Hardware, Operating system and Peripherals
Computer hardware
Refers to the physical components of a computer. i.e the parts you can touch whether they be covered up by a case or on display. So if you could physically take the cover off you touch something then it is hardware. eg Monitor, VDU (Visual Display Unit), System Unit (containg a unit), CPU (Central Processing Unit), Speakers, Keyboard, Mouse, camera, microphone.
Hardware can be inside or outside the computer: The CPU and hard drive are inside the computer. The keyboard, monitor, and printer are outside the computer and must be connected by cables.
The system unit parts include the CPU, memory, video, sound cards, disc drives for storage, ports for external devices.
Operating System
The term operating system refers to the software that enables your computer hardware to run.
An operating system (commonly abbreviated to either OS or O/S) is an interface between hardware and user; an OS is responsible for the management and coordination of activities and the sharing of the resources of the computer. The operating system acts as a host for computing applications that are run on the machine. As a host, one of the purposes of an operating system is to handle the details of the operation of the hardware. ~ Wikepedia
Modern operating systems in order of popularity of useage include:
- Windows
- Mac
- Linux
- Solaris
Peripherals
A peripheral is a piece of computer hardware that is added to a host computer, i.e any hardware except the computer, in order to expand its abilities. More specifically, the term is used to describe those devices that are optional in nature, as opposed to hardware that is either demanded or always required in principle. These may include: fax, printer, electronic whiteboard, data projector, joysticks, wheels, gamepad, motion-sensing game controllers etc
Keeping up with technology
There was a stage when computer CPU and RAM struggled to keep up with the needs of software developers however that doesn't seem to be the case at the moment with powerful computer systems being sold at the low end of the market. For example my laptop purchased 3 years ago for $1700 had a core 2 duo processor and 1 Gig Ram. Laptops are still being sold today with core 2 duo processors and options to increase Ram. The selling price for similar laptops approx $1100. Windows Vista operating system has not been widely adopted with industry rejecting the platform in favour of Windows XP. The internal components such as video cards, monitor, sound cards etc have improved in quality and speed however there has been a trend to smaller screensize rather than larger. Mobile devices such as mobile phones have improved in performance and have become a virtual computer in your pocket. Apple has had a resurgence in computer sales with the introduction of the iMac, Macbook air and the iPhone. Macs come with excellent software packages and support and compare favourably with PC's when it comes to price. Apple has a reputation for reliability and rarely has a problem with computer viruses which seem to be the bain of Windows.
Activity 2.1
Gone are the days when you buy software through a computer store - well almost. The majority of users now directly download software over the internet or purchase from online stores.Computer stores rarely stock a range of software anymore. Because of the ability to download online most individual licences only supply you with the software for the operating system specified. Rarely do you get a CD with the software installation process on it either. Usually you have to pay extra for that. A link is usually built into software programs to automatically search for updates and notify you when they are found and waiting to be installed. When downloading over the net you have the ability to specify your computer platform. Often the site where you are downloading can determine the specifications automatically. Software specifications are normally supplied when you are buying.
However when buying for a school things are slightly different. We have a list of preferred online buyers. Recently I was looking at purchasing software for school and looking at the website of http://www.edsoft.com.au. Edsoft provide schools with individual and site licences and provide schools with CD's for installation. One of the requirements through our school is we can only purchase software on CD which often means we pay a premium price.
I thought I would check out the latest software available for purchase from Edsoft just to give me some insight as to specifications. After contacting Edsoft they only stock software for Windows 98 or higher (Vista Compatible) or Mac: OS X 10.3 (Leopard Compatible). Anything else can be ordered in but is difficult to find.
| Name of software | Platform and operating system |
|---|---|
| Easiteach Science Content School Site Licence | Windows 98 or higher (Vista Compatible) or Mac: OS X 10.3 (Leopard Compatible) |
| Easiteach Early Steps Content Level 2 School Site Licence 250-499 | Windows 98 or higher (Vista Compatible) or Mac: OS X 10.3 (Leopard Compatible) |
| Easiteach Early Steps Content Level 3 School Site Licence 500+ | Windows 98 or higher (Vista Compatible) |
| Easiteach Geography Tools Schools Site Licence | Windows 98 or higher (Vista Compatible) or Mac: OS X 10.3 (Leopard Compatible) |
| Easiteach Early Steps Content School Site Licence | Windows 98 or higher (Vista Compatible) |
| Easiteach Geography Tools School Site Licence >500 | Windows 98 or higher (Vista Compatible) or Mac: OS X 10.3 (Leopard Compatible) |
| Easiteach Animated Books Content School Site Licence | Windows 98 or higher (Vista Compatible) |
| Easiteach Animated Books Content Level 2 School Site Licence 250-499 | Windows 98 or higher (Vista Compatible) |
| Easiteach Animated Books Content Level 3 School Site Licence 500+ | Windows 98 or higher (Vista Compatible) |
| Easiteach Antartica Content School Site Licence | Windows 98 or higher (Vista Compatible) |
Although this is just a very short survey of the first page of their software catalogue, on quick scan the next few pages are very similar. So as you can see there is more software out there for Windows OS than for Mac. This does not surprise me because the State Education bodies preferred operating system is Windows. In Queensland schools require extra MOE installations to run Mac computers and many schools do not allow this option.
Activity 2.2