ICT: HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
UNIT 3 OUTCOME 1.2
Hardware and its uses
Computers are the main focus of hardware. although there are objects around computers which class as hardware. A few examples of hardware are:
- mouse's
- keyboards
- towers
- USB drives and many more.
To sum up hardware it is anything physical you can touch that is computer related. Hardware all interlinks with the computer and helps to perform its function and the job you wanting to do.
Types of software
Software is all the programmes you have your computer that causes the user to perform all of their tasks. There are thousands of different types of software but the majority that is used are the basics and the main software used in all ICT is Microsoft. These types of software can be:
- word processing
- power point
- database
- spread sheets
- internet
- and email
Examples of using software
The list above has mentioned the basics but to truly understand how to use them is to ask, what do we use them for?
To give an overview here are examples of using specific software:
word processing can be used for making documents such as letters, leaflets, posters and banners.
PowerPoint can be used for making slide shows and helping to get information across in short chunks. you can enhance PowerPoint by making it fun by using all the features in the programme such as animation and adding photos as well as live sound.
Databases can be used for making fact files and storing peoples information about them or customers to a company.
Spread sheets are used for calculating all of a companies financial needs by setting all of the data out onto one pages and can see the progress of a business such as the profit/loss and the budget that they have used.
The internet is the most famous and useable software for searching information out quickly and helping to spend money or help advertise a business.
Email is used for documents and information to be sent to a recipient of your choice. the information that you send is up to you.
Spreadsheet example
Word [processing example
Internet example
Advantages of ICT
quick to find records
documents can be enhanced by formatting (Adding cool headings)
easy to delete information (If you wanted it to be deleted)
files can be sent by email
information can be easily edited
information can be sorted
little or no space required to store high quantities of data
may be accessed by many people
passwords can be set
templates can be set up to save time
Disadvantages of ict
data is easy to lose
easy to delete information
may be accessed by many people
users require knowledge of programs
no access to data when system is down
viruses can be shared
the fine advantages: speed
Computers are much more speedier at logging you onto your desktop that it would to place all of you physical desktop of paper and pens.
Making and saving documents couldn't be quicker.
Finding personal details and information is quicker than going to libraries and looking through data stored from 20 years ago.
Advantages of editing
You can easily make documents to your advantage by making them look beautiful by editing.
You can make bug bold titles in different colours and fonts.
you make animations
you can make pictures change shape
you can add stuff in last minute as well as changing something that you don't like. Below is an example of changing boring text into something cool.