quiz7

1. Discuss the components required for successful communications.

      Computer communications describes a process in which two or more computers or devices transfer data, instructions, and information. Successful communications requires a sending device that initiates a transmission instruction, a communications device that connects the sending device to a communications channel, acommunications channel on which the data travels, a communications device that connects the communications channel to a receiving device, and a receiving device that accepts the transmission of data, instructions, or information.

2. Identify various sending and receiving devices.

      A sending device initiates the transmission of data, instructions, and information while a receiving device accepts the items transmitted.

      All types of computers and mobile devices serve as sending and receiving devices in a communications system. This includes mainframe computers, servers, desktop computers, notebook computers, Tablet PCs, smart phones, portable media players, and GPS receivers.

3. Describe uses of computer communications.

     Communications technologies include the Internet, Web, e-mail, instant messaging, chat rooms, newsgroups, blogs, wikis, RSS, VoIP, FTP, Web folders, video conferencing, and fax machine or computer fax/modem.  

     Users can send and receive wireless messages to and from smart phones, cell phones, handheld game consoles, and other personal mobile devices using text messaging, wireless instant messaging, picture messaging and video messaging.

     A wireless Internet access point lets people connect wirelessly to the Internet through a wireless Internet access point.

     A hot spot is a wireless network that provides Internet connections to mobile computers and devices.

     A cybercafé is a coffeehouse, restaurant, or other location that provides computers with Internet access.

     A global positioning system (GPS) analyzes signals sent by satellites to determine an earth-based receiver’s geographic location.

4. List advantages of using a network.

>Speed                                   >Cost                          >Security

>Centralized Software Management                               >Resource Sharing

>E-mail                                  >Work group computing 

5. Differentiate among client/server, peer-to-peer, and P2P networks.

       A client/server setup has servers, which are dedicated machines that perform specific functions in the network. A server can be used to manage a network's email (mail server), database (database server), files (file server), printers (print server), or access an anti-virus (security server). 

      A peer-to-peer network setup Simple network that connects fewer than 10 computers. Each computer, or peer, has equal capabilities. 

      P2P is an Internet peer-to-peer network Enables users to connect to each other’s hard disks and exchange files directly.

6. Describe the various network communications standards.

- Network standards defines:

•  Way devices access the medium
•  Speed on different types of networks
•  Types of network technology (cable / wireless)

- Protocols

•  Rules on how devices communicate with each other
•  Data format used
•  Coding Scheme
•  Error Handling
•  Sequencing techniques etc.
•  Hardware / Software Vendors try to meet these guidelines

- ANSI, IEEE

- Standardizing Organization

7. Explain the purpose of communications software.

     - is used to provide remote access to systems and is also    used to exchange messages in text, audio and video format for the purpose of communication. This software sends and receives data over telephone lines through modems. The communication software allows computers in different geographical regions to communicate with each other through terminal emulators, file transfer programs, chat and instant messaging programs.

8. Describe various types of lines for communications over the telephone network.

• PSTN - Worldwide telephone system that handles voice-oriented telephone calls.
• Dial-up line - Temporary connection using telephone line for communications.
• Dedicated line - Always on connection between two communication devices.  
• Five types of digital dedicated lines are ISDN line, DSL, FTTP, T-carrier line and ATM.

9. Describe commonly used communications devices.

- 

Dial-up modem

• A dial-up modem converts digital signals to analog signals and vice versa
• Usually in the form of an adapter card

- DSL Modem / ISDN Modem-Cable Modem

- Router

• Connects computers and transmits data to correct destination on network. 

- Cable Modem

•  Sends and receives data over cable television (CATV) network
•  Much faster than dial-up modem or ISDN
•  Sometimes called a broadband modem

- Wireless Modem 

• Allows access to the Web wirelessly from a notebook computer, a smart phone, or other mobile device. 

