STEPS FOR A SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL SYSTEM UNIT ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY
Aside from electrocution, we must also think that the computer that we are about to disassemble requires care. Safety of the equipment must also be considered. Not only thinking of the computer's safety but also to that of your tools. Your tools are your best friends and you need to take good care of them so they in return can make your job easy and fast. Example, if you just leave your software installer anywhere then accidentally falls to the ground and accumulates scratches? Do you think you can still use the installer again?
Another thing to consider safety is on environment. As computer technicians, we must be responsible to take our part to take care of the environment. What things does computer technicians do that might have ill effects on the environment? Printer inks, cut wires, PCB's, in general electronic wastes. And these electronic wastes are the hardest type of waste to recycle. So be responsible as a computer servicing technician. So listed below is the checklist for a safe and successful disassembly and assembly of the computer.
Steps to a Safe and Successful Disassembly and Assembly of a System Unit
To Disassemble
1. Prepare all your tools. a. Long Philip Screw Driver b. Rubber Eraser c. Soft Wide Bristle Brush d. Paper and Pen for documentation
2. Before opening the system case, be sure to turn off the system unit. Turn off and unplug the AVR from the wall socket as well. After that, unplug all the cables connecting to the back of the system unit. After clearing all the connected cables, put the system unit on an empty working table.
3. Touch the unpainted part of your system unit with your bare hands to remove the ESD of your body. This is an important part before opening your system case. You might destroy your RAM, Chipsets and other components of your motherboard.
4. Remove the screws of the side cover opposite to the side where the ports are. By most system cases, if you are facing the back of the system unit the right side cover is to be removed. Return the screws back to the screw holes to avoid losing them.
5. Once the side cover is removed, turn your system side down where the opened side of the system unit should be facing upward where you can comfortably look down on the inside of your system case.
6. We are now ready to remove the components inside of the computer. The first thing we need to do is remove the power supply. To be able to remove the power supply, remove first the molex connectors (the white plastic connector at the tip of the wires of the power supply) or the motherboard power connector, drive power connectors, the floppy drive power connector, the sata power connectors and the four pin 12-volt motherboard connector. With all power connectosr are removed from the motherboard and drives, the power supply is now ok to be removed as well. Always have the removed components placed in a remote and safe place away from where you are performing computer disassembly.
7. With the power supply removed, the data cable should be removed next. This includes IDE, SATA, and floppy drive cables. Secure the removed data cables.
8. Next to remove are the RAM, Video Card and other card peripheral components. Again have them secured in a safe place and put the screws back. Clean the connector edges of the card peripherals by rubbing the gold colored edge moderately with a rubber eraser then brushing off the shredding. Do not attempt to clean the edge by blowing or brushing it off with your fingers. Our body is acidic and you might only cause the edges to tarnish faster.
9. Remove all drives. This will include your hard drive, cd/dvd drives, and the floppy drive.
10. Since all peripherals where removed, the next thing to do is to remove the front panel connectors. This will include the USB, Front Panel (FP) and Audio header. If you are not sure of which connector is being match to, write down or document the connections and orientation of the connectors before removing them from the headers. Remember that not all motherboards have the same header configuration so be careful and watchful while documenting.
11. After removing the header connectors, we are now ready to remove the motherboard. To remove the motherboard, locate first all the screws and lightly unscrew all screws alternately. With this technique, we are reducing the risk of warping or bending our motherboard. It may not have a large impact on the bending of the motherboard but still it does have even a little. Upon lightly loosening all screws, remove all screws then. Remove the motherboard by carefully and lightly pulling it away from the I/O shield. Why? because we need to free the ports that are fitted from the holes in the I/O shield. After freeing the motherboard ports from the I/O shield holes, lift up the motherboard and put it on the safe place.
12. Clean the system unit chassis with your brush, also clean your motherboard and the rest of the peripherals being removed.
To Assemble
1. Provided that all peripherals are clean and ready. We are now going to assemble your computer. In assembling back your computer, what we have done during disassembling is just doing the reverse order to assemble it. Since the motherboard was last to be removed, it should then be the first to put back. Remove the retaining screws from the standoff screws of the motherboard and let the motherboard seat on it with the ports facing out towards the I/O shield. Lightly push the motherboard to set its ports to the holes of the I/O shield. Put the retaining screws on the motherboard screw holes but do not tighten it yet. Now be careful in doing this one and if this is your first time doing it, it is best if you lend a hand for assistance. Lightly push the motherboard towards to I/O shield and lightly tighten the motherboard retaining screws alternately until all screws are tight enough but not too tight. This is to ensure that your ports are protruding correctly out of the I/O shield.
