BTA Unit 1 Notes
A) Computer Hardware
Computer Peripherals:
Hardware outside (or accessible outside) the computer
Devices Inside The Computer
B) Comparing Operating Systems
What does an operating system do?
√
√
√
√
BTA Unit 1 Notes
Windows Mac OS Unix Linux
F
E
A
T
U
R
E
S
G
O
O
D
B
A
D
*gui = graphical user interface (pictures)* icon = pictures representing a program
C) Ergonomics
People that work with computers are subject to RSIs
RSIs =
Repeated physical movements (like keying and using a mouse) cause damage to
tendons, nerves, muscles.
The most common RSI is _________________________________, but common
ailments are ___________________________________________.
Ergonomic experts study people and their environments.
To combat these problems:
Chairs:
Desks:
Keyboard Mouse:
Monitor:
BTA Unit 1 Notes
Radiation:
√ Computer screens & cell phones emit________________
√ which may be cancer causing.
√ There the concern is greatest for pregnant women.
√ There is no _____________________on this issue, but there is international concern.
√ the greatest concern appears to be with _______________.
D) Types of Computer Networks
This article describes the two types of computer networks most widely used today. By
definition a network is simply two or more computers communicating with each other.
Some networks are rather simple and easy to set up while others are much more
complex and will require the help of a trained professional.
_______________________________________________: these networks can consist
of anywhere from two to thousands of computers. Even a simple network of one
computer connected to one printer can be considered a LAN.
_______________________________________________are very large networks of
computers. These networks span large geographical areas, generally covering a couple
miles, sometimes connecting computers thousands of miles apart. A WAN can also be a
collection of LANs, bringing together many smaller networks into one large network. A
WAN can constitute a very large corporate or government network, spanning the country
or even the world. In fact, the Internet is the largest and most common WAN in
existence today.
___________________________: probably the most common LAN types used by
companies today, they are called "client/server" because they consist of the server
(which stores the files or runs applications) and the client machines, which are the
computers used by workers. Using a client/server setup can be helpful in many ways. It
can free up disk space by providing a ______________________ for all the files to be
stored. It also ensures the most recent copy of that file is available to all. A server can
also act as a mail server (which collects and sends all the e-mail) or a print server (which
takes all the print jobs and sends them to the printer, thus freeing computing power on
the client machine to continue working).
A series of client/server local area
networks, connected to a wide area
network!
After Reading this, you should be able
to define: LAN; WAN; Client / Server.
BTA Unit 1 Notes
E) Classifying Information
______________________ is there is unlimited information in our society. Is it useful for the time? If so,
who is it useful to?
______________________ is the information collected (primary or secondary) valid? Basically are the
sources of the information trustworthy and reasonable? It is always good to check facts in multiple places.
_______________________the information you have might be valid. It may be done by reputable people,
and it might be verified in several other places. But is it correct? Studies can show that 80% of people drink
at least one coffee on average per day, but is this accurate? Colin Powell, U.S. the Secretary Of State got up
in front of the United Nations and proclaimed there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. There were
none. Colin Powell has impeccable credentials. His points were valid, and they were confirmed by
European countries, but they were not accurate. Check your accuracy by using many valid sources.
_____________________do the people giving the information have a reason to present information in a
certain way. If a study says that drinking 10 cups of coffee a day is good for your heart, is it relevant if the
sponsor was the coffee importers association or Tim Hortons?
_____________________is the information up to date?
Issues Read the article below.
