Comprehensive Notes on New Technology, ICT Value, Hardware & System Unit

New Technology

  • Predicting future technology is difficult due to rapid changes and developments.
  • Key aspects of new technology:
    • Smaller, cheaper, faster, and more powerful.
    • Increased use of sensors (e.g., GPS, touch screens, gyroscopes, accelerometers, light sensors, cameras, microphones).
    • Designed for mobility.
    • Longer battery life.
    • Constant connectivity and communication.
    • Combination of new technologies for easier input and output.
  • Stay informed about emerging technologies through news articles and anticipate commercial availability within 3-10 years of announcement.
  • Awareness enables preparation for future technology and leveraging its advantages in productivity, accuracy, and efficiency.

The Value of ICT

  • ICT enhances accessibility to knowledge and resources for people worldwide.

Accessibility Examples

  • Remote Surgery:
    • Specialist surgeons can perform operations remotely via ICT, increasing access to expert medical care.
  • Data/Information Access via the Internet:
    • The internet provides access to vast amounts of data, exceeding the capacity of traditional sources like schools or libraries.
  • Distance Education:
    • ICT enables remote classes via real-time or recorded video and online materials, increasing access to quality teachers and resources.
    • Includes mobile learning (m-learning), offering flexible education through mobile devices anytime, anywhere.
  • Cellphone Banking (e.g., M-Pesa):
    • ICT makes services like M-Pesa possible, providing access to electronic payment options for those paid in cash.
    • Offers a safer and more secure lifestyle compared to traditional banking.
  • Making Computers More Accessible for Disabled Users:
    • Hardware and software solutions aid disabled users in computer access.
    • Visual impairments: larger screens, special color schemes, text-to-voice apps.
    • Voice recognition: (e.g. Google Voice Search).
    • Vibrating devices: alerts for hearing-impaired users.
  • The ability to critically assess information on the web is important.

Job-Specific Hardware

  • Typing:
    • Good quality ergonomic keyboard: improves productivity.
  • Video Editing:
    • Largest, fastest SSD: Faster loading of large graphics.
    • Minimum 16 GB RAM: Prevents waiting for image loading or changes.
    • Two monitors: easier viewing and comparison during editing.
  • Converting Documents to Digital Format:
    • Automatic sheet-feeding scanner:
      • Saves time compared to manual feeding.
  • Competitive Gaming:
    • Gaming keyboard and/or mouse, joystick:
      • Precise control, programmable keys, specialized input.
  • Creating Digital Art:
    • Pressure-sensitive drawing tablet:
      • Faster digital drawing compared to using a mouse.
  • Selling Products at a Till and Stocktaking:
    • Barcode scanner:
      • Faster and more efficient than manual product code entry.
      • Automates billing and stock counts.
      • Reduces the number of till points needed.

Devices for Disabled Users

  • Tailor-made ICT solutions combining hardware and software are needed based on the user's disabilities.
  • Visually impaired/Blind:
    • Braille keyboard and Braille display/terminal.
    • Magnification devices.
    • Large key keyboards.
    • Braille printers.
  • Hearing impaired/Deaf:
    • Devices that vibrate instead of emitting sound.
  • Motor control (paralyzed/poor motor control/arthritic/etc.):
    • Eye movement tracking devices.
    • Head movement tracking devices.
    • Large key (outsized) keyboards.
    • Trackballs.
    • Joysticks.
    • Foot pedal control devices.
    • Sip and puff devices.

The Value of ICT

  • Efficiency, productivity, and accuracy are increased by using computers.
  • Removing the human element by using specialized hardware and sensors improves accuracy in data capture.
    • Example: Weather station automatically recording data vs. manual input.
  • Choosing the best computer system for a specific job increases efficiency and productivity.
  • Efficiency: Getting things done with less cost and effort.
  • Productivity: Increase what you get done in a specific amount of time.
  • Accuracy: Ensuring no errors in input or output.

