ICT

The computer system is made up of two parts

which are the Computer hardware and
Computer software.

Hardware
Hardware is a general term used for the physical
components that make up a computer.
 INTERNAL hardware.
 EXTERNAL hardware.
Internal hardware refers to the motherboard,
CPU, RAM, hard drives, etc.
External hardware refers to the monitor,
keyboard, mouse, etc.

Computer Software
Software refers to the programs that control the
computer system.
 Application Software.
 System Software.
Application Software refers to the programs
that help the user to perform specific tasks.
Examples:
Word processors, spreadsheets, Database
software, etc.
System software refers to the programs that
allow the hardware to run properly.
Examples:
Operating systems(OS), compilers, device
drivers,
Linker, etc.

Main System Hardware

Central Processing Unit (CPU)
It refers to the part of the computer that
interprets and executes the commands from the
computer hardware and software. It is made to
controls output and input devices.
Internal Hard Disk Drive
It is the computer main internal storage (this is
where files, application software and more are
stored.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
It is the hardware in which data is temporarily
stored when an application/applications are
running. It’s usually said to be a temporary
storage device.
Read Only Memory (ROM)
It is a memory used to store information that is
needed to be permanent.

Input/output Devices
Input Devices
An input device is a device that is used to send
data into a computer. A keyboard is an input
device.
Output Devices
An output device is a device used to display or
bring out data from a computer. A monitor is an
output device.

Operating Systems
Operating systems allow users to communicate
and interact with their computers. A function of
operating systems is a user interface.

User Interface
There are two types of user interface:
 Command Line Interface(CLI)
 Graphical User Interface(GUI)
Command Line Interface(CLI)
It is the interface used by advanced computer
users that only use typed commands to interact
with computers.
Graphical User Interface(GUI)
It is the interface used by average computer
users
which displays images and don’t need to use
commands to operated. It uses WIMP
(Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers).
CLI
Advantages:
The user has full access to their computers
processing power.
Disadvantages:
It is more complicated to use compared to the
GUI.
GUI
Advantages: The user does not need to learn
commands.
Disadvantages: It uses more memory which
slightly slows down the computer.

Types of Computers.
There are various types of computers.
Desktop computers
A desktop computer is generally a computer
with separated keyboard, monitor, mouse and
CPU.
Advantages: They are very easily upgraded and
almost fully customizable. They also have more
stable Internet connections because they are
stationary and are always in the same range
from internet access.
Disadvantages: They are not easily moved
because they are made up of various
components.
They become unusable when light is cut
because they lack an inbuilt battery.
Laptop computers
A laptop computer is a computer with the
monitor, keyboard, system unit and mouse all in
one unit.
Advantages: They are usually light weight so
they are easily moved around. They also come
with built in batteries so can continue to be
used even when power is cut.
Disadvantages: They are mobile so can easily be
stolen or left behind. It is hard to bring hardware
updates because of how compact they are.
Tablets
Tablets are basically smart phones with bigger
screens with the same capabilities and
sometimes even more.
Advantages: Very mobile, wireless capacities,
good cameras.
Disadvantages: They often have limited
memory and storage compared to laptops,
they’re in screen keyboard is less practical than
typical laptop keyboards.
Smartphones
They are computers that fit into one hand and
are capable of normal phone calls and a lot of
wireless capacities.
Advantages: They have high definition cameras
and displays. They have long battery lives.
Disadvantages: They are fragile, they can harm
your eyes.
Smartwatches
Smartwatches are mini-computers worn on the
wrist and offer you most functionalities as your
phone.
Advantages: They help in keeping track of
health.
They are very mobile because it can fit on your
0wrist.
Disadvantages: They are very hard to be typed
on.
They have small displays making it hard to see
on.

Mainframe Computers
They are large powerful computers. They are
used to run commercial applications such as
banking and insurance where large amounts of
data are processed every day.
Advantages: They are very powerful so they can
do large calculations very quickly. They can be
used for a lot of activities at once.
Disadvantages: They are very expensive. They
are very large so will demand special operations
to be transported.

