Unit 2: M1

Window XP	Mac OS
Functions:
Security
It uses firewall software which helps to protect the computer from viruses. There is also user accounts passwords protection as well to help protect personal information. Microsoft provides security essentials, which helps to protect the computer from threats. Although many computers have these, many are still hacked, creating a privacy problem.	Mac OS uses Gatekeeper, which makes the installation of apps much safer. They have security updates to help improve the computers security system. Time machine is a backup system that allows the user to go back to a version of a document even though it may have been edited. There is also ‘find my Mac’ which allows you to locate your device on a map if it is lost or stolen. Although there are all of these different software’s available to help to protect the computer, like windows many people’s computers are still being hacked.
Machine and peripheral management
The operating systems can control the computer, components and it also controls the peripherals e.g. keyboard and the mouse. An example of this is windows control the monitor by changing the resolution; this can be done, by setting the click speed using the mouse.	The peripherals in Macs are made specifically, so they have the advantage that they can do more. An example would be the keyboard and how it allows access to many features such as brightness and volume.
File management
This has its own programme called explorer.exe to help file management and allows the user to create, view, delete or edit files. Making it easier to organise the files.	Mac OS use finder, this has an icon for each file type and these files can be managed by the tree navigation system etc. Cover flow is also used allowing the user to see small thumbnails of the different documents. Mac OS is much more user friendly than windows.
Device drivers
A device driver which controls all programmes on the computer. However without this the programmes would be very difficult to install, and also allows communication with peripheral devices.	These device drivers are similar to the windows device drivers. Every time a new peripheral device is added, a new driver for the Mac must be installed first as there are no updates to change the programmes etc.
Features:
Ability to customize
You are able to easily change the backgrounds etc., this can be done by right clicking on the desk top to personalise the background with colours, images and own photos. This allows people to individualise their desktop, this can even help people to express themselves.	Similarly to Windows the desktop can be personalised on a Mac, however the Mac allows you to change the colours and font of folders on a Mac. This can allow people to make it easier to differentiate the information.
Support for connectivity of portable media
Once there is a new device is plugged in, options are provided on whether you want to import the files etc. on windows. This occurs each time a device is plugged in, the same options are provided.	When a device .g. a phone is plugged in, photos or music etc. are already imported and put into the appropriate files. Making it easier to arrange the files on the Mac.

Unit 2: task 3

Task 3

Different software utilities have different purposes, to help to keep the whole system running smoothly. Although if these software utilities were not there then problems may occur on the computer, therefore they are essential.

                                                                           

Virus protection is a very useful software utility, as it helps us keep our computer and all of its files safe. It is very easy to pick up a number of different viruses from websites which can cause damage if they are not removed. Viruses allow people to access your files which can be dangerous, if there are any important documents on the computer. There are different anti-virus software available e.g. Norton protection, which regularly scan the computer to detect any problems, if anything is found it is removed straight away.

Drive formatting is also a useful software utility, which can help if the computer is being overworked. It does this by allowing the user to strip the computer back to its factory format, removing files and software from the computer.  Although you are able to back this up on to a hard drive, if you want to either reinstall back on to the computer or transfer it to a different computer. You may want to dispose or give the computer away, by doing this it ensures that nobody can access your files etc. as everything has been removed from the computer. Therefore keeping your information private.

Clearing the internet history is another useful software utility. When we use a public computer for example in a library, at work or at school etc., all of the websites that have been visited will be visible to the next user, unless the internet history is cleared. For example you were logged into an online banking account, and then it is easy for the next user to access your personal information. Any cookies (trackers) that have been picked up whilst on this computer will also be cleared when the search history is cleared. By clearing the internet history, is better to keep your personal information confidential. 

unit 2: P2

An operating system is piece of software that manages the computer hardware resources and provides communication services for computer programs to run efficiently, e.g. windows, Linux and Mac common desktop operating systems.

Machine and peripheral management: you are able to control and change certain things on your computer, for example via the control panel you are able to add devices e.g. cameras, mobile phones etc. however you would probably have to download certain softwares to do this. Through the control panel you are also able to control things like brightness of the screen and the volume level.

Security: this is to protect the data etc that is on the computer. This also prevents unauthorised access to the computer, allowing the computer to detect viruses on websites. The security operating systems then remove the virus before it effects the computer files, otherwise this could be a problem for the computer.

File management: this handles the filing system, which consists of two parts:

• a set of files - these are saved on a secondary storage, these can be accessed directly or sequentially. The files have names, locations, size, type, time and date of creation.