2. Once the motherboard is secured, put back the FP, Audio, and USB header connectors as you will be using your documentation for reference.
3. Put back the drives to the correct drive bays.
4. Connect back the RAM, Video Card and other card peripherals to its proper slot inserting it properly and some cards will require screws to be secured.
5. The data cables (IDE, SATA, floppy cable) should be connected to its proper headers and drives. Remember the proper configuration of the placement of the cables specially if you are dealing with the IDE cables.
6. After the data cables are properly connected, put back the power supply and secure it with the screws you removed earlier. After securing the PSU to the chassis, connect the power connectors to the drives and the motherboard.
7. Once all peripherals are connected properly, have a final inspection by visually checking for loose connection or improper connection. Once the system unit connections are thoroughly checked and verified, connect the keyboard; the monitor, and the power connector then power up the computer. This initial powering up of the computer while the side cover is open ensures us that everything is ok before putting back the side cover. In case something goes wrong, we can accessibly correct the problem right away. If everything is fine shutdown the computer, unplugged the AVR and remove the cables connected to the back of your computer. Put the side cover back.
8. Put the assembled computer back to its place and connect the rest of the cables and connectors. Power it up and see if there are unusual effects of your disassembling/assembling procedure done earlier.
A peripheral device, also sometimes called an auxiliary device, is any connected device, internal or external, that provides a computer with additional functionality.
Peripheral devices fall into three main categories:
Input devices, which send data to the computer.
Output devices, which receive data from the computer.
Input/output devices, such as storage devices.
10 Examples of Peripheral Devices
Mouse
Keyboard
Webcam
Microphone
Monitor
Speakers
Projector
Printer
USB Flash Drive
External Hard Drive
I go into more detail regarding each example below.
1. Mouse
A mouse is an input device that uses "point and click" technology to interact with a computer. Modern mice usually have two buttons, the left button and right button, with a scroll wheel in between the two. The device was named a "mouse" because the inventors thought that the wire that connects the device to the computer resembled a mouse tail. Nowadays, mice often connect to the computer using wireless technology.
2. Keyboard
Keyboards are the most common input device. The user enters letters, numbers, and other symbols to give the computer with information and instruction. Using a keyboard to enter a lot of information is called typing. The keyboard works through push buttons or mechanical switches, known as "keys", being pressed, and the resulting signal being sent to the computer. In the past, keyboards used to connect to the computer via a DIN connector, but nowadays they are more likely to connect via a USB port, or be wireless.
3. Webcam
These input devices are video cameras that connect to a computer. They can be external or built-in. Webcams are most often used to enable people to see each other when communicating over the internet, or for recording video blogs, or other videos. As well as computers, webcams can also be built into mobile phones. The first webcam was developed in 1991 at the University of Cambridge and pointed at a coffee pot so that researchers from around the Computer Science Department wouldn’t make a journey, only to discover it was empty.
4. Microphone
Microphones are audio input devices. The microphone feeds a sound signal to the computer, where it can be recorded, or streamed across the internet. Microphones are often built into laptops, webcams and mobile phones nowadays. The earliest microphones were telephone transmitters invented in the latter half of the 19th century. Various designs were tried, but the first to have reasonable sound quality were (loose-contact) carbon microphones that were developed independently by David Edward Hughes in England, and Emile Berliner and Thomas Edison in the US.
5. Monitor
The most common output device, monitors enable users to interact with a computer more easily. The monitor essentially displays a signal sent by the computer in a visual format. Monitors look similar to televisions in outward appearance, but typically have a higher display resolution than televisions, enabling greater visual detail, plus they lack a tuner to change channels. As with televisions, modern computer monitors use flat screen technology and have fallen in price in recent years.
6. Speakers
A computer speaker is another common type of output device. They typically come in pairs to provide stereo sound and sometimes with a subwoofer unit too in order to enhance bass frequency. Computer speakers usually have built-in amplifiers and therefore require a power supply, either from the mains, batteries, or via a USB port. In the past, speakers normally received their audio signal via a 3.5 mm jack plug, but it's increasingly common nowadays for computer speakers to be wireless and use Bluetooth technology. Altec Lansing claim to have produced the first commercially available computer speakers in 1990.
