L) I.T U1M1 - 5

Syllabus Focus: Unit 1 Module 1 Content 10
Specific Objective 10: identify tools used in the entry, retrieval, processing, storage, presentation,
transmission and dissemination of information;
Content: Examples of hardware, software, and communication tools. Tools associated with
the Internet including online services; search engines; Usenet, Internet Relay Chat (IRC),
telnet, ftp, newsgroups, message board, mailing list, Internet telephony.
Examples of Computer Hardware
Hardware is the physical aspect of a computer. While

computer software exists in the form of programs and
procedures, hardware comprises the mechanical,
electronic, and electrical components of a computer
system. By definition, the different parts of a computer
are included in its hardware. Computer hardware
includes the central processing unit, motherboard,
microchips as well as computer peripherals like input-
output and storage devices that are added to a host
computer to enhance its abilities.
Here is an overview of the different kinds of computer

hardware with pictures. We give you a list of the
fundamental units of a computer along with a list of
media devices, networking hardware components, and
computer peripherals. They together form the set of
CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 10 1

hardware components of computers.
Bus
It is a subsystem that transfers data within and between

computers. The computer bus provides a logical
connection between the different computer peripherals.
CPUs use the control bus to communicate with other
devices in the computer. The address bus is used to
specify a physical address. A processor specifies the
memory location it wants to read from or write to, on the
address bus. The value that it needs to read or write is
sent to the data bus. Thus, the data bus carries the data
being processed. A parallel bus is capable of carrying
multiple data in parallel while a serial bus carries data
in a bit-serial form. An internal bus connects the internal

components of a computer to the motherboard while an
external bus connects the external computer
peripherals to the motherboard.
AGP: Short for Accelerated Graphics Port, AGP is a high-

speed point-to-point channel that enables the
attachment of a graphics card to the computer's
motherboard.
HyperTransport: It is a low-latency point-to-point link

that uses high bandwidth and acts in a bi-directional
manner. It facilitates power management.
PCI: The peripheral component interconnect standard
refers to the computer bus connecting peripheral
devices to a motherboard.
PCI Express: It is a computer expansion card interface

format.
USB: Universal Serial Bus, as it is called, acts as an

interface to a host computer. It enhances the plug-and-
play capabilities of a computer. USB is a popular device
used today.
QuickPath: Also known as the Common System

Interface, QuickPath is a point-to-point processor
interconnect that stands in close competition with
HyperTransport.
Serial ATA: It is a computer bus that enables the

transfer of data between mass storage devices and the
motherboard.

Serial Attached SCSI: It enables the transfer of data
from computer storage devices like hard drives and tape
drives. It is a point-to-point serial protocol.
Central Processing Unit
It is a set of logic machines that can execute computer

programs. The fundamental function of a CPU is to
execute sequences of stored instructions called
programs. During its first step of operation, the
processor retrieves instructions from program memory.
This step is known as the 'fetch' step. In the 'decode'
step, the processor breaks up the instructions after
which they are executed. During the fourth step of
writeback, the CPU writes back results of the processed
instructions into memory.
Computer fan

It is attached to the CPU and is used to lower the
temperature of a computer. Fans in the computer case
help maintain a constant flow of air to the computer
system.
Firmware
It is a computer program that is embedded in a

hardware device. It is midway between hardware and
software. Being a piece of computer program, it is
similar to software, while being tightly bound to
hardware makes it close to being a hardware
component.

Motherboard and Power Supply
Motherboard is the central printed circuit board,

abbreviated as PCB, which forms the complex electronic
system of a computer. A motherboard provides the
computer system with all the electrical connections, the
basic circuitry, and components required for its
functioning.
Computer power supply is the component responsible

for supplying power to the computer. It converts the AC
power from the mains to low voltage DC power for the
internal components of a computer.

RAM and Hard Drive
Short for random access memory, RAM is the physical

memory of a computer. It is used to store the currently
running programs and is attached to the motherboard.
Hard Disc is a non-volatile storage device that stores

digital data on magnetic surfaces. It is used for medium-
term storage of data.

