ICT Theory 0417

Grade 9 – Chapter 1 Part 3

Mrs. Navy Hattar

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1.3 Operating System
• The general tasks for a typical operating system include:
» control of the operation of the input, output and backing storage devices
» supervising the loading, running and storage of applications programs
» dealing with errors that occur in application programs
» maintaining security of the whole computer system
» maintaining a computer log (which details computer usage)
» allowing communication between user and the computer system (user
interface).

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1.3.1 User interfaces
• We will consider four different types of user interfaces:
» command line interface (CLI)
» graphical user interface (GUI)
» dialogue-based user interface
» gesture-based user interface.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsX32Sh4DEA

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 Command Line Interface
A command line interface (CLI)
requires a user to type in instructions
to choose options from menus, open
software, etc.

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 Graphical User Interface
A graphical user interface (GUI) allows the user
to interact with a computer (or MP3 player,
gaming device, mobile phone, etc.) using pictures
or symbols (icons) rather than having to type in a
number of commands.
GUIs use various technologies and devices to
provide the user interface. One
In recent years, devices such as touch
of the most common is WIMP (windows icons screen smartphones and tablets use
menu and pointing device) post- WIMP interaction, where fingers
which was developed for use on personal are in contact with the screen allowing
computers (PC). Here, a mouse is used to control actions such as pinching and
a cursor and icons are selected to open/run rotating, which would be difficult to do
windows. Each window contains an application using a single pointer and device such
and modern computer systems allow several as a mouse.
windows to be open at the same time.

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Advantages and disadvantages of CLI and GUI
interfaces

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Who would use each type of interface?
CLI: a programmer, analyst or technician; basically, somebody who needs to have
direct communication with a computer to develop new software, locate errors and
remove them, initiate memory dumps (contents of the computer memory at some
moment in time), and so on.

GUI: the end-user who does not have to (or does not need to) have any great
knowledge of how the computer works; a person who uses the computer to run
software, play games or store/manipulate photographs, for example.

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Dialogue-based user interfaces
Dialogue-based user interfaces use the human voice to give commands to a
computer system.
An example of its use is in some luxury modern cars

This type of interface could also be used in the home; by using voice commands, it is possible to
switch on/off lights, operate electronic equipment and so on. Like devices such as Amazon Alexa,
Google Now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTvV_qgxZD0

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 Gesture-based interfaces
Gesture-based interfaces rely on human interaction by the moving of hands,
head or even the feet. Gesture recognition allows humans to interface with a
computer in a more natural fashion without the need for any mechanical devices.
This type of interface uses techniques known as computer vision and image
processing.

For example, using our car example again, the following gestures can be used to
carry out certain functions:
» rotating a finger clockwise near the radio will increase the sound volume
(rotating the finger anti-clockwise will reduce the sound volume)
» opening the thumb and next finger will change the track being listened to (for
example, in a playlist)
» moving the foot under the rear bumper of the car automatically opens the
boot lid
» moving a hand near a window switch automatically opens a window.

Either a sensor or a camera is used to pick up the gesture and a signal is sent to an on-board computer
to carry out the required action. It eliminates the need for an array of buttons and dials on the dashboard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDkT8m8E-l8 9
Advantages and disadvantages of dialogue-
based and gesture-based interfaces

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1.4 Types of Computers
1.4.1 Desktop computers
Desktop usually refers to a general-purpose computer that is made up of separate monitor, keyboard,
mouse and processor unit. Which makes them not very portable.

The main uses of desktop computers include:

» office and business work.
» educational use.
» use as a gaming device.
» general entertainment

They do have disadvantages when compared to laptop computers:

» They are not particularly portable because they are made up of separate components.
» They tend to be more complicated because all the components need to be hooked up by wiring,
which also clutters up the desk space.
» Because they are not particularly portable, it is necessary to copy files on, for example, a memory
stick, when you want to do some work elsewhere .

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1.4.1 Desktop Computers
The advantages of desktop computers over laptop computers are:
» Spare parts and connections tend to be standardised, which usually results in lower costs.
» Because they are usually fixed in one location, there is less likelihood of them being damaged or
stolen.
» Internet access can be more stable because a desktop computer is more likely to have a wired internet
connection.

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 1.4.2 Mobile Computers
group of computers which are more portable than desktop computers.
» laptop computers
» smartphones
» tablets
» phablets.

Laptop (or notebook)

a type of computer where the monitor, keyboard, pointing device and processor are all together in one
single unit. This makes them extremely portable.

Key features you would expect to find in a laptop:

» lightweight (to aid portability)
» low power consumption (and also long battery life)
» low heat output (cooling is very important).

