Computer Information - Technological Advancements

(For review & Help Obtaining Information about Computers)

This hub explains the following:

• Accuracy of data input is important. What method of data input would be best for each of the following situations and explain why:

Printed questionnaires, Telephone survey, Bank checks, Retail tags, Long documents

• Convenience and quality of output are important. Explain what method of output would be best for each of the following situations and explain why:

Hand held computer, Color photograph, Resume, Memorandum, Statistical report, Company annual report

• Different types of storage devices are optimal for different situations. Explain what situations are appropriate for the following devices and explain why:

Hard disk, Floppy disk, RAM, CD ROM, Tape, Flash or Jump Drive

• Explain the role of each of the following in determining the speed of a computer:

RAM, Clock speed, Data on hard disk, Data on CD ROM, Data on floppy disk

Computer Information - Technological Advancements

Technological advancements in computers benefit businesses and individuals alike. These developments have led to easier and more efficient ways to input, process, and review data. Old-fashioned monitors are being replaced with large LCD displays, and floppy disks have lost position to CD’s and flash drives. In the same way, the variety of input and output devices allows users to select the most effective tool for their needs. The speed of these functions, when performed on a computer, may increase or decrease depending on a variety of factors.

Computer Input Devices - Technological Advancements

Tools for input may include touch sensitive screens and radio-frequency identification tools. When a person wants quickly to evaluate printed questionnaires, OMR optical data readers are an effective selection. Another form of optical data reader, the OCR optical data reader is useful in scanning long documents, though some errors may occur. In personal use, people may simply copy and paste large documents from the Internet using a mouse or keyboard. In the business world, bank checks are read using MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) technology. “With MICR, data is placed on the bottom of a check or other form using special magnetic ink. Data printed with this ink using a special character set can be read by both people and computers” (Reynolds, Stair, 2006). Another familiar input tool is the bar-code scanner. Many shoppers would find it a difficult task if asked to locate an item without a bar code. The scanners are used to identify these items, and to send information like price and inventory to associated computers.

Computer Output Devices - Technological Advancements in Computer Output

Technology has also made favorable advances for output devices. For example, primitive computer monitors that took up almost an entire desktop have been replaced with thin liquid crystal displays. This screen type has also allowed for the progression of hand held devices. Smaller devices, like cell phones, use an output called organic light emitting diodes. “OLED’s are currently limited to use in cell phones, car radios, and digital cameras but might be used in computer displays – if the average display lifetime can be extended beyond the current 8,000 hours” (Reynolds & Stair, 2006). Users have also started to shift preferences in preferred output tools for many home and office needs. Printers were the preferred output tool for pictures, resumes, memorandums, and reports for decades. Now, display monitors of every variety are the preferred method for young people.

Computer Storage Devices - Technological Advancements

In the same way, the advancement of storage devices has allowed for smaller and more capable memory tools. Still, different types of storage devices are useful for various situations. A hard disk has enough room to store computer software and other items that are needed long term. RAM, or random access memory, is “the main memory of a computer in which data can be stored or retrieved from all locations at the same (usually very high) speed” (Ram’s, n.d.). RAM is convenient for all active projects; though users are wise to backup, their files on an external hard drive or jump drive. CD ROMs are still used to store software installation kits, and are a great way for companies to market their programs in stores. Flash drives are used to transfer information, projects, and pictures from one computer to another. At one time, floppy disks were used in a similar way, though they are now outdated. Tapes were used as music storage devices, though cars no longer come with tape players so CD’s and MP3 players are now the preferred storage method.

Technological Advancements in Computer Speed - What effects Computer Speed

Some storage devices can have an impact on computer speed. For example, if a computer user has too little RAM, or has too much stored on RAM, his computer will run more slowly. If a computer has a full hard disk, it may take the computer longer to process a request as information is being retrieved from the hard disk. Data on CD ROM’s or floppy disks have a similar effect. This can be confusing because ““in all cases, computer speed, memory and connection all play a party in data transfer speeds” (Network Solutions, 2007). While the information on these disks is being read, the computer may have more to process, therefore, stalling or slowing other programs. Still, these disks have no real effect on the speed of a computer.

Technological Advancements in Computers

Many changes to input and output devices have taken place over the last five years. Though optical reading devices were once needed to grade large numbers of computer tests, current software has made it possible to replace the pencil with a mouse and the printed report with a LCD monitor displaying student grades. In the same way, music stores quickly advanced from carrying records, to CD’s. Now, many stores are going out of business as consumers download music from their computers and store it on devices like MP3 players. Still, different situations require different varieties of input, output, and storage devices. A user must evaluate the capabilities of each option, and weigh the benefits of each against his needs.



References
Lawson, S (2009, May 6). Why IT should start throwing data away. Computerworld Inc., Retrieved July 22, 2009 from http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9132621/Why_IT_should_start_throwing_data_ away?taxonomyId=19
Network Solutions (2007). E-commerce: Storage devices. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from http://ecommerce.networksolutions.com/e-commerce_business_store_data.asp
Ram's. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.
Retrieved July 23, 2009, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Ram\'s