Sound and Graphics Cards
Sound card is a computer expansion card that enables

the input and output of audio signals to and from a
computer. Sound cards provide multimedia applications
with the audio components.
Video card that is also known as a graphics card is a

hardware component which generates and outputs the
images to a display.
Storage Controllers
They are located on the motherboard or on the

expansion cards. Storage controllers include controllers
for the hard disc, CD-ROM, and other drives.
Media Devices

Devices such as CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs are some
of the popular removable storage media that can store
digital data. USB flash drives are a relatively recent
development. Tape drives and zip drives are less
commonly used while the floppy disks are obsolete.
Hard discs and solid-state drives are used for internal
storage. Here is a brief introduction to each of these
storage media. Know all about the hard drives.
CDs and DVDs
Popularly known as CDs, compact discs are storage

devices for storing digital data. Standard CDs can store
around 80 minutes of audio. CD-ROMs contain data that
is accessible for reading and is not modifiable. CD-ROMs
are used for distribution of computer software and
multimedia applications. A CD Writer is an optical disc
drive that uses laser radiation or electromagnetic waves
for reading from and writing data onto discs.

Commonly known as a digital video disc and abbreviated
as DVD, a digital versatile disc is one of the very popular
optical disc storage media. With physical dimensions
similar to those of a compact disc, DVDs can store data
as much as six times more than a CD. A DVD-ROM drive
is used for reading data from a DVD. A DVD Writer is
used for reading from and writing data to a DVD. DVD-
RAM drives allow data to be read and written rapidly
from specific types of DVDs. HD DVD is a high-density
optical disc format that succeeded DVD.
Disc Array Controller
It manages physical disc drives and brings them to the

form of logical units. It provides a disc cache and
implements hardware RAID.
Floppy and Data Tape
Floppy disk is a disc of a thin magnetic storage medium

covered by a plastic shell. With the advent of flash and

optical storage devices, floppies have become obsolete.
Tape drive is a data storage device that reads and

writes data stored on a magnetic tape. Tape drives have
storage capacities ranging from a few megabytes to
multiple gigabytes. They are mainly used for archival
storage of data.
Solid-state Drive
This storage device uses solid-state memory to store

persistent data. It can replace the hard disc drive in
many applications.
Blu ray Discs and USB Flash Drive
Blu ray disc is an optical disc storage media format. It

obtains its name from the blue laser that is used to read
and write this type of disc. Owing to its shorter
wavelength, blu-ray discs can store large amounts of
data. BD-ROM drive is used for reading data from a blu-

ray disc and a BD writer can be used for both reading
from and writing to a blu-ray disc.
USB flash drive is a small-sized removable and

rewritable storage device with a storage capacity
ranging from 64 MB to 64 GB. Due to their high storage
capacity, durability, and compact structure, they have
gained immense popularity in the modern times. Know
how a flash drive works.
Zip Drive
Iomega came up with this medium-capacity storage

media in 1994. It had a capacity of about 100 MB. Zip
drives could never become standardized and were
replaced by rewritable CDs.
Networking Hardware Components

Here is an overview of some of those pieces of
hardware, which make it possible for a computer to be a
part of a network. Update yourself on computer
networking.
Network Card
It is one of the most important pieces of hardware as it

allows a computer to communicate with other
computers over a network. It serves as a networking
medium and provides the computers with a MAC address
system. A network card is also known as a network

adapter, a LAN card and is better known as an NIC.
Modem and Router
Modem is used for dial-up connections. It modulates

analog carrier signals to encode digital information and
demodulates it to decode the information transmitted.
Routers are not exactly pieces of hardware. Rather, they

are devices that are used to join multiple wired or
wireless computer networks. Know all about routers.
Computer Peripherals
Apart from the hardware components of a computer,
there are many external devices that are equally
important for its functioning. Keyboard, mouse, and the
visual display of a computer form its basic input and
output devices. Joysticks, game controllers, and other
pointing devices are commonly used for the gaming
applications on a computer. Headphones, speakers,

microphones, and webcams are popularly used for
running multimedia applications. Let us look at some
examples of these peripheral devices.
Keyboard and Monitor
Keyboard is an input device, which derives its design

from that of a typewriter. A keyboard consists of
multiple keys laid out in a specific way. Each key acts
as an electronic switch either producing a letter,
number, or a symbol that is typed into a word processor,
or performing a certain computer operation.
Popularly known as a monitor, the visual display unit is

an electrical device that displays images produced as a
result of video outputs from computers.

Mouse and Trackball
A computer mouse is a pointing device that detects two-

dimensional motion. The motion of a mouse translates
into the motion of a pointer on the computer display,
enabling the user to control a graphical user interface.
Trackball is a pointing device that comprises a mouse

along with a ball with sensors to sense rotational
motion. Trackballs find utility in special-purpose
workstations and video games.

