Comprehensive Notes on Computing Components: Hardware, Input/Output, and Ethics
Computing Components: Hardware for Home and Work
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Input and Output
Input and Output: Entering data and producing information.
Data: A collection of unprocessed items like text, numbers, images, audio, and video.
Input: Data and instructions entered into a computer.
Command: An instruction that triggers a program or app to perform a specific action.
Programs and apps respond to user-issued commands.
User Response: An instruction given by replying to a message from a program or app.
The response prompts the program/app to take specific actions.
Output: Varies based on hardware, software, and user needs. Four basic types:
Text (e.g., messages, emails, memos, books).
Graphics (e.g., photos, clip art, charts, GIFs).
Audio (e.g., sporting events, radio, audio clips, news, music).
Video (e.g., movies, weather, live performances).
Manual Input
Manual Input Device: Enters data directly into the device.
Keyboards and Pointing Devices: Traditional manual input devices.
Keyboards type text or commands.
Pointing devices make on-screen selections.
Keyboards have a typing area, function keys, toggle keys, and navigation keys.
Many keyboards include media, and Internet control buttons, plus other special keys.
Function Keys: Labeled F1, F2, etc., programmed to issue commands.
Toggle Key: Alternates a view or turns a feature on/off each time it's pressed (e.g., Caps Lock, Num Lock).
Navigation Keys: Arrow keys, Page Up/Down, move the insertion point.
Keyboard Shortcut: Key or key combination to access a feature or command.
Pointer: A small on-screen symbol that changes shape based on the task, application, and screen location.
Pointing Device: Selects text, graphics, objects like buttons, icons, links, and commands.
Mouse: A pointing device that fits comfortably under the palm.
Flat bottom containing a movement detection mechanism.
Optical Mouse: Uses optical sensors.
Touch Mouse: Touch-sensitive mouse that recognizes touch.
Laser Mouse: Uses laser sensors.
Ergonomic Mouse: Reduces pain/discomfort associated with RSIs.
Touchpad: Small, flat, rectangular pointing device sensitive to pressure and motion.
Common on laptops and convertible tablets.
May recognize touch gestures like swipes, pinches, and stretches.
Finger Input: Using touch screens via fingers or a stylus.
Gesture: A motion on a touch screen with one or more fingers or your hand.
Tap: Quickly touch and release one finger to activate a link, press a button, or run a program.
Double Tap: Quickly touch and release one finger twice to run a program or zoom in.
Press and Hold: Hold one finger to display a shortcut menu or activate a mode.
Drag/Slide: Press and hold, then move the finger to move an item or scroll.
Swipe: Press, hold, and move horizontally/vertically to scroll or display commands.
Stretch: Move two fingers apart to zoom in.
Pinch: Move two fingers together to zoom out.
Devices utilizing touch input include monitors, screens for computers, tablets, smartphones, wearable devices, portable media players, digital cameras, kiosks and navigation systems.
Wearable devices such as smart watches mainly rely on touch input.
Portable media players widely use touch to maximize screen size.
Touch input on digital cameras enables gestures like swiping, tapping, and dragging.
Navigation systems use tapping, dragging, pinching, and stretching to zoom.
Some in-vehicle systems also support voice input; functionality may be reduced while the vehicle is moving.
Pen Input: Use stylus or digital pen on a flat surface for writing, drawing, or selection.
Stylus: Small metal or plastic device that uses pressure instead of ink. Some stylus designs may include buttons to simulate mouse clicks.
Digital Pen: Captures and converts handwriting or drawings into a digital format.
Handwriting recognition software translates handwritten content into typed text or objects.
Signature Capture Pad
Captures handwritten signatures using a stylus on a pad.
Software transmits the signature to a central computer for storage.
Graphics Tablet (Digitizer): Electronic plastic board used with a pressure-sensitive pen to create drawings.
Detects and converts stylus movements into digital signals.
Digital Input
Voice Input: Entering input by speaking into a microphone.
Microphone can be built-in or external.
