Topic 1 - computer System

Topic 1 - computer System

1. Ethical issues and computer systems

   • • Makes it illegal to gain unauthorised access to computer systems or to modify the data stored on them.
     • Covers
       • Illegal access
       • Phishing
       • Keyloggong software
       • Introduncing viruses and other malware
   • Data protection act (1998)
     • Created to protect peoples prrivacy, it has 8 guiding principles.
   • copyright, desings and patents act
     • This at helps protect peoples intellectual property rights
     • ypical breaches of the CDP act.
       • Using unlicensed software
       • Downloading music from sites that have no rights to provide them
       • Streaming movies from sites that have no right to provide them
       • Copying someones elses work and passing it off as your own

2. Computers and the environment

   • Advantages.
     • People can work from home - which reduces commuting (less fuel is used) and means that less office space is needed
     • Facetime, Skype, and video conferencing can reduce the need for people to travel to meet each other, and so less fuel is used
     • Using email and working electronically means less printing is required, and so less paper is used
   • Disadvantages
     • Technological waste- also known has e-waste - sometimes contains poisonous chemicals and can be an environmental hazard.
     • Consumes energy
     • Computers require electricity, and most smartphones and tablets require recharging after just a few hours.
   • lifespan of electronic device is two years

3. Standards for computer systems

4. What is a computer system

   • Types of computer system
     • Dedicated system
       • A dedicated system is built to handle a specific task and perform only that task
     • Embedded system
       • An embedded system is a smaller system that is inside a large piece of equipment
     • Conrol system
       • A control system is a device, or set of devices, that manages, commands, directs, or regulates the behaviour of other devices
     • Expert system
       • An expert system is designed to behave like a human expert

5. Reliability of computer systems