Impact of Emerging Technologies

Artificial intelligence biometrics, vision
enhancement, robotics, quantum cryptography,
computer assisted translation, 3-D and
holographic imaging and virtual reality are
examples of emerging technologies.
Artificial intelligence (AI) Biometrics
Biometric technology is used to unlock many
devices and one very common problem is the
false rejections of fingerprint scanners. Artificial
intelligence overcomes that problem using
dynamic profiling. The system learns (using AI)
about the person’s fingerprint on every scan
which means you wouldn’t have to worry
about placing your finger correctly on the
scanner every time. Facial recognition has the
same problem because unlike a human, the
system wouldn’t be able to recognize face with
different facial hair or a face that has aged. The
AI system would not have that problem because
it will compare with other jhjfaces stored in the
database reducing false rejections and making
biometrics more reliable.
Vision Enhancement
There are two types of vision enhancement.
 Low-vision enhancement systems
 Night vision enhancement
Low-vision enhancement
It produces images of objects brought closer
into a headset for people who have problems
seeing at long ranges.
Night vision enhancement
It amplifies infrared light and visible lights so
images are still clearly visible in darkness. This
technology is usually used in military
operations. It converts light into electrons which
is amplified and passed through a screen coated
in phosphor dots that glow when electrons
collide with them. This results into a better
image than the original.
Robotics
Robotics are mostly used in factories to
assemble and make parts. However, drones are
used by militaries and usually reconnaissance
missions. Civilians using drones could use it for
surveying areas humans would not be able to
go due to high risks.
Quantum Cryptography
Cryptography is the science of making a
message impossible to understand for any
unauthorised user(hacker). It is often referred to
as encryption. Quantum cryptography uses
photons and their physical quantum properties
to produce virtually unbreakable cryptography
system. It helps protect data being transferred
over fibre-optic cables. This method uses the
laws of physics instead of mathematics.
Computer-Assisted Translation(CAT)
Normal online translators have limited use.
The CAT uses
 Terminology databases – Linguistic
databases that grow and learn from
translations being carried out.
 Translation memories – These automatically
insert know translations for certain words,
phrases or sentences.
They still need post-editing to remove errors
from translation but are more accurate than
existing free online translators.
3-D and Holographic Imaging
Holography is a technology that allows 3-D
images to be produced.
This technology involves the use of:
 A source of laser light
 Interference of a light
 Light diffraction
 Light intensity recording
They are produced by splitting a laser beam.
Half of the light (object beam) is reflected of the
object unto a photographic plate. The other
half of the light (reference beam) is reflected off
a mirror on to the same photographic plate.
The holographic image is produced where the
two light beams meet on the photographic
plate.

Virtual Reality
It is an artificial environment created by
software. Users use special equipment to give
the feeling of being there. This technology can
be used for entertainment or training.

