Chapter 1 - GEE13 - LIVING IN IT ERA.pdf

Chapter 1. Revisiting topics related to ICT Application At the end of the Chapter, the student should be able to recall the topics from Senior High School so students should be able to: a. Define what Internet of Things is. b. Identify Assistive technology c. Identify the hardware compo...

Chapter 1. Revisiting topics related to ICT Application At the end of the Chapter, the student should be able to recall the topics from Senior High School so students should be able to: a. Define what Internet of Things is. b. Identify Assistive technology c. Identify the hardware components of a computer. d. Identify the Software running in a computer device. Opening Activity Instruction: Form a group and Discuss the following, these questions will be answered during the discussion and each group should participate. 1. Describe what technology can do today 2. How helpful did the technology help us in our everyday life? 3. How does the technology help us do our daily task? 4. How does technology help those persons with disability? 1|P age A. Internet of Things If we had computers that knew everything there was to know about things-using data they gathered without ay help from us – we would be able to track and count everything, and greatly reduce waste loss and cost (Ashton, 2009). Internet of things is all about the devices that is connected to internet which aids human activity. Devices such as Mobile Devices, and Computers are very common example of internet of things nowadays these devices are very powerful together with the internet. Mobile devices can control what the computer can also do over the internet. This helps us to do better in our everyday lives and to those who needed the most. Today, internet of things elevates its limitation and some of these devices were only made for one purpose that is running in one network, the “Internet”. It may be built for Transportation, Home Automation, Health Checker and other purposes that may become more effective to cater one solution and uses other features to give comfort. One big question is that what are some examples of Internet of things made only for a specific function? 1. Smart Self Driving Car “Waymo” According to warmo.com, this car began as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009. This is an example of Self Driving car, there is no need for drivers the car uses its own GPS and sensors to avoid traffic and accidents. It is so much safe to ride this car that is connected to the internet. In Arizona, Waymo is used like uber car which passengers can easily book their ride using their smart phones. Image from: https://www.vox.com/2017/9/20/16340046/alphabet-waymo-self-driving-car-uber-stolen- trade-secret-billion-damages-lawsuit-trial-hearing 2. Smart Home Automation System This home automation System is composed of different devices under different roles but since it is called a system, the devices are interconnected to one another so it functions as one home automation System. Since it is called smart, it is connected to the internet and will work when connected to the internet. The Following examples are the devices which may be use under smart home automation System from sea.pcmag.com (Moscaritolo, 2020): 2|P age  Smart Speaker and Display “Amazon Echo Family” The Amazon Echo is a Bluetooth speaker powered by Alexa, Amazon's handy voice assistant. Alexa works with a number of smart home devices directly, as well as with If This Then That (IFTTT) to control plenty of others via pairings you can create yourself. It'll take some work, but you can use Alexa to control most of the gadgets in your house with the sound of your voice (Moscaritolo, 2020). Smart Plug “ ConnectSense Smart Outlet 2 “ ConnectSense Smart Outlet 2 can be controlled with an Android or iOS mobile app and works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri voice commands (Moscaritolo, 2020). Home Security Cameras “Arlo Ultra” The Arlo Ultra raises the bar for all outdoor cameras. It's the first model we've seen that streams and records video in true 4K, or Ultra High Definition (UHD), and it's loaded with cool tech including automatic zooming, motion tracking, color night vision, an integrated spotlight and siren, one-click 911 connectivity, a 180-degree field of view, and more. Smart Locks and Home Security Systems “August Wi-Fi Smart Lock” The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is the company’s smallest model to date, and its first to offer embedded Wi-Fi. It also supports Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and numerous other third-party platforms and devices, following in the suit of its predecessors and earning our Editors’ Choice (Moscaritolo, 2020). 3|P age  Smart Heating and Cooling “ Ecobee Smart Thermostat With Voice Control” Enhanced Alexa and multimedia support, more powerful audio components, and dual-band Wi-Fi are just a few examples of what this thermostat has to offer. Throw in a user- friendly app, lots of third-party support, and an easy installation process, and you've got one of the best smart thermostats you can buy. (Moscaritolo, 2020) Smart Lighting “ Yeelight Smart LED Bulb “ It's dimmable, offers 16 million colors, and connects to home network wirelessly, without the need for a hub or bridge. It supports Apple HomeKit, IFTTT, and Alexa, Google, and Siri voice commands, and it's relatively affordable (Moscaritolo, 2020). Smart Kitchen Appliances “Brava Oven” Connected countertop ovens are steadily becoming more common, with a variety of microwave-sized smart appliances out there that can bake, broil, sear, and reheat, among other varieties of food preparation. The Brava Oven is one of the most expensive models we've tested, but it's also the most advanced (Moscaritolo, 2020). All Images above (smart home automation system) from: https://sea.pcmag.com/digital-home/9916/the-best- smart-home-devices-for-2020 3. Smart Health and Fitness Device “TechCare” is a smart massager that sends low-voltage pulses to the skin to stimulate nerve fibers that block the pain signal to your brain. It’s a drug-free pain relief method operated by a touchscreen controller and four large electrodes and offers several different massage modes. 4|P age Image from: https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/health-fitness-devices/ Those examples presented are devices connected to a network called “Internet” in order to transfer to the source of information in real time based from the information being provided by the user. Apart from the power these devices give one big mystery that is hidden behind is that how does this everything work in one single device? How does these devices remain wireless? Image from: https://data-flair.training/blogs/how-iot-works/ The illustration above is the process how the Internet of things work. There are 4 major components of this technology: Sensors, Gateway, Cloud/Server, and Mobile Application that is according to data-flair.training (https://data-flair.training/, n.d.). 