Headphones and Microphone
Headphones consist of a pair of small loud speakers,

which can be held close to the ears. They can be
connected to an audio-frequency source such as an
amplifier or a CD player. Know more about headphones.
A microphone is an acoustic-to-electric transducer that

converts sound signals to electrical ones. Commonly,
mikes consist of a membrane that vibrates in response
to sound. The vibrations are translated to electrical
signals. Know more about microphones.

Printer and Scanner
A printer is a peripheral device produces hard copies of

electronic documents. It is attached to a computer by
means of a peripheral cable or a USB cable. A printer is
sometimes combined with a scanner that serves as a
photocopier.
A scanner is a peripheral device that can scan images,

handwriting, or objects and convert them to digital
images.

Game Controller and Joystick
The game controller is an input device used to control

the operations of a video game. It is connected to video
game consoles or personal computers. Gamepad, also
known as a joypad or a control pad, is a game controller
with digits and action buttons. Most video game
consoles use gamepads as input devices.
Joystick is an input device that consists of a stick that

is pivoted on a base and indicates its direction to the
device it controls. Joysticks are used in video games
and mobile phones.

Speakers and Webcam
Computer speakers are external audio devices that

enable computer users to listen to audio media.
Multimedia speakers consist of an internal amplifier. A
speaker has a jack connecting it to the sound card.
A web camera is a small camera that is widely used

with video conferencing and instant messaging services.
They are digital cameras which can upload images to a
web server.
Taken from: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/examples-
of-computer-hardware.html, on July 7, 2016
Types of Computer Software with Examples

A software is a collection of programs that helps one
communicate with the hardware of the computer. There
are different types of computer software which are
useful for several purposes. In learning about
computers, the first step usually is to understand the

major types of software, their uses, and applications. In
the following sections, we present a list of computer
software and their examples, categorized according to
their different types.
Types of Computer Software
System Software
System software coordinates the complete system
hardware and provides an environment or platform for
all the other types of software to work in. It is the most
basic type of software in any computer system, which is
essential for other programs, applications and indeed for
the whole computer system to function.
(System software examples - Microsoft Windows XP,
Mac OS, Linux, Windows Vista, Ubuntu, device drivers,
etc.)
Application Software
Application software are those that help the user
perform the tasks of his/her choice. They are non-
essential software which are installed and run
depending upon the requirements, in the environment
provided by the system software.
(Application software examples - MS Office, OpenOffice,
Media Players, MS Access, educational software, media
development software, Antivirus software, etc. )
Programming Software
Programming software are used to write, test, debug
and develop other software programs and applications.

The various programming language editors such as
Eclipse- a Java language editor, come under this
category. They are used for creating both the system as
well as application software.
(Programming software examples - Turbo C, Xilinx, Kiel,
compilers, debuggers, Integrated Development
Environment (IDE), etc.)
Sub-types of Computer Software
Apart from the above major types of software, there are

many other sub-types such as the ones mentioned
below.
Freeware- Freeware are a type of software that anyone

can download from the Internet and use for free.
(Examples - Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger, uTorrent,
etc.)
Shareware- Shareware are usually distributed for free on

a trial basis. It can be shared without violation of any
laws. They usually stop working or prompt the user to
purchase the full version, once the trial period expires.
(Examples - BearShare, Kazaa, Winzip, etc.)
Registry Cleaners- When you install a lot of software,

games, etc., your computer's registry gets clogged.
Registry cleaners are used to clean up or delete all the
invalid registry entries which has the benefit of speeding
up your computer.
(Examples- TuneUp Utilities, Eusing, etc.)

Content Control Software- These software allow you to
control the content that can be accessed by a user on a
computer. They are mostly used for restricting access
over the Internet.
(Example- K9 Web Protection, PGSurfer, etc.)
Project Management Software- As its name suggests,

project management software is a software package
that helps multiple users to work on a project
simultaneously. It allows them to schedule events,
network with the other users, allocate resources, etc.
(Example- Microsoft Office Project Server, HyperOffice,
24SevenOffice, etc.)
Utility Software- They are usually small programs that

help in the management of the hardware and the
application software, installed on a computer.
(Example- Disk defragmenters, Disk cleaners, etc.)
Open Source Software- This is a type of software the

source code for which is available to all users (open). As
such, anyone can make changes to it and release their
own new version.
(Example- Android OS, OpenOffice, etc.)
Browsers- Browsers are software that let you surf or

