Chapter 1: Hardware ‘You need to know: A computer follows a set of instructions (a program) to input, process, store and output data and information. + Hardware is equipment, eg aPC and its component parts, eg. a keyboard, monitor and mouse. Computers are desktop PCs, laptops, tablets, hand-held computers, games consoles, embedded computers, ‘mainframe computers or supercomputers. + Input devices include the keyboard and pointing devices, eg. a mouse or trackpad. Output devices include monitors, printers and speakers. What is a computer? A computer is an electronic machine that inputs data, processes it under the control of a stored program, and outputs information. While the data is being processed, data can be retrieved from or saved on backing storage. Data is raw, unprocessed information, Information is data that people understand. In order to understand data, you may have to interpret it: ‘The number 30112012 is data that can be interpreted as * Adate 30/11/2012 + Aum of money $301,120.12 The interpreted data, that is the date or the sum of money, is the information. © Input — data is entered into the computer © Process—a computer is controlled by a program, no » that is, a sequence of instructions. It processes the eae rogram instructions input data automatically following these ~ instructions © Store —the program and data are stored, e.g. ona hard disk, for later retrieval. Process + Output — the compater communicates tothe user, Data rereved e.g. it displays graphics on the screen. Data output |— Figure 1.1 Flow of data nce2 gs s S ae By a iy = Go Types of computer Computers can be: * PCs (personal computers) - a microcomputer for individual use. + Mainframe computers — large computer, with huge processing power, + Minicomputers ~ smaller version of a mainframe. © Supercomputers — very large mainframe, Different types of PC * Desktop — has these basic components: monitor, keyboard, system unit and mouse. + Laptop —a portable computer slightly larger than A4 size. * Tablet (or pad) ~a very small portable computer with a touch-sensitive screen and no keyboard, * Notebook - a small laptop computer. * Netbook — very small laptop optimised for Internet and email access * Hand-held computer, e.g. smart phone ~ fits into one hand and has a touch-sensitive sereen. Can be temporarily attached to a keyboard. + Games console —a PC designed for playing games, e.g. Xbox. Has these features: © Graphics displayed very quickly Large hard disk © Game controller, e.g, joysticks, buttons + Internet connection for online games. * Embedded computer — designed for and built into equipment to perform specialised functions, e.g. a single microchip that controls a DVD player. Processors A processor or microprocessor is built into a microchip that also has memory and other components built into it. The microchip itself is often referred to as the ‘processor’. If there is more than one processor built into the microchip, then the microchip is referred to as the ‘processor’ and processors built into it are referred to as ‘cores’ An important feature of a processor is the speed at which it processes instructions. If you have more and faster cores, with a larger on-board cache, applications will run more quickly. Here is a microprocessor description: Intel Core 2 Duo E8600 Processor (3.3GHz, 1333MHzFSB, 6MB cache). This has two cores and their speed is 3.33 and memory at a speed of 1333MHz, A 6MB cache of RAM memory is built into the microprocessor. SHz. The front side bus (FSB) transfers data between the processor Figure 1.2 An inte] Core 2 Duo ‘microprocessor‘The processor you need depends on what you are going to do. For occasional word processing and email, an Intel Pentium Dual Core processor might be sufficient but for playing online multimedia games a faster Intel Pentium Quad Core processor is needed. Input and output devices © The peripheral devices attached to a computer system are for input, output or storage. + An input device is for putting in data to the computer, + An output device displays information from the computer. Keyboard Monitor Mouse Printer Scanner ‘Speakers and headphones Input devices Keyboards A QWERTY keyboard is used with most PCs and laptops, To use a keyboard efficiently, you need to know the layout and be able to touch- type. Numeric keyboards only have keys to input numbers and special characters. An example of a numeric keypad is an automated teller machine (ATM), also known as a cashpoint. Figure 1.3 An automated teller Pointing devices machine (ATM) or cashpeint showing the numeric keypad Compared with a keyboard, pointing devices make it easier to point and click but are harder to use to input text. e 3 5 = § 5 EB eS 6 * Mouse —an optical mouse detects movement