hups://t.meligese_files System software Operating system: The operating system controls the computer. The operating system is. software that runs between the hardware and application software, It enables application software to use the computer's hardware and other resources. The OS has many functions, including the following: Input and output control Error handling Resource allocation Providing a user interface Allowing users to give commands to the computer File handling Applications software Office productivity tools: Office productivity software helps you work more efficiently when doing tasks in the office. This include: Word processing Desktop publishing Spreadsheet Database Web authoring: Web authoring software is used to create a website. A websiteis structed collection of web pages that is accessible via the Internet. Web pages usually include text and graphics and are written using HTML or software that generate HTML, Web authoring software like Adobe Dreamweaver gives you a more control over the webpage and may include facilities to manage your website.hups://t.meligese_files Image and sound editing Image and sound editing software helps you prepare and edit pictures, photographs, video and music. Multimedia presentation software helps you prepare for and deliver a talk to an audience. The monitor display is projected onto a very large screen during the talk. A presentation will consist of a series of slides with mainly text and graphics, and notes for the speaker. Project management software: Project management software can be used to track and chartthe timelines of the individual tasks or events that have to be completed in order to complete a project. A project could be, for example, the construction of a large building.hups://t.meligese_files Backing Storage Data storage capacity terminology One kilobyte or KB is 1024 bytes ‘One megabyte (MB) is 1024 KB or 1024 x 1024 = 1 048 576 bytes One gigabyte (GB) is 1024 MB One terabyte (TB) is 1024 GB Main Memory Memory Memory is a device used to store programs temporarily or permanently. Main Memory Any data or instructions that are to be processed by the CPU must be placed into main memory (sometimes known as primary storage). RAM Random access memory can be written to, read from and edited. The data in it can be accessed in any order. Ram is volatile memory, which means that it is cleared when the computer is switched off.htps:/Lmefigese_files Read only memory can also be accessed in random order, but the data in it cannot be changed. ROM is intended for permanent data, necessary for the operation of the computer system. ROM is non-volatile, which means that it retains what is stored in it when the computer is tured off. Types of ROM: © Programmable read-only memory (PROM) has no data locked onto it when first manufactured, But later, a company using PROM chips to make a computer can Put in its own information. The data would then be locked in place, so the memory can no longer be changed. © Erasable programmable read-only memory gets its original data in the same way PROM does. But, if necessary, the data can be erased using a special light shining on a window on the chip or by electric charge, RAM vs ROM RAM ROM Can be written to and read from. Can only read from. Holds program being run and data Stores data and programs permanently. being processed. Volatile: it is cleared when the computer Non-volatile: it retains what is stored is switched off. when the computer is turned off. RAM microchips are supplied as a ROM microchips are installed in the module plugged into the motherboard. motherboard.hups://t.meligese_files Storage Devices 4. Hard disks Ahard disk drive (HDD) [note 2] is a data storage device used for storing and retrieving digital information using rapidly rotating disks (platters) coated with magnetic material. On each individual disk, the data is stored in concentric tracks. For every track of data, there are corresponding tracks above and below it. The corresponding tracks form a cylinder. The number of cylinders is equal in number to the tracks on each surface of the disk. For each surface there is a readiwrite head, set on the tip of a small arm. These heads move in step with each other, traversing in and out over the spinning disk. The total storage space on a hard disk is given by the following formula: number of readable sides x nnumber of cylinders x sector per track x bytes per sector RAID(Redundant Array of Inexpensive Drives): this storage device essentially carries multiple copies of data, on different hard disk drives. If one falls, the data can still be recovered from the others. External Hard Disks: External hard disks are built in a separate case and are robust, small and lightweight. They can be easily and safely carried around and can usually be connected to any computer with a USB socket.htps:/Lmefigese_files 2. Optical discs Compact disks (CDs): A typical CD stores around 700 MB of data on one side of the disc. ‘Access time is slower than a hard disk. A CD is a piece of plastic, about 4/100 of an inch or 1.2 mm thick. During manufacture, a pattem is etched onto the lower polycarbonate plastic layer. This pattern is a single, continuous, extremely long spiral track of data. This lower layer is covered with a thin, reflective aluminium layer. Then a thin acrylic layer is sprayed over the aluminium to protect it. The CD's label is then printed onto the acrylic. CD drive has a laser beam in the read/write head, which can read the information on the disc. Digital Versatile discs (DVDs): A digital versatile disc looks much the same as a CD. A single-sided layer DVD can hold up to 4.7GB on one side. In contrast, a dual-layer DVD can carry two layers of data on each of its two sides: this means it can hold up to 18 GB of video, audio or other information. Types of CD and DVD: © CD-R and DVD-R allow data to be written to them on one occasion only: after this, the data on them can only be read. This enable you to create your own music CDs and record TV programmes on DVD, CD-R and DVD-R are useful for backing up the hard disk on a computer, because once the data has been written it cannot be deleted or changed. © CD-RW and DVD-RW can be written to repeatedly up to around 1000 times and can be used for continuously backing up data or archiving. Data recorded on them can be deleted or replaced by more up-to-date data © DVD-RAM may be sealed inside a cartridge and can be rewritten more than 100000 times. Data written to DVD-RAM is expected to last at least 30 years. DVD-RAM drives are used in video recorders, camcorders and computers. ¢ HD DVDis an optical disk format for storing digital information, similar to DVD but with sufficient capacity for high definition video and movies. Its development was supported by a group of manufacturers led by Toshiba. HD DVD was created to succeed DVD but found competition in Blu-ray, which is a rival format. In 2008, HD DVD marketing and development ceased. © Blu-ray is a high definition DVD format supported by a group of manufacturers led by Sony, Its intended as a replaced for the current range of DVDs and is used forhups://t.meligese_files distributing HD material such as movies. A dual-layer Blu-ray can store 50 GB almost 10 times the capacity of a single-sided, single-layer DVD. It is the same size as a CD. 3. Flash memory Flash memory is a type of EPROM. The memory can be reset quickly and easily so that it can be written to, read from and edited. It retains what has been stored without a power source. ‘Acommon use of Flash memory is for the basic input/ output system (BIOS) of your computer. On vitually every PC available, the BIOS makes sure the computer starts up as it should and that all the parts of the computer work together. Memory cards are removable and are used in video games consoles, digital cameras, mobile phones, PDAs and other portable devices. PCs often have card slots, Memory cards can store Up to 32 GB of data. There are many types of memory card, including Compact Flash (CF), Secure Digital (SD), mini and micro SD, xD Cards, Smart media and Multimedia cards. Flash pen devices or memory sticks plug into the USB port on a computer. They are lightweight and fit easily into your pocket s they are a convenient way of moving data from one computer to another. They have a storage capacity of up to 32GB. They are used by teachers and lecturers to store presentations and other files, because they can be easily moved from one classroom to another. They are robust and not easily damaged, and are a relatively inexpensive medium. 