7. Projector
Projectors are optical output devices that enable a roomful of people to see visuals generated by a single computer. As their name suggests, projectors "project" still or moving images onto a screen, blank wall, or other surface. Digital projectors first came onto the market in the early 2000's and have now almost completely replaced older, pre-digital models. They are typically used for presentations, watching movies, or as a teaching aid, and usually connect to the computer via the HDMI port.
8. Printer
Printers are another common form of output device. They are used to generate hard copies of electronic data stored on a computer, most often text or images onto paper. The first electronic printer to be invented was the EP-101, released by the Japanese company Epson in 1968. Inkjet and laser printers are two of the most common types of printer found today, with modern printers connecting to the computer via the USB port or WI-FI. The rise of other technologies such as email and data storage devices have somewhat diminished the importance of printers in recent years.
9. USB Flash Drive
Also called a thumb drive, gig stick, flash stick, pen drive, USB stick, jump drive, flash-drive, memory stick, or USB memory, the USB flash drive is a data storage device that consists of flash memory with an integrated USB interface. Small and light, USB storage drives are usually removable and rewritable. Since their appearance in the year 2000, these storage devices have gradually increased their storage capacity, while falling in price. They are commonly used for transporting and transferring information and are durable, thanks to a lack of moving parts.
10. External Hard Drive
External hard drives are input/output storage devices that usually connect to a computer via USB. They hold relatively large amounts of data and plug and play drive functionality enables them to be easily used with a variety of different computers. There are two categories of external hard drives: portable and desktop. Portable external drives are more compact, usually powered by USB and designed for transportation, whereas the desktop version is usually larger and needs external power bricks for power.
What Is the Difference Between Laptop and Notebook Computers?
Nowadays, the mobile computing market is more confusing than ever as buyers can choose between a range of devices variously described as:
Laptops
Notebooks (smaller than laptops)
Netbooks (inexpensive notebook with basic features)
Ultrabooks (smaller, thinner notebooks with advanced features and a higher price)
Tablets (on-screen keyboarding, although some are capable of attaching an external keyboard)
Chromebooks (any laptop or notebook which runs the Google Chrome Operating System)
MacBooks (Apple laptop - runs the maxOS Operating System)
iPads (Apple tablet - runs the iOS Operating System)
Android devices (for example, the Samsung Galaxy line of tablets which runs the Android Operating System)
Some may decide they can handle most mobile computing chores on a smartphone.
The difference between laptops and notebooks is somewhat blurry. Typically, a laptop weighs about five pounds and is about 1.5 - 2 inches thick, whereas a device referred to as a "notebook" is generally three pounds or less in weight and .5 - 1 inch in thickness. Notebooks and tablets are more portable—small enough to be carried in a backpack or briefcase, which means a screen size of 15 inches or less.
There are still other versions of the "book" computer. Netbooks are even smaller and are inexpensive devices meant for basic computing tasks such as word processing, email and web browsing.
Tablets have an enormous range of price and capability. More expensive hybrid models or convertibles such as the Microsoft Surface or the Acer Chromebook come with larger, higher resolution screens and detachable keyboards, putting them on par with notebooks and laptops for capability and ease of note-taking.
Weight and Portability
Remember, size matters. An extra pound of weight in a laptop or notebook may not sound like much, but you may appreciate the difference after balancing it on your lap or packing it around in a briefcase. Unfortunately, weight is often inversely proportional to price. Heavier models tend to fetch a lower price, while leaner ones often come at a premium.
On the other hand, if the display size is a concern (as described below) you may want to sacrifice weight and portability for a larger size. Smaller notebooks also have more cramped keyboards which can be uncomfortable for some users.
Budget vs Performance
Before you buy, check your budget and weigh it against how you intend to use your personal or business laptop. Do you need something to video and photo editing? Are you a serious gamer or a power business user who typically uses multiple applications at the same time? Or do you just want one for basic stuff like web surfing and video chatting with friends and family?
Although the price differential has dropped greatly in recent years, laptop/notebook computers still tend to be more expensive compared to desktop computers. You pay a premium for being able to pack your office around with you. This, of course, also depends on the brand you're buying as well as any specs going into the laptop.
