computer essentials 6-7

Primary Storage

Before data can be processed or a program can be run, it must be in RAM. RAM is sometimes referred to as this.

Secondary Storage

Provides permanent or nonvolatile storage.

Secondary Storage Devices

Such as a hard-disk drive, data and programs can be retained after the computer has been shut off. This is accomplished by writing files to and reading files from these.

Media

Important part of secondary storage. The actual physical material that holds the data and programs.

Capacity

Important part of secondary storage. Measures how much a particular storage medium can hold

Storage Devices

Important part of secondary storage. Hardware that reads data and programs from storage media. Most also write to storage media

Access Speed

Important part of secondary storage. Measures the amount of time required by the storage device to retrieve data and programs.

Density

Refers to how tightly charges can be packed next to one another on the disk.

Hard Disks

Store and organize files using tracks, sectors, and cylinders. Use platters that are stacked one on top of another

Tracks

Rings of concentric circles without visible grooves.

Sectors

Each track is divided into invisible wedge-shaped sections called this.

Cylinder

Runs through each track of a stack of platters. These are necessary to differentiate files stored on the same track and sector of different platters.

Head Crash

Occurs when a read/write head makes contact with the hard disk’s surface or with particles on its surface. This is a disaster for a hard disk. Some or all of the data is destroyed.

Internal Hard Disk

Located inside the system unit. These hard disks are able to store and retrieve large quantities of information quickly. They are used to store programs and data files

External Hard Disk

Use the same basic technology as internal hard disks an are used primarily to complement an internal hard disk. Used to protect or secure sensitive information.

Disk Caching

Improves hard-disk performance by anticipating data needs. It performs a function similar to cache memory.

Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks/RAID

Improves performance by expanding external storage, improving access speed, and providing reliable storage. Raid is often used by Internet servers and large organizations.

File Compression/File Decompression

Increase storage capacity by reducing the amount of space required to store data and programs. One of these is not limited to hard-disks systems.

Optical Discs

Can hold over 100 gigabytes of data. These have a great impact on storage today, but we are probably only beginning to see their effects.

Lands

Flat areas when reflected light is used on an optical disk

Pits

Bumpy areas when reflected light is used on an optical disk

Optical Disc Drive

Optical Disks are read by this using a laser that projects a tiny beam of light on these areas.

Compact Disc/CD

Most widely used optical format. These are standard on many microcomputer systems. Can typically store 700 MB of data on one side of this.

CD-ROM/Compact-Disc-Read-Only Memory

Is similar to a commercial music CD. This means it cannot be written on or erased by the user. Thus you have access to only the data imprinted by the publisher.

CD-R/Compact Disc-Recordable

Can be written to once. After that it can be read many times without deterioration but cannot be written on or erased.

CD-RW/Compact Disc-Rewritable

Also known as erasable optical discs. These discs are very similar to CD-Rs except that the disc surface is not permanently altered when data is recorded. These are often used to create and edit multimedia presentations.

DVD/Digital Versatile Disc

This has replaced CDs as the standard optical disc. These are similar to CDs except that more data can be packed into the same amount of space. These can store 4.7 GB on one side of a Discs.

DVD-ROM/Digital Versatile Disc-Read Only Memory

These drives are also known as DVD Players. These are having a major impact on the video market. While CD-ROM’s are effective for distributing music, they can only contain just over an hour of fair-quality video.

DVD+R/DVD Recordable

Both write-once formats. Each has a slightly different way in which it formats its discs. Fortunately, most new DVD players can use either format.

DVD+RW/Rewritable,DVD-RW/Rewritable,DVD-RAM/Random-Access Memory

Each format has a unique way of storing data. Unfortunately, older DVD players typically can read only one type of format. Newer DVD players, however, are able to read and use any of the formats.

Hi Def/high definition

Next generation of optical disc is called this.

Blu-Ray Disc

The Hi Def standard is this. The name comes from the blue-colored laser that is used to read the disc

Solid-State Storage

These have no moving parts. Data an info are stored and retrieved electronically directly from these devices much as they would be from conventional computer memory. Designed to be connected inside a microcomputer system the same way an internal hard disk would be but contain this instead of magnetic disks to store data.