1. Sensors Sensors work to gather minute data from the surrounding environment. Sometimes also known as ‘detectors’ as the primary function of sensors is to detect even the slightest changes in the surrounding environment. This allows an IoT device to capture relevant data for real-time or post-processing (Khan, 2020). The Following are examples of Sensors excerpts from Macharla (2020): Temperature Sensor “DHT 11 Temperature humidity Sensor” A Temperature Sensor senses and measures the temperature and converts it into an electrical signal. This device has major role in Environment, Agriculture and Industries. The widely used DHT 11 is the temperature and humidity sensor, which is the basic, low-cost, digital and capacitive sensor. No analogue pins required for this sensor (Macharla, 2020). 5|P age  Proximity Sensor “ Si114x and Si1102” A proximity sensor is a sensor able to detect the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact. A proximity sensor often emits an electromagnetic field or a beam of electromagnetic radiation and looks for changes in the field or return signal. A most common application of this sensor is used in cars. While you are taking the reverse, it detects the objects or obstacles and you will be alarmed. Smoke Sensors A smoke sensor detects smoke and its level of attainment. Nowadays, the manufacturers of the sensor implement it with a voice alarm through ALEXA, also notifies in our smartphones. In order to make the sensors work, it is, recommended to use microcontrollers if you plan to do your own IOT project. Microcontrollers works like a Processor thus, it is smaller (some are palm size) with RAM, ROM, Input and Output ports, Counters and Timer. This small device can be programmed instructing the sensors what to do. Examples of microcontrollers are Arduino uno R3 and Raspberry Pi https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11021 Image from:https://www.amazon.com/ 2. Connectivity/Gateway The sensors can be connected to the cloud through various mediums of communication and transports such as cellular networks, satellite networks, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, wide-area networks (WAN), low power wide area network and many more (https://data- 6|P age flair.training/, n.d.). After the sensors collected all available data it will be send to the cloud through the internet it will make the device more powerful and can do more beyond its limits. For example, a self-driving car that is connected to the internet, the sensor collects data about there is no driver controlling the car, there are possible traffic jams and there will be time to slow down, the color of the traffic light, if its red it will stop and green if go thus will prepare when the light turns orange, there are possible obstruction on the way and there are other cars around. These data must be collected first and then will be sent to the cloud once collected. 3. Data Processing through cloud/server After the sensor collected the data, it will be sent to the cloud server using any connectivity device once it is uploaded in the cloud server a software will process the data. The software will check whether the traffic light is red then the car will stop it will also check what kind of obstruction is on the way is it a human or just a very small twigs and stopping or slowing down won’t be necessary. Some simple and complex instructions will be performed on this step. 4. User Interface/Mobile Application Image from: https://wordlesstech.com/explore-the-user-interface-of-self-driving-volvo/ After the data being processed there is a necessity to show the user about the things that is going on for example, the software from the data processing learned that there is an alternative route to pass because there is lesser traffic. This route details can be shown in a mobile phone or in a computer monitor attached to the car. The image above shows the user-interface of self-driving Volvo is simple, intuitive and easy to use (Fasseas, 2015). 7|P age B. Assistive Technology You already learned about the Internet of things, its example and how it works. The technology nowadays is far beyond how it started it always pushed its limit and off course it helps people to do the basic task. If internet of things gives life to the simple devices made for the people with special needs, it becomes more powerful it will give them the will and determination to continue their life more and more. The technology that is being used to aid the people with special needs is called “Assistive Technology”. Assistive technology helps in different aspect depending to what is needed it can be in mobility, auditory, speech, hearing, or all of it mixed in just one device. The following are examples of assistive technology: 1. PCEye Control a Windows computer using only your eyes, even outdoors. PCEye is a new compact eye tracker that gives individuals with physical disabilities a flexible way to operate a computer with their eyes. urf the web and create documents. Play games. Make video calls and post on social – all with your eyes. (tobiidynavox.com, n.d.) 2. New Touch Voice Touch Voice produces AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) medical grade speaking apps which communicate thru speech synthesis by touching or clicking on buttons. The apps run on Android tablets, larger phones, iPads, iPhones and most laptops and desktops (PC and Mac). Available in English and the Spanish Language. (Touch-voice.com, n.d.). 8|P age 3. Electrical stimulation The electrical stimulation of the spinal cord is used to rejuvenate dormant circuits in patients whose spinal breaks are not complete. Nine years ago, David Mzee was left paralysed by a gymnastics accident and told he would never walk again. He competed in a charity run during which he walked 390 metres, thanks to the electrical stimulation (Potier, 2019). 4. Helmet for the Blind Designed by the Chinese organisation CloudMinds, Meta looks like a cycling helmet and uses sensors and cameras to map its environs, sending information to a cloud server to be processed by AI technology. The information can be communicated through speech, helping blind people and those with visual impairments to navigate streets, recognise objects and negotiate traffic lights and crossings (Potier, 2019). 5. Next-generation hearing aid A cochlear implant might be nothing new, but researchers at Columbia University, New York, are working on a “cognitive hearing aid”, which monitors the brain activity of users to identify which voice the listener is focusing on. It then magnifies that audio while quietening surrounding noise, allowing for better hearing (Potier, 2019). 