csp 2

Hardware

The physical parts of the computer. (Example: data storage, keyboard, monitor, monitor, hard disk drive, memory, motherboard)

software

A program or instructions that give directions to the computer.

Information Technology (IT)

the computers and other electronic devices used to store, retrieve, transmit and manipulate data

mainframe computer

a large central computer to which users are connected by terminals

Network computer

a configuration of computers cabled together with one workstation designated as the file server

personal computer

A computer that can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by itself.

laptop

a computer that is portable and suitable for use while traveling.

Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)

A small, handheld computer used for personal information management. The predecessor to the smartphone.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

executes commands from a computer's hardware and software; the principal computer chip that contains several processing components, which determines the computer's operating speed; the "brain" of a computer

hard disk

a storage device that contains one or more inflexible, circular platters that use magnetic particles to store data, instructions, and information

common input devices

Keyboard, mouse, scanner, and digital camera, microphone, touchpad, light pen, joystick, camera

Common output devices

monitor, printer, speakers, plotters, screens

computer memory

the temporary, internal storage within a computer

peripheral device

a component, such as a monitor or keyboard, that connects to the computer through data port

CPU Speed

The rate at which the CPU can perform a task, such as moving data to and from RAM, or performing a numerical calculation.

RAM Size Unit

gigabytes (GB)

Logic Control

concerned with event driven changes to the system

CPU speed factors

Clock speed

Word length

Bus width

Chip line width

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Temporary memory a computer uses to store information while it is processing.

read-only memory (ROM)

Permanent storage; instructions are burned onto chips by the manufacturer.

input/output devices

Ex: touchscreens, keyboard, mouse, monitor; Allow a person to interact with the computer

floppy disk

a flexible removable magnetic disk, typically encased in hard plastic, used for storing data. 360rpm. 1.4 megabytes

Operating System Software

Programs that make the computer work. ex: Windows 8, vista, GUI, Linux.

Application Software

computer software created to allow the user to perform a specific job or task. ex: offie, excel, safari, chrome, pandora, spreadsheet, web browsing, acounting

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A user interface which displays images and pictures that allows a computer user to interact with a computer easily.

Local Area Network (LAN)

Connects a group of computers in close proximity, such as in an office building, school, or home

Wide Area Network (WAN)

Spans a large geographic area such as a state, province, or country

Client/Server

Network system that uses servers to store data centrally and client computers to access them.

advantages associated with group working

sharing printers, applications, and files across a network

Intranet

a system for linking computers within a company. no one outside of organization can access.

Internet vs Intranet

Internet --> Worldwide communication network, Intranet --> communication and sharing within an organization

Extranet

A private network that uses Internet technologies to share business information with select corporate partners or key customers.

World Wide Web (WWW)

Provides access to Internet information through documents including text, graphics, audio, and video files that use a special formatting language called HTML

World Wide Web vs internet

he internet is millions of computers connect by thousands of networks while the world wide web is billions of pages that can be accessed through the internet. A collection of related web pages.

Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)

The world's collection of interconnected commercial and government owned voice-oriented systems.

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)

A communication standard for sending voice, video or data over digital telephone lines.

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)

downloads faster but uploads slower, good use for a client but not as a server.

use of large scale computer applications in business such as:

business administration systems, airline booking systems, insurance claims processing, online banking.

uses of large scale computer applications in government such as:

public record systems(census, vehicle registration), revenue collection, electronic voting.

uses of large scale computer applications in hospitals/healthcare such as:

patient records systems, ambulance control systems, diagnostic tools and instruments, specialist surgical equipment

uses of computer application in education such as:

student registration and timetabling systems, computer based training, distance learning, homework using the internet

advantages of purchasing goods and services online:

services available 24h a day, opportunity to view a wide range of products

disadvantages of purchasing goods and services online

choosing from a virtual store, no human contract, risk of insecure payment methods

elements and practices that can help create a good, working environment such as

appropriate positioning of monitors, keyboards and adjustable chairs, use of a mouse mat, use of a monitor filter, provision of adequate lighting and ventilation, frequent breaks away from the computer

health problems associated with using a computer such as:

injuries to wrists caused by prolonged typing, eye strain caused by screen glare, back problems associated with poor seating or bad posture

safety precautions when using a computer such as:

ensuring power cables are safely secured, power points are not overloaded

how can you help the environment

recycling printed outputs, recycling printer tone cartridges, using a monitor that consumes less power while the computer is inactive can help the environment

benefits to an organization of being proactive in dealing with security risks such as:

having procedures for reporting security incidents, making staff members aware of their responsibilities with respect to information security

term access rights and why they are important

the permissions that are granted to a user/application to read, write, and erase files in your computer. it is important because it is meant to minimize the security risk of unauthorized access to physical and logical systems

End User License Agreement (EULA)

A legal contract between the author of software and the end user that defines how the software can be used

Shareware

A copyrighted software that can be sampled before it is purchased.

Freeware

software that is available free of charge

Mail Merge

A process that inserts variable information into a standardized document to produce a personalized or customized document.

Print Output Options

entire document, specific pages, number of copies.

Database

a collection of organized data that allows access, retrieval, and use of data

Primary Key

a field that uniquely identifies a record in a table

HTTP

HyperText Transfer Protocol - the protocol used for transmitting web pages over the Internet

URL

Uniform Resource Locator; a location or address identifying where documents can be found on the Internet; a Web address

Hyperlink

A link from a hypertext file or document to another location or file, typically activated by clicking on a highlighted word or image on the screen

ISP

(Internet Service Provider) A company that provides access to the Internet.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

A protocol used to move files and folders over a network or the Internet.

cookie

a short line of text that a web site puts on your computer's hard drive when you access the web site

cache

reserved storage location that collects temporary data to help websites, browsers, and apps load faster.