browse the Internet.
(Example- Internet Explorer, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, etc.)
With constant advancements in the field of software

engineering, several new software and applications are
being developed every day. Hence, the list provided

above shouldn't be considered definitive, as in the
coming years, many more newer types of software
would have been developed.
Taken from: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/computer-

software-examples.html, on July 7, 2016
Communication Tools
Types of Communication
External and Internal Communication
Communication is key to any business success. Unless

potential clients and customers are aware of your
business, they will not have the information to contact
you or to purchase your products. When they are aware
of your business, they must be able to contact it easily.
Two types of communication are essential - external and

internal.
 External communication reaches out to the

customer to make him or her aware of your product
or service and to give the customer a reason to buy.
This type of communication includes your
brochures, various forms of advertising, contact
letters, telephone calls, Web sites and anything else

that makes the public aware of what you do.
Image is extremely important in external

communication! Your logo should represent who you
are; your letterhead should be a selling tool; your
telephone message should reflect your
professionalism.
 Internal communication is essential to attracting

and retaining a talented staff. You must provide the
direction for the company by consistently
communicating that message; you must motivate
your staff through various forms of communication,
which can include awards, newsletters, meetings,
telephone calls and formal and informal
discussions. Periodic meeting with top management
groups including your board of directors and
advisory board should be planned for regular
intervals over each upcoming year. The importance
of an advisory board is covered in session two of
Business Expansion.
Effective communication requires tools and planning. In

this session, we will discuss those tools, as well as
planning guidelines, to facilitate this key element of
your business, communication. The following discussion
will be grouped into:
 Basic communication tools

 Computers
 The Internet
Basic Communication Tools

Specific tools that can be used for communication
include landline telephones, cell phones, smartphones,
iPads and fax machines. The lines between the devices
are blurring. For example, an advanced cell phone (the
smartphone) can contain many of the functions of a
computer including Internet, email, text messaging,
faxing, word processing and more. For this discussion,
however, each device will be presented as a separate
entity.
Mail
Even with all the modern methods of communication,
regular postal mail is still one of the most powerful tools
for a business. It adds a personal touch, it's used for
delivering secure documents, contracts, and shipping
items. A convenient way to handle mail from your own
home or office is through a Stamps.com account, which
allows you to print postage from your own computer.
Landline Telephones
There are many types of telephones, and only you can
decide which type(s) or combinations of types are right
for you. Even the standard telephone (landline) that is
installed in your office has many options. You should
start with at least one line that is unique to your

business. This line should have the capability to take
messages in case it is not answered personally. Here
are some telephone tips:
 It is important to treat the telephone as an

important business tool. Record a voice mail
message that indicates when you will return the call
and then continually check your voice mail to return
calls promptly.
 Have a separate line for your business phone and
your personal phone. Don't have family members
pick up or use the business phone. Get any required
extra telephone lines installed before you start.
 A remote (voice mail) answering system is usually
more desirable than using an answering machine.
Voice mail is reliable, reasonable in cost,
accessible from anywhere and projects a more
business-like image.
 The need for an 800 number is becoming less
important because long-distance rates are much
more affordable.
 Consider using either a wireless or corded headset
for both landline phones and cell phones. It is
clearer, safer and you can move about with free
arms.
 When leaving phone messages, clearly state your
name and phone number at the beginning and the
end of the message.

 Be polite in cell phone use! Good business courtesy
includes avoiding being interrupted by telephone
calls when in a meeting or during a business lunch.
Cell Phones/Mobile Phones

The cell phone, also called a mobile phone, is used for
mobile communications over a cellular network of cell
sites. There are numerous plans and carriers. Many
carriers have plans tailored for small businesses
including options that bundle popular features and
usage patterns, making them very cost effective. Be
sure to ask questions about your specific needs before
selecting a carrier and a plan.
When your usage or needs change, do not hesitate to

request information on plans that more closely meet
your new set of requirements. Most cell phone
companies allow you to return the phone within 15 to 30
days after activation if you are not happy. Use this time
to check if the cell phone has acceptable reception at
your home and work place. Basic cell phones are offered
free by many carriers for a specific length of time,
usually two years. But be aware there are hefty fees for
canceling early.
Smartphones
Growth in demand for advanced mobile devices boasting
powerful memory, larger screens, and open operating

systems has outpaced the rest of the mobile phone
market for several years. A smartphone is a cell phone
offering advanced capabilities with computer-like
functionality. A smartphone incorporates advanced
features like e-mail, Internet, and e-book reader
capabilities and include a full keyboard or an external
keyboard. In other words, a smartphone is a miniature
computer that has phone capability.
Smartphones are also capable of text messaging and

may include a camera and video recorder. Some models
are capable of "Push to Talk" which is a feature similar
to a walkie-talkie. Outside your office, a smartphone can
become a valuable tool for e-mail, web browsing and the
ability to review and edit documents. Several models
have global positioning system (GPS) capability and
many other available applications. The most popular are
the iPhone, Samsung, Blackberry, Droid and Google's
Nexus. Each has different strengths you will need to
factor into your business needs.
Video and Web Conferencing