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 1.4.2 Mobile Computers
Laptop computers do have advantages when compared to desktop computers:
» The most obvious advantage is their portability
» They take up much less room on a desk, so they can be used anywhere (for
example, in a café).
» Their portability allows them to take full advantage of Wi-Fi features.
Laptop computers also have disadvantages when compared to desktop computers:
» They have limited battery life so the user may need to carry a heavy power
adaptor.
» The keyboards and pointing devices can sometimes be more awkward to use.
» It is not always possible to upgrade them, for instance by adding more RAM.
The main uses of laptop computers include:
» office and business work
» educational use
» used as a gaming device
» general entertainment
» used in control and monitoring
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 1.4.2 Mobile Computers
Smartphones
They allow normal phone calls to be made, but also have an operating system (such as iOS, Android or
Windows) allowing them to run a number of computer applications (known as apps or
applets).
Some of the typical features of smartphones include:
» high-definition, anti-glare displays
» front- and back-facing cameras’
» lower weight and longer battery life than laptops
» use Bluetooth for connection to printers and other devices
» make use of flash (solid state) memory and cloud storage facilities to back up and synchronise data
sources
» they use a number of sensors to carry out the following functions:
– proximity sensors to detect if the device is close to, for example the ear, which allows it to block
unintended ‘touches’
– accelerometers, which detect movement and orientation of the device (for example, move the display
from portrait to landscape to view videos)
– can use sophisticated speech recognitions systems (such as Siri) to enable the user to ask the device to
look for things 15
 1.4.2 Mobile Computers
-Next generation of smartphones will use touch screens with OLED Technology.
-Features of these phones: Partially Solar Powered smartphones, use Li-Fi not Wi-Fi.
-Features of Li-Fi over Wi-Fi: Faster, More Secure, Can be used on flights.

Advantages of smartphones:
» They are very small in size and lightweight – therefore they are very easy to
carry and have on your person at all times
» Because they use Wi-Fi and mobile phone networks they can be used almost
Anywhere
» They have a reasonable battery life compared to laptops.
Disadvantages of smartphones:
» The small screens and keyboards make pages difficult to read.
» Web browsing and photography can quickly drain the battery.
» Memory size in most phones is not very large when compared to laptops
and desktops
» Not all website features are compatible with smartphone operating systems.

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 1.4.2 Mobile Computers
Tablets
Tablets use touch screen technology and do not have a conventional
keyboard. However, it is possible to buy tablet cases which contain a normal-sized keyboard.
Internet access is usually through Wi-Fi or 3G/4G/5G (mobile
phone) connectivity. Like smartphones, tablets are equipped with a series of sensors which include
camera, microphone, accelerometer and touch screen.
Advantages of tablets compared to laptops:
» very fast to switch on (no time delay waiting for the operating system to load up)
» fully portable – they are so lightweight that they can be carried anywhere
» battery life of a tablet is a lot longer

Disadvantages of tablets compared to laptops:

» they often have limited memory or storage when compared to a laptop
» typing on a touch screen can be slow and error-prone compared to a standard keyboard
» laptops tend to support more types of file format than tablets and are also better equipped to run different
types of software.

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 1.4.2 Mobile Computers
Phablet
A hybrid between a tablet and a smartphone. They have much larger screens than a smartphone but are
smaller than a tablet. All the features of a smartphone also apply to phablets together with the typical
features of a tablet.

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 1.4.2 Mobile Computers
The main uses of smartphones, tablets and phablets include:
» entertainment (streaming of music, videos and television programmes)
» gaming (including group games)
» as a camera or video camera (the quality of videos and photos now matches a good digital cameras)
» internet use (online sales, social networks, using QR codes, and so on)
» sending/receiving emails
» global positioning system (use of maps to navigate to a location)
» calendar functions
» telephone banking (sending and receiving money using the banking apps)
» Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) – telephone network using the internet which also allows video calling
» instant access to social networks (social contact with friends no matter where you are in the world)
» instant messaging
» office and business management (particularly the features that allow rapid voice and video communication)
» education use (using interactive software to teach or learn from)
» remotely control devices (it is possible to remotely operate devices in the home, such as microwave ovens,
which contain embedded microprocessors; by using internet-enabled smartphones or tablets)

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Quick Revision
1 There are a number of different types of computer. Write down the type of computer that best fits
the following descriptions.
a A computer that is difficult to move and has a separate monitor and keyboard. [1]
Desktop Computer
b A portable computer that includes a physical keyboard. [1]
Laptop
c A thin portable computer that has a touch screen and a battery in a single unit, not normally used
to make phone calls. [1]
Tablet
d A mobile phone that can be used as a computer. [1]
Smartphone

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Quick Revision

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