Voice Recognition App: Dictates text and enters instructions via voice.
Speech-to-Text: Recognizes spoken words and enters them into text-based applications.
Audio Input: Entering any sound into the computer (speech, music, sound effects).
Requires a sound card or integrated sound capability for high-quality input.
Music production software allows recording, composing, mixing, and editing music and sounds.
Video Input: Capturing full-motion images and storing them on a storage medium or in the cloud.
Digital Video (DV) Camera: Records video as digital signals, transferable to a computer.
Webcam: Captures video, still images, and audio for viewing or manipulation.
DV Technology Process:
Select a DV camera.
Record a video.
Transfer and manage videos.
Edit a video.
Enhance a video.
Distribute a video.
Special Effects: Warping, color changes, morphing, zoom motion.
Morphing: Transforms one video image into another over several frames.
Motion Input (Gesture Recognition): Guiding on-screen elements using air gestures.
Air Gestures: Moving your body or a handheld device through the air.
Device detects gesture and converts it to a digital signal.
Motion-sensing devices communicate with a game console and translate movements into input.
Motion-Sensing game Controllers, training in the medical field, the military, and sports.
Scanners and Reading Devices
NFC (Near-Field Communication): Close-distance network protocol for reading data from another device or item.
Enables contactless data transfer.
Optical Scanner (Scanner): Light-sensing input device that reads printed text/graphics and translates results for the computer.
Quality measured by resolution (bits per pixel and pixels per inch).
Optical Reader: Uses a light source to read characters, marks, and codes.
Optical Character Recognition (OCR): Reads printed characters in a special font.
Optical Mark Recognition (OMR): Reads hand-drawn marks.
Bar Code Reader (Bar Code Scanner): Optical reader using laser beams to read bar codes.
Bar Code: Identification code of vertical lines/spaces or a 2-D pattern.
QR Code (Quick Response Code): 2-D bar code storing information in a square-shaped graphic.
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Communicates with a tag via radio signals.
RFID Reader: Reads information on the tag via radio waves.
Magstripe Reader (Magnetic Stripe Card Reader): Reads the magnetic stripe on cards.
Stripe contains cardholder information.
MICR (Magnetic-Ink Character Recognition): Device reads text printed with magnetized ink.
Used mainly in the banking industry for check processing.
Data Collection Device: Obtains data directly at the transaction location.
Used in various environments (restaurants, factories) and transmits data wirelessly.
Physical Output
Printed Information (Hard Copy): Physically exists and is a permanent output form.
Portrait Orientation: Taller (information on shorter width).
Landscape Orientation: Wider (information on widest part).
Letters, reports, and books are typically portrait.
Spreadsheets, slide shows, and graphics are often landscape.
Non-Impact Printer: Forms characters/graphics without contacting the paper.
Sprays ink or uses heat/pressure.
Examples: inkjet printers, photo printers, laser printers, all-in-one printers, 3-D printers, thermal printers, mobile printers, label printers, plotters, large-format printers.
Inkjet Printer: Non-impact printer spraying ink onto paper.
Produces text/graphics in black-and-white and color.
Print head contains ink-filled cartridges with nozzles.
Photo Printer: Color printer producing lab-quality photos, often using inkjet technology.
Laser Printer: High-speed, high-quality non-impact printer.
Prints text/graphics in high resolution.
Processes and stores the entire page before printing.
Uses a laser beam and powdered ink (toner).
All-in-One Printer (Multifunction Printer - MFP): Combines printer, scanner, and copy machine functions.
3-D Printer: Uses additive manufacturing to create objects by adding material layer by layer.
Thermal Printer: Generates images by pushing heated pins against heat-sensitive paper.
Dye-Sublimation Printer (Digital Photo Printer): Transfers colored dye to coated paper using heat.
Mobile Printer: Small, lightweight, battery-powered printer for mobile use, often using inkjet or thermal tech.
Plotter: Produces high-quality drawings like blueprints, maps, etc.
Uses charged wires (styli) to draw patterns on coated paper and fuse toner.
