.
Set-up can be complicated.
Advantages:
Printing is fast.
They can handle very large print jobs.
Quality is consistently high.
Toner cartridges last for a long time.
Disadvantages:
They are only considerably fast if several copies are being made.
Color laser printers are expensive to run.
They produce ozone and volatile organic compounds because of their printing method and toner.
Advantages:
High-quality output
Cheaper than laser printers.
Very lightweight
Don’t produce ozone and volatile organic compounds.
Disadvantages:
Slow output if many copies are needed.
Can’t do large print jobs.
Printing can smudge if user isn’t careful.
Can be expensive if used a lot.
Advantages:
Very high-quality output.
can produce large, monochrome and color drawings very accurately.
Can print on a variety on materials.
Disadvantages:
Very slow printing.
Expensive equipment to purchase initially.
Have a very large physical footprint compared to a printer.
Advantages:
Can be used in varying environments unlike laser/inkjet printers.
Carbon copies or multi-part outputs can be produced.
Very cheap to run and maintain.
Good for continuous printing.
Disadvantages:
Very noisy
Initial cost is more than an inkjet printer.
Very slow, poor-quality printing.
3D printers
Advantages:
Manufacturing objects has become much easier.
Even though the initial cost is high, it is still cheaper than the more conventional way.
Parts for machinery that aren’t available can be made.
Disadvantages:
Potential to make counterfeit items.
Could lead to manufacture of dangerous items by almost anyone.
Job loss potential.
Speaker
Advantages:
Amplified sounds can be much louder than the original sound.
Amplified sounds can be enough to be heard by a huge crowd.
Very simple technology.
They are especially useful for blind people, for instance, reading e-books.
Disadvantages:
Speaker output can disturb irrelevant people in the same area, e.g., an office.
Sound quality is high only expensive speakers.
They take up a lot of desk space.
Advantages:
Allow remote operation of many devices.
Relatively inexpensive devices.
Disadvantages:
They are an additional device in the system that could go wrong.
As analogue devices, signals need to be converted using a DAC.
