Chapter Six Objectives #4

What are the computer's main storage devices, and how can I evaluate whether they match my needs?

• There two main storage devices already in your computer the RAM and ROM. RAM, or random-access memory, is a form of temporary storage; anything that resides  in RAM is not stored permanently. So as you are working in a program the it is saving what you are writing. To save the document or information permanently you can click on save and then it will be sent to the hard drive or you ROM (read-only memory). ROM is great if you only use one computer to do all your work on; that way all you information is on the hard drive and in one place. There are a few external storage devices that can put into your computer to save information on. One newer device is called a USB, the USB is a device that you can plug into your modem and click on save. This will enable you to take your information with you to any computer and be able view it. It will also save all the information you put on it. This is great for people that use many different computes; but the down side is you can forget or lose the USB, or the device can damaged. A great new way to save information is the cloud. It is accessed through the Web and you can store everything on it. One great thing about the cloud is that no matter what computer you use, with internet access, you can access the cloud in turn your stored information. There are a couple downfalls, one is that you have to pay for each GB and the other is that others may be able to access your information.
• When looking for cloud provider I found SugarSync. The prices range, depending on how much storage you want to have.

                                   
                                    30 GB $4.99 / month or $49.99 / year
                                        

                                             60 GB $9.99 / month or $99.99 / year

                                             100 GB $14.99 / month or $149.99 / year

                                             250 GB $24.99 / month or $249.99 / year

                                            500 GB $39.99 / month or $399.99 / year

Windows 1985 to 2012 (Video)

    It is amazing how far we have come from 1985 to now 2012! Computers and their operating systems have changed so much. From the first Windows 1.01 Version in 1985 which ran on the first operating system, MS DOS; to now Windows 7. Windows 7 is the latest version of the Windows operating systems but is not the last, because just this year they came out with Windows 8. The graphics have definitely changed since 1985, they have become so much more real and three dimensional. Today's Windows OS has a lot more user friendly features; like drop down boxes, which tells the computers what to do instead of using codes to get a response. Another technological advancement in Windows from MS DOS is that now you can multitask on your computer. Instead of having to do one thing at a time, you can have several windows, programs, and Web pages open to help you accomplish tasks faster and more efficiently. The newer programs also allow a user to individualize their computers. They can add any application they need to complete the tasks they need to get done. Every time a new version came out it got better and more user friendly; from MS DOS to Windows 98 to now Windows 7. We have come along way since 1985 and I am glad we did. To deal with the graphics back then must have been a nightmare but it was still I great technological device and it has opened so many doors for new computers, notepads, and even cell phones.

Desktops Obsolete?

In a presentation in Dublin, Ireland in March 2010, Google sales chief Jim Haley stated that desktops would be irrelevant in three years (SiliconRepublic.com). Smartphones, notebooks, and the amount of information available online will converge to create a different kind of future than what we’ve known, according to Haley. Do you agree? Why or why not? What impact would that have on the types of hardware and software that are the most in demand?



     I agree with what Jim Haley, I believe that desktop computers will be eliminated in the future. The new technology today is more obtainable then it used to be. So everyone can afford these new devices and who doesnt want something that is portable.  Instead of sitting at your home you can be traveling or doing anything; and you will always have your access to the Web. You can find out anything at a touch of a buttin oin your phone, notepad, and ipod. Well i think that it would make the cost of desktop computers go down because nobody would want to purchase one. I also believe that it will make them come out with new devices that can be more portable (like the way they are charged). I think that there will be alot more applications available and alot more devices that we have never thought of.

Using System Software

1. What software is included in system software?

• System software is the set of programs that helps run the computer and coordinates instructions between application software and the computer's hardware devices. System software consists of two primary types of programs: the operating system and utility programs. The operating system (OS) is a group of programs that controls how your computer system functions. The operating system is responsible for the management, scheduling, and coordination of tasks; manages the computers hardware; and provides a consistent means for software applications to work with the CPU. System software also includes utility programs. A utility program is a small program that performs many of the general housekeeping tasks for the computer, such as system maintenance and file compression. (ex. diagnose a problem and recover files)

2. What are the different kinds of operating systems?

• Operating  systems can be categorized by the type of device in which they are installed, such as robots and specialized equipment, mainframes and network computers, mobile devices, and personal computers.
• Real-time operating systems (RTOS)
• Multiuser operating system (network operating systems)

3. What are the most common operating systems?

• The most common  operating systems are:
• Unix- multiuser/multitask OS
• MS-DOS (first OS) single user/single task needed to type specific commands
• Mac OS- first to incorporate a graphical user interface (GUI) and user friendly point-and-click technology
• Linux- open source OS designed for use on personal computers and as a network OS; it is freely available for developers to use or modify as thy wish

4. What is Jing?

• Jing is a free Web service that allows users to take screenshots/ images on the computer screen; when you take a screenshot you can add text to the image. You can select any window or region that you would like to record, and Jing will capture everything that happens in that area. From simple mouse movements to a narrated video. Jing can also help you create videos. These screenshots and videos are great for businesses and schools. Its great for students to ask  their teachers questions and show the teacher exactly where they are having the problem. in class we actually had something similar to this. We opened a file with a screenshot of a list of document files and were told to fill in the text boxes with what each area was called. I think this is great for schools to use in the classroom. Like the example I gave it  can help create study guides and even tests. I personally do not think I would use it, but  do think it is great idea!

Microsoft excel

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Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet program which allows someone to enter numerical values or data into the rows or columns of a spreadsheet, and to use these numerical entries for such things as calculations, graphs, and statistical analysis.

Three advantages to using excel are; it can store large amounts of data, analysis tools to help decipher the data, and perform sophisticated calculations that return the data that you need.

I use Microsoft Excel for many functions where I work. One thing we use it for is to keep track of the gift cards that we send out. this helps us to log the card ID number into the spreadsheet along with the customer or number and the amount of the card. This way if the gift card is lost or stolen in the mail, we can find the customers order number and find the gift card the gift card number and we will be able to cancel that card out of the system. This way if someone does use it we can know that it was not by the original customer. We also use it to keep log of every bodies numbers. At my work you have to obtain a certain amount of productivity and anything over the expected amount you receive a bonus. So, each day someone will log the numbers into the computer and calculate the amount of extra product that they were able to get out. Then dollar amount will be giving to human resource and the bonus money will be put into the persons check.

Microsoft Excel is a great way to create and organize a monthly budget or keep track of a business intake and output. Other students can use it to calculate anything or create graphs.

Medical laboratory technician

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