And unlike PC desktop computers, laptops, notebooks, and tablets are often difficult or impossible to upgrade with interchangeable components. If you buy one, try to choose one with all the features you want at the time of purchase.
A laptop/notebook's performance, power, and price—like any desktop computer—is also determined by:
Processor (CPU): Pricier models have higher processor speeds, which means better performance with CPU intensive tasks. If your tasks mainly involve word processing and web surfing, you won't need a faster processor.
Graphics (GPU): If you plan to run graphics-intensive gaming or virtual reality (VR) applications, a high-end graphics processor is essential. Ultra high-end graphics capability can easily add over $1000 to the price of a laptop.
Amount of memory (RAM): A typical inexpensive laptop/notebook comes with 8 GB of RAM which is sufficient for light duties. If you intend to run multiple applications simultaneously, more is preferable. For power users or gamers, 16 GB or more may be required.
Disk speed: Solid state drives (SSDs) can give a huge performance boost over the traditional mechanical hard drives (HDDs). SSDs are more expensive than HDDs but are rapidly declining in price. SSD drives also have much less capacity than HDD drives. If you need more disk storage space you may consider getting an external hard drive.
Options such as fingerprint readers, ruggedization for adverse conditions, etc.
The brand name will also determine how much you'll up pay for your portable device. Cheaper models that don't do as much can cost a few hundred dollars. Those made by top manufacturers like Apple or Microsoft can cost in the thousands, depending on the model and specs.
Battery Life
While laptop/notebook computers promise mobility, it's not unrestricted. If you plan to use your computer "unplugged" frequently, pay close attention to the device's battery average run time.
More efficient processors, SSD disk drives and improved battery technology have increased average run times to 14 or more hours for some models. But there is still a large variation. So if you intend to use your laptop/notebook for long overseas flights or in other situations where charging is not readily available, make sure you choose a model with sufficient battery life.
Keep in mind, manufacturers tend to exaggerate notebook battery run times or quote them under ideal conditions. Battery run time is heavily dependent on usage. Watching HD video takes more battery power than basic web surfing. Check third-party reviews for real-world statistics on battery life. Run times also decrease as the battery ages, so your five-year-old laptop won't run as long on a single charge as when you first got it. Note also that batteries on sealed devices such as tablets can be difficult and expensive to replace.
Display Size and Resolution
If you intend to use your laptop/notebook for watching or editing HD video, playing games, or need to have multiple visible windows open on the screen at the same time, you will need a higher resolution display and the largest screen size possible Just remember, that larger screen size means more weight and less portability.
Budget laptop/notebooks typically come with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels, but if you intend to watch high definition (HD) video 1920 x 1080 (known as 1080p), or higher is preferable. If you want to watch 4k video or are a hard-core gamer the most expensive laptops now come with 3840x2160 resolution.
Connectivity
Wired: Aside from the ubiquitous Wi-fi connectivity, if you prefer to use a faster-wired connection while in the office, you will need an ethernet port. These are becoming more of a rarity these days as laptops/notebooks become thinner and lighter.
DVD Drives: Most come without a DVD drive now, as most software, music, video, etc. is now delivered via the internet. Inexpensive USB sticks have much higher capacity, reliability, and portability than DVD drives. If you do need to use DVDs select a model that comes equipped with one or you have to buy an external DVD drive that connects with your laptop with a USB cord.
HDMI Ports: If you intend to connect to a TV or larger HDMI display (for business presentations or watching video on a big screen) you will need an HDMI port. If your model doesn't come with an HDMI port, you can easily purchase an adapter that will fit into the USB port on your device.
USB Ports: If you need to connect more than one USB device to the laptop/notebook, make sure it is equipped as such. Most (but not all) notebooks come with two USB ports.
Keyboarding
If you're buying a notebook or a tablet, you should consider a detachable or membrane keyboard if one of the primary uses of the device will be word processing. On-screen keyboards take up screen space and are awkward to use, making them a poor substitute for a regular keyboard.
Operating Systems
Laptop/notebook buyers have a choice of several operating systems:
Microsoft Windows is the dominant operating system with approximately 85% of the desktop/laptop market.
Mac OS is supplied with the Apple MacBook line of laptop/notebook computers.