6. Bionic exoskeleton Designed to help those with paralysis to stand and walk, a similar wearable robotic frame was approved in 2012 by the US Food and Drug Administration for physical rehabilitation, to be used with crutches or walkers. Future exoskeletons may replace wheelchairs, providing greater mobility and health benefits. 9|P age C. Computer System Is a collection of entities (Hardware, Software, Peopleware/Liveware) that are designed to receive, process, manage and present information in a meaningful format this definition is according to peda.net (The Computer System, n.d.). These three entities are also known as the components of computer system because without these, the entire computer will not function as it is. 1. Computer Hardware In addition to the description of peda.net (The Computer System, n.d.), the computer hardware is the tangible part of the computer. It refers to the physical components that make up a computer system (Fisher, Everything You Need to Know About Computer Hardware, 2020). (Amuno, Image from: Lifewire.com / Chloe Giroux The Four Categories of Computer Hardware, 2019) There are four categories of hardware ad these are the following: ▪ Input devices: For raw data input. Components which are used to input raw data are categorized under input devices. They aid in feeding data such as text, images, and audiovisual recordings. They even aid in file transfers between computers. The keyboard is probably the most commonly used input device. Below are just some other types of input devices. Input Type Examples Pointing Device Mouse, touchpad, touchscreen, multi-touch screen, pen input, motion sensor, graphics tablet, interactive smartboard, and fingerprint scanner. Game Controller Joystick, gamepad, and steering wheel. Audio Input Device Microphone and midi keyboard. Bluetooth Peripheral Keyboard, mouse, headset, gamepad, printer. Visual and Imaging Device Webcam, digital camera, digital camcorder, TV capture card, biometric scanner, and barcode reader. Network Device Ethernet hardware and Bluetooth/wireless hardware. 10 | P a g e ▪ Processing devices: To process raw data instructions into information. Processing is the core function of a computer. It is the stage where raw data is transformed into information. Once data has been processed, it can be used for useful purposes. Components that manipulate data into information are categorized under processing. The microprocessor is the major device in this category. It works closely with primary memory during its operations. Data is stored temporarily in processor cache and primary memory during the processing period. Image from: https://katehrbour.wordpress.com/processing-devices/ The microprocessor is subdivided into three important units, which work together in order to accomplish its function. The units are: The control unit: It manages and supervises the operations of the processor and other components that are crucial in data manipulation. Arithmetic and logic unit: The ALU is responsible for all arithmetic and logic operations like addition, multiplication, subtraction, division, and comparison logic operations. Register and cache: These are storage locations inside the processor that respond to the instructions of the control unit by moving relevant data around during processing. ▪ Output devices: To disseminate data and information. Hardware components that disseminate and display both data and information are classified under the output category. Output is the culmination of a cycle which starts with the input of raw data and processing. These components are sub-categorized under softcopy and hardcopy output. Image from: shutterstock.com/search/input+device Softcopy output includes the intangible experience. The user derives visual satisfaction by reading a message through display components or listens to audio files through speakers. 11 | P a g e  ▪ Storage devices: For data and information retention. Components that retain/store data are classified under memory/storage devices. Storage is sub-divided under primary and secondary memory and is either volatile or nonvolatile. Primary memory usually refers to random-access memory (RAM) but can also refer to all memory that works in tandem with the processor. RAM is volatile, meaning that it retains data only when the computer is powered up. In lifewire.com, Fisher (2020) also enumerated the list of Computer hardware. The following are the components of computer hardware that you can commonly find inside a modern computer, thus you need to open the computer’s case to be able to see these components Fisher (2020) added. A. Motherboard – This board is found inside the system unit. It is the main printed circuit board in a computer which numerous major components, crucial for the functioning of the computer, are attached to the motherboard (Kamau, 2020). The same reference also said that motherboard is also called as system board, mainboard, or the printed wired board. The following are the parts of motherboard with labels were discussed from wepc.com by (Conroy, 2020), the numbers on it corresponds the number of the image found in the appendices image 1. Parts of Motherboard: 1) BIOS And CMOS - BIOS or Basic Input Output System is where all the information and settings for the motherboard are stored. It can be accessed, updated, and modified via the BIOS mode. The CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semi-Conductor) battery is what’s responsible for keeping all the information intact when the entire system is shut down. The CMOS battery can be removed to reset the BIOS after a failed update or if you overclock your RAM beyond its capabilities. Watch the youtube video from PowerCert Animated Videos entitled BIOS, CMOS, UEFI - What's the difference? 12 | P a g e   FACTS  The BIOS is firmware built into the motherboard that initializes the computer's hardware as the computer is booted. After it initializes the hardware, it searches for a boot device, such as an optical drive or a storage drive, to boot software such as an operating system. So, turning on the computer for the first time, it does what's called a power-on self-test or POST, run by the BIOS. It tests the computer to ensure all the requirements are up and running, and it also makes sure that the hardware is working correctly before starting the operating system. If the computer passes the test, the internal speaker will make a short single beep, indicating that the computer has passed the test and is booting up normally. However, if there are no beeps or multiple beeps, that means that the computer has failed the test and something is wrong, and the computer needs further troubleshooting to find out what the problem is. So whether there are no beeps or multiple beeps, the computer will generate a beep code to help the user pinpoint the issue. For example, if the computer generates three long beeps, it could indicate a keyboard error. If the computer generates a continuous short beep, it could indicate