using light but some do this using a small rubber ball. # Joystick - a lever that gives you similar control to a mouse, Joysticks are built into game consoles, which are mainly used for input but may have limited output, e.g. they vibrate. + Tracker ball —like an upside-down ball mouse with the ball on the top, Move the ball with your thumb, + Trackpad ~ a pad below the space bar on a laptop. Move your fingers figure 1.4 Graphics tablet and puck across its surface and the pointer moves on the screen. beng used to trace a drawing Graphics tablet - a flat rectangular pad 15 to 76 cm (6 to 30 inches) wide, Move a stylus along its surface to produce line drawings. Mainly used for computer-aided design.2 gs s S ae By a iy = Go Scanners A scanner converts printed images on paper into electronic form: ‘+ Hand-held scanner ~ reads the image while being dragged over it, * Flatbed scanner — the image is laid flat on the scanner's surface. ‘* Sheet-fed scanner — reads the image as the paper goes through the sheet feeder. Scanners may read only particular types of image, e.g. a bar code scanner, Figure 1.5 A bar code scanner Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) An OMR reader recognises a mark made on paper so there is no need to type in the data. ‘The mark's position determines its meaning. Marks must be very clear, or they may not be recognised. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) OCR is used to input printed or handwritten characters without typing in the data. The characters are converted to text that can be word processed. This text needs to be checked carefully as character recognition isnot always accurate, Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) MICR is used to input specially shaped characters printed in magnetic ink. Forms can be pre-printed with data which can be read by a computer, but printing in magnetic ink is more expensive. cme MCR oem OW COCR and MICR both read printed characters When you describe the difference between two technologies, each point you + OCR recognises handwriting and different types of printed text but make should mention both MICR only recognises specially shaped characters. technologies. + OCR uses reflected light while MICR uses magnetic field patterns. Be secon rears ccs cetans ov mnce Ge . | WOO 7OLG" 37047539 bi 3805370497" Figure 1.6 MICR uses uniquely shaped characters printed in magnetic inkMagnetic stripe cards ‘+ Information is stored on a magnetic stripe on a plastic card. The data recorded on the magnetic stripe can be input directly into a computer. Stripe cards can be used to control access. A disadvantage of stripe cards is that the data may be affected by electromagnetic radiation and data can also be copied or edited. Smart cards * A smart card is a plastic card with a microprocessor chip embedded in it. ‘+ Bank and credit cards are usually smart cards, ie. Chip and PIN (personal identification number) cards ‘* They are used to pay for goods in shops and to withdraw cash at cashpoints. Cashpoints are specialised computer terminals with a small screen, numeric keyboard and smart card reader. * Oyster® cards are smart cards in widespread use in London to pay for travel. They are preloaded with cash credits online, ‘+ Smart cards can also be affected by electronic radiation and can be copied or edited but they are generally more secure than data recorded on a magnetic stripe. Digital cameras, digital video cameras and webcams + A digital camera stores pictures on a memory card. These can be transferred to a computer or TV. Digital cameras have a small LCD screen or traditional viewfinder. The camera forms pictures from a mass of very small dots of different colours. Picture quality is related to the density of the dots, «A digital video camera or camcorder records moving images with sound, Recordings can be saved on a memory card or built-in hard disk, and input to a computer. ‘* A webcam is a digital video camera used to view a remote location over the Internet. ‘This may be for ms have a fixed security purposes, interest or communication. Recordings can be made. Simple webc: position but some webcams allow the user to turn them. Digital photos and videos can be: + Saved on a computer, so backup is easier and more reliable, Sent by email Displayed on a wide variety of devices, such as smartphones and TV screens. + Broadcast over the Internet, eg. on-demand TV programmes. Disadvantages: Users store more photos and longer videos so more backing storage is needed High-quality photos and videos can be very large files. Sent by email or broadcast over the Internet they use more bandwidth and slow the network. Biometric scanners A biometric scanner reads a person's unique physical characteristics to