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ICT (Generic Features of Software (WordArt WordArt is the term used by…

- - - - Visual impact is important and will be different dependent upon target group. More dramatic use of colour and transitions for younger viewers.
    - - The important detail must be included. If there is a presentation about a course, the detail about deadlines must be included.
    - - Presentation needs to be easy-to-read and brief. Comments by the presenter can add the necessary detail.
    - - Consistent layout makes a presentation or document easy to follow. Use similar colour schemes and font styles throughout.
    - - The content must be relevant to the subject being presented. Business Studies examples are not needed in an ICT presentation.
    - - The design of diagrams and charts must not be too complex for the audience to follow. Fit complexity to the age and experience of the audience.
- - - - Many schools and universities use plagiarism checkers to detect students who have broken copyright. It is considered to be a very serious offence and can result in failure of a course.
      - It is easy to avoid plagiarism by:
         Documenting sources you use by including the name of author, the date published and the source name; if you refer to an Internet source list the URL and the date that you referred to it.
         Use several sources for your information and then write the information in your own words.
      - Plagiarism is quite straightforward for students to do nowadays as text can easily be copied off the Internet and pasted into an assignment. #
- - - - Purpose of the page – is the information posted as a news source, a public service, commercial reasons or as a way to gain personal attention?
      - Check contact information – if there is none provided it is difficult to establish that the author or page is supported by a trustworthy person or organisation.
      - Check URL to find out type of organisation or person who wrote it – personal pages are not necessarily incorrect, but crosscheck the information with a known good source like newspapers and broadcasters.
      - Check the date that it was produced and updated; to make sure it is up to date information.
- - - - Outputs
        
        Heaters – to heat the air in the greenhouse.
        LCD Control Panel screen
        • displays the time
        • current temperature
        • humidity
        • light readings
        • the limits that have been set
        LEDs to indicate readings are within the set limits.
        Lights – to provide artificial light for the plants.
        Motors – used to open and close the vents in the greenhouse roof.
        Water pumps – used to spray a water mist into the air or water the plants.
  - - - Buzzers are used to give an audible output such as alarms or warnings, for example in an intensive care unit in a hospital.
    - - A computer-controlled device that can be moved to a certain location using position sensors as part of a feedback loop.
    - - Lights can be the output from a control system; they can be used in traffic lights or as warning lights on a control panel.
    - - An actuator is the motor and related linkage that is used in a control system. It may be used to lift a car park barrier or open a lift door.
- - - - Technology changes have resulted in the more globalised trade as a result of the transfer of finance, goods and ideas throughout the world.
- - - - WIMP = Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointers
- - - - The following automatic input devices have been described and their advantages/disadvantages outlined in Section 1.2.2
         Chip and PIN
         OMR
         Barcode Reader
         Magnetic Stripe Cards
    - - Voice recognition is widely used as a data capture method for inputting text into word processors; it can also be used as a method of inputting identification into security entry systems.
        Voice recognition software has become more popular as more powerful computers have become available. The latest version of a typical software package allows the user to type directly into most Windows applications approximately three times faster than typing.
        
        Advantages
        Quicker method of entering data than using a keyboard, even if the user is a trained typist
        Ideal method for disabled users who cannot easily use keyboards
        Helps to prevent repetitive strain injury (RSI)
        
        Disadvantages
        Software needs to be trained to recognise an individual voice and accent to ensure accurate data entry.
        The user has to learn a range of commands and sometimes there are problems distinguishing between input text and commands.
        Excessive background noise can cause errors as the speech input quality is reduced.
    - - Data is often collected on forms and then typed into the computer; data can be entered by filling in the form and posting/emailing it to the organisation or in some cases the details for the form are taken over the telephone and either entered on to a form or entered directly into the computer.
        Data entry forms can include:
         Questionnaires with spaces for data entry. These can be used for a variety of reasons such as feedback, where answers are multi-choice. Questionnaires sometimes lack flexibility, particularly if they have multi-choice inputs; it may be that the option you really want to enter is not present.
         Application forms for either a service or job. These are usually filled in by hand which might make them difficult to read and as a consequence there may be errors when data is transcribed into the computer.
         Online forms to order services or goods. The data is entered directly on to the system and there may be some checking as data is entered.
        There are many advantages in using online forms as the person entering the data is prompted to check it prior to final submission, so it is more likely to be accurate.
        If a vital field is not filled in the form will provide interactive help on which field it is and the sort of answer expected.
    - - RFID tags (or Radio Frequency Identification tags) are fixed to products, like a barcode. They use the antenna to communicate with a RFID reader or scanner for tracking purposes. They can be used for security purposes in stores to prevent theft and also on checkouts where they have the advantage of being scanned remotely and are relatively inexpensive
    - - Biometric recognition is becoming used more in the computer industry.
        There are two types of biometric recognition:
         Physiological – where people are identified by their fingerprint, palm print, facial recognition or by iris recognition.
         Behavioural – where people are identified by their voice.
        Although this is a reliable way of identifying people due to the uniqueness of biometrics, it is still expensive technology when compared with physical security methods. However, one of the main advantages is the speed which people are positively identified and the lack of a requirement to use a swipe card, which can be mislaid.
- - - - Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) arise due to repeated physical movements that can damage tendons and muscles. In computing workers make thousands of repeated keystrokes and spend long periods dragging and selecting with a mouse or other pointing device. Constantly using the same group of muscles therefore accumulates damage in the fingers, hands and wrists for a worker who types at a keyboard for a long time. Usually the symptoms do not last, but the main discomfort is pain to the hands and wrists.
        Lack of adequate rest and breaks is a key cause of RSI which can be minimised by good workstation design and good working practices.
    - - Research suggests that using a computer monitor does not have any long term negative effects on eyesight.
        However, excessive use of computers with brightly-lit monitors can cause temporary eye strain, which can produce symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision or general eye irritation. Eye strain can also be caused by glare, reflections or even a dirty screen; all these factors can make it difficult for the user to easily read the screen.
        Eye strain can be avoided by:
        • Taking regular breaks away from the workstation or from time to time performing tasks that do not involve looking at the screen.
        • Setting the position of the screen to avoid reflections and using blinds to reduce glare where the only location is to have the screen facing away from a window.
    - - Stress is a major health problem in the UK which costs employers billions of pounds each year as people who suffer from the illness can be absent from work on a long-term basis.
        In particular working with ICT systems can be stressful as the computer system can handle tasks far quicker than the member of staff can enter data. Additionally the introduction of computer workstations into the work environment has tended to reduce personal contact between staff as they are spread further apart; consequently, communication is more by email and messaging than by having a ‘stress-releasing chat’.
        Stress in the workplace is increased by:
         Using computers to monitor employees’ performance.
         Teleworking, mobile phones and laptops mean that an employee can never truly be away from the job.
         Information overload – ICT Systems can overwork people with more information than can be understood; a typical example is handling an excessive amount of emails on a daily basis.
         Technophobia – fear of technology often associated with older people.
         Software that is frustrating or difficult to use.
         The addictive nature of ICT causing staff to overwork.
         Excessive workloads placed on an employee.
    - - Back and neck problems occur in computer operators because they remain seated in the same position for a substantial part of the working day. Poor location of the keyboard and monitor relative to the worker's chair can increase the risk of back and neck problems.