Hardware Recommendations

Printer

  • Entry-level monitors are sufficient for most users, with size (diagonal inches) being the primary consideration.
  • Power users (gamers, video editors, photographers, architects) need larger displays or multiple monitors.
  • Gamers: refresh rate is important.
  • Photographers/video editors: resolution and color accuracy are important.
  • Consider type, running costs, speed (pages per minute), print quality (dpi), and wireless connectivity.
  • A SOHO or personal user might consider a multi-function printer.
  • Mobile users may want a mobile printer.

External (Portable) Storage

  • Flash drives are quick and simple for data transfer and backup.
  • External hard drives can store music, videos, and backups.
  • SOHO and power users need large external storage.

Scanner

  • Image scanners are less popular due to digital photography.
  • Personal users can photograph images instead of scanning.
  • SOHO or power users who need to scan documents and convert them into editable text need a good quality scanner and an OCR program.

Ports

  • Connect external devices to the computer.
  • USB ports are standard.
    • USB 3 is faster than USB 2.
  • Modern computers may have Thunderbolt or USB C ports for high-speed connections.
  • Network port for cabled network.
  • WiFi support is common (e.g., 802.11 b/g/n).
  • Research USB C port speeds and capabilities.

The Case

  • Choice is limited unless building the computer.
  • Case design affects airflow and cooling, and size affects component installation.

Devices That Connect to the Computer

  • Basic peripherals: keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

Mouse and Keyboard

  • Ergonomically designed keyboards and mice reduce RSI.
  • Choose between wireless or cabled.
  • Mobile users often use the built-in touch pad on laptops.
  • Power users may have specialized technology (e.g., digitizing tablet for artists, specialized mouse for gamers).
  • Mix-and-match components.

Monitor/Screen

  • The most common device for softcopy output.
  • Tablets and smartphones have led to more applications designed for touch screens.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

  • Main storage for data and software.
  • File servers in a network often have multiple large hard drives.
  • HDDs are identified by capacity (e.g., 2 TB), SATA interface, and speed in revolutions per minute (rpm) (e.g., 7200 rpm).
  • SSDs (Solid State Drives) are quicker, smaller, and more expensive than HDDs.
  • Most users will almost never fill the hard drive of their computers if they simply use the computer for applications such as word processing , spreadsheets, email and web browsing.
  • Start using your computer for media music, movies, video clips, photo collections, then you will want to have the largest storage you can afford.
  • If two computers are similar in price but one has an SSD and the other a HDD, choose the one with SSD.

Video Card

  • A separate circuit board with its own video memory and GPU.
  • Entry-level computers have integrated graphics that use part of the RAM.
  • Video cards add processing power needed for 3D graphics, video editing, and high-end gaming.

DVD Drive

  • Optical drive for reading and writing CDs and DVDs.
  • Less important due to flash drives, external hard drives, and the internet.
  • Mainly used for backward compatibility and playing media.

Buying a Computer

  • Always buy the best product within your budget, focusing on the processor, RAM, and storage.
  • SSD as the system drive is recommended if affordable.

The System Unit

CPU or Processor

  • Responsible for running programs and processing data.
  • Speed in Gigahertz (GHz).
  • Modern CPUs often have multiple cores (e.g., quad-core).
  • Brand (AMD or Intel) and model (e.g., Intel i7) are used to identify the processor.
  • The standard entry-level processor is sufficient for general computing tasks.
  • Applications such as games, 3D graphics, large databases, spreadsheets and photo and video editing need the best processors that are available.

Memory (RAM)

  • Temporary storage for running programs and processing data.
  • Identified by terms like DIMMS, DDR3, or DDR4 RAM.
  • More than 4 GB of RAM requires a 64-bit operating system.
  • More memory is always better.

Buying a Computer

  • Recommendations for ICT equipment should be use-related.
  • Most people are satisfied with entry-level equipment.
  • Consider power requirements and affordability.
  • Mobility: If you need a mobile device than a desktop is out of the question.
  • Consider hardware specifications of the software you want to use.
  • Legal operating system.