Google Chrome OS is a lightweight operating system that is sold with notebooks referred to as Chromebooks. Chromebooks were originally very inexpensive, barebones, net-surfing appliances, but now come in full-featured (and more expensive) versions.
Google Android is a popular tablet/smartphone operating system. Whether Google will continue to support both Chrome OS and Android or merge the two into a single OS is unclear.
For most buyers, the choice will be between Windows and Mac OS which comes down to preference. If you are an Apple fan and have other Apple products, you may prefer the Mac OS. You can easily sync your Apple products to each other to share and transfer data.
Information Communication Technologies (ICT) is the combination of computer-based technologies (such as computing devices and smartphones) with communication technologies (such as telephones, cell phones and the internet). In practice, it refers to all the hardware, software, and systems essential to communicate electronically.
Over the last twenty years, the field of ICT has grown from a small niche field to one of the most important fields in the world. Refer to the YouTube video to see how ICT has changed over the years.
define Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Information Technology
provide an overview of a general model of a computer
explain the information processing cycle.
ICT SYSTEMS AND IT
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) refers to technologies that capture, transmit and display data and information electronically and includes all devices, applications and networking elements that allow people to connect in a digital world.
An ICT system refers to the overall set-up, consisting of hardware, software, data and its users. ICT systems as a whole include:
People – to supply the data and to make decisions from the output supplied from the system information, which is based on the results from processing data and the output from an ICT system.
Hardware e.g. input devices, storage, processor, output devices and communication devices.
Procedures – to determine what needs to be done and when. This causes the passing of data or information between people.
Software – the computer programs which provide the step-by-step instructions to complete the task.
Data – raw material that is processed by the system to provide the information for the output provided by the system. Data can come in different formats, such as sounds, images, and videos, etc.
In order for an ICT system to function, it needs to receive, store, retrieve, manipulate and transmit data.
Computers are programmable electronic devices designed to accept data, perform prescribed mathematical and logical operations at high speed, and display the results of these operations. Computers are used in Information Technology (IT) – which is a subset of ICT. Computers store, transmit, retrieve and manipulate data for businesses and other enterprises. Computers refer to the hardware, and since computers cannot initiate functionality on their own, they start functioning as soon as they receive data to work with (to process). This data is then stored on the computer, the computer manipulates the data according to the instructions it has received, before sending the new information back to the user.
Thus, we can say that Information technology (IT) is the development, maintenance and use of computer systems, software, and networks for processing and communicating data.
THE GENERAL MODEL OF A COMPUTER
The following illustration demonstrates a general model of a computer and shows that the functions of a computer are similar to the steps of the information processing cycle. All basic computers consist of four functions: input, storage, processing and output.
Figure 1.1:The general model of a computer
IPO is often called IPOS or input, process, output, storage. The computer receives input, processes the input as per user instructions and provides output and can be stored in a desired format.Computer input is called data and the output obtained after processing it, is called information. Raw facts and figures that can be processed using arithmetic and logical operations to obtain information are called data.
The general model of computers can be used to explain how each computer (or smartphone) works.
Once you understand how a computer operates, it becomes a lot easier to think about creating your own programs. When you begin learning about coding a program, you need to understand that you must create a set of step-by-step instructions that manages the flow of information: from when your program receives data from the user, up to the point when it returns output back to the user.
Activity 1.1
1.1.1Differentiate between ICT and IT.
1.1.2List the output devices of your computer.
1.1.3Follow the guidelines below to provide a diagrammatic example of the general model of computers.
a.Draw a diagram of the five steps of the general model of computers.
b.Define each step.
c.Think about when you send a WhatsApp message. How can you apply the general model of a computer to this?
Hint: Watch the video given in the QR code to help you answer this question.
provide an overview and concepts of the main components of a computer system
define shareware, freeware, free open source software (FOSS) and proprietary software
explain the interdependency of hardware and software.
HARDWARE VS. SOFTWARE
For a computer to function properly, it must consist of both hardware and software, because the hardware and software are interdependent. This means that the one will not function without the other.
Hardware consists of the physical components of a computer, also referred to as the equipment of a computer. Hardware devices can be categorised according to their functionality on the computing device.
Software Application software (Apps) and System software (Operating System ) refers to the programs used to direct the operation of a computer. It also contains the instructions for how to use the software.
