These are devices that send data to a computer, such as:

Keyboard- Sends the corresponding key pressed by the user to the computer

Mouse- Sends movement to the computer to move the mouse

Ethernet cable- Sends information from the internet to the computer

Controller- Sends the instructions of the corresponding button to the device 

Output devices- 

These are devices that output the information proccesed by the computer, for example: 

Monitors- These display visuals and sometimes sound from the device 

TV’s – These display visuals and sound from the device 

Speakers- These play sound from the device 

VR goggles – These display visuals from the device 

These are devices and pieces of hardware, in which, data is stored. These can store data in several different ways, such as on a disk within hard drive or in the floating gates of a  flash drive. However, such devices are becoming less prevalent with the internet and cloud based storage. They are both input and output devices

Manual- some manual examples include: keying in email and phone orders, entering details from a paper form, processing sales and entering/collecting survey responses

Automatic- automatic data processing is processing or collective of data carried out by a computer, with little human input. Some examples include: satellites, atm transactions, bitcoin mining and smart meters.

Accessibility devices

These are devices that provide alternative input and output sources that are not always available. Often utilized by the disabled. Some examples include: voice or speech recognition, screen readers, touch screens, eye motion/ head trackers and 

screen magnifiers. 

Characteristics and implications of storage media used to form part of an IT system

Storage devices such as usb drives, DVD’s and external hard drives are often used by individuals, while businesses often use servers. A system called RAID (redundant array of independent disks) is often used, which allows data to be spread across many discs.

Types of operating systems

This is the platform which allows software to be ran, windows being the most common. There are several types of OS’s including- real time operating systems, these process data in real time. Single user single task, these can only run one user application at once. Single user multi tasking, these allow several application to run at the same time. Multi user, these allow several users to operate the same or different software at once. 

The role of the operating system

Networking, a networking operating system allows access to resources and devices on a network, including task such as printing and file backing up. Security, these check for attacks to the system. They analyze data to form intelligence about the it systems health to protect from cyber attacks. Memory management, operating systems require memory to run and would fail with insufficient amounts. Multi tasking, modern PCs can performs many tasks at once, such as scanning for viruses while playing music and researching online, while being provided with system info, such as battery charge remaining. Device drivers, these manage peripheral devices by using a driver to link the peripheral to the computer. 

Factors affecting user interface choice

Graphical, (GUI’s) these allow users to operate a computer through visual icons, yet this uses more memory and power than other ways but needs no knowledge of command sto use. Command line, this is when a computer is operated by the input of text, being able to operate on low spec computer but requiring the user to have a knowledge of commands. Menu based, these require less memory then GUI’s he require user knowledge. 

Factors affecting choice of an operating system

Many people would like to use more than one application at a time, which is feasible due to the increasing power of phones and computers. The OS should be chosen depending on the needs of the user, with a casual user’s best option being an easy to use GUI, while a more dedicated user may use a command line based OS.

Factors affecting use and performance of an operating system

The amount of data being used at one will affect this, as will the processing power of the computer used.

Utility software

The purpose of this is to undertake routine tasks, such as: security tests, virus identification and removal, backing up data and downloading software updates. Factors affecting the choice of this software include: bandwidth, conflict with other software, memory failures and what the user wants from the software.

Application software

This allows users to interact with digital devices and perform many functions. Some examples of this are Microsoft world and python. Businesses also use application software, such as in the farming industry, where software is used to manage harvesting, sorting, cleaning and packaging produce. The factors that affect its use are: what the user want the software to do, familiarity with the software and its system requirements.

Open source and proprietary operating systems and software 

The source code behind all systems and software is either open source or proprietary. Open source, this is a collaborative effort where a programmer contributes to the programming, which is then peer reviewed for testing and to see if it functions correctly. The defining feature is that the code is open for use by all, also being free. Proprietary code is privately owned an software using it needs to be purchased. It is often used by businesses like Microsoft and apple, often being produced by multiple employees of said company, instead of there only being one coder like in open source code. Due to the developers having sole control over the code, they can identify issues with in and send out patches to fix the issues.

The impact and features of user interfaces in computer software

User interfaces are the front facing link between the computer and humans operating it. They have been revolutionized by GUI’s which no longer require the input of code and make computers easily accessible. This means there are increasing levels of technological skills without the need of training and allows users or are disabled to user computers  with ease.

The features of common file types and formats

File types help the computer determine which software is associated with that file. File types are automatically assigned to files by the computer. Some image file names include: .jpg, .tif and .gif. Some commons video file types are: .mov, .avi and .mp4.

Use and selection of file types and formats

The method for storing s file depends on the type of file it is. Some examples of are: Bitmap, this Microsoft Windows associated file does not lose quality or resolution, yet results in large file sizes. JPEG can be opened in most software applications, the file takes up less memory due to the file being compressed, yet the image quality is not the best. Tiff, these retain the high quality of the image, however is not compatible with many types of software and so has limited use. MP3 files only contain audio p, while MP4 files contain both sound and audio of good quality. However, the fact that these are not protected file types can mean they are vulnerable to piracy.

The concepts and implications of how emerging technologies affect the performance of IT systems

Emerging technology can affect IT systems, putting demands on current systems. An example of this would be how the launch of streaming media from many organizations has put more strain on an already saturated infrastructure. Other ways in which it impacts the performance of IT systems include: technology is always expected to be on, the cost of emerging technologies and the equipment needed to run electric devices.

Implications of emerging technologies on the personal use of IT systems

Benefits of this are: keeping in touch with family and friends, instant access to world news, tv programs, films and music, multiple functions within a single digital device and the ability to store thousands of high quality photos with ease.

Implications of emerging technologies on the use of IT systems in organizations 

It has allowed businesses to source supplies globally, as opposed to only in the local area. Products can also be sold and marketed internationally, however it has become easy for a business to be burdened with the high costs of maintaining technology, accommodating expensive equipment and training staff to use technology. It has also allowed the use of computers in jobs that could be hazardous to humans, such as mining or working in a radiated zone such as Chernobyl.

 

Since the year 2000, internet usage across the planet has increased from 360 million to over 3.75 billion. The Internet provides services for nearly everything we need, however some people can take advantage of this and conduct fraud.

Financial services are regulated by the financial conduct authority (FCA) and prudent regulation authority (PRA)

IS FRAUD THE ONLY PROBLEM? OR PERHAPS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WE FACE THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGY? WHAT OTHER 'SOCIAL' ISSUES WILL THE WORLD FACE AS TECH DEVELOPS?

Definitions-
QR- quick response, a 3D bar code that takes scanners to a site.

CRM- customer relationship management system

MIS- management information system

SAP- systems, applications and products in a data processing system

Data cleansing- checking data for accuracy, currency and completeness

Data verification- checking data against original source to find inaccuracies

Data validation- checks if the data makes sense and is reasonable 

Qualitative data- based on categories, eg hair colour 

Quantitative- based on numerical data, eg height

CSV- comma separated values is a file type which stores records in a line and presents data in plain text, each field being separated by a comma.
EPOS- Electronic point of service,