Video conferencing transmits and receives images and
voice in real-time. Web conferencing adds another
dimension - it allows you to share documents and
applications. For more details on Webinar conferencing
with customers visit Session 2 in the Business
Expansion course.

Telepresence takes video and web conferencing to new
levels. A telepresence conference room includes ultra-
high-definition video cameras, large screens displaying
life-size images, and spatially discrete audio to create
an "in person" experience. Facial expressions for crucial
business discussions and negotiations can be discerned
across the "virtual table." Telepresence solutions can be
deployed to support your business' need from one-on-
one conferencing in private offices to stadium seating
for larger meetings.
All these solutions allow you to communicate as if you

were face-to-face with customers anywhere in the
world. Time and money that would be spent on traveling
can be used to conduct meetings. You can share
documents, make presentations and conduct meetings
on short notice. For example, without leaving your
office, you can collaborate with employees who work
from home or from other company locations.
Social Networking Sites

A social network is a social structure made of
individuals or organizations that are tied together by
common interests, often like a community. Internet-
based social networking occurs through a variety of
websites that allow users to share content and interact
with similar interests. It has expanded to include a
company's customers, celebrity's fans and a politician's
constituents. This has created a great opportunity for

businesses to generate interaction with present and
potential customers through Web-based sites
established for that purpose. To be successful requires
a steady effort and participation over time. With an
ongoing commitment of effort you can create a niche
market through sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and
Twitter. A note of caution on Internet social networking:
once you put something out there it's hard to take it
back, so you have to be careful.
Online Chat Tools

Wikipedia describes chat tools best: "Online chat can
refer to any kind of communication over the Internet, but
is primarily meant to refer to direct one-on-one chat or
text-based group chat using tools such as instant
messengers." It is commonly used in place of email
when there is a need to communicate live. Chat tools
can be used both for internal and external
communication and can be placed on a website so
customers can talk to a customer service person in real-
time. Utilizing chat tools usually requires a free software
download. There are many options available including
GoogleTalk and Skype. Features can vary from simple
one-on-one messaging to highly developed tools for
group chat, file transfers, video and document
collaboration.
Fax Machines
The decision must be made as to whether to buy a stand

alone fax machine or an "all-in-one" model. All-in-ones
function as a printer, scanner, copier and fax. (Not all
models have the fax or scanner capability). If you plan
on sending and receiving lots of faxes you might
consider the stand-alone. For less frequent use the all-
in-one can cost less. They are also compact and more
energy efficient. Consideration should be given to your
budget and your space constraints. Generally, the
simpler the machine, the fewer problems you will have
with it. If your business will rely heavily on faxing, it is
important to get as much memory as possible to speed
up the printing of documents.
Some phone vendors can provide you with a fax number

that works with your e-mail system. Receiving a fax
works just like it does when the fax is being received by
another machine but you receive it as an attachment to
an e-mail. This can be very handy for those who travel
on a frequent basis and are not always near a fax
machine. Here are tips:
 Use a cover page that is appropriate for your

company. Remember, this is an external
communication that reflects your business and your
image.
 Use a separate dedicated phone line for your fax
machine.

Computers
A computer is so affordable that it should be included as
a key tool in your business. Computers can be
purchased for a wide range of prices. For basic word
processing, e-mail, accounting, and spreadsheet work,
you will not require a top-of-the-line computer. While
what you buy today may soon become obsolete, this
does not mean that the computer you purchase will not
meet your business requirements for a much longer
period of time. The following discussion will focus on
the growing number of options that are available:
 Desktop
 Laptop
 Notebook (or netbook)
 Tablet
 Handheld
Desktops
This is the most common type of computer: one that is
set up to operate in your office. The computer system
should include:
 A basic processing unit: either a PC (Personal