HARDWARE: THE PHYSICAL COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM
The common physical components of a computer system that will be discussed are input (keyboard, mouse), storage (hard drive), memory (RAM), processing (CPU), output (monitor, printer) and communication (Network Interface Card, NIC).
Input devices are any hardware devices that allows you to input data into a computer or interact with a computer. In the past, the most popular input devices included the mouse and keyboard. These days, however, there is quite a variety of input devices. One very popular example is the touchscreen keyboard on mobile smartphones.
A storage device is a hardware device that allows you to store data for later use. There are many different storage devices, with each device having advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most popular storage devices include hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs). The different storage devices will be discussed in more detail in later chapters.
Figure 1.2:The touchscreen is a popular input deviceFigure 1.3:Hard disk drives mostly have large storage capacities
Random-access memory (RAM) refers to a fast, temporary form of storage. All data and instructions that is currently being executed is stored in RAM. RAM is volatile, that is, all data is erased from your RAM when your computer is turned off. RAM is also referred to as memory.
Figure 1.4:Random-access memory (RAM)
Processing devices receive the data from the RAM, perform sets of instructions, and returns the processed data to the RAM. The two most important processing devices in modern computers are:
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is responsible for processing general instructions. Every application makes use of the CPU to collect, decode and execute instructions as required by the application.
The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is responsible for processing the instructions that create the pictures on your screen, for example, three-dimensional games rely heavily on the GPU to create their images.
Figure 1.5:The CPU contains the necessary circuitry to interpret and execute program instructions
Output devices are devices that return the computer’s instructions, as results, to the user. Popular output devices include monitors / screens and printers.
Figure 1.6:A laptop computer with a second screen connected
Take note
Do not mistake the screen of a computer for the computer itself! In many films, actors destroy the screen of a computer to destroy the computer. In most situations, the computer would continue working without a screen and users would be able to use the computer as soon as a new screen is connected.
A communication device is a hardware device capable of transmitting an analog or digital signal over a wired or wireless connection. Examples include, a modem and a network interface card (NIC) that can be either wired or wireless
SOFTWARE: THE NON-PHYSICAL COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM
Software refers to the set of instructions a computer uses to complete any instructed task. Software is the program that is operated by the hardware. These include programs such as, Microsoft Applications or InDesign Creative Suite. As a result, hardware and software are interdependent.
Remember that this interdependence means that neither the software nor the hardware can function without the other one. Hardware cannot do anything without software because it depends on the processed instructions to provide input, while software cannot function without hardware to process the user’s instructions.
Figure 1.7:Software refers to instructions that a programmer has created for hardware
The two most important types of software are:
system software (including the operating system)
application software.
Did you know
One of the primary outcomes of this subject is to teach you how to write your own software. This will allow you to use the power of a computer to make your life, and the lives of the people all around the world, better and easier!
You will learn more about the different types of hardware and software and the relationship between them.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
System software is the specific type of software that manages the flow of data and the information contained on the computer. The operating system (OS) is the most important type of system software.
Examples of operating systems include Microsoft Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS and Android. The OS is designed to control and coordinate the tasks and functions of computer hardware.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Application software is a program that is built for a specific purpose, like sending a message, browsing the internet, or typing a document. Application software refers to any software that lets the user accomplish a function or create content. Application software requires system software in order to function. This type of software includes media players, spreadsheets and word processors. When multiple applications are packaged together it is called an application suite. Examples include Microsoft Office, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Skype. Games and mobile applications such as Spotify and Uber, are also considered application software.
SHAREWARE, FREEWARE, FREE OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE (FOSS) AND PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE
Let’s have a look at the table on the next page. The table shows the differences and uses between shareware, freeware, free open source software (FOSS) and proprietary software.
When a program is developed, the developers decide whether the code is proprietary or open source software (OSS). The table below explains more about open source software.
Table 1.1:Shareware, freeware, free open source software (FOSS) and proprietary software
Take note
Keep in mind that there are safety precautions you should follow when downloading free or paid software. Nothing stops the developer from bundling the software with malicious software, malware (virus, worms, or spyware) and still make you pay for it. There is also a lot of freeware that is useless or ineffective and you need to be aware of the importance of practicing good software safety, so that you can choose the best software for your needs.
1.2.1Explain the difference between hardware and software.
1.2.2Explain the interdependency of hardware and software.