a problem with a RAM module. So whatever BIOS is on the computer's motherboard, you can always refer to the manufacturer's documentation to find a list of beep codes. What they mean so you can pinpoint the problem and correct it. The BIOS software is on(it is stored) the BIOS chip on the motherboard. The BIOS chip is non-volatile, which means that a chip's contents were on it even there is no power or turned off. Even after this, the computer does need to maintain specific settings, such as the date and time, the boot sequence, and individual hardware settings. In other words, the custom settings that you have configured in the BIOS. And these settings are stored on the motherboard in a special chip called a CMOS chip. But unlike the BIOS chip, which is non-volatile, the CMOS chip is volatile, which means that it needs constant power to maintain its contents or settings. For the CMOS to keep its settings while the computer is in its off state( turned off), it uses a battery. This battery is called the CMOS battery. The CMOS battery is a small button cell battery usually placed on the motherboard's surface, commonly found on the bottom right-hand corner. It is the same type of battery in wristwatches. Now, as I stated before, the CMOS needs constant power that is supplied by the storm. But if the battery is removed and then reattached, the BIOS will reset back to its default settings from the manufacturer and erase any custom settings you have configured. Now a lot of people get confused about what's the difference between BIOS and CMOS. And these terms are often used to refer to the same thing, but they are different. So to clarify things, the BIOS is the actual firmware or program that comes with the motherboard. The BIOS chip has firmware stored into it, then settings such as a date and time, the boot sequence, and speeds are retained in the CMOS chip. Source from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=LGz0Io_dh_I Author: PowerCert Animated Videos Retrieved date: 12/27/2020  FACTS  13 | P a g e 2) Input/Output Ports - Also commonly referred to as I/O ports for short. These ports are located at the back of the computer and are often color-coded. Below are the I/O ports along with the colors they represent. Microphone- Pink 3.5mm jack port Speakers and Headphones / Headsets / Earbuds- Bold green 3.5mm jack port Monitor- Older motherboards are equipped with a solid blue VGA port at the back, but newer motherboards use the HDMI and black or white DVI port as standard Ethernet network cable- Colorless port Keyboard and Mouse- PS/2 port (Keyboard- purple; Mouse- green) USB devices- USB 2.0 colorless port; USB 3.0/3.1 solid blue port (Yes, VGA ports are a similar color, but this only goes to show how outdated VGA is) Some modern motherboards feature USB C type connections 3) IDE And SATA Connector (Storage Device Connectors - The internal storage device connectors that connect the storage devices, such as mechanical hard drives and solid- state drives. These storage devices need to be connected to the motherboard for data to be submitted and retrieved. HDDs and SSDs do the same thing (store data), there is a big difference between how HDDs and SSDs accomplish this. 4) Power Connectors - The ATX (Advanced Technology eXtended) connector (found in more recent motherboards) has 20 or 24-pin female connectors. This is the largest connector on the motherboard, as this draws out the needed power directly from the power supply. The SMPS (switched-mode power supply) then utilizes this power to keep the motherboard running. 5) Front I/O Connectors - This is where you connect the Power Switch, LED power indicator, Reset Switch, and the HDD LED cables. The front audio port and front USB are also connected here. These connections are usually located at the bottom part of the motherboard. 6) CPU Socket - The CPU socket is where your CPU (processor) is installed. This is where the processing and transfer of data happens. Your CPU is one of the most important parts of your computer, so you often choose your motherboard based on compatibility with the CPU you intend to use. The CPU needs to be 100% compatible with the motherboard socket for it to work. 14 | P a g e 7) Expansion Card Slots - The expansion card slots are where you add extra components such as a video card, network card, audio card, or PCIe SSD. The slots are located in the bottom half of the motherboard below the CPU socket. Video Card Slot The video card slot lets you install a dedicated GPU and boost the graphical performance of your computer further than an AMD APU or Intel CPU would. This goes to the high data slots, like the PCIe slot or AGP slot. Ports include, but are not limited to, (depends on the card): DMI DVI DisplayPort USB-C Network Card Slot The network card slot is where you put the Network Interface Card (NIC). This allows you to connect to other computer networks via LAN or the internet. It has an RJ-45 port at the back. Modem Card Slot This is where you connect your network card so you can connect to the internet through the telephone line. Obviously, this is an older technology than the above NIC. This typically has 2 RJ-11 connectors to connect to the telephone. Audio Card Slot This is where audio cards fit. They convert electrical signals to the audio signals or sound that we can hear. Depending on the type of audio, there will be different types of ports found at the back. But it usually has several 3.5mm ports used for the following: Microphone Speaker Recorder Gaming Joystick 8) RAM (Memory) Slots - RAM, or Random Access Memory, slots are one of the most important parts on a motherboard. The RAM slots are, unsurprisingly, where you place the RAM modules. There is the SIMM slot (Single in-line memory module) that only supports a 32-bit bus, and there is the DIMM slot (Dual inline memory module) that can simultaneously run with a 64-bit bus. 15 | P a g e   FACTS  DDR3 (Double Data Rate 3rd Generation) was once the standard with RAM, but this has slowly been replaced with DDR4 (Double Data Rate 4th Generation). While DDR3 is still surprisingly effective, DDR4 is the new standard. When it comes to gaming, there’s still an active debate whether you need 8GB or 16GB of DDR4. This is where you connect your M.2 SSD. The M.2 slot is regarded as the replacement for mSATA standard and was formerly known as Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF). When M.2 devices use the PCI bus instead of the SATA bus, they can transfer data six times faster than a standard SSD. M.2 SSDs were designed to enable high-performance storage in compact devices, such as laptops and tablets. M.2 devices are widely accepted as being the best types of storage, as we see them becoming a standard feature in desktop PCs too. We have covered the different sections of a motherboard you are likely to interact with during your PC build. Of course, there