CHAPTER 8 = SECONDARY STORAGE

SECONDARY STORAGE 

•        Secondary storage devices are used to save, to back up, and even to transport files consisting of data or programs from one location or computer to another. 

•        Secondary storage devices have always been an indispensable element in any computer system.

•         Secondary storage provides permanent or nonvolatile storage.

•       Some important characteristics of secondary storage include:

1.     Media are actual physical material that holds the data and program.

2.     Capacity measure how much a particular storage medium can hold.

3.     Storage devices are hardware that reads data and programs from storage media.

4.     Access speed measure the amount of time required by the storage device to retrieve data and program. 

 

HARD DISKS

• A hard disk drive (HDD) is a non-volatile , random access device for digital data. It features rotating rigid platters on a motor-driven spindle within a protective enclosure. Data is magnetically read from and written to the platter by read/write heads that float on a film of air above the platters. 

• Introduced by IBM in 1956, hard disk drives have fallen in cost and physical size over the years while dramatically increasing in capacity. Hard disk drives have been the dominant device for secondary storage of data in general purpose computer since the early 1960s. They have maintained this position because advances in their areal recording density have kept pace with the requirements for secondary storage. Today's HDDs operate on high-speed serial interfaces; i.e., serial ATA (SATA) or serial attached SCSI  (SAS).           

Components  

• A typical hard disk drive has two electric motors; a disk motor to spin the disks and an actuator (motor) to position the read/write head assembly across the spinning disks.

• The disk motor has an external rotor attached to the disks; the stator windings are fixed in place.   

• For more information refers to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_disk_drive     

INTERNAL HARD DISK   

• It is located inside the system units. 
• The are designated as C drive. 
• Are able to storage and retrieve large quantities of information quickly. 
• Used to storage program and large data files.                                                
    
   
  http://www.blogger.com/goog_227295440
  
  
  EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE     
  • Provide fast access, they have a fixed amount of storage and cannot be easily removed from the system cabinet. 
  • Typically connect to a USB or FireWire port on the system unit, are easily removed and effectively provide an unlimited amount of storage. 
  • For desktop computers have typically capacities of 20 to 500 GB. 
  •   Credit card-size hard disks cartridges called PC Card hard disks are available for notebook computers with typically capacities up to 5 GB.

 

http://www.build-your-own-computer.net/external-hard-drive.html

Secondary storage are important because can be used to restore a backup of your files if you have to format. It also can be bring it with you if you need to access files at work or somewhere else. Without secondary storage you would lose all of you data every time your computer powered down. In order words , your computer would not have anywhere to save data indefinitely. For more information you can refers to http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_secondary_storage_devices_are _important.                                                                                                                            

Citation ~ http://wiki.answers.com/Q?Why_secondary_storage_devices_are_important.       

~http://en.wikipedia_org/wiki/Hard_disk_drive                                       

~Computing Essentials 2010 Books                                                        

CHAPTER 7 : INPUT & OUTPUT

Image Chapturing Devices

Reference Information from Computing Essentials Complete 2010 :

• Optical scanners is tradisional copy mechines, make a copy from an original.
• Exp : digital copy of a photograph
• Image Capturing Device can create & capture original images.
• Exp : digital cameras, digital video cameras
• Captured image data and the time spatial parameter corresponding thereto to be stored in the storage server @ recorded on the recording medium.
• Captured image data and the time spatial parameter corresponding thereto are supplied to the image data processing unit in the holographic stereogram producing device.
• Time spatial parameter is used as a second time spatial parameter which is required at the time of producing a holographic stereogram.
• For more information you can search in http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7256783.html

(1) Digital Camera

• Images are recorded digitally on a disk @ camera's memory and then downloaded @ tranferred to computer.
• View it immediately.
• a camera that takes video or still photographs, or both, digitally by recording images via an electronic image sensor.
• Digital camera can do things film cameras cannot: displaying images on a screen immediately after they are recorded, storing thousands of images on a single small memory device, and deleting images to free storage space.
• Digital cameras are incorporated into many devices ranging from PDAs and mobile phones (called camera phones) to vehicles.
• For more information you can search in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_camera

http://gadgetophilia.com/c/digital-camera/page/4/

 http://www.conita.com/Digital-Cameras/Nikon-Digital-Cameras/

(2) Digital Video Camera

• Record motion digitally on a disk @ camera's memory.
• WebCams : capture images & send to computer for broadcast over the internet. It is designed to be attached to the computer monitor.
• Connected with the computer network via USB port or sometimes with ethernet and wi-fi.
• Its usages are seen in video telephony, recording of video files and still-images which one can access through many software applications and devices.
• Webcam has made possible for internet users to see famous TV , which was quite popular across the globe.
• Webcam is good source for deaf and speech-impaired individuals.
• For more information you can search in http://hubpages.com/hub/Webcam-means-video-capturing-device
  
