WEEK THREE QUESTIONS

1. What is computer hardware and what are the major hardware components?
Hardware refers to the physical equipment used for the input, processing, output and storage activities of a computer system. Its major components are:
— Power supply
— Video card
— Sound Card
— Central processing unit (CPU)
— Primary storage
— Secondary storage
— Input technologies
— Output technologies
— Communication technologies

Photo: Compliments of Raj, accessed at: http://www.rajgovt.org/Computers-IT/Computer-Hardware/images/case[1].jpg

2. What is Moore's Law/what does it mean in relation to computers.
Founder of Intel, he predicted that microprocessor complexity would double every two years. This means that the speed of computers will double, and processing chips would get smaller and smaller.

3. In basic terms, describe how a microprocessor functions.
A microprocessor accepts input, processes the data and stores it till needed. Then retrieves it and processes it again to be used.

4. What factors determine the speed of the microprocessor?
Clock speed – cycles per second, usually in GHZ. 2 GHZ means 2 billion times per second.
Word length – refers to how many characters the PC can read in one clock cycle. Bit system: 32 bits = 32 bits of data
Bus width – the amount of data that can travel at the same time
Physical design of chip

A microprocessor's design is similar to:

Photo: Compliments of 'How Stuff Works', accessed at:http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/microprocessor1.gif

5. What are the four main types of primary storage.
Random Access memory (RAM): more ram means more programs the computer can run.
Registers: stores extremely limited amounts of instructions and data only immediately before and after processing
Cache memory: where the computer can store blocks of data used more often
Read-only memory (ROM): certain critical instructions are safeguarded; the storage is nonvolatile and retains the instructions when the power to the computer is turned off.

6. What are the main types of secondary storage?
Magnetic media such as: hard disks and tapes
Optical media such as: CD-ROM and DVD
Solid state media such as: flash drives and Apple Ipods

7. How does primary storage differ from secondary storage in terms of speed cost and capacity?
Primary storage is faster but more costly, and secondary storage is slower yet more cost efficient.

8. What are enterprise storage systems?
An independent, external system with intelligence that includes two or more storage devices. There are three types of enterprise storage systems: Redundant Arrays of Independent Disks (RAID), Storage Area Network (SAN) and Network Attached Storage (NAS).

9. Distinguish between human data input devices and source data automation.
Human data input devices: rely on humans to input data, and prone to human error. Such as: keyboards, mouse
Source data automation: devices which contribute data with little human intervention. Such as barcode scanners, these are far more accurate and faster.

10. What is one new technology that will change how we do things? You need to do some research
Printable electronics: by using polymer “ink”, from an inkjet print head, innovator’s have created electronics that are less wasteful, flexible and very cheap. The technology can be used for a large variety of things, examples are wallpaper with changing designs, bulb less lamps and flexible e-book readers. The technology makes access to information even more flexible.
A video demonstrating some of the technology can be found at:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16831-innovation-a-licence-to-print-gadgets.html