Lab Log # 4

Part A:


Binary Number System:a numeral system that represents numeric values by using the symols 1 and 0 ( Used in today in computers for internal devices to communicate with each other)


Decimal Number System: is a numeral system that uses a base of ten, and is the most widely used numerical system (used everyday for various uses.. most commonly used number system)


Hexidecimal Number Systems: is a numeral system that uses a base of 16, written using the symbols 1-9 and a-f, or A-F (used to represent the binary system so that humans can read it easier)


The difference between the three above systems is that the binary system uses just two symbols 1 and 0 to reprresent everything, while the other two systems use many symbols as to make it easier to diffferentiate between different terms. While the binary system is used almost exculsively today in the internal deviecs of a computer, the decimal system is used in everyday life also. As well the hexidecimal system is used in computers but is formatted so as to make it easier for humans to read, but can still be used with computers. ( It is an easier way to read binary for humans).


Part B:


The base 2 and the base 10 number sysytems are similar by the fact that they are both using a couple of symbols to represent various values and terms. Both represent a large amount of values. By having the binary system be represented by 0's and 1's it furthered the abilities of the computer. As by having the symbols represent the on and off posistions of the transistors, this making it easier for the computer to understand things as well as make it possible for us, as humans, to be able to better figure out how a computer communicates internally.

Over the ages the binary system has evolved from consisting of trigrams and hexigrams, this being used in medieval Western geomancy, as well as other forms of divination in ancient times. The use of the binary system once represented the alphabet. This was important to for the general theory of binary encoding, for it was stated that this method could be used with any object at all (as long as those objects are capable of twofold difference only). In the 17th century the modern binary system was created by a man by the name of Gottfried Leibniz. George Boole in 1854, had a paper published detailing a system of logic that later became known as Boolean logic.. This logical system proved to be important for the development of the binary system, especially in its implementation in the electronic circuitry. Claude Shannon furthered this technology by implementing Boolean algebra and binary arithmetic using switches and electronic relays for the first time in history.

The intellectual importance of the binary system is that as more people developed the binary system the more they seemed to pursue the logic of a binary code. It has developed to become a specific language used by a computers internal devices as a way to communicate between themselves.

Part C:

Time: 4:56 a.m. 0011 0100 0011 1010 0011 0100 0011 0110 0110 0001 0110 1101

Bibliography


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_numeral_system


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decimal


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexadecimal

Assignment # 2 Module B

Windows XP Professional

This operating system is one of the most recent instalments from Microsoft, currently only exceeded by Windows Vista. Windows XP came into production in 2001, it was a combination of the Windows NT/2000 with the Windows 95/96/ME lines. This operating system surpassed all of the other members of the Microsoft operating systems family, at the point of it coming out. Windows XP began a new era of systems, as it introduced the Windows NT core to the consumer market. Windows XP uses the Windows NT 5.1 kernel, this replacing the old 16/32-bit branch. Windows XP was the longest lasting version of Windows that was been released to date. It totalled a total of six years, between 2001 and 2007, when Windows Vista surpassed it.
Consumers using Windows XP will experience improved code protection, dramatically reduced reboot scenarios, enhanced device driver verifier, pre-emptive multitasking architecture, as well as many new and improved things within the computing system. These improvements allow maximum system stability, higher levels of systems uptime, run demanding programs with impressive system response time.
Windows XP has no built-in protection against viruses, which is a downfall to the system. Also Windows XP hides the true nature of all files, which is one of the oldest and most dangerous flaws in any operating system. Due to this 'hiding' of files many viruses take advantage of this weakness by naming their "payload" files with double file extensions.
As stated above Windows XP was the first Windows operating system to use a Windows NT core. It also introduced the possibility of having various users' desktops to allow for people to share a computer but still maintain their own programs on the desktop. Many new and unique features were introduced in this operating system throughout its six years of superiority. These features include improvements with internal devices and the systems capability to run with new software.
Myself I prefer Windows XP to the newer Microsoft operating system, Windows Vista. This is because Windows XP is reliable, and it doesn't have too many features so as to confuse me. Over the six-year span that Windows XP was superior, I grew comfortable using it and find it hard to use the newer system. Also I dislike the systems that came before Windows XP as they are now outdated and slow compared to newer, more modern systems.

