IB ITGS - 11. Environment

ADC

Device for sampling analog data and producing a digital sample of it.

analog data

Continuous data which can be measured, such as the temperature in the room.

analog to digital converter

Device for sampling analog data and producing a digital sample of it.

BAN

Environmental campaign group that works to reduce the problems caused by e-waste.

Basel Action Network

Environmental campaign group that works to reduce the problems caused by e-waste.

Basel Convention, The

Environmental agreement regarding e-waste.

blade servers

Server design which is modular, allowing systems to be rapidly expanded and reducing power consumption.

continuous data

Analog data which can be measured, such as the temperature in the room.

CRT

Old, large TV style computer monitors.

data centres

Large warehouses of computers that host hundreds or thousands of gigabytes of data.

data layers

Layers of information added to a Geographical Information System.

data logging

Automatic recording of data using sensors.

digital data

Discrete data which can be counted.

digital footprint

An individual's effect on the environment due to e-waste.

digital divide

The idea that money, language, education, or infrastructure creates a gap between those who have access to information technologies and those who do not.

digitisation

The process of converting analog data into digital computer data.

discrete data

Discrete data which can be counted.

donation schemes

Schemes used to find additional uses for obsolete computer equipment to extend it's useful life.

e-waste

Discarded electronic equipment that is either broken or obsolete.

electronic waste

Discarded electronic equipment that is either broken or obsolete.

Geographical Information System

A system which allows layers of data to be placed on map data to visualise and analyse it. For example, crime rate figures can be layered on a map of a city.

geotagged

Adding tags to data (such as an image) to identify the location in which it was created.

GIS

A system which allows layers of data to be placed on map data to visualise and analyse it. For example, crime rate figures can be layered on a map of a city.

Global Positioning System

System of satellites that allows a user to determine their position on Earth using a special receiver.

GPS

System of satellites that allows a user to determine their position on Earth using a special receiver.

GPS receiver

Part of the GPS system which calculates its distance from satellites in space.

laser imaging

Remote imaging method that users laser light, often used by satellites.

LCD

Newer style "flat screen" monitors.

LEDC

Countries to which electronic waste is often shipped for unsafe recycling and disposal.

Less Economically Developed Country

Countries to which electronic waste is often shipped for unsafe recycling and disposal.

Lidar

Remote imaging method that users laser light, often used by satellites.

life cycle (hardware)

For computer hardware, the period of time from its manufacture, through its use, until its eventual disposal.

location based service

Any service (e.g. web page content) which varies according to the user's location.

MEDC

Countries which are often a significant source of electronic waste.

More Economically Developed Country

Countries which are often a significant source of electronic waste.

planned obsolescence

Idea that IT equipment is designed to have a short life expectancy before failing or becoming obsolete.

power settings

Operating systems to affect the power consumption of a computer.

radar

Remote imaging method used by satellites.

recycling

The process of reclaiming valuable elements from waste electronic equipment, often done unsafely in developing countries.

reduce

The 'R' concerned with preventing e-waste problems by producing less waste equipment and using fewer harmful chemicals.

redundant systems

System which will take over the role of a primary system if it fails.

remote sensing

Techniques used by satellites to image the Earth.

refurbish

The 'R' concerned with finding additional uses for equipment which is obsolete but not broken.

reuse

The 'R' concerned with finding additional uses for equipment which is obsolete but not broken.

RoHS

A law which limits the harmful chemicals that manufacturers are allowed to put into their electronic equipment.

Reduction of Harmful Substances

A law which limits the harmful chemicals that manufacturers are allowed to put into their electronic equipment.

sample precision

During digitisation, the number of bits used to represent each sample.

sample rate

During digitisation, the number of samples taken per second.

sampling

The process of converting analog data into digital computer data.

sat nav

Portable GPS receiver device often used in vehicles.

satellite imaging

The use of sensors on satellites to measure or record information, usually about the Earth.

satellite navigation system

Portable device that uses GPS to plot the user's position.

sensors

Input devices used to measure physical traits, such as sound, heat, or light.

sonar

Remote imaging method used by satellites.

speed throttling

Reducing a processor's clock speed to save power when not in use.

take-back scheme

Scheme operated by IT manufacturers to accept customers' old hardware for recycling at its end of life.

virtual globe

A 3D software map of the Earth, usually with layers of information added, similar to a GIS.

virtual machines

A software implementation of a computer system, allowing one physical computer to run several "virtual computers", each with their own independent operating system and application software.

virtualisation

The process of using several virtual machines running on one computer to replace several separate physical computers.

visualisation

Producing graphs or animations based on computer data, to help understand and analyse it.

WEEE

A European law which requires electronic equipment manufacturers to accept back their equipment for recycling at its end of life.