• a directory structure - these provided information about the files stored on the secondary storage, this has information about what each file contains.

Device drivers: in an operating system these are pieces of technology that you are able to connect to your computer e.g. mobile phones and cameras etc. A software may have to be downloaded for the device to function properly when it has plugged into the computer, once this has been completed you will be able to connect the device anytime you wanted

 and this allows you to transfer pictures and videos etc. with ease.

unit 2 : P1

Backing storage

• Pen drive also known as a memory stick are one of the main backup resources that can be used in computers. It enables you to store anything, although they do have a limit. It also allows you to easily move data from the hard drive onto the pen drive, by plugging into the computer via the USB port which is connected to the motherboard, allowing it to communicate easily with the rest of the components.

                                               

• Hard drive is the computers’ main storage media device that permanently stores all data on the computer. Most are situated on the front of the computer, which is connected to the motherboard, it is connected via cables such as SATA and power cables, this enables it to communicate with the rest of the components with ease. There are internal and external hard drives, External hard drives can be plugged into the computer via the USB port which can act as back up for the computer.

                                                
Peripherals

• Printers use USB connections so they plug into the computer and the printer, however many printers are now wireless. The cable plugs into the USB port, which is located on the motherboard. The computer can detect and communicate with the components that the printer is connected, once it is connected you will be able to control it from the computer, allowing you to print effortlessly.

                                                    

• Scanners, known as an input device can be also plugged into the computer in the same way as a printer. It allows you to transfer photographs and images etc. from paper onto the computer, these can then be sent via email or other forms of communication. This connects with the motherboard via USB communicating with the necessary components which then will store the images in the internal memory.

                                                     

• Twisting pair cabling are used to block out electromagnetic interference from external sources. The two wires carry signals in different directions. The cable carries signals to other components in the device, this allows them to communicate with one and other more quickly, thereby making a better performance.

                                              

Internal system unit components:

• Specialised cards:

- Graphics cards allow you to make things much easier when working with computers e.g. a multi-monitor. This allows you to see more than one screen when using a computer, this can also help to improve graphics on certain programmes.
                                                 
                                   
- Network cards allow you to connect to the internet via a LAN cable.
Both of these cards are not necessary for the other components to function or communicate with each other, however it makes using a computer easier for the user.
                                            

• Ports USB: the ports on the computer allow external devices to be plugged into the computer such as a computer mouse or a memory stick to transfer data. They can found on both the back and front of the computer.

- Parallel ports are the out-dated version, so cables had to be used for transferring data e.g. printer.

- Serial ports have a wider range of data transferring devices e.g. mobile phones or remote control devices.

The difference between the two is that parallel ports can only transfer data in one direction, whereas serial ports can transfer in two directions. Therefore serial ports can communicate with the other components allowing the computer to send data to other devices.
                                                    

• Internal memory (RAM, ROM and cache): the internal memory of a computer contains some of the most important information needed for all of the components to run. The ROM (read only memory) contains data that cannot be edited e.g. a CD. RAM ( random access memory) can be found on the mother board inside the computer. If RAM was not there the computer would not work properly. Cache memory is a type of RAM, but the computer can access it more quickly. Without these storage devices the internal system unit components would not be able to access important data.

                                                  

• Power supply maintains all the power entering and leaving the computer in order to keep the right voltage. It works with the fans and cooling system in order to keep the computer cool. When the power supply is connected up with the other components, power is provided to the computer, the other components rely on the power supply for the computer to work. The power supply exchanges alternating current to direct current which is used by the components.

                                                     

• Fan and heat sink or cooling: The fan pushes cool air into the computer to prevent it from overheating. Water coolers also help to cool computers down. The main fan is on the processor unit because this is prone to overheating. Without the fan and cooling system the computer would overheat, resulting in the other components being unable to function efficiently. 

                                                      

• Hard drive configuration and controllers (SATA or IDE or EIDE): The hard drive is connected to the computer by two wires called IDE (integrated drive electronics) and SATA (serial advanced technology attachment), these are two of the most important wires in the computer, without them the hard drive would not be attached. The EIDE is just an enhanced version of IDE, this has a bigger storage mass and is up to four times quicker.

                                                        

• Processor: Also known as a CPU( central processing unit), this is a unit inside the computer which needs to be used and installed correctly in order for the computer to work. This helps carry out all of the main processes in the computer. It carries out the instructions of a programme and it processes the computers data while sharing this with other components and peripherals.