identify them, e.g, face recognition, Biometric scanners can be used to control entry to buildings and used in place of car keys. Although identification is not entirely accurate, the use of biometric scanners Figure 1.7 A biometric scanner using minimises the risk of fraud and theft. fingerprints e 3 5 = § 5 EB eS 62 gs s S ae By a iy = Go Sensors © Sensors are used to input environmental data, + Examples of uses include recording light intensity, pressure and temperature. + Each sensor only detects one type of data * Sensors usually produce a low analogue voltage which must be converted to a digital signal for the computer using an ADC (analogue-to-digital converter) Sensors are ina form that can be processed by a computer, e.g. in weather stations and robotics, They can be placed in dangerous locations where people would be hurt and can record data that people do not sense accurately, e.g, humidity, Data can be collected frequently over networks from sensors in remote locations. sed extensively for data logging and control as data can be continuously and reliably recorded Audio input devices and technologies Computer input of sound has a variety of uses: + Atouch-tone telephone makes a different beep depending on the button pressed. On the other end of the line, a computer inputs the beep and determines which button has been pressed. You may then listen to a voice response from the computer. * Amicrophone is used to input sound. * Voice recognition software enables the computer to know who is talking but not what has been said. * Speech recognition is often used for voice command systems. ‘The speaker is identified and spoken words recognised as commands + Natural language processing uses speech recognition to interpret natural language, e.g. spoken English. You could use natural language processing to dictate a letter or give instructions to a computer. ‘Advantages of audio input: People speak to the computer and do not need to learn to operate a keyboard, Disadvantages: + Voice and speech recognition software has to be trained to recognise each person’ speech. This can be a lengthy process, + Voice and speech recognition is not accurate because people pronounce words differently. Remote control Remote controls are used to control TVs and garage doors and inaccessible or hidden devices. However, if the handset is lost or damaged, the device may not be useable. The remote control technology used in the home is usually infrared. ‘The transmitter built into the handset sends out a coded pulse of infrared light when a button is pressed. A transmitter is often a light-emitting diode (LED). A receiver built into the device being controlled inputs the code and passes it toa @)siavomotesucozcom A remote control handset will (often have two LEDS. One LED is the infraced transmitter and the light from this is invisible. The ther emis a visible light to reassure the user thatthe remote control is working, Figure 1.8 The LEDs built into @ remote handsetOutput devices Monitors ‘* Monitors or visual display units (VDUs) come in different styles with different screen resolutions, colour quality and clarity. * LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors have flat screens and are more compact than CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors. They consume less power than CRIs. ‘* A monitor screen is made up of many dots (pixels or picture elements). The dots are so tiny you do not usually see them, A screen has a resolution of 1280 by 1024 if there are 1280 dots across the screen, and 1024 from top to bottom. Higher quality screens display more dots. * The graphics card (or video card) is housed in the system unit and controls the screen display. Higher quality cards have more colours and produce clearer graphics more quickly. Touch screen A touch screen is used for output and input, You touch the screen to control the computer. Touch screens are mainly used with tablets and smartphones. There is no need for a keyboard but inputting text is slower. Multimedia projector A multimedia projector projects the image displayed on a computer screen onto a larger, separate screen, which can be seen more clearly by a large audience. Interactive whiteboards are large, touch-sensitive panels used as screens for multimedia projectors. This technology is used in school classrooms and at home to watch movies and play computer games, Printers Printed output is called printout or hard copy. + Animpact printer strikes through an inked ribbon onto paper. Anon-impact printer uses a non-striking method to form the image on the paper. © Some dot-matrix printers are impact printers with a print head that is ‘a matrix of steel pins. The pins strike a carbon ribbon making patterns of dots on