6- Operating System

1. I think that Operating Systems are necessary in order for a computer to run effectively because they help to run software and and resources of the software more smoothely and efficiently.For example It manages the hardware and software resources of the system. In a desktop computer, these resources include such things as the processor, memory, disk space, etc. (On a cell phone, they include the keypad, the screen, the address book, the phone dialer, the battery and the network connection.)



Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_does_a_computer_need_an_operating_system#ixzz1szrOaWE2

2. Four Tasks Peritted by an Operating System may include:

• To control the activities of a computer system or to control the operation of a computer,
• Directs the input and output of data 
• Keeps track of files 

And controls the processing of computer programs. 
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Tasks_of_operating_system#ixzz1szsVeKxs

3. The three main Brands of Operating Systems that i am aware of are:

• IOS
• Microsoft
• Apple Macintosh
• HP
  

4. The operating system that can manage numerous people working at the same time is a Multi-User Operation System. This works in a way that allows more than one person to be in use of the same programme or file.

5. The operating system that can manage several programs that are running at the same time  is called a Multi-tasking Operation System. This means that the programme that is being acceded on the operation system can out go many tasks or operations in fact at the same time. 

6. The three utilities that are available in the "toolbox" of common tasks that help the computer to run more efficiently are:

1.

2.

3.

7.

8.

• Controlling the engine management for a car- Operating System
• Writing a letter- application
• Backing up the system - Operation system 
• Calculating company accounts- Application
• Allocating memory to allow programs to run - Operation System 
• Writing a report- application
• Communication with a printer- Operation system

Google Chromes Operating System:

5-User Interfaces

Questions on User Interfaces:

1.The term user interface means the interaction between a user and a computer,  An interface is a set of commands or menus through which a user communicates with a program.

2. The three main types of user interfaces are:
      1. Menu Interfaces

      2. Graphical user interfaces

      3. Command driven user interfaces


3. To use a command-line driven U.I, you need to go to your computer, go to the start menu, search in the search box CMD and then from here you will be presented with a black box that you can send commands to the computer to follow through with the instruction in the right context.
4. D.O.S is short for Disk Operating System, this is usually an operating system originally developed for IBM personal computers




5.Disadvantages of using a Command-line U.I:... ( shown in first list below)


6. Advantages of using a Command-line driven U.I:.... (shown in second list below)

	Can be very confusing for someone who is not familiar with the correct commands.
	Commands have to be typed in precisely, if there is a spelling error the command will fail
	If you mis-type an instruction, it is often necessary to start all over again.
	There may a large number of commands that need to be learnt - hundreds in the case of Unix.
	You cannot just guess what the instruction may be.
	May feel 'unfriendly' to a beginner.

                       

