Dialogue interface:

Refers to using the spoken word to communicate with a computer

system.
A user can give commands using their voices and the computer system
then responds by taking an action or giving out further information
using a synthesized voice.

EXAMPLE: (Some automated telephone systems will recognize voice so that the
user doesnt have to use the dial pad to key in information)

Advantages
No hands are required which makes
it suitable for use in cars or when
holding a telephone.
Words can be spoken more quickly
than a user typing them (especially
in entertainments such as TV, where
the user can give out commands
such as increase the volume or
changing the channel without using
the remote control.
Disadvantages:
The ability for the computer system
to recognize the spoken words is
limited, as many other factors come
along the way acting as barrier
making the words more unclear
(accents, background noises, etc..)
Dialogue interface also requires the
user to know what commands are
understood by the computer
otherwise the system will not know
how to respond.
In addition, systems are not
intelligent enough to understand
simple requests.

Gesture based-interface:
Recognize human motion.
This could include tracking eyes and lips, identifying hand signals or
monitoring whole body measurement.
One of the many applications of this interface is gaming.
In addition, new smart phones have introduced this system as well!
Such as: a swipe of a hand across a screen may close a program, while
pinching fingers together may zoom out on an image.
 Gesture devices can be used as a form of interaction for some disabled
users. (Such as tracking the movement of an eye to control a computer
system).
However, accuracy is a big problem. The gesture device needs to
accurately interpret the movements made by the human user. (Tracking
individual fingers, arms, eyeballs and legs require highly accurate
cameras. This is why many gesture devices have sensors attached to
them to improve accuracy).

Command line interface:

1. Allows a user to enter text commands to which the computer system will
respond.
2. The computer system will respond by producing results in text format.
*They are useful in old systems as CLI use very little memory.
They are also useful for technical users who need to carry out complex
operations which cannot be performed using more user-friendly
interfaces.
1. CLI can be difficult to learn and use because users have to learn and
remember all the commands and errors are easily made when entering
commands.

Graphical user interface:

Windows An area on the screen devoted to a specific task.

Icons An image that is used to represent a program,file or

task. The icon can be selected to open a program.

Menus Words on the screen which represent a list of options

that can be expdanded into further sub-menus.

This is the method of representing movement from a

Pointers pointing device.
The pointer is used to select and manipulate objects
on the screen.

Complex GUIs require a lot of memory to operate but simpler GUIs can
be used where memory is limited.
It is commonplace to find simple web based GUIs for the maintenance
of some devices such as routers, switches and printers.
GUIs are easy to learn and use! Because commands are represented
by pictures and menus provide options that can be selected.
2. HOWEVER GUIs can be restrictive technically when a user
wants to carry out unusual tasks.

Evaluation:
- Color
- Layout
- Font size
- Quantity of information
Mental models
Utility software:
- System software that performs some sort of maintenance on the
computer system.
- Utility software does not include the operating system but an
operating system may come pre-installed with some utility software.
Anti virus

It deals with threats such as adware and spyware as well as viruses.

It continuously monitors the system for viruses and malware.
If it detects any unusual behaviour then it will prevent them from being executed so they cannot do any
damage to files or programs.
The second function it has to do, is check for any viruses and malware that may already be in the
system. <--- this is called scanning the system.
If any viruses or malwares were found, then the user is given two options by the anti virus software -
either ignore it or disinfect the affected area.
Meaning that it can eihter disinfect it - A function of anantivirus programwhich attempts to remove
and disinfect infections on thecomputer systemincludingviruses,wormsandTrojan horses.
Disinfection in antivirus programs may also detect and remove unwantedapplicationsas well.
The compromise is to put it into quarantine (this is a safe area where the virus or malware cannot be
executed but the data or program remains isolated until it can be chcked more throughouly.

Backup

Create a second copy of data and programs that are in storage.

A backup utility can be executed by the user,in which the backup process takes place when the user
asks it to, or it can be scheduled to execute at a predetermined time so that the backup take place
automatically.

Data compression

Reduces the original size of files so that they use up less storage space.