the paper. + Inkjet printers spray tiny dots of ink onto the paper. Inkjet printers are non-impact dot matrix printers and are quieter. They produce high- quality output in monochrome or colour. Figure 1.9 Enlarged dot-matrix * Laser printers are widely used but are more expensive to buy than printing produced by an inkjet printer showing how the dots form characters inkjet printers. Quality is excellent and they print quickly in monochrome or colour, + Thermal printers use heated wires to mark dots on the surface of a heat-sensitive paper Printers use different types of paper, for example: * Single sheets of A4 paper. * Continuous paper is perforated and can be easily separated into single pages, * Pre-printed stationery has information on the paper before computer printing. For example, the name and address of the company e 3 5 = § 5 EB eS 62 gs s S ae By a iy = Go Print quality * Printers use very small dots to produce text and pictures, A measure of print quality is the dpi (number of dots per inch). ‘The higher the dpi, the better the print quality, Photo-printers + Photo-printers are used to print digital photographs. A digital camera is connected to the printer or the camera's memory card is read in the printer. Pictures can be printed without using a computer. ‘Advantages of printers: + Aprintout is useful if no computer is available. Disadvantages: Printing is slow and expensive compared with electronic communications. + Papers bulky and deteriorates in storage. + Printed materials are more difficult to access and distribute, eg. digital photos can be emailed and viewed on a multimedia projector. Plotters + Aplotter draws lines on paper using coloured pens. A flatbed plotter holds the paper still while the pens move. Other plotters move the pens from left to right while the paper moves forwards and backwards. An upright plotter uses very long sheets of paper. Plotters are used in computer-aided design, Plotters are usually more expensive to buy and slower than printers, but much larger sheets can be printed. ri —————_ Figure 1.10 An upright plotterMulti-function devices (MFD) * MEDs combine a printer, scanner and communications link to function as a printer, scanner, photocopier or fax machine, MEDs are much less expensive to buy than all the individual devices and use less space on the desktop, Itis cost effective to replace them more frequently with modern technology. However, if part of the device is faulty. all the functions may be unavailable. If one function is being used, then the other functions are unavailable for other users. Speakers Many computers have speakers. Headphones are two small speakers built into a headset, Sound is needed, for example, to play music and for speech synthesis. Sound cards A sound card controls all input and output of audio, Audio input through a microphone and output through speakers are usually analogue and the sound card handles their conversion into digital signals processed by the computer. It also handles digital audio input, e.g. from multimedia applications. Sound cards have features such as: me time. * Polyphony - plays more than one sound or voice independently at th * Output through one or more sound channels, e.g. mono, stereo (2 channels), or quadraphonic (4 channels). * Surround sound or 3D audio. * Improves the clarity of compressed audio files, e.g. mp3. + Built-in memory for faster sound processing Sound cards are bult into or plugged into the motherboard of 2 PC, or can be external devices that plug into a USB port * USB, optical and other ports to connect to DVD recorders and other devices. © MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) to connect to electronic instruments. Actuators In control applications, computers make events happen using actuators, ¢.g. heaters and motors. A buzzer is an actuator that, for example, warns when the microwave has cooked our dinner. Actuators can perform. physical tasks such as controlling a robot or operating a digger. This can be dangerous for people if their presence is not detected by the computer, e 3 5 = § 5 EB eS 6Y Worked Example A desktop PC is used for office work at an Estate Agent. J 4) State one input device needed and explain why itis needed. Top TIP Relate your answers to the b) State one output device needed and explain why itis needed. ) State one output device needed and explain why itis neede pe nee eewies ©) The office is ramped and the manager purchases an MFD to replace the photocopier. i, Name three other hardware devices an MFD replaces. li, State one advantage and one disadvantage of purchasing the MFD. Answers a) There are several correct answers, eg a digital camera is used to take digital pictures of houses for sale to Upload to the Estate Agents