is much more at work on a motherboard that plays a major role in the operation of your various components. Other parts, such as chipsets, act as a communications hub or a traffic control center, and they manage the flow of data between the processor, memory, and peripherals. It’s essentially the backbone of a PC. Source: https://www.wepc.com/tips/how-are-motherboards-made-manufacturing/ Author: Shaun Conroy Retrieved date: December 27, 2020  FACTS  B. Central Processing Unit (CPU) – The central processing unit also completed all processing for any attached peripheral devices these peripherals includes printers, card readers, and early storage devices such as drum and disk drives (Both, 2020). This acts as the brain of the computer (hardware and software) because it feeds instructions. It is placed inside the motherboard and it installed in the CPU Image from:.redhat.com/; by Michael Schwarzenberger; from socket. Pixabay 16 | P a g e   FACTS  A CPU core is a CPU’s processor. In the old days, every processor had just one core that could focus on one task at a time. Today, CPUs have been two and 18 cores, each of which can work on a different task. A core can work on one task, while another core works a different task, so the more cores a CPU has, the more efficient it is. Many processors, especially those in laptops, have two cores, but some laptop CPUs (known as mobile CPUs), such as Intel’s 8th Generation processors, have four. You should shoot for at least four cores in your machine if you can afford it. Most processors can use a process called simultaneous multithreading or, if it’s an Intel processor, Hyper-threading (the two terms mean the same thing) to split a core into virtual cores, which are called threads. For example, AMD CPUs with four cores use simultaneous multithreading to provide eight threads, and most Intel CPUs with two cores use Hyper- threading to provide four threads. Some apps take better advantage of multiple threads than others. Lightly-threaded apps, like games, don't benefit from a lot of cores, while most video editing and animation programs can run much faster with extra threads. Note: Intel also uses the term “Core” to brand some of its CPUs (ex: Intel Core i7-7500U processor). Of course, Intel CPUs (and all CPUs) that do not have the Core branding use cores as well. And the numbers you see in an Intel Core (or otherwise) processor is not a direct correlation to how many cores the CPU has. For example, the Intel Core i7-7500U processor does not have seven cores. Source: https://www.tomshardware.com/uk/news/cpu-core-definition,37658.html Author: Scharon Harding Retrieved date: December 29, 2020  FACTS  C. Random Access Memory (RAM) – Random Access Memory, or RAM (pronounced as ramm), is the physical hardware inside a computer that temporarily stores data, serving as the computer's "working" memory (Fisher, What Is RAM (Random Access Memory)?, 2020). According to Martindale (2020), in a nutshell, it’s a high-speed component that temporarily stores all the information a device needs both right now and Image from: https://asmed.com/random-access-memory/ imminently. In addition to what he said 17 | P a g e accessing data in RAM is insanely fast, unlike hard drives that are slower but provide long-term storage.  FACTS  RAM is essentially a device’s short-term memory. It temporarily stores (remembers) everything currently running on a device, like all OS-specific services and any web browser, image editor, or game you’re playing.RAM prevents the CPU from digging through the device’s slower storage — like a hard drive or even a solid-state drive (SSD) — every time you request a new browser tab or load a new enemy to shoot. As fast as storage is when compared to drives of years gone by, they’re still far slower than RAM. RAM doesn’t remember everything forever, however. It’s a “volatile” technology, meaning that once it loses power, it forgets everything. That makes it perfect for handling the multitude of high-speed tasks that your device throws at it each day. Different types of RAM “RAM” or “memory” typically refers to dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or more accurately for modern systems, synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM). The terminology doesn’t matter beyond technicalities, but it’s useful to know that the terms are relatively interchangeable colloquially. The most common type of RAM sold today is DDR4, though older systems may use DDR3 or even DDR2. The numbers simply denote the generation of RAM, with each successive generation offering faster speeds through greater bandwidth — a higher megahertz (MHz) rating. Each generation also has physical changes, so they are not interchangeable.Another common term, especially in the video game space, is VRAM, or video RAM. Although once a stand-alone piece of technology, VRAM is currently used to denote dedicated memory on the graphics card. For game consoles, it can also reference system memory, but in either case, it has to do with memory reserved exclusively for the GPU. Ram is critical to as graphics DDR, or GDDR, usually with a generational designation, like GDDR6.Most modern graphics cards use GDDR6. However, some graphics cards may use a different form of VRAM called High Bandwidth Memory (HBM, HBM2, and HBM2e). It has unique performance advantages, although it is typically expensive, and supply issues hinder widespread adoption. The most significant consideration when buying RAM for a PC is how much is needed. A minimum amount is required to run an operating system, while many games and applications have a minimum requirement too. Those requirements are listed in gigabytes (GB) and are often between 1GB and 8GB, depending on the application’s hardware demands. Source: https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/what-is-ram/ Author: Jon Martindale Retrieved date: November 24, 2020  FACTS  18 | P a g e D. Video Card – The video card is an expansion card that allows the computer to send graphical information to a video display device such as a monitor, TV, or projector. Some other names for a video card include graphics card, graphics adapter, display adapter, video adapter, video controller, Image source: https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-video-card- and add-in boards (AIBs) (Fisher, What 2618161 Is a Video Card?, 2019).  