Flash Memory Cards

Small solid-state storage devices widely used in portable devices. Some of the cards are used within devices such as smartphones, digital media players, and GPS navigation systems.

USB/Flash Drives

Are so compact that they can be transported on a key ring. These drives conveniently connect directly to a computer’s USB port to transfer files and can have capacities ranging from 1 GB to 256 GB, with a broad price range to match.

Mass Storage

Refers to the tremendous amount of secondary storage required by large organizations.

Mass Storage Devices

Specialized high-capacity secondary storage devices designed to meet organizational demands for data.

Enterprise Storage System

Most large organizations have established a strategy called this. It promotes efficient and safe use of data across the networks within their organizations.

File Servers

One of the mass storage devices that support ESS. Dedicated computers with very large storage capacities that provide users access to fast storage and retrieval.

Network Attached Storage/NAS

One of the mass storage devices that support ESS. Similar to a file server except simpler and less expensive widely sued for home and small business storage needs.

RAID Systems

One of the mass storage devices that support ESS. Larger versions of the specialized devices discussed erleier in this chapter that enhance organizational security by constantly making backup copies of files moving across the organizations.

Tape Library

One of the mass storage devices that support ESS. Device that provides automatic access to data archive on a library of tapes

Organizational Cloud Storage

One of the mass storage devices that support ESS. High-speed Internet connection to a dedicated remote organizational cloud storage server.

Storage Area Network/SAN

An architecture to line remote computer storage devices, such as Enterprise storage systems, to computers such that the devices are as available as locally attached drives. In this system, the user’s computer provides the file system for storing data, but this provides the disk space for data.

Disaster Recovery Specialists

Responsible for recovering systems and data after a disaster strikes an organization. in addition, they often create plans to prevent and prepare for such disasters.

External hard disks use different technology than internal hard disks.

False

RAID connects several inexpensive hard-disk drives to one another.

True

Disk caching improves hard-disk performance by compressing files.

False

The process of saving information to a secondary storage device is referred to as embedding.

False

One way to improve the storage capacity of a hard disk is to _______.

use file compression

What is it called when servers on the Internet supply applications as a service, rather than a product?

Cloud computing\

On a hard disk each track is divided into invisible wedge-shaped sections called _______.

Sectors

All of the following are true of DVD-ROM drives except:

They are also known as erasable optical discs.

Which of these is not a mass storage device?

They are also known as erasable optical discs.

A CD-RW disc _______.

can be erased and rewritten

Which of the following characteristics about RAID is incorrect?

one high-capacity hard disk drive

Three ways to improve the performance of a hard disk include _______.

disk caching, RAID, and file compression

This process improves system performance by acting as a temporary high-speed holding area between a secondary storage device and the CPU.

Disk caching

Which of the following is not an example of secondary storage?

RAM

File servers are appropriate devices to use in an enterprise storage system.

True

Blu-ray discs are the high definition standard and have a far greater capacity than DVDs.

True

Facebook is an example of cloud storage.

False

Hard disks store and organize files using all the following, except _______.

Paths

This allows you to upload and store documents on the Internet.

Cloud Storage

Which of these is not an example of solid state storage?

Digital versatile disc

In order to access your documents and files that are stored in the cloud, you must have an Internet connection.

True

Media are the actual physical material that holds the data and programs.

True

DVDs have replaced CDs as the standard optical disc.

True

Mass storage devices are specialized high-capacity secondary storage devices designed to store large amounts of data for an organization.

True

Secondary storage provides temporary or volatile storage.

False

Storage that retains its data after the power is turned off is referred to as _______.

nonvolatile storage

Solid-state storage devices are different than hard disks in that they _______.

have no moving parts

An external hard disk _______.

usually connects to a USB or Thunderbolt port

These discs have a capacity of 50 gigabytes on one side.

Blu-Ray

Which of the following is true about an internal hard disk?

Fixed amount of storage

The _______ of a secondary storage device indicates how much data the storage medium can hold.

Capacity

The standard for high definition optical discs is _______.

Blu-ray

File compression is only available on hard disk drives.

False

The hard disk’s disk surface is scratched and some or all of the data is destroyed when there is a _______.

head crash

The process of accessing information from secondary storage devices is referred to as _______.

reading

A hard crash typically occurs on an optical disk when it makes contact with particles on its surface.