Disc defragmentation

Files are kept together in storage on the same cylinder or adjacent cylinders. (when opening file, the
access arm of the hard disc drive has to keep moving to different locations which makes opening the
file a slow process.

Custom written versus off the shelf software

 Custom written software: software that is written especially to meet
the requirements of a client.
Custom written software Off-the-shelf
Takes a long time to develop Immediately available
Requirements are met precisely with no Some tasks that the customer needs to ca
additional features! out may not be possible and there will be
of features that the customer never uses.
The developers of the software will ensure The software may not be compatible with
that the software is compatible with the existing hardware, software and data use
hardware, software and data used by the the computer
client.
It is likely that bugs will be found within the
The software will have been used by
software as it gets used by the client. thousands of customers and bugs will hav
been identified & fixed.
Off-the-shelf: general purpose software available to a large market.

Hardware: A physical component of a computer system.

Hardware can be internet or external.
Internal hardware devices:
- Central processing unit: the brain of a computer. It is the part of the
computer that carries out calculations, executes instructions and
processes data.
- It fetches instructions from memory and executes them. (performs
calculations and logical operations)
Motherboard:
- A printed circuit board which connects the main components of a
computer.

Translate source code into object code all at once in advance of

execution.
Compilers Object code is ready to be executed without delay.
Compiling can take a long time which is not appropiate for on the
fly testing.

Translates source code into object code one line at a time.

Source code can be translated into object code for more than
Interpreter one operating system.
Only the required code needs to be interpreted,so this is efficient
for on the fly testing
 - Such components can include universal serial bus (USB) ports, a
network port and an integrated graphics card.
- The motherboard will always include the main bus which is used to
transfer data between hardware components.

Random access memory:

- A memory that is used to store currently active programs and data.
- RAM is volatile, which means the content of the memory is lost if
there is no power to the RAM.

Read only memory:

- Some ROM stores the instructions to boot (start) the computer.
- It is permanent and non volatile, which means that when there is no
power so the computer, the contents of the ROM will be retained.

Graphics card
- A printed circuit board that connects to one of the motherboards
expansion slot.
- Its purpose is to generate the signals needed to display the
output image from the computer.
- Graphics cards can include a variety of options for output; standard
video graphics array (VGA) output to a monitor is achieved through
the RGB port which transmits red, green and blue signals to the
monitor in an analogue format.

Sound card
- Generate the signals needed to output sound from the
computer to a speaker.
LASER INKJET DOT MATRIX PLOTTER
QUITE SLOW
(because a much
FASTEST* Slower VERY SLOW
larger area needs t
be covered)
Very cheap but now
Twice the cost of an expensive, because
Cheapest* MOST EXPENSIVE
inject printer it is not massed
produced.
Cost per page is Inkjet cartilage can Very low as ink Same as inkjet
cheaper but toner vary but cheaper ribbon lasts longer* printer but of cours
cartilage is versions are per page costs are
expensive available from the higher since page
manufacturer size is larger (but
LED plotters are
 cheaper than inkje
printer)
Most are
All colors No colors Colors are available
monochrome
Quality is poor
Good quality but Same issues as
Highest Quality (bitmapped nature of
smudges inkjet
printing characters)
Letters, bulk Photographs,charts,s Architectural
ATMS, hot
printing, general mall maps, general drawings, large
environment, data
office and home office and home maps, canvas print
logging
printing printing and signs

Comparing storage devices

Main purpose is to store data or software.
Hard disk: cheapest cost per MB. (IN PC) REQUIRES CONSTANT
SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY//internal
Solid state: More expensive than HD per MB. (Laptop and tablet
computers) DOES NOT RQUIRE CONSTANT SOURCE OF POWER//
FASTER THAN HD//internal
Cloud: usually a subscription charge varies depending on the supplier.
(Collaboration with other users, backups, sharing of files and general
storage) RUNNING COSTS IS INCLUDED PER PACKAGE
Pen drive: Designed for portability and no cost per MB. (For
transferring data between devices) // portable