Chapter 2

Chapter 2

1. Hardware

   • Things you can touch
   • It is physical components that make up the computer
   • Examples
     • Mouse
       • it is a pointing device that can be used to select on a screen
       • Ergonomically shaped that fits in the palm of your hands
       • Advatanges
         • Ideal for use with desktop computers
         • Requires little training
         • Works well with a keyboard
       • Disadvantages
         • Need flat space close to the computer
         • Overuse can lead to RSI
     • Keyboard
     • Keyboard
       • Advantages
         • Keyboard - waterproof
         • Much faster formatting non-text selection e.g. menu choices on till of fast-food outlet
       • Disadvantages
         • Limiting to the option shown on a keyboard
         • Poor to text or numerical input
   • Scanner
     • Translates the information into a form the computer can use different type of scanners
     • Bar codes - needs the bar code translates into numbers to identify item
     • Optical marker reading - detects presence or mark of pre-define area
     • Magentic card reader - takes card, information on the magnetic strip converts into usable data
     • Flat-bed scanner - digitises the image so it can be procesed later as a picture or editable text
   • Graphical tablet
     • like a flat working area with a stylus represents a pencil which can be detected by the tablet
     • Advantages
       • A great level of accuracy can be achieved
       • Much more natural to draw diagrams with a pencil
     • Disadvantages
       • Much more expensive
       • Not really suitable for general selection of work e.g. pointing and clicking
   • Digitiser - is any device that converts analogue data into digital data e.g. scanner, graphical tablet etc.

2. Software

   • Software is programming code that makes the computer work
   • Specialist software
     • Predictive text
     • Text to speech system
     • Speech to text system
     • Screen magnifier
     • Auditory feedback system