                                                        

• Motherboard is the component that connects all of the other components together in order to allow the computer to work. There are slots and ports on the mother board for cards e.g. graphic card cards and USB devices. The hard drive and CD-ROM are connected to other components via the motherboard.  

                                                        

• BIOS: this is the part that allows the computer user to diagnose problems quickly and efficiently, so without it there would be many things that you couldn't do. It is vital component needed to allow the computer with all of its components to work correctly.

                                                       

Task 8 -D2

Task 7 - D1

Task 7: D1

There have been different developments in printing/ output techniques:
· Vinyl cutters and laser cutters for signage.
· Inkjet & wide format printing for bitmap displays and posters.
· Laser printers for leaflets and flyers.
· 3D printing Vinyl cutters have had new developments to improve such thing as the quality of which it cuts. This effects sign making considerably due to an increase in precision of the cutting as well as how reliable it is for cutting at a high quality. Vinyl cutters can now create larger signs; this is useful for companies to advertise a product as it makes the signs more visible. The improvements of vinyl cutters has affected the graphics and has improved sign making results, there would be a high quality for the graphics that are printed onto the vinyl cut outs.

UV inkjet is where acrylic monomers are dropped onto the page and are then set by a UV light. Inkjet are the most commonly used printers, and their prices fall low as they develop fast so they become cheaper and easier to buy. However ink prices increase, costing considerable amount to replace ink cartridges. These developments have affected the creation of graphics as people can do this in their own home, as they have a good quality printer they are able to create high quality of graphics. Now with inkjet better quality graphics as they are clearer than before.

The developments in laser printing allow companies that produce laser printers, also they sell the printers cheaply and charge considerable amounts for ink etc. they have developed the printer so it can now print onto card, by developing what thickness of paper can be accepted by the printers. There is now developments in the amount of page printed per minute; this is very useful for the bigger companies who print a large amount each day. These have affected the production of graphics as the laser printing allows people to produce high quality graphics in their own home for a sensible price.　

Developments in printers can produce large display board size images. Another development in printers is that the ink is weatherproof, which enables this to be use for posters and billboards etc. Wide format printers use the ink to produce much clearer signs etc. The printers also have a faster drying time and banding is no longer a problem. All of these developments have affected the creation of graphics as they can now create large scale graphics more easily and to a high quality so it does not have a bitmap quality. Also allowing companies an easy way to produce display boards.

The new developments in laser technology are the wavelength bands, so they can be used at various wavelengths. Also the cost of these laser cutters decreases as more developments are made. 3D printers work by layers of materials being laid down in different shapes with the use of lasers. We have recently started using 3D printers so there will be further developments in the future. This will alter the price and they will be a common object in households. The development of 3D printers and laser cutters has affected the creation of graphics by providing a way to turn a graphic on the screen into a real 3D object or a printed image.

Task 6 - p6

Task 6: 　P6

There can be a number of legal pitfalls which can occur when editing graphics, e.g. someone creates a digital graphic, they would have to copyright this graphic otherwise others could use it. It is important to do this as if someone else tried to use the graphic, or change it then they are breaching the copyright agreement. This is illegal and could result in different consequences such as fines. If a graphic is distributed under a license that allows modification, then you are allowed to modify the image and use it for your own use as long as they abide the terms and conditions of this license e.g. that the image is not allowed to be used for marketing a product, or it is allowed to be released into the public domain. If these terms and conditions are broken then there will be consequences. If you want to use a graphic or an image that has copyright, then you must ask the creator for permission to do so. There are copyright free images; these are the images such as those on Google. However the use a graphic which has copyright may come at a price as the creator may want a sum of money before you are allowed to use the image. With photography the same law applies e.g. when the picture has been taken, the photographer can ask for the person to sign a model release form. This allows them to reuse the images, e.g. for marketing purposes. However they are unable to use the images without the permission form. If the images were used without the persons consent, then this could result in a law suit and the photographer being sued for a large amount to money.


Intellectual property is about ownerships of creative works, for example a company hires a designer to produce an image, they will have the intellectual property of that image as they are paying the designer for the image. However if a designer made the image in their own time, then they would have the intellectual property. That person would then have the right to sell that image to different companies, but once the image is sold, then the rights are passed onto the new owners. There are legal pitfalls, leading to issues such as fines etc.


Trademark is a sign used by businesses and companies etc, this trademark protects the product, making it illegal for other companies to copy it. The company with the trademark can take legal action against the company producing the copies, resulting in consequences to the owners if they are found guilty to false advertising or to offensive advertising. Trademark has legal pitfalls like copyright and intellectual property, which can lead to fine, loss of businesses and law suits.