Chapter 2
Input and Output Devices
Input Devices and Their Uses
An input device is a hardware that allows data to
be put into a computer.
Keyboards
It is a device used to input text, numbers and
instructions into a computer. Most use the
QWERTY layout (this name comes from the keys
on the top row)
Ergonomic Keyboards are designed to reduce
the health-related problems associated with
standard keyboards, such as carpal tunnel
syndrome and repetitive strain injury (RSI)
Uses
 Input data into application software (text
into word processors, numbers into
spreadsheets, etc.)
 Typing in commands to the computer
(Ctrl+P to print)
Advantages
 Fast entry of new text into documents.
 Easy to use for most people.
 Easier to do verification checks as data is
entered (can immediately compare the
source document with typed data on the
screen)
Disadvantages
  Can be difficult to use if the user has limited
arm/wrist use.
 Slow method when compared to direct data
entry (optical mark recognition)
 Large device that uses up valuable desk
space.
Concept Keyboard
Concept keyboards use icons or phrases instead
of standard letters. These are often used in fast-
food restaurants.
Numeric Keypads
Numeric keypads are used to enter numbers
only and they can be found at Automatic teller
machines (ATMs) or Point-of-sale terminals
(POS).
Advantages
 Faster than standard keyboards
Disadvantages
 Sometimes have small keys which makes
typing hard.
Pointing Devices
Mouse
A mouse is a pointing device used to move the
pointer around on the screen. They usually have
two buttons with different options. We can
currently have access to both wireless and
wired.
Uses
 Opening, closing and minimising software.
 Grouping, moving and deleting files.
 Image editing.
 Controlling the pointer on the screen.
Advantages
 Faster than keyboard at choosing.
 Fast in navigation.
 Does not need as much desk area as a
keyboard.
Disadvantage
 Difficulties for people limited with hand or
wrist capacity.
 Easy to damage.
 Does not work on every surface.
Touchpad
They are used in many laptop computers. It
is used by moving a finger or fingers on the
touchpad and by gently tapping to stimulate
left or right clicks.
Advantages
 It does not need any extra space to be used
since it is already integrated into the
computer.
 No need of flat surfaces compared to a
mouse.
Disadvantages
 More difficult to use for certain operations
such as drag and drop.
 Difficulties for people limited with hand or
wrist capacity.
Tracker ball
They are like a mouse with exception of
having a ball at the top or the side that is
rotated by the user to control the pointer on
the screen.
Uses
  Used by people with disabilities (such as
RSI).
 Used in some luxury cars to select
functions such as music.
Advantages
 Easier to use for disabled users.
 More solid than a mouse.
 Needs less desk space than a mouse or a
keyboard.
Disadvantages
 User may need training since it is not a
standard equipment.
 Costlier because it is not supplied with
computers.
Remote control
It is used to control other devices remotely
using infrared signals.
Uses
 Televisions, satellite systems, DVD players
and hi-fi systems all use remote controls
to raise volume or other functions
  Used in industrial applications to remotely
control processes, stop and start
machinery.
Advantages
 Can be operated from reasonable distances
 Some chemical processes are hazardous, so
it is a big advantage to be able to select
operation from a safe distance.
Joysticks
They can be used to control pointers by moving
the stick around.
Uses
 Used in video games.
 Used in simulators to mimic actual controls.
Advantages
 Easier than a keyboard to navigate the
screen.
 Control is more realistic.
Disadvantages
 More difficult to control the on-screen
pointer than with the other devices.
Driving Wheel
It allows to stimulate turning or steering in
games.
Uses
 Video games
 Simulators
Advantages
 Easier than keyboards or joysticks to control
steering movement; more natural.
 The driving experience is nearer to reality.
Disadvantages
 It is expensive compared to a mouse or a
joystick.
 Could be too sensitive to movement giving
an unrealistic feel.
 Unless it is an expensive simulator, feedback
to the driving wheel will be non-existent.
Touch screens
Touch screens allow users to choose an option
by touching an icon on the screen.
Uses
  Interactive white boards.
 Point of sale terminals.
 Automatic teller machines.
Advantages
 Faster entry of options.
 Very easy.
Disadvantages
 Limited number of options.
 Can lead to problems if an operator has to
use the system frequently.
Scanners
They are used to enter information from a hard
copy.
Uses
 Scanning in documents to be edited.
 Scanning valuable documents to be kept
safe.
Advantages
 Usually gives better quality than typical
cameras used to scan.
Disadvantage
 They can be slow at scanning.
 Quality can be limited depending on how
good the resolution the scanner is capable
of.
Digital Cameras
 The images taken by these cameras are
stored on a memory card and can easily be
transferred onto a computer.
Advantages
 Easier to produce better quality pics than
with a traditional camera.
 Memory cards can store a lot of pictures.
 No need to develop film and print out
photographs anymore.
Disadvantages
 Images often need to be compressed for
storage space.
Microphones
It is a device used to input sound into systems.
Uses
  Large presentations.
 Music recording.
Advantages
 Faster to read text than to type it in using a
keyboard.
Disadvantages
 Sound files can use up a lot of computer
memory.
Sensors
A sensor is a device that inputs data to a
computer; the data is a measurement of some
physical quantity that is continuously changing
(for example, temperature, light, moisture, etc.).
Sensors are used in both monitoring and
control applications.
Types of sensors
 Temperature – used to automatically
regulate temperature.
 Pressure – Used in alarm systems, robotics
and environmental monitoring.
 Light – Used in regulating brightness in light
sensible places.
Advantages
 Gives more accurate reading than humans.
 There is no break in monitoring.
Disadvantages
 Faulty sensors can give terrible results.
Graphics Tablet
They are used with a stylus to produce freehand
drawings. The images produced are then stored
onto the computer.Uses
 Used for drawing, computer graphics, etc.
 Used in countries where languages use
complex .
Advantages
 They are offer a better drawing experience
than a mouse.
 They can record levels of pressure unlike
other point and click devices.
Disadvantages
 They are more expensive than other
pointing devices.
 The touch screens are easily damaged.
Webcams
They are cameras directly connected to
computers. They also do not have memory.
Every information the webcam picks up is
directly transmitted to the computer.
Uses
 They are used to enable video
conferencing.
Advantages
 They can be left on constantly and only
activated when needed.
 They allow people to remain in contact with
each other without having to travel.
Disadvantages
 They are often poor quality.
 They need to be connected to the computer.
Light pens
They are used with computers as an input
device. They contain sensors that send signals to
the computer whenever light changes are
detected.
Uses
 Selecting objects on CRT screens.
 Drawing on screen.
Advantages
 Greater accuracy than touch screens.
 Can be used where space is an issue due to
its size.
Disadvantages
 Problems with lag when drawing on screen.
 Only works with CRT monitors.