False

If you have used Google Docs to create a word processing document, you have used cloud computing.

True

External hard drives are used primarily to complement an internal hard disk.

True

Optical discs use these to represent data.

Pits and lands

CD-ROMs are often used to archive data and to record music downloaded from the Internet.

True

Disk caching uses a combination of hardware and software.

True

Hard disks store and organize files using all of the following, except _.

Paths

Which of the following is true about an internal hard disk?

Variable amount of storage.

On a hard disk, each track is divided into visible wedge-shaped sections called -.

Sectors

The hard disk’s surface is scratched and some or all of the data is destroyed when there is a -.

Head Crash

Which of the following is not an example of secondary storage?

RAM

An external hard disk -.

Usually, connects to a USB or Thunderbolt port.

Storage that retains its data after the power is turned off is referred to as -.

Nonvolatile Storage

The process of accessing information from secondary storage devices is referred to as -.

Reading

The – of a secondary storage device indicates how much data the storage medium can hold.

Capacity

Which of the following measures the amount of time required by the storage device to retrieve data and programs?

Access Speed

One way to improve the storage capacity of a hard disk is to -.

Use file compression.

This process improves system performance by acting as a temporary high-speed holding area between a secondary storage device and the CPU.

Disk Caching

Which of the following characteristics about RAID is incorrect?

One high-capacity hard disk drive.

Three ways to improve the performance of a hard disk include -.

Disk caching, RAID, and file compression.

Which of these is not an example of solid state storage?

Digital versatile disc.

Smartphones use which of these storage technologies?

Flash memory card.

Optical discs use these to represent data.

Pits and lands.

A CD-PW disc -.

Can be erased and rewritten.

All of the following are true of DVD-ROM drives except:

They are known as erasable optical discs.

The large capacity, high-definition optical discs designed to store hi-def video and video games are -.

Blue-ray

These discs have a capacity of 50 gigabytes on one side.

Blue-ray

Solid-state storage devices are different than hard discs in that they -.

Have no moving parts.

What is it called when servers on the Internet supply applications as a service, rather than a product?

Cloud computing.

This allows you to upload and store documents on the Internet.

Cloud storage.

Which of these is not a mass storage device?

Optical disc.

function keys

shortcuts for specific tasks

QWERTY

an arrangement of keys on a keyboard

traditional keyboards

full-size keyboard widely used on desktops and larger computers

combination keys

perform an action when held down in combination with another key, Ctrl key

laptop keyboards

smaller than traditional keyboards and are widely used on laptops

virtual keyboards

used primarily with mobile devices and tablets

thumb keyboards

used on smartphones and other small devices

optical mouse

most widely used, emits and senses light to detect mouse movements

mechanical mouse

traditional mouse, mouse that plugs directly into a port

cordless or wireless mouse

use radio waves or infrared light waves to communicate with the system unit

multitouch screen

can be touched with more than one finger

stylus

a penlike device typically used with tablets and mobile devices

optical scanner (scanner)

accepts documents consisting of text or images and convert them to machine readable form

card reader

interpret encoded information

bar code readers

contain photoelectric cells that scan bar codes, or the the tag on product containers

RFID radio frequency identification readers

tiny chips that can be embedded in almost anything, these chips contain electronically stored information that can be rad by a reader

character and mark recognition device

ability to recognize special characters

MICR magnetic ink character recognition

used by banks to automatically to read the number on the bottom of checks and deposit slips

OCR optical character recognition

use special preprinted character that can be read by light source and changed it a machine readable code

OMR optical mark recognition

senses the presence or absence of a mark, such as a pencil mark

Resolution monitor clarity feature

one of the most important features

Dot pitch (pixel)

the distance between each pixel, newer monitors use this

contrast ratio

indicates a monitors ability to display images

size or active display area

measured by the diagonal length of a monitors viewing area

aspect ratio

indicates the proportional relationship between a displays weight and height

flat panel monitor

are most widely used, thinner, portable and require less power

E-book reader

traditional printed books in electronic format

digital or interactive whiteboards

specialized devices with a larger display connected to a computer or projector

HDTV high definition television

delivers a much clearer and more detailed wide screen picture than regular tv

CRT cathode ray tubes

similiar in size and technology to older televisions, they have been replaced by flat panel monitors, serious threat to environment

printer output

often called a hard copy

resolution/DPI dots per inch

how printer resolution is measured, the higher the dpi the better quality

color printer feature

provided by most printers today, users get the option to print in black and white or color