FACTS  In a desktop, since the motherboard, case, and expansion cards are designed with compatibility in mind, the side of the video card fits just outside the back of the case when installed, making its ports (e.g. HDMI, DVI, or VGA) available for use. Some video cards have only one port for connection to a standard monitor or projector while more advanced cards may have ports for connections to multiple output sources including additional monitors and televisions. Still other cards may have inputs for video editing and other advanced tasks. Laptops, tablets, and even smartphones, all have video cards, albeit smaller and most often non-replaceable. Each motherboard supports only a limited range of video card formats so be sure to always check with your motherboard manufacturer before making a purchase. Many modern computers do not have video expansion cards but instead have on-board video - GPUs integrated directly onto the motherboard. This allows for a less expensive computer but also for a less powerful graphics system. This option is wise for the average business and home user not interested in advanced graphics capabilities or the latest games. Most motherboards with on-board video allow BIOS to disable the chip in order to make use of a video card installed to an expansion slot. Using a dedicated video card may improve overall system performance because it includes its own RAM, power regulators, and cooling so that the system RAM and CPU can be used for other things. In Windows, the easiest way to see what video card you have is to use Device Manager. You can find the video card listed under the Display adapters section. Like all hardware, a video card requires a device driver in order to communicate with the operating system and other computer software. The same process you'd use to update any sort of hardware applies to updating a video card driver. Source: https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-video-card-2618161 Author: Tim Fisher Retrieved date: December 29, 2020  FACTS  19 | P a g e E. Sound Card – A sound card is a component that translates digital signals to an analog one, in short, a sound card is an optional component that converts the digital signal your computer outputs for sound, and translates it into an analog signal for your headphones or speakers (Thomas, 2019). Image from: https://www.toptenreviews.com/sound- cards-are-they-worth-it Retrieved: January 2, 2021 F. Hard Disk Drive (HDD) – An article from secures.com (What Is A Hard Drive & The Difference Between HDD and SSD, 2020) A hard drive stores all your data, and is where all your files and folders are physically located. The article also said that a typical hard drive is only slightly larger than your hand, yet can hold over 100 GB of data. The data is stored on a stack of disks that are mounted inside Image from: https://securis.com/what-is-a- a solid encasement. hard-drive-and-the-difference-between-hdd- and-ssd/. Retrieved: January 2, 2021 G. Solid-State Drive (SSD) – SSDs are are faster than conventional hard disk drives (HDDs), more compact, have no moving parts, are immune to magnetic fields, and can withstand more shocks and vibration than conventional magnetic platter disks (Bauer, 2019). Image from: https://www.backblaze.com/blog/how- reliable-are-ssds/. Retrieved: January 2, 2021 20 | P a g e H. Optical Disk Drive (e.g., BD/DVD/CD drive) – Optical drives retrieve and/or store data on optical discs like CDs, DVDs, and BDs (Blu- ray discs), any of which hold much more information than previously available portable media options like the floppy disk. The optical drive normally goes by other names like a disc drive, ODD (abbreviation), Image from: https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-an- CD drive, DVD drive, or BD drive (Fisher, optical-disc-drive-2618157. Retrieved: January 2, 2021 Do You Need an Optical Disk Drive?, 2020). Computer hardware devices are also called as Computer Peripherals. A peripheral is a “device that is used to put information into or get information out of the computer (Computer Devices, n.d.). The following are example of computer peripherals usually found outside the system unit. These hardware were enumerated by Fisher (2020) in lifewire.com. Monitor – it is a rectangular in shape like a tv screen and shows the main display of the computer. A monitor interprets and displays the graphical output signal from your computer’s graphics card and displays it on the screen (What is a Monitor, 2020). This article from computerinfobits.com listed the CRT ( Cathode Ray Tube), LCD ( Liquid Crystal Display), and LED ( Light Emitting Diode). Images from: https://computerinfobits.com/what-is-a-monitor/. Retrieved: January 2, 2021 CRT ( Cathode Ray LCD ( Liquid LED ( Light Tube) Crystal Display) Emitting Diode). In order to display the graphics(text and images shown in the screen for example) there must be a graphics card attached to the the motherboard expensive graphics card enables the computer to display HD games and videos. There must be a connection from the motherboard to the 21 | P a g e monitor in order to display what the system instructed to display. There are three different connection from the system unit to the monitor, these are: 1VGA ( Video 2DVI (Digital Visual 3HDMI ( High Definition Graphics Array) Interface) Media Interface) Image source from left to right: 1VGA - https://www.aten.com/gb/en/products/cables/vga-cables/2l-2503/ | 2DVI - https://sandberg.world/en-jp/product/Adapter | 3HDMI - https://simplynuc.co.uk/product/hdmi-to-hdmi-cable-6ft-2m/. Retrieved: January 3, 2021 I. Keyboard – Computer keyboard is an input device that is used to type in text and other instruction, it is composed of alphabets, numbers, symbols and other computer functions. Keyboard can be connected either wired or wireless using Bluetooth or Wi- Fi. According to https://kids.kiddle.co/ , this picture shows the way keys are laid out on a keyboard in the United States. An article posted in kids.kiddle.co website states that, there are also different ways the keys on a keyboard are laid out, usually to deal with different regions and languages of the world. The most common lay out is the QWERTY, according to kids.kiddle.co, QWERTY design was made so the most common letters would not make a mechanical typewriter "jam", or stop working. Aside from this QWERTY keyboard lay out there are other keyboard lay out that is used by some these are AZERTY, QWERTZ, DVORAK, COLEMAK, MALTRON and JCUKEN. 