website b) There are several correct answers, ¢g. a colour printer is used to print details of houses forsale to be given to customers. i. Printer; scanner: fax machine. ii, There are several correct answers. For example: Advantage: MFDs are more compact than the individual devices replaced. Disadvantage: If the MFD breaks down this has more impact on office work than if an individual device is not working 2 BS AEE 3 Si 1. Aprinter is a type of. 5. Other than the keyboard, name an input device you Ba A. processor would use to: = Emenee 4) Select from a menu. (1 mark) 3 ne b) Convert a page of printed text toa file that can 3 earn (1 mart) be word processed (1 mark) fe re eee ‘6. State whether each of the following is used for input or output or both. Explain your answers. screen pointer? ar A amouse 3 inter oe m Boer )) Game console (2 marks) eee 7. Smart phones have touch screens D ajoystick (mark) Explain why a smart phone has a touch ; screen. (1 mark) 3. Which type of computer is the most portable! b) State two uses of a smart phone other than A. supercomputer, making phone calls (2 marks) B desktop EERE teneenancronatcomast mainframe external keyboards. (1 mark) D tablet (1 mark) 8, The resolution of a monitor screen is changed from 4. Abiometric scanner controls access to a secure 1280x1024 to 800x600. State one change you Racine aetna would see on the screen display (1 mark) ‘A No one can get into the warehouse 9. Astudent owns a desktop computer and a tablet B No need to carry a swipe card computer. Explain why. (3 marks) © Biometric scanners always recognise banned users D Identity theft is difficult (1 mark)Chapter 2: Backing storage and memory ‘You need to know: The size of memory, backing storage and files are measured in bytes ‘kilobyte = 1024 bytes ‘I megabyte = 1024 kilobytes 1 gigabyte = 1024 megabytes ‘terabyte = 1024 gigabytes. + RAM is main memoty (random-access memory). Data and programs in main memory are lost when the computer is turned off. + ROM (read-only memory) stores data permanently. + Backing storage saves your data when the computer is turned off Backing storage media includes: hard disks, CDs, DVDs, magnetic tapes, memory cards and memory sticks. + Flash memory is used for memory cards and memory sticks. + Backups are copies of files and help prevent data loss. Bits and bytes Bit (binary digit) patterns in memory and on backing storage represent, e.g. characters, numbers, graphics and sounds. A byte stores 8 bits, each of which can be either 1 or 0, Different computers access one, two, four or more bytes of data at a time. If a computer can read/write four bytes at once, this is 32-bit computing Memory A computer's main memory is RAM and ROM. Flash memory in the computer Flash memory is 2 type of ROM ‘that can be writen to and read Can be written to and read from. Can only read from, from and is used for the BIOS Holds programs being run and data Stores programs and data permanently. __(basic input/output system) in. being processed. PCs, This makes sure the computer starts up as it should and that al Volatile - itis cleared when the Non-volatile - it retains what is stored | the parts of the computer work computer is switched off. ‘when the computer is tured off, together RAM microchips are supplied as a ROM microchips are installed in the module (several chips on a small motherboard. board) plugged into the motherboard. ec ea Ras forsee= 6 iS 5 ey Bs fy is 5 Ei ey eee, Backing storage devices and me Backing storage saves your files when the computer is turned off. + Backing storage media is a DVD, for example, + Abacking storage device is the DVD drive used to read the DVD, for example. Flash memory Memory sticks store up to 32 GB of data and plug into the USB port on a computer. Memory sticks are sometimes called USB sticks, pen drives and USB pens. They are: * Inexpensive * Small * Lightweight * Aconvenient way of moving data from one computer to another. Memory cards store up to 256 GB of data. There are many types, including SD (Secure Digital) and mini and micro SD. They are used in, e.g. digital cameras and mobile phones. Hard disks A magnetic hard disk stores 500 GB of data or more. On each surface, the data is stored in concentric tracks and there is a read/write head that moves in/out to the track where the data is saved. ‘Types of hard disk: Figure 2.1 The inside of fixed hard disk with moveable heads * Internal hard disks are built into computers, J External hard disks are portable and often connected to a computer by TOP TIP usB. Do not confuse the hard . and RAM memory. The hard Optical disks disk stores your work when a > apheray ‘cal disks and dand eens aceon Ds, DVDs, HD DVD and Blu-ray are optical disks and are read an: piers eters! written by a laser, CDs (Compact disks) company proiems ACD stores around 700 MB. Data read/write is slower than a hard disk. j4any drives cannot read al types CDs are easily damaged but inexpensive. ‘of CD and DVD, eg some CD players do not play MP3 fils. DVDs (Digital versatile disks) A single-sided, single-layer DVD stores around 4.7 GB. A dual-layer, two- sided DVD stores 18 GB. Data read/write is slower than a hard disk. There are many different types of CD and DVD, for example: * Data can be read from but not written to CD-ROM and DVD-ROM. Often used for movies. * CD-RW and DVD-RW can be rewritten repeatedly up to 1000 times.