- Hub or Switch 

Send and receive digital data from DSL(Digital Subscriber Line) / ISDN

• Device that provides central point for cables in network. 

quiz6

1. Define system software and identify the two types of system software.

-  System software refers to the files and programs that make up your computer's operating system. 
      
          2 Types Of System Software
                    >Operating System

                >Utility Program
2. Briefly describe various server operating systems: Windows Server, UNIX,Linux, Solaris, and NetWare.

     Windows Server is a brand name for a group of server operating systems released by Microsoft Corporation. 

     Unix  is amultitasking, multi-user computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs. 

     Linux refers to the family of Unix-like computer operating systems using the Linux kernel. 
    
     Solaris is a Unix operating system originally developed by Sun Microsystems.

     NetWare is a network operating system developed by Novell, Inc.

3. Summarize the features of several embedded operating systems: Windows Embedded CE, Windows Mobile, Palm OS, iPhone OS, BlackBerry, Google Android, Embedded Linux, and Symbian OS.

    Microsoft Windows CEis an operating system developed  by Microsoft for embedded systems.

      Features Windows Mobile

• Today screen shows the current date, owner information, upcoming appointments, e-mail messages, and tasks. (Home screen in later WM6.5 builds)
• The taskbar shows the current time and the audio volume.
• Office Mobile, a suite of Mobile versions of Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook Mobile.
• Internet Explorer Mobile, an Internet browser developed by Microsoft for Pocket PC and Handheld PC that comes loaded by default with Windows Mobile and Windows CE for Handheld PC.
• Windows Media Player for Windows Mobile.
• Client for PPTP VPNs.
• Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), which in mobile phones allows the phone to make its Internet connection available to computers via USB and Bluetooth.
• File system similar to that of Windows 9x/Windows NT, with support for many of the same file types.
• Ability to multitask.

- Palm OS  is designed for ease of use with a touchscreen-based graphical user interface.

Features:

• Simple, single-tasking environment to allow launching of full screen applications with a basic, common GUI set
• Monochrome or color screens with resolutions up to 480x320 pixel
• Handwriting recognition input system called Graffiti 2
• HotSync technology for data synchronization with desktop computers
• Sound playback and record capabilities
• Simple security model: Device can be locked by password, arbitrary application records can be made private
• TCP/IP network access
• Serial port/USB, infrared, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections
• Expansion memory card support
• Defined standard data format for personal information management applications to store calendar, address, task and note entries, accessible by third-party applications.

- iPhone OS Features:

• Multitasking
• Fast App Switching
• Local Notification
• App Folders
• New App E-mail
• iBooks

- Blackberry Features:

• Multi-touch Interface
• Webkit Browser
• Home Screen
• Universal Search
• Context Sensitive Menus
• Social Tools

Google Android Features:

• Handset layouts
• Storage
• Connectivity
• Messaging
• Multiple language support
• Web browser
• Java support
• Media support
• Streaming media support
• Additional hardware support
• Multi-touch
• Bluetooth
• Video calling
• Multitasking
• Tethering
• Screen Capture

4. Explain the purpose of several utility programs: file manager, search utility, image viewer, uninstaller, disk cleanup, disk defragmenter, backup and restore utilities, screen saver,

 personal firewall, antivirus programs, spyware and adware removers, Internet filters, file compression, media player, disc burning, and personal computer maintenance.

• File Manager - is a computer program that provides a user interface to work with file systems.
• Image Viewer - is a compuer program that can display stored graphical image; it can often handle various graphics file formats.
• Uninstaller - also called a deinstaller is a utility software designed to remove other software or parts of it from a computer. It is the opposite of an installs.
• Disk cleanup - is a computer maintenance utility included in Microsoft Windows designed to free up disk space on a computer's hard drive.
• Disk defragmenter - is a process that reduces the amount of fragmentation in file systems.
• Backup Utility - allows users to copy files to another storage medium.
• Restore Utility - reverses the process and returns backed up files to their original form
• Screen Saver - causes a display device’s screen to show a moving image or blank screen if no activity occurs for a specified time
• Personal Firewall - detects and protects a personal computer from unauthorized intrusions
• Anti Virus Program - protects a computer against viruses
• Spyware removers - detects and deletes spyware and other similar programs
• Adware remover-  is a program that detects and deletes adware
• Internet Filters - are programs that remove or block certain items from being displayed
• File Compression - shrinks the size of a file(s), compressing files frees up room on the storage media.
• Media Player - allows you to view images and animation, listen to audio, and watch video files on your computer
• Disc Burning - writes text, graphics, audio, and video files on a recordable or rewritable optical disc.
• Personal Computer Maintenance - identifies and fixes operating system problems, detects and repairs disk problems, and includes the capability of improving a computer’s performance.