22 | P a g e AZERTY QWERTZ DVORAK COLEMAK 23 | P a g e  MALTRON JCUKEN AZERT,QUERTZ,DVORAK,COLEMAK,MALTRON Img src: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/52483/6-non-qwerty- keyboard-layouts. Retrieved: January 3, 2021. Retrieved by: Nathalie Joy P. Galia J. Mouse – The computer mouse is a very important external peripheral of the computer, because without this the drag and drop interface of the computer will become useless and it will very difficult to access file directories. The computer mouse can also be connected either wired or wireless. Nowadays, different variety of computer mouse exist because of the different environment this device could be of use, gamers prefer using mouse that has an RGB LED light. Img src: https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/m/mouse.htm. Retrieved: January 3,2021 24 | P a g e K. Battery Backup (UPS) – The UPS or the Uninterrupted Power Supply is a device that your computer or device is plugged into in order to minimize the effect of brownouts, surges, and electrical outages. Once a surge or an outage occurs, a battery backup goes into effect immediately to be able to power the computers and devices for a short period of time. This allows users to be able to save the work they are currently working on while also giving the ability to shut down a computer properly until the electricity comes back on in a steady manner (Schierhoff, 2018). Img src: https://imgreenmaster.en.made-in-china.com/product/aNqQzrpdXokV/China-at-Factory-Price-Offline-Interactive- Uninterrupted-Power-Source-UPS-Power-Supply.html. Retrieved: January 3, 2021 L. Flash Drive – Flash drive or also known as thumb drives are very powerful storage dived. According to Fisher (2019) A flash drive is a small, ultra-portable storage device which, unlike an optical drive or a traditional hard drive, has no moving parts. He added that, Flash drives connect to computers and other devices via a built-in USB Type- A or USB-C plug, making a flash drive a kind of combination USB device and cable. The same reference said that most flash drives have a storage capacity from 8 GB to 64 GB. Smaller and larger flash drives are also available but they're harder to find. One of the first flash drives was just 8 MB in size. The largest one we're aware of is a USB 3.0 flash drive with a 2 TB (2048 GB) capacity from Kingston. Img src: https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-flash-drive-2625794. Retrieved: January 3,2021 25 | P a g e M. Printer – and article from javatpoint.com entitled “What is Printer?” defined the printer as a hardware output device that is used to generate hard copy and print any document. The article also added that Printers are one of the common computer peripheral devices that can be classified into two categories that are 2D and 3D printers. The 2D printers are used to print text and graphics on a paper, and 3D printers are used to create three dimensional physical objects. Javatpoint.com also listed the different types of computer: Inkjet Laserjet 3d Printers LED DOT Matrix Multi-function Thermal Images from: https://www.javatpoint.com/printers. Retrieved: January 3, 2021.Retrieved by: Nathalie Joy P. Galia 26 | P a g e N. Speakers – Computer speakers is an output device that gives us the sound output. Laptops have already built-in speaker, thus if you want to make the sound better then adding a computer speaker may be very effective. Image from: https://www.bose.co.uk/en_gb/products/speakers/stereo_speakers/companion-2-series-iii-multimedia- speaker-system.html. January 3, 2021.Retrieved by: Nathalie Joy P. Galia O. External Hard Drive - (Tim, 2020) An external drive is just a hard drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) that is connected to a computer on the outside rather than on the inside. Tim(2020), also added that some external drives draw power over their data cable, which of course comes from the computer itself, while others may require an AC wall connection to derive power on their own. Img src: https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-an-external-drive-2625867. Retrieved: January 3, 2021.Retrieved by: Nathalie Joy P. Galia 27 | P a g e  2. Computer Software A software or the computer software is a computer component that is non tangible application or computer program that provides instruction and data to the user. The Software has two main types the Application software and the system software. Image from: https://www.goodcore.co.uk Retrieved: January 3, 2021.Retrieved by: Nathalie Joy P. Galia A. System Software System software is a type of computer program that is designed to run a computer’s hardware and application programs. If we think of the computer system as a layered model, the system software is the interface between the hardware and user applications. The Operating System (OS) is the best-known example of system software. The OS manages all the other programs in a computer (What is System Software, n.d.) Types of System Software System software was made according to its function. It is also used by different kinds of people depending on what task may need to use it. According to Amuno (2019) there are different types of System Software and these are the following: 1. Operating System (OS). Harnesses communication between hardware, system programs, and other applications. The operating system must be installed first before other application. Microsoft Office Productivity application and other application will not work without Operating System. According to turbofuture.com (Amuno A. , 2019) the following are the types and functions of Operating Systems. Types of Operating Systems: Real-Time OS: Is installed in special purpose embedded systems like robots, cars, and modems. Single-user and single-task OS: Are installed on single-user devices like phones. Single-user and multitask OS: Are installed on contemporary personal computers. Multi-user OS: Is installed in network environments where many users have to share resources. Server OSs are examples of multi-user operating systems. 28 | P a g e  Network OS: Is used to share resources such as files, printers in a network setup. Internet/Web OS: Is designed to run on the browser that is online. Mobile OS: Is designed to run on mobile phones, tablets and other mobile devices. Functions of Operating Systems: Provide the interface between the user and hardware through GUI. Manage and allocates memory space for applications. Process the management of applications, input/output devices, and instructions. Configure and manage internal and peripheral devices. Manage single or multi-user storage in local and network computers. Security management of files and applications. Manage input and output devices. Detect, install, and troubleshoot devices. Monitor system performance through Task Manager and other tools. Produce error messages and troubleshooting options. Implement interface for network communication. Manage printers in single or multi-user systems. Internal or network file management On the same reference, Amuno A. (2019) categorized the examples of operating system based from the 3 most popular Operating System in 2019. The following are the examples of Operating System: Popular OSs Popular Popular Internet Popular for network/server OSs /web OSs are: mobile OSs computers are: are: are: Windows 10 Ubuntu Server Chrome OS iPhone OS Mac OS X Windows Server Club Linux Android OS Ubuntu Red Hat Enterprise Remix OS Windows Phone OS 2. Device Drivers. Enable device communication with the OS and other programs. Driver software is a type of system software which brings computer devices and peripherals to life (Amuno A. , 2019). This software must be installed in order to use the newly connected peripheral or device. Examples of devices which require Drivers: Mouse Display