Speed/PPM pages per minute

measured by the number of pages printed per minute

memory printer feature

used to store printing instructions and documents waiting to be printed

duplex printing

automatic printing on both sides of a sheet of paper

injet printers

spray ink at high speed onto the surface of paper

laser printer

use a laser light beam to produce images with excellent letter and graphics quality

cloud printers

printers connected to the internet that provide printing services

thermal printing

use heat elements to produce images

plotters

special-purpose printers for a producing a wide range of specialized output

Voice over IP VoIP

set of standards or technologies that support voice and other types of communication over the internet

ergonomics

study of human factors related to things people use, concerned with fitting the task to the user rather than forcing user to contort to do the task

_______ is any data or instructions that are used by a computer.

Select one:
a. Digital
b. Output
c. Information
d. Input

d. Input

The arrangement of keys on a keyboard, QWERTY reflects the keyboard layout by _______.

Select one:
a. representing the phonetics of the alphabets most closely associated with the keyboard
b. taking the letters of the first six alphabetic characters found on the top row of keys
c. using the alphabetic characters most frequently used on the keyboard
d. using the letters of the alphabetic characters that are closest to access while typing

b. taking the letters of the first six alphabetic characters found on the top row of keys

Keyboards that are widely used on various smartphones and other small portable devices, and which are designed primarily for communicating via texting and connecting to the Web.

Select one:
a. Thumb
b. Traditional
c. Notebook
d. Combination

a. Thumb

Type of keyboard that uses a touch screen as the input device.

Select one:
a. PDA
b. Wireless
c. Traditional
d. Virtual

d. Virtual

A keyboard key, like Caps Lock, that turns a feature on or off is called a _______ key.

Select one:
a. power
b. toggle
c. function
d. combination

b. toggle

This type of mouse emits and senses light to detect mouse movement.

Select one:
a. Mechanical
b. Cordless
c. Wireless
d. Optical

d. Optical

The study of human factors related to things people use.

Select one:
a. Headgear
b. RSI
c. Technical study
d. Ergonomics

d. Ergonomics

These screens can be touched with more than one finger, which allows for interactions such as rotating graphical objects on the screen with your hand or zooming in and out by pinching and stretching your fingers.

Select one:
a. Touch
b. CRT
c. Multitouch
d. LCD

c. Multitouch

Which of the following is not a type of scanning device?

Select one:
a. Optical scanner
b. Bar code reader
c. Stylus
d. Character and mark recognition

c. Stylus

Bar code readers use _______ embedded in them to read bar codes.

Select one:
a. coprocessors
b. magnetic cells
c. RFID microchip
d. photoelectric cells

d. photoelectric cells

This reading device is used in banks to read the numbers on the bottom of checks and deposit slips.

Select one:
a. MICR
b. OCR
c. OMR
d. UPC

a. MICR

Which of the following types of character recognition systems is used for standardized multiple-choice testing?

Select one:
a. UPC
b. MICR
c. OMR
d. OCR

c. OMR

OMR, OCR, and MICR are all types of _______.

Select one:
a. Radio Frequency Card Readers
b. magnetic card readers
c. bar code readers
d. character and mark recognition devices

d. character and mark recognition devices

_______-input devices convert sounds into a form that can be processed by the system unit.

Select one:
a. Electrolyzing
b. Plotting
c. Webcam
d. Audio

d. Audio

The most widely used audio-input device is the _______.

Select one:
a. Webcam
b. radio frequency card reader
c. microphone
d. stylus

c. microphone

The series of dots that form the image on a monitor are called _______.

Select one:
a. picas
b. bits
c. pixels
d. bytes

c. pixels

The distance between each pixel.

Select one:
a. Dot pitch
b. Refresh rate
c. Resolution
d. Word size

a. Dot pitch

The size, or _______, is measured by the diagonal length of a monitor’s viewing area.

