CAT Theory Notes
System Technologies and Implications:
Grade 11 Textbook:
The role of ICT in the workplace:
• ICT is a key component
ICT allows us to:
• access to a computer & the internet
• communicate more effectively
• store and process vast quantities of data
• identify and adapt to changing trends
• perform difficult / dangerous tasks instead of humans
• perform repetitive mechanical actions with consistent quality
• empower individuals
We can do these things more quickly and with less man power.
ICT can have a negative role on the workplace:
• requires constant upgrading of skills, hardware and software
• results in smaller pools of highly skilled ICT workers replacing large number
of staff
• ICT employees working longer hours to meet the expectations of customer
CAT - a most valuable subject:
• ICT is a simple set of tools that can be used to solve problems
• CAT teaches you how to use computers to solve problems
People who use their own specialised hardware / software:
• web page designers
• doctors
• dj’s
• businesses using social media
• photographers
• accountants
The Computer:
• computers form the cornerstone of any ICT system
• in different shapes & sizes
• all have similar design and function
• follows the information processing cycle
,Computers:
• take input (keyboard / mouse) process it and then produce some form of
input (through screen / printer)
• the input or output often needs to be sorted for use at a later stage
• computers are linked to other computers and devices in some way so that
they can communicate with one another
• communication is an important element to the cycle
Some computers are more powerful than others:
• ‘powerful’ describes a number of factors such as: the speed and
performance of the CPU, the amount and type of storage, size of the
memory because more memory allows more programs & data to be
processed at any one time, type of graphics card installed
Portable computers:
• devices not purely used for work anymore
• used for entertainment, surfing web, communication, social networking
• these types of usage demand portability
Laptops:
• portable computers
• use miniaturised parts (does not need constant parts)
• has low power consumption
• portable computing on battery power
• cases with hinged screens that folds up for easy portability, includes
keyboard & suitable pointing device (touchpad)
• Portable computers, more expensive than desktop computers with same
specifications
Power settings:
• big advantage is they are portable & can run om battery power
• would like the battery to last as long as possible
• most operating systems provided power schemes or settings to allow you to
control how your computer manages its power
• conserve power by starting to “sleep” or hibernate (would have to wake up
with a mouse)
• setting the brightness to reduce the power consumption
• choosing a balance between power consumption and performance. Saving
power usually decreases the performance of your system
Tablets:
• a tablet is a portable computer with a touch or pen-sensitive screen
• allows user to interact directly with the screen
,• ideal for quick, small scale computing
• use special operating systems designed for mobile devices and have a long
battery life and wireless (WIFI) & cellular data connectivity (3G / 4G/LTE)
Hybrid laptops / tablets:
• more powerful than conventional tablets and run a full desktop operating
system
• on downside, they usually weigh more, shorter battery life and often don’t
contain built-in cellular communications
Smartphones:
• perfect example of digital convergence
• combines features and technologies of many separate devices: no physical
keyboards at all but rely on a touch screen for typed input
All smartphones have the following:
• operating system
• ‘larger’ colour screens
• built-in data modem
• GPS
• one or two cameras
• WIFI
• speakers & microphone
Servers & clients:
• provide services or resources to other computers (clients) that are linked to
the network
• providing internet access or storing all the users files
• a network typically consists of one or more servers and mant clients
computers
• Servers and clients are a good example where the power of a computer
influences the role it plays
• it must be a powerful computer
• clients don’t have to be as powerful as the servers
Dedicated devices:
• such as automatic teller machines (ATMs) and GPS (Global Positioning System)
devices, and household appliances
• they are designed to perform just one specific task. These devices are not
computers
Computers:
• multi-purpose devices, can load apps (programs) to perform a wide variety of
tasks
, Protecting your information:
• data is stored on the computer or device may not be backed up
• information might be private / of a sensitive nature
• important password-protect (encrypt) the data & have copies (backups) in
off-site locations
• info is increasingly being stored on portable devices- these devices can
easily get lost or stolen (why some organisations prevent you from using
portable storage devices)
Hardware theft and protection:
• cable locks
• lockable cabinets
• motion sensors - set off an alarm
the problem is the smaller the computer or device , the easier it is to steal by
concealing it
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS):
• power failures and power dips
• a UPS can be used to a protect a computer against power surges and
spikes
• a UPS is connected to the mains and will immediately provide power as the
mains fail
• gives you time to save work and shut-down
Input:
• provide running software with instructions
• data that must be processed
Imagine capture:
Digital cameras:
• smartphones, compact cameras, top-end DSLR
• images already in digital format
• quality depends on sensor size, zoom type, resolution (MP), ISO rating
Scanners:
• input device that converts images into a digital format
• quality determines by resolution (dpi) and colour depth
• higher dpi and colour depth give higher quality
• OCR software converts scanned images to editable text
• quality of scanned image depends on quality of original
System Technologies and Implications:
Grade 11 Textbook:
The role of ICT in the workplace:
• ICT is a key component
ICT allows us to:
• access to a computer & the internet
• communicate more effectively
• store and process vast quantities of data
• identify and adapt to changing trends
• perform difficult / dangerous tasks instead of humans
• perform repetitive mechanical actions with consistent quality
• empower individuals
We can do these things more quickly and with less man power.