Lab Log # 3

4. In my opinion companies that have files on their customers should not be allowed to give out the information. The information people give these companies, they believe is safe. Even if the information is to be bought off the company, the company shouldn't have the ability to give it out to anyone. This I believe is a problem in today's societies, as people can steal identities and also steal many other things by accessing this sort of personal information. Therefore a person's sercurity isn't ensured, but still this kind of incident occurs from various companies. It isn't fair for companies to sell information that isn't theirs to sell, so therefore I disagree with the concept of companies selling their customers personal information.

3. In my opinion the personal computer will never have enough storage space. I believe this because although the average personal computer's storage capacity increases every year so does the amoun tfo programs to go on the computer. More new software and programs come out easch year and people readily download them filling in all their storage space. Things like iTunes, Msn Messenger, Limewire, etc can be found on most computers now adays. As well more programs come on the computer than in previous years. This taking over more of the computers stoarge space. As technology advanced people also have been buying more devices that can hook into the comuter through USB ports, and other ports. Things such as cameras, Mp3 players, iPods, etc. Not only do people download stuff to go onto these devices but htey also have to download the programs to run them and to download stuff for them. The increasement of the digital camera is also taking a huge role in taking over storage space as people are now taking mor eand more pictures that they can "conveniently" store on their computer. Also music downloads and the ability to download videos is rapidly filling up computers. This taking over more of little storage space that is left. So in conclusion I do not beleive that there will ever be enough storage room to satisfy the average user.

Lab Log # 2

The 'language barrier' with techies proves to be a problem when working with 'non-techies' because the 'non-techies' often don't comprehend half of the things the techie is saying. Some people have the ability to "dumb things down" for non-techies, this making life alot easier for the non-techies. Techies just need to calm down, admit that not everybody's as computer smart as they are, and try to make things less complicated. While you may feel pride for being able to describe a really confusing problem, and make it sound really really confusing, it generally won't be of any help to anyone unless they have taken as many courses on computers as you have. Even if they have, that's not a good thing, because then you should soon be out of a job, and that's never a good thing. Especially since IT positions generally pay well now. Also, filling in 'non-techies' with the odd technical term will just add unnecessary clutter to their 'busy' lives, and will just probably forget it. It's your job to know how to fix these things, so just help people fix them, and be on your way. Otherwise you may end up with some competition.

Assignment # 5

USB: Using a USB cord you can connect external devices to the computer to either transfer or input data onto the computer. As well it is possible to output data onto the device using the USB port.

Strengths: Can carry any kind of data; radio, television, music, etc. , can carry small electrical charges that can power many things that usually would have to be powered by batteries, the connectors are designed to not break; there are not any pins on the sides of them to make them break easily.

Weaknesses: Can transfer viruses from one computer to another computer or to external devices linked by a USB cord, and the physical connectors are troublesome because there are many different sizes of USB connectors and not all of them fit every device/ computer.

Parallel: a port that is a type of socket found on PC's for interfacing various peripherals.

Strengths: none as it is out of date…the USB replaced it

Weaknesses: has a lack of true bidirectional ability, faster than serial ports but still slow compared to modern standards, and its expensive.

SCSI: (Small Computer System Interface)- a set of standards which physically connects and transfers data between computers and peripheral devices.

Strengths: Supports for a large number of device on the bus, can handle up to 160MBps in data transmissions, and any device could use SCSI.

Weaknesses: The bus width, transfer modes and signalling methods, and cable length.

Firewire: a fast external bus that supports data transfer rate of up to 400 MBps.

Strengths: One of the fastest peripheral standard developed, can move large amounts of data between computers and peripheral devices, and enables easy connection of digital consumer products.

Weaknesses: Space constraints and the lack of wide range compatibility.