20 Points Due March 29. Ends April 5.
Reading:
Part 1: Study Questions 15 points
Start a new Word document called HW5. Answer the following questions from Chapters 3 and 4 in Understanding Computers.
1. When referring to storage media, what does volatility mean?
2. How is flash memory different from magnetic storage and what are its advantages?
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. Answer the following questions:
3. What is the URL?
4. Give a brief summary of the information on the page. Describe if the page is for the IDs, against them or just reporting without taking a side.
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. Answer the following questions:
5. What is the URL?
6. What does the site allow you to store?
7. Describe the pricing structure (how much storage you get for what price).
Do an Internet search to find a web page about the use of RFID tags (page 153 in Understanding Computers). Answer the following questions:
8. What is the URL?
9. Give a brief summary of the information on the page. Describe if the page is for the tags, against them or just reporting without taking a side.
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 alternative input devices besides the keyboard and mouse.
14. What is OCR software used for?
15. Would you choose an LCD or plasma if you were going to buy a large TV for your home? Why? Describe the differences between the two in your answer.
From page 185 Group Discussion in Understanding Computers:
Answer the questions about biometric input devices and your opinion of them in 2-3 paragraphs. Make sure you include both Part 1 and Part 2 in your HW5 document and email it to me.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?