	If the user knows the correct commands it can be much faster than using lots of menus.
	The computer requires less memory to use this type of interface
	Can be used on a computer with a low specification although even supercomputers may use a CLI when its convenient to do so.
	Does not require Windows to run
	Only the most basic monochrome monitor is needed.
	Any number of commands can be typed into a batch file. This batch file can then be run from the command line. 7.  8. How a Menu User interface works? http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse/software/userinterface/miniweb/pg5.htm 9. Advantages of Using a Menu Driven U.I? The user does not need to remember and type lots of commands. Because menus contain explanations of the options that are available you can guess how to use a program without having to refer to a user guide. Menu-driven programs are especially good for mobile devices, due to therr small user interface and input/access controls. They don't take up alot of data or memory compared to G.U.I's They are simple to follow through with the step by step process and is easy to go back or go for another option as many times as you wish. 10. Disadvantages of Using a Menu Driven U.I? You may have to switch screens to access a menu. Menu options could be hard to track or find if you dont' know the right path can be slow and can stick at certain points can be time consuming if there is alot of options to follow and can't just type or search for what you want 11.    12.A menu G.U.I stands for a Menu of Graphical User Interfaces. This means that instead of a worded or lettered menu you could be faced with a menu made up of anything graphical for example icons, pictures, images or gifs. These would be the things that you selected in the menu in order for you to go to a different place or to the destination that you wanted to reach.  Here is an example of a Menu G.U.I below to help my explanation.   you can see that in this case a small icon of the option has been presented. 13. W.I.M.P stands for  window, icon, menu, pointing device. 14. Advantages of using a GUI( some answers where taken from " http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070528035007AAHqHVV") -Complex, multi-step, dependent tasks can easily be grouped together in a way that discourages mistakes. -Ability to embed media -Can produce more interesting interfaces whether the GUI are used on menus as well. -Easy for beginner and less advanced users to understand and follow. -Can present the Interface with better quality and more advanced technology used if pictures and icons are used as an understanding. - it can be user-friendly and speed up the user's work.- it can be more attractive for non-technical people.- in general, it looks more professional (but this does not mean it is always the best solution).  15. Disadvantages of using a GUI (some answers were taken from " http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081013083327AAaEy54 ") - when it is not properly built, it can be very difficult to work with. - it generally requires more memory resources than a non-graphical one. - it might require the installation of additional software, e.g., the "runtime environment" in the case of java. - depending on the programmer, it might require more time to be implemented. 16.Image of GUI   17. one of the main aspects of the User interface that the user should take into consideration when making a new U.I is consistency of layout and presentation. Also an important thing that should be took into consideration is efficiency and how well the U.I works.

4- Web Logs and Social Networking

Being online;

The Internet is visited by millions of people everyday and up until quite recently they visited websites, chat rooms and instant messaging to share and communicate with their friends.
Then came another sort of site - 'social networking'. For example Facebook, Bebo, MySpace, Twitter
Facebook started off at an University campus where a couple of students wanted to let their friends know where the parties and event were. It was extremenly popular at the Uni and it soon spread across the country and then the world. The 'social network' was born.

A social network site allows you to post messages, upload pictures and stories on to your own personal page. You can include favourite videos clips along with your 'likes'.

Friends, family and colleagues can then visit your page to see what is going on.


Popular examples of Social networks are:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Blogger
• Bebo
• Tumblr
• Flickr
• My space and many more.
  
  There are many Advantages and Disadvantages of social networks. These come with dangers and good uses.
  
  Here are some of my Advantages and Disadvantages, along with a link below that will explain some other Advantages and Disadvantages of using the net. 

Advantages:

• Easy to stay in touch with people who you wish to stay in contact with, either new or old friends
• Able to see what the news is and what people are up to
• can create new friendships
• Can share photo's and video of yourself and friends to other friends and family
• Create a personal profile of yourself of photo's memories and an online 'Diary' type blog
• Can advertise and show information to a number of people who you are connected with for free

Disadvantages:

• Dangerous to those who don't keep their profile private
• Once a photo or video is uploaded will be kept on the internet forever, not alot of privacy once uploaded
• can be misused as can anything else on the internet
• privacy is lost and people can abuse you or cyber bully others over the social networks
• hacking and people getting on to your account without your permission can also be a problem.

http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_new/being_online/social%20networking/miniweb/pg3.htm
http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_new/being_online/social%20networking/miniweb/pg4.htm

3- Computer Misuse Act and Copyright

1990 Computer Misuse Act 

The Act was created to criminalize unauthorized access to computer systems and to
discourage the more serious criminals from using a computer to assist in the
commission of a criminal offence or from impairing or hindering access to data
stored in a computer.

Computer misuse offences, 

1.Unauthorised access to computer material.

          2.Unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate commission of further offences.
          3.Unauthorised modification of computer material.



1. Unauthorized access to computer material
Described by the Act’s sponsor as ‘simple hacking’ -
using a computer without permission. This carries a
penalty of up to six months in prison or a £5000 fine,
and is tried in a Magistrate's Court.
Involves causing a computer to perform some function.


