Homework due on October 2, 2007

Please read pgs 34-35 and answer the following:

1. What are 3 ways data is transferred? (3 pts)
2. What is the difference between importing & converting files? (3 pts)
3. Give one example of a file conversion? (1 pt)
4. What is file compression? (3 pts)
5. What does JPEG & MPEG stand for? (2 pts)
6. What is a drawback of file compression? (1 pt)

Good luck!

Homework due on September 28, 2007

For homework please read pgs 32-33 and answer the following questions:

1. What are 3 main user interfaces? (3 pts)
2. What does GUI & WIMP stand for? (2 pts)
3. Why are GUI's the most popular interfaces to use? (1 pt)
4. Give 2 important factors that should be taken into account when designing a user interface. (2 pts)

Good luck!

Homework due on September 27, 2007

For homework please read pgs. 30-31 and answer the following questions:

1. What is meant by "booting up"? (4 pts)
2. Describe how an operating system loads? (2 pts)
3. What are the 3 most widely used types of operating systems today? (3 pts)
4. What are 4 ways OS controls software on a computer? (4 pts)
5. What are 4 ways OS controls hardware on a computer? (4 pts)
6. Pg 31 #5 (3 pts)
   

Good luck!

Computer Networks

For our introduction to computer networks let's look at this video. It is a bit old, but the basic information is still relevant.

Homework due on September 25, 2007

For homework please read pgs 24-29 and answer the following questions:

Pgs 24-25

1. pg 24 #1 (1 pt each)
2. What is the difference between CD-ROM, CD-RW & CD-R? (3 pts)
3. Why are DVD's so popular today? (2 pts)
4. pg 24 #4 (2 pts each)

Pgs 26-27

1. What can be shared using a computer network? (3 pts)
2. What is the difference between WAN & LAN? (4 pts)
3. What is a stand alone computer and what are 2 advantages of them? (3 pts)
4. What are 5 things needed to connect computers in an LAN? (5 pts)
5. What are 3 types of networks? (3 pts)

Pgs 28-29

1. What is an ISP? (2 pts)
2. What are 2 advantages & disadvantages of using a computer network? (4 pts)
3. What are 3 services provided by the Internet? (3 pts)
4. What are 3 things needed to access the Internet? (3 pts)

Good luck!

Interesting Printer Videos

Here are some interesting videos on printers. What do you think?

Are you old enough to remember dot matrix printers? Here's one in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81BAd26UtxQ&v3

Here is a good, if a little long winded comparison of Ink-jet versus Laser printers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_rHilYfdOs

Want to save money with printing? Here are some tips from PC World:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKAyJHhYId8

Finally, here is "the shocking truth about the cost of inkjet cartridges":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA-uN2Dmn0M

Please watch and enjoy them!

Homework due on September 21, 2007

For homework tonight please read pgs 20-23 and answer the following questions:

Pgs 20-21

1. What is a plotter & how does it work? (2 pts)
2. What is the advantage of drum plotters? (1 pt)
3. Look at the output devices on pg. 21. In your view list the devices in order from most used in the world to the least used.
4. What is a modem? Why is a modem both an input & an output device? (3 pts)
5. What does IDSN stand for? What are 2 advantages of IDSN? (3 pts)
6. What does ADSL stand for? What are advantages of using ADSL to send and receive data? (4 pts)

Pgs 22-23

1. What is a bit? (1 pt)
2. What is a byte? (3 pts)
3. What is the difference between RAM & ROM chips? (4 pts)
4. What are the 2 types of data storage? (2 pts)
5. What are 3 examples of magnetic media? (3 pts)

Good luck!

Homework due for Thurs., September 20, 2007

I hope you have a good long weekend. Please find the time to read pgs 14-19 in the text and answer the following:

Pg 14-15

1. What is an input device? (1 pt)
2. List 5 different input devices that can be connected to a desktop computer and explain how they work and who might use each device. (3 pts each)
3. Explain what is OMR & OCR and give an advantage OR disadvantage of each. (3 pts each)
4. What sort of information could be held on a smart card? (2 pts)

pgs 16&17

1. Explain how libraries use input devices to keep track of materials. (4 pts)
2. What are the advantages & disadvantages of stores & shops using barcodes & electronic point of sale systems? (2 pts)
3. Explain what is meant by the following EFTPOS, MICR, MIDI. (4 pts each)

pgs 18 & 19

1. What is an output device? (2 pts)
2. What are the 2 most common types of output devices? (2 pts)
3. Explain what is meant by VDU, RGB, Pixel, LCD, CMYK.
4. What are the advantages & disadvantages of dot matrix, ink-jet & laser printers? (6 pts)

Good luck & have a good long weekend.

Homework due on September 7, 2007

Please read pages 12 & 13 on CPU and answer the following questions:

1. Why is the central processing unit so important to a computer? (4 pts)
2. Explain how a chip works. (2 pts)
3. What is a bit? What is its role in making a computer run? (3 pts)
4. What is a megahertz? (1 pt)
5. Explain the following terms: BIOS, hard drive, motherboard, I/O ports, USB (2 pts each)
6. If data is held in RAM, why is it important to save your work? (2 pts)

Good Luck!

Homework due on September 6, 2007

I'm sorry for the delay in posting. Blogger would not allow me to log in for some reason. I do not know why, but it seems to be when I try on the English homepage as opposed to the Japanese homepage. Anyway, for the homework please read pages 10-11 (which you already knew) and answer the following questions:

1. What are the 3 main types of computers? What are the differences between them? (9 pts)
2. Give 5 examples of microcomputers. (5 pts)
3. On page 11 answer question #4. (10 pts)

Good luck.