quiz5

1. Differentiate between storage devices and storage media.

A storage medium is the physical material on which a computer keeps data, instructions, and information. The number of bytes (characters) a storage medium can hold is its capacity. A storage device is the computer hardware that records and/or retrieves items to and from storage media. Writing is the process of transferring items from memory to a storage medium, and reading is the process of transferring these items from a storage medium into memory

    

2. Identify the uses of tape, magnetic stripe cards, smart cards, microfilm and microfiche, and enterprise storage.

Tape is a magnetically coated ribbon of plastic capable of storing large amounts of data and information at a low cost. A tape drive reads and writes data and information on tape. Business users utilize tape most often for long-term storage and backup. A magnetic stripe card is a credit card, entertainment card, bank card, or other similar card with a stripe that contains information identifying you and the card. A magnetic stripe card reader reads the information stored on the stripe. A smart card, which is similar in size to a credit or ATM card, stores data on a thin microprocessor embedded in the card. A smart card reader reads the information on the smart card and updates it if necessary. Microfilm is a 100- to 215-foot roll of film. Microfiche is a small sheet of film, usually about 4 X 6 inches. Microfilm and microfiche reduce the amount of paper firms must handle, are inexpensive, and have the longest life of any storage media. Enterprises use computers, servers, and networks to manage and store huge volumes of data and information. In an enterprise, some storage systems can provide more than 185 TB of storage, and optical disc servers hold hundreds of optical discs.

3. Describe the various types of flash memory storage: solid state drives, memory cards, USB flash drives, and ExpressCard modules.

Flash memory chips are a type of solid state media, which means they consist entirely of electronic components and contain no moving parts. A solid state drive (SSD) typically uses flash memory to store data, instructions, and information. A memory card is a removable flash memory device that you insert and remove from a slot in a computer, mobile device, or card reader/writer. Common memory cards include CompactFlash (CF), Secure Digital (SD), Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC), microSD, microSDHC, xD Picture Card, Memory Stick, and Memory Stick Micro (M2). A USB flash drive, sometimes called a thumb drive, is a flash memory storage device that plugs in a port on a computer or mobile device. An ExpressCard module is a removable device that fits in an ExpressCard slot. ExpressCard modules can add memory, storage, communications, or other capabilities to a computer.

4. Differentiate among various types of optical discs: CDs, archive discs and Picture CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs.

A CD-ROM, or compact disc read-only memory, is a type of optical disc that uses laser technology to store items. Users can read the contents of standard CD-ROMs but cannot erase or modify their contents. A CD-R (compact disc-recordable) is a multisession disc on which users can record their own items, such as text, graphics, and audio. Each part of a CD-R can be written on only one time, and the disc's contents cannot be erased. A CD-RW (compact disc-rewritable) is an erasable disc that can be written on multiple times. An archive disc stores photos from an online photo center in the jpg file format. A Picture CD is a single-session CD-ROM that stores digital versions of film using the jpg format at a lower resolution than an archive disc. A DVD-ROM (digital versatile disc-read-only memory or digital video disc-read-only memory) is a high capacity optical disc that you can read but not write on or erase. A newer, more expensive DVD format is Blu-ray Disc-ROM (BD-ROM), with higher capacity and better quality than standard DVDs. Many types of recordable and rewritable DVD formats are available. DVD-R and DVD+R are DVD-recordable formats. BD-R is a high-capacity DVD-recordable format. DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and DVD+RAM are rewritable DVD formats that allow users to erase and record multiple times. BD-RE is a high-capacity rewritable DVD format.