Large Format Printer: Creates photo-realistic-quality color prints for signs and posters.
Label Printer: Prints on adhesive material for labels, often printing bar codes.
Impact Printer: Forms characters/graphics by striking a mechanism against an inked ribbon.
Noisy but ideal for printing multipart forms.
Digital Output
Display Device (Display): Visually conveys text, graphics, and video information.
Soft Copy: Information on a display that exists electronically.
Monitors are commonly used displays for desktops.
Adjustable monitor stands allow height adjustment.
Multiple monitors can display separate screens of information.
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display): Liquid compound between two sheets, presenting sharp images when illuminated.
Uses backlight with CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamp) or LED (light-emitting diode) technology.
LED Display: Uses LED for backlight; consumes less power, lasts longer.
OLED Technology: Uses self-illuminating organic molecules; no backlight required.
Can be fabricated on thin, flexible surfaces.
AMOLED (Active-Matrix OLED): Uses active-matrix technology for wide color range and fast response.
Screen size is measured diagonally.
Displays are optimized for a native resolution.
Higher resolution uses more pixels for a sharper image.
Response Time: Time (in milliseconds) to turn a pixel on or off; lower is better.
Brightness: Measured in nits (candela per square meter).
Dot Pitch (Pixel Pitch): Distance between pixels; smaller is sharper.
Contrast Ratio: Difference in light intensity between the brightest white and darkest black.
Graphics Chip (GPU - Graphics Processing Unit): Controls graphics manipulation and display.
Integrated on the motherboard or on a video card.
Video standards define resolution, aspect ratio, and number of colors.
Aspect Ratio: Display's width relative to its height.
HDTV (High-Definition Television): Works with digital broadcast signals and supports wide screens and high resolutions.
Smart TV: Internet-enabled HDTV for browsing, streaming, online communication, and gaming.
Plasma Display: Uses gas plasma technology between two glass plates.
UHD (Ultra-High-Definition) Television: Expands on HDTV for even better resolution.
Internal computer/device speakers usually emit low-quality sound.
Users can attach surround sound or use headphones/earbuds for higher quality sound.
Headphones/earbuds may include noise-canceling technology.
Headset: Functions as both headphones and a microphone.
Data Projector: Projects computer/device screen onto a larger screen.
Interactive Whiteboard: Touch-sensitive device displaying a connected computer screen image.
Gaming Devices: Joysticks, wheels and gamepads are used to control actions in games.
Ethics and Issues: Assistive Technology Input and Output
Goal: Enable all users to be independent when working with technology.
Adaptive Input Devices:
Eye gaze pointing devices:
Foot Mouse: For users with limited hand mobility.
Sip-and-Puff (SNP) Technology: Controls computer functions by inhaling or exhaling.
Adaptive Output Devices:
Refreshable Braille Displays: Translate content into Braille.
Braille Printers: Produce hard copies of digital content in Braille.
OCR Readers: Digitize printed materials for screen readers or Braille printers.
How To: Customize and Manage Input and Output Devices
Operating systems have default settings that can be customized.
Default settings control how the screen is set up and how a document looks when you first start typing.
Customize System Software:
Changing the brightness of the screen
Adding a desktop theme.
Adjusting the screen resolution
Adding a sound scheme
Pinning frequently used apps to the taskbar for easy access
Customize Input and Output Devices Using System Software:
Controlling the pointing device with the keyboard by using the arrow and other keys
Changing the language or dialect associated with the keyboard
Creating new keyboard shortcuts to commands
Adjusting the settings for toggle keys
Secure IT: Reduce E-Waste Risks
Electronic devices emit some level of radiation.
Suggestions to minimize risks:
Replace older CRT monitors with LCD monitors.
Sit as far back from the monitor as possible.
Shield your lap from radiation.
Move other electronic sources as far away as possible.
Minimize wireless connections.
Remove Bluetooth headset when not in use.
Turn off devices when not in use.
Recycle or donate older devices.
Take regular breaks from technology use.