1.2.3Match column A with column B. Only write the question number and the alphabet letter, e.g. 1, M:
1.2.4a.Differentiate between system software and application software.
b.List two examples of operating systems.
c.List two examples of application software.
1.2.5a.Define shareware, freeware, free open source software (FOSS) and proprietary software.
b.Evaluate which categories given in question 1.2.4 a. above would most likely be used for the following:
i.a gamer
ii.a businessman who has online meetings
iii.a student researching for a project
iv.a teacher designing lesson plans
1.2.6a.Distinguish between the six main components of a computer system.
b.Provide an example for each of the main components of a computer system.
1.2.7What is a storage device? Give examples of those that you have in your computer lab.
1.2.8Read the following article taken from an eNCA report and answer the questions that follow.
Subdued growth to dominate SA’s ICT market
By KAUTHAR GOOL
Johannesburg, 15 Feb 2018
South Africa’s overall ICT market is expected to reach $21.4 billion (R248 billion) by the end of 2018, and $23.4 billion (R273 billion) by 2021, representing a compound average growth rate of 2.9%.
This is according to market research firm IDC, which hosted its IDC Directions 2018 event in Johannesburg this week.
Speaking at the event, Mark Walker, associate vice-president for Sub-Saharan Africa at IDC, said this is in line with overall macro-economic growth expectations which are relatively subdued.
According to Walker, IT services, software and infrastructure roll-out are the fastest growth segments in SA’s ICT market.
‘The government and financial sectors dominate spend in South Africa,’ he noted. ‘In finance, this is driven by investment in upgrading legacy systems, compliance, as well as risk mitigation and improving customer experience.’
He pointed out that government spend is focused on maintaining and upgrading existing systems while rolling out infrastructure and improving connectivity as progress is made on various discrete smart city initiatives.
a.ICT and IT are mentioned in the excerpt. Explain and describe the difference between these terms.
b.The term ‘legacy systems’ is used in the text. Research this term and explain its meaning in your own words.
c.Explain what in meant by ICT infrastructure.
d.What is meant by connectivity in this context?
UNIT 1.3 Types of computers
In this unit, you will:
state and differentiate between the types of computers
categorise computers/classification of computers.
Wouldn’t it be fantastic if each morning, 10 minutes before your alarm goes off, your coffee machine automatically pours you a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate, your toaster makes fresh toast, your lights slowly turn on and music starts playing?
Less than 15 years ago these concepts could only be found in science fiction films. Today, thanks to the development of affordable computers, all these smart devices exist and are ready to make your life more comfortable. These devices are generally called smart devices or embedded computers and are one of the five types of computers you can find today.
Supercomputers, mainframe computers, minicomputers, microcomputers and mobile computers are the main categories under which computers can be classified.
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
Computers can be classified as general-purpose computers, specific purpose computers or super computers.
General-purpose computers compute a range of tasks but lack super speed and efficiency. The purpose of computers in this category might differ from one another: Examples are:
desktop computers
laptops
tablets
smartphones.
Specific purpose computers handle a specific problem or task. It uses a high level of accuracy and processing power. Examples are:
servers
embedded devices.
Super computers are extremely expensive, and the applications are for specialised activities or tasks such as weather forecasting.
Classification of computers in terms of data processing power and capacity could be done in the following grouping:
1.3.1Identify the different types of computers illustrated below.
1.3.2Differentiate between the six types of computing devices.
1.3.3Which of the devices below are examples of embedded devices? Support your answers.
a.Mobile phone
b.Navigating system in a motor vehicle
c.A tablet
d.A robotic vacuum cleaner
d.Television decoder
1.3.4Your school wants to upgrade their computers in the media centre. A debate has started about whether to replace the desktop computers with laptops or tablets. Critique the options and give reasons for your choice.
UNIT 1.4 Advantages and disadvantages of using computers
In this unit, you will:
list the advantages and disadvantages of using computers.
ADVANTAGES OF USING A COMPUTER
There are many advantages of using computers. However, the following are some of the most important ones to know:
1.Provides access to more information
2.Completes tasks that might be impossible for humans to complete
3.Saves time
4.Automates repetitive tasks
5.Allows for greater productivity
6.Allows for better communication and connections
7.Entertainment
DISADVANTAGES OF USING A COMPUTER
Unfortunately computers also have some disadvantages. These disadvantages include:
1.Social risks: computers provide humans access to social media, which can be addictive, make people less happy, lead to jealousy, and get in the way of real-world friendships. In fact, a study found that of 1 500 Facebook users interviewed, 62% said Facebook occasionally made them feel like they are not good enough, and 60% said that comparing themselves to other people on Facebook made them jealous.