  
                        http://www.willshops.com/samoon-hd-dv200-high-definition-digital-video-camera-dvc-p-1458.html
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  http://www.techshout.com/gadgets/2006/24/g-shot-dv815z-a-feature-rich-multi-functional-5-in-1-digital-video-camera-unveiled-by-genius-in-india/
  
  
  
  
  
  Summary :
  Nowaday many people use the digital camera to capture their beautiful picture. Image capturing device is a easy material to use it and it is a convinient to give us to bring it to anywhere, such as go traveling. Image capturing devise is a moden camera, it is have more advantage than the old ones, film camera. 

Citations : - http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7256783.html
                 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_camera
                 - http://hubpages.com/hub/Webcam-means-video-capturing-device



CHAPTER 5 SYSTEM SOFTWARE

System Software

> Works with end users, application software, and computer hardware to handle the majority of technical details.

> consists of 4 types of programs :

Operating system -  coordinate computer resources, provide an Interface between users and the computer, and run programs.

Utilities - perform specific tasks related to managing computer resources.

Device Drivers - allow particular input or output devices to communicate with the rest of the computer system.

Language Translator - convert programming instructions written by programmers into a language that computers can understand and process.

OPERATING SYSTEM

> The nucleus of all software activity.

> The operating system is the most important program that runs on a computer. Every general-purpose computer must have an operating system to run other programs. Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as

• recognizing input from the keyboard
• sending output to the display screen
• keeping track of files and directories on the disk
• controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.

                                   

[Operating System] [Image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://depts.alverno.edu/cil/mod1/software/system.html

> Function

  - Providing a graphical user interface (GUI) and running applications such as multitasking allows switching between different applications stored in memory. 
  - Managing computer's resources including memory, processing,storage, and devices. They also monitor system performance, schedule tasks, provide security and startup computer.


> Features
  -  Booting starts (cold boots) or restarts (warm boots) a computer system. The desktop provides access to computer resources. Common features include icons, pointers, windows, menus, dialog boxes, and Help. Data programs are stored in a system of files and folders.

> Categories

  - Embedded operating system are used for handheld devices such as smart Phone, PDA. The entire operating system is stored within or embedded in the devices includes ROM (read-only-memory) located on network server.

  - Network operating system are used to control and coordinate networked computer. It only connect a limited number of microcomputers.

> Stand-alone operating system usually called as desktop operating system, control a single desktop or laptop located on local hard disk.

Different Types of Operating System

Window

 - The most widely used operating system, is designed to run with Intel and Intel-compatible microprocessors. There are numerous versions of window. Window 7 is the most recent versions of Window. It provides improved handwriting recognition, taskbar with previews, large icons, and personalization features, and advanced search capabilities.

Mac OS

 - An innovative, powerful, easy to use operating system, runs on Macintosh computers. Recent versions provide Spotlight, an advanced search tool, and Dashboard Widgets, a collection of specialized programs. Some versions of MAC OS X come with Boot Camp, which allows Macintosh computers to run both MAC OS and Window OS.

UNIX and LINUX

 - Under UNIX, the Operating System consists of many programs along with the master control 

   program, the kernel.      

   The kernel provides services to start and stop programs, handles the file system, etc.

 - The original name was UNICS which stands for UNiplexed Information and Computing Services. 

 - UNICS was later renamed to UNIX (UNIX is not an acronym).

 - UNIX was attractive to other organizations and universities for a few reasons [3]:

• It was the only powerful interactive system that could run on the sort of hardware that universities could afford in the mid ’70s.
• It was written in an attractive language, C.
• When UNIX got into the hands of many teachers and students and individuals around the world, it got further improved and became popular since.

EXAMPLE :

  The computer the first UNIX version was created in, model: DEC PDP-7

  Manufacturer: Digital Equipment Corporation
  Year: 1965
  Price: $72,000 USD
  Power: less than a typical cellphone of today

[UNIX] [Image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from 
http://www.unixnewbie.org/what-is-unix-and-linux/

Linux is a UNIX clone. It was created at the University of Helsinki in Finland by a student named Linus Torvalds in 1991.

The Linux operating system is developed under the GNU General Public License (also known as GNU GPL) and its source code is freely available to everyone.

