Professional Documents
Culture Documents
– Section 2: Networking
– Section 4: Word-processing
– Section 5: Spreadsheets
2. Mainframe Computers:
Mainframe Computers are less costly, smaller in size, and slower in speed
than supercomputers are used as a storage for large databases and serve as
a maximum number of users simultaneously. The first successful
mainframe computer was invented by IBM.
3. Desktop Systems:
A desktop computer is a computer that fits on or under a desk. It has a
monitor or another display, keyboard, mouse, and either a horizontal or
vertical (tower) form factor. Unlike a laptop, which is portable, a desktop
computer usually stays at one location.
4. Mobile devices:
In the computer world, the term mobile device refers to any electronic
device that can be easily moved from one location to another. Over time,
this category has expanded to include cell phones, laptops, smartphones
and smartwatches.
5. Embedded devices:
A computer system that cannot be programmed by the user because it is
pre-programmed for a specific task and embedded within the equipment
which it serves. Embedded systems are employed in cars, planes, trains,
space vehicles, machine tools, cameras, consumer electronics, office
appliances, network appliances, cell phones, GPS navigation as well as
robots and toys.
Input Processing Output Storage (IPOS) Cycle
– Software user interface: the programs that are used to communicate with
the computer via the hardware. There are three types of software user
interfaces:
o Command Line interface: when interaction with a computer is by
means of individual lines of text
o Menu Driven Interface: when interaction with a computer is by the
user selecting one option from a list of presented options
o Graphical User Interface: when interaction with a computer is by
using a pointing device.
Troubleshooting Basic Computer Hardware Problems
There are six (6) main troubleshooting issues:
Issue Possible Causes Possible Solution
1. System unit does • Power cable may be a. First check the cable. Unplug it
not boot loose or from the computer and the outlet.
disconnected Re-plug in both sides (computer
• Power outlet may then outlet) and try booting
be faulty computer again.
Advantages Disadvantages
• Software and data files can be • The initial set-up is expensive
shared by many users • There is a greater risk from
• Users can work together on a viruses because they are
single document spread easier
• It is cheaper to buy one • There is an increase of data
package of a software corruption since many users
application that to buy a one will be using the system, data
for each computer can be tampered with.
Wide Area Network (WAN):
WAN connects networks across a large geographical area such as a city, a
whole country or several countries.
A MAN typically includes one or more LANs, but covers smaller geographic
area than a WAN.
Internet
The Internet is a Wide Area Network; it is a huge collection of networks
connected together by what are called gateways.
Gateways make the system act as if it was one huge network.
Intranet
This is an in-house Web Site that serves the employees of the enterprise. An
intranet is set up entirely within a LAN. Web pages can be stored and accessed
from anywhere on the network and email can be sent internally within the LAN.
Extranet
An extranet is a private network that enterprises use to provide trusted third
parties -- such as suppliers, vendors, partners, customers and other businesses --
secure, controlled access to business information or operations.
Transmission Media
Wired (Physical) transmission media
1. Twisted-Pair Cable • Consists of one or more twisted pair
wires bundled together
• Each twisted pair wire consists of two
separate insulated copper wires that are
twisted together
• Inexpensive
• Susceptible to electrical interference
Twisted-pair cables have been used for telephones and computer networks for
over a long period, although they are gradually being replaced by fibre-optic.
• Hotspot is a public area or space where you can access WI-FI. These
may be provided by a commercial organisation like a hotel or coffee shop
or they may be provided by government. Some charge a fee for WI-FI
access, while others offer a free service to anyone who wants to use it.
Terms to Remember
– Point-to-point: when a device is connected directly to another device by
a dedicated communication channel, giving those devices sole use of that
channel.
– Uploading: Uploading occurs when data from a storage device (e.g. disk)
from your computer is sent to another computer via communication
channel.
– Downloading: Downloading occurs when data is received from another
computer and saved onto a storage device on your computer via
communication channel.
– Broadcast Transmission: In an arrangement with multiple systems, a
broadcast transmission is one sent out data to all the machines
simultaneously.
– World Wide Web (WWW)
– Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
– Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
– Hyperlinks
– Web Server
– Web Page
– File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
– Web Browser
– Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
Section 4: Word-processing
Just read the objectives, you’ll be fine. This is not a theoretical part of I.T.
Section 5: Spreadsheets
Formula Formats to Know
o SUM
= SUM([cell 1] : [cell 2])
eg. =SUM(G16:G21)
o AVERAGE
= AVERAGE([cell 1] : [cell 2])
eg. =AVERAGE(G16:G21)
o MAX
= MAX([cell 1] : [cell 2])
eg. =MAX(G16:G21)
o MIN
= MIN([cell 1] : [cell 2])
eg. =MIN(G16:G21)
o VLOOKUP:
=VLOOKUP([lookup value], [table array], [column number], [range])
eg. =VLOOKUP(E2,$A$36:$D$38,2,FALSE)
o IF:
= IF([“logical test”], [“value if true”], [“value if false”])
eg. =IF(C5="Guyana","Local", "Overseas")
Just read the objectives, you’ll be fine. This is not really a theoretical part of I.T.
Section 6: Database Management
Just read the objectives, you’ll be fine. This is not a theoretical part of I.T.