2.Health risks: research has shown that excessive computer use can result in several medical problems, including back pain, eyestrain, obesity, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and repetitive strain injury (RSI). However, with good ergonomic practices, many of these health risks could be reduced or removed.
New words
RSI (REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY) – a painful inflammation of the tendons that often results from overuse. A tendon is tissue that attaches muscle to the bone
ergonomics – the study of how humans interact with fabricated objects, the goal is to create an environment that is well suited to the users’ physical needs
3.Security risks: computer security risk can be created by malware, that is, bad software, that can attack your computer system, destroy your files, steal your data, or allow an attacker to gain access to your system without your knowledge. Computers are programmed to follow instructions, and sometimes people program computers to act in a way that harms a user.
4.High cost: computers are expensive. Even the most affordable computers are still very expensive for the average person in South Africa. Since computers empower people, the high cost of computers puts pressure on people who are not able to afford them, and places them at a disadvantage.
5.Distractions/disruptions: if you have ever spent hours browsing the internet or watching videos on YouTube, then you know how distracting computers can be! Because of their high entertainment value, it is easy for computers to distract people and stop them from being productive.
6.Environmental impact: computers use a lot of electricity and in most cases the generation of electricity is harmful to the environment because of the carbon emissions. This has a huge impact on our planet.
Activity 1.4
1.4.1List any TWO advantages of computers.
1.4.2.List any TWO disadvantages of computers.
1.4.3.What do you use a desktop computer for?
1.4.4.In two teams, debate for and against the use of computers. Support your answers.
UNIT 1.5 Data and information management
In this unit, you will:
explain and differentiate between data and information
provide an overview of uses and examples of information within an organisation
explain why information is useful
provide an overview of a general model of an ICT system.
So far, we have spoken a lot about computers receiving data, manipulating the data, and then turning data into useful information. But what exactly is data and how does it differ from information?
Data can be defined as unprocessed numbers, or facts. Without first processing or changing data, it is meaningless. For example, your school might have data on the names, surnames, addresses, contact details, as well as the results of every class test, assignment, test, and exam of all current and past learners stored on a computer somewhere. While this data is important to store, it could be hundreds or even thousands of pages long and very difficult to interpret!
Information can be defined as facts and numbers that have been organised / processed so that it is useful / meaningful to people. For example, if your mathematics teacher wanted to see how well your current class is performing compared to last year’s class, she might ask your school’s database administrator to process the available data into averages for the two years. In that way, all those thousands of pages of data are processed into two numbers that can be compared easily. Similarly, the report you receive at the end of each school year takes all the data that teachers have collected during the year and turns that data into a single report that you can use to measure your performance.
Figure 1.8:Data is unprocessed facts while information is organised
One of the main functions of a computer is to take unprocessed data (data that is useless to humans) and then turn it into something that is meaningful and easy to understand for humans.
OVERVIEW OF AN ICT SYSTEM IN ORGANISATIONS
Information is useful in an organisation because it will speed up the decision-making process, and help the business to improve their business service offering.
For example, supermarkets and chain stores use ICT systems for a variety of reasons. Let’s look at an example of a Point of sale (POS) system, paying special attention to the processes of receiving, storing, conveying, and manipulating data.
EXAMPLE OF A POINT OF SALE SYSTEM PROCESS:
From the cashier and customer’s perspective, a supermarket’s ICT system is a standalone computer, called a cash register. However, it consists of much more than that.
Most products have a barcode, which is a pattern of narrow and wide stripes that is read by a barcode reader. The barcode consists of information about the product such as, availability in store, quantities, orders, etc. The scan reader will scan the barcode optically and convert the stripes into numerical data, which is then transferred automatically to the checkout computer (cash register). The barcode reader sometimes beeps after scanning an item to signal to the cashier that the item is now identified.
Look at the IPO table below to see how this process works:
Hello, my name is Gurnoor Singh. I am the creator of NoorEDU, a blog for about education . I live in India. I study in BCA Trade.In my free time, I enjoy hiking, practicing photography, and exploring the city by bike.
Activity 1.1