2. Unauthorised access to computer material with
intent to commit or facilitate commission of further
offences.
Covers actions such as attempting to use the
contents of an email message for blackmail. This is a
more serious offence, and the penalty is up to five
years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.


3.Unauthorised modification of computer material.
This section covers distributing a computer virus, or
malicious deletion of files, as well as direct actions
such as altering an account to obtain fraudulent
credit.
Both (2) and (3) are tried in front of a jury.
The Act also includes the offences of conspiracy to
commit and incitement to commit the three main
offences.

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, is the current UK copyright law. It gives the creators of literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works the right to control the ways in which their material may be used. The rights cover: Broadcast and public performance, copying, adapting, issuing, renting and lending copies to the public. In many cases, the creator will also have the right to be identified as the author and to object to distortions of his work.

http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse/theory/copyright_patents_act/miniweb/index.htm

2-Generic Software Features

Generic features of Software.

 Most but not all software has generic features. Generic features are those of software that are found not in just one type of software but are common in most types of applications software. Most of these features are included as part of the software in order to help a user enter and format the text to maximise the clarity of the material and to improve the physical appearance. 

A few examples of Generic Features of Software.

• Copy and paste copies text and then puts it into a different place in the same document or a completely different document.
• Font type is the shape of the text. Examples include Times New Roman and Arial.
• Font style includes bold, italics and underlined.
• Drag and Drop means clicking on a virtual object such as a file, photograph, piece of clip art, etc... and dragging it into position. 
• Most software has undo which allows you to reverse an action. 
• Page breaks determine where one page ends and a new page starts.
• Applications software can insert page numbers on multi-page documents.

Textbook guide to revision:
Page 115-126 
Topic 8

1-Networks

Networks:
A network is a situation where two or more computers are linked together in some way. 

 A computer connected to a network is known as a 'work-station' A computer which isn't connected to a network is known as a 'stand-alone'

WAN- a WAN is a Wide Area Network, this means that it is wide for access and is set over a large geographical area, so that many different computers can share the network. 

http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_new/networks/computer_networks/miniweb/pg6.htm

LAN- a LAN is a Local Area Network, this means that it is "small" for access and it set over a much smaller geographical area, this is so that it only has limited access and can only be accessed from local area's that are entitled to it's connection. 

http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_new/networks/computer_networks/miniweb/pg5.htm

Connections and Topology:

  This is an example of a HUB CONNECTION. This sort of connection is commonly used in a LAN. 

 This is an example of a STAR CONNECTION.

 This is an example of a RING CONNECTION.

 And last but not least, this is an example of a BUS/LINE CONNECTION.

All of these connections are to show the different ways in which networks can be connected to one and other. Each have their advantages and Disadvantages. 

Hub connection:

Advantage: 

-Comparatively least cheaper device

- Least complicated

Disadvantage:

-Least secure as information is shared by all the PC's connected to the hub

Star connection:

Advantage: 

-A star network provides good performance and is easy to install and expand. 

-Failures out in the network don't tend to impact other PC's in the network connection.

Disadvantage:

-Although easy to install they are expensive. 

-A lot of hardware equipment is required ( for example wires/cables and hubs )

Ring connection:

Advantage:
-Not a lot of hardware equipment is required, only one cable needed to connect all PC's with the network.

-Cheap to build and run

Disadvantage:

-if a failure was to occur in the connection of one computer, the rest would suffer as they all share the same wire and if one computer was to break down, the computers following that would stop working as the connection only runs in one direction. 

Bus/Line Connection:

Advantage: 

-simplest way to connect multiple PC's.-Having only one main cable connecting all of the stations together drastically reduces the time and cost of installation and makes troubleshooting particularly easy.

Disadvantage:

-just like the ring, if a failure in connection was to occur some where down the line not only one PC would suffer. 

-Limited cable length and number of stations.

-If many computers are attached, the amount of data flowing causes the network to slow down.

Some of the resources and information shown on this page were taken from the internet, mainly from the following, as a guide to revision:

http://www.teach-ict.com/

http://www.answers.com/