Select one:
a. resolution
b. active display area
c. aspect ratio
d. dot pitch

b. active display area

The proportional relationship between a display’s width and height.

Select one:
a. Aspect ratio
b. Resolution
c. Dot pitch
d. Clock speed

a. Aspect ratio

A dedicated, mobile device for storing and displaying e-books and other electronic media including electronic newspapers and magazines.

Select one:
a. E-book reader
b. Interactive whiteboard
c. HDTV
d. Flat panel monitor

a. E-book reader

Specialized devices with a large display connected to a computer projector and are widely used in classrooms and corporate boardrooms.

Select one:
a. Scanners
b. HDTV
c. E-books
d. Digital or interactive whiteboards

d. Digital or interactive whiteboards

What kind of specialized monitor is especially useful for graphic artists, designers, and publishers?

Select one:
a. Flat-panel monitor
b. CRT monitor
c. High-definition television (HDTV)
d. E-book

c. High-definition television (HDTV)

Which of the following statements is incorrect?

Select one:
a. Printer resolution is measured in dpi (dots per inch).
b. Printer output is often called hard copy.
c. Memory within a printer is used to store printing instructions and documents waiting to be printed.
d. Printer speed is measured in the number of words printed per minute.

d. Printer speed is measured in the number of words printed per minute.

Two categories of laser printers are _______.

Select one:
a. thermal and personal
b. personal and shared
c. ink-jet and high-definition
d. active-matrix and passive matrix

b. personal and shared

Which of the following printer features enables you to print on both sides of a sheet of paper?

Select one:
a. Simplex
b. Duplex
c. Resolution
d. Dual Matrix

b. Duplex

Printers connected to the Internet that provide printing services to others on the Internet are called _______.

Select one:
a. dot-matrix printers
b. thermal printers
c. plotters
d. cloud printers

d. cloud printers

The most widely used audio-output devices.

Select one:
a. microphones
b. speakers and headsets
c. cloud printers
d. faxes

c. cloud printers

Which of the following allows the transmission of telephone calls over computer networks?

Select one:
a. Faxing
b. Cell phones
c. PDAs
d. Voice over IP

d. Voice over IP

The most widely used input devices are monitors, printers, and keyboards.

Select one:
True
False

False

Function keys provide shortcuts for specific tasks.

Select one:
True
False

True

An optical mouse uses light in order to detect movement.

Select one:
True
False

True

A touch screen is classified as a special type of scanning device.

Select one:
True
False

False

A stylus uses pressure to draw images on a screen.

Select one:
True
False

True

Multitouch screens allow for interaction such as rotating graphical objects on the screen with your hand.

Select one:
True
False

True

Optical scanners recognize individual letters or images.

Select one:
True
False

False

A magnetic card reader does not require the card to actually make contact with the reader.

Select one:
True
False

False

An MICR device senses the presence or absence of a mark, such as a pencil mark.

Select one:
True
False

False

The monitor size is measured by the diagonal length of the viewing area.

Select one:
True
False

True

Output devices are any hardware used to provide or to create output.

Select one:
True
False

True

3-D HDTV requires special viewing glasses in order to achieve a three-dimensional viewing experience.

Select one:
True
False

True

Digital or interactive whiteboards display a computer’s desktop and can be controlled using a special pen or a finger.

Select one:
True
False

True

Discarded CRTs are a serious threat to the environment, given their high content levels of lead and other hazardous materials.

Select one:
True
False

True

Resolution for a printer is a measure of the clarity of images produced, measured in dpi (dots per inch).

Select one:
True
False

True

Shared laser printers typically support color, are more expensive, and are used by a group of people.

Select one:
True
False

True

Cloud printers provide printing services to users without access to the Internet.

Select one:
True
False

False

Thermal printers use heat elements to produce images on heat-sensitive paper and are used at ATMs and gasoline pumps.

Select one:
True
False

True

Wireless audio-output connections typically use Bluetooth technology.

Select one:
True
False

True

MFDs are used to capture as well as play back recorded sounds.

Select one:
True
False

False

Telephony, also known as Internet telephony, is the VoIP application that uses the Internet rather than traditional telephone lines to support voice communication.

Select one:
True
False

True

Skype provides audio and video service that requires the installation of special hardware and software.

Select one:
True
False

False