Monthly Archives: February 2014
Networking interface card (NIC)
Networking interface card (NIC):
Before a computer can be connected to a network it will need to have a network interface card. Most modern computers have these when you buy them. A network interface card is simply a card containing circuitry along with a socket.
Communication devices:
Communication devices are those pieces of hardware that are needed to turn stand-alone computers into networked computers.
How to produce a good evaluation
Evaluations are always badly written as most students believe that they are writing about what they DID and not whether they did what they were supposed to do. Comments like ‘If I had more time’ or ‘I was doing well until the printer broke down’ should now be a thing of the past as there is no formal project at AS level, although they still could appear at A2 level. You are not writing about what you learnt by doing the task, how you used the
packages, a lack of time or how much help you were given.
Basic elements of an ICT network
There are four basic elements of an ICT network in addition to the computers themselves:
- communication devices
- networking devices
- data transfer media
- standards and procedures
Exam style questions
1) Modern Software applications should be designed to protect the health of the user.
Identify three potential health problems that user should be protected from when using software applications.
In each case, give a software design feature that could be used, and explain how it might protect the health of the user.
2) A school secretary spends long periods of the day updating the database and registration system on the school administrative computer network.
a) Name the regulation that covers the use of display screen equipment.
b) State one feature for each of the following items that will help to prevent health problems for the secretary:
i) Computer Screen
ii) Keyboard
iii) Chair
3) A typist employed by a large estate agent spends all day word-processing house details for entry into the company’s computer system.
To ensure the health and safety of the typist, state with reasons:
i) Two working practice procedures that the company could introduce (4).
ii) Two design features that the workstation the typist should have (4).
iii) Two Software design features that the application software the typist uses should have (4).
Application Software
- Software that allows the computer to be applied to a particular problem
- Software used for a particular purpose or application e.g. Processing orders, payroll, stock control, word processing etc.
Types of application software:
- Package software: the programs and the documentation for a piece of software.
- Generic software: applications package that can be used for a variety of tasks and used in a lot of areas of work.
- Integrated software: application package consisting of software for a variety of different purposes e.g. Microsoft office – word processing software, database (excel), PowerPoint.
- Specific software: software that performs one particular task.
- bespoke software: software that is tailor made for a specific purpose or organisation.
- Off -the shelf software: software that has not been developed for a particular purpose.
Introduction:
A basic network consists of a collections of computers and other hardware devices such as printers and scanners that are linked together so that they can communicate with each other.
What exactly is data?
– There are a number of forms that data can take. Data can be:
– Numbers
– Words
– Images
– Sound
Topic 2 – Data and Information
What is data?
Data is raw information that has not yet been given a meaning or been put into context – recorded facts, numbers or events that have no meaning. Other forms of data can be images, videos and sound
- Numbers
- Images
- Sound
- Words
Where does it come from?
- Survey
- Experiment
- Transaction
Coding Data
- Takes less effort
- More data can appear on screen
- Less Storage
- Easier to validate
Encoding
Is the process of putting data into a specified format that allows effective transmission or storage by an ICT SYSTEM?
Why??:
- Compress
- Readability
Images:
- Vector,
- GIF
- JPEG
- TIFF
- Bitmapped
Sound:
- WAV
- MIDI
- MP3
- Shockwave Audio
DATA VS INFORMATION
Data: Has no meaning, raw values that are stored and processed. (E.g. £23,712, £28,932, £35,067)
Information: Informs you of something you did not already know.( E.g. The first three months of sales have steadily increased).
Information is data that has been:
- Processed
- Converted to give meaning
- Organised
Quality of Information
Accuracy – Credit Card Statements
How easy it is to understand – Sending a customer coded information
Relevance – Wanting a monthly breakdown of sales and you are given yearly
Up to date – Out of stock report printed on Monday used to make orders on Friday
Data Protection Act 1998 states that anyone who processes personal data must keep the data accurate and up to date