Direct data entry (DDE) devices

Devices for reading information from cards
Magnetic Stripe Readers
These are used to read information stored into
magnetic stripes.
Uses
 On credit/debit cards for use at ATMs.
 Security devices to allow entry to buildings,
hotel rooms, etc.
Advantages
  Fast data entry compared with keying in
with a keyboard or keypad.
 Error free
 Not affected by oil, water, moisture, etc.
Disadvantages
 Data gets lost if the magnetic stripe is
damaged.
 Does not work at distance.
Contactless card readers
These cards allow customers to pay for items
worth up to $25 without entering their PIN.
Advantages
 Faster transactions.
 No typing errors.
Disadvantages
 They are more expensive than normal
credit/debit cards.
 Transactions are usually limited to a small
maximum value.
Chip and Pin readers
The device is used at EFTPOS terminals. It has a
slot into which the card is placed and chip is
read.
Uses
 Used at places that cards are used to pay.
Advantages
 More secure (requires a pin)
 More robust system than magnetic stripe
cards.
Disadvantages
 Fraud – Need to be careful to ensure PIN
isn’t read by somebody else while typing it.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers
They use radio waves to read and capture the
tag. The tag is made of a microchip and an
antenna that is used to receive or transmit
data/information.
Uses
 Libraries use it to track books in and out.
 Retail shops use it to ensure that no item is
stolen.
Advantages
 The card can be used at distance.
 It is very reliable.
 Very fast read rate.
Disadvantages
 They are easy to jam due to radio
frequencies.
 It is more expensive.
 It is relatively easy to hack.
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition/Reader
(MICR)
It is a system that can read characters written in
special ink (iron particles).
Uses
 Used in banks to process cheques.
Advantages
 Offer greater security than OCR since the
printed characters cannot be altered.
 No manual input so errors are reduced.
Disadvantages
  Only certain characters can be read and the
number of different characters is very
limited.
 More expensive than other methods used in
direct data entry.
Optical Mark Recognition (OMR)
It is a software that takes scanned text and turns
it into computer readable form.
Uses
 Used in the processing of passports and
identity cards.
Advantages
 It is faster than typing.
 Less error because there is no typing
Disadvantages
 The system has hard time reading
handwriting.
 Not a very accurate.
Barcode readers
They are often found in POS terminals in
supermarkets where they are used to scan the
barcode on items.
Uses
 Used to register items into databases.
Advantages
 Much faster than typing in individual names.
 They allow automatic stock control
 They are trusted technology.
Disadvantages
 Relatively expensive.
 Can be more easily damaged than RFID tags
or magnetic stripes.
Quick Response (QR) codes
It is another type of barcode but usually
contains more information. It can be scanned by
smartphone cameras.
Advantages
 There is no need for the for the user to type
in websites addresses.
Output Devices and their uses
It is hardware device that allow data to be
output from computers.
Monitors
CRT Monitors
Cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors are the older
type of monitors. They are made up of tiny dots
that are coloured red, green or blue; the
intensity of each coloured dot makes up the
vast range of colours.
Uses
 They were used as a primary output device
for computers for users to see what they are
typing in real time.
Thin Film Transistor (TFT) monitors
The screen is made up of tiny pixels. The
intensity of each governs the effective colour of
pixel seen by the eye.
Uses
 Primary output device.
 They are an integral part of laptop screens.
Advantages
  They are lightweight and pose the same
risks as CRT monitors.
 They consume much less power and do not
generate as much heat.
Disadvantages
 The angle of viewing a TFT is limited.
 Definitions are sometimes as good as
 CRT monitors
Make list of ten sensors and what they are used
to measure.

Temperature sensor=its used to measure the

tempreature of the enviroment around it.

Smoke sensor= it detects smoke around it then

send an alarm.

Pressure sensors= it measure the amount of

force or weight applyed between two objects.

Proximity sensor
They are used to detect nearby objects.

Light sensor.
They are used to detect the brightness of the
lights.

Sound sensor
They detect sound in the area around it.
They are used to detect the level of sound

diffrent types of application software and state

what they are used for.
Types of Application Software

Application Software Type Examples

Word processing software MS Word, WordPad and Notepad

Database software Oracle, MS Access etc

Spreadsheet software Apple Numbers, Microsoft Excel

Multimedia software Real Player, Media Player

What is the typical storage capacity of

Cd=700mb
Dvd=4.7gb

Bluray disc=25gb

Hard disk drive=1000TB

Highlight ten key points in your textbook.