© DVD-RAM may be sealed in a cartridge and can be rewritten more than 100 000 times. Used to store data for up to 30 years. © HD DVD is similar to a DVD but with sufficient capacity for high definition movies. 7 * A dual-layer Blu-ray disk can store 50 GB, Used for high-definition movies. | Figure 2.2 An external hard drive Magnetic tapes A magnetic tape stores a great quantity of data but read/write is slow because it is serial access — the tape is read from the beginning to find the data needed. Magnetic tape cartridges are often used for backup. Backup Make regular backups so you have ‘recent copy incase your work's A backup is a copy of a fle. Backup a fle each time you edit it (e.g. save it rupted orlost eg due toe on the internal hard disk in your PC and save a backup on an external hard drive crash hard disk), and backup all your files every month (e.g. to DVDs). Keep backups of your personal files # Next to the computer for convenient use. * Ina fireproof safe nearby in case the building burns down. * In another location far away in case local backups are all destroyed Backups of large [CT systems with networked hard disks: * Usually done every day automatically over the network. + Can be saved anywhere in the world. * Backing storage devices can be enclosed in fireproof, waterproof and bombproof containers. + Software keeps track of when backups were taken and where they are stored. * When a file is lost and needs to be recovered, the backup software searches for the most up-to-date version, wow J Worked Example You need to make backups of your own work and do 1. Give one reason why a backup is taken. this systematically. Apply the 2. Name twe types of backing storage media used for backup. oe 3. Describe three places you would store a backups. Answers 1. Soyou have a copy in case your work is corrupted or lost. 2. Magnetic tape cartridge, external hard disk. 3. Inan accessible location near to the computer, in a fireproof safe in the same building, in another city. x i & S ry ki erat= 6 iS 5 ey Bs fy is 5 Ei ey eee, |. Which of these provides the largest storage capacity? A 5GB B 128MB © 178 D 20Kb (1 mark) ‘A memory stick stores 2 GB of data. How many CDs are needed to store the same data? Aa B3 cs D2 (1 mark) A DVD is an example of A ahard disk B RAM © an optical disk D flash memory (1 mark) Which of the following is storage media? A cD B DVD drive © akilobyte D printer (1 mark) Preparing backup storage media so that it can store your files is known as A. formatting B optical storage © backup D storage capacity (1 mark) 6. Describe two differences between RAM and ROM. (2 marks) 7. Describe two differences between a USB memory stick and a hard disk (2 marks) re When you are asked to describe the differences between two technologies, each point you make should mention both technologies 8. Many people think main memory and the hard disk are the same. Describe how they are similar, and how they are different, (4 marks) rs Many people wrongly use the term ‘memory ‘when referring to both the hard disk and main memory. Try to avoid such misconceptions and demonstrate you understand why they arise. 9. Why isa hard disk with fixed read/write heads likely to access data faster than a hard disk with moveable heads? (1 mark)Chapter 3: Software ‘You need to know: Software is the computer programs that control the computer. + Applications software includes: Image and sound editing software. Control software Educational software user interface, handles files and provides system software tools Software is copyrighted. Its illegal to use it without a software licence, Office productivity software, presentation software and project management software. Web browser software, communications software and web authoring software. + Operating System (05) software controls the computer so that applications software can run. The OS provides a Applications software Office productivity software, presentation software and project management software Office productivity software helps you do office tasks and includes + Word processing software, e.g. Microsoft Word. Helps