Linus Torvalds

[LINUX] [Image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from 
http://www.unixnewbie.org/what-is-unix-and-linux/

Utilities

 - Utility software is a kind of system software designed to help analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the computer.

 - Utility software should be contrasted with application software, which allows users to do things like creating text documents, playing games, listening to music or surfing the web. Rather than providing these kinds of user-oriented or output-oriented functionality, utility software usually focuses on how the computer infrastructure (including the computer hardware, operating system, application software and data storage) operates.

 - The most essentials are troubleshooting, antivirus, uninstall, backup, restore, and file compressions.

Device Drivers

 - Allow communications between hardware devices. Add a Device Wizard gives step by step guidance to install printer devices drivers. Window update automates the process of updating the devices drivers versions.


*** Information is getting from the book - Computing Essential 2011

CHAPTER 6: THE SYSTEM UNIT

SYSYEM UNIT

• known as " sysyem chassis".
• container of electronic component that make up computer system.
• 4 basic types:

        ~Desktop contain the system's electronic components and selected secondary storage. Input and output devices are located outside of system unit.

http://www.techshout.com/hardware/2008/13/acer-aspire-3450-desktop-launched-in-the-indian-market/


        ~Notebook are much smaller and portable.It often called laptops.The monitor is attached by hinges.

http://hi.baidu.com/wangzhiyun85/blog/item/793fd6180628b80035fa4142.html


        ~Table PC are highly portable devices that support stylus tp input commands and data. (a)Accepts stylus input and has monitor swivels and folds onto its keyboard.

http://www.tabletpc2.com/Archives/2005%20Archives/News-Archive-December-2005.htm

                 (b)Has removable keyboard

http://techsupport24hours.com/tech-support-for-asus-eee-pc-t91/

   
        ~Handheld is the smallest and designed to fit into the palm of one hand.The most widely used handheld computers are personal digital assistants(PDAs) and smartphones.

BINARY CODING SCHEMES

• convert binary data into characters.
• 3 such schemes:

        ~ASCII-the most widely used for microcomputers.
        ~EBCDI-developed by IBM ,used primarly by large computers.
        ~Unicode -16bit code support both ASCII and EBCDI codes and internationallanguages.

SYSTEM BOARD

• known as motherboard.
• connects all system components and allows input and output devices to communicate with system unit.
• a flat circuit board covered with these electronic components including:

        ~Sockets provide connection points for chips.A chips is also called silicon chip,semiconductor,or integrated circuit.
        ~Slots provide connection points for specialized cards or circuit boards.
        ~Bus lines provide pathways that support communication.

http://computer.yourdictionary.com/slot-1

MICROPROCESSOR

• is a single chip that contains the central processing unit(CPU).
• 2 basic components:

        ~Control Unit tells the computer system hoe to carry out program instructions.
        ~Arithmetic-logic unit(ALU)performs logical and arithmetic operations.       

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-8145061/stock-photo-close-up-of-microprocessor-chip-on-motherboard-in-computer.html

MEMORY

• is a holding data,instructions,and information.
• 3 types momory chips:

        ~RAM is called temporary or volatile storage because their contents are lost if power is disrupted.
   (a)Cache memory-a high speed holding area for frequently used data and information.
   (b)DIMM-to expand memory.
   (c)virtual memory-divides large programs into parts that are read into RAM as needed.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ram-scaling-notebook,1920-6.html


        ~ROM are nonvolite storage and control essential system operations.

        ~Flash Memory is a type of memory that does not ose it contents when power is removed.it is used to store information about a computer's configuration.



*** Information is getting from the book - Computing Essential 2011



 

CHAPTER 4 SPECIALIZED APPLICATION SOFTWARE

Specialized Applications
~Graphics programs for creating professional-looking published documents, for creating   and editing images, and for locating and inserting graphics.

~Audio and video software to create, edit, and play music and videos.

~Multimedia programs to create dynamic interactive presentations.
~Web authoring programs to create, edit, and design Web sites.
~Artificial intelligence, including virtual reality, knowledge-based systems, and robotics.

Graphics 
~Professionals in graphic arts use specialized graphics programs.

Desktop Publishing
~Desktop publishing programs, or page layout programs, allow you to mix text and graphics to create publications of professional quality.
~Professional graphic artists use desktop publishing programs to create documents such as brochures, newsletters, newspapers, and textbooks.
~Eg. Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Publisher, and QuarkXPress.