Computer) or a Mac (Apple). PC's are more common
in usage and are lower in cost. Most businesses
work in a PC format. However, for many users and

applications including graphic arts, the Mac enjoys
very steadfast supporters.
 A flat-panel monitor.
 Internet connectivity, a CD/DVD drive and USB
ports.
 A printer. Laser printers cost more up front but are
less expensive over the long run when taking
printing costs into account. If you have a small
space to work with, consider an all-in-one printer.
 Some type of backup storage should also be
considered, such as a USB Flash Drive, External
Hard Drive or a writable CD or DVD.
 An antivirus program is essential. You can purchase
one or use a free program; however the free
programs will not afford you as much security as
the paid versions.
Laptops
A laptop computer offers portability with many of the
features offered by a desktop which make it ideal for
meetings or if you travel frequently. Drawbacks for
laptops include: they are higher in price than desktops,
have smaller keyboards and monitors and are subject to
theft. Traditional and wireless printers, keyboards and
even the traditional mouse are options available for
laptops. If you travel and need computing capability, it is
worth the extra expense.

Notebooks and Netbooks
Since their recent appearance, netbooks have grown in
size and features. At the same time, notebooks have
become smaller and lighter. The result is that for
practical purposes we are going to use the two words
interchangeably since there is no longer a significant
distinction between them. They both can be described
as rapidly evolving categories of small, light and
inexpensive laptop computers suited for general
computing and accessing web-based applications. They
are gaining in popularity especially with students,
bloggers, and even some businesses.
While generally less expensive than laptops,

manufacturers are starting to beef up notebooks, which
is increasing their cost. A caution: their compact size
makes them attractive for traveling but if you are
considering one to save on the cost of a laptop, you
probably will be getting less memory and many do not
have full applications or compatibility with your other
business applications.
Things to keep in mind if getting a desktop, laptop or

netbook:
 Get as much capability as you can afford. Laptops

are not typically as easy to upgrade as desktop

computers because of the nature of their
construction.
 Be sure you get all the features you need when you
purchase.
 If you do not normally have access to an electrical
outlet, get a laptop or netbook with extended
battery life.
 Keep all documentation, software, and accessories
that come with your device.
Tablet Computers
A tablet computer is equipped with a touch screen or
stylus rather than a keyboard to operate the computer.
The advantages include using when it is not convenient
to use a keyboard and mouse, recording diagrams and
symbols, and easier navigation than a keyboard and
mouse or touch pad. Disadvantages include higher cost,
slower input speed, and risk of damage to the tablet
screen.
Handheld Devices
Handheld computers, or Personal Digital Assistants, are
still popular despite the growing sales of smartphones.
There are basically two versions of these units: 1) those
using the Palm Pilot operating system and 2) those using
the Microsoft Windows Mobile operating system. These
units allow synchronizing your key organizational
elements with your computer. Functions of a PDA and

smartphone have become almost indistinguishable;
however PDAs generally perform faster and can
synchronize data to your PC. The capabilities of PDAs
are not built around a cell phone whereas a smartphone
is a cell phone with other capabilities built into the
phone. More and more features are being built into these
units, integrating them as a powerful tool in the
business world.
Software
The software you purchase is key to making your
computer productive. The operating system, whether it
is a PC or a Macintosh, should be preloaded onto the
system. Many software packages are often bundled with
the system at the time of purchase and some in the form
of trial software. At the bare minimum, you should have
the capability to do word processing, spreadsheets, and
presentations.
Additionally, you should consider financial and

accounting software that is appropriate for your
business. Keep in mind that many
accounting/bookkeeping software packages are not
double-entry systems and care must be taken in making
the entries correctly. Keep in mind that home and
professional versions of accounting software may not be
compatible or may not be appropriate for your operating
system. Be sure to read specifications before you
purchase.

Auxiliary Products
Many products can be used in conjunction with your
computer to enhance the functionality and image of your
business. These also require software specifically
designed to facilitate its usage.
 Digital Camera - a picture taken by this type of

camera can be directly loaded onto your computer
for a variety of uses. Usage ideas include pictures
of properties, product catalogs, pictures
accompanying résumés and many more.
Digital cameras come in various shapes and sizes,
but what really sets them apart in price is image
quality.
 Scanner - when you have a printed copy of
something that you would like to include as part of
a digital document, you can create a digital image
by scanning the printed copy with this type of
equipment.
 Wireless Transmission - this feature allows you to
communicate with other devices equipped with the
same feature. Most office equipment is available in
a wireless version and without all the cords. Ease of
set up is appealing and has many productive
implications
 Don't overlook the importance of making regular
external backups to the individual programs used in
your business. Backups are commonly stored on