you prepare documents that include text and pictures. You can edit the text, change the font and size, check your spelling and grammar, print, and save and retrieve documents. + Desktop publishing (DTP) software, e.g. Microsoft Publisher. Handles page layout better than word processing software, + Spreadsheet software, e.g. Microsoft Excel. Performs calculation tables of numbers arranged in rows and columns with related headings and charts. If a number is changed, the spreadsheet automatically recalculates. + Database software, e.g. Microsoft Access. Used to maintain records, e.g a library stores the name, address and membership number of borrowers. A database can search these records and print reports, * Presentation software, e.g. Microsoft PowerPoint, helps you prepare and give a multimedia pre: slides with text, graphics, hyperlinks and notes for the speaker, entation to an audience. This could include: * Project management software, ¢.g. Microsoft Project, is used to track the timelines of all the tasks that have to be done to complete a project, eg. when constructing a building. Timelines are displayed in a Gantt chart. Integrated software has several applications bundled into one package (eg, Microsoft Office). Data is transferred more easily between the different applications, eg. an Excel spreadsheet can be copied into a Word document. rence,orcas Web browser software, communications software and web authoring software © Using web browser software, e.g. Mozilla Firefox, you can access websites by entering their web address or URL (uniform resource locator) or clicking on hyperlinks. © Using a search engine, e.g. Google, you can search the Web by entering keywords. © Email is ac ed using + an email client running on your own computer, e.g. Microsoft Outlook. + webmail, that is, email accessed using a web browser. * Web authoring software, e.g. Adobe Dreamweaver, is used to create and update websites. A website is a structured collection of web pages written in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language). Image and sound editing software * Graphics software, e.g. Adobe Photoshop, is used to create and retouch, crop and resize images. * Video editing software, e.g. Microsoft Movie Maker, is used to edit videos imported from digital cameras and camcorders. You can insert titles, transitions, voiceovers and sound effects, and save the video in different formats, e.g. mp4. + Audio editing software, e.g. Audacity, is used to create and edit music and sounds. You can record live music and input digital sound files, insert voiceovers, and change pitch and tempo. Control software Control software is used to monitor and control external devices, e.g. robots, and ICT systems, for purposes such as air conditioning in large buildings, Computers do this using sensors and actuators. Sensors are devices that can measure variables such as pressure, temperature and humidity. Actuators make changes under the control of the computer ~ some examples are motors, pumps and heaters. Educational software * A wide range of educational software supports teaching and learning, e.g, StarFrench helps you learn. French, and SpexClassic helps with teaching design and technology. Operating System (OS) software What is an operating system? ‘The operating system (OS) controls the computer so that applications software can run. An OS does many tasks including: * Control of all input and output. * Error handling, e.g. if the printer is out of paper the OS displays a message on the screen. * Resource allocation. More than one application could be running on the computer and these may want to use the same resource (e.g, the processor). If only one processor is being used, the OS interleaves the different applications; if there are several cores, the OS decides which are used. © Providing a user interface so that you can interact with the computer, + File handling. File-handling software, e.g. Windows Explorer, enables you to format, and folders, and rename, save, open, delete and copy them, s, create new filesAn OS also includes system software tools (or utility programs) to help you maintain your computer, e.g. a disk defragmenter. A file saved on a hard disk can become fragmented with different parts saved in different places. A disk defragmenter will reassemble all the different parts to speed up access. User interfaces An OS can have a: © Command-line user interface. This can be difficult to use because you have to remember the exact instructions (format and syntax) to use. © Menu-driven user interface. You choose an option from a menu, This is easier to use because you don't have to remember the exact instruction. * Graphical user interface (GUD), e.g. Windows GUIs are more user-friendly. You