Adobe InDesign

Image Editors
~Bitmap images, also known as raster images, one of the most common types of graphic files,  use thousands of dots or pixels to represent images.
~Image editors, also known as photo editors, are specialized graphic programs for editing or  modifying digital photographs.
~Eg. Adobe Photoshop, Corel Paint Shop Pro, and Paint.Net.

Adobe Photoshop

Illustration Programs
~Vector images, also known as vector illustrations, another common type of graphic file, use geometric shapes or objects.
~Illustration programs, also known as drawing programs, are used to create and edit vector  images.
~Eg. Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, and Inkscape.

CorelDRAW

Image Galleries
~Image galleries are libraries of electronic images.
~Two basic types of electronic images:
  -Stock Photographs ( Photographs on a variety of subject material from people to landscape.)
  -Clip Art ( Graphic illustrations representing a wide range of topics. Most applications provide access to a limited selection of free clip art. )

Graphics Suites 

~Some companies have combined or bundled their separate graphics programs in groups called graphics suites.

~Eg. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite and Adobe Creative Suite.

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite

Audio and Video
~Recent advances in video and audio technology allow individuals to assemble near- professional-quality video and audio footage.

Video editing software

~Allow to reorganize, add effects, and more to your digital video footage.
~Eg. Apple iMovie and Window Movie Maker.

Apple iMovie

Audio editing software
~Allow to create and edit audio clips.
~Eg. Apple GarageBand and Sony ACID.

Apple GarageBand

Multimedia
~Multimedia is the integration of all sorts of media into one presentation.
~Effective multimedia presentations incorporate user participation or interactivity.
~Interactivity allows user to choose the information to view, to control the pace and flow of  information, and to respond to items and receive feedback.

  
Links and Buttons
~Pages in multimedia presentation preseinformation, and to respond to items and receive feedback.
~By clicking special areas called buttons on a page, you can make appropriate links and navigate through a presentation to locate and discover information.

   
Multimedia Authoring Programs
~Multimedia authoring programs are special programs used to create multimedia presentations.
~Eg. Adobe Director and Toolbook.

Toolbook

Web Authoring
~Individuals create their own personal sites, called blogs.
~Creating a  site is called web authoring.
~It begins with site design followed by creation of a document file that displays the web site's content.

Web Site Design
~A Web site is an interactive multimedia form of communication
~The overall site design is commonly represented in a graphical map.
~The first page, or home page, typically serves as introduction and supplies a table of contents.
~One multimedia element found on many web sites is moving graphics called animation.

Web Authoring Programs
~Web authoring programs are typically used to create sophisticated commercial sites.
~Also known as Web page editors and HTML editors.
~WYSIWYG ( what you see is what you get )editors, which means you can build a page without interacting directly with HTML code.
~Eg. Adobe Dreamweaver, NetObjects Fusion, and Microsoft Expression.

SavedMicrosoft Expression

Artificial Intelligence
~The field of computer science known as artificial intelligence ( AI ) attempts to develop computer systems that can mimic or simulate human senses, thought processes, and actions.
~These modern applications of artificial intelligence are designed to help people and organizations become more productive.

Virtual Reality
~Virtual reality is an artificial, or simulated, reality generated in 3-D by a computer.
~It is also commonly known as VR, artificial reality, or virtual environments.
~May use virtual reality hardware including headgear and gloves.
~Some virtual reality services to be an immersive experience, allowing a user to walk into a virtual reality room or view simulations on a virtual reality wall.

Virtual Reality Wall

Knowledge-based ( Expert ) Systems
~Knowledge-based systems, also known as expert systems, are a type of artificial intelligence that uses a database to provide assistance to users.
~Many expert systems use so-called fuzzy logic, which allows users to respond to questions in a very humanlike way.

Robotics
~Robotics is the field of study concerned with developing and using robots.
~Robots are computer-controlled machines that mimic the motor activities of living things.
~Four types of robots:
  -Perception Systems ( Perception system robots imitate some of the human senses. Eg. Robots with television-camera vision system. )

Perception systems robot

  -Industrial Robots ( Industrial robots are used to perform a variety of tasks. Eg. Machines used in automobile plants to do welding, polishing, and painting. )

Industrial robot

  -Mobile Robots (Mobile robots act as transports and are widely used for a variety of different tasks. Eg. the police and military use them to locate and disarm explosive devices. )

Mobile robot

  -Household Robots ( Household robots are now widely available and are designed to vacuum or scrub  floors, mow lawns, patrol the house, or simply provide entertainment. )

Household robot

*** Information is getting from the book - Computing Essential 2011