ICT can have a negative role on the workplace:
• requires constant upgrading of skills, hardware and software
• results in smaller pools of highly skilled ICT workers replacing large number
of staff
• ICT employees working longer hours to meet the expectations of customer
CAT - a most valuable subject:
• ICT is a simple set of tools that can be used to solve problems
• CAT teaches you how to use computers to solve problems
People who use their own specialised hardware / software:
• web page designers
• doctors
• dj’s
• businesses using social media
• photographers
• accountants
The Computer:
• computers form the cornerstone of any ICT system
• in different shapes & sizes
• all have similar design and function
• follows the information processing cycle
,Computers:
• take input (keyboard / mouse) process it and then produce some form of
input (through screen / printer)
• the input or output often needs to be sorted for use at a later stage
• computers are linked to other computers and devices in some way so that
they can communicate with one another
• communication is an important element to the cycle
Some computers are more powerful than others:
• ‘powerful’ describes a number of factors such as: the speed and
performance of the CPU, the amount and type of storage, size of the
memory because more memory allows more programs & data to be
processed at any one time, type of graphics card installed
Portable computers:
• devices not purely used for work anymore
• used for entertainment, surfing web, communication, social networking
• these types of usage demand portability
Laptops:
• portable computers
• use miniaturised parts (does not need constant parts)
• has low power consumption
• portable computing on battery power
• cases with hinged screens that folds up for easy portability, includes
keyboard & suitable pointing device (touchpad)
• Portable computers, more expensive than desktop computers with same
specifications
Power settings:
• big advantage is they are portable & can run om battery power
• would like the battery to last as long as possible
• most operating systems provided power schemes or settings to allow you to
control how your computer manages its power
• conserve power by starting to “sleep” or hibernate (would have to wake up
with a mouse)
• setting the brightness to reduce the power consumption
• choosing a balance between power consumption and performance. Saving
power usually decreases the performance of your system
Tablets:
• a tablet is a portable computer with a touch or pen-sensitive screen
• allows user to interact directly with the screen
,• ideal for quick, small scale computing
• use special operating systems designed for mobile devices and have a long
battery life and wireless (WIFI) & cellular data connectivity (3G / 4G/LTE)
Hybrid laptops / tablets:
• more powerful than conventional tablets and run a full desktop operating
system
• on downside, they usually weigh more, shorter battery life and often don’t
contain built-in cellular communications
Smartphones:
• perfect example of digital convergence
• combines features and technologies of many separate devices: no physical
keyboards at all but rely on a touch screen for typed input
All smartphones have the following:
• operating system
• ‘larger’ colour screens
• built-in data modem
• GPS
• one or two cameras
• WIFI
• speakers & microphone
Servers & clients:
• provide services or resources to other computers (clients) that are linked to
the network
• providing internet access or storing all the users files
• a network typically consists of one or more servers and mant clients
computers
• Servers and clients are a good example where the power of a computer
influences the role it plays
• it must be a powerful computer
• clients don’t have to be as powerful as the servers
Dedicated devices:
• such as automatic teller machines (ATMs) and GPS (Global Positioning System)
devices, and household appliances
• they are designed to perform just one specific task. These devices are not
computers
Computers:
• multi-purpose devices, can load apps (programs) to perform a wide variety of
tasks
, Protecting your information:
• data is stored on the computer or device may not be backed up
• information might be private / of a sensitive nature
• important password-protect (encrypt) the data & have copies (backups) in
off-site locations
• info is increasingly being stored on portable devices- these devices can
easily get lost or stolen (why some organisations prevent you from using
portable storage devices)
Hardware theft and protection:
• cable locks
• lockable cabinets
• motion sensors - set off an alarm
the problem is the smaller the computer or device , the easier it is to steal by
concealing it
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS):
• power failures and power dips
• a UPS can be used to a protect a computer against power surges and
spikes
• a UPS is connected to the mains and will immediately provide power as the
mains fail
• gives you time to save work and shut-down
Input:
• provide running software with instructions
• data that must be processed
Imagine capture:
Digital cameras:
• smartphones, compact cameras, top-end DSLR
• images already in digital format
• quality depends on sensor size, zoom type, resolution (MP), ISO rating
Scanners:
• input device that converts images into a digital format
• quality determines by resolution (dpi) and colour depth
• higher dpi and colour depth give higher quality
• OCR software converts scanned images to editable text
• quality of scanned image depends on quality of original