do not have to remember complex instructions or menu options. Figure 3.1 A command-line user interface Graphical User Interface (GUI) AGULhas * Windows, icons and menus. You select icons and menu options by pointing and clicking * Toolbars, c.g, in Windows 7, in the Computer window, the toolbar includes the File, Edit and View menus. In the View menu, if you point at Sort by, a sub-menu appears. * Scrollbar enable you to look at content not currently shown on screen, * Dialog boxes convey messages to you and invite a response. Figure 3.2 A graphical user interface (GUI) Using a mouse with a GUI (e.g. Windows), you can: * Open (activate) a process, ¢.g. by pointing at an icon and double-clicking the left-hand mouse button. * Move an icon, e.g.by pointing at an icon, holding down the left button, dragging it to the required location and releasing the button. + Close a process, e.g, by selecting Exit in the File menu, AGUI (e.g. Windows) can be customised: © Window size and position can be adjusted, e.g. drag the bottom right-hand corner of a window to change its size and drag the title bar to move it around the screen. The minimize button removes the window from the screen but does not close it; the maximize button makes the window occupy the whole screen © Mouse settings, icon size and sound volume can be adjusted. + Desktop themes, colours, contrast and backgrounds can be personalised, A Fy a FE Hy csecu: File handling * A filename has two parts: the mame identifies the file and the extension identifies the type of file, e.g. study.xls has the name ‘study’ and the extension ‘xls’ which means it is an Excel spreadsheet. « Files are grouped into folders. The route toa fie is called its path, e.g. C:\Users\Documents\chapter3. doc. This means that on the hard disk C: in the folder ‘Users’, in the sub-folder ‘Documents’ there is a file named ‘chapter3’ which is a word processor file. J «In Windows Explorer, to move or copy a file, select the file, drag it over ToPTIP another folder and drop it. To delete a fle, right-click on the filename Do not format the hard disk and select Delete. ‘inyour computer as this will delete all the files ont. ‘+ You can set the properties of a file, e.g. read-only. A read-only file can, only be opened but cannot be altered. Software licensing Software is copyrighted. It is illegal to use it without a software licence. Types of license ar * Licensed software. Purchasers buy the right to use it. * Public domain software is free and has no restrictions on its use but you might not be given the source code, + Open source. Licences are free and you have access to the source code and are allowed to modify it. # Shareware is licensed software that is initially free to try out, However, you must pay for a licence if you decide to make regular use of it, + Creative Commons licences help software producers communicate the rights they keep for themselves and the rights they give to others, aera Answers a) Any reasonable answer, eg, word processor, database, spreadsheet, email b) Operating system It would be illegal to play the game without a license that allows this. The license will tell Steven what use he can make of the software, eg. he can only install it on one computer and make one back up. 4) Any reasonable answer, eg, run disk defragmenter|. What type of software is used to prepare a talk to be given to a large audience? A. Spreadsheet B_ Desk Top Publishing © Email D Presentation (1 mark) You receive an email from one friend and send it to another friend. This is known as: A. deleting B attaching © forwarding D replying (1 mark) Which of the following is net applications software A. operating system B_ word processing € video editing D web authoring (1 mark) Which of the following is false? A. Afolder may contain sub-folders BA folder may contain files. C_ mybudget.s is a spreadsheet file D A file contains folders (1 mark) Which of the following would it be illegal to copy and give to a friend? A. Software with a Creative Commons Attribution licence B Public domain software € licensed software D. open source software (1 mark) 5. Describe twe tasks that could be done using audio editing software (2 marks) 4) Name one example of an integrated software package (1 mark) b) Name two different applications integrated within the package. (2 marks) Describe how you would format a USB memory stick using a GUL rena When you are asked to describe a process, make sure each step in the process isin the right order and clearly described. (4 marks) . a) Describe two tasks carried out by the operating system. (2 marks) b) Describe what the operating system would do if five programs wanted to use at the same time a rocessor with four cores. (1 mark) A Fy a FE Hy cs