CO INFO1 Task #5 Assignment

CO INFO1 Task #5 Storage and Input/Output

Due October 4. Ends October 11.

Reading:

Chapter 3 "Storage" in Understanding Computers.
Chapter 4 "Input and Output" in Understanding Computers.

In this assignment you will:

Answer study questions from the reading.
Participate in a discussion about biometric input.
Answer multiple choice quiz questions on the reading

Log in to Etudes and click the link for Tasks, Tests and Surveys. Click Task 5 and begin the assignment. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the assignment and quiz. Once you click Finish there is no way to go back and change it. If you realize you have made an error you need to email me about it. You may complete the parts of the assignment in any order. You can enter and exit as you wish.

Part 1: Study Questions 15 points

Start a new Word document called Task5. Answer the following questions from Chapters 3 and 4 in Understanding Computers.

1. When referring to storage media, what does volatility mean?

2. What are the advantages of flash memory over magnetic storage?

3. Background information from page 136 SHORT ANSWER/RESEARCH in Understanding Computers:

Smart IDs Some credit cards are now being issued as smart cards, some campus ID cards are smart cards, and smart cards have been proposed to replace conventional driver's licenses, medical insurance cards, and other important documents. Some countries have already implemented smart-card based national ID cards. The ability of a smart card to hold a larger amount of personal data than a conventional magnetic stripe card is viewed as a benefit by some. This capability, however is also viewed as a privacy risk to others.

Do an Internet search to find a web page about smart card national IDs.

What is the URL?

4. Give a summary (a few sentences) of the information on the page you found for #3.

5. Background information from page 136 HANDS ON in Understanding Computers:

There are a number of online storage services designed to allow users to back up and share files with others; specialty online storage services designed for digital photo sharing include Flickr and Yahoo! Photos.

Do an Internet search to find a remote storage web site for backup, file exchange or photo sharing not mentioned in the textbook.

What is the URL?

6. What does the site you found for #5 allow you to store?

7. Describe the pricing structure (how much storage you get for what price).

8. Do an Internet search to find a web page about the use of RFID tags (page 153 in Understanding Computers). What is the URL?

9. Give a summary (a few sentences) of the information on the page you found for #8.

10. How do you feel about the use of RFID tags and why?

11. Do an Internet search to learn about e-paper (also called electronic paper). What are the advantages of e-paper?

12. Select a disability (blind, deaf, paraplegic, amputee, etc.) and do an Internet search to find one hardware device to be used with a PC for someone with the selected disability. Describe the device.

13. List three input devices besides the keyboard and mouse.

14. What is a turnaround document?

15. Would you choose an LED, LCD or plasma if you were going to buy a large TV for your home? Why?

Part 2 Discussion (5 points)

From page 185 Group Discussion in Understanding Computers:

Biometric input devices, such as fingerprint readers and iris scanners, are increasingly being used for security purposes, such as to clock in and out of work, or to obtain access to locked facilities, a computer or a computer network. Other uses of biometric technology are more voluntary, such as expedited airport-screening programs used by some frequent travelers and the fingerprint payment systems used at some retail stores. While viewed as a time-saving tool by some, other individuals may object to their biometric characteristics being stored in a database for this purpose. Is convenience worth compromising some personal privacy? What about national security? Would you be willing to sign up for a voluntary program, such as an airport-screening system or a fingerprint payment system, that relies on biometric data? Would you work at a job that required you to use a biometric input device on a regular basis? Do you think a national ID card containing hard-to-forge biometric data could help prevent terrorist attacks, such at the September 11, 2001 attacks? If so, do you think most Americans would support its use?

Go to the Task 5 Biometric Input Discussion.
Do an Internet search to find a web page that talks about how biometric devices can be used (or misused). It should be one that no one else has posted about yet.
Start a new topic.
Put the title of the web page in the subject line. Make sure the title is correct so other students can see which sites have been used.
Copy and paste the URL to the body of the message. The URL must be correct and point directly to the article so another student can read it.
Give a one paragraph summary of the information on the page.
Reply to a message posted by another student. Read the article they posted about. In your reply, Give a one paragraph summary saying how you feel about the use of biometric based on the information in their article and the one you posted about.

Part 3 Quiz

Take a 20 question multiple choice quiz on chapters 3 and 4 in Understanding Computers.