Chapter 6

Data Terminals and Personal

Computers
 Agenda
• Terminals
• Cluster control units
• Workstation ergonomics
• Terminal selection criteria
• Total cost of ownership of personal
computer
 Terminal Classification
• Definition
– Input/output devices
– Data terminal equipment (DTE)
– Data circuit-terminating equipment (DCE)
• Classification
– Teletypewriters
– Video display terminals (VDTs)
– Personal computers
– Industry-oriented transaction terminals
– Intelligent terminals
– Specialized terminals
 Teletypewriter Terminals
• Types
– Unbuffered
– Buffered
• Characteristics
– Slow speed
– Mechanical dot matrix printing
– Hard copy
 Video Display Terminals (VDT) - I
• Types
– Cathode ray tube terminal (CRT)
– Flat panel displays
• Characteristics
– Electronic
– Reliable
– Buffered
– High speed
– Unintelligent - intelligent
 Video Display Terminals (VDT) - II
• Screen
– All-point-addressable (APA)
– Pixels or pels
– Line-by-line mode
– Page or formatted mode
– Intensifying, blink, or reverse video
• Keyboard
• Alternative input mechanisms
– Touch-sensitive
– Joystick
– Trackball
– Mouse
Video Display Terminals (VDT) - III
• Selection criteria
– Nonglare surface
– Titled or swiveled mechanism
– Color or monochrome
– Image flickfree
– Size
– Resolution
– Programmable
– Graphics capability
 Personal Computers
• Types
– Microcomputer (portable, laptop, or notebook)
– Workstation
– Internet computers
• Characteristics
– Upload and download (FTP)
– Terminal emulation program & hardware (DEC VT-,
IBM 3270)
– Graphical user interface (GUI)
– Multitasking
• Virus
 Others
• Industry-oriented transaction terminals
– ATM & point of sale
• Remote job entry
• Facsimile machines
– Group I, II, III, III enhanced, super III, IV
– Security problems (audio cassette recorder)
• Specialized terminals
– Telephone
– Optical recognition (bar code reader, optical character
recognition (OCR))
– Other terminals for counting, weighing, measuring, and
reporting results to the computer
 Terminals Intelligence
• Intelligent terminals: program & storage
capability
• Smart terminals: storage capability
• Dumb terminals: no or limited storage
capability
 Cluster Control Units
• Characteristics
– Program capability
– Buffers
• Functions
– Control terminals
– Code conversion
– Error checking
– Share printer
– Access multiple computers
– Multiple sessions using hot key
 Workstation Ergonomics
• Nonglare screen
• Tilted back 10 to 20 degrees
• Top of screen is eye level
• 18 inches from eyes
• Adjustable chair
• Movable keyboard
• Proper lighting
 Terminal Selection Criteria
• Special or general
• Hardcopy or video display
• Types of operators
• Compatibility with the existing equipment
• Degree of intelligent
• Cost
• Vendor support and service
 Total Cost of Ownership
• Cost
– $6,400 to over $13,000 lifetime
– Hardware & software cost – 20%
– User operational cost (learning & training) – 46%
– Technical support cost – 21%
– Administrative cost – 13%
• Control
– Centralized management
– Standardizing hardware and software
 Points to Remember
• Terminals
• Cluster control units
• Workstation ergonomics
• Terminal selection criteria
• Total cost of ownership of personal
computer
 Discussion
• Design terminal requirement for a big
manufacturing company
• Design terminal requirement for a big
insurance company