4, Magnetic tape aL Ds omc ‘A magnetic tape is wrapped onto a reel and provides a large amount of surface area. This abundance of surface means that a great quantity of information can be stored on a tape. But tape storage offers only serial access. So if you want to access data at the middle of the tape you must start at the beginning, and forward through the tape to reach the part you want. For this reason, accessing the data on a tape can be very slow, and so magnetic tape is mostly sed for backing up data not for quick regular access.htps:/Lmefigese_files Networking Types of Network Local area networks (LANs): ALLAN consists of a collection of computers that can share peripherals, share information and communicate with each other over a network. These are likely to be in the same room, building, department, school or workplace. Each computer that forms part of the network can function both as an independent personal computer running its own software and as a workstation on the network accessing information from the network server. Local Area —- WH cabo Coa emp ecoeg eesc Advantages of LAN: Software and data files can be shared by many users. Users can work together on a single shared document. Users can communicate using instant messaging Users can stream media Users can access the network from any computer or other device that can be attached to the network.htps:/Lmefigese_files Itis usually cheaper to buy one copy of a software application and pay the license fee for several computers, than to buy individual licenses for each computer. Users can share hardware devices. Users can share an Internet connection. User's access rights can be controlled centrally. Computers attached to the network can be maintained either centrally or from any network station. Disadvantages of LAN: Set-up of server and network cabling costs high Data can get corrupt easily. There is a risk from viruses as they can spread easily between the computers. Types of LAN: On a client/server network, one or more computers are designated as the servers, Client computers are those computers available for you to use. Clients communicate with each other and externally through the server. The server will have a faster processor, more RAM and a lot more backing storage space than the client computers, A large LAN may have several servers to perform different tasks. For instance, a file server may look after the organization of the files on the network, while a print server coordinates printing on the network. Each server will also have software that manages the services it provides: email and Internet access, shared peripherals and the security of the system. Any computer that gives a user access to any type of network, including a connection to a mainframe computer, can be called a terminal. A peer-to-peer network allows every computer to communicate directly with very other computer in the network. A user can access data from any computer on the network. They are used mainly in small business and departments. Cabled LAN: In a cabled LAN, all the computers and other peripheral devices on the network are attached o cables that are used to transmit data between them. A computer must be connected to a cabled LAN using a network interface (NIC). The network cable is plugged into the NIC. Wireless LAN (WLAN): A wireless LAN differs from a cabled LAN in that computers can use wireless link to connect to the network instead of being attached using a cable. The wireless connection is made possible by three sets of components: wireless access points; wireless network interface cards (NICs) and routers.hups://t.meligese_files WAN WLAN LAN Awireless access point contains a radio receiver, encryption and communications software so that it can broadcast and receive wireless communications. It translates computer signals into wireless signals, so that it can broadcast to and receive signals from wireless network interface cards (NICs) on the network. NICs equipped for wireless communications have a fixed or detachable radio antenna instead of usual coaxial cable. Routers enable several computers to communicate through a wireless access point at the same time. Bluetooth: Bluetooth is a form of wireless communication designed to enable PDAs, mobile phones, computers and similar devices to share information and to synchronise data. Bluetooth requires a transceiver chip in each device. The data transfer rate is 720 kbps with a 10 metre range. Wide area networks (WANs): WAM can connect networks across a large geographical area, such as a city or a country or even internationally. Information can be transmitted in many ways: for example using high-speed telephone lines, fibre optic cables, microwave links and satellite links, or a combination of these. WANs are used mainly by universities, large companies and banks with branches in different countries, to share information and processing loads. IP address: Each computer on the Internet has a unique address that identifies it. This unique address is a number called IP address (Internet Protocol address), which is a 32-bit address consisting of four sets of up to three digits each, separated by full stops. The IP address could be static or dynamic. To connect to a computer on the Internet, your computer needs to know its IP address.hups://t.meligese_files Benefits of establishing a network By establishing a network we can: Share peripherals from hundreds of computers. Share data between people continuously Communicate easily ‘Access to Internet simultaneously Stream media Distribute software Network Security Threat Protection Hacking is unauthorised access to your Use a username and password. Don't computer or files and to your personal__ give these to anyone and don’t write them information, e.g. email and bank accounts. down. Use a firewall. This is a combination of hardware and software that controls network traffic between a secure computer or network and the Internet. Use WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) or WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) codes which prevent unauthorised connection to a wireless network. Encrypt data. Encrypted data cannot be understood by someone without the encryption key. This prevents hackers understanding data on the ICT systems. they access. Use a transaction log to track use of the system. This can show hackers’ activities and help identify them.