CD's DVDs, USB Flash Drives and External Hard
Drives. There are also services provided on the Web
to facilitate this process.
Internet
The Internet an essential marketing and communication
tool.
Utilizing your ability to register on search engines and

crowd-source business review sites is an essential
marking tool to communicate with potential customers
and creating leads.
To learn more, see the links below:
Search Engines:
 Google My
Business: https://www.google.com/business/
 Bing Places for
Business: https://www.bingplaces.com/
Crowd-sourced business review sites (U.S. based):
 yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/
taken from: https://www.scu.edu/mobi/business-courses/starting-a-business/session-8-
communication-tools/, on July 7, 2016
TOOLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERNET

Online Service
A business that provides its subscribers with a wide variety of data transmitted
over telecommunications lines. Online services provide an infrastructure in which subscribers
can communicate with one another, either by exchanging e-mail messages or by participating in
online conferences (forums). In addition, the service can connect users with an almost unlimited
number of third-party information providers. Subscribers can get up-to-date stock quotes, news
stories hot off the wire, articles from many magazines and journals, in fact, almost any
information that has been put in electronic form. Of course, accessing all this data carries a
price.
The difference between an online service and a bulletin board service is one of scale and
profits. Online services provide a variety of information and services, whereas BBS's normally
concentrate on a single theme. In addition, BBS's are often operated on a non-profit basis
whereas online services are always for profit. Three of the largest online services are America
Online, Compuserve and MSN.
One online service that defies classification is the Internet. In terms of users, it is the largest
service, but it is not centrally controlled by any one organization, nor is it operated for profit.
Taken from: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/O/online_service.html, on July 7, 2016
Search Engine
Search engines are programs that search documents for specified keywords and returns a list of
the documents where the keywords were found. A search engine is really a general class of
programs, however, the term is often used to specifically describe systems like Google, Bing
and Yahoo! Search that enable users to search for documents on the World Wide Web.
Web Search Engines

Typically, Web search engines work by sending out a spider to fetch as many documents as
possible. Another program, called an indexer, then reads these documents and creates
an index based on the words contained in each document. Each search engine uses

a proprietary algorithm to create its indices such that, ideally, only meaningful results are
returned for each query.
As many website owners rely on search engines to send traffic to their website, and entire
industry has grown around the idea of optimizing Web content to improve your placement in
search engine results. Learn more about search engine optimization (SEO) in this Webopedia'
definition.
Taken from: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/search_engine.html, on July 7, 2016
USENET
A worldwide bulletin board system that can be accessed through the Internet or through
many online services. The USENET contains more than 14,000 forums, called newsgroups, that
cover every imaginable interest group. It is used daily by millions of people around the world.
Taken from: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/U/USENET.html, retrieved on July 7, 2016
IRC - Internet Relay Chat

Short for Internet Relay Chat, a chat system developed by Jarkko Oikarinen in Finland in the late
1980s. IRC has become very popular as more people get connected to the Internet because it
enables people connected anywhere on the Internet to join in live discussions. Unlike older chat
systems, IRC is not limited to just two participants.
To join an IRC discussion, you need an IRC client and Internet access. The IRC client is
a program that runs on your computer and sends and receives messages to and from an
IRC server. The IRC server, in turn, is responsible for making sure that all messages are
broadcast to everyone participating in a discussion. There can be many discussions going on at
once; each one is assigned a unique channel.

Telnet
Telnet is a terminal emulation program for TCP/IPnetworks such as the Internet. The Telnet
program runs on your computer and connects your PC to a server on the network. You can then
enter commands through the Telnet program and they will be executed as if you were entering
them directly on the server console. This enables you to control the server and communicate
with other servers on the network. To start a Telnet session, you must log in to a server by
entering a valid username and password. Telnet is a common way to remotely control Web
servers.
The Telnet Protocol

The Telnet protocol is designed to provide a bi-directional, eight-bit byte oriented
communications facility to allow for a a standard method of interfacing terminal devices and
processes.
FTP - File Transfer Protocol

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is the commonly used protocol for exchanging files over
the Internet. FTP uses the Internet's TCP/IP protocols to enable data transfer. FTP uses a
client-server architecture, often secured with SSL/TLS. FTP promotes sharing of files via remote
computers with reliable and efficient data transfer
How FTP Works