5. Summarize the characteristics of ink-jet printers, photo printers, laser printers, multifunction peripherals, thermal printers, mobile printers, label and postage printers, and plotters and large-format printers.

     An ink-jet printer forms characters and graphics by spraying tiny drops of liquid ink onto a piece of paper.

     –

     –

     A

 

     A multifunction peripheral (MFP) is a single device that prints, scans, copies, and in some cases, faxes.

          –

     A thermal printer generates images by pushing electrically heated pins against the heat-sensitive paper pictures.

     A mobile printer is a small, lightweight, battery-powered printer that allows a mobile user to print from a notebook computer, smart phone, or other mobile device.

A   A label printer is a postage printer prints postage stamps.

 

     A

     A Plotters

     A

Large-format printers create photo-realistic quality color prints on a larger scale.are used to produce high-quality drawings.Postage Printer also can be printed on other types of printers.Sometimes called an all-in-one device photo printer produces color photo-lab-quality.Printers with a higher dpi (dots per inch) produce a higher quality output Color or black-and-white

quiz3

1. Describe the four categories of output.

           -The Four types of output are text, graphics, audio, and video


2. The characteristics of LCD monitors, LCD screens, plasma monitors, and HDTVs.

     >LCD monitor

    >HDTV(high-definition television) 

                -The most advance forms of digital tv.

3. What are the components inside the systems units.

        Motherboard: The main circuit board in system unit is called the motherboard, it contains adaptor cards processor and memory chips. The mother can also be called the system board.

         Chip: A chip is a small semi-conducting material where intergrated circuits can be etched. Integrated circuits have many microscopic pathways capable of carrying electric current. Chips are packed in a certain way so they can be connected to a circiut board. 

         Central processing unit (CPU): The CPU carries and interprets basic instructions that can operate a computer. The control unit coordinates operations in a computer. The Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) does arithmetic, comparison and logical operations. This can also be known as the processor.

        Machine cycle: The machine cycle is the name of the four operations of the CPU. The first step is to 'fetch' the program instuction/data from the memory. The second step is to 'decode', which means translate the instruction into instructions. Step three is to 'execute', carry out the instruction. Finally step four is to 'store', write the result back to memory.

4. The components of a processor and how they complete a machine cycle.

         Control unit -- responsible for supervising the operation of the entire computer system.

   
         Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) -- provides the computer with logical and computational capabilities.


         Register -- a storage location inside the processor.

         Each time the CPU executes an instruction, it takes a series of steps. The complete series of steps is called a machine cycle. A machine cycle can be divided into two smaller cycles. These are instruction cycle and execution cycle.

Instruction cycle: In instruction cycle CPU takes two steps--

1. Fetching: Before the CPU can execute an instruction, the control unit must retrieve or fetch a command or data from the computer's memory.

2. Decoding: Before a command can be executed, the control unit must decode the command into instruction set.

Execution cycle: In execution cycle CPU also takes two steps--

1. Executing: When the command is executed, the CPU carried out the instructions in order by converting them into macrocode.

2. Storing: The CPU may be required to store the result of an instruction in memory.

5. Define a bit and describe how a series of bits represents data.        Bits are central to computers. All information in a computer is represented as bits.  Bits are also fundamental to how programs make decisions and how arithmetic is approximated in a computer.
6. Identify the categories of application software.

 

     Word Processing Software: This software enables the users to create and edit documents. The most popular examples of this type of software are MS-Word, WordPad, Notepad and some other text editors.

     Database Software: Database is a structured collection of data. A computer database relies on database software to organize the data and enable the database users to achieve database operations. Database software allows the users to store and retrieve data from databases. Examples are Oracle, MSAccess, etc.

