Characteristics of a Good Computer

CAVENDISH UNIVERSITY UGANDA STUDENT NAME: AKANKWASA JOHNSON ( 077/0702-978405) STUDENT ID:02/02615/124400 COURSEBEHS LECTURER: MR. MENYA SHAKIR MODULE: INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY MODULE CODE: BIT 110 ASSIGNMENT NUMBER: 01 DATE ISSUED: 4TH /11/2012 DUE DATE: 11 /11/2012 ASSIGNMENT BRIEF: 1. Discuss the factors you would consider while buying a computer. 2. How has information networks solved the problems of an organization? GUIDE TO STUDENTS 1. Maximum 2 pages word processed excluding cover and reference pages. 2. Use Times New Roman 3. Font Size should be 12 4. 1. 5 Line Spacing . For referencing purposes, use the Harvard Author-Date System. Instructions to Students 1. This form must be attached to the front of your assignment. 2. The assignment must be handed in without fail by the due date. QUESTION. 1: Discuss factors you would consider while buying a computer. Solution According to Prof. More Manojkumar, (2009), various factors that would be considered when buying compute rs are discussed here bellow; 1. Processor Speed: A computer is a very fast device which can perform the amount of work that a human being can do in an entire year in few seconds.This therefore means that a good powerful computer should be capable of performing several billion arithmetic operations per second. The speed of a computer measure is in microseconds (10-6), Nanoseconds (10-9) and picoseconds (10-12). 2. Accuracy: The accuracy of a computer is principally highly considered; and the degree of accuracy of a particular computer depends upon its design however Errors can occur in a computer due to human rather than technological weaknesses. 3. Memory (Power of Remembering): A good Computer should have sound brain (Fast memory, 2 GB+) but unlike human (Man) beings.A computer can store data and information and recalled as long as one requires it for any numbers of years because of its secondary storage capability. This means data and information can be retrieved as long as desir ed by the user and can be recalled, as when required. The information recalled would be as accurate as on the day when it was fed to the computer. 4. Diligence: A good Computer should be diligent unlike human beings. This means that a computer should be free from dullness and lack of concentration.It can continuously work for hours without creating any error human beings in doing regular types of jobs, which requires great accuracy. Computer can perform the number of calculation with exactly the same accuracy and speed as the first one. 5. Versatility: Versatility is a most important characteristic which a good computer should have hence the capacity to perform completely different type of work. For example one may use a computer to prepare payroll slips where there is a lot of veracity, may be used for inventory management or to prepare electric bills.A good computer should therefore be capable of performing almost any task, if the task can be reduced to series of logical steps. 6. Automation: Good Computers should be automatic electronic machines however; computer being machines can not start themselves without human interventions. They cannot go out to find their own problems and solutions because they have to be instructed. Hence the automation eases the operation of the user. 7. Communication/ Connectivity: Most computers today have the capability of communicating with other computers. We can connect two or more computers by a communication device such as modem.These computers can share data, instructions, and information. The connected computer are called network. 8. No Feelings: Good Computers should have no feelings, no emotions like human heart and soul since they are machines. Computers cannot make such judgments on their own because their judgment is based on the instructions given to them in form of programs that are written by us. 9. Reliability; Most consumers are looking for a computer that are reliable, yet if the product is on the market then it is bound to have undergone and passed the numerous technological tests before release.In conclusion therefore; all computers should meet these characteristics but it just depends upon the efficiency of the users, their computer skills as to whether they remain satisfied with their purchase. 1 QESTION 2: How has information networks solved the problems of an organization? SOLUTION Network information systems link pockets of highly specialized data to provide efficient access. Computer-based information systems have been in widespread use since the 1990s in industry, non-profit organizations and government agencies.These systems have solved a number of problems in organizations in the following ways; 1. Provided fast access to databases of personnel information, reference reading, best practices and on-the-job training, and are easily customizable to meet an organization's needs. With the Internet and technology boom of the early 21st century, use of computer-based information netw orks is growing faster each year. 2. Ensured Data Centrality; Access to data via a computer network information system is central, providing a â€Å"one-stop† location to find and access pertinent computer data.Most large-scale businesses and organizations use some sort of central database to manage user information, manage advertisement lists, store product information and keep track of orders. Examples of central database solutions are MySQL, Postgre SQL or Microsoft SQL database solutions, coupled with custom software which provides user interfaces. 3. Improved Information Coverage; Information coverage is a huge advantage for any organization, because having vast amounts of useful data from every different department streamlines access and increases productivity. For users, having access to a networked nformation system is analogous to having a digital library of shared knowledge hence; Central information systems provide organizations with the advantages of having large amounts of data, covering many different fields, all accessible via an information access with larger databases of academic and professional research, such as Google Scholar, to provide even more information capability to personnel. 4. Ensured access to efficiency; Efficiency of access is a crucial advantage to networked information systems in organization over more traditional information management systems, such as paper cataloging and filing.Computer-based information systems catalog and file documents in a set logical way, making data access very efficient and fast. Data can be manually categorized, and filters created to automatically file documents that match certain patterns. This increases employee productivity time by allowing workers to focus more on the task at hand rather than filing paperwork. 5. Extensibility; Computer-based information systems are completely extensible and customizable to an organization's needs.Upon installation, customized computer information syste ms use configuration files that are tailor-made to an organization's needs to file and categorize data. Computer software engineers frequently design custom database interfaces and information storage/recovery systems for enterprise clients. As a company grows, modifications and additions to this filing configuration allow easy extensibility. Computer information systems are not limited in scale or possibility. They are uniquely designed for maximum organizational benefit for each customer.In conclusion therefore; Information net works have greatly helped organizations grow and efficiently deliver the services to achieve specific goals. 2 REFERENCES 1. http://www. ehow. com/list_6748808_advantages-computer_based-information-systems. html#ixzz2Bu35Ixvk 2. Ronald Golooba, (2012); Lecture Notes for year one students a cohort 15, Cavendish University Uganda. 3. en. kioskea. net/contents/pc/ordinateur-portable. php3 – Cached. 4. Prof. More Manojkumar, (2009), Characteristics of co mputer systems. 5. wiki. answers. com †º †¦ †º Operating Systems – Cached