FTP works in the same way as HTTP for transferring Web pages from a server to a user's
browser and SMTP for transferring electronic mail across the Internet in that, like these
technologies.
FTP uses a client-server architecture. Users provide authentication using a sign-in protocol,
usually a username and password, however some FTP servers may be configured to

accept anonymous FTP logins where you don't need to identify yourself before accessing files.
Most often, FTP is secured with SSL/TLS.
Newsgroup
Same as forum, an on-line discussion group. On the Internet, there are literally thousands of
newsgroups covering every conceivable interest. To view and post messages to a newsgroup,
you need a news reader, a program that runs on your computer and connects you to a news
server on the Internet.
Message Board
A message board (known also by various other names such as discussion
group, discussion forum, and online forum) is a general term for any online
"bulletin board" where you can leave and expect to see responses to
messages you have left. Or you can just read the board. The first discussion
boards were available on bulletin board systems. On the
Internet, Usenet provides thousands of discussion boards; these can now
sometimes be viewed from a Web browser.
Many websites offer discussion boards so that users can share and discuss
information and opinions. Special software is available that provides
discussion board capability for a website.
Source: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/discussion-board-
discussion-group-message-board-online-forum, retrieved on July 7, 2016
Mailing List
A list of e-mail addresses identified by a single name, such as mail-list@sandybay.com. When
an e-mail message is sent to the mailing list name, it is automatically forwarded to all the
addresses in the list.

Most e-mail clients support mailing lists, which enables you to broadcast e-mail messages to
groups that you define. In addition, there are mailing list servers that manage centralized mailing
lists for groups of users.
Internet Telephony
A category of hardware and software that enables people to use the Internet as the
transmission medium for telephone calls. For users who have free, or fixed-price Internet
access, Internet telephony software essentially provides free telephone calls anywhere in the
world. To date, however, Internet telephony does not offer the same quality of telephone service
as direct telephone connections.
There are many Internet telephony applications available. Some, like CoolTalk and NetMeeting,
come bundled with popular Web browsers. Others are stand-alone products. Internet telephony
products are sometimes called IP telephony, Voice over the Internet (VOI) or Voice over IP
(VOIP)products.
Taken from: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/I/Internet_telephony.html, on July 7, 2016

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Syllabus Focus: Unit 1 Module 1 Content 10

Examples of Computer Hardware

Hardware is the physical aspect of a computer. While

Here is an overview of the different kinds of computer

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 10 1

It is a subsystem that transfers data within and between

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 10 2

AGP: Short for Accelerated Graphics Port, AGP is a high-

HyperTransport: It is a low-latency point-to-point link

PCI Express: It is a computer expansion card interface

USB: Universal Serial Bus, as it is called, acts as an

QuickPath: Also known as the Common System

Serial ATA: It is a computer bus that enables the

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 10 3

Central Processing Unit

It is a set of logic machines that can execute computer

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 10 4

It is a computer program that is embedded in a

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 10 5

Motherboard is the central printed circuit board,

Computer power supply is the component responsible

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 10 6

Short for random access memory, RAM is the physical

Hard Disc is a non-volatile storage device that stores

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 10 7

Sound card is a computer expansion card that enables

Video card that is also known as a graphics card is a

They are located on the motherboard or on the

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 10 8

CDs and DVDs

Popularly known as CDs, compact discs are storage

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 10 9

Disc Array Controller

It manages physical disc drives and brings them to the

Floppy and Data Tape

Floppy disk is a disc of a thin magnetic storage medium

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 10 10

Tape drive is a data storage device that reads and

This storage device uses solid-state memory to store

Blu ray Discs and USB Flash Drive

Blu ray disc is an optical disc storage media format. It

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 10 11

USB flash drive is a small-sized removable and

Iomega came up with this medium-capacity storage

Networking Hardware Components

It is one of the most important pieces of hardware as it

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 10 12

Modem and Router

Modem is used for dial-up connections. It modulates

Routers are not exactly pieces of hardware. Rather, they

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 10 13

Keyboard and Monitor

Keyboard is an input device, which derives its design

Popularly known as a monitor, the visual display unit is

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 10 14

A computer mouse is a pointing device that detects two-

Trackball is a pointing device that comprises a mouse

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 10 15

Headphones consist of a pair of small loud speakers,

A microphone is an acoustic-to-electric transducer that

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 10 16

A printer is a peripheral device produces hard copies of

A scanner is a peripheral device that can scan images,