BMIT1703 IT Fundamentals and Applications – Exercise

2 - Chapter 2
Chapter 2: Computer Hardware (Week 4 to Week 6)

1. Identify and briefly explain the use of THREE (3) input devices in a business operation. (6 marks)
Input device is a hardware component that help business to enter data or instruction into a computer.
Besides, data is included text, numbers, images, audio, and video. Instruction can be in the form of
software, commands and user responses. For example, keyboard, mouse, touchpad.(keyin)

Keyboard. Businesses will use a keyboard to key in data and instruction into a computer or mobile
device to perform various tasks. For example, a business will key in the accounting data such as total
sales, and total amount of trade payables into the company’s accounting system by using a keyboard at
the end of the month.

Barcode reader. Most businesses buy barcode scanners for use during the checkout process. The staff
or cashier scans the barcode that’s attached to a product, quickly adding it to an order or transaction.

Magstripe reader (magnetic strip card reader). These readers are widely used in almost every business
now. They are used for money transactions, the cashier usually will stripe the credit card or bank card of
buyers and the reader will read the magnetic stripe on the back of the card. The information of card
issuers will send to the system and the transaction will be confirmed; therefore, they are widely used in
mini-stores, superstores, banks, offices, restaurants.

2. Briefly explain the following optical readers and give an example of their application. (9 marks)

Optical
Explanation Application
readers
OMR OMR is the process of capturing human-marked read hand-drawn marks,
data from document forms such as surveys and questionnaires and even
tests. (jazlyn) multiple choice examination
paper.

Bar code A barcode reader is an optical scanner that can read the bar code,and detect
readers read printed barcodes, decode the data contained the product detail and price
in the barcode and send the data to a computer.
(Loong)

RFID RFID is technology that use radio signals to read the information on the tag
communicate with a tag placed in or attached to via radio waves, such as
an object, an animal or a person. (yongkuang) tracking times of runners,
tracking airline
baggage/luggage, checking
out library book.

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 BMIT1703 IT Fundamentals and Applications – Exercise
2 - Chapter 2

3. Explain the terms “hard copy” and “soft copy”? (4

marks)
Hard copy- A hard copy is a printed copy of a printed copy of information referred to as a printout, a
hard copy is so-called because it exists as a physical object and the printed information is a more
permanent form of output.
Soft copy - A soft copy is a document saved on a computer. It is the electronic version of a
document, which can be opened and edited using a software program.A softcopy exists
electronically and appears for a temporary period. (xiner)

4. Your friend, James Lee, is currently studying a graphic design course in a local university. His
coursework assignments require him to do a lot of drawings and some word processing tasks using
computer. Besides studying, he would also like to communicate with his friends in other countries
using online chat room. Currently, he is also planning to purchase a new unit of computer.

Suggest any THREE (3) input devices and THREE (3) output devices that you think James Lee
should purchase in order to perform the tasks mentioned above. Justify your selection. (12 marks)

Input devices-
● webcam they can use the cam to face to face to communicate and ,they can see each other for
their facial expressions,
● Mic - they can speak with the mic.(loong)
● Pen input - easier for him to draw on the device compared to using mouse or touchpad (jazlyn)

output devices
● display devices to let him can see the graphics, video on the screen
● speaker to let him participate in a video conferencing session.
● Printer can let him print out his drawing and assignment

5. USB flash drive is a popular storage device used by the students. Explain TWO (2) reasons why the
USB flash drive is a popular choice as compared with other storage devices. (4 marks)

USB flash drive is a popular storage device because it is small and lightweight compare to other
storage devices. So the student can easily to bring it to anywhere and anytime.
Beside that it also got a fast transfer speed.
It is able to store large amount of data at affordable prices. (chen shen)

6. a. What is cloud storage? Give TWO (2) examples of cloud storage which are available in the
Internet.

Cloud storage is an internet service that provides storage to computer or mobile devices users.
For example- Google Drive, Icloud, Dropbox.(zhen yee)

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 BMIT1703 IT Fundamentals and Applications – Exercise
2 - Chapter 2
b. The use of Internet hard disk or cloud storage is becoming popular among students as compared
to local hard disk. As an IT student, discuss ONE (1) advantage and ONE (1) limitation of
subscribing cloud storage for study purposes. (4
marks)

The advantage of using cloud storage is the convenience of not having to carry a physical device around to
transfer documents into it. the use of cloud storage is made possible with the availability of an internet
connection and a mobile device for example a computer or a phone.

The disadvantage of using cloud storage is the space restrictions. For instance one would need to purchase
additional storage to save documents and if there is no internet connection available the storing of data becomes
restricted.

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