card Keyboard Network card Soundcard Printer 29 | P a g e 3. Firmware. Enables device control, identification. This directly manages and controls all activities of any single hardware (Amuno A. , 2019). One of the most important firmware in computers today can be accessed through the BIOS or UEFI which is installed in the motherboard. BIOS means Basic Input/Output System and UEFI means Unified extended Firmware Interface Platforms. Then according to Amuno A. (2019) the discussion below is the process of BIOS and UEFI: “It is the configuration interface which loads first when the computer is powered up and is going through POST (Power on Self-Test). The motherboard firmware starts by waking up all the hardware and ensures that components like the processor, memory, and disk drives are operational. If all the crucial components are fine, it will run the bootloader, which will load the Operating System. If the random-access memory is faulty, the BIOS will not allow the computer to boot up. The user can change the BIOS and UEFI settings by pressing special keys (a function key, delete, or the esc key) at boot-up to load the configuration page. The user can configure security, boot order, time, and other options in the page that pops up. Though they work differently, firmware compliments drivers in a few ways. Both give identity to hardware devices, with the latter making the operating system see the device. The major difference between the two is that firmware will always reside within devices while drivers will install within the operating system. Firmware upgrades come from the device manufacturer (not the OS manufacturer). They are necessary if the user wants computer hardware to receive new hardware and software support. Firmware will make it possible for devices to work better with old and new operating systems and applications. Almost all devices and peripherals are embedded with firmware. Network card, TV tuner, router, scanner, or monitor and examples of devices which have firmware installed on them.” 4. Programming Language Translators. The same with human being, computers have their own language and the same with computers, application or software used different language in order for it to be created. The language that is used must easily be understood by humans to comprehend the code. In order for the computer to understand the code there exist the Programming Language translators. Popular translator languages are compilers, assemblers, and interpreters; usually designed by computer manufacturers (Amuno A. , 2019). Utilities. Ensure optimum functionality of devices and applications. Utilities are types of system software which sit between system and application software (Amuno A. , 2019). Usually this software is accessed through the operating system’s settings. It is 30 | P a g e used for system maintenance, diagnostics or configuration. Aside from that, this software also performs the data security task and bundled with the Operating System. Amuno A. (2019) listed the following the examples and the features of utility software. Antivirus and security software for the security of files and applications, e.g., Malwarebytes, Microsoft Security Essentials, and AVG. Disk partition services such as Windows Disk Management, Easeus Partition Master, and Partition Magic. Disk defragmentation to organize scattered files on the drive. Examples include Disk Defragmenter, Perfect Disk, Disk Keeper, Comodo Free Firewall, and Little Snitch. File Compression to optimize disk space such as WinRAR, Winzip, and 7-Zip. Data backup for security reasons, e.g., Cobian, Clonezilla, and Comodo. Hardware diagnostic services like Hard Disk Sentinel, Memtest, and Performance Monitor. Data recovery to help get back lost data. Examples include iCare Data Recovery, Recuva, and EaseUs Data Recovery Wizard. Firewall for protection against external threats, e.g., Windows Firewall. B. Application Software Application software is a program or group of programs designed for end-users. These programs are divided into two classes: system software and application software. Application software may be bundled with system software or published alone (What is Application Software, n.d.). Application software is a major type of computer software and it is also called as end- user program. This software is used to edit text, numbers, and legal billing software graphics and utilizes the capacities of a computer for the completion of task. The application software includes database programs, word processors, spread sheets, etc. The following are the different types of Application Software (Different Types of Application Software, 2010). i. Word processing software ii. Database software iii. Spread sheet software iv. Multimedia software v. Presentation software 31 | P a g e  3. Peopleware are simple the computer users, the one who manipulates the computer and the computer programs. It can include various aspects of the process such as human interaction, programming, productivity, teamwork, and project management. A term first coined by Peter G. Neuman in 1977, peopleware refers to the role people play in technology and the development of hardware or software Image from: (Peopleware, 2020). https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/p/peopware.ht m. Retrieved: January 3, 2021.Retrieved by: Nathalie Joy P. Galia 32 | P a g e  References Amuno, A. (2019, February 8). The Five Types of Systems Software. Retrieved from Turbofuture: https://turbofuture.com/computers/The-Five-Types-of-System- Software.Retrieved date: December 26,2020 Amuno, A. (2019, September 3). The Four Categories of Computer Hardware. Retrieved from Turbo Future: https://turbofuture.com/computers/The-Four-Main- Categories-Of-Computer-Hardware-Parts Retrieved date: December 26,2020 Ashton, K. (2009). 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Retrieved date: December 26,2020 Touch-voice.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from Touch-voice.com: http://touch- voice.com/marketing/index.html. Retrieved date: December 26,2020 What Is A Hard Drive & The Difference Between HDD and SSD. (2020, March 24). Retrieved from Securis.com: https://securis.com/what-is-a-hard-drive-and-the-difference- between-hdd-and-ssd/. Retrieved date: December 26,2020 What is a Monitor. (2020, October 17). Retrieved from computerinfobits: https://computerinfobits.com/what-is-a-monitor/. Retrieved date: December 26,2020 What is Application Software. (n.d.). Retrieved from Techopedia: https://www.techopedia.com/definition/4224/application-software. Retrieved date: December 26,2020 What is Printer? (n.d.). Retrieved from javatpoint: https://www.javatpoint.com/. Retrieved date: December 26,2020 What is System Software. (n.d.). Retrieved from Techtarget: https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/system-software. Retrieved date: December 26,2020 35 | P a g e