Learning aim.docx

[Chapter one ] [Learning Aim, A ] Digital devices that form part of or all of IT systems: \- Multifunctional devices \- Personal computers \- Mobile devices \- Servers \- Entertainment systems \- Digital cameras -- still and video \- Navigation systems \- Data capture and collection system...

[Chapter one ] [Learning Aim, A ] Digital devices that form part of or all of IT systems: \- Multifunctional devices \- Personal computers \- Mobile devices \- Servers \- Entertainment systems \- Digital cameras -- still and video \- Navigation systems \- Data capture and collection systems \- Communication devices and systems [Information Technology system] An IT system refers to all the hardware and software used for a particular purpose. Singla IT systems comprise of several networked computers connected to a server, running several software packages to carry out the various tasks. Whereas multiple IT systems comprise of hundreds of computing devices connected to a network and several sub-systems each designed to carry out different functions. [Multifunctional devices] A multifunctional device is one that performs many different functions: - Photocopying - Printing - Scanning - Sending copies to email - In-car entertainment systems - Smart TV - Mobile phone, tablet - Laptop or PC [Personal Computers] A personal computer is a general-purpose, cost-effective computer that is designed to be used by a single end-user. Different uses: Businesses make use of PCs to perform tasks like accounting, desktop publishing and word processing as well as to run database and spreadsheets At home, PCs are mainly used for multimedia entertainment, playing PC games, accessing the Internet, etc. Desktop Computers Advantages: - Generally faster processor and graphics processor for price - Easier to expand, modify and upgrade - Larger memory capacity for storage. Desktop Computers Disadvantages: - Lack of portability: Desktop PCs are not meant to be portable. \... - Space requirements: Desktops take up a lot of space. \... - External peripherals = extra cost: All the extra desktop peripherals like speakers, wireless keyboards/mice and monitor mounts can add up. Laptop Advantages: - Lighter so more portable - Integrated camera, speaker and microphone - More Power efficient Laptop Disadvantages: - Lack of portability: Desktops are large and not meant to be moved around. - Space: Desktops take up a lot of space. - External peripherals: Extra peripherals like speakers, keyboards, and monitor mounts can add to the cost Mobile Devices A mobile device is a handheld tablet or other device that is made for portability, and is therefore both compact and lightweight. New data storage, processing and display technologies have allowed these small devices to do nearly anything that had previously been traditionally done with larger personal computers. Advantages of mobile devices: - Very light and stored in a pocket, bag or handbag - Use solid state storage which is fast and durable - Very fast to log in from standby - Internet connection allows for better use of cloud - Applications Disadvantages of mobile devices: - Mental health Excessive use of mobile devices can lead to screen addiction, which can cause anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. - Physical health Excessive use of mobile devices can lead to musculoskeletal pain and discomfort, headaches, and eye strain. - Sleep disruption the blue light from mobile devices can make it harder to fall asleep and disrupt your natural sleep cycle. Business use - Email and other work functions can be carried out whilst at - home or away from the office - Apps can extend functionality. e.g. use the phone to run a - taxi service or to take images of receipts [Servers] A server is a computer or system that provides resources, data, services, or programs to other computers, known as clients, over a network. Whenever computers share resources with client machines, they are considered servers. [Types of Servers] - Servers that you may have used: - Email Mail server -- for email - Web server -- for web pages - Database server -- many websites like social networks will - store their data in a database - File server -- for files on a school network - Print server -- for printing files - Game server -- used for running multiplayer video games [Entertainment Systems] An entertainment system is a system of entertainment usually of electronic components that handle audio, video and video gaming. An entertainment system may refer to: - Home theatre system - In-car entertainment - In-flight entertainment - Video game console [Digital Cameras] A digital camera records and stores photographic images in digital form. Many current models are also able to capture sound or video, in addition to still images. Most digital cameras have a LCD for viewing both images in the viewfinder and those in the camera\'s memory. Capture is usually accomplished by use of a photosensor, using a charged coupled device. These stored images can be uploaded to a computer immediately or stored in the camera for to be uploaded into a computer or printer later. Images may also be archived on a photographic compact disc or external hard disk. [Navigation Systems] A satellite navigation system uses a group of satellites (31) and computers which form the Global Positioning System (GPS) to determine the instrument's location. Navigation systems allow users to: - Plan routes - Receive audio and visual instructions - Re-route drivers around traffic problems How does it work: GPS satellites orbit the Earth, at least three satellites mark a user constantly sending out radio signals. GPS receivers, such as those in smartphones, watches, and other devices, track the signals from the satellites. GPS receivers use a technique called trilateration to calculate their location by measuring the time it takes for signals to arrive from at least three satellites. A GPS receiver can calculate a 2D position (latitude and longitude) using the signals from these three satellites, and a 3D position (latitude, longitude, and altitude) using four or more satellites. Witch can determine the time period of your drive as well as the shorts root and rerouting Data capture and collection Systems Data Capture is any method of collecting information and then changing it into a form that can be read and used by a computer. Devices are used to collect and input data through automated systems rather than direct manual data entry. Examples include: - Barcode Scanner which inputs or reads a barcode and converts the information into data. - Optical mark reader which reads pencils or pen marks on specially designed printed forms. - Electronic point of sale system (EPOS) which records sales and updates stock levels. - Electronic funds transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS) is an electronic payment system involving electronic funds transfers using a debit card or credit card, at payment terminals located at point of sale. - Biometrics readers are electronic devices that determines identity by detecting and matching physical characteristics such as fingerprint scanner and Iris Recognition reader. Communication Devices and Systems A communication device is a hardware device capable of transmitting an analogue or digital signal over the telephone, other communication wire or wirelessly. Computers, mobile phones and tablets can all be used for communication. These can be connected together in networks using: - Wi-Fi - Network cable (copper and fibre optic) - Routers Communication Devices and Systems: - Wireless: Wireless Access Point (WAP), Bluetooth - Mobile phone: 2G, 3G, HSDPA, LTE, 4G, 5G - Fibre: Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC), fibre to the premises (FTTP) - Hardware: Network Interface Card (NIC), switch, router