Canada takes aim at digital pirates. Internet downloads may carry $500 fine
Nick Lewis Toronto Star, Friday, June 13, 2008
Under proposed federal rules, consumers like Jethro Hasta, 14, could face fines for copying even legally
purchased music onto their personal players. Canadians who download music, movies, television shows
and video games from the Internet could be subject to a $500 fine under a new proposal by the federal
government. But the penalty for other infringements of copyright law, such as uploading those files or
distributing copies of them, will be up to $20,000. The Conservative bill introduced to Parliament on
Thursday seeks to bring Canada into the digital age through a number of reforms. "The bill clarifies what is
legal and what is not," Canada's Heritage Minister Josee Verner told reporters in Ottawa. "It shows our
willingness to not be complacent in the face of those who use new technologies to unscrupulously steal the
works of our creators," said Verner. The bill is being greeted with mixed reaction. Consumer Jeremy
Hartman, 33, told the Herald he doesn't support a provision in the bill that restricts copies of CDs or DVDs
that contain "digital locks" intended to stop copies from being made. He is also unhappy that recorded TV
shows may only be stored for a "reasonable" amount of time, but not in a permanent personal library. "I
think the average consumer wants to be able to purchase an entertainment product and watch it, listen to it,
play it in any way they choose," he says. "The bill basically just encourages companies to put digital locks
on all their products, forcing you to buy the same product over and over if you want to use it in different
places. "And I should be able to record as many TV programs as I want and keep them for as long as I want.
I could do that with VCRs, why not now?" Consumers face a number of other changes under the bill. You
can make a single copy of music you have legally acquired to each device you own, such as a computer or
iPod. But you cannot copy music you have borrowed or rented, nor can you give away any copies. You
cannot post a copyrighted work -- a song, a picture or a video, for example -- on the Internet without
permission of the copyright holder. This includes social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook.
The news is being met with wide disapproval by bloggers across the country, and by readers of the Herald's
website. "This is all about protecting the huge profit margins of huge music, film and broadcasting
companies. Nothing else," wrote Ed Egan on CalgaryHerald.com Reaction is different in other segments of
BTA Unit 1 Notes
the industry. The bill was roundly applauded by a broad coalition of Canadian creator and music industry
organizations representing 21,000 performers and 15,000 musicians in Canada. In a news release, they
thanked the government for reflecting "the right of creators to earn a living from sales of their work, and be
protected from theft and unauthorized use of their property over the Internet." But Calgary independent
musician Paul Brandt said he didn't share their collective enthusiasm. He doesn't think the bill does enough
to protect artists. "Original copyright laws in the U.S. were put in place to protect the creative individual's
ability to continue being creative, by providing a reasonable revenue stream to flow their way," Brandt said
in a statement issued in response to a Herald query. "While this new legislation is a good attempt, I feel that
it falls short in actually protecting intellectual copyright."
The bill, introduced by Industry Minister Jim Prentice, also faces opposition from Michael Geist, Canada
research chair in Internet and e-commerce. Geist spearheaded opposition to a similar proposal in December,
which included 41,000 members signed onto a group on Facebook. "Prentice hands consumers a series of
attention-grabbing new 'private rights,' but then proceeds to take them away in the digital environment,"
Geist wrote on his blog. "All these rights force consumers to read the fine print -- you can shift a song or a
television show, but once it's locked down, your rights disappear and your potential liability skyrockets."
The bill also exempts Internet service providers from liability for copyright violations by their customers,
with the caveat that they pass information about illegal activity to copyright holders. However, ISPs will not
have to remove offending material, as is the law in the United States. Prentice said the bill was created to
balance the interests of Canadians who create content and those who use digital technology. Its focus is on
those who illegally upload copyrighted content.
Under the Proposed Copyright Reform, Here's What You are Allowed to Do:
Can I record TV shows? You can make a single copy of a TV show, radio broadcast or webcast for later
viewing, but not for permanent storage in a personal library. You also cannot give it away.
Can I put music on my MP3 player? You can copy a music CD onto each device you own, such as a
computer or MP3 player, as long as the disc does not contain a "digital lock." You cannot give those copies
away.
Can I download music or movies from the Internet? No. If you possess illegal copies of music or movies,
you may be liable for a copyright infraction to a maximum of $500. However, you may face larger penalties
for uploading copyrighted content.
How can I be caught? Your Internet service provider will be compelled to warn you if it receives an
allegation of illegal activity from a copyright holder. Your ISP may also be obligated to turn over your
identity and information about illegal activity to the copyright holder in the event of a lawsuit.
1) To the best of your knowledge, has this system come in to place? If not, can you freely download
anything that you want?
2) What do you think of the proposed system?
3) Why do you think it takes so long to change the laws about downloading?