     Spreadsheet Software: Excel, Lotus 1-2-3 and Apple Numbers are some examples of spreadsheet software. Spreadsheet software allows users to perform calculations. They simulate paper worksheets by displaying multiple cells that make up a grid.

     Multimedia Software: They allow the users to create and play audio and video media. They are capable of playing media files. Audio converters, players, burners, video encoders and decoders are some forms of multimedia software. Examples of this type of software include Real Player and Media Player.

     Presentation Software: The software that is used to display information in the form of a slide show is known as presentation software. This type of software includes three functions, namely, editing that allows insertion and formatting of text, methods to include graphics in the text and a functionality of executing the slide shows. Microsoft PowerPoint is the best example of presentation software.

7. Identify the key features of widely used business programs.

     The Key Features in Business programs in terms of software is editting and typing and other stuff knowing what letters to use like formating.

8. What are the advantages of using application software on the Web.

Advantages:

	No special configuration or changes are need on user's PCs.
	Lower costs.
	Centralised data is secure and easy to backup.
	Updates can be made quickly and easily.
	Information is accessible to a wide audience anywhere in the world.
	Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
	Everybody has a browser - familiar interface encourages use.
	Online training can be completed at user's own time and pace.
	Always up-to-date.

9. History of the Internet.

    

     The history of the Internet starts in the 1950s and 1960s with the development of computers. This began with point-to-point communication between mainframe computers and terminals, expanded to point-to-point connections between computers and then early research into packet switching. Packet switched networks such as ARPANET, Mark I at NPL in the UK, CYCLADES, Merit Network, Tymnet, and Telenet, were developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s using a variety of protocols. The ARPANET in particular led to the development of protocols for internetworking, where multiple separate networks could be joined together into a network of networks.

     In 1982 the Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) was standardized and the concept of a world-wide network of fully interconnected TCP/IP networks called the Internet was introduced. Access to the ARPANET was expanded in 1981 when the National Science Foundation (NSF) developed the Computer Science Network (CSNET) and again in 1986 when NSFNET provided access to supercomputer sites in the United States from research and education organizations. The ARPANET was decommissioned in 1990. Commercial internet service providers (ISPs) began to emerge in the late 1980s and 1990s and the Internet was commercialized in 1995 when NSFNET was decommissioned, removing the last restrictions on the use of the Internet to carry commercial traffic.

    

     Since the mid-1990s the Internet has had a drastic impact on culture and commerce, including the rise of near instant communication by electronic mail, instant messaging, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) "phone calls", two-wa interactive video calls, and the World Wide Web with its discussion forums, blogs, social networking, and online shopping sites. The research and education community continues to use advanced networks such as NSF's very high speed Backbone Network Service (vBNS) and Internet2. Increasing amounts of data are transmitted at higher and higher speeds over fiber optic networks operating at 1-Gbit/s, 10-Gbit/s, or more. The Internet continues to grow, driven by ever greater amounts of online information and knowledge, commerce, entertainment and social networking.

10. What are diferent storage devices.

 

Flash Drives

• Also known as thumb drives (because of their size) or USB drives (because of the port they connect to), flash drives are the premiere way to store data in a compact and portable fashion. Flash drives range in data capacity from 64 megabytes of 64 gigabytes.

External Hard Drives

• External hard drives are exactly like the hard drive on any computer, except they are outside of your computer. They usually connect through a USB port (similar to flash drives), are designed either for desktops or laptops and have a storage capacity of up to 700 gigabytes.

Smart Cards

• Smart cards are also known as memory cards. The usage and types of smart cards have evolved over the years from primary usage in laptops to cell phones and Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's).

Online Storage

• Also called 'remote backup', online storage sites allow you to store information on their servers. A list of online storage sites are provided in the 'resources' list.

Re-writable CD's

• These are devices that look exactly like a CD, except